meeting #6 group closure working berrima colliery · project considerations review the use of...

Berrima Colliery - Closure Working Group

Meeting #6Boral Cement Procurement Building 9 March 2020>Welcome

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Agenda

1. Welcome and Apologies2. Terms of Reference - Conduct of CWG Members3. Review of minutes & actions4. Scientific Report Discussion - Rob Byrnes & Greg Johnson5. Bulkhead Seals Update - David Spears6. EPL/CCL Updates - Greg Johnson7. Water Supply Pipeline Opportunity - Fabio Colusso8. Mandemar Lane Update - Greg Johnson & Fabio Colusso9. Communication Update - Tom Horn (BCW)

10. Role of Committee Members - Terms of Reference Review 11. General business12. Next meeting


1. Welcome - CWG Representatives, Apologies & Guests

● Boral - Fabio Colusso, Greg Johnson, David Spears, Tom Horn (BCW)

● Resource Regulator - Greg Kininmonth, Peter McMillan

● Environment Protection Authority - William Dove, Andrew Couldridge

● WaterNSW - Ravi Sundaram

● Wingecarribee Shire Council - Barry Arthur

● Western Sydney University - Dr Ian Wright,

● Community - Clive West, Alan Lindsay, Graham Kelly, Ray Nolan, Julian Brophy, Tony McCormick

● Independent chair - Brad Mullard (Apology)

● Minute taker – Rob Byrnes


2. Terms of Reference - Code of Conduct of CWG Members


3. Review of Minutes – suggested amendments

● WaterNSW - Ravi commentsThe corrections relate to the environmental releases WaterNSW is required to discharge from Wingecarribee Dam and the incorrect reference of WaterNSW as Sydney Water. WaterNSW is required to discharge 4 ML/d environmental flow from Wingecarribee Dam as per its current Operating Licence. In addition to this from time to time, for operational reasons WaterNSW transfers water from the Shoalhaven River system thru the Wingecarribee Dam and Wingecarribee River to Warragamba dam. These larger discharges (typically 50-150 Ml/d) last occurred in April 2019. WaterNSW has been formed from the former Sydney Catchment Authority, State Water and DPI Water and is a NSW state owned corporation . Sydney Water is one of WaterNSW’s clients/customers.


4. Surface Water Monitoring Scientific Report


Berrima Colliery Scientific Report Summary

● Prepared in response to Special Condition E3.1 of EPL 608● The report brings together environmental studies specific to Special Condition 8 and

covers the complete two years of the Performance Monitoring Program● Report compiles four separate studies into impacts on the Wingecarribee River

○ Water Quality, Aquatic Ecology, Ecotoxicology and Sediment analysis● Results can be used to develop further strategies necessary to provide long term

certainty of potential impacts of the mine following closure● The specific study area consists of the mixing zone of the mine discharge within the

Wingecarribee River - Extending from licensed discharge point for a distance of 6 km.

● Assessed impacts of discharge on receiving waters using ANZECC and ARMCANZ risked based methodology

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Water Quality - Findings and Conclusions

● General Discussion from Report - Rob


Aquatic Ecology - Conclusion



Ecotoxicity Assessment - Discussion



Sediment Analysis - Fate Assessment - Conclusion



Scientific Report - Overall Conclusion

● Discussion on overall conclusions - Rob


5. Bulkhead Sealing Plan Update - Location in respect of workings


Bulkhead Seal installation update


Bulkhead Seal installation update

● Seven Bulkheads installed May 2019

● Personnel inspecting and recording observations twice a week

● Observations to date - minor seepage in ribs adjacent to the bulkheads and some through floor

● Bulkheads down dip in roadways, other water from western area of mine also provides some water at

front. This is managed by small air pumps.

● Water level at top of Bulkhead B1 - September 2019

● Water level at the top of B6 Bulkhead - November 2019

● Water quality behind bulkheads similar to 2017 drainage scenario i.e elevated minerals

● Passive treatment system recommissioned and operational in December 2019, Underground water

management plan implemented.

● Remediation works to B2 Bulkhead undertaken in January 2020.

● Hydrology (ground water) model indicated a 2.3m rise before groundwater would transition (leak)

through the strata/underground workings.

● Recharge level at B1 Bulkhead 3726mm - March 2020 (Treatment and pumping system operating)

● If the mine saturation increases it is possible that alternative pathways may occur


6. Environmental Protection Licence/ CCL 748 Updates

EPL 608

Annual return due submitted late December 2019. Final Water Quality Report and Scientific report submitted 28 Feb 2020

CCL 748

AEMR submitted 28 Feb 2020.

7. Proposed Water Supply Pipeline - Medway to New Berrima

Key Issues & Drivers

● Climate Change - extended period of severe drought / bushfires

● Local Cement works relies on a water source for operational & environmental needs

● Drought has placed pressure on local available water [river & town water]

Project Considerations

● Review the use of Colliery mine water [rather than manage water make underground]

● Water produced underground is consistent [approx 2.6Ml/day] - even during drought

● Seek alternatives to Cement works using local water [River & town water]

● Colliery has necessary water licence approvals

● An existing route available from Colliery to Cement works

● Community Consultation


8. Mandemar Lane Update

● Boral has made some good progress in preparing an Environmental Activities Land Access Agreement for landholders in Mandemar Lane

● Some additional monitoring of production bores outside of the approved EMP as been agreed and Boral has also committed to the following with residents of Mandemar Lane beyond our EMP monitoring requirements:

· Boral working with the landowner to list all areas of concern specific to their landholdings complete with details and their expectations on

Boral (at the choice of each landowner, this can be undertaken either individually with landowners or in conjunction with other Mandemar

Lane residents).

· Boral will review all concerns and provide an initial assessment on those areas of concern that it will investigate further with this decision

shared with the Resources Regulator.

· Times will then be pre-arranged with each Landowner to schedule inspection[s] with Boral and any 3rd parties Boral may need to assist with

determinations regarding any further agreed investigation works required to further understand issues caused by the mine and identify

remediation opportunities. Members of the Resources Regulator or Mine Subsidence Board may also attend dependent upon the list of

issues or results of inspections and the applicability of their involvement.

· Boral will provide the landowner with an outline of any further proposed investigation works post the initial inspection required and once

agreed with the landowner will undertake as per terms within the Environmental Activities Land Access Agreement.

· Once all remaining investigation works are complete a report will be provided to the Landowner and the Resources Regulator for

subsequent review and further discussions with Boral on any agreed remediation works through a new rehabilitation land access

agreement.


9. Communications Update - Tom Horn (BCW)

•Objective: Continue the flow of information with regard to the closure plan updates and activity, and provide forums for the community to easily raise and discuss questions with Boral.

•Delivery methods:Community newsletter – since the last CWG, two newsletters have been distributed in both December and February to all households and PO Boxes in the local Berrima, New Berrima and Medway area.Next one planned for April.

Media relations – ongoing communication and announcements through media. Latest update on passive water treatment, soon to be followed by bulkheads update.

Community forum – we have received engagement from local residents keen to be engaged through the closure process.

Local community website – we are reviewing and updating the community website to include further FAQs, as well as any other material we think will be relevant for the community as the closure process continues.

Community engagement events – next community engagement event is scheduled for April. We are confirming venue and format and will make sure to update the CWG and community in due course.


9. Communications Update - Tom Horn (BCW)


10. Role of Committee Members - Review of Terms of Reference


11. General business


10. Next meeting date

Proposing - Monday 15 June 2020

Location – Boral Procurement Building Berrima Cement

meeting #6 group closure working berrima colliery · project considerations review the use of...

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