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Mount Owen Complex
Mining Operations Plan
January 2017 - December 2021
Report Number 630.11773
March 2017
Mount Owen Pty Limited
Version: Revised Submission
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Mount Owen Complex Mining Operations Plan January 2017 - December 2021
Report Number 630.11773 March 2017
Revised Submission Page i
SLR Consulting Australia Pty Ltd
Mount Owen Complex
Mining Operations Plan
January 2017 - December 2021
PREPARED BY:
SLR Consulting Australia Pty Ltd ABN 29 001 584 612
10 Kings Road
New Lambton NSW 2305 Australia
(PO Box 447 New Lambton NSW 2305 Australia)
T: +61 2 4037 3200 F: +61 2 4037 3201
[email protected] www.slrconsulting.com
DOCUMENT CONTROL
Reference Status Date Prepared Checked Authorised
630.11773 Draft 1 16 November 2016 Mount Owen
Complex (MOC)
and Tracey Ball
Chris Jones Chris Jones
630.11773 Draft 2 20 December 2016 MOC and Tracey
Ball
Chris Jones Chris Jones
630.11773 Submission 24 January 2017 MOC and Chris
Jones
Chris Jones Chris Jones
630.11773 Revised
Submission
7 March 2017 MOC and Chris
Jones
Chris Jones Chris Jones
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Mount Owen Complex Mining Operations Plan January 2017 - December 2021
Report Number 630.11773 March 2017
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SLR Consulting Australia Pty Ltd
Mount Owen Complex
Mining Operations Plan
Name of Mine Mount Owen Complex
MOP Commencement Date 01/1/2017
MOP Completion Date 31/12/2021
Name of Authorisation / Authorisation holder(s) Mt Owen Pty Limited
Mining Authorisations (Lease/Licence No.) CL383, CL715, ML1355, ML1415, ML1419,
ML1453, ML1475, ML1561, ML1608,
ML1629, ML1694, AL8 (MLA 512), ML
1673
Name of Authorisation / Authorisation holder(s) Glendell Tenements Pty Limited
Mining Authorisations (Lease/Licence No.) ML1410, ML1476, CL 358, MPL343
Name of Mine Operator (if different) Mt Owen Pty Limited / Thiess Pty Ltd
Name and Contact Details of the Mine Manager (or equivalent) Ashley McLeod
Name and Contact Details of Environmental Representative Glenn Cook
Name of Representative(s) of the Authorisation Holder(s) Shane Holmes
Title of Representative(s) of the Authorisation Holder(s) Technical Services Manager
Signature of Representative(s) of the Authorisation Holder(s)
Date 7 March 2017
Version Revised Submission
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Table of Contents
SLR Consulting Australia Pty Ltd
1 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Brief History of Mining Operations at the MOC .................................................................... 2
1.1.1 History of Ravensworth East Mine .......................................................................... 2
1.1.2 History of Glendell Mine .......................................................................................... 2
1.1.3 History of Mount Owen Mine ................................................................................... 2
1.1.4 Mount Owen Complex ............................................................................................. 3
Proposed activities within the MOC during the MOP term includes: ............................................. 4
1.2 Current Consents, Authorisations and Licences .................................................................. 5
1.2.1 Development Consents ........................................................................................... 5
1.2.2 Mining Titles ............................................................................................................ 5
1.2.3 Ancillary Licences and Approvals ........................................................................... 6
1.3 Land Ownership and Land Use ........................................................................................... 9
1.4 Stakeholder Consultation ..................................................................................................... 9
1.4.1 Community Consultation ......................................................................................... 9
1.4.2 Statutory Authorities ..............................................................................................10
1.4.3 Other Stakeholders ...............................................................................................10
1.4.4 MOP Consultation .................................................................................................11
1.4.5 Revision of the MOP Following Government Consultation ...................................11
2 PROPOSED MINING ACTIVITIES ..............................................................................................12
2.1 Project Description .............................................................................................................12
2.2 Post Mining Land use - Asset Register ..............................................................................12
2.2.1 Rehabilitation Cost Estimate .................................................................................14
2.3 Activities over the MOP Term ............................................................................................14
2.3.1 Exploration ............................................................................................................14
2.3.2 Construction ..........................................................................................................15
2.3.3 Mining Operations .................................................................................................16
2.3.4 Land Preparation ...................................................................................................16
2.3.5 Soil Stripping and Stockpiling ...............................................................................17
2.3.6 Waste Rock Removal and Emplacement .............................................................18
2.3.7 Coal Stockpiling and Processing ..........................................................................18
2.3.8 Coal Transport ......................................................................................................19
2.3.9 Coarse Rejects and Tailings Disposal ..................................................................19
2.3.10 Decommissioning and Demolition Activities .........................................................20
2.3.11 Progressive Rehabilitation and Completion ..........................................................20
2.3.12 Material Production Schedule ...............................................................................21
3 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT ...........................................................................................22
3.1 Environmental Risk Assessment .......................................................................................22
3.2 Environmental Risk Management ......................................................................................26
3.2.1 Flora and Fauna ....................................................................................................26
3.2.2 Final Landform Design ..........................................................................................27
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3.2.3 Heritage (Aboriginal and European) .....................................................................28
3.2.4 Erosion and Sediment Control ..............................................................................29
3.2.5 Air Quality ..............................................................................................................29
3.2.6 Visual and Lighting ................................................................................................30
3.2.7 Blasting ..................................................................................................................30
3.2.8 Noise .....................................................................................................................30
3.2.9 Bushfire .................................................................................................................31
3.2.10 Hazardous Materials and Dangerous Goods ........................................................31
3.2.11 Water Management ...............................................................................................31
3.2.12 Waste Management ..............................................................................................32
3.2.13 Weeds and Pests ..................................................................................................33
3.3 Operational Issues Which Affect Rehabilitation .................................................................34
3.3.1 Mine Subsidence ...................................................................................................34
3.3.2 Settlement of Tailings ............................................................................................34
3.3.3 Soils and Capping Materials .................................................................................34
3.3.4 Contaminated Land ...............................................................................................35
3.3.5 Spontaneous Combustion .....................................................................................35
3.3.6 Geochemical Constraints ......................................................................................36
3.3.7 Final Landuse Integration with Adjacent Operations ............................................37
4 POST MINING LAND USE ..........................................................................................................38
4.1 Regulatory Requirements ..................................................................................................38
4.2 Post Mining Land Use Goal ...............................................................................................47
4.2.1 Open Woodland ....................................................................................................47
4.2.2 Open Forest ..........................................................................................................47
4.2.3 Open Grassland ....................................................................................................47
4.2.4 Water Management Structures .............................................................................48
4.2.5 Final Voids.............................................................................................................48
4.3 Rehabilitation Objectives ...................................................................................................48
5 REHABILITATION PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT .................................................................49
5.1 Domain Selection ...............................................................................................................49
5.2 Domain Rehabilitation Objectives ......................................................................................50
5.3 Rehabilitation Phases ........................................................................................................53
6 PERFORMANCE INDICATORS, AND COMPLETION / RELINQUISHMENT CRITERIA ..........55
7 REHABILITATION IMPLEMENTATION.......................................................................................77
7.1 Status at MOP Commencement ........................................................................................77
7.2 Proposed Rehabilitation Activities during the MOP Term ..................................................78
7.3 Rehabilitation Methodologies for Activities in the MOP Term ............................................79
7.3.1 Decommissioning Phase .......................................................................................79
7.3.2 Landform Establishment Phase ............................................................................79
7.3.3 Growth Medium Development Phase ...................................................................81
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7.3.4 Ecosystem and Landuse Establishment ...............................................................82
7.3.5 Ecosystem and Landuse Sustainability Phase .....................................................86
7.4 Summary of Rehabilitation Areas during the MOP Term ..................................................86
7.5 Relinquishment Phase Achieved during the MOP Term ...................................................94
8 REHABILITATION MONITORING AND RESEARCH .................................................................95
8.1 Rehabilitation Monitoring Program.....................................................................................95
8.1.1 Monitoring Pasture Rehabilitation .........................................................................95
8.1.2 Monitoring of Native Vegetation ............................................................................96
8.1.3 Active Mining Records ..........................................................................................96
8.1.4 Rehabilitation Methodology Records ....................................................................96
8.1.5 Rehabilitation Inspections .....................................................................................97
8.1.6 Rehabilitation Monitoring .......................................................................................97
8.2 Research and Rehabilitation Trials ....................................................................................98
8.2.1 Research and Trials Pre MOP ...........................................................................98
8.2.2 Research and Trials This MOP period ...............................................................99
9 INTERVENTION AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT ..................................................................100
9.1 Threats to Rehabilitation ..................................................................................................100
9.2 Trigger Action Response Plan (TARP) ............................................................................101
10 REPORTING ..............................................................................................................................108
10.1 Annual Review .................................................................................................................108
10.2 Incident Reporting ............................................................................................................108
11 REVIEW AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MOP ....................................................................109
11.1 MOP Review Protocol ......................................................................................................109
11.2 Implementation.................................................................................................................110
12 REFERENCES ...........................................................................................................................111
TABLES
Table 1 History of Mining Operations Plans for the MOC ................................................................ 3
Table 2 MOC Consents.................................................................................................................... 5 Table 3 MOC Mining Tenements ..................................................................................................... 5 Table 4 Environment Protection Licences Relevant to the MOC .................................................... 6 Table 5 Groundwater Licences ........................................................................................................ 6 Table 6 Surface Water Licences ...................................................................................................... 7 Table 7 Creek Diversion Licences ................................................................................................... 8 Table 8 Miscellaneous Emplacement Licences ............................................................................... 8 Table 9 High Risk Activity Notifications ............................................................................................ 8 Table 10 Asset Register ................................................................................................................... 12 Table 11 Typical Mining and Key Ancillary Equipment .................................................................... 16 Table 12 Status of Tailings Emplacements in the MOP Term ......................................................... 20
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Table 13 Mount Owen Material Production Schedule ..................................................................... 21 Table 14 Ravensworth East Material Production Schedule ............................................................. 21 Table 15 Glendell Material Production Schedule ............................................................................. 21 Table 16 Summary of Risks to Rehabilitation MOP Risk Assessment (medium or higher ranking only) 23 Table 17 Indicative Soil Balance at Commencement of MOP ......................................................... 34 Table 18 Regulatory Requirements Relating to Post Mining Land Use and Rehabilitation ............ 38 Table 19 Primary and Secondary Domains ..................................................................................... 49 Table 20 Domain Rehabilitation Objectives ..................................................................................... 50
Table 21 Summary of Rehabilitation Phases Proposed for Completion at end of the MOP Term .. 54 Table 22 Decommissioning Phase .................................................................................................. 56 Table 23 Landform Establishment Phase ........................................................................................ 62 Table 24 Growth Medium Development Phase ............................................................................... 67 Table 25 Ecosystem and Land Use Establishment Phase .............................................................. 69 Table 26 Ecosystem and Landuse Sustainability Phase ................................................................. 72 Table 27 Status of Primary and Secondary Domains at MOP Commencement ............................. 77
Table 28 Proposed Rehabilitation Activities During the MOP Term ................................................ 78 Table 29 Typical Pasture Species for Open Grassland ................................................................... 83 Table 30 The MOC Open Woodland Species and Seeding rates ................................................... 83 Table 31 Typical Native Revegetation Species Mix for Central Hunter Ironbark Spotted Gum Grey Box Forest .................................................................................................................................... 85 Table 32 Summary of Disturbance and Rehabilitation Proposed during the MOP Term ................ 87 Table 33 Data Summary of Rehabilitation Proposed during the MOP Term ................................... 87 Table 34 Key Threats to Rehabilitation Updated According to MOP Risk Assessment ................ 100 Table 35 Trigger Action Response Plan ........................................................................................ 102 Table 36 Responsibilities for Implementation of this MOP ............................................................ 110
APPENDICES
Appendix A MOP Plans Appendix B Land Ownership Register Appendix C MOP Rehabilation Risk Assessment Appendix D Tailings Management Plan Appendix E Government Consultation
(DO NOT DELETE SECTION BREAK)
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1 INTRODUCTION
This Mining Operations Plan (MOP) describes the proposed mining operations and rehabilitation at the
Mount Owen Complex (MOC) for the term (1 January 2017 31 December 2021). The MOC is
located in the Hunter Coalfields at Hebden in the Hunter Valley of NSW, approximately 20 kilometres
(km) northwest of Singleton and 24 km south east of Muswellbrook.
Mount Owen Pty Limited (Mount Owen), a subsidiary of Glencore Coal Pty Limited, owns and
operates the three existing open cut operations in the MOC: Mount Owen (North Pit), Ravensworth
East (Bayswater North Pit [BNP]) and Glendell (Barrett Pit). The mining operations at the MOC
include the integrated use of the Mount Owen coal handling and preparation plant (CHPP), coal
stockpiles and the rail load out facility.
The MOC is a large open-cut operation classified as a Level 1 Mine and consists of three mining
areas: Mount Owen (North Pit) with an approved extraction rate of 10 million tonnes per annum
(Mtpa) of run of mine (ROM) coal, which is blended with Ravensworth East (approved 4 Mtpa) and
Glendell (approved 4.5 Mtpa) ROM coal. The three operations feed the Mount Owen CHPP and
associated infrastructure, which has a total approved capacity of 17 Mtpa of ROM coal. Processed
coal, both semi soft and thermal, are primarily transported via the Main Northern Rail Line to the Port
of Newcastle for export, or by conveyor or rail for domestic use as required.
On 3 November 2016, Glencore gained development approval for the Mount Owen Continued Operations Project (SSD 5850) The approval allows the MOC operations to maintain the current North Pit and Ravensworth East pit extraction rates, with approximately 74 million tonnes (Mt) and 12 Mt of ROM coal to be extracted from the North Pit Continuation and BNP, respectively.
Schedule 3 Condition 45 of SSD 5850 outlines requirements for a Rehabilitation Management Plan (RMP) for the site. The RMP is to be approved by the Division of Resources and Energy within the Department of Industry (DRE) and prepared with any relevant DRE guideline. This MOP has been prepared to meet the requirement of this condition. Further details of the statutory approvals relating to the MOC are outlined in Section 1.2.
This MOP has been prepared in accordance with the NSW Trade and Investment Division of Resources and Energy (DRE) guideline ESG3: Mining Operations Plan (MOP) Guidelines, September 2013 (ESG3) (DRE, 2013).
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1.1 Brief History of Mining Operations at the MOC
Mining operations at the MOC commenced at the Ravensworth East Mine (previously known as
Swamp Creek Mine) and dates back to the early 1960s.
1.1.1 History of Ravensworth East Mine
In 1997, a new mining lease (ML 1415) was issued to the former Swamp Creek Mine after a period of
care and maintenance. Subsequently, DA 52-03-99 was granted in March 2000 allowing the
Ravensworth East Mine to produce up to 4Mtpa ROM coal.
Ravensworth East Mine has continued to operate since that time and been subject to various
modifications to approve integration with Mount Owen through changes to the transport and
processing of Ravensworth East ROM coal through the Mount Owen CHPP and emplacement of
tailings from the Greater Ravensworth Area under the Greater Ravensworth Area Water and Tailings
Scheme (GRAWTS) within the Ravensworth East void.
1.1.2 History of Glendell Mine
Glendell mine was originally approved in 1983 pursuant to DA 80/952. In 1997, DA 80/952 was
modified to amend a number of mine plans and operational methods. Glendell was acquired by
Xstrata in 2003, and in 2008 DA 80/952 was modified (in part) to increase the rate of ROM coal
extraction to 4.5 Mtpa, and facilitate integration with the Mount Owen and Ravensworth East
operations. Following earlier site preparation, mining commenced in 2009. DA 80/952 MOD 3 was
approved in1 December 2016 to allow for the relocation of a 132 kV powerline from an area adjacent
to the mining area. Under current mining schedules, operations are expected to continue at Glendell
Mine until 2022.
1.1.3 History of Mount Owen Mine
Mining operations within the Mount Owen Mine commenced in 1993, pursuant to Development
Consent (DA 63/91) granted in 1991, with an extraction limit of 1.4 Mtpa, under the management of
Hunter Valley Coal Corporation Pty Limited (HVCC).
Approval was granted in 2004 for the continuation to open cut mining operations at Mount Owen over
a 17 to 21 year mine life with an increase in ROM coal production of 10 Mtpa (DA 14-1-2004). This
approval also allowed for the integration of Glendell Mine into the MOC. Following approval of DA 14-
1-2004, Mining Lease (ML) 1561 was granted on 17 February 2005 to cover the additional mining
areas at Mount Owen Mine.
DA 14-1-2004 was modified in November 2010 to accommodate the rail refuelling facility on the Mount
Owen Rail Spur, and again in November 2014 to increase the throughput at the Mount Owen CHPP to
17 Mtpa ROM coal. The Mount Owen Mine currently operates pursuant to State Significant
Development (SSD) consent SSD 5850 (Development Consent), which was granted on 3 November
2016. This approval allows for the continuation of open cut operations at both Mount Owen and
Ravensworth East Mine and extends the southern boundary of the North Pit by approximately 1.6
kilometres.
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1.1.4 Mount Owen Complex
Following the acquisition of Ravensworth East Mine by Glencore (formerly Xstrata) in 2002 and
Glendell Mine in 2003, Ravensworth East, Mount Owen and Glendell mines were integrated into the
MOC, under the management of Xstrata Mount Owen Pty Ltd. Thiess Pty Ltd currently operates the
Mount Owen North Pit (excluding the CHPP and associated infrastructure) under a contractual
agreement with Mount Owen. Glencore operates the Mount Owen CHPP, the Ravensworth East and
the Glendell mines.
Glencore have developed synergies between Mount Owen, Ravensworth East and Glendell, including:
Integrated environmental management system;
Shared use of infrastructure;
Increased flexibility to meet market demand;
Development of life of mine tailings disposal and water management strategies;
Construction of haul roads to enable the Mount Owen CHPP to receive and process ROM coal from Ravensworth East and Glendell Mines;
Use of the Mount Owen CHPP to process ROM coal from Mount Owen, Ravensworth East and Glendell mines; and
Use of the MOC rail loop and train load-out facility for the filling of trains for coal transport to the Port of Newcastle.
This culminated in the approval of SSD 5850 on 3 November 2016, which provided for a combined development consent for Mount Owen and Ravensworth East Mines. A history of MOPs for the MOC is outlined in Table 1 below:
Table 1 History of Mining Operations Plans for the MOC
Document Title Amendment Issue Date Expiry Date Status
Mount Owen
MOP September 2000 Original MOP September 2000 December 2004
Superseded
MOP September 2000 Amendment A December 2004 December 2005
Superseded
MOP September 2000 Amendment B June 2005 December 2005
Superseded
Amendment C November 2005 December 2006
Superseded
Ravensworth East
MOP July 2000 Original MOP July 2000 December 2003
Superseded
MOP July 2000 Amendment A December 2002 December 2003
Superseded
MOP July 2000 Amendment B September 2003 December 2005
Superseded
MOP July 2000 Amendment C October 2003 December 2005
Superseded
Mount Owen and Ravensworth East
MOP October 2006 Original MOP October 2006 December 2010
Superseded
MOP October 2006 Amendment 1 August 2007 December 2010
Superseded
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Document Title Amendment Issue Date Expiry Date Status
MOP January 2009
Original MOP January 2009 January 2014 Superseded
Amendment 1 August 2011 January 2014 Superseded
Amendment 2 October 2012 January 2014 Superseded
Amendment 3 September 2014 January 2016 Superseded
Glendell
MOP December 2007 Original February 2008 December 2012
Superseded
Amendment 1 February 2009 December 2012
Superseded
Amendment A June 2011 December 2012
Superseded
Amendment B July 2012 December 2012
Superseded
MOP Extension December 2012 May 2013 Superseded
MOP March 2013 Original MOP May 2013 December 2019
Superseded
MOP December 2014 Original MOP November 2014 June 2015 Superseded
MOC
MOP January 2015 Original MOP May 2015 December 2019
Current
Proposed activities within the MOC during the MOP term includes:
Open cut mining in the BNP Pit (within the Ravensworth East Mine), North Pit (within the Mount Owen Mine) and Barrett Pit (Glendell) at a combined rate of up to 18.5 Mtpa ROM coal;
Continuation of the North Pit footprint to the south of the current approved North Pit mining limit;
Overburden emplacement out of pit and in-pit;
Co-disposal of coarse rejects with overburden within the North Pit Continuation and the West Pit / BNP as mining progresses;
Continued use of the Ravensworth East voids for tailings emplacement;
Continued participation (receipt and transfer of tailings and water) as part of the Greater Ravensworth Area Water and Tailings Scheme (GRAWTS);
Continued utilisation of all existing mining infrastructure, including the existing crushing plant for the crushing of overburden, the product coal conveyor to Bayswater and Liddell power stations and the CHPP;
Continuation of ROM coal processing at the CHPP at a capacity of 17 Mtpa ROM, to produce thermal and semi-soft coal product;
Transportation of up to 2 Mtpa ROM coal and crushed gravel on an as required basis via the existing overland conveyor to Liddell Coal Operations and the Ravensworth Coal Terminal (RCT), in addition to maintaining the current approval to transport ROM coal to Bayswater and Liddell power stations;
Upgrades to infrastructure, including the CHPP and Mine Infrastructure Area (MIA); and
Progressive rehabilitation of tailings pits that have reached capacity and completed areas of overburden dumps.
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1.2 Current Consents, Authorisations and Licences
1.2.1 Development Consents
Table 2 summarises the current federal approval, development consents and modification history,
including key features approved.
Table 2 MOC Consents
Consent Details Issue Date Expiry Date
Mount Owen and Ravensworth East
SSD 5850 Approved the continuation of Ravensworth East and Mount Owen Mines, including extension of the North Pit to the south.
3 November 2016
31 December 2031
2013-6978 EPBC Act Approval 19 January 2017 31 December 2037
Glendell
DA 80/952 Approval for Glendell Mine. 2 May 1983 2 May 2013
DA 80/952 MOD 1 Approval to amend original mine plans and mining methods.
17 February 1997
2 May 2013
DA 80/952 MOD 2 Approval to amend mine sequence to a north south progression, alter the out of pit dump footprints and increase ROM extraction rate to 4.5 Mtpa.
February 2008 30 June 2024
DA 80/952 MOD 3 Approval for relocation of a 132 kV powerline. 1 December 2016
30 June 2024
1.2.2 Mining Titles
Table 3 lists the mining titles applicable to the MOC.
Table 3 MOC Mining Tenements
Mining Title Company Issue Date Expiry Date
CL 358 Glendell Tenements Pty Limited 27 Mar 1990 27 Mar 2032
CL 383 Mount Owen Pty Limited 12 Nov 1991 12 Nov 2033
CL 715 Mount Owen Pty Limited 26 Apr 1989 12 Sep 2019
ML 1355 Mount Owen Pty Limited 26 Jul 1994 26 Jul 2015 (renewal sought)
ML 1410 Glendell Tenements Pty Limited 12 May 1997 4 Jul 2020
ML 1415 Mount Owen Pty Limited 7 Aug 1997 4 Jul 2020
ML 1419 Mount Owen Pty Limited 28 Apr 1997 12 Nov 2012
(renewal sought)
ML 1453 Mount Owen Pty Limited 8 May 2001 4 Jul 2020
ML 1475 Mount Owen Pty Limited 24 Nov 2000 24 Nov 2021
ML 1476 Glendell Tenements Pty Limited 24 Nov 2000 24 Nov 2021
ML 1561 Mount Owen Pty Limited 17 Feb 2005 17 Feb 2026
ML 1608 Mount Owen Pty Limited 19 Dec 2007 19 Dec 2028
ML 1629 Mount Owen Pty Limited 9 Mar 2009 9 Mar 2030
ML 1694 Mount Owen Pty Limited 22 Oct 2013 22 Oct 2034
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Mining Title Company Issue Date Expiry Date
AL8 (MLA 512)
Mount Owen Pty Limited 11 Jul 2003 10 July 2013 (renewal sought)
MPL 343 Glendell Tenements Pty Limited 17 June 1996 4 Jan 2026
ML 1673 Mount Owen Pty Limited 26 Sept 2016 11 Nov 2033
1.2.3 Ancillary Licences and Approvals
Environment Protection Licences
The MOC currently operates under three separate Environment Protection Licences (EPLs) detailed in
Table 4.
Table 4 Environment Protection Licences Relevant to the MOC
Site EPL Anniversary
Date Comments
Mount Owen 4460 1 July EPL 4460 outlines water quality, air quality, noise and blast monitoring criteria and results are reported to the EPA in the Annual Return
Ravensworth East 10860 1 July EPL 10860 outlines water quality, air quality and blast monitoring criteria and results are reported to the EPA in the Annual Return
Glendell Mine 12840 3 April EPL 12840 outlines water quality, air quality, noise and blast monitoring criteria and results are reported to the EPA in the Annual Return
During the term of the MOP, Mount Owen will seek to vary EPL 4460 to incorporate the Ravensworth East operations and align with SSD 5850. Following approval of the variation, Mount Owen will surrender EPL 10860.
Groundwater Licences
Groundwater licences are regulated by DPI-Water, with those in place at the MOC shown in Table 5.
Table 5 Groundwater Licences
Licence Expiry Date Details Area
(Lot/Section/DP)
20BL169337 14 March 2020 Groundwater excavation 37//752462
100//752462
206//752462
30//752462
207//752462
101//752462
58//752462
205//752462
21//6830
60//752462
102//752462
20BL169544 Awaiting Reissue
Saline water excavation bore
353//867083
20BL170294 16 May 2017 Groundwater excavation 17//6830
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Licence Expiry Date Details Area
(Lot/Section/DP)
5//859544
6//859544
7//859544
8//859544
20BL170295 16 May 2017 Groundwater excavation Pt32//535087
Pt9//6842
Pt11//6842
Pt232//752470
Pt3//859544
Pt2//859544
7//6842
Pt2//865784
20BL168209 12 February 2017
Saline water excavation bore
353//867083
Surface Water Licences
Surface water licences are regulated by DPI-Water. Those in place at the MOC are shown in Table 6.
Table 6 Surface Water Licences
Water Access Licence (WAL)
Work + Use Approval
(WA / CA)
Allocation
(units/year)
Expiry Date
(WA / CA)
Land Parcels
(Lot/Section/DP)
Hunter Regulated River Water Source (Glennies Creek)
High Security
WAL 704 20CA200608 3 30 June 2017 1//998045
WAL 1118 20CA201623 3 30 June 2017 112//850055
WAL 7814 20WA200723 1,00W0 3 January 2019 1//780607
WAL 9521 20WA201228 50 30 June 2017 112//850054
General Security
WAL 612 20CA200382 147 6 February 2019 1//780607
WAL613 20CA200390 192 30 June 2017 2//770733
WAL 637 20CA200445 384 30 June 2017 1//655757
WAL 705 20CA200608 27 30 June 2017 112//850054 111//850056
WAL 1119 20CA201623 60 30 June 2017 112//850056
WAL 1215 20CA201862 48 30 June 2017 1//998046
Supplementary Licences
WAL 1364 20CA201623 2.2 30 June 2017 112//850057
WAL 1420 20CA200382 29 6 February 2019 1//780608
Domestic and Stock
WAL 706 20CA200608 8 30 June 2017 112//850054; 111//850057
WAL 754 20WA200727 16 8 October 2018 3//810452
WAL 1218 20WA201868 3 5 January 2018 10//1169092
WAL 7817 20CA200779 3 29 December 2017 65//752499; 622//1097524
WAL 7823 20WA201677 9 28 June 2018 3//810452
Jerrys Water Source (Bowmans Creek)
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WAL 18310 20WA210993 200 31 July 2022 27//6830; 26//6830;
190//752462
Creek Diversion Approvals
Creek diversion approvals are regulated by DPI-Water. Those in place at the MOC are listed in Table
7 below.
Table 7 Creek Diversion Licences
Works Approval
Expiry Date Details
20WA210993 31 July 2022 Swamp Creek upper diversion
20WA211425 31 July 2022 Swamp Creek middle diversion
20WA211430 31 July 2022 Swamp Creek lower diversion
20WA211429 15 May 2023 Yorks Creek Diversion
20WA212187 17 October 2022 Bettys Creek upper and middle diversion
20WA212660 7 February 2023 Bettys Creek lower diversion
Tailings Emplacement Approvals
Tailings emplacement approvals held for operations at the MOC are listed in Table 8 below.
Table 8 Miscellaneous Emplacement Licences
Instrument Authority Issue Date Expiry Date
Section 126 Emplacement Approval (Stages 1 (NVS1) and 2 (NVS2))
DMR/DRE 6 Nov 1996 N/A
Section 126 Emplacement Approval (Stages 3 and 4 (TP1))
DPI/DRE 23 Dec 2003 N/A
S100 Approval Eastern Rail Pit & RW Pit Tailings Emplacement
DRE 28 Oct 2011 1 Oct 2016 (process of being replaced)
S100 Approval West Pit Tailings Emplacement
DRE 11 Aug 2014 8 Aug 2021
S101 Approval North Void Stage 1 Discontinue Tailings Emplacement
DRE 28 Oct 2011 28 October 2016 (process of being replaced)
Table 9 includes details regarding high risk activity notifications for tailings facilities.
Table 9 High Risk Activity Notifications
Tailings Dam Authority Commencement Date Expiry Date
Stage 2 Tailings Dam DRE 12 May 2015 N/A
RW Tailings Pit DRE 1 January 2017 N/A
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1.3 Land Ownership and Land Use
The area within and surrounding the MOC is dominated by open cut and underground mining
activities, as illustrated on Plan 1C. Other land uses in the vicinity include the Ravensworth State
Forest to the north of the MOC and power generation at the Bayswater and Liddell power stations to
the west. The nearest private residences are located to the east and south east of the Complex, in the
Middle Falbrook locality approximately 1 km from the boundary of the MOC.
Glencore or its subsidiaries own all land within the area approved for disturbance at the MOC and
large areas of land within the surrounding area. Most of the land outside of operational areas is
managed for cattle grazing and breeding by Colinta Holdings Pty Limited, a Glencore subsidiary. A
number of small parcels of Crown land and Crown roads are located outside of disturbance areas.
A large portion of the land to the south and south east of the Complex is owned by Ashton Coal Mines
Pty Limited (Ashton Coal Project) and Bloomfield Coal (Rixs Creek North).
Land to the west and south-west of the MOC is predominately owned by Glencore and Macquarie
Generation.
Land ownership and land use is illustrated on Plan 1C and detailed in Appendix B.
1.4 Stakeholder Consultation
Glencore has a public commitment to effective environmental management in all its operations, both
domestically and internationally. One of the key focus areas for ongoing dialogue with stakeholders is
progress with the mine closure and rehabilitation planning and the implementation process.
Proposed consultation activities for this MOP term are summarised in the sections below and further
detailed in the MOC Stakeholder Engagement Plan available on the Mount Owen website
(www.mtowencomplex.com.au).
1.4.1 Community Consultation
The MOC has an ongoing community engagement program which includes regular engagement with
both individuals and groups from the local and regional communities via a range of mechanisms
including:
Operation of a 24-hour Community Response Line;
Maintenance of a MOC website, which provides on line access to approvals, environmental management plans, environmental monitoring data and other community information;
Contribution to biannual Greater Ravensworth Area newsletters to update the community on the existing operations, environmental performance and MOC initiatives;
Face to face meetings with individuals and/or groups as required/requested, including any meetings required in response to complaints;
Regular meetings with the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Working Group, allowing for ongoing consultation and involvement of Aboriginal stakeholders in the conservation and / or management of Aboriginal cultural heritage on site;
Regular forums with nearby neighbours, focussing on land management issues, such as pest and weed control, rehabilitation, biodiversity conservation and cultural heritage management;
Regular meetings with the MOC Community Consultative Committee (CCC). The MOC hosts a joint CCC with the neighbouring Integra Underground Mine, and comprises community representatives and Singleton Council and MOC representatives; and
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Engaging local residents through Glencores regular 3-yearly Community Survey.
1.4.2 Statutory Authorities
The MOC regularly engages with various government agencies to report on its environmental
performance, including:
Singleton Council representation on the CCC;
Regular consultation with relevant government agencies in relation to reviews and revisions of site environmental management plans and the requirements under those plans;
Provision of the Annual Review to relevant government agencies;
Liaison and reporting to the Environment Protection Agency (EPA) in relation to the EPLs, including provision of Annual Returns; and
Provision of the National Pollution Inventory (NPI) to Commonwealth Department of the Environment and Energy.
The statutory authorities that are relevant to the MOC are identified in the Stakeholder Engagement
Plan available on the MOC website (www.mtowencomplex.com.au).
1.4.3 Other Stakeholders
An electronic database of all identified external stakeholders is maintained at the MOC, which
includes, but is not limited to;
Nearby residents;
Mount Owen Property Tenants;
MOC CCC;
Mount Pleasant Schools;
Workforce at the MOC;
Singleton Council;
Regulators (i.e. NSW Department of Planning and Environment, OEH, DRE, DPI Water, Dams Safety Committee),
Forestry corporation of NSW;
Local Land Services NSW;
ARTC and Hunter Valley Coal Chain Coordinator;
Infrastructure owners, including Australian Rail Track Corporation (ARTC) and AusGrid;
Neighbouring mining operations including Ashton and Rixs Creek North;
Non-governmental organisations; and
Registered Aboriginal parties and Knowledge Holder groups.
ARTC are consulted in relation to blasting impacts on the Main Northern Railway to the south of
Glendell. Similarly, AusGrid are consulted in relation to blasting impacts on electricity transmission
towers located to the west of the Glendell mine.
The MOC will continue consultation with nearby mining operations in relation to management of
regional cumulative aspects of mining, such as noise, blasting, air quality, water and tailings
management and any other issues that arise from time to time.
file://///au.slr.local/Corporate/Projects-SLR/630-SrvNTL/630-NTL/630.11773%20Mt%20Owen%20MOP%20(2016)/04%20Reports/www.mtowencomplex.com.au
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1.4.4 MOP Consultation
In accordance with Schedule 3, Condition 45(a) of SSD 5850, Mount Owen consulted with the DP&E,
OEH, DPI Water, DPI, Council and the CCC during the preparation of this MOP (Rehabilitation
Management Plan), prior to the final draft MOP being submitted to the DRE for approval.
A meeting was held on 6th August 2016 with the DRE (Neil McElhinney) to discuss the scope of this
MOP. Key discussion points include proposed activities, rehabilitation and tailings management.
A presentation on the draft MOP, focussing on rehabilitation and final landform, was made to the MOC
CCC on 11 November 2016 and feedback recorded at that meeting. Subsequently, a copy of the draft
MOP was provided to all members of the CCC, along with all the required government agencies on
25th January 2017. A meeting was also held with Singleton Council on 10
th February 2017 to provide
a briefing on the draft MOP.
1.4.5 Revision of the MOP Following Government Consultation
Following receipt of responses from the government agencies listed above, revision was made to the MOP to address comments where appropriate. A copy of the response from these government agencies and how they queries have been addressed is outlined in Appendix E.
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2 PROPOSED MINING ACTIVITIES
2.1 Project Description
The MOC has development consent to carry out mining operations at Glendell Mine (Barrett Pit) until
30th June 2024 and Mount Owen (North Pit and BNP) until 31
st December 2031.
During the MOP term open cut mining will be carried out at CL 383, ML 1355, ML 1694, ML 1415, ML 1475, CL 358, ML 1476 and ML 1673. Mining will continue in a south eastern direction in the northern area of Ravensworth East (BNP) and northerly in the Barrett Pit (Glendell). Open cut mining will continue in a south eastern direction in the North Pit (Mount Owen).
Key mining activities to be undertaken in the MOP term include:
Open cut mining in the BNP, Barrett and North Pits;
ROM coal processing at the CHPP to produce thermal and semi-soft coal product;
Overburden emplacement out of pit and in-pit;
Co-disposal of coarse rejects with overburden in-pit;
Continued tailings emplacement at the West Pit void;
Continued use of the rail loading facility and product coal conveyor to Bayswater and Liddell power stations; and
Progressive rehabilitation of tailings pits that have reached capacity and completed areas of overburden dumps.
Proposed activities in the MOP term are further discussed in Section 2.3.
2.2 Post Mining Land use - Asset Register
The asset register (Table 10) provides a summary of the key features of each primary domain (refer to
Section 2.3), and principal activities required for rehabilitation. This asset register is intended to
provide a suitable level of context for the Rehabilitation Cost Estimate (RCE). The register below
includes the activities required for closure based on the maximum disturbance footprint throughout the
MOP period.
In addition to the detail contained within Table 10 below, the RCE prepared and submitted with the
MOP includes specific detail relating to the lengths, volumes and size of individual assets that are
intended to be decommissioned as part of the eventual closure of the mine.
The areas for each secondary domain represent the total disturbance footprint for each domain in
Plan 3A.
Table 10 Asset Register
Major Assets Decommissioning/ Rehabilitation
Activities Approvals Required
Area/ Length
Domain 1 - Active Mining
Bayswater North Pit
Barrett Pit
North Pit
Progressively backfill open cut pit with overburden
Develop Final Void design
Regrade final void highwalls and lowwalls, and cap all exposed coal, in
Final Void Detailed Design and Management Plan
275.9 ha
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Major Assets Decommissioning/ Rehabilitation
Activities Approvals Required
Area/ Length
accordance with design.
Rehabilitate
Domain 2 Water Management
Water management system including dams, drains, pumping infrastructure and monitoring bores
De-silt and stabilise dirty water dams to be retained
Remove pumping infrastructure
Seal open bores
Rehabilitate
EDG01 Borehole Sealing Requirements on Land
39.9 ha
Domain 3 Infrastructure
Mount Owen CHPP
Removal of site services (electricity, telecommunications etc.)
Demolish buildings and fixed plant
Remove roadways around the CHPP
Fill open drains
Dismantle sewage treatment plant
Drain and remove raw water dam
Remove product stockpile area and seal reclaim tunnel
Undertake minor earth works to ensure site is stable and free draining to local watercourses
Undertake contamination assessment and remediate any contaminated areas
Rehabilitate with appropriate vegetative cover
Radiation licence/s
Demolition certificates
Phase 1 and, if required, Phase 2 Contamination Assessments
312.9 ha
Mount Owen Mining Infrastructure Area (MIA)
Removal of site services (electricity, telecommunications etc.)
Demolish buildings and fixed plant
Remove light and heavy vehicle wash pads
Remove roadways and car parks
Fill open drains
Remove fuel farms & waste oil/lubricant storage areas/in-pit refuelling station
Undertake contamination assessment and remediate any contaminated areas
Undertake minor earth works to grade landform to be free draining to local watercourses
Rehabilitate with appropriate vegetative cover
Demolition certificates
Phase 1 and, if required, Phase 2 Contamination Assessments
Rav East MIA
Glendell MIA
Rail line loop and load out Removal of site services (electricity,
telecommunications etc.)
Demolition certificate
Phase 1 and, if required, Phase 2 Contamination
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Major Assets Decommissioning/ Rehabilitation
Activities Approvals Required
Area/ Length
Dismantle rail load out
Remove rail loop track and formation
Remove locomotive refuelling facility
Undertake contamination assessment and remediate any contaminated areas
Undertake earth works where required to grade landform to be free draining to local watercourses
Rehabilitate
Assessments
Domain 4 Tailings Storage Facility
Stage 2 Tailings Dam Remove pumping infrastructure
Desiccation / settlement
Develop approved detailed capping design and High Risk Activity application
Cap tailings1
Rehabilitation2
High Risk Activity notification
De-list TP1 from Schedule of Prescribed Dams
De-list Stage 2 Tailings Dam embankments from Schedule of Prescribed Dams
158.3 ha TP1
RW Void
Eastern Rail Pit
West Pit
Domain 5 Overburden Emplacement Area
Footprint of overburden emplacements including areas of active dumping. Areas of rehabilitated overburden are covered under Domain 7.
582.9 ha
Domain 6 Soil Stockpiles
Soil Stockpiles Rehabilitation as per the MOP None 13.2ha
Domain 7 Current Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation Rehabilitation as per the MOP None 1272.9 ha
2.2.1 Rehabilitation Cost Estimate
The Rehabilitation Cost Estimate (RCE) has been calculated to undertake the necessary works to
achieve the desired final land use (refer to Section 4 and Plan 4). The RCE provides for third party
rates to undertake the following:
Decommissioning and demolition of all surface infrastructure;
Rehabilitation of all areas disturbed by mining as depicted in Plan 2, with the exception of some dams that will be retained for post mining use; and
Mobilisation costs, project management and contingencies.
A copy of the RCE was submitted to DRE with this MOP for approval.
2.3 Activities over the MOP Term
The following section outlines the operational activities that are proposed within the term of the MOP.
2.3.1 Exploration
The MOC will continue to undertake exploration and prospecting activities across the approved lease
areas for the purposes of geotechnical, geological, hydrogeological and gas investigations. These
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leases include CL 358, ML 1355, ML 1415, ML 1475, ML 1476, ML 1561, ML 1629 and ML 1694.
More specifically, exploration work will involve core and/or open holes for structural definition, coal
quality sampling, geotechnical assessment, groundwater monitoring and greenhouse gas assessment.
The techniques used for exploration and prospecting may include, but are not limited to:
Aerial photograph interpretation;
Field assessments (soil, vegetation, etc);
Drilling allowing for lithological and geophysical logging and / or coal quality sampling;
Drilling associated with collecting gas concentration samples,
Geophysical investigations;
Magnetic surveys;
Seismic surveys; and
Excavation and bulk samples.
Any exploration or prospecting activities undertaken will comply with DRE EDG 10 Surface Disturbance Notice for exploration activities or other relevant guidelines.
2.3.2 Construction
Construction activities proposed in the MOP term are:
Construction of a water transfer pipeline and associated infrastructure from Integra Underground Mine to the MOC;
Construction of tailings pipeline network and to allow for the receipt of tailings from Ravensworth CHPP and Liddell CHPP, as part of the GRAWTS;
Construction of a flocculent plant within the vicinity of the West Pit Void at Ravensworth East, to allow flocculants to be mixed with tailings immediately prior to deposition in the emplacement area;
Various refurbishment works within the Mount Owen MIA, including upgrades to the existing fuel and lubrication system, augmentation works to the existing raw water system and vehicle wash facilities, upgrades to the fire water system, and civil/earthworks associated with upgrades to the existing light vehicle access road and lighting;
Ongoing development and construction of water management structures as depicted on Plan 3A to Plan 3E to support the mining operation;
Drainage improvement works at targeted locations within the Yorks Creek catchment;
Product stockpile extension and improvements to increase processing capacity at the Mount Owen CHPP;
Construction of CHPP stores shed (maximum 300 square metres in size);
Construction of additional demountable offices at Glendell;
Relocation of 132 kV power lines to the south-west of Glendell; and
The addition of three bays to the existing maintenance workshop and additional offices at Glendell Mine. No additional disturbance is required for the extension of the Maintenance Workshop and additional administrative offices.
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2.3.3 Mining Operations
Open cut mining at the MOC is undertaken using similar mining methods across all operations. The mining sequence involves land preparation to salvage suitable vegetative matter and soils that are suitable for rehabilitation resources, removal of overburden and interburden and excavation of coal using excavators and trucks. The typical mining equipment fleet and ancillary equipment for each operation is listed in Table 11.
The MOC will continue to review the mining fleet in the MOP term to ensure that efficient, productive and commercially viable mining activities are undertaken. There may be changes to the mining fleet where it is appropriate to ensure efficient and viable operations, however this will be undertaken in accordance with approvals and regulatory requirements.
Key stages of the mining sequence are described in the sections below.
Table 11 Typical Mining and Key Ancillary Equipment
Equipment Type Mount Owen Mine Ravensworth East Mine Glendell Mine
250 t Excavator 1 1 2
400 t Excavator 1 - -
500 t Excavator - 1 3
600 t Excavator 3 - -
800t Excavator 1 - -
Bulldozers (both wheeled and tracked)
15 4 7
Rear dump truck (Overburden) 31 4 10
Rear dump truck (Coal) 10 -3 6
Drill 4 1 2
Scraper 1 - 1
Grader 4 1 2
Water cart 4 1 3
Fuel and service truck 4 1 2
Loaders 4 - -
2.3.4 Land Preparation
Land preparation is the process of clearing vegetation and salvaging rehabilitation resources including
suitable topsoils, subsoils, mulched vegetation and habitat features such as large rocks, woody debris
and hollow bearing timber. Land preparation works will be undertaken in accordance with the site
clearing and topsoil stripping procedures.
Prior to any disturbance, the Environment and Community Manager (or delegate) will approve a
Ground Disturbance Permit (GDP) that defines the limits of disturbance (clearing limits) and identifies
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environmentally sensitive features such as heritage site locations, and documents mitigation and
management measures such as exclusion zones and required erosion and sediment controls.
During the MOP term land will be cleared ahead of mining in progressive campaigns to minimise the
total area of disturbance at any one time. The majority of vegetation proposed to be cleared is
Derived Native Grassland located in the southern portion of the North Pit (Plan 1B) and small areas of
Central Hunter Bulloak Forest Regeneration in the western extent of the Barrett Pit.
Additional details regarding land preparation works and procedures of are included in the MOC
Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) (Umwelt 2016b).
2.3.5 Soil Stripping and Stockpiling
All topsoils and suitable subsoils (that are not determined to be dispersive in nature) will be stripped
and salvaged for rehabilitation purposes. Topsoil stripping closely follows clearing operations and, if
vegetation has been mulched, the mulch is incorporated into the topsoil during the stripping operation.
Topsoil activities are closely monitored to ensure that only the top layer of topsoil or suitable sub soils
is taken (nominally 100 mm to 150 mm). Research and observation of rehabilitated areas at Mount
Owen has shown that an approximate 100 mm of topsoil spread over an area is sufficient for
germination and growth of vegetation.
In some instances, there may be a requirement to disturb areas that have previously been
rehabilitated. Where this is planned to occur, the site Environment and Community Manager or
delegate will undertake an assessment of the areas and where appropriate, require that the topsoil be
stripped for re-use. This would generally not occur where the soil is assessed as containing weeds, or
it is too shallow to effectively strip without taking with it the underlying overburden material.
Stripped soils are preferably spread directly onto prepared rehabilitation areas where available. Where
direct spreading is not practicable, the stripped soil will be stockpiled for future use in accordance with
the stripping and stockpiling procedures below:
Topsoil will be stripped using appropriate equipment (e.g. dozer or scraper) to the appropriate depths identified ion the Agricultural Impact Assessment (Umwelt, 2014a) for the MOC operation or in accordance with the outcomes of further investigations undertaken as required;
Soils will be stripped when in a moist condition (when possible) to minimise loss of soil structure and dust generation;
Stockpiles will be established away from traffic areas and at an appropriate distance from watercourses;
Appropriate sediment controls will be installed around topsoil stockpiles;
Where possible stockpiles will be windrowed no more than 3 m high to maximise surface exposure and retain biological activity;
Stockpiles retained longer than three months will be shaped, ripped and seeded with a suitable cover crop to minimise soil erosion, the invasion of weed species and dust generation, and maintain biological health, and preserve the soil seed bank;
Topsoil and subsoil stripping activities are to be restricted during adverse weather conditions to minimise the potential for dust generation;
Where required, machinery used to handle and transport topsoil shall be washed down prior to and at the completion of works to minimise the transfer of weeds;
Weed growth (such as Kikuya) will be monitored and subsequently controlled if necessary;
Prior to re-spreading, any weed growth will be scalped from the top of stockpiles to minimise the transport of weeds into rehabilitated areas; and
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Stockpiles will be appropriately identified to minimise the potential for inadvertent use or disturbance.
2.3.6 Waste Rock Removal and Emplacement
Following progressive removal of vegetation and soils, overburden will generally be blasted, stripped
and emplaced in-pit behind mining and out of pit. Blasting is undertaken in accordance with the MOC
Blast Management Plan. Blast management is discussed in Section 3.2.7.
Overburden will continue to be emplaced in-pit and out of pit in the MOP term as shown on Plan 3A to Plan 3E. Overburden will be emplaced on CL 383, ML 1355, ML 1419, ML 1694, ML 1415, ML 1475, ML 1608, CL 358, ML 1410, ML 1476, ML 1673, and MPL 343. The Ravensworth East emplacement area receives overburden from BNP and has an approved maximum height of 160 m Australian Height Datum (AHD). The Barrett Pit emplacement area has an approved maximum height of 160 m AHD. The Western-Out-of-Pit (WOOP) emplacement area, which receives overburden from the North Pit, has an approved maximum height of 190m AHD, while the North Pit in-pit emplacement area has approval to a maximum height of 230m AHD.
Apart from the selective handling of carbonaceous material for the prevention of spontaneous
combustion and the avoiding of placing excessively blocky material near the finished surface, no other
overburden materials require selective placement in the overburden tip areas.
General principles for overburden emplacement at spoil dumps are:
Limit the height of dump to within the final landform design;
Dump any carbonaceous material in discrete, separate and compacted layers that will be capped; and
Grade dumps to direct water away from the tip face to maintain face stability.
The current landform design been constrained by the available space and are typical of other post
mining landforms in the Hunter Valley. Notwithstanding, the MOC has recognised the need to consider
landforms that have a more natural design and as such has undertaken some preliminary work in this
area that was included as part of the Stage 2 rehabilitation area.
Further, the landforms planned as part of the MOC have been designed to incorporate natural
landform principles to increase the topographic variation and reduce the need for engineered drainage
structures. For example areas of micro relief will be incorporated in Mount Owen and Ravensworth
East Mine landform.
Forecast volumes of waste rock for each year of the MOP are provided in Table 13, 14 and 15.
2.3.7 Coal Stockpiling and Processing
ROM coal extracted from all pits is hauled via internal haul roads to ROM stockpiles at the Mount
Owen CHPP. When required ROM coal is stored in-pit prior to being transported to the CHPP.
The existing Ravensworth East (domestic) ROM pad, located within the Ravensworth East MIA will be
used on an as required basis for the transportation of ROM coal and crushed gravel to either Liddell
Coal Operations, the RCT and / or Bayswater and Liddell power stations. The 30,000 tonne domestic
ROM pad receives domestic coal to be crushed and conveyed directly to Bayswater and Liddell Power
Stations via an overland conveyor system without any additional processing.
The CHPP consists of a South ROM stockpile and North ROM stockpile of an approximate 350,000
and 300,000 tonne capacity respectively. Raw coal is passed through three stages of sizing using
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Abon sizers, and the sized ROM coal is then conveyed to a 2,000 tonne surge bin that feeds the
CHPP. ROM coal is crushed, sized, screened, separated and dewatered.
Rejects comprise approximately 60% coarse rejects (particles greater than 2 mm) and 40% tailings
(fines less than 2mm). Product coal is conveyed to the product stockpile that has an approximate
capacity of 600,000 tonnes with the assistance of dozer push-out. Coal is placed on the stockpile via
a luffing stacker and is recovered via a system of eight valves beneath the stockpile that load a 5,000
tonne per hour conveyor that feeds the 700 tonne rail load out bin. The valves are fed through dozer
assist.
2.3.8 Coal Transport
Product Coal for export is transported via rail from the MOC to the Port of Newcastle. Trains travel on
a rail loop and spur line that joins the Main Northern Rail Line. The rail loader is approved to operate
24 hours per day, 7 days per week.
The MOC has approval to transport up to 2 Mtpa coal directly to Bayswater and Liddell Power
Stations. Crushed coal is loaded at the Ravensworth East domestic ROM pad. A network of overland
conveyors transports the coal (approximately) 9 km to the power stations.
2.3.9 Coarse Rejects and Tailings Disposal
Forecast coarse and fine rejects volumes for each year of the MOP term are provided in Table 12
below. The management of coarse rejects and tailings is outlined in the sections below.
Coarse Rejects
Coarse rejects will be co-disposed with overburden in-pit. Reject is back loaded from the ROM area
using the coaling trucks and is either placed within the active dumps or used as fill material on running
surfaces. Rejects are emplaced at depth to avoid coaliferous material being exposed on final
rehabilitation surfaces.
Tailings
Active tailings emplacements at the commencement of the MOP term is West Pit, located in a former
open cut void (Plan 2). Tailings were previously pumped to the ERP, RW, TP1, Stage 1 and Stage 2
tailings dams however these emplacement areas and are in various stages of capping and
rehabilitation.
In February 2016, a modification of the Ravensworth East Mine Development Consent (DA52-03-99
MOD 6) was approved to permit the receival and emplacement of piped tailings from Ravensworth
Operations and Liddell Coal Operations CHPPs within the West Pit void at Ravensworth East for the
period 2017 to 2021. This linked system of tailings infrastructure and storage, known as the GRAWTS,
forms part of the approved modification which specifically provides for:
Construction of approximately 11 kilometre tailings pipeline network connecting both the Ravensworth CHPP and Liddell CHPP to the West Pit Void at Ravensworth East; and
Construction of a Flocculent Plant within the vicinity of the West Pit Void at Ravensworth East, to allow for flocculants to be mixed with tailings immediately prior to deposition in the emplacement area, a process known as secondary flocculation; and
The staged emplacement of tailings generated from Ravensworth Operations (approximately 12.5 million cubic metres of wet tailings between approximately 2017 and 2021) and Liddell Coal Operations (approximately 2 million cubic metres wet tailings between approximately 2018 and 2020) within the West Pit at Ravensworth East.
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Given the recent approval of the Mount Owen Continued Operations Project, DA52-03-99 MOD 6 has
been incorporated into the consolidated development consent.
The staging of tailings capping and rehabilitation works is depicted on Plan 3A to 3E.
In this MOP term, tailings emplacement will continue in the West Pit void in accordance with the
Section 100 approval. The status or tailings emplacements is summarised in Table 12.
Table 12 Status of Tailings Emplacements in the MOP Term
Tailings Dam Current Status Decommissioning Status
Capping Status
Stage 1 Capped, final landform
works underway Decommissioned in
2004 Capped 2013
Stage 2 Tailings Dam
Inactive / Partially Rehabilitated
Decommissioned in 2015
Commenced 2015 Planned Completion 2018
TP1 Inactive Decommissioned in
2015 Commenced 2016 Planned
Completion 2019
RW Pit Void Inactive Decommissioned in
2015 To be Commenced 2017 Planned Completion 2018
Eastern Rail Pit Inactive Decommissioned in
2015 To be Commenced 2018 Planned Completion 2020
West Pit Active End of Mine Life End of Mine Life
Further details regarding tailings management, including rehabilitation and capping management, are
provided in the MOC Tailings Management Plan (Appendix D). Capping timing of tailings dams is
dependent on geotechnical testing of tailings crust to enable safe capping methodology to be
developed.
2.3.10 Decommissioning and Demolition Activities
Decommissioning activities in the MOP term are associated with the rehabilitation of tailings
emplacements as outlined in Section 2.3.9. Stage 2, TP1, RW Pit Void and Eastern Rail Pit tailings
emplacements will be capped and rehabilitated in accordance with Section 101 or High Risk Activity
notifications. Tailings Pit 1 and the Stage 2 embankments are prescribed dams under the Dams
Safety Act 1978 and the rehabilitation will be completed in consultation with the Dam Safety
Committee.
Progressive decommissioning and rehabilitation of the tailings emplacement areas is depicted on
Plan 3A to 3E.
In addition, exploration bore holes will be decommissioned in accordance with DRE requirements.
2.3.11 Progressive Rehabilitation and Completion
Rehabilitation at the MOC is undertaken progressively over the life of the mine, with overburden
emplacements and backfilled pits shaped and rehabilitated as areas become available. At the
commencement of the MOP, approximately 1272.8 ha of mined land have been rehabilitated at the
MOC.
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Rehabilitation progress in the MOP term is depicted on Plans 3A to 3E. It is anticipated that at the
end of the MOP term approximately 1838.9 ha of land disturbed my mining will be undergoing
rehabilitation. It is not anticipated that any rehabilitation areas will be relinquished in the MOP term.
2.3.12 Material Production Schedule
The material production schedule during the MOP term at the Mount Owen, Ravensworth and
Glendell is provided in Table 13, 14 and 15. Any proposed changes to this schedule will be outlined in
the Annual Review.
Table 13 Mount Owen Material Production Schedule
Material Unit 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Rock/overburden Mbcm 36.5 35.5 35.6 35.0 35.3
ROM Coal Mt 8.7 8.8 8.8 8.9 8.6
Coarse Reject Material
Mt 2.4 2.5 2.5 2.4 2.5
Tailings Reject Material
Mt 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.6 1.7
Product Mt 4.8 4.8 4.7 4.8 4.4
Table 14 Ravensworth East Material Production Schedule
Material Unit 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Rock/overburden Mbcm 10.3 10.1 10.1 10.2 7.6
ROM Coal Mt 1.6 1.7 1.7 1.6 2.5
Coarse Reject Material
Mt 0.3 0.4 0.4 0.4 0.6
Tailings Reject Material
Mt 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.2 0.4
Product Mt 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.1 1.5
Table 15 Glendell Material Production Schedule
Material Unit 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021
Rock/overburden Mbcm 20.8 20.9 20.9 21.4 22.2
ROM Coal Mt 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5 4.5
Coarse Reject Material
Mt 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0 1.0
Tailings Reject Material
Mt 0.7 0.7 0.7 0.6 0.6
Product Mt 2.9 2.9 2.8 2.9 2.9
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3 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT
3.1 Environmental Risk Assessment
The MOC undertook a risk assessment in accordance with the MOP Guidelines on 18 August 2016
(See Appendix C), which had a focus on closure and rehabilitation related issues. The risk
assessment addressed a number of key aspects and how they related specifically to the success of
the rehabilitation.
During this rehabilitation MOP risk assessment 20 key risks were identified. Of these risks, 13 were
ranked as low and 7 were ranked as medium. There were none ranked as being high risk. Table 16
below is a summary of those items that were determined to be a medium risk where in the MOP
document risk mitigation has been addressed.
Eighteen risks were identified as having current controls that are managing the risk at a satisfactory
level whilst two of the risks were identified as requiring improvement and have been added to a works
program.
A copy of the Risk Register developed for the MOP risks to rehabilitation workshop is attached as
Appendix C.
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Table 16 Summary of Risks to Rehabilitation MOP Risk Assessment (medium or higher ranking only)
Key Element Issue Caused By Consequence Current Controls
(are in place )
Consequence Category
Expected Risk
Consequence Risk
Likelihood
Current Risk
Rating Where addressed in
the MOP
Mine Subsidence and Settlement
Failure to achieve the rehabilitation outcome prescribed in the MOP
Settlement of tailings dams
Settlement of rehabilitation landform resulting in ponding on tailings capped surfaces
Capping design considers potential settlement Inspection and maintenance
Environment 2 B M Section 3.3.1
Soil Type(s) and Suitability
Inadequate volume and/or quality of topsoil to achieve the rehabilitation outcome prescribed in the MOP
Inadequate topsoil available
Less Than Adequate (LTA) topsoil quality
Sacrificing weed infested topsoil
Poor recovery of topsoil in rehab areas
Inability to reach closure and relinquishment of the lease
Cost of sourcing ameliorants and alternatives
Topsoil mass balance estimate (stockpile quantities generally known and material ahead of operations is estimated)
Conservative estimate of in situ topsoil reserves
Biosolids have been trialled
Selective use of sub-soil has been successfully used
Financial Impact
2 B M
Section 2.3.4 3.3.3 3.3.6 7.3.3
Spontaneous Combustion
Spon com impedes rehabilitation
Poor management of materials with propensity for spon com.
Inability to complete rehab. Impact on established rehabilitation Cost of managing spontaneous combustion
Spontaneous Combustion Management Plan
Bayswater North Mining Project will remove legacy site issues
Environment 2 C M Section 3.3.5
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Key Element Issue Caused By Consequence Current Controls
(are in place ) Consequence
Category
Expected Risk
Consequence Risk
Likelihood
Current Risk
Rating Where addressed in
the MOP
outbreak
Flora
Failure to achieve the rehabilitation commitments prescribed in the MOP
Not considering requirements in rehabilitation planning
Failure to manage weeds
Pest species / grazing pressures (kangaroos, rabbits etc.)
Inability to reach closure and relinquish lease
Endemic species used in rehabilitation
Mining Operations Plan
Annual Weed Plan
Biodiversity Management Plan
Rehabilitation Monitoring Program
Research and development on rehabilitation outcomes
Environment 3 C M Section 3.2.1 7.3.4 8.1.4
Final Landform Design
Tailings crust does not consolidate sufficiently to allow capping to progress as planned
Poor water management with respect to recovering water from the tailings surface
LTA management of rise during tailings deposition
LTA
Inability to reach closure and relinquishment of the lease
Delayed capping
Surface water management
GRAWTS Management Strategy including pipehead floc Financial
Impact 3 D M
Section 2.3.9 3.3.3
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Key Element Issue Caused By Consequence Current Controls
(are in place ) Consequence
Category
Expected Risk
Consequence Risk
Likelihood
Current Risk
Rating Where addressed in
the MOP
understanding of material properties with respect to GRAWTS
Contaminated Land
Contaminated land occurring on the site at closure
Long term use of the site
Spills, leaks etc.
Impact on environment
Constraint for future land use
Financial issue
Contaminated Sites Register
Incident and Spill response process (PIRMP)
Bioremediation area (Glendell & Mount Owen)
Hydrocarbon Management Plan
Environment 3 D M Section 3.3.4
Cultural Heritage
Disturbance of cultural heritage site (Aboriginal or European)
Unintended interaction with Aboriginal site due to lack of awareness
Closure or rehabilitation activities
Prosecution
Loss of culturally significant site
Loss of historic site/s
MOC ACHMP & Historic Heritage Management Plan
Ground Disturbance Permits
Legal & Compliance
2 C M Section 3.2.3
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3.2 Environmental Risk Management
The MOC maintains an Environmental Management System (EMS) as a means to facilitate
compliance with environmental standards and requirements. The EMS provides a framework for
managing all environmental and community aspects, impacts and performance of the mining
operations. The MOCs EMS has been developed generally in accordance with ISO 14001, and is
consistent with the Glencore Coal Assets Australia Environmental Management Framework.
As part of the EMS, management plans, procedures and standards have been developed to meet
statutory requirement, manage activities on site to minimise the risks of impact to the environment and
to continually improve the performance of operations. The following management plans are in place
for the MOC:
Environmental Management Strategy;
Rehabilitation Strategy;
Water Management Plan (including Site Water and Salt Balance, Surface Water Management Plan, Groundwater Management Plan, Bettys & Swamp Creek Diversion Plans, Erosion and Sediment Control Plan);
Air Quality Management Plan;
Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Plan (Glendell only);
Noise Management Plan;
Blast Management Plan;
Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan;
Historic Heritage Management Plan; and
Biodiversity Management Plan.
These management plans will be updated as required with the approval of the DP&E. Copies of the
current versions of these management plans are available on the MOC website
(www.mtowencomplex.com.au). Future revisions to any environmental management plan will be
reported in the Annual Review.
3.2.1 Flora and Fauna
Existing vegetation communities and recorded occurrences of threatened species are shown on
Plan 1B. Management strategies to minimise impacts to flora and fauna are documented in the
Biodiversity Management Plan and are summarised in this MOP.
Regular flora and fauna monitoring has been in place since 1995 is conducted seasonally in
accordance with the requirements outlined in the Biodiversity Management Plan.
http://www.mtowencomplex.com.au/
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Surveys have recorded the following vegetation communities found in the immediate surrounds of the
MOC area:
Barrington Footslopes Dry Spotted Gum Forest;
Hunter Lowlands Red Gum Forest;
Central Hunter Swamp Oak Forest; and
Central Hunter Ironbark Spotted Gum Grey Box Forest.
The management of biodiversity within offset areas is managed under the Biodiversity Management
Plan. These areas (shown on Plan 2) form key habitat linkages between native vegetation
rehabilitation areas proposed in the final landform (refer to Section 4.2). In addition to offset areas
and conservation areas, the Ravensworth State Forest is located within the northern extent of the
project boundary. The Ravensworth State Forest area is managed by Forests NSW.
Flora and fauna management strategies for rehabilitation and offset areas at the MOC are outlined in
the Biodiversity Management Plan and include:
Management of the remnant vegetation and fauna habitat on the site and in the offset areas;
Implementation of the biodiversity offset strategy;
Integration of the biodi