MT OWEN CONTINUED OPERATIONS A Project October 2014 Project Summary Contents Project Plan Project development 2 3-5 ȱȱ Ŝ Air quality 7 Noise 8 ȱȱ ş ȱȱ ş Water 10 ȱȱ ŗŗ ȱ ŗŗ Final landuse, ȱǭȱ¢ 12 - 13 ȱǭȱȱ ŗŚ Ĝȱ ŗś ȱȱȱȱȱ opportunities ŗŜȱȬȱŗŝ Economics assessment 18 Visual 18 ȱȱȱ ȱ ŗş What next 20 05 ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱęȱ our revised Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for our Mount Owen Continued Operations Project (the Project). Our aim for the Project has been to develop a plan for the continuation ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱŘŖřŖǰȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ at Falbrook, Middle Falbrook, Greenlands and Camberwell. ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ feedback from our stakeholders, which ȱȱȱȱȱȱęȱȱ ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ ȱȱǯ This community information sheet ȱȱ¢ȱęȱȱȱ environmental and social studies that have been undertaken to inform preparation of the EIS. It incorporates information provided in the last two previous community information sheets (distributed in November 2013 and June 2014), combined with updates from the revised Project plan and EIS studies. The most relevant ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ results for noise and dust. We’d like to thank everyone who has provided us with feedback as we ȱȱȱȱǰȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ Project plan. We anticipate that the EIS for the Project will be on public display late in 2014 and will also be available on our website (www.mtowencomplex.com.au). About the Mount Owen Complex The Mount Owen Complex has been ȱȱȱŘŖȱ¢ȱȱȱ located within the Upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales (NSW), approximately 20 kilometres north ȱȱǰȱŘŚȱȱȬ east of Muswellbrook and to the north ȱ ȱǯȱȱ The Complex consists of three open cut operations, Mount Owen (North Pit), Ravensworth East (West and Bayswater North Pits) and Glendell ǻĴȱǼǯȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ¡ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ and preparation plant (CHPP), coal stockpiles and the rail load-out facility. The Mount Owen Mine open cut operation is currently approved to produce 10 million tonnes run of mine (ROM) coal per year with Ravensworth East Mine currently approved to produce 4 million tonnes of ROM coal per year. This is not proposed ȱǰȱ ȱ ȱ ȱȱ ȱ¡ȱȱȱȱȱȱ approximately 2030. Glencore | Mount Owen Community Information Sheet 1 The development of the Project This Booklet ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱǰȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ¡ȱȱȱȱȱǯ Year 1: approximately 2016 ȱȱěȱȱȱȱȱ to the Project informed, we ȱȱȱ¢ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ public exhibition. • The booklet presents detailed information about: • ȱ ȱȱȱ to do • ȱȱȱȱ proposed Project plan Project Planning Consultation with the community has been a key component of our assessment process and the Project team has used this feedback in ȱȱȱȱęȱ the mine plan. Early in the process you also told us you wanted more ȱȱȱ¡ȱ operations and Project plans, so our assessment process has ȱȱȱ ȱ stakeholders, particularly our near ǯȱȱȱȱȱȱ Minimising our footprint A key objective of our Project ȱȱȱ¡ȱȱȱȱ ¢ȱȱȱȱ ¡ȱȱǰȱ¢ȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱǯȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ avoid disturbance of watercourses, the ȱȱȱȱ¡ȱ ¢ȱěȱǯ Road and Infrastructure Upgrades As part of the Project, we propose to construct a new rail overpass and a ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ Creek at Hebden Road. This will improve road safety and reduce Ĝȱ¢ȱ¢ȱ¡ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ¡ȱ ȱȱǯȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ infrastructure is planned to be undertaken early in the Project. • ¢ȱ ȱȱȱȱ do them • what impacts are expected Noise and Dust Management ȱǰȱ¢ȱȱȱȱ air quality and noise were two of the ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱǯȱȱ ȱǰȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ with ‘built-in’ noise and air quality ǰȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ roads below the natural surface level, temporary treatment on exposed ǰȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ in response to adverse weather conditions. ȱȱĞȱ ȱȱ gone? ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱǰȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱ ȱȱ¡ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ Ěȱȱȱǰȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ £ǯ 2 Glencore | Mount Owen Community Information Sheet Key features of the Project at this stage: • ¡ȱȱȱȱ operations continue in the North and ¢ ȱȱȱ ȱȱ rehabilitation of emplacement areas. • The southern portion of the West Pit is ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ North and Bayswater North Pits. • Glendell Mine continues to haul its ROM coal to the Mount Owen CHPP ȱǯ • ȱ ȱȱȱȱ DZ • ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱŗȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱǯ northern rail turn out and rail line. Ƞ ȱȱǰȱ ȱ ȱȱȱ extension. Ƞ ȱȱȱ ȱȱ the Hebden Road rail overpass. Ƞ Preparation works for a new Glencore | Mount Owen Community Information Sheet 3 The development of the Project The development of the Project Year 5: approximately 2020 Year 10: approximately 2025 Key features of the Project at this stage: Key features of the Project at this stage: • ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱ peak extraction rate. • ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱǯ • The North Pit emplacement areas are ȱ¢ȱǰȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱǯ • Glendell Mine continues to haul its ROM coal to the Mount Owen CHPP ȱǯ • ȱ ȱȱ¢ ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ ȱȱ ȱ the overburden emplacement areas ȱǯ • ȱ ǰȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ ȱǰȱȱ new rail overpass and the new rail line, are planned to be completed. All new ȱȱȱȱȱ utilised. 4 Glencore | Mount Owen Community Information Sheet • The southern portion of the West ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ emplacement and coarse reject continues to be emplaced in the North Pit and the Bayswater North Pit. • ȱȱȱȱȱȱ reached the southernmost limit of the Project. • The primary overburden and coal ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ roads constructed below natural ȱȱȱ ȱȱ ǯȱȱ ¢ȱȱȱȱ ȱ also be bunded. • ȱȱȱ ȱ Bayswater North Pit have ceased and ȱ ȱȱ ȱȱ ȱ¢ȱȱȱȱ commenced. • ȱȱȱȱ Pit and Ravensworth East Resource Recovery emplacement areas. • The southern portion of the West ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ emplacement and coarse reject continues to be emplaced in the North ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ Area. Glencore | Mount Owen Community Information Sheet 5 Infrastructure upgrades Air quality Upgrades to Hebden Road Rail line augmentation On-site infrastructure The Project seeks approval to construct ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ Creek and an overpass over the Main Northern Rail Line that crosses Hebden Road. These works will improve road safety for road users and minimise Ĝȱ¢ȱȱ ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ¡ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ¡ȱȱȱǯȱ ȱ Road is the primary employee and services access to the Mount Owen ¡ǰȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ road for local business (quarries) and residents. ȱȱȱȱȱȱ additional rail line and northern turnȱ ȱȱȱ¡ȱȱ ȱ Complex rail line. This would allow ȱ¡ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ Rail trains when not in service and allow Glencore trains to turn around within the Mount Owen rail loop, ¢ȱȱ¢ȱȱ movements on the Main Northern Rail Line. The Project will extend Mount Owen’s ¡ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ ȱǯȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ ¢ȱȱȱ¡ȱ¢ȱȱ workshop and fuel farm in the Mine Infrastructure Area, provide a new ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱ associated site services, such as the raw water system. ȱȱȱ ȱȱ ȱ¢ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱęȱ¢ȱ ¢ȱȱȱȱȱǯȱȱȱ address this issue, a detailed air quality impact assessment has been undertaken in accordance with the Director ȂȱȱǻǼȱȱȱǰȱȱȱ NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) prescribed ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ assessment. Modelling ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ¢ǰȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ¡ȱȱ ȱȱ¢ȱ ȱ ǯ ȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱǻȱŗŖȱ ȱŘǯśǼȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ and Environment (DP&E) and EPA criteria to provide an assessment of the predicted air quality impacts in relation to amenity and health considerations. Results ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱě¢ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱǯ It shows that later in the Project (approximately Year 10), worst case weather conditions could lead to one private ȱ¡ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱŘŚȱȱȱ Air quality sampling ŗŖȱȱǻśŖȱΐȦřǼȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ be approved. A number of mine owned residences are also predicted to have 24-hour PM10 levels in excess of the criterion in Year 5 and Year 10. There is one privately owned residence, without current ȱǰȱȱȱ¡ȱȱȱȱ ȱŗŖȱȱȱřŖȱΐȦřȱȱȱŗǯȱȱȱ ęȱȱȱȂȱȱȱŗŖȱȱȱȱ residence is very low. ȱęȱȱȱĞȱ ȱȱŘŚȱȱȱŗŖȱ air contour for the Project that is predicted to occur in the worst case scenario model for all years of the Project. The red line refers to the Project area boundary, and the blue line delineates the area within which residences exceed the ȱȱǻśŖȱΐȦřǼǯ Full results will be presented in the EIS. Management ȱȱĴȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱǰȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ¢ȱ ȱǯȱȱȱȱǰȱ ȱ ȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱǰȱȱȬęȱȱ ¢ȱȱȬȱǰȱȱȱȱ control, and temporary treatments (for example, early ¢ȱǼȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱęȱǯȱȱȱ¡ȱǰȱ ȱȱęȱ ȱǰȱ ȱ ȱȱ¢ȱ our operations to further reduce dust emissions. ȱĴ • ȱȮȱȱȱȱĴȱȬȱȱ ȱȱȱȱǯȱȱȱ£ȱȱȱ typically 30 μm – 50 μm. • PM10 – particles with equivalent aerodynamic diameters of less than 10 μm. • PM2.5 – particles with equivalent aerodynamic diameters of less than 2.5 μm diameter (a subset of ŗŖǼǯȱȱĞȱȱȱȱȱęȱǯ ŜȱȱȱȱȩȱMount Owen Community Information Sheet Glencore | Mount Owen Community Information Sheet 7 Noise ȱȱȱȱ ȱ another key concern for landholders, and we have worked hard to minimise our impacts from all potential noise ȱȱȱȱǰȱ ǰȱĜȱȱǯ Modelling A Noise Impact Assessment was undertaken for the Project with a ¢ȱȱȱȱ with the NSW Industrial Noise Policy. The assessment considered recorded local climatic conditions and data from the Mount Owen Complex noise ȱ ǯȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ impacts at the properties nearest ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ weather conditions. Direct noise impacts associated with the Project, as well as the cumulative noise impacts associated with the ȱȱȱȱȱ operations, were assessed. ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ noise impacts, which involved ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ to the operational scenarios would ěȱǯȱȱȱǰȱȱȱ incorporates all reasonable and feasible noise control measures. Results The study found that noise impacts associated with the Project are predicted to increase in later years as ȱȱȱȱȱȱ southeast and south, with the worst ȱȱȱŗŖȱȱȱǯȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱǰȱ under inversion conditions. Under these worst case conditions, ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ private residences are predicted to ȱěȱ¢ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱśȱȱȱȱ ȱȱęȱȱȱ (PSNL). The PSNL is the noise criteria determined in accordance Aboriginal cultural heritage assessment order to understand the level of impact the Project may have, on the cultural ȱȱȱȱȱȱ the landscapes. ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱĴȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ of the Project Area which was once occupied by the Wonnarua people. The historical associations with early ĴǰȱĚǰȱȱ and survival are important, and the ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱęȱȱ numerous members of the Wonnarua ȱȱȱȱȱ ęǯȱ ȱȱ ȱŜŖȱȱ ȱǰȱ ȱ Holders and the Local Land Council, ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ ȱȱǰȱǰȱȱ ȱęȱȱȱ¡ȱ ȱ the Project Area. Noise monitoring in Middle Falbrook. with the Industrial Noise Policy, and an exceedance of more than 5 dB is considered an appreciable increase in noise level, likely to be noticeable by most people. For this reason, these landowners are expected to be ȱ ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ Project. ȱȱȱȱȱ to experience Project related noise ȱȱȱŘȱȱȱȱȱ 5 dB above the relevant PSNL. This is considered a moderate noise level, not noticeable by some people and may be noticeable by others. These land ȱ ȱȱěȱ¢ȱȱ ȱęȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ£ȱȱ ȱǯȱ Ten private residences are predicted to experience Project related noise levels up to 2dB above the relevant PSNL. These are considered minor noise level increases, not noticeable by ȱǯȱȱȱȱ ȱȱǻȱȱȱȱȱ landowner) will be conducted at these properties. The full results will be available in the EIS. 8 Glencore | Mount Owen Community Information Sheet Management/commitments ȱ ȱȱĴȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ to minimise the impact of all noise ȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱǰȱǰȱĜȱ ȱǯȱȱ ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ ¡ȱȱȱȱǰȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ below the natural surface and the use ȱ¢ȱȱȱǯȱȱ ȱȱ ȱ ȱȱ consulted also provided their own ȱȱȱǯȱ This has included oral stories, cultural ǰȱȱȱȱ walks on Country, as well as an ȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱęȱȱȱ people. ȱȱȱȱ developed collaboratively with ȱȱȱȱ involved in the assessment and will be undertaken in consultation and ȱȱȱ ȱ Holders and community stakeholders. ȱȱȱȱ considered both the Project and the ȱǯȱ Historic heritage ȱ ȱ ȱȱ was undertaken for the Project. ȱȦȱ ȱ¢ȱȱȱ ¢ȱȱȱ ȱ ęȱ ȱȱȱǯȱȱ ȱȱȱęȱȱ ȱȱȱ ȱȱ vicinity of the Project Area will be directly impacted as a result of the Project. The area of the former ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ¢ȱęȱ ȱǰȱ ȱȱ area proposed to be disturbed by ȱ ȱȱȱ ǯȱ ȱǰȱȱȬȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱ be undertaken prior to the commencement of construction of ȱ ȱȱȱ ǯ Example of site with local heritage significance. Other practical measures include ȱȱȱȱȱĴȱ trucks and machinery, and ¢ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ¢ȱ have potential to elevate noise levels above those predicted. Noise will be monitored by ȱȁȂȱȱȂĴȂȱ ǻȱ¢ȱȱǼȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ Project and we will continue to ȱȱǰȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ ǯȱ Archaeological survey for Aboriginal artefacts as part of cultural heritage management. We will also undertake appropriate ȱȱȱěȱ¢ȱ noise levels above relevant criteria, based on discussions with the relevant landowners. Glencore | Mount Owen Community Information Sheetȱȱȱş Water Water management system ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱ ȱȱ¡ȱ ȱȱ¢ȱ¢ȱ in place for the Mount Owen Complex. ȱȱȱȱȱ water resources in accordance with the Mount Owen Complex Water ȱȱǻ ȱȱȱ condition of our development consent), our Environmental Protection Licence ȱȱ ȱȱ¢ȱȱ Scheme. In addition, the Mount Owen Complex ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ (GRWSS) with other Glencore mines ȱȱȱ ȱǯȱȱȱ ȱ ȱĚ¡¢ȱȱ ȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱȱ to Mount Owen’s needs able to be transferred to other mines, or water ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱǯȱȱȱȱ Glencore’s overall reliance on raw water supplies. ȱĚ The surface water assessment found ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱǰȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ Ě ǰȱ ȱ¢ȱȱ ȱȱ downstream of the Project Area. The Project will not reduce the annual Ě ȱȱȱȱǰȱȱ Creek and Bowmans Creek, therefore ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ the volume of water available to downstream water users. Erosion and sediment control Erosion and sediment control ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ impacts of the Project on downstream ȱ¢ǯȱȱȱȱȱ measures such as clean water diversions, silt fences, sediment ȱȱȱǰȱȱȱ ȱȱǰȱ operational and rehabilitation phases. ȱȱȱǰȱȱ assessment determined that the Project will result in localised drawdown ȱ ȱ ȱȱȱ ȱȱęǰȱ ȱȱ impact of this drawdown on surface ȱĚ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ¡ȱȱȱǯȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱ water users will be impacted by drawdown associated with the Project and it is not expected to impact on ȱ¢ǯ Greenhouse gas Blasting ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ the Project assessed emissions from our operational activities (‘Scope 1’), the electricity we use (‘Scope 2’) and the indirect ‘downstream’ ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ ȱȱĴȱȱȱȱȱ customers and from end-use of our product (consumption) (‘Scope 3’). The assessment showed that the downstream emissions represent ¡¢ȱşŜƖȱȱȱȂȱȱ emissions. ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ located within the North Pit Continuation and the Ravensworth ȱȱǯȱȱȱȱ assessment for the Project used ȱȱȱȱȱȱ predictive model based on vibration and air blast data collected from ȱȱȱȱȱȱ Mount Owen Complex. The study also found that the Project’s contribution to national annual emissions is relatively small and it is unlikely to impact national ȱȱ¢ȱǯȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱ¢ȱĜ¢ȱǰȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ¢ǯȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ to reduce transport distances and fuel ǰȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ Ĝ¢ȱǯ ȱȱ Ȃȱȱ¡ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱęȱ ȱȱ¢ǰȱȱ continues to review its approach to ȱǯȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ¢ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱ ȱǯȱȱȱȱȱ to research and development on low ȱǯȱ ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ potential impacts associated with ȱȱȱȱȱ ě¢ȱȱȱ¡ȱȱȱ relevant blast criteria at any private residence or other blast sensitive location are anticipated. Groundwater A detailed assessment of the potential ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ resources has been completed. The ȱȱȱȱę¢ȱ to minimise impacts on the alluvial ȱ¢ǯȱȱȱ ęȱȱȱȱȱȱ include a minimum 200 metre setback from Main Creek. 10 Glencore | Mount Owen Community Information Sheet Glencore | Mount Owen Community Information Sheet 11 Final land use, rehabilitation & ecology Progressive rehabilitation ȱȂȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ¡ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱ ȱȱȱ¢ǯȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱǯȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱ ȱ¢ȱȱǻǯǯȱȱȱȱ ȱȱǼǰȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ£ǯȱȱ Final landform and end use ȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ land use options and to maximise the ȱȱȱȱȱĚȱ ȱȱǯȱȱȱ the development of native woodland ȱȱȱȱ¡ȱȱ ȱǰȱȱ ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ£ǯȱ ȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ emplacement areas to create a suitable ęȱǯȱȱȱęȱȱ ȱ ȱȱęȱȱȱȱȱ area of the North Pit Continuation. A void will remain in the RERR ȱǰȱ ȱȱ ȱȱ emplaced in the void toward the end of the Project. There is also future ¢ȱȱȱȱ from other nearby mines. Similarly, a void will remain at Bayswater North Pit, however with the continued operation of the GRWS, there is ȱȱȱȱȱȱ Bayswater North Pit void for water ǯȱȱȱęȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ be determined in consultation with ȱ ȱęȱ¢ȱȱȱ closure. The retention of the Mount Owen Complex Rail Line may also be ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ Glencore trains. ȱęȱ ȱ ȱȱȂȱ ȱęȱȱǯ ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱȃȱȄȱȱ ȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱęȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱ ȱǯȱ ¢ȱȱě One of our key objectives is to maximise the use of previously disturbed areas and avoid ȱ¡ȱ¢ȱěȱȱ and the Ravensworth State Forest. The Project does avoid disturbance to these ǰȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ¡¢ȱŚśŗȱȱȱȱ which includes 223 hectares of native ǰȱȱȱȱǰȱ 4 hectares of shrubland and 223 hectares of ȱȱǯȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ¡¢ȱ ŞŜȱȱȱȱȱ from within areas previously mined. Three ȱȱǰȱ ȱ ȱȱȮȱĴȱȱȮȱ Grey Box Forest, Central Hunter Grey Box - Ironbark Woodland and Planted Ironbark ȮȱĴȱȱȮȱ¢ȱ¡ȱȱ ȱȱ impacted, and the Project has potential to ę¢ȱȱȱȱĴȮȱ ȱȱȱǯ ȱěȱǰȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱřśŝȱȱ¢ȱǻȱȱěȱ ǼȱȱȱřŖřȱȱȱǻȱ ěȱǼȱȱȱȱȱȱ ¡ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ ěȱǯȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱǰȱ ȱ additional opportunities for environmental improvement in the area. ¢ǰȱȱ¢ȱȱ ȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱşŝǯśȱȱ ȱȱȱ¡ȱȱ ¢ȱȱ ȱȱ¡ȱȱ ȱ¢ȱěȱȱȱȱ Coal Operations and include commitments ȱȱȱĴȬȱ ȱǯȱȱęȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȂȱȱěȱǯ 12 Glencore | Mount Owen Community Information Sheet Glencore | Mount Owen Community Information Sheet 13 Agricultural and Land Management ȱȱ ȱ¡ȱȱȱȱ ¢ȱȱ¡ȱ ȱǯȱ The land within the Project Area ȱȱȱȱ¡ȱȱ operations in addition to lands owned by Glencore which are currently ȱȱ£ȱǯ ȱȱȱȱȱ Impact Statement to assess the ȱȱȱȱ resources and industries in the areas in and around the Project. The study found that the Project will have no ȱȱ¢ȱȱ ȱȱǻǼȱȱ¢ȱ Critical Industry Clusters (viticulture or equine). The land within the Proposed Disturbance Area has ȱȱ ȱȱ¢ȱ ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ£ȱȱ conservation. Pest and Weed Control ęȱ As a major landholder within the local area, we understand the needs and ȱȱ ȱȱ ¢ǰȱ ǰȱȱȱ and properties. We understand that it is important to work with local stakeholders and landowners toward a coordinated approach to land ǰȱȱȱȱ ȱ control. For example, over the last few years we have participated in the ȱ¢Ȃȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ ȱǯȱ ȱ ȱȱȱęȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱ¡ȱęȱ ȱǯȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱ¡ȱ ęȱȱȱȱ consultation with the Rural Fire Service ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱǯȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱęȱǯ It also found the Project to have ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱǰȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ services and infrastructure. Ĝ ȱĜȱȱȱȱ undertaken to help us understand the ȱȱĜȱȱȱǯȱȱ This takes into account the proposed ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ and the rail overpass on Hebden Road, ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱęȱȱȱȱ ȱĜȱĚ ȱȱȱ¢ȱ on this road. ĜȱĚ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ with minimal delays and queue ǰȱȱȱȱȱ ȱĜȱǯ Below is a ‘before’ shot of the current ȱȱȱȱ ȱǰȱ ȱȱȱȱĴȱ ȱ ȱȱǯ ȱȱȱȱĜȱȱ ȱǰȱȱȱĜȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱ and the Roads and Maritime Services for these works. Rail improvements Road safety The Project will maintain the current ȱȱȱȱ¡ȱ operation and we expect that the ¢ȱĜȱȱȱ ȱ continued operations will be similar to those currently experienced. For the short period of construction ǻ¡¢ȱŗŞȱǼǰȱĜȱ will increase temporarily primarily due to vehicles associated with the construction workforce. Construction Ĝȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱ ¢ȱȱ Glennies Creek Road and Forest Road, ȱȱȱĜȱ ȱ ¡ȱȱ ¢ȱȱ ȱǯȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ǰȱȱ ȱȱ ¢ȱȱǻ ȱ ȱ Road and with Glennies Creek Road) ȱȱȱȱ ȱ Road will increase road safety for all road users. This will include ȱ ȱȱȱĜȱȱ ȱ ȱȱ¡ȱȱ ȱȱ ȱǰȱ ȱȱ been known to extend onto the New ȱ ¢ǯ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ annual rail movements for Mount Owen as part of the Project however, ȱȱěȱȱȱȱĜǰȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ an additional rail line. This will allow ȱȱȱȱȱĜ¢ȱ and should result in an overall improvement across the rail network. ȱ¢ȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱĜȱȱȱ distraction and for unnecessary vehicle ȦȱȱȱȱȦȱȱ ǯȱȱȱȱ proposed scheduled activities will be communicated to the local road users and measures such as road and site ȱ ȱȱǯȱ Existing level crossing - Hebden Road. ȱȱȱȱ over Bowmans Creek Bowmans Creek ȱȱ ¢ Main Northern rail line Proposed Hebden Road upgrade works. 14 Glencore | Mount Owen Community Information Sheet Glencore | Mount Owen Community Information Sheet 15 Assessing the social impacts Social Impacts and Opportunities The Project’s Social Impact and Opportunities Assessment (SIOA) has involved a number of phases of work to help us understand the positive ȱȱȱȱȱȱ Project. The SIOA has also considered ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱǯȱȱ Community Consultation ¡¢ȱřśŜȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱęȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ to address impacts. residents’ concerns is included on the ¡ȱǯȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ quality focused mainly on cumulative ǰȱ ȱȱ¢ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ present. Economic discussions were ¢ȱǰȱ ȱ continued local employment, ȱȱȱȱ in community activities and ȱęȱȱ¢ȱęȱ of the Project. ȱȱȱǰȱ ȱȱȱȱȱěȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱ¡ǰȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ cumulative sense. A risk based approach was used to assess the social impact of the Project, which looked at both the technical risks presented by the Project, as well as community perceptions of those risks. This included consideration of impacts on ȱ¢ǰȱȱȱǰȱ ǰȱȱȱ ǰȱ¢ȱ ¢ǰȱȱȱȱęȱ¢ȱ ȱȱȱȱǯȱ ȱęȱȱȱȱȱȱ conclude that impacts associated with social amenity and health, such as noise, dust ȱǰȱȱȱě¢ȱȱȱ minimise local impact; however, consultation found that concerns may remain with some local residents. As operational employment will continue in line with current levels there will be no ęȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ Project. This has included the informative discussions with the local community ȱ ȱȱȱȱ the Project. ȱęȱ¢ȱȱȱȱ most important were air quality, noise ȱȱǯȱǰȱ ǰȱ Ĝǰȱȱ¢ǰȱ¢ȱ ¢ǰȱȱęȱȱȱ ȱ also discussed. These are shown ¢ȱ ǰȱȱȱ¡ȱ of the way the SIOA has mapped ȱ ȱȱȱ ȱŜŖƖȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ¢ȱ ȱȱȱ¢ǰȱȱȱ¢ȱȱ workers will be able to be accommodated ȱȱȱȱȱǯȱ ȱȱȱȱȱǰȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ impacts and enhance positive impacts, will be included in the EIS. Community members at Mount Owen’s Open Day in May 2013. Spatial distribution of existing visual amenity concerns regarding mining (including cumulative) mapped from consultation with 43 landholders. The brown dots show the geographic areas where landholders consulted did not raise visual amenity concerns, and the purple dots show where concerns were raised. Spatial issues mapping was also undertaken for other key impact themes. Ȭȱ Air quality ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ employees and suppliers to understand the associations ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱǯȱȱ Noise Economic ȱ¢ȱȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ ȱ¢ȱ ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱǰȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱ¢ȱ ȱȱȱ Maitland and Muswellbrook. Land management Blasting This tended to be where our employees, contractors, suppliers and their families live, spend their money, participate in the community, and access education and healthcare services. Roads and infrastructure Sense of Community Community engagement Water Visual 0 5 10 15 20 25 30 Number of landholders raising the theme (43 landholders were interviewed – includes positive and negative impacts) ŗŜȱȱȱȱȩȱMount Owen Community Information Sheet 35 This work has helped us understand the links we have ȱȱȱȱȱ ǰȱȱ ȱȱȱ areas across the State and the country. It also provides a ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱęȱȱ ȱȱȱǰȱȱȱęȱ that the current Mount Owen Complex workforce ȱǞŜŖȱȱȱȱȱ¡ȱ into various economies. ȱęȱ ȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱǞŜŖȱȱ employee expenditure is spent. Annual employee expenditure of the existing Mount Owen and Ravensworth East Workforce Glencore | Mount Owen Community Information Sheet 17 Rehabilitation at Mount Owen Mount Owen’s unique approach to rehabilitation has set new industry standards and led to the Mount Owen model – the Ravensworth State Forest ȱ¡ȱȮȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȁ¢ȱ commended’ site on the Global Restoration Network of the Society for Ecosystem Restoration (www. ǯǼǯ ȱȱȱȱ and woodland in areas disturbed by ȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱ¢ȱěȱǯ Nest/roost boxes are placed at heights and aspects appropriate to the species. Economic Assessment Government requirements for the Project mean that a project must be shown to deliver a net ęȱȱǯȱȱȱǰȱ ȱ ȱĴȱȱ Economics to undertake a Cost ęȱ¢ȱǻǼȱȱȱǯȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ a consolidated estimate of the net economic value of a project by ¢ȱȱȱȱȱ ęȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȮȱȱ ‘business as usual’. ȱȱȱȱȱ ¢ȱ ȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ǯȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱęȱ outputs from the mine’s production, such as coal sales, as well as broader implications for external stakeholders ȱȱȱȱ¢ǰȱȱ broader Hunter and Central Coast ǰȱȱ¢ǯ The CBA concluded that overall, the ȱȱ¡ȱȱȱȱ ęȱǻ¡¢ȱǞŝśŞȱȱ over its life), and is also expected ȱȱȱȱ activity and employment within the NSW community. The continuation of operations of the Mount Owen ȱ ȱȱȱęȱȱ economic impact, for the Hunter Valley and the State of NSW. The assessment found that the Project ȱȱȱȱǞŗǯřȱȱ ȱȱ ȱȱǞŗǯşȱȱȱ ǯȱȱȱȱȱȱęȱȱ ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ ǞřŖŜȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ Project. It will also provide direct and indirect employment for a peak of 1,200 full time equivalent (FTE) ȱǻȱȱȱȁĚ ȱ ȂȱěǼǰȱȱ ȱȱŗǰŖŖŖȱ are estimated to be employed in the ȱǯȱ Visual A visual assessment of the Project ȱ ȱȱ ȱȱ and one resident that have views ȱȱ¡ȱȱ ȱȱ and the proposed continuation. Visual impacts will be reduced ȱȱȱěȱȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱęȱȱ that seeks as far as practicable ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱǯȱȱȱ ȱęȱȱȱȱ to be ‘as natural’ as possible, was a key request by local community ȱȱȱȱ process. The Project will involve an upfront capital investment of approximately $153 million, much of which is expected to be spent in the Hunter ǯȱȱ Once rehabilitation is completed ȱ¡ȱȱȱ the visual impacts of the Project will be less than the present visual impacts. ȱ ȱȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ estimated $258 million, which will be paid to the NSW Government. ȱȱȱȱǰȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱ so that they are shielded and we will continue our current practice ȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱǯ 18 Glencore | Mount Owen Community Information Sheet Unique research partnership Central to the site’s rehabilitation success has been our partnership with experts from the University of Newcastle’s Centre for Sustainable Ecosystem Restoration (CSER). ȱǰȱȱȱŗşşśǰȱ is unique due to its continual feedback loop whereby Mount Owen incorporates CSER’s research outcomes ȱȱȂȱȱȱ plan. The partnership has also resulted ȱȱȱ ȱǰȱ ȃȱȱȄǰȱ which drew from over 40 experiments ȱȱȱȱȱ Mount Owen site. Protecting Plants and Animals Mount Owen’s Flora and Fauna ȱȱ ȱȱ ¢ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱ of representatives from the State ǰȱȱȱȱ ǯȱȱ Fauna surveys are conducted prior to ȱȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱęȱȱȱȱ ȱǯȱȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱȱȱ cleared area, and timed to avoid fauna ȱ¢ǯȱȱ Due to its important reserve of ȱȱȱĚǰȱ topsoil removal is coordinated as closely as possible with operations to ȱȱȱȱǯȱ ȱȱ ȱȱȱ ¡ǯȱȱȱȱȱȱ timber is collected and redistributed ȱȱǯȱȦȱ¡ǰȱ ¢ȱȱȱȱǰȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱ appropriate to the species. Extensive Monitoring ȱȱȱȱ of impacts on local populations such as birds, reptiles, mammals and ǯȱȱȱȱȱ¢ȱ undertaken seasonally to look at colonisation rates of native species and to develop a complete list of the species present within the Project area. ȱȱȱȱȱȱ as control sites for comparison with rehabilitated areas. Rehabilitation uses endemic species, and seed that has been collected prior Glencore | Mount Owen Community Information Sheetȱȱȱŗş What next ȱĞȱȱȱȱĴȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ Environment for adequacy review (this is an initial phase of review whereby the Department checks that all the required studies have been undertaken adequately). ȱȱǰȱ ȱ ȱȱ to discuss the Project with local and ȱǰȱȱ If you would like more information at any time please contact: ȱȱ¢ȱȱȱȱ ȱȱȱȱęȱȱ ȱȱȱȱȱȱěȱ ȱ¢ȱȱ ȱȱ¡ȱ ȱęȱǯ The Open Days will be held between ŗŘȱȱŜȱȱȱ¢ȱřŗȱȱ and between 8 am and 12 pm on Saturday 1st November. If you would ȱȱĴȱȱȱȱȱ sessions, please provide your details to Vicki McBride (Vicki’s contact details ȱ Ǽȱȱȱ ȱȱǯ ȱ¢ȱ ȱȱ the additional consultation, we will ȱ¢ȱęȱęȱȱȱ ǰȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱ ȱ ȱȱȱȱȱ ǰȱȱȱ¡ȱȱȱȱ public exhibition later in the year. Vicki McBride - Mount Owen Continued Operations Project Approvals Manager T:ȱŖŚřŞȱŜŚŜȱŘŞŜȱȱȱȩȱȱȱE:ȱǯȓǯǯ Tim Browne - EIS Project Manager - Umwelt T:ȱŖŚŞŞȱŘŘşȱŗŝşȱȱȱȩȱȱȱE: [email protected] We hope you have found this booklet useful and look forward to your continued feedback on the Mount Owen Continued Operations Project. 20 Glencore | Mount Owen Community Information Sheet
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