DUST MANAGEMENT PLAN (DMP) December 2015 Version Date Section Modified Reason for Modification Review Team 1 February 2005 All Original Management Plan MCC Technical Services Department Carbon Based Environmental 2 December 2010 All 5 Yearly Review MCC Technical Services Department Carbon Based Environmental 3 December 2015 All 5 Yearly Review MCC Environmental, Technical Services and Production Departments Approved by Senior Operations Manager: Grant Clouten – signature on file Effective Date: 1 December 2015 Established 1907 Muswellbrook Coal Company Limited
Transcript
DUST MANAGEMENT PLAN (DMP)
December 2015
Version Date Section Modified Reason for Modification
Review Team
1 February 2005 All Original Management
Plan MCC Technical Services Department
Carbon Based Environmental
2 December
2010 All 5 Yearly Review
MCC Technical Services Department Carbon Based Environmental
3 December
2015 All 5 Yearly Review
MCC Environmental, Technical Services and Production
Departments
Approved by Senior Operations Manager: Grant Clouten – signature on file Effective Date: 1 December 2015
Established 1907
Muswellbrook Coal Company Limited
Muswellbrook Coal Company Limited Dust Management Plan
3.0 DUST MITIGATION AND CONTROL PROCEDURES ........................... 11 3.1 IDENTIFICATION OF PROPERTIES AFFECTED BY DUST ............................ 11 3.2 DUST CONTROL PROCEDURES ................................................................ 11 3.3 SHORT TERM EPISODIC EVENTS ............................................................. 12
10.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITS .......................................................... 18 11.0 REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT PLAN ............................................... 18 12.0 RESPONSIBILITES ........................................................................ 19
LIST OF TABLES
Table 1: Statutory Requirements ..................................................................................... 2 Table 2: Long Term Particulate Matter Criteria ............................................................. 10 Table 3: Short Term Particulate Matter Goal ................................................................. 10 Table 4: NSW EPA Amenity Based Criteria for Dust Fallout ........................................... 10 Table 5: Air Monitoring Methodology ............................................................................ 10 Table 6: Meteorological Monitoring Methodology ........................................................ 10 Table 7: Control Procedures for Wind Blown Dust ........................................................ 11 Table 8: Control Procedures for Mining Generated Dust Sources ................................. 11 Table 9: Control Measures for Short Term Episodic Events ........................................... 12 Table 10: Depositional Dust Gauge Locations ................................................................ 15 Table 11: TSP Monitoring Locations ............................................................................... 15 Table 12: PM10 Monitoring Locations ........................................................................... 16 Table 13: Management Plan Responsibilities................................................................. 19
Muswellbrook Coal Company Limited Dust Management Plan
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1.0 INTRODUCTION Muswellbrook Coal Company (MCC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Idemitsu Kosan Company Ltd. Group. MCC has a long association with coal mining at Muswellbrook, with underground coal mining commencing in 1907 and open cut operations in 1944. The mine is located on Muscle Creek Road, approximately 3 kilometres to the north‐east of Muswellbrook. On September 1, 2003, Development Consent for DA 205/2002 was granted by Muswellbrook Shire Council (MSC) to extend the former MCC No.1 Open Cut. The No.1 Open Cut Extension commenced operations in March 2005 and has a capacity to produce up to 2,000,000 tonnes coal per annum. This approval has subsequently been modified to allow the relocation of the Mine Infrastructure Area (MIA) and to extend the mine life to 2020.
1.1 SCOPE
The Development Consent requires the preparation, approval and implementation of an Environmental Management Strategy (EMS) and subordinate Environmental Management Plans (EMP). One of these EMPs is the Dust Management Plan (DMP). Whilst this plan specifically addresses issues related to the management of dust generating activities, it should be read in conjunction with other EMP’s. This DMP also address other approval and licence conditions that relate to MCC’s dust management system. This DMP has been prepared to manage dust related impacts associated with mining at MCC and operation of the Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP). This DMP has been prepared in consultation with Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) to the satisfaction of MSC.
1.2 OBJECTIVES
The main objective of the DMP is to manage and minimise the impact of dust from mining operations on the environment and nearby residences. The following actions will be undertaken to achieve this objective:
Detail the methods to be used to minimise dust emissions;
Maintain a dust monitoring program;
Identify the risk levels at which mine operations may need to be modified to manage compliance;
Define the measures to manage short term episodic events;
Define the mechanisms for community consultation;
Detail the management measures to be undertaken where the dust levels are demonstrated to exceed the criterion;
Detail the Complaint Handling Procedure;
Detail the specifications and procedures to be used for the purpose of Independent Dust Investigations; and
Specify the regulatory reporting requirements.
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2.0 STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS The relevant approval and licence conditions are shown in Table 1 along with information on where they are addressed in this plan.
Table 1: Statutory Requirements Approval/ Licence
Condition No. Condition Section
Development Consent
6.1.3 The Applicant shall, prior to the commencement of operations, prepare and implement a Dust Management Plan for the DA area to deal with and manage the dust impacts generated by, or associated with the Project. This Plan shall detail air quality safeguards and procedures for dealing with dust emissions from the construction and operation of the Project to the satisfaction of MSC and EPA and updated as directed. The Plan shall be prepared in consultation with and be updated as required by MSC. This Plan shall include, but not be limited to, details of:
This plan
6.1.3 (i) the identification of properties which will be affected by dust generated by the mine in accordance with the criteria detailed in condition 6.1.1;
3.1
6.1.3 (ii) specifications of the procedures for the dust monitoring program for the purpose of undertaking independent dust investigations;
8.0
6.1.3 (iii) outline the procedure to notify property owners and occupiers as identified by monitoring as likely to be affected by dust generated by the mine in excess of criteria detailed in condition 6.1.1;
7.0
6.1.3 (iv) mitigation measures to be employed to minimise dust emissions during the operation phase. This should include proactive/predictive and reactive mitigation measures to be employed to minimise dust emissions including visible dust emanating from the site;
3.2
6.1.3 (v) The Applicant shall ensure the prompt and effective rehabilitation of all disturbed areas of the DA area following the completion of mining and associated activities in that area to minimise the generation of wind blown dust;
3.2
6.1.3 (vi) the use of existing protocol for handling dust complaints that include recording, reporting and acting on complaints;
5.0
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Approval/ Licence
Condition No. Condition Section
6.1.3 (vii) outline of response and/or management measures to be undertaken in the event of complaints from a landowner where dust levels are demonstrated, in accordance with Condition 6.1.4, to be below the dust criteria in condition 6.1.1;
5.0
6.1.3 (viii) appropriate mechanisms for community consultation; 6.1
6.1.3 (ix) equipment to be available and used to control dust generation; 3.3
6.1.3 (x) methods to determine when and how the mine operation is to be modified to minimise the potential for dust emissions, particularly from surface activities;
3.3
6.1.3 (xi) details of locations and frequency of existing dust monitoring and deposition gauges at the residential areas as agreed by the EPA, as part of a licence variation;
4.0
6.1.3 (xii) measures to manage and mitigate short term episodic events including investigations into the relationships between short‐term variations in dust levels (particularly TSP and dust deposition) and levels of complaints and annoyance, with a view to reviewing the monitoring approaches; and
3.3
6.1.3 (xiii) as far as practicable details of the interrelationships of this plan with the dust management plans of other mining operations in the vicinity.
6.2
6.1.3 (xiv) mobile tankers equipped with a pump and sprays must be provided to suppress dust from unsealed roads when in use.
3.2
6.1.3 (xv) the measures currently employed at MCC for the reduction of wind blown dust as outlined in Section 7.8 of the EIS.
3.2
6.1.4 (a) (i) The Applicant shall: monitor dust deposition and the concentration of total suspended particulate matter and of PM10 particulate matter in accordance with a Dust Monitoring Plan submitted to the EPA. The Environment Protection Licence will include conditions specifying the location, frequencies and methods used to monitor air emissions;
4.0
6.1.4 (a) (ii) monitor and report against the NSW EPA goals of 50ug/m3 (24‐hour average) and 30ug/m3 (annual mean). The results of this monitoring and reporting are to be incorporated into the AEMR;
4.0, 9.0
6.1.4 (a) (iii) establish in consultation with the EPA, dust deposition and TSP monitoring sites as approved by the EPA. The sampling method, units of measure, interval and frequency of monitoring will be as set out in the Approved Methods for sampling and analysis of Air Pollutants in NSW;
4.0
Muswellbrook Coal Company Limited Dust Management Plan
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Approval/ Licence
Condition No. Condition Section
6.1.4 (a) (iv) include sites for monitoring impacts of dust at the nearest non‐mine owned residences and locations as may be determined to be necessary by MSC and in accordance with the Dust Management Plan referred to in Condition 6.1.3;
4.0
6.1.4 (a) (v) provide reporting once every 12 months on the performance of the control measures and of the monitoring system detailed the EIS and conditions of this consent, unless otherwise agreed by MSC. The reports shall be included in the AEMR and provided to MSC within fourteen days of completion of the report; and
9.0
6.1.4 (a) (vi) provide all results and analysis of air quality monitoring in the AEMR including a determination of the dust deposition rate in g/m2/month, which shall be plotted in the AEMR.
9.0
6.1.4 (b) (i) In the event that a landowner or occupier considers that dust from the Project at his/her dwelling is in excess of the criteria detailed in Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3 in condition 6.1.1, and MSC is satisfied that an investigation is required, the Applicant shall upon the receipt of a written request from MSC: consult with the landowner or occupant affected to determine his/her concerns;
8.0
6.1.4 (b) (ii) modify the mining activity or take other steps in accordance with the Dust Management Plan if exceedences are demonstrated by the independent investigations to result in part from the Project related activity. This may include: (i) introduction of additional controls, either of dust generation from individual sources on the site or on site operations, or modify operations to attempt to ensure that the dust criteria are achieved; and/or; (ii) negotiate, as far as reasonably practicable, an agreement with the landowner or provide such forms of benefit or amelioration of the impact of dust as may be agreed between the parties as providing acceptable compensation for the dust levels experienced.
8.0
6.1.4 (b) (iii) conduct follow up investigation(s) to the satisfaction of the MSC, where necessary. Note: Vacant land in this condition means the whole of the lot in a current plan registered at the Land Titles Office as at the date of this consent that does not have a dwelling situated on the lot and is permitted to have a dwelling on that lot
8.0
Muswellbrook Coal Company Limited Dust Management Plan
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Approval/ Licence
Condition No. Condition Section
6.1.4 (c) If the independent dust investigations in sub‐clause (b) above confirm that dust levels from the Project alone are in excess of the relevant criteria detailed in Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3 above in condition 6.1.1, and if the measures in sub‐clause (b)(ii) (1) above do not reduce the dust levels, from the Project alone, below the criteria in Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3 in condition 6.1.1, or if agreement in accordance with sub‐clause (b)(ii) (2) above cannot be reached, the Applicant shall at the written request of the owner acquire the relevant property. Acquisition shall be in accordance with the procedures set out in Condition 11.1.
8.0
6.1.4 (d) Further independent investigation(s) shall cease if MSC is satisfied that the relevant criteria in Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3 in condition 6.1.1 are not being exceeded and are unlikely to be exceeded in the future.
8.0
6.1.4 (e) Monitoring for the concentration of a pollutant emitted to the air required to be conducted by a licence under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, in relation to the development or in order to comply with a relevant local calculation protocol must be done in accordance with: * any methodology which is required by or under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 to be used for the testing of the concentration of the pollutant; * if no such requirement is imposed by or under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997, any methodology which the condition of the licence or the protocol (as the case may be) requires to be used for that testing; or * if no such requirement is imposed by or under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 or by a condition of the licence or the protocol (as the case may be), any methodology approved in writing by the EPA for the purposes of that testing prior to the testing taking place
4.0
6.2 (a) The Applicant shall ensure the prompt and effective rehabilitation of all disturbed areas of the DA area following the completion of mining and associated activities in that area to minimise the generation of wind blown dust.
3.2
6.2 (b) Activities occurring at the premises must be carried out in a manner that will minimise emissions of dust from the premises.
3.0
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Approval/ Licence
Condition No. Condition Section
9.2 (a) The Applicant shall, throughout the life of the mine and for five years after the completion of mining in the DA area, prepare and submit an Annual Environmental Management Report (AEMR) to the satisfaction of MSC and DMR. The AEMR shall review the performance of the mine against the Environmental Management Strategy and the relevant Mining Operations Plans, the conditions of this consent, and other licences and approvals relating to the mine. To enable ready comparison with the predictions made in the EIS, diagrams and tables, the report shall include, but not be limited to, the following matters: (i) an annual compliance audit of the performance of the project against conditions of this consent and statutory approvals; (ii) assess the extension against predictions made in the EIS and the terms and commitments in the documents listed in condition 1.1; (iii) a review of the effectiveness of the environmental management of the mine in terms of EPA, DIPNR, DMR, MSC requirements; (iv) results of all environmental monitoring required under this consent or other approvals, including interpretations and discussion by a suitably qualified person; (v) identification of trends in monitoring results over the life of the mine; (vi) an assessment of any changes to agricultural land suitability resulting from the Mining Operations, including cumulative changes; (vii) a listing of any variations obtained to approvals applicable to the DA area during the previous year; (viii) the outcome of the water budget for the year, the quantity of water used from water storages and details of exchange of any water from the site; (ix) status of rehabilitation and revegetation works; and (x) environmental management targets and strategies for the next year, taking into account identified trends in monitoring results.
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Muswellbrook Coal Company Limited Dust Management Plan
Version 3 December 2015 Page 9
Approval/ Licence
Condition No. Condition Section
R 1.1 The licensee must complete and supply to the EPA an Annual Return in the approved form comprising: (a) a Statement of Compliance; and (b) a Monitoring and Complaints Summary. A copy of the form in which the Annual Return must be supplied to the EPA accompanies this licence. Before the end of each reporting period, the EPA will provide to the licensee a copy of the form that must be completed and returned to the EPA.
9.0
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2.1 DUST CRITERIA
Dust criteria are set in Development Consent DA205/2002 and are reproduced in Table 2 to Table 4.
Table 2: Long Term Particulate Matter Criteria Pollutant Standard / Goal Agency
Total Suspended Particulate Matter (TSP)
90g/m3 (annual mean) NH&MRC
Particulate Matter
<10g (PM10) 30g/m3 (annual mean) NSW EPA
Note: This is shown as Table 1 in DA205/2002.
Table 3: Short Term Particulate Matter Goal
Pollutant Standard/Goal Agency
Particulate Matter
<10m (PM10) 50g/m3 (24‐hour average) NSW EPA
Note: This is shown as Table 2 in DA205/2002.
Table 4: NSW EPA Amenity Based Criteria for Dust Fallout
Pollutant Averaging Period
Maximum Increase in Deposited Dust Levels
Maximum Total Deposited Dust Levels
Deposited Dust Annual 2g/m2/month 4g/m2/month Note: This is shown as Table 3 in DA205/2002. Note: Dust is assessed as insoluble solids as defined by AS 3580.10.1‐1991(AM‐19)
2.2 MONITORING METHODOLOGY
The monitoring methodologies outlined in Development Consent DA205/2002 are reproduced in Table 5 and Table 6.
Total Suspended Particles g/m3 1 day in 6 24‐hour composite
sample
Particulates – Deposited Matter
g/m2/month Continuous AM‐ 19
Note: This is shown as Table 4 in DA205/2002.
Table 6: Meteorological Monitoring Methodology
Parameter Units of Measure Frequency Sampling Method
Atmospheric inversion
0C/100m Continuous Instrumental
Wind Direction Continuous Instrumental
Wind Speed m/sec Continuous Instrumental Note: This is shown as Table 5 in DA205/2002.
Muswellbrook Coal Company Limited Dust Management Plan
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3.0 DUST MITIGATION AND CONTROL PROCEDURES
3.1 IDENTIFICATION OF PROPERTIES AFFECTED BY DUST
An Air Quality Assessment was prepared as part of the EIS for MCC. This assessment concluded that no properties would be expected to experience concentrations of either PM10, TSP or dust deposition above the appropriate goal or standard as a result of the proposal.
3.2 DUST CONTROL PROCEDURES
Dust can be generated from two primary sources, either windblown dust from exposed areas, or dust generated by mining activities. The control procedures for these sources are outlined in Table 7 and Table 8.
Table 7: Control Procedures for Wind Blown Dust
Source Control Procedures
Areas disturbed by mining
Disturb only the minimum area necessary for mining.
Reshape, topsoil and rehabilitate completed overburden emplacement areas after the completion of overburden tipping.
Coal Handling and Coal Stockpile Areas
Maintain coal handling areas in a moist condition using water carts to minimise windblown and traffic generated dust.
Clean‐up after any spillage event.
Water carts to operate around the coal stockpile area to suppress dust on roadways and the coal stockpiles.
Table 8: Control Procedures for Mining Generated Dust Sources
Source Control Procedures
Haul road dust
All roads and traffic areas will be watered using water carts to minimise the generation of dust.
Long term haul roads will be sheeted with hard wearing material.
Minor roads Development of minor roads will be limited to be only as
required by mining.
Minor roads used regularly for access will be watered.
Topsoil stockpiling
All topsoil stockpiles will be located and shaped to minimise the area exposed to prevailing winds.
Long term topsoil stockpiles, not used for over 6 months will be revegetated.
Drilling
Dust aprons will be lowered during drilling.
Drills will be equipped with dust extraction cyclones or water injection systems.
Water injection or dust suppression sprays will be used when high levels of dust are being generated.
Muswellbrook Coal Company Limited Dust Management Plan
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Source Control Procedures
Blasting Stemming will be used at all times.
Blasting will occur in accordance with the Blast‐Vibration Management Plan relating to meteorological conditions.
Raw Coal Receival Bin Sprays are to be used when tipping raw coal into the
receival bin during high wind events.
Coal Handling and Preparation Plant
Sprays are fitted at transfer points.
Equipment to be available and used to control dust generation include: water cart (sprays on haul roads and coal stockpiles), sprays at the Raw Coal Receival Bin, sprays at conveyor transfer points, dust extraction cyclones or water injection systems on drill rigs.
3.3 SHORT TERM EPISODIC EVENTS
Periods of high dust emissions usually relate to periods of high wind speeds, especially when the wind speed exceeds 5m/s. The primary wind directions are generally from the south east in summer, winter and autumn and from the northwest during the winter. Short term episodic events generally result from:
Wind gusts related changes in the wind direction;
Periods of high wind speeds; and
Blasting operations. The procedures to manage short term episodic events that may affect Muswellbrook are shown in Table 9.
Table 9: Control Measures for Short Term Episodic Events
Scenario Control Procedures
Wind speeds greater than 5m/s from the mining operation towards Muswellbrook or a real‐time dust alarm is triggered.
Initial warning provided to OCE.
OCE to confirm that all available water trucks and fixed spray systems are operational.
Blasting may be deferred.
OCE to inspect operations to identify any operations that are generating dust emissions and identify further mitigation measures.
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Scenario Control Procedures
Wind speeds greater than 10m/s.
All topsoil stripping and/or placement activities are to be stopped.
All operations on out‐of‐pit overburden dumps are to cease.
Blasting will be deferred.
Maximum availability of dust suppression equipment to be used.
OCE to inspect operations to identify any activities that are causing excessive dust emissions and stop these activities.
MCC will conduct an investigation to determine whether there is any relationship between short term total suspended particulates (TSP) and dust deposition levels, and the frequency of community complaints related to dust. This investigation will involve comparison of monitored monthly dust levels for TSP, dust deposition and community complaints information to determine any relationships or trends. The results of this investigation will be reported in the Annual Environmental Management Report.
4.0 DUST MONITORING PROGRAM The Dust Monitoring Program incorporates four major components. These are:
Weather monitoring;
Monitoring of dust deposition levels;
Monitoring of the level of Total Suspended Particulates (TSP); and
Monitoring of the level of fine dust particles less than 10µg (PM10). This program has been developed in consultation with the EPA. The locations of the monitoring sites can be seen in Figure 1. All monitoring equipment will be maintained and calibrated as required.
4.1 WEATHER MONITORING
The principal Meteorological Monitoring Station (MMS) at Site 4 is established to the immediate west of the No.1 Open Cut with supplemental stations established at the three Real Time Environmental Monitoring (RTEM) stations. The MMS and RTEM stations continuously relay weather data to a website that site personnel have access to. The following weather data is captured on a real time basis at all stations:
wind speed;
wind direction;
air temperature;
humidity;
barometric pressure; and
rainfall. In addition atmospheric inversion is calculated and is based on air temperature measurements from two stations, RTEM2 (Site 2) and the MMS (Site 4).
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4.2 DUST DEPOSITION
Dust deposition gauges measure the amount of dust deposited in an area. The amount is reported in terms of grams of dust deposited per square metre per month (g/m2/month). This method measures dust from all sources. The samples are collected on a 30±2 day cycle and sent to a laboratory for analysis. Any sample containing excessive organic or foreign matter (such as insects, vegetation and bird droppings) is excluded for reporting process. MCC has a network of 8 dust deposition gauges with the locations of these gauges shown in Figure 1 with a description provided in Table 10.
Total Suspended Particulates (TSP) is measured by an instrument called a high volume air sampler (HVAS) on a six day cycle. Air is pumped through a filter at a prescribed rate and the TSP left on the filter is measured via laboratory analysis. A HVAS measuring TSP is located at each of the three RTEM stations. The locations are shown on Figure 1 with a description provided in Table 11.
Table 11: TSP Monitoring Locations Location Identifier Description of Location
Site 1 Queen St Muswellbrook – west of operations
Site 2 Sandy Creek Road – northwest of operations
Site 3 Corner Sandy Creek Road and St Heliers Road – northwest of operations
4.4 PARTICULATE MATTER (PM10)
Particles less than 10µg mean aerodynamic diameter (PM10) will be measured on a continuous basis using either a Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) or Beta Attenuation Mass (BAM) unit. The TEOM and BAM units continuously relay PM10 data to a website that site personnel have access to. In addition one HVAS with a PM10 head operates on a six day cycle. The locations of these units are shown in Figure 1 with a description provided in Table 12.
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Table 12: PM10 Monitoring Locations
Location Identifier Description of Location
Site 1 (TEOM) Queen St Muswellbrook – west of operations
Site 2 (TEOM) Sandy Creek Road – northwest of operations
Site 3 (BAM) Corner Sandy Creek Road and St Heliers Road– northwest of operations
Nesbit (HVAS) Sandy Creek Road – northwest of operations
5.0 COMPLAINT MANAGEMENT Dust related complaints by the community can be directed to the 24 hour toll free telephone Environmental Contact Line 1800 600 205. Complaints shall be recorded and responded to in accordance with the MSC Complaints Mechanism.
6.0 EXTERNAL RELATIONS
6.1 COMMUNITY CONSULTATION
Community consultation in respect to dust management occurs by:
Dust monitoring data is made available on MCC’s website;
Dust monitoring data is provided to the Community Consultative Committee (CCC) and the minutes of the meeting are made available to the public on MCC’s website;
The results of environmental monitoring are published in the AEMR;
Timely responses are provided to residents in the event of a complaint or inquiry; and
The CCC receives reports at each committee meeting on the number of dust‐related complaints and the action taken.
This CCC provides a direct line of communication between MCC and representatives of the local community.
6.2 OTHER MINING COMPANIES
Other operating mines or approved mines nearest to Muswellbrook include Drayton Coal, Mt Arthur Coal, Bengalla Mine, proposed Mount Pleasant Mine and Dartbrook Mine (currently under care and maintenance), which are all further southwest/ northwest to MCC. Therefore, under south easterly wind conditions, these mines will have their lowest impact on Muswellbrook residences when MCC is having its greatest impact. Conversely, nearby mines will have their maximum impact on Muswellbrook residences when winds are from the west to northwest, whilst MCC's operations are having their least impact. As a result of this there have been relatively few, if any, instances where cumulative effects have been experienced as a result of dust impacts from MCC in conjunction with neighbouring mines.
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7.0 INCIDENT REPORTING In the event that an initial investigation concludes that a dust related incident has occurred the incident will be reported to MSC and EPA within 24 hours of confirming the incident. Within 6 days of notifying MSC and EPA of an incident, MCC will submit a written report that: a) Describes the date, time, and nature of the incident; b) Identifies the cause (or likely cause) of the incident; c) Describes what action has been taken to date; and d) Describes the proposed measures to address the incident. In the event that the criteria shown in Table 2 to Table 4 are exceeded at a non‐mine residence from MCC operations alone MCC shall notify the resident of the results and discuss the results.
8.0 INDEPENDENT DUST INVESTIGATION In the event that a landowner or occupier considers that dust from MCC at their dwelling is in excess of the criteria detailed in Table 2 to Table 4, and MSC is satisfied that an investigation is required, MCC shall upon the receipt of a written request from MSC:
consult with the landowner or occupant affected to determine their concerns;
determine whether any modification to the mining activity needs to be acted on or take other steps in accordance with the DMP if exceedences are demonstrated by the independent investigations to result in part from MCC’s activities; and
conduct follow up investigation(s) to the satisfaction of the MSC, where necessary. Further independent investigation(s) shall cease if MSC is satisfied that the relevant criteria are not being exceeded and are unlikely to be exceeded in the future. If the independent dust investigations confirm that dust levels from MCC alone are in excess of the relevant criteria and if the measures above do not reduce the dust levels, from MCC alone, below the relevant criteria, or if agreement cannot be reached, MCC shall at the written request of the owner acquire the relevant property. Acquisition shall be in accordance with the procedures set out in DA205/2002.
9.0 EXTERNAL REPORTING Within 2 weeks of approval of this DMP, a copy will be made available to the Community Consultative Committee (CCC), relevant agencies and for public viewing via the MCC website. The performance of MCC’s DMP will be reported through a number of external reporting requirements, which include;
Annual Environmental Management Report (AEMR);
EPL Annual Licence Return;
Muswellbrook Coal Company Limited Dust Management Plan
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Regular updates of monitoring results on the MCC website; and
CCC Meetings.
9.1 ANNUAL ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT REPORT
The AEMR will include a summary of:
Dust monitoring results and comparison to the criteria, monitoring results from previous years and predictions in the Environmental Impact Statement;
Summary of dust related complaints and management measures undertaken;
Identification of any trends in the monitoring results;
Measures undertaken during the period to monitor compliance;
Identification of any non‐compliance, and management measures undertaken; and
Review of the performance of management measures and the monitoring program.
10.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITS In accordance with the Project Approval, every three years MCC will fund an Independent Environmental Audit that will be performed by an independent third party that has been endorsed by MSC. The audit will include consultation with relevant agencies. These environmental audits will assess the environmental performance of MCC and compliance against the predictions in the EIS, conditions of the Project Approval, mining leases, water licences and Environmental Protection Licence, and review the adequacy of strategies, plans and/or programs and recommend measures or actions to improve the environmental performance of MCC.
11.0 REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT PLAN The DMP will be reviewed;
Within 3 months of changes to Development Consent or licence conditions relating to dust management;
Following reportable incidents at MCC relating to dust management;
Following an independent environmental audit which recommends changes to the DMP;
If there is a relevant change in technology or legislation; and
Every five years, or as directed by MSC, in accordance with Condition 3.2(f) of the Development Consent Conditions.
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12.0 RESPONSIBILITES Table 13 outlines the responsibilities relating to the DMP.
Table 13: Management Plan Responsibilities
Position Task Timing
Senior Operations Manager
Provide adequate resources to implement the requirements of the DMP
Annual review
Maintenance Superintendent
Maintain equipment As per maintenance schedule
OCE Implement dust control mitigation measures as outlined in DMP
As outlined in DMP
Environmental Coordinator
Notify regulatory authorities of any dust management related incidents
Following any dust management related incident
Coordinate response to all dust management related complaints
Following dust management related complaint
Coordinate reviews of the DMP As outlined in DMP
Coordinate monitoring as required in DMP (includes maintenance and calibration)
