GUIDELll~ES FOR AN ENVlRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT ON THE

PRC)POSED MCARTHUR RIVER ZlNC·LEAO-SIL VER PROJECT

INTRODUCTION

Backgroung

These guldellnes have been prepared . In accordance with the Northern Territory/Commonwealth joint environmental assessment E!greement to satisfy the requirements of the NT environmental Assessment Act (1982) and the Commonwealth · Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974. ·

The .Envirc>nmental ·Impact Assessment (EIA} process aims to provide:

a so1..1rce of information from which government and the public may gain an uride1·standlng of the. proposal and its need, the alternatives, the environment which It would affect, the risk and potential impacts that may oceul' and the . measures proposed to mitigate or correct any adverse effects· · · . ' a bae1ls for public consultation and Informed comment on the proposal; and

a framework against which decision makers can consider the environmental aspec~s of the proposal and alternatives, set conditions for approval to ensure environma'ntally sound development and approve an environmental management and monitoring programme. ·

These guldellnes Indicate those matters which should be addressed In the. draft ~IS. They are based on the initial outline of the proposal in the Envlronmantal Report submitted by ~IM . . However, they should not be Interpreted as excluding from consideration any matters which are currently unfore·seen or those which may arise from any changes in the . nature of the proposal.

Format and· Slvle .

The draft e:1s should be written In a clear, concise style that Is easily understood by the ge~neral reader and use tables and diagrams to best advantage. Duplication of· information In different sections of the' report should be avoided as far as possible. Detailed technical Information should be Included as appendices or wQrking papers. A glossary defining technical terms and abbreviations used in the text may be necessary to assist tha general reader.

CONTENl' OF THE DRAFT EIS

1. filUdjldARY

The EIS should Include a. concise summary ·of the matters discussed In the main body of tho docun;aent to allow the reader to qulckfy o~n a clear understanding of the proposal and Its environmental lmpllcatlons. The summary should lnciude: ·

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the ·tH:le of the proposal~

the name, ·address, teie·phone numbers and contact officers of the prop

4. ~) FOR THE PROPOSAL

The EIS should discuss:

Benefits which will accrue from the project's Implementation at local, regional and national levels

Austra.llan and overseas market factors

Econc)mic cost/benefit analysls of the project

5. A!JJ,BNATIVES TO THE PROPOSAL

Any feasible· attematlves to the proposal should be discussed In sufficient detail to make clear the reasons for preferring certain options and rejecting others. Reference should also be made to the costs/benefits of the alternatives.

The types of alternatives .that should be discussed include:

Underground vs open-cut mining

Metallurgical processes considered for treatment of ore.

Transportation alternatives for service requirements and movementlshlpplng of concentrate, e.g. road transport to Darwin as opposed to barge/shipping transport

Alternative fuel and power · sources

Lo~tion of processing plant (close to the mine vs more remote locations ·

Surface vs underground water $upply

Near · mine or remote locatlons for work force accommodation

Locations for the concentrate ·stockpile, resldu~ (tailings} dam and waste rock dump . ·

Atternatlve road/barge transfer sites, barging routes and offshore/onshore mooring · locations

Alternative disposal sites for dredge spoil

Include cornment on. any variation in environmental considerations from those of the preferre1d option, and make clear the reasons for discarding each alternative.

Consideration must also be given to the alternative of not proceeding with the proposal. ·

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6. ~JECT DESCRIPTION

A detailed outline of the development and operational phases of the propo~I Is required. i·echnical, social, cultural, conservation and broad economic Information should be given Including location, staging, size of project, land clearing requirements, construction, proc~sslng operations, transport and Infrastructure requirements (Including accommodation and power), employment details, waste managemEmt, noise and visual . appearance, air quality and transportation corridors.

The report should discuss the long term future expansion options and re-design requirements for the project; psrtlcularty Identifying the adequacy of the current design to accommodate such expansions. Secondary "Proposals which may follow In the future from the Initial developmer:tt of. the mine should also be discussed. ·

Information should be included as suitably scaled· maps, figures and diagrams where appropriate. ·

The project description and following chapters should differentiate between the following three components of the project: · ·

The f=>roject Area • This Includes any area that could be impacted by the mlnfn1g operation as well as the mine, associated mine Infrastructure, processing plant, water supply, alrstrfp and acqommodatlon.

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Trami.port Corridor. A - Project Area .to. Barga Landing (lncludas the read transport route and ' th~ barge landing infrastructure) .

. Trans.port Corridor B • Barging Point to Sea Transfer Point.

6.1 , ~Ion, site, layout and orolect descr1ptlon.

Include as appropriate under the three headings listed above:

l and requirements and site selecti.on

Designs and layout for the project area Infrastructure

.~equlrament for land-based transport networks and use of riverine and 1~ea-based transport networks

Availability of existing infrastructure and public facilities, and effects of the proposal on thf1m

Development schedule I.e. staging from commencement to decommissioning

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6.2 Mini oi;ieration

General proposal

Quantity and nature of ore

Underground mine design and operation

Waste grads ores and w~t~ rock dumps

Surface mine Infrastructure design and operation

. . · Ventilation and dewataring Qfflgn and operation

Description of plant and equipment

Site safety practices and procedures

6.3 Process..es aod products

. Mineralogy, including acid generating potential of waste material and trace elements from, waste ·

Metallurgical process

C>~scrlptlon of plant and machinery

Chemical consumption

Cluantity· and nature of concentrate

CiaRr.riptlon of concentrate drying pl'eeess and fat:;illtltjs

Vlfttste produets • llqUid, solid and gaseous

As the . proposed project may involve Information or techniques that · are commerclal-in-confidence, these need not be Included in the ·e1s. Howevif. this Information will be included In ·a con1identlal appendlx for restricted circulation. A reference to this appendix will appear in the EIS.

6.4 Constn.1ctlon reguirement§

Arrticipated construction schedule

Sc>urces of construction material, tran~~r1ation of matariAls

AEiquirement for borrow material, source, transport and ·stockpile

6.5 Storage and Transoort of Concentrate

Short or long term concentrate stockplle(s) on project site; design, construction, management

Transport medium, include loaders.. haulage vehicles, transfer Aqulpm._nt and barges

Transportation and stockpile of concentrate- Transport. Corridor A

Road corridors; new works and maintenanee

Barge landing design, Infrastructure, maintenance, ·and associated Infrastructure for management .of the barge landing and barges

·rransfer and transportation of concentrate· Transport Corridor B (Include alternative transport and transfer options for. this corridor)

Corridor dredging/construction, maintenance and. Infrastructure (buoys, navlgE1tlon equipment)

Drt:tdge spoil disposal and maintenance (any proposal to dispose spoil at sea may req1;1ira a sea dumping permit under the .Commonwealth Environment Protection (Sea Dumping) Act (1981) '

• .Timing and frequency of barge and shipping movements

Barge and · ship transfer arr~ngementS/lsland transfer arrangements; procedures, infrastructure

6.6 Water and Resigue Manaaemant

Water and residue (tamngs)'management .at the mine site .is con$iderid one of · the major is:sues for ll 1tt .Project and needs to be addressed In detaJI to ensure the protection of water quality levels, maintenance of water source, appropriate eonta!nment of waste water and residue, and the appropriate re-use of waste water.

· Emphuis· ~hould hA plaoed on eepsratlon of 'elean' and 1C\.J1~lt1mlnated' water by dellneatton of separate eatchment areas around the mine site. Discussion should Include: ·

REtsldue (taJlings) characterisation, manage.r:nent and storage, including dam design and ~skS/probability of overflows · ·

Sultttblllty of In _&itu · goology a"d soils for $lvrttyw and containment of · · re~;ldue or any waste material

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Water management and sediment control

Water storage/lmpoundment design and locations, Including risks/probabilfty of ov·erflows

Runoff from undisturbed areas (important here to address the maximisation of catchment area for direct natural re1~·~se 1Q river channolo, with the UI)~ of minor silt traps to · service road&de drainage)

Mine dewatering; Including Identification of trace elements (ICPMS scan) and any proposals fur release to surface waters.

Runoff from mrne site and haulage roads

Processing plant runoff . ·

Runoff froni concentrate drying pads

Runoff from stockpile

· Runoff f~om waste rock dump; Including design to progresslvely cap waste rock dump

Runoff and spillage at the road/barge transfer point

Splllage of ~ncentrate during barge to ship/onshore transfer

Water relea8e; Including the lderitlflcatlon · of . receiving Water qu.alltfes for downstream use

Discharges of .ballast or bilge water Flood mhlgauon

Water recycling and rewuse .

· 6.7 lnfrastnJcture

. Accommodation

Transportation

Alr transport and facilities for servicing of project Road transport for ·servicing of project

Power generation and reticulation · Ohclude for Project Area, Transport Corridors A and . B) ·

To Include site identification and design standards

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Power generation an.d reticulation contingency (Include for Project Area, 'Transport Corridors A. and 8) · ·

To Include site identification and design standards

. . Water Supply

To lnr:lude requiromonts, desc1it)llon of bore field, desjgn · standards, reticulation, storage and management (including an assessment of protection of storage facilitjes from natural hazards) ·

' Fuel' supply, storage design (to 'nclude ~0111 avoldanca and u'e of bundir.ig1 wh&r·~ appropriate) . · ·

'Tefecommunicatlons ·

s.a · Worn For~

Construction phase- size, make-up, rostar!ng

Operational phasa. size, make-up, rostering

'Nork force Induction and training

6.9 Healtb

Project. site safety

Medical· facilities and procedures

6.1 O Waste and .Hazardous Substances Management

0 11 spill contingency plans for Project Area, Transport Co.rridor A and Transport Corridor 6 .

Oil spill contltigonoy o~ul~mel"lt; · lyptJ, storage, transport

Hazardous substances storage (petroleum, oils, lubricants, chemicals, explosives) ·

HatZardous substances transport (petroleum, oils, lubricants, chemlcals, explosives) . ·

Pollulivn contingency tor concentrate storage and transport

Polllution contingency for tailings transport and storage.

Sewage and refuse disposal; to include site Identification and design standards for sewage/refuse disposal and disposal of toxic and hru:ardous wastes.

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7. PESCRIPTION OF EXISTING ENVIRONMENT

A description of the existing environment (Including e"istJng problems such as weeds and fera1 . animals), both regional and local, Is · required as baseline environmEtntal .lnforma1ion for project development and design, evaluation of predicted impacts and development ·of appropriate safeguards and monitoring. Detailed &1udles should be attached as appendices.

Where eviar possible the use of figures, maps and diagrams Is encouraged for Incorporation In the draft EIS. Information $hQUld only be inc:luded If relevant to th• project · (I.e. directly or Indirectly affected) or necessary to assist In adequate charar.1erh;atlon of the envlronme"t In whleh th.:. dt:1v.,lopment Is to taKe piace.

7.1 ~cal Environmtot

Climate ' .

Annuailseasonal· eharacterl$tics of:

. ralnfall. P.Vaporation temperature humidity wind ·

Natural hazards Including:

cyclone flooding

. storm surge fire ·

Ambient air quality

. ~Joise lev-:,1~

C2eology ·

Regional geology . · Geology of the ore body Mineralisatlon of ore body

• . Seismlcity and foundation characteristics of project area·

Land syste_ms

Soils

Project area soil description

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Surfaca hydrology

Catchment are~ and charactarhuioo Flow and discharge rates Seasonal variations Water quality and chemistry Sediment load characteristics

Groundwater hydrology

Aquifers Water tables Recharge Groundwater quality and chemistry

Estuarine and coastal hydrography·geomorµhology and sedimentation; l:Jpeciflcally McArthur River and the preferred off·shore/sea route.

7 .2 Biolooi9aJ EnylroomeQl

Terrestrial/riverine/estuarine/marine flora

Major community habitats and ecol'oglcal· processes

. • Rare or endangered flora (Identify the presence of species listed on ths· Thn~atened Australlan Pla.nt$ List} .

Introduced flora

Species suitable for use in revegetation

T errestrial/rlverlne/estuartne/marlne fauna

Mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fish, invertebrates Onclude habitats Important In the maintenance of existing reglonaJ faunal populations such as roosting,· breeding, feeding or refuge areas)

Rare or endangered fauna (Identify the presence of species listed M endangarAd on th~ ANZECC llot ot &"dangered vertebrate fauna)

Use of area by migratory species

lmroduced fauna le. cane toads

Pest insects

. Bk>ta of biogeographic Importance and their habitat, eg endemic species, disjunct populations, or species or communities at limits of thulr known dlitributlon · ·

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Areas of research or bonohmark importance, and areas which $Upport ia . notable richness or diversity of biota

9peelee aultablg Q!l bloiogloal lnd!cators of envircnmantaJ Quality.

7.3 Soctal·i Cultural and Economic Enyironrnent

Consultation \vith local community regarding the project

Level of government and land tenure framework

·Non·Aboriginal Profile

Regionc!I soelo·eee,,emlo framework (lncfudi population, Mrvices, Borroloola township, other isolated communities, . pastoral properties)

Adjacent or potentially affected land uses {Include pastoral, . e)(ploratior11/mlnl'ng, rooreatlon, touflism. · oonMrvatlon and

. identification of recreational1 and. commercial1 flshi·ng and fisheries)

!" ~wk~ aiiq ·Ae$eNee, tileritago Uotlnge : . . Abo.rlgh1al Profile·

.. . Identification of relevant Aborlglnal freehold, traditional owners · and their communities (incfuding population at Borroloola)

l:dentifi'catl'on of other relevant Aboriginal groups and their communities (inctudtng population at Borroloola).

Land use .e.g. food gathering, ceremonies

Current employment In region

Significant . Sites

Archaeological places and objects within the meaning of the NT Her/tags Cons9rvar1on Acr i 99 t. Also' li~clude details ef appncations (If requlred) and tiJJpiovals for wori

8. !ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS AND CONSTRAINTS.

This section should discuss the predicted effects of all facets of the project on tne exlStln~1 environment at tht;, lu¢al, reglonal·, Territory, national and International levels.

Impacts should be considered for site preparatfon and enstructlon, operational and decommissioning phases and addressed undEtr the headings; Project Area, Transport Corridors A and B.

The impaots may be direct or indirect, adverse er beneflclal, short or long term, temporary or Irreversible. Consideration must be given to · cumulative effects and emphasis . should be given to major potential Impacts, and the broader · Implications tor use of resources to mitigate these. .

A detalled table should be prepared that links all Identified predicted Impacts and the associated safeguards to be implemented. The table shuld also detail the · prescribed monitoring programmes and be presented under the three headings previously outlined. The t~le should be written In sueh a fashion so as to form the basis for audits of the predicted rmpacts, the safeguards and adequacy of the mine manaoement plan, environmgntal manaoemAnt plan and $hipping managem.1~nt plan. ·

Note: Prediction methods nead to be f9ferenced and based on modellfng, Gtt~t:J ::;ludles, litarature el' exporl opinion. · All pr~lcted lmp11ct11 nasd to be tabulated snd supported by Information on th9 natuf9 of· ths Impact -magnitude, . duration, ~xtent, frequency, risk and uncertainty, and significance.

8.1 AARFtasmant of lmcacts Qn Jhe P.hvsical and Biologlcal Env.lronments

Impacts on geology, landforms and soil

Surfaca erosion Bank erosion Dredging

Impacts on .water 'quality and hydrology, including ·surface and groundwater, (In partlcular the McArthur River catchment, flow and QliRilty)

Impacts on tidal flow characteristics and sedimentation Flood mitigation Dewatering . . Residue (tailings) and process water accidental .and scheduled releaeee wid seepage Stockpile run-off Sediment loads Discharge of ballast and bilge water Accidental spillage from barges during transfer

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Air .quality Impacts

Atmospheric emissions Dust generation Bushfires

Noise generation

Biological lmpa~s

Terrestrlal, riverine, estuarine and marine ecosystems ..

Potential for Increased breeding of insect pests· ·in particular vectors of diSQase . · ·

Potential to Introduce or create conditions favourable for weeds and exotic animals ·

Visual and aesthetic impacts

a.2 filwi.ument of lmoactS on ·the Socia!. Cultural and Economic Enylronment

Thia a~i1)n should Include rin Assessment of &hQrt and long term Impacts In a timllar context to section 8 :1. . · . ·

·Impacts on an local communities (riur~·Aboriginal a"d Aboriginal) and tanC:I use, in particular . vffttci.ti o" law and eroor, omploymiJnt, education, he~lth and health services

·Impacts on significant sites such as archaeological sites, aboriginal . ·sites, conservation and heritage . . . ·

Impacts on commercial and recreational land use, In particular the township .of Borroloola and fishing or fishery activities in the river, estuary and martne transport corri~or ·

Impacts on economic regime of region (such as employment, 1ervlelll\oJmalntannnno oontract&) and t>roader emnomic analyele whtne relevant · . . · · .

·Impacts on tourism .

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g. l!::NVIRONMENT AL MANAGEMENT ANO MONITORING

This section should describe the environmental protection measures proposed to be lmplem1~nted to both saieguard the environment and minimise any· adverse affects on the environment. The envlronmem includes the physical, biological, social, cultural and economic environment& . . each of the ~ro~sad oofoguarda. should be listed against the relevant impact In the Impact Safeguards table outlined in Section 8.

Reference should be ma.de .to Territory and FedQra1 environmental lwvl~lidio1l and relevant standards. Reference should· also be made to relevant International standards. This would be best presented In table form also.

Environmental management should include all aspects of the mine construction and opera·tion, water. r~~iQl,Je and waste rock management, erosion control, air quality management, operation of the transport eorridors and rec:Ognltlon of rh;,(a

. · and .fauna protection measures. This should Identity who in the company will be responslbl19 for the various · environmental management practices and Include an outline of tho oompany's policy on managAmAn1 of social lm"~cts arising from th' project. . .

The ty~ti vr data nHds tnat 81'muld bo addresi~d for moni~orino programmes Include; Impacts and impact indlcator(s), timing of Impact, agency responsible tor collection, locatlon o( site where data are to be measured, collection frequency, collection mathod, use of data and remarks. The programmes should be designed lo detect changes to the existing environment with particular attention given to the monitoring of surface and groundwater contamination from the underground mine, processing operations, residue dam(s), waste rock and concentrate stockpllas, the barge landing and Transport Corridor B. Monitoring programmes should be focussed on those· aspects of the environment where impacts are likely to occur.

Managementlmitigatlon . m·easures must be ·feasible, rational and should be considered · on the .basis of the following:

. Can parts of the project be reduced or eliminated?

. Can impacted resources be repaired or rehabilitated? · Can affected resources ·be replaced · 0( compensated ·for? Can ongoing management procedures be instituted to reduce damage? Can pruj':f(;l design, timing," or equipment us~ for Mure mannoament be modi1ie

10. IDECOMMISSIONING. ANO REHABILITATION

Thi$ &action should address the decommls~onlng ·and rehabilitation objectives and goals for the whole project (Project Area, Transport Corridors A and 9), lncludlnij both pr.ogrt.1~$iv6 and final rsi,aellltotion proceaaea. This 88Ctlon should also addrnss the constraints that may influence the type and extent of · decommis~~onlng and rehabilitation throughout the whole projeci.

Facilities to be retained should be listed with the reason tor their retentJon and any long ttHm maintenance required.

The aspects of decommissioning and rehabilitation are best addressed In table form, lderrtlfylng the original environment, environment to be rehabllltated (including Infrastructure), .procedures for decommissioning and rehabilitation, time frame, ancf planned final environment. ·

This sectic>n should also Identify the time-scale for determination of compliance with, and progressive or final release from reQuirements of the appropriate authorities. ·

The section must be written In such a form so as to be able to be audited.

Apart from specific project details listed in table form, general Information which should als;o be addressed include:

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Integration ·of the rahablll~Uor) programme with mine deeign and operation.

Design of . renao111tated · landforms thtil blend with tti.o ourrounding environment.

Stability and erosion control m$asures.

Long . term monitoring and management of surface · and subsurface ·drainage.

Revegetation programmes .

Final 1.JSe(s) for the project area, taking Into consideration the social, cultural and economic regime of the region.

SOURCES OF INFORMATION

. Study Team Authorities Consulted Aeterences

12. Gl055ARY

13. APPENDICES

6 April 1992 .

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