Data as at 14 September 2026 · from the Queensland EP Act public register
EPML00562613 · ALCAN SOUTH PACIFIC PTY LTD
Minerals environmental authority EPML00562613 (ALCAN SOUTH PACIFIC PTY LTD), Granted. 64 conditions indexed. No PRC plan.
- Status
- Granted
- Holders
- ALCAN SOUTH PACIFIC PTY LTD
- Tenures
- ML7031
- PRC plan
- None
- How it was read
- Numbered conditions (OCR)
- Register
- Register record · Instrument PDF
Conditions
64 numbered conditions read from the current instrument. Page numbers link into the register PDF.
- A8
All analyses and tests required to be conducted under this environmental authority must be carried out by a laboratory that has NATA certification for such analyses and tests, except as otherwise authorised by the administering authority. Financial Assurance
- A9
The environmental authority holder must provide to the administering authority a financial assurance of an amount and in a form acceptable to the administering authority in accordance with the most recent addition of the administering authority's Guideline —Financial Assurance under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. The financial assurance must remain in force until the administering authority is satisfied no claim on the financial assurance will be required. Risk Management
- A10
The holder of this environmental authority must develop and implement a risk management system for mining activities by 7 September 2013 which conforms to the Standard for Risk Management (AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009) or the latest edition of the Australian Standard for Risk Management. Emergency Response/Contingency
- A11
An emergency response/contingency plan must be developed and implemented by 7 September 2013 to respond to emergency events and incidents.
- A12
The emergency response/contingency plan must be developed in accordance with the most recent version of 1S014001 standard and must include but not be limited to the following matters: (a) response procedures which aim to minimise the extent and duration of environmental harm; (b ~~ procedures to investigate the cause of an emergency event or incident and remedial actions to be taken to prevent a recurrence; (c) timely and accurate reporting of the circumstance and nature of an emergency event or incident to the administering authority; — (d (e procedures for accessing monitoring points during an emergency event or incident; and — procedures to notify any person who may be affected by the emergency event or incident within twenty-four (24) hours, with the following information to be provided at a minimum: i) the location of the emergency event or incident; ii) the date and time of the emergency event or incident; iii) the estimated quantity and type of any substances (if in available concentrations) involved in the emergency event or incident; and iv) the potential impacts to environmental values, livestock and public health caused by the emergency event or incident. ~— Notification of Emergencies, Incidents and Exceedances
- A13
The holder of this environmental authority must notify the administering authority by telephone, email or facsimile as soon as reasonably possible (but no later than twenty-four (24) hours after becoming aware of: (a) any emergency event or incident which results in the release of contaminants not in accordance, or reasonably expected to be not in accordance with the conditions of this environmental authority; or (b) any monitoring result that indicates an exceedance of any environmental authority limit.
- A14
The notification must include but not be limited to the following: (a) the environmental authority number and name of the holder; (b) the name and telephone number of the designated contact person; (c) the location of the emergency event, incident or exceedance; (d) the date and time of the emergency event, incident or exceedance; Permit Environmental authority (e) the time the holder of this environmental authority became aware of the emergency event, incident or exceedance; (f) the estimated quantity and type of substances involved in the emergency event, incident or exceedance, if known; . (g) the cause of the emergency event, incident or exceedance if known; (h) a description of the nature and effects of the emergency event, incident or exceedance including risks to the environment, public health or livestock, if known; ~— (i) immediate actions taken to prevent or mitigate any further environmental harm caused by the emergency event, incident or exceedance; and (j) details of any notification of persons who may be affected by the emergency event, incident or exceedance.
- A15
Within fourteen (14) days or as otherwise agreed following the initial notification of an emergency event, incident or exceedance, further written advice must be provided to the administering authority including the following: (a) results and interpretation by a suitable competent person of any samples taken and analysed; (b) outcomes of actions taken at the time to prevent or minimise unlawful environmental harm; and (c) proposed actions to prevent a recurrence of the emergency event, incident or exceedance. Transition to New Standards
- A16
Where a condition requires compliance with a standard or guideline relevant legislation published externally to this environmental authority and the standard or guideline relevant legislation is amended or changed subsequent to issue of this environmental authority, the holder of this environmental authority must, unless otherwise agreed to by the administering authority: (a) comply with the amended or changed standard or guideline relevant legislation within two (2) years of the amendment or change being made, unless a different period is specified in the amended or changed standard or guideline relevant legislation; and (b) until compliance with the amended or changed standard or relevant legislation can be achieved, continue to remain in compliance with the standard or guideline relevant legislation that was current immediately prior to the relevant amendment or change. Compiaints
- A17
Records must be kept of all environmental complaints received about the mining activities including but not limited to the following details: (a) name, address and contact number for complainant; (b (c) reasons for the complaint; (d (e) conclusions formed; time and date of complaint; = investigations undertaken; — (f) actions taken to resolve the complaint; (g) any abatement measures implemented; and (h) person responsible for resolving the complaint.
- A18
When requested by the administering authority, the holder of this environmental authority must undertake relevant specified monitoring within a timeframe agreed to by the administering authority to investigate any complaint of environmental harm considered in the opinion of an authorised officer not to be vexatious or frivolous. The results of the investigation (including an analysis and interpretation of | Permit Environmental authority the monitoring results) and abatement measures implemented must be provided to the administering authority within fourteen (14) days of completion of the investigation. Community
- A19
The holder of this environmental authority must establish, promote and maintain easily accessible lines of communication between residents, stakeholders and land owners to ensure that community impacts are identified and managed. Third Party Auditing
- A20
Compliance with the conditions of this environmental authority must be audited by a suitably qualified third party auditor nominated by the holder of this environmental authority and accepted by the administering authority: (a) by 7 September 2013; and (b) then at regular intervals not exceeding once every three (3) years.
- A21
The holder of this environmental authority must promptly respond to any findings arising from the audit and implement measures or take necessary action to ensure compliance with the conditions of this environmental authority. Regard for Comment
- A22
Where comments are provided by the administering authority with respect to any plans, systems or programs required to be developed by a condition of this environmental authority, the holder of this environmental authority must have due regard for these comments. END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE A Permit Environmental authority SCHEDULE B - AIR General
- B1
The release of dust, noxious or offensive odour or any other airborne contaminant resulting from the mining activities must not cause environmental harm at any sensitive place or commercial place.
- B2
The holder of this environmental authority must ensure that vehicles (including trains) used for transporting bauxite ore and/or bulk materials from the licensed place, leave the licensed place with appropriate load preparation to minimise the spillage and/or loss of particulate matter and/or windblown dust during transport. Ambient Air Quality
- B3
in the event of a complaint made to the administering authority (which in the opinion of an authorised officer is considered neither frivolous nor vexatious) about airborne contaminants generated in carrying out the mining activity, dust and particulate matter must not exceed any of the limits identified in Table B1 — Ambient Air Quality Limits when measured at any sensitive or commercial place: Table B1 — Ambient Air Quality Limits | Contaminant : Dust deposition 120 milligrams per square Monitored in accordance with the most recent version metre per day, averaged of Australian Standard AS3580.10.1 Methods for over one (1) month sampling and analysis of ambient air — Determination of particulate matter - Deposited matter ~ Gravimetric method Particulate matter 50 micrograms per cubic Monitored in accordance with the most recent version with an aerodynamic | metre, averaged over of the relevant Australian Standard for measuring diameter of less than | twenty-four (24) hours 10 micrometres (PM1o) suspended 10 micrometres . Note: Five (5) days of exceedances allowed each year including (PMi1o) suspended in natural causes | the atmosphere T Particulate matter 90 micrograms per cubic Monitored in accordance with any method for (TSP) suspended in | metre, averaged over one measuring TSP as recommended in the most recent the atmosphere (1) year version of the relevant Australian Standard for measuring TSP 1 Limits based on Schedule 1 of the Environmental Protection (Air) Policy 2008.
- B4
If monitoring indicates the limits for airborne contaminants specified in Condition (B3) have been exceeded, the holder of this environmental authority must compare the results of the impacted location to that of a reference monitoring location agreed to by the administering authority. If the level of airborne contaminants at the impacted location does not exceed the reference monitoring location, then no action is to be taken and the contaminants will be regarded as not having been generated in the carrying out of the mining activity.
- B5
If monitoring indicates the limits for airborne contaminants specified in Condition (B3) have been exceeded and that the contaminants are regarded as having been generated in the carrying out of the mining activity, the holder of this environmental authority must promptly implement dust abatement measures so that emissions of airborne contaminants generated in the carrying out of the mining activity cease to exceed the limits in Condition (B3). Permit Environmental authority Light (B6) In the event of a complaint about light emissions from any mining activity that, after an investigation is in the opinion of an authorised person causing a nuisance at a sensitive place, the administering authority may request the holder of this environmental authority to take appropriate action to mitigate the nuisance and the holder must take appropriate action (e.g. by screening or directing the light away from the sensitive place) within a time set by the administering authority. Meteorological Monitoring (B7) (B8) (B9) Under circumstances where relevant wind, temperature and rainfall data cannot be provided to the holder of this environmental authority from the Weipa Meteorological Station operated by the Bureau of Meteorology, the holder must promptly deploy a portable automatic meteorological station to continuously measure and record wind speed and direction, temperature and rainfall data when and where these data measurements are required. The portable automatic meteorological station referred to in Condition (B7) must be installed in accordance with the latest edition of the Bureau of Meteorology - Observation Specification No.2013.1 ~ Guidelines for the siting and exposure of meteorological instruments and observing facilities. The holder of this environmental authority must record, compile, evaluate and keep all monitoring records obtained from the portable automatic meteorological station. END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE B nO Permit Environmental authority SCHEDULE C —~ LAND & REHABILITATION General
- C1
Contaminants that will or may cause environmental harm must not be directly or indirectly released to land except as permitted under this environmental authority.
- C2
Any spillage of wastes, contaminants or other materials must be promptly cleaned up. Such spillages must be cleaned up using methods that minimise the release of wastes, contaminants or materials to any stormwater drainage system, roadside gutter or waters. Disturbance to Land
- C3
When carrying out mining activities the holder of this environmental authority must: (a) avoid, minimise or mitigate (in order of preference) any impacts on areas of sensitive vegetation or other areas of ecological value; (b) minimise the risk of injury, harm, or entrapment to wildlife and stock; (c) minimise disturbance to land that may otherwise result in land degradation; (d) ensure that for land that is to be significantly disturbed by mining activities the topsoil layer is removed and handled in a manner that will minimise degradation of its biological, chemical and physical properties and is used for rehabilitation purposes (in accordance with Condition C13 & C14); prior to carrying out any disturbance activities, make all relevant staff, contractors or agents carrying out those activities aware of the location of any Category A, B or C Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) and the relevant requirements of this environmental authority; (e — (f) if significant disturbance to land is unavoidable, clear vegetation in a way which minimises fragmentation; and (g) manage cleared vegetation so that it is stockpiled in a manner that facilitates salvage, respreading or burning and does not impede vehicle, stock or wildlife movements. Note: This environmental authority does not authorise the taking of protected animals or the tampering with an animal breeding place that is being used by a protected animal to incubate or rear the animal’s offspring.
- C4
The holder of this environmental authority may burn vegetation cleared in the course of carrying out extraction activities provided the activity does not cause environmental harm at any sensitive place or commercial place.
- C5
The holder of this environmental authority must ensure that mining activities are not conducted: (a) in or within 200 metres of any listed Category A, B or C ESA; (b} within 50 metres of any high bank of a watercourse with stream order 1 or 2; (c) within 100 metres of any high bank of a watercourse with stream order 3 or 4; (d) within 200 metres of any high bank of a watercourse with stream order 5 and above; (e) within 100 metres of any natural wetland; and (f) within 200 metres of any natural significant wetland. Note: Activities which are ancillary to extraction activities such as haul and access roads, conveyors, bridges, loading ramps, pumps and pipelines may encroach upon buffer areas (all reasonable measures will be undertaken to minimise such disturbances) and these will be detailed in the Plan of Operations. Permit Environmental authority Land Use Management Plan
- C6
The holder of this environmental authority must develop and implement a Land Use Management Plan (LUMP) for land within ML7031. This LUMP will be submitted to the administering authority by 30 November 2013. The LUMP must include: (a) plans and procedures for managing vegetation including buffer systems, pre-clearing surveys for any Category A, B or C ESA’s and the presence of species classed as endangered, vulnerable or near threatened under the Nature Conservation Act 1992; (b) plans and procedures for the preparation and burning of vegetation cleared in the course of carrying out mining activities; — (c) plans and procedures for obtaining base line soils information covering the identification of soil units within areas to be disturbed by mining activities as nominated in the Plan of Operations at a scale of 1:100,000, in accordance with the “Guidelines for Surveying Soil and Land Resources, 2nd Edition” (McKenzie et al. 2008) or “Australian Soil and Land Survey Handbook, 3rd Edition” (National Committee on Soil and Terrain 2009) or “The Australian Soil Classification” (Isbell 2002) or similar recent guidelines; (d) plans and procedures for managing acid sulphate soils so that when disturbance as a result of mining activities occurs in areas with acid sulphate soils (or potential acid sulphate soils), the holder of this environmental authority must develop and implement an acid sulphate soil management plan prepared in accordance with the “State Planning Policy 2/02 Guideline Planning and Managing Development Involving Acid Sulphate Soils’ and the administering more recent editions or supplements to these documents when these become available. The holder of this environmental authority must treat and manage acid sulphate soils in accordance with the latest edition of the administering authority's Guideline - Instructions for the Treatment and Management of Acid Sulphate Soils; — plans and procedures for the carrying out of mining activities to prevent or minimise harm or the potential risk of causing harm to native fauna. The fauna management procedures must include training and awareness of staff and contractors or access to suitably qualified contractors trained in fauna handling, to ensure that any planned fauna handling is undertaken by a suitably qualified person; and (e — (f) plans and procedures for an effective pest management program that includes but is not limited to the following: i. identification of pest species and infestation areas; ii. measures required to prevent and/or minimise the introduction and/or spread of pest species; and ; iii. control and management of pest outbreaks as a result of mining activities.
- C7
Prior to conducting mining activities that involve significant disturbance to land, an assessment must be undertaken in accordance with the LUMP to determine the type and ecological value of any vegetation in such areas where the activity is proposed to take place.
- C8
The assessment required by Condition (C7) must be undertaken by a suitably qualified person and include the carrying out of field validation surveys, observations and mapping of any Category A, B or C ESA’s and the presence of species classed as endangered, vulnerable or near threatened under the Nature Conservation Act 1992, in accordance with the LUMP. Rehabilitation Goals and Objectives
- C9
Land disturbed by mining activities as identified in Schedule K Plan 1 - Ely General Area Plan, must be rehabilitated in accordance with Table C1 — Rehabilitation Requirements and the objectives of the Rehabilitation Management Plan required under Condition (C15). Sot Permit Environmental authority Table C1 - Rehabilitation Requirements All land subject fo mining activities must be rehabilitated to meet the TBD! TBD! requirements of the administering authorities Guideline - Rehabilitation requirements for Mining Projects and will be defined in the Rehabilitation Management Plan 1 Post mine land use, rehabilitation indicators and completion criteria are to be nominated in accordance with Condition (C15).
- C10
Areas that are available for rehabilitation must be identified in the current Plan of Operations.
- C11
Rehabilitation must commence progressively as areas become available in accordance with the Plan of Operations.
- C12
Rehabilitation can be considered successful when: (a) the site can be managed for its designated land-use (e.g. similar to that of surrounding undisturbed areas): (b) the level of ongoing management required is no greater than for other land in the area being used for a similar purpose and there is evidence that rehabilitation has been successful: (c) the rehabilitation is carried out in accordance with the goals, objectives, indicators and completion criteria as specified in Table C1 — Rehabilitation Requirements; and (d) written agreement is obtained from the landowner/holder and administering authority. Topsoil
- C13
Topsoil and subsoils must be stripped separately and replaced directly in an area awaiting rehabilitation or else be stockpiled and subsequently used in rehabilitation.
- C14
Topsoil must be managed in accordance with the Rehabilitation Management Plan and stockpiled in a manner that ensures stability. Measures must include: (a) vegetating topsoil stockpiled during the months 1 November to 1 May; (b) optimising the height and footprint of stockpiles; and (c) re-using stockpiles as soon as possible. Rehabilitation Management Plan
- C15
The holder of this environmental authority must develop, implement and submit to the administering authority a Rehabilitation Management Plan by 7 September 2015 and must include: (a) schematic representation of final land form inclusive of drainage features; — (b) slope and cover designs; (c) drainage design; (d) erosion controls proposed on reformed land; (e) revegetation methods inclusive of plant species selection, re-profiling, soil handling (including stockpiling), soil ameliorants/amendments, surface preparation and method of propagation; (f) materials balance including available topsoil and low permeability capping material; Permit Environmental authority (g) geotechnical, geochemical and hydrological studies; (h) chemical, physical and biological properties of soil and water; (i) agreed post mining land and/or infrastructure use with the landowner/holder and the administering authority; (j) rehabilitation goals, rehabilitation objectives, indicators and measurable completion criteria for each agreed post mining land use within each domain that enables determination of rehabilitation success; (k) description of experimental design for monitoring of reference and rehabilitated areas inclusive of statistical design; (I) arehabilitation monitoring program based on a statistically sound, mutually agreed to sampling design; (m) research program and associated milestones; and (n) programs for maintenance of rehabilitation as required to achieve the nominated rehabilitation objective. Infrastructure
- C16
All infrastructure, mining equipment and plant erected and/or used for the mining activities must be removed from the licensed place prior to surrender except where agreed to in writing by the administering authority and the landowner/hoilder. Post Closure Management Plan
- C17
A Post Closure Management Plan must be prepared at least three (3) years prior to final ore extraction on the licensed place and implemented for a nominal period of: (a) at least thirty (30) years following final ore extraction on the licensed place; or, (b) a shorter period if the licensed place is proven to be geo-technically and geo-chemically stable and it can be demonstrated to the satisfaction of the administering authority that no release of contaminants from the licensed place will result in environmental harm.
- C18
The Post Closure Management Plan must include, where necessary, the following elements: (a) operation and maintenance of: (i) wastewater collection, treatment and reticulation systems; (ii) groundwater monitoring network; (iii) final cover systems; and (iv) vegetative cover. (b) monitoring of: (i) surface water quality; (ii) groundwater quality; (iii) erosion rates; (iv) the integrity and effectiveness of final cover systems; and (v) the health and resilience of vegetative cover. Storage and Handling of Hazardous Materials
- C19
All explosives, hazardous chemicals, corrosive substances, toxic substances, gases, dangerous goods, flammable and combustible liquids must be stored and handled in accordance with the Permit Environmental authority (C20) (C21) (C22) (C23) relevant Australian Standard where such is available. Where no relevant Australian Standard exists, these materials must be stored within an effective on-site containment system. Notwithstanding the requirements of any Australian Standard, any hazardous materials stored on the licensed place that have the potential to cause environmental harm must be stored in or serviced by an effective containment system that is impervious to the materials stored and managed to prevent the release of liquids to waters or land. Where no relevant Australian Standard is available, the following must be applied: (a) storage tanks must be bunded so that the capacity and construction of the bund is sufficient to contain at least 110% of a single storage tank or 100% of the largest storage tank plus 10% of the second largest storage tank in multiple storage areas; and, (bo) all transportable chemical containers must be stored within a bund, where the capacity of the bund is sufficient to contain 125% of the largest storage container. All containment systems for chemicals and flammable or combustible liquids must be designed to minimise rainfall collection within the system. The holder of this environmental authority must minimise the potential for contamination of land and waters by diverting stormwater around contaminated areas and facilities used for the storage of explosives, hazardous chemicals, corrosive substances, toxic substances, gases, dangerous goods, flammable and combustible liquids. Spillage of any contaminant must be contained and land remediated to prevent environmental harm. Contaminated Land (C24) Prior to making an application for surrender or approval for progressive rehabilitation the holder of this environmental authority must undertake a contaminated land assessment/investigation of the relevant areas of the licensed place in accordance with the administering authority’s Guideline for the Assessment & Management of Contaminated Land in Queensland. END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE C A, Permit Environmental authority SCHEDULE D — GENERAL AND REGULATED WASTE MANAGEMENT Waste Disposal
- D1
All general and regulated waste must be removed from the licensed place to a facility that is lawfully abie to accept the waste under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. Note: Mine waste including green waste, sewage sludge and waste bauxite may be disposed of on the licensed place.
- D2
General and regulated waste generated in the mining activity can be temporarily stored on the licensed place awaiting removal provided it is stored to ensure there is minimal risk of causing fire or contamination to land or waters. Waste Management Program
- D3
Within twelve (12) months from the date of issue of this environmental authority> a waste management program in accordance with Part 5 of the Environmental Protection (Waste Management) Policy 2008 must be developed, implemented and maintained for all mining activities on the licensed place. The waste management program must include: (a) a description of the mining activities that may generate waste; (b (c) a program for reusing, recycling or disposing of all wastes; — the types and amounts of wastes generated by the mining activities; (d) how the waste will be dealt with in accordance with the waste management hierarchy, including a description of the types and amounts of waste that will be dealt with under each of the waste management practices in the waste management hierarchy (i.e. avoidance, reuse, recycling, energy recovery, disposal); (e — how the waste will be stored, handled and transferred in a proper and effective manner; (f) procedures for identifying and implementing opportunities to minimise the amount of waste generated, promote efficiency in the use of resources and improve the waste management practices employed; — procedures for dealing with accidents, spills, and other incidents that may impact on waste management; (g (h — details of any accredited management system employed, or planned to be employed, to deal with the waste; (i) how often the performance of the waste management practices will be assessed; (j) the indicators or other criteria on which the performance of the waste management practices will be assessed; and (k) staff training and induction to the waste management program. Regulated Waste
- D4
Regulated waste must be removed and transported from the licensed place by a person who holds a current authority to transport such wastes to a facility that is lawfully able to accept the waste under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
- D5
Each container of regulated waste stored awaiting movement off-site must be clearly marked to identify the contents. END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE D Permit Environmental authority SCHEDULE E — NOISE General (Ei) Noise from the mining activities must not cause environmental harm at any sensitive place or commercial place.
- E2
In the event of a complaint made to the administering authority (considered in the opinion of an authorised officer to be neither frivolous or vexatious) about noise generated in carrying out the mining activity and the noise is considered by the administering authority to be an unreasonable noise, the holder of this environmental authority must take action to ensure that it is no longer an unreasonable noise. Noise Monitoring
- E3
Ensure that noise generated by the mining activities does not cause the limits of goals in Table E1 — Noise Limits to be exceeded. Table E1 - Noise Limits Laeg, adj, 1 hour Lad, adj, 1 hour
- E4
When requested by the administering authority, noise monitoring and recording must be undertaken within a timeframe nominated by the administering authority to investigate any complaint of environmentai nuisance (considered in the opinion of an authorised officer to be neither frivolous or vexatious) at any sensitive place or commercial place and the results must be provided to the administering authority within fourteen (14) days following completion of monitoring.
- E5
Noise monitoring and recording must include the following descriptor characteristics and matters: (a) Laeg, and Lai (where N equals the statistical levels of 1, 10 and 90 and T = 60 mins); (b} background noise Lago; (c) the level and frequency of occurrence of impulsive or tonal noise and any adjustment and penalties to statistical levels; (d) atmospheric conditions including temperature, relative humidity and wind speed and directions; (e) effects due to any extraneous factors such as traffic noise; (f} location, date and time of monitoring; (g) if the complaint concerns low frequency noise, Max Lpuin,r; and (h) if the complaint concerns low frequency noise, one third octave band measurements in dB(LIN) for centre frequencies in the 10 ~ 200 Hz range.
- E6
The method of measurement and reporting of noise levels must comply with the most recent edition of the administering authority’s Noise Measurement Manual or the most recent version of AS1055 Acoustics - Description and measurement of environmental noise. END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE E Permit Environmental authority SCHEDULE F —- WATER General
- F1
Contaminants that will or have the potential to cause environmental harm must not be released directly or indirectly to any waters except as permitted under the conditions of this environmental authority.
- F2
The maintenance and cleaning of vehicles and any other equipment or plant must be carried out in areas and in a manner which minimises the potential for environmental harm.
- F3
All determinations of water quality must be: (a) made in accordance with methods prescribed in the latest edition of the administering authorities Water Quality Sampling Manual, and (b) carried out on representative samples. (FA) The following information must be recorded in relation to all water monitoring required under the conditions of this environmental authority and submitted to the administering authority in the specified format when requested: (a) the date and time upon which the sample was taken; (b) the monitoring point at which the sample was taken; (c) the measured or estimated daily quantity of the contaminants released from the release points identified in Table F1 — Release Points (point source release); (d) the release flow rate at the time of sampling for each release point identified in Table F1 — Release Points (point source release); (e) the results of all monitoring and details of any exceedances with the conditions of this environmental authority; and (f) water quality monitoring data provided electronically in the specified format. Contaminant Release to Waters
- F5
The release of contaminants to waters from mining activities must only occur: (a) at the release points specified in Table F1 — Release Points (point source release), and (b) from extraction areas specified in Table F2 — Release from Extraction Areas
- F6
The release of contaminants to waters from the release points and extraction areas must be monitored at the release points listed in Table F1 — Release Points (point source release) and Table F2 — Release from Extraction Areas and at a frequency specified in Condition (F7). Table Fi - Release Points (point source release) Ely mining Kwambakachini 8631180 |595985 spillway areas (Ely) Creek Permit Environmental authority Table F2 — Receiving Waters for Release from Extraction Areas Sites the REMP Downstream Defined in Plan of Operations in accordance with Extraction areas | Streams, creeks, rivers and costal environment in and adjacent to ML7031 stormwater via sediment dams Reference Sites As described in the current Plan of Operations in accordance with the REMP AS described in the current Plan of Operations in accordance with the REMP Defined in Plan Streams, creeks, As As of Operations in rivers and coastal described | described in accordance with | uncontaminated by environment in and | in the the current the REMP mining activities adjacent to ML7031 | current Plan of Plan of Operations Operations | in in accordance accordance | with the with the REMP REMP
- F7
The release of contaminants to waters from the release points specified in Table F1 — Release Points Table F3 - Release Water Contaminant Limits (b) daily during release for seven (7) days; (c) weekly thereafter for one (1) month; and (d) monthly for the remainder of the wet season. (point source release) must be monitored for each quality characteristic specified in Table F3 — Release Water Contaminant Limits. For any release, waters must be monitored if it is safe to do so: (a) promptly and within twenty-four (24) hours of the commencement of release; Dissolved Aluminium (ug/L) Permit Environmental authority pH/EC/DO For interpretation purposes 1. 99" percentile of three wet seasons of North of Embley Release Point data; excluding high suspended solids data from King Canal Sediment Dam 2. 99" percentile of three wet seasons of North of Embley Release point data; excluding data from King Canal and Lorim Point Polishing Pond.
- F8
The release of contaminants directly or indirectly to waters must not: (a) produce any slick or other visible or odorous evidence of oil, grease or petrochemicals; nor (b) contain visible floating oil or grease. (FQ) Releases to waters from the mining activities must be undertaken so as not to cause erosion of the bed and banks of the receiving waters or cause a build up of sediment in such waters.
- F10
The release of contaminants to waters from point sources as defined in Table F1 — Release Points (point source release) must not exceed the contaminant limits for each quality characteristic stated in Table F3 — Release Water Contaminant Limits when measured at the monitoring points specified in Table F1 — Release Points (point source release).
- F11
The authorised mining activities must not cause an exceedance of any limit for any characteristics as specified in Table F4 (Receiving Water Trigger Levels Wet Season December - April). If a release of contaminants to waters from extraction areas specified in Table H2 — Release from Extraction Areas exceed any limit for any quality characteristic as specified in Table F4 (Receiving Water Trigger Levels Wet Season December - April), the holder of this environmental authority must investigate in accordance with F12.
- F12
If the wet season (December — April) median of the quality characteristics of the receiving water monitored at the downstream monitoring locations defined in specified in Table F4 (Receiving Water Trigger Levels) during a release event, the holder of this environmental authority must compare the results of the release point monitoring location to the data from the reference monitoring location and: (a) if the level of contaminants at the downstream monitoring location does not exceed the reference monitoring location data, then no action is to be taken; or (b) if the level of contaminants at the downstream monitoring location is greater than the reference monitoring location data, complete an investigation in accordance with the ANZECC & ARMCAWNZ (2000) methodology into the potential for environmental harm and provide a written report to the administering authority within three (3) months outlining: (i) details of the investigations carried out; and (ii) actions taken to prevent environmental harm. Note: Where an exceedance of a trigger level has occurred and is being investigated in accordance with F12(b) of this condition, no further reporting is required for subsequent trigger events for that quality characteristic within the three month investigation period. Q Permit Environmental authority Table F4 — Receiving Water Trigger Levels (Wet Season — December to April) (mg/L) lron Zinc pH (pH unit) 8.03 (maximum) 8.5° (maximum) season EC (uS/cm) For interpretation Dissolved Oxygen | For interpretation Temperature Sulphate (SO47") | 80'" percentile?2.57 of | N/A Median measured over the wet (mg/L) reference‘ season Turbidity (NTU) 21 37 season Suspended Solids | N/ N/A Median measured over the wet (Mg/L) season Aluminium (Dissolved) 5.02 (minimum) 7.0° (minimum) ~ Median measured over the wet _ For interpretation Median measured over the wet 104 Median measured over the wet season 3008 80" percentile'?5 of _| Median measured over the wet reference season 8.08 156 Median measured over the wet season (F13) 7 8 9 Note: An interim trigger level can be derived from > 8 but <17 consecutive reference site samples, derived using administering authorities (2009) methodology (section 4.4.3.1). Trigger levels are based on the 20" and/or 80" percentile of at least 10 and no more than 24 most recent consecutive reference site samples, derived using the administering authorities (2009) methodology (Table D1, and section 3.4.3.1). Default trigger levels from ANZECC (2000) trigger levels for aquatic ecosystems indicative of slightly to moderately disturbed tropical Australian lowland freshwater river ecosystems. Reference sites are to be determined in accordance with Condition (F15-)). 5%, 20", 80" and 95" percentiles must be calculated using ANZECC (2000) methodology (section 7.4.4.1) based on data from samples obtained between 1 November and 1 May. Default trigger levels from ANZECC (2000) trigger levels for aquatic ecosystems indicative of slightly disturbed tropical Australian estuarine ecosystems. TBD based on Receiving Environment Monitoring Program. For the definition of freshwater see section B.2.2 of the Queensland Water Quality Guidelines. For the definition of estuarine waters see section B.2.3 of the Queensland Water Quality Guidelines. All metals and metalloids must be measured as total (unfiltered) and dissolved (filtered). Trigger levels for metal/metalloids apply if dissolved results exceed trigger. Receiving Environment Monitoring Program A Receiving Environment Monitoring Program (REMP) must be developed and implemented to monitor and record the effects of the release of contaminants on the receiving environment periodically and whilst contaminants are being released from the licensed place with the aim of identifying and describing the extent of any adverse impacts on local environmental values and to monitor any changes in the receiving water (including groundwater). A copy of the REMP and any update or variation of the REMP following adoption of a new Plan of Operations must be provided to Permit Environmental authority the administering authority prior to its implementation and due consideration given to any comments made on the REMP by the administering authority. For the purposes of the REMP, the receiving environment is the waters and connected waterways (including groundwater) downstream of any release associated with the following: (a) release points specified in Table F1 — Release Points (point source release), and (b) extraction areas specified in Table F2 — Release from Extraction Areas;
- F14
The REMP must address (but not necessarily be limited to) the following: (a) description of potentially affected receiving groundwaters and surface waters including key communities and reference water quality and sediment characteristics based on accurate and reliable monitoring data that takes into consideration any temporal variation (e.g. seasonality); (b) description of applicable environmental values and water quality objectives to be achieved (i.e. as scheduled pursuant to the Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009); (c) any relevant reports prepared by other governmental or professional research organisations that relate to the receiving environment to which the REMP applies; (d) water and sediment quality targets within the receiving environment to be achieved and clarification of contaminant concentrations or levels indicating adverse environmental impacts during the period upon which the REMP applies; (e) monitoring for any potential adverse environmental impacts caused by a release; (f) monitoring of toxicants that must consider the indicators specified in Table F3 - Release Water Contaminant Limits to assess the extent of the compliance of concentrations with water quality objectives and/or the ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000) Guidelines for slightly to moderately disturbed ecosystems; monitoring of physical and chemical parameters including as a minimum those specified in Table F3 - Release Water Contaminant Limits. The list of quality characteristics required to be monitored as per Table F3 - Release Water and Contaminant Limits will be reviewed once the results of the monitoring data becomes available. If it is determined that there is no need to monitor for certain individual quality characteristics then these can be removed from Table F3 - Release Water Trigger Levels and Contaminant Limits; monitoring metals/metalloids in sediments (in accordance with ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000), BATLEY and/or the most recent version of AS5667.1 Guidance on Sampling of Bottom Sediments) for permanent, semi-permanent water holes and water storages; (i) the locations of monitoring points (including the locations of reference/upstream and downstream potentially impacted sites for each release point). Reference sites must be as representative as possible of the following criteria to the extent reasonably practical: (i) be from the same bio-geographic and climatic region; (ii) have similar geology, soil types and topography; (iii) contain a range of habitats similar to those at the potentially impacted sites; (iv) have a similar flow regime; and (v) not be so close to the potentially impacted sites that any disturbance at the potentially impacted sites also results in a change at the reference site; and, (j) frequency or scheduling of sampling and analysis that is sufficient to determine water quality objectives and to derive site specific reference values within two (2) years (depending on wet season flows) in accordance with the Queensland Water Quality Guidelines. For ephemeral streams, this should include periods of flow irrespective of mine or other discharges; (k) specify sampling and analysis methods, quality assurance and control; (l) any historical datasets to be relied upon, (m) description of the statistical basis on which conclusions are drawn; (n) any spatial and temporal controls to exclude potential confounding factors; and — (g (h ~— ao Permit Environmental authority (0) inclusion of additional monitoring points at least twelve (12) months prior to potential impact on areas at the licensed place as set out in the Plan of Operations.
- F15
A report outlining the findings of the REMP including all monitoring results and interpretations in accordance with Condition (F14) must be prepared and submitted in writing to the administering authority by 7 September 2015. This should include an assessment of reference water quality, any assimilative capacity for those contaminants monitored and the suitability of current release limits to protect downstream environmental values and include recommendations to set appropriate contaminant limits for the purpose of Condition (F10). Note: The findings of the REMP may be used to amend the environmental authority under agreement with the administering authority. Groundwater
- F17
Groundwater monitoring bores installed after 7 September 2012 and must be constructed and operated in accordance with methods prescribed in the latest edition of the manual titled Minimum Construction Requirements for Water Bores in Australia.
- F19
An Erosion and Sediment Control Plan must be developed by an appropriately qualified person by 7 March 2014 and implemented for all stages of mining activities on the licensed place to prevent or minimise erosion and the release of sediment to receiving waters and the contamination of stormwater.
- F20
The Erosion and Sediment Control Plan must be made available to the administering authority upon request and provide for at least the following stormwater management functions: s Permit Environmental authority (F21) (F22) (F23) (a) prevent or minimise the contamination of stormwater; (b) diverting uncontaminated stormwater run-off around areas disturbed by mining activities or where contaminants or wastes are stored or handled; (c) contaminated stormwater runoff, incident rainfall and leachate is collected; and treated, reused, or released in accordance with the conditions of this environmental authority; (d) roofing where practicable or minimising the size of areas where contaminants or wastes are stored or handled; (e) using alternate materials and or processes (such as dry absorbents) to clean up spills that will minimise the generation of contaminated waters; (f) erosion and sediment control structures are placed to minimise erosion of disturbed areas and prevent the contamination of any waters; procedures to ensure that erosion and sediment control structures are maintained and adequate storage is available in sediment dams in accordance with design criteria; and — (g (h) training of staff that will be responsible for maintenance and operations of erosion and sediment control structures. = Erosion protection and sediment control measures must be implemented and maintained to minimise erosion and the release of sediment and contamination of stormwater as described in the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan. Any spillage of wastes, contaminants or other materials must be cleaned up as quickly as practicable to minimise the release of wastes, contaminants or materials to any stormwater drainage system or receiving waters. Sediment dams constructed after the date of issue of this environmental authority as part of erosion and sediment control measures that treat releases of water from extraction areas to surface waters or to a place that is reasonably expected to reach surface water are to be built at a minimum with a volume equivalent to a 1 in 10 year Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) 24-hour storm event and must be maintained above the maximum sediment deposition levels. Water Management Plan (F24) (F25) (F26) (F27) A Water Management Plan must be developed and implemented by 7 September 2013 that provides for the proper and effective management of the actual and potential environmental impacts resulting from the mining activity and to ensure compliance with the conditions of this environmental authority. The Water Management Plan must be developed in accordance with the latest version of the administering authority's Guideline - Preparation of Water Management Plans for Mining Activities and must include at least the following components: (a) contaminant source study; (b) site water balance and model; (c) a description of the water management system and its components; (d) saline drainage prevention and management measures; (e) emergency and contingency planning; and (f) monitoring and review. Each year the holder of this environmental authority must undertake a review of the Water Management Plan no later than 1 November to ensure that proper and effective measures, practices or procedures are in place so that the mine is operated in accordance with the conditions of this environmental authority and that environmental harm is prevented or minimised. A copy of the Water Management Plan and/or a copy of the final review document of the Water Management Plan must be provided to the administering authority on request. END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE F Permit Environmental authority SCHEDULE G — DEFINITIONS/ACRONYMS Words and phrases used throughout this environmental authority are defined below. Where a definition for a term used in this environmental authority is sought and the term is not defined within this environmental authority, the definitions in the Environmental Protection Act 1994, its Regulations and Environmental Protection Policies must be used. interpretation - Word definitions/acronyms “ambient (or total) noise" ata place, means the level of noise at the place from all sources (near and far), measured as the Leq for an appropriate time interval. “Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP)” means the probability that a given rainfall total accumulated over a given duration will be exceeded in any one year. “ANZECC” means the Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council “appropriately qualified person" means a person who has professional qualifications, training, skills or experience relevant to the nominated subject matter and can give authoritative assessment, advice and analysis on performance relative to the subject matter using the relevant protocols, standards, methods or literature. “ARMCANZ” means Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand "assess" by a suitably qualified and experienced person in relation to a hazard assessment of a dam, means that a statutory declaration has been made by that person and, when taken together with any attached or appended documents referenced in that declaration, all of the following aspects are addressed and are sufficient to allow an independent audit at any time: (a) exactly what has been assessed and the precise nature of that assessment; (b) the relevant legislative, regulatory and technical criteria on which the assessment has been based; (c) the relevant data and facts on which the assessment has been based, the source of that material, and the efforts made to obtain all relevant data and facts; and (d) the reasoning on which the assessment has been base