Data as at 14 September 2026 · from the Queensland EP Act public register
EPML00732613 · German Creek Mine
Coal environmental authority EPML00732613 (German Creek Mine), Granted. 189 conditions indexed. No PRC plan.
- Status
- Granted
- Holders
- ANGLO COAL (GERMAN CREEK) PTY LTD; ANGLO COAL (ROPER CREEK) PTY LTD; JENA PTY. LIMITED; MARUBENI RESOURCES DEVELOPMENT PTY LTD; Mitsui German Creek Investment Pty Ltd
- Tenures
- ML1831; ML1894; ML1998; ML70047; ML70311
- PRC plan
- None
- How it was read
- Numbered conditions
- Register
- Register record · Instrument PDF
Conditions
189 numbered conditions read from the current instrument. Page numbers link into the register PDF.
- A1
Maintenance of measures, plant and equipment The holder of this environmental authority must: a) install all measures, plant and equipment necessary to ensure compliance with the conditions of this environmental authority; b) maintain such measures, plant and equipment in a proper and efficient condition; c) operate such measures, plant and equipment in a proper and efficient manner; and d) ensure that all instruments and devices used for the measurement or monitoring of any parameter under any condition of this environmental authority are properly calibrated.
- A2
Monitoring and Records All monitoring, including associated records, required by this environmental authority must be: a) undertaken by an appropriately qualified person, b) submitted to the administering authority upon request, and c) kept for a period of not less than 5 years.
- A3
Notwithstanding any other condition of this environmental authority, all plans, programs, and reports required by this environmental authority must be: a) prepared by an appropriately qualified person, including any subsequent review, b) submitted to the administering authority upon request, and c) kept for a period of not less than 5 years.
- A4
Notification of emergencies, incidents and exceptions The holder of this environmental authority must notify the administering authority by written notification within twenty four (24) hours, after becoming aware of any emergency 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. Note: If notification is given under an alternative notification condition of the environmental authority it is taken to be notification under this condition. If notification is required under sections 320-320G of the EP Act the additional requirements under sections 320-320G apply.
- A5
Within ten (10) business days following the initial notification of an emergency or incident, or receipt of monitoring results, whichever is the latter, further written advice must be provided to the administering authority, including the following: a) results and interpretation 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 or incident.
- A6
Complaints The holder of this environmental authority must record all environmental complaints received about the mining activities including: a) name, address and contact number for of the complainant; b) time and date of complaint; [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine c) reasons for the complaint; d) investigations undertaken; e) conclusions formed; f) actions taken to resolve the complaint; g) any abatement measures implemented; and h) person responsible for resolving the complaint.
- A7
The holder of this environmental authority must, when requested by the administering authority, undertake relevant specified monitoring within a reasonable timeframe nominated or agreed to by the administering authority to investigate any complaint of environmental harm. The results of the investigation (including an analysis and interpretation of the monitoring results) and abatement measures, where implemented, must be provided to the administering authority within ten (10) business days of completion of the investigation, or no later than ten (10) business days after the end of the timeframe nominated by the administering authority to undertake the investigation.
- A8
Third-party reporting The holder of this environmental authority must: a) Prior to 30 January 2019, obtain from an appropriately qualified person a report on compliance with the conditions of this environmental authority; b) obtain further such reports at regular intervals, not exceeding three-yearly intervals, from the completion of the report referred to above; and c) provide each report to the administering authority within ninety (90) days of its completion.
- A9
Transitional Where a condition of this environmental authority requires compliance with a standard, policy or guideline published externally to this environmental authority and the standard is amended or changed subsequent to the issue of this environmental authority, the holder of this environmental authority must: a) comply with the amended or changed standard, policy or guideline within two years of the amendment or change being made, unless a different period is specified in the amended standard or relevant legislation, or where the amendment or change relates specifically to regulated structures referred to in conditions G34 to G37, the time or times specified in those conditions. b) until compliance with the amended or changed standard, policy or guideline is achieved, continue to remain in compliance with the corresponding provision that was current immediately prior to the relevant amendment or change.
- A10
Flammable and combustible liquids must be contained within an on-site containment system and maintained in accordance with the most current version of the Australian Standard - Storage and Handling of Flammable and Combustible Liquids.
- A11
A figure depicting the maximum area of disturbance that must not be exceeded in carrying out the mining activity must be provided to the administering authority by 30 June 2024.
- A12
Within forty (40) business days of receiving the administering authority's comments on the figure produced for condition A11, update the figure to address the comments and resubmit the figure to the administering authority to amend this environmental authority. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Schedule B: Air Condition Condition number
- C1
Contaminant release 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.
- C2
Unless otherwise permitted under the conditions of this environmental authority, the release of mine affected waters to waters must only occur from the release points specified in Table C1: Mine Affected Water Release Points, Sources and Receiving Waters and depicted in Appendix 1 - Release Points (RPs) and Monitoring Points (MPs) for German Creek Mine.
- C3
The release of mine affected water to internal water management infrastructure that is installed and operated in accordance with a water management plan that complies with condition C32 and C33 is permitted. Table C1: Mine Affected Water Release Points, Sources and Receiving Waters Release Latitude Longitude Mine Affected Water Mine Affected Stream Flow Receiving Waters Point (Decimal (Decimal Source and Location Water Quality degree degree Monitoring Monitoring Point Description and
- C4
The release of mine affected water to waters in accordance with condition C2 must not exceed the release limits stated in Table C2: Mine Affected Water Release Limits when measured at the monitoring points specified in Table C1: Mine Affected Water Release Points, Sources and Receiving Waters for each quality characteristic.
- C5
The release of mine affected water to waters from the release points must be monitored at the locations specified in Table C1: Mine Affected Water Release Points, Sources and Receiving Waters for each quality characteristics and at the frequency specified in Table C2: Mine Affected Water Release Limits and Table C3: Release Contaminant Trigger Investigation Levels - Potential Contaminants. Note: The administering authority will take into consideration any extenuating circumstances prior to determining an appropriate enforcement response in the event condition C5 is contravened due to a temporary lack of safe or practical access. The administering authority expects the environmental authority holder to take all reasonable and practicable measures to maintain safe and practical access to designated monitoring locations.
- C6
If quality characteristics of the release exceed any of the trigger levels specified in Table C3: Release Contaminant Trigger Investigation Levels - Potential Contaminants during a release event, the environmental authority holder must compare the downstream results in the receiving waters to the trigger values specified in Table C3: Release Contaminant Trigger Investigation Levels - Potential Contaminants and: 1) where the trigger values are not exceeded then no action is to be taken; or 2) where the downstream results exceed the trigger values specified Table C3: Release Contaminant Trigger Investigation Levels - Potential Contaminants for any quality characteristic, compare the results of the downstream site to the data from background monitoring sites and; a) if the result is less than the background monitoring site data, then no action is to be taken; or b) if the result is greater than the background monitoring site data, complete an investigation into the potential for environmental harm and provide a written report to the administering authority in the next annual return, 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 C6 2)b) of this condition, no further reporting is required for subsequent trigger events for that quality characteristic.
- C7
If an exceedance in accordance with condition C6 2)b) is identified, the holder of the authority must notify the administering authority within fourteen (14) days of receiving the result.
- C8
Mine affected water release events The holder must ensure a stream flow gauging station/s is installed, operated and maintained to determine and record stream flows at the locations and flow recording frequency specified in Table C4a: Flow Triggers to start Mine Affected Water Release and Table C4b: Flow Triggers to cease Mine Affected Water Release. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Table C2: Mine Affected Water Release Limits Quality Release Limits Monitoring Comment frequency Characteristic Electrical <10,000 Daily during release conductivity (-S/cm) (the first sample must be taken within 2 hours of commencement of release) pH (pH Unit) 6.5 (minimum) Daily during release 9.0 (maximum) (the first sample must be taken within 2 hours of commencement of release) Turbidity (NTU) Turbidity limit for discharge of mine Daily during release* Turbidity is required to water from all release points is assess ecosystems defined as being the upstream (the first sample must be impacts and can turbidity value for the receiving taken within 2 hours of provide instantaneous waters. commencement of release) results. Weekly during release Drinking water Sulphate (the first sample must be environmental values (SO42-) (mg/L) taken within 2 hours of <3,000 commencement of release) from NHMRC 2006 guidelines OR ANZECC. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Table C3: Release Contaminant Trigger Investigation Levels - Potential Contaminants Quality Characteristic Trigger Levels Comment on Trigger Level Monitoring (g/L) Frequency Aluminium 55 For aquatic ecosystem protection, based on SMD guideline Cadmium 0.2 For aquatic ecosystem protection, based on SMD guideline
- C9
Notwithstanding any other condition of this environmental authority, the release of mine affected water to waters in accordance with condition C2 must only start when natural flow in the receiving environment meets the trigger values specified in Table C4a: Flow Triggers to start Mine Affected Water Release for the release points (s) specified in Table C1: Mine Affected Water Release Points, Sources and Receiving Waters.
- C10
The releases of mine affected water to waters in accordance with condition C2 must not exceed a maximum release rate of all combined release point flows of 2.0m3/s.
- C11
During releases into the Roper Creek catchment via RP3 (a,b,c,d) and/or RP4, the electrical conductivity (EC) values recorded at the downstream monitoring point on Roper Creek (Roper Creek D/S) must not exceed 2000-S/cm at any time during the release influence period. During releases into the Oaky Creek catchment via RP1 (a,b,c,d) and/or RP2 (a,b,c), the EC values recorded at the downstream monitoring point on Oaky Creek (Oaky Creek D/S) must not exceed 2000-S/cm at any time during the release influence period.
- C12
The EC values recorded at the Barwon Park monitoring station on Roper Creek must not exceed 1500-S/cm at any time during the release influence period.
- C13
If EC recorded at Bingegang Weir exceeds 650-S/cm during a release event, the environmental authority holder must immediately notify the administering authority and seek written approval to continue releasing mine affected water.
- C14
The daily quantity of mine affected water released from each release point must be measured and recorded at the monitoring points in Table C1: Mine Affected Water Release Points, Sources and Receiving Waters.
- C15
Releases to waters must be undertaken so as not to cause erosion of the bed and banks of the receiving waters, or cause a material build-up of sediment in such waters.
- C16
Notification of Release Event The environmental authority holder must notify the administering authority via either the WaTERS online reporting system or via Pollution Hotline Pollution Hotline as soon as practicable and no later than twenty-four (24) hours after commencing to release mine affected water to the receiving environment. Notification must include the submission of written advice to the administering authority of the following information: a) release commencement date/time; b) expected release cessation date/time; c) release point(s); d) release volume (estimated); e) receiving water/s including the natural flow rate; and f) any details (including available data) regarding likely impacts on the receiving water(s). [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine
- C17
The environmental authority holder must notify the administering authority via either the WaTERS online reporting system or via Pollution Hotline as soon as practicable (nominally within twenty-four (24) hours after cessation of a release event) of the cessation of a release notified under condition
- C16
and within twenty-eight (28) days, provide the following information in writing: a) release cessation date/time; b) natural flow volume in receiving water; c) volume of water released; d) details regarding the compliance of the release with the conditions of Schedule C: Water of this environmental authority (i.e. contamination limits, natural flow, discharge volume); e) all in-situ water quality monitoring results; and f) any other matters pertinent to the water release event. Note: Successive or intermittent releases occurring within twenty-four (24) hours of the cessation of any individual release can be considered part of a single release event and do not require individual notification for the purpose of compliance with conditions C16 and C17, provided the relevant details of the release are included within the notification provided in accordance with conditions C16 and C17.
- C18
Notification of Release Event Exceedance If the release limits defined in Table C2: Mine Affected Water Release Limits are exceeded, the holder of the environmental authority must notify the administering authority within twenty-four (24) hours of receiving the results.
- C19
The authority holder must, within twenty-eight (28) days of a release that exceeds the conditions of this authority, provide a report to the administering authority detailing: a) the reason for the release; b) the location of the release; c) all water quality monitoring results; d) any general observations; e) all calculations; and f) any other matters pertinent to the water release event.
- C20
Monitoring of Water Storage Quality Water storages stated in Table C5: Water Storage Monitoring must be monitored for the water quality characteristics specified in Table C6: Onsite Water Storage Contaminant Limits at the monitoring locations and at the monitoring frequency specified in Table C5: Water Storage Monitoring. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Table C5: Water Storage Monitoring Water Storage Description Latitude degree, Longitude degree, Monitoring Frequency of Location Monitoring (decimal (decimal
- C21
In the event that any of the water storages defined in Table C5: Water Storage Monitoring exceed the contaminant limits defined in Table C6: Onsite Water Storage Contaminant Limits, the holder of the environmental authority must implement measures, where practicable, to prevent access to waters by all livestock.
- C22
Receiving Environment Monitoring and Contaminant Trigger Levels The quality of the receiving waters must be monitored during any release event (controlled or uncontrolled) at the corresponding upstream and downstream locations specified in Table C8: Receiving Water Upstream Background Sites and Downstream Monitoring Points for each quality characteristic and at the monitoring frequency stated in Table C7: Receiving Waters Contaminant Trigger Levels. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Table C7: Receiving Waters Contaminant Trigger Levels Quality Trigger Level Monitoring Frequency Characteristic pH 6.5 - 8.0 Daily during the release Sulphate 250 Within 24 hours of the release, (SO4 2-) (mg/L) Protection of drinking water quality then weekly thereafter Turbidity (NTU) Mine waters released must not exceed background level Daily during the release when measured at upstream background monitoring points specified in Table C8 - Receiving Water Upstream Background Sites and Downstream Monitoring Points. Roper Creek 2000 Electrical Oaky Creek 2000 Daily during the release Conductivity Barwon Park 1500 Note - the Electrical conductivity trigger level stated in this table, reflects conditions C11, C12, and C13. Table C8: Receiving Water Upstream Background Sites and Downstream Monitoring Points Monitoring Points Receiving Waters Location Description Latitude Longitude (decimal degree, (decimal degree, GDA94) GDA94) Upstream Background Monitoring Points Roper Creek U/S Upstream Roper Creek -22.876 148.671 Upstream Haul Road German Creek Upstream of Haul Rd Dam -22.965 148.534 Dam Cattle Creek U/S Upstream Cattle Creek -22.993 148.519 Parrot Creek U/S Upstream Parrot Creek -22.898 148.626 -22.984 148.59 Downstream Monitoring Points German Creek D/S Downstream German Creek Cattle Creek D/S Downstream Cattle Creek -23.013 148.576
- C23
If quality characteristics of the receiving water at the downstream monitoring points exceed any of the trigger levels specified in Table C7: Receiving Waters Contaminant Trigger Levels during a release event the environmental authority holder must compare the downstream results to the upstream results in the receiving waters and: a) where the downstream result is the same or a lower value than the upstream value for the quality characteristic then no action is to be taken; or b) where the downstream results exceed the upstream results complete an investigation into the potential for environmental harm and provide a written report to the administering authority in the next annual return, 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 C23 (b) of this condition, no further reporting is required for subsequent trigger events for that quality characteristic.
- C24
Receiving Environment Monitoring Program (REMP) The environmental authority holder must develop and implement a Receiving Environment Monitoring Program (REMP) to monitor, identify and describe any adverse impacts to surface water environmental values, quality and flows due to the authorised mining activity. This must include monitoring the effects of the mine on the receiving environment periodically (under natural flow conditions) and while mine affected water is being discharged from the site. For the purposes of the REMP, the receiving environment is the waters of German Creek, Parrot Creek, Cattle Creek and Roper Creek and any connected or surrounding waterways within 15km downstream of the release. The REMP should encompass any sensitive receiving waters or environmental values downstream of the authorised mining activity that will potentially be directly affected by an authorised release of mine affected water. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine
- C25
The REMP must: a) assess the condition or state of receiving waters, including upstream conditions, spatially within the REMP area, considering background water quality characteristics based on accurate and reliable monitoring data that takes into consideration temporal variation (e.g. seasonality); b) be designed to facilitate assessment against water quality objectives for the relevant environmental values that need to be protected; c) include monitoring from background reference sites (e.g. upstream or background) and downstream sites from the release (as a minimum, the locations specified in Table C8: Receiving Water Upstream Background Sites and Downstream Monitoring Points); d) specify the frequency and timing of sampling required in order to reliably assess ambient conditions and to provide sufficient data to derive site specific background reference values in accordance with the most recent version of the Queensland Water Quality Guidelines 2009. This should include monitoring during periods of natural flow irrespective of mine or other discharges; e) include monitoring and assessment of dissolved oxygen saturation, temperature and all water quality parameters listed in Table C2: Mine Affected Water Release Limits and Table C3: Release Contaminant Trigger Investigation Levels - Potential Contaminants); f) include, where appropriate, monitoring of 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); g) include, where appropriate, monitoring of macroinvertebrates in accordance with the AusRivas methodology; h) apply procedures and/or guidelines from ANZECC & ARMCANZ 2000 and other relevant guideline documents; i) describe sampling and analysis methods and quality assurance and control measures; and j) incorporate stream flow and hydrological information in the interpretations of water quality and biological data.
- C26
A report outlining the findings of the REMP, including all monitoring results and interpretations in accordance with conditions C24 and C25 must be prepared annually and made available on request to the administrating authority. This must include an assessment of background reference water quality, the condition of downstream water quality compared against water quality objectives, and the suitability of current discharge limits to protect downstream environmental values.
- C27
Water Reuse Mine affected water may be piped or trucked or transferred by some other means that does not contravene the conditions of this environmental authority and deposited into artificial water storage structures, such as farm dams or tanks, or used directly at properties owned by the environmental authority holder or a third party (with the consent of the third party). Mine affected water may be piped or trucked for the purpose of supplying water to the receiving locations identified in Table C9: Mine Affected Water Receiving Locations and if so, the volume, pH and the electrical conductivity of water transferred must be monitored and recorded. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Table C9: Mine Affected Water Receiving Locations Receiving Location Environmental Authority Lake Lindsay Coal Mine EPML00739113 Foxleigh Coal Mine EPML00744813 Middlemount Coal Mine EPML00716913
- C28
Water General All determinations of water quality and biological monitoring must be: a) performed by a person or body possessing appropriate experience and qualifications to perform the required measurements; b) made in accordance with methods prescribed in the latest edition of the administering authority's Monitoring and Sampling Manual; c) collected from the monitoring locations identified within this environmental authority, within forty (48) hours of each other where possible; d) carried out on representative samples; and e) analysed at a laboratory accredited (e.g. NATA) for the method of analysis being used. Note: Condition C28 requires the Monitoring and Sampling Manual to be followed and where it is not followed because of exceptional circumstances this should be explained and reported with the results.
- C29
The release of any contaminants as permitted by this environmental authority, directly or indirectly to waters, other than internal water management infrastructure that is installed and operated in accordance with a water management plan that complies with conditions C32 to C37 inclusive: a) must not produce any visible discolouration of receiving waters; and b) must not produce any slick or other visible or odorous evidence of oil, grease or petrochemicals nor contain visible floating oil, grease, scum, litter or other objectionable matter.
- C30
Annual Water Monitoring Reporting 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 with each annual return: a) the date on which the sample was taken; b) the time at which the sample was taken; c) the monitoring point at which the sample was taken; d) the measured or estimated daily quantity of mine affected water released from all release points; e) the release flow rate at the time of sampling for each release point; f) the results of all monitoring and details of any exceedances of the conditions of this environmental authority; and g) water quality monitoring data must be provided to the administering authority in the specified electronic format upon request. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine
- C31
Temporary Interference with waterways Temporarily destroying native vegetation, excavating, or placing fill in a watercourse, lake or spring necessary for and associated with mining operations must be undertaken in accordance with the document titled: Riverine protection permit exemption requirements (WSS/2013/726).
- C32
Water Management Plan A Water Management Plan must be developed by an appropriately qualified person and implemented.
- C33
The Water Management Plan must: a) provide for effective management of actual and potential environmental impacts resulting from water management associated with the mining activity carried out under this environmental authority; and b) be developed in accordance with administering authority's Guideline Preparation of water management plans for mining activities and include: i) a study of the source of contaminants; ii) a water balance model for the site; iii) a water management system for the site; iv) measures to manage and prevent saline drainage; v) measures to manage and prevent acid rock drainage; vi) contingency procedures for emergencies; and vii) a program for monitoring and review of the effectiveness of the water management plan.
- C34
The Water Management Plan must be reviewed annually and a report prepared by an appropriately qualified person. The report must: a) assess the plan against the requirements under condition C33; b) include recommended actions to ensure actual and potential environmental impacts are effectively managed for the coming year; and c) identify any amendments made to the water management plan following the review.
- C35
The holder of this environmental authority must attach to the review report required by condition C34, a written response to the report and recommended actions, detailing the actions taken or to be taken by the environmental authority holder on stated dates: a) to ensure compliance with this environmental authority; and b) to prevent a recurrence of any non-compliance issues identified.
- C36
The review report required by condition C34 and the written response to the review report required by condition C35 must be submitted to the administering authority by 30 May each year.
- C37
A copy of the Water Management Plan must be provided to the administering authority on request.
- C38
Saline Drainage The holder of this environmental authority must ensure proper and effective measures are taken to avoid or otherwise minimise the generation and/or release of saline drainage.
- C39
Acid rock drainage The holder of this environmental authority must ensure proper and effective measures are taken to avoid or otherwise minimise the generation and/or release of acid rock drainage. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine
- C40
Stormwater and water sediment controls C41 An Erosion and Sediment Control Plan must be developed by an appropriately qualified person and
- C42
implemented for all stages of the mining activities on the site to minimise erosion and the release
- C43
of sediment to receiving waters and contamination of stormwater. RR1
- D1
The holder of the environmental authority must conduct a study by June 2010 to determine the predicted final void water quality and assess its compatibility with the post mining land use
- D2
Monitoring of rehabilitation must be undertaken for the purpose of: a) reviewing the rehabilitation processes undertaken with the intent to improve rehabilitation practices; and b) validating the proposed post mining land uses.
- D3
The rehabilitation monitoring must as a minimum include: a) species diversity; b) vegetative ground cover; c) tree density and stem thickness; d) visible indicators of erosion; and e) foliage projective cover.
- D4
Oak Park Conditions D5 to D13 inclusive apply to activities and disturbance carried out on ML70311.
- D5
Haul Roads and other infrastructure must be located to minimise impacts on regional ecosystems and creeks.
- D6
Exploration must be conducted in accordance with the internal document Environmental Guidelines for Exploration (EXP-PLN-021).
- D7
All areas significantly disturbed by mining activities must be rehabilitated to a stable landform with a self-sustaining vegetation cover in accordance with Table D1: Final Land Use and Rehabilitation Approval Schedule and Table D2: Landform Design. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Table D1: Final Land Use and Rehabilitation Approval Schedule Tenure Disturbance Type ID: Oak Park Spoil Void Mine Wetland Access Exploration Infrastructure Ramp Water Activities Externa Internal Sump 43 lly ly Grazing drainin drainin VI g g Ref site NA Area (ha) 206 560 80 2 22 32 10 Buffel Post mine Bush Bush Voids Grazin Wetland Grazing Grazing land use grazing g Post mine VIII VI VIII VI VIII VI VI land capability Veg NA NA NA Ref NA Ref site Ref site cover % site2 Veg/rock cover % 40 veg4 40 veg NA NA 50 rock NA NA 50 rock3 30 rock on walls Dominant Native Native NA Buffel NA Buffel Buffel sp Notes: 2Reference Site. 350% surface expression of rock. 440% vegetation cover on non-rock surface. Table D2: Landform Design Disturbance type Area (ha) Design criteria Qualifications Externally draining 206 spoil Slope <1V:3H Competent rock as assessed by Internally draining 560 Covered with 1m rock soil mulch wetting and drying spoil Slope gradient <1V:10H Less competent rock as Voids and Ramps 80 Slope <1V:6H for slope length <30m assessed by wetting and drying Covered with 0.5m of rock soil mulch
- D8
The areas of spoil and voids detailed in Table D1: Final Land Use and Rehabilitation Approval Schedule must be limited to within the co-ordinates shown in Table D3: Pit Outline.
- D9
Rehabilitation must commence within three (3) years as areas become available within the operational land.
- D10
By 14 June 2024, the holder of this environmental authority must complete an investigation into rehabilitation of disturbed areas and include as part of the transitional Progressive Rehabilitation and Closure Plan, proposing acceptance criteria to meet the rehabilitation outcomes in Table D1: Final Land Use and Rehabilitation Approval Schedule and landform design criteria in Table D2: Landform Design.
- D11
Topsoil and competent rock reserves must be determined and managed in such a manner as to facilitate the rehabilitation outcomes nominated in Table D1: Final Land Use and Rehabilitation Approval Schedule.
- D12
Residual voids must comply with the following outcomes: a) residual voids must not cause any serious environmental harm to land, surface waters or any recognised groundwater aquifer, other than the environmental harm constituted by the existence of the residual void itself and subject to any other condition within this environmental authority; and b) monitoring of residual void slopes is to be undertaken every four (4) years to validate the predictive model of the long term geotechnical behaviour of the voids as outlined in Slope Design for Long Term Geotechnical Stability at German Creek Mine by Geotech Consulting Services Pty Ltd Report No. 109.
- D13
German Creek Mining Leases Conditions D14 to D28 inclusive apply to activities and disturbance carried out on ML1831, ML1894, ML1998 and ML70047.
- D14
All areas disturbed by mining activities must be rehabilitated to the final land use stated in Table
- D4
Final Land Use and Design Criteria.
- D15
Areas rehabilitated to their final land use defined in condition D14 must achieve the design criteria and qualifications detailed in Table D4: Final Land Use and Design Criteria. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine
- D16
Rehabilitation must commence within three years of mined or disturbed areas being brought to final landform configuration, and determined to be excluded from any further mining development. All such areas must be detailed in the Plan of Operations.
- D17
A Hostile Spoil Management Plan must be developed and implemented during the continuation of the environmental authority. The hostile spoil management plan must at a minimum include: a) quantification of hostile spoil present; b) characterisation programs for acidity, salinity and physical soil properties; c) a review of impacts of the hostile spoil on the rehabilitation; and d) management actions for spoil that has been defined as acidic.
- D18
A minimum of 150mm of cover material must be respread over the reshaped spoil surface.
- D19
Details of sites possibly contaminated must be documented and updated annually.
- D20
A detailed location map and inventory of cover material must be updated annually and provided in the Plan of Operations.
- D21
Available topsoil, as determined from a topsoil stripping plan must be stripped ahead of any areas where the topsoil resource will be lost or permanently destroyed.
- D22
Where practicable topsoil stripped ahead of mining must be directly placed on rehabilitation areas. Where direct placement is not practicable, topsoil must be stored in stockpiles less than four (4) metre high and vegetated.
- D23
Sufficient cover material will be stockpiled (or alternate cover material sourced from alluvial or basaltic sources) to cover all spoil areas scheduled for rehabilitation to a depth of at least 150mm.
- D24
Rejects must be disposed of in-pit or within the spoil matrix.
- D25
Tailings must be disposed of in final voids.
- D26
All reject and tailings must be placed at a minimum of one (1) metre below the final landform surface. The material used to cover all reject and tailings must be inert and must be covered by at least 100mm of cover material.
- D27
The footprint of the infrastructure areas must be rehabilitated in accordance with a decommissioning plan. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Table D4: Final Land Use and Design Criteria Area Final Land use Criteria Qualifications a) If geotechnical stability is adequate - leave as is; or b) If geotechnical stability is Regular geotechnical not adequate and integrity Bushland above of surrounding landform is assessment of final voids and the standing water not prejudiced - leave as is level with voids as and allow to fall; or ramps must be undertaken in water and c) If geotechnical stability is order to validate the long-term sediment Final voids and ramps containment not adequate and integrity stability. This assessment must structures of surrounding landform is be undertaken at intervals not prejudiced - reshape to exceeding 5 years by an achieve geotechnical appropriately qualified and stability; or experienced person. d) Fill with mine waste, cover with spoil/inerts and rehabilitate. Spoil emplacement Bushland a) Less than 1V:5H Erosion controls to be areas b) Less than 1V:4H implemented where slope length is >80m and other - Externally locations where necessary draining spoil - Internally draining spoil Minimum 1m of inert cover Externally draining or in pit. Rejects disposal areas Grazing material Acidic leachate not to impact on receiving environment. Minimum 1m of inert cover Externally draining or in pit. Tailings disposal areas Grazing material Acidic leachate not to impact on receiving environment. Walls breached and dams drained and either:
- D28
The design for each spoil area, and each void and ramp area will be documented in the Plan of Operations and internal design documents.
- D29
Subsidence - All mining leases impacted by subsidence Conditions D30 to D40 inclusive apply to activities and disturbance carried out on ML1831, ML1894, ML1998 and ML70047 that result in subsidence.
- D30
A Subsidence Management Plan must be developed by an appropriately qualified and experienced person(s) and implemented by the holder of this environmental authority.
- D31
The Subsidence Management Plan required by condition D30 must: 1) provide 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; 2) be developed in accordance with the draft Guideline "Watercourse Subsidence - Central Queensland Mining Industry" or any subsequent versions; 3) describe the proposed impacts of subsidence on any land, watercourse and floodplain including but not limited to: a) physical condition of surface drainage: i) erosion; ii) areas susceptible to higher levels of erosion such as watercourse confluences; iii) incision processes; iv) stream widening; v) tension cracking; vi) lowering of bed and banks; vii) creation of in stream waterholes; viii) changes to local drainage patterns; b) overland flow: i) capture of overland flow by subsided long-wall panels; ii) increased overbank flows due to lowering of high bank of watercourses; iii) the portion of local and large scale catchment likely to be captured by subsided long-wall panels and the associated impacts on downstream users; c) water quality: i) surface water; ii) groundwater; d) land condition: current land condition to be impacted by subsidence; e) infrastructure: detail of existing infrastructure (pipelines, railway, powerlines and haul roads) should be identified where there is a potential impact from effects of land subsidence; 4) propose options for mitigating any impacts associated with subsidence and how these mitigation methods will be implemented; 5) describe cumulative impacts on watercourses or catchments; 6) describe impacts on groundwater; 7) describe contingency procedures for emergencies; and [OFFICIAL]
- D32
The Subsidence Management Plan must be reviewed each calendar year and a report prepared by an appropriately qualified and experienced person. The report must: a) assess the plan against the requirements under condition D31; b) include recommended actions to ensure actual and potential environmental impacts are effectively managed; and c) identify any amendments made to the Subsidence Management Plan following the review.
- D33
The holder of this environmental authority must attach to the review report required by condition D32, a written response to the report and recommended actions, detailing the actions taken or to be taken by the holder of this environmental authority on stated dates: a) to ensure compliance with this environmental authority; and b) to prevent a recurrence of any non-compliance issues identified.
- D34
The review report required by condition D32 and the written response to the review report required by condition D33 must be submitted to the administering authority with each annual return.
- D35
The actions determined under condition D34 must be completed by the stated date, unless the administering authority has approved otherwise.
- D36
The holder of this environmental authority must arrange for each subsided longwall panel to be inspected annually by an appropriately qualified and experienced person, in accordance with conditions D37 and D38.
- D37
The annual inspection must be conducted between 1 April and 1 November each year.
- D38
At each annual inspection, the condition of each subsided longwall panel must be assessed, including the structural, geotechnical and hydraulic adequacy of the subsided longwall panel and the adequacy of the works with respect to the Subsidence Management Plan.
- D39
For each inspection, copies of a report certified by the appropriately qualified and experienced person, including any recommendations to ensure the integrity of each subsided longwall panel, must be provided to the administering authority with each annual return.
- D40
Progressive rehabilitation of subsidence of each project longwall of the Grasstree Extension Project must commence within twelve (12) months of when it is disturbed, unless it is demonstrated that an area is being utilised for operating mining infrastructure.
- D41
Subsidence - Mining Lease 1831 (Surface Area 7) Conditions D42 and D43 also apply to subsidence within Surface Area 7 of Mining Lease 1831.
- D42
Clearing of vegetation on land to be subsided by underground mining must be limited to the minimum amount of clearing necessary to ameliorate subsidence cracks.
- D43
Prior to disturbance of vegetation, habitat trees are to be identified and measures taken to ensure that habitat trees are protected from damage and clearing where practical. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Schedule E: Noise Condition Condition number
- E1
Noise limits The holder of this environmental authority must ensure that noise generated by the mining activities does not cause the criteria in Table E1 - Noise limits to be exceeded at a sensitive place or commercial place.
- E2
Airblast overpressure nuisance The holder of this environmental authority must ensure that blasting does not cause the limits for peak particle velocity and air blast overpressure in Table E2 - Blasting noise limits to be exceeded at a sensitive place or commercial place. Table E1 - Noise limits Sensitive place Noise level Sundays and public dB(A) measured holidays as: Monday to Saturday LAeq, adj, 15 mins 9am to 7am to 6pm to 10pm to 6pm 6pm to 10pm to LA1, adj, 15 mins 6pm 10pm 7am 10pm 9am CV = 40 CV = 45 Commercial place CV = 50 CV = 45 AV = 0 AV = 5 CV = 40 CV = 35 AV = 5 AV = 0 CV = 45 AV = 5 AV = 0 AV = 5 CV = 50 CV = 55 CV = 50 AV = 10 CV = 45 CV = 40 AV = 10 AV = 10 10pm to AV = 10 AV = 5 7am Noise level CV = 45 Sundays and public AV = 5 holidays dB(A) measured Monday to Saturday as: 7am to LAeq, adj, 15 mins 7am to 6pm to 6pm 6pm to 10pm to 6pm 10pm 10pm 7am CV = 50 CV = 55 CV = 50 AV = 10 CV = 45 CV = 40 AV = 10 AV = 10 AV = 10 AV = 5 Table E1 - Noise limits notes: 1. CV = Critical Value 2. AV = Adjustment Value 3. bg = background noise level (LA90, adj, 15 mins) measured over 3-5 days at the nearest sensitive receptor 4. To calculate noise limits in Table E1: If bg (CV - AV): Noise limit = bg + AV If (CV - AV) < bg CV: Noise limit = CV If bg > CV: Noise limit = bg + 0 5. In the event that measured bg (LA90, adj, 15 mins) is less than 30 dB(A), then 30 dB(A) can be substituted for the measured background level 6. If the project is unable to meet the noise limits as calculated above alternative limits may be calculated using the processes outlined in the "Planning for Noise Control" guideline. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Table E2 - Blasting noise limits Blasting noise limits Sensitive or commercial place limits 6pm to 7am Airblast overpressure No blasting 7am to 6pm 115 dB (linear) Peak for 9 out of 10 consecutive blasts initiated and not greater than 120 dB (linear) Peak at any time Ground vibration peak particle 5mm/second peak particle velocity for 9 out of 10 No blasting
- E3
Monitoring and reporting Noise monitoring and recording must include the following descriptor characteristics and matters: a) LAN,T (where N equals the statistical levels of 1, 10 and 90 and T = 15 mins); b) background noise LA90; 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; and g) if the complaint concerns low frequency noise, Max LpLIN,T and one third octave band measurements in dB(LIN) for centre frequencies in the 10 - 200 Hz range.
- E4
The holder of this environmental authority must develop and implement a blast monitoring program to monitor compliance with Table E2 - Blasting noise limits for at least 90% of all blasts undertaken on this site in each year at the nearest sensitive or commercial place. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Schedule F: Waste Condition Condition number
- F1
The environmental authority holder must not dispose of wastes on-site with the following exceptions: a) general waste; b) tailings; c) drilling waste that is sampled and determined as regulated waste, providing the total volume of this waste is less than 5% of the total volume of all drilling waste disposed of: d) brine from the Reverse Osmosis (RO) Plant; and e) inert waste.
- F2
All leases General waste must only be disposed of in the German Creek landfill (centroid location point (GDA94): latitude: -22.9346291, longitude: 148.5641494).
- F3
Drilling waste In addition to the mining tenements subject to this environmental authority, the holder may also receive and dispose of drilling waste and general waste carried out on either ML70336, EPC747, EPC726, MDL331 or MDL170.
- F4
The receipt and disposal of drilling waste is subject to all the following requirements: a) No more than 1.4 megalitres (ML) of drilling waste can be disposed each year. b) All drilling waste must be sampled to determine its chemical characteristics prior to disposal; c) All drilling waste that is sampled and determined as general waste, must be disposed into the German Creek landfill, as identified by condition F2. d) All drilling waste that is sampled and determined as regulated waste, must be disposed of in accordance with the Waste Management Plan required by condition F5. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine
- F5
Waste Management Plan A Waste management Plan must: a) be developed by an appropriately qualified person; b) implemented for the duration of the mining activities, and c) include all the following: i. a description of the activities that generate waste; ii. a procedure for recording the types and amounts of wastes generated, iii. a survey record of the size and location (using coordinates) of all described waste disposal areas on site ; iv. provisions for the management of any leachates; v. the characteristics of the wastes generated; vi. how the waste and resource management hierarchy will be implemented for each waste type (i.e. avoidance, reuse, recycling, energy recovery, disposal); vii. how the waste will be stored, handled and transferred in a proper and effective manner; viii. procedures for managing accidents, spills, and other incidents associated with the receipt, storage, transport, and disposal of waste; ix. indicators or other criteria on which the performance of the waste management plan will be assessed; x. a program of periodic review to ensure the plan meets the requirements of this environmental authority; and xi. staff training and induction to the waste management program.
- F6
Landfill capping When the deposition of waste to the landfill ceases, a final capping system for the landfill must be designed by an appropriately qualified person and installed to achieve the following requirements: a) minimise infiltration of water into the landfill and surface water ponding; b) minimise the likelihood of any erosion occurring to either the final capping system or the landfilled materials; and c) ensure the contaminant concentrations within the final capping layer are appropriate for the final land use and in accordance with the `National Environmental Protection (Assessment of Soil Contamination) Measure 1999'. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine
- F7
Regulated waste must be managed in accordance with the Waste Management Plan required under condition F5 of this environmental authority, which must include provisions for: a) containment of regulated waste; b) the management of seepage and leachates both during operation and the foreseeable future; c) the control of fugitive emissions to air; d) a program of progressive sampling and characterisation to identify acid producing potential and metal concentrations of tailings; e) maintaining records of the relative locations of any other waste stored within the tailings; f) rehabilitation strategy; and g) monitoring of rehabilitation, research and/or trials to verify the requirements and methods for decommissioning and final rehabilitation of tailings, including the prevention and management of acid mine drainage, erosion minimisation and establishment of vegetation cover.
- F8
Acid sulphate soils Treat and manage acid sulphate soils in accordance with the latest edition of the department's Queensland Acid Sulfate Soil Technical Manual. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Schedule G: Regulated Structures Conditio Condition n number
- G1
Assessment of consequence category The consequence category of any structure must be assessed by a suitably qualified and experienced person in accordance with the latest version of the administering authority's Manual for following times: a) prior to the design and construction of the structure, if it is not an existing structure; or \ b) prior to any change in its purpose or the nature of its stored contents.
- G2
A consequence assessment report and certification must be prepared for each structure assessed and the report may include a consequence assessment for more than one structure.
- G3
Certification must be provided by the suitably qualified and experienced person who undertook the assessment, in the form set out in the Manual for assessing consequence categories and hydraulic
- G4
Design and construction of a regulated structure Conditions G5 to G9 inclusive do not apply to existing structures.
- G5
All regulated structures must be designed by, and constructed under the supervision of, a suitably qualified and experienced person in accordance with the requirements of the Manual for assessing
- G6
Construction of a regulated structure is prohibited unless: a) the holder has submitted a consequence category assessment report and certification to the administering authority; and b) certification for the design, design plan and the associated operating procedures has been certified by a suitably qualified and experienced person in compliance with the relevant condition of this authority.
- G7
Certification must be provided by the suitably qualified and experienced person who oversees the preparation of the design plan in the form set out in the Manual for assessing consequence Register of Regulated Structures.
- G8
Regulated structures must: a) be designed and constructed in compliance with the Manual for assessing consequence b) be designed and constructed with due consideration given to ensuring that the design integrity would not be compromised on account of: (i) floodwaters from entering the regulated dam from any watercourse or drainage line; and (ii) wall failure due to erosion by floodwaters arising from any watercourse or drainage line. c) For regulated structures that have not been certified as low consequence category for `failure to contain - seepage', the floor and sides of the dam must be designed and constructed to prevent or minimise the passage of the wetting front and any entrained contaminants through either the floor or sides of the dam during the operational life of the dam and for any period of decommissioning and rehabilitation of the dam.
- G9
Certification by the suitably qualified and experienced person who supervises the construction must be submitted to the administering authority on the completion of construction of the regulated structure, and state that: a) the `as constructed' drawings and specifications meet the original intent of the design plan for that regulated structure; and b) construction of the regulated structure is in accordance with the design plan. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine
- G10
Notification of affected persons All affected persons must be provided with a copy of the emergency action plan in place for each regulated structure: a) for existing structures that are regulated structures, within ten (10) business days of this condition taking effect; b) prior to the operation of the new regulated structure; and c) if the emergency action plan is amended, within five (5) business days of it being amended.
- G11
Operation of a regulated structure Operation of a regulated structure, except for an existing structure, is prohibited unless the holder has submitted to the administering authority in respect of regulated structure, all of the following: a) one electronic copy of the design plan and certification of the `design plan' in accordance with condition G6; b) a set of `as constructed' drawings and specifications; c) certification of the `as constructed drawings and specifications' in accordance with condition G9; d) where the regulated structure is to be managed as part of an integrated containment system for the purpose of sharing the DSA volume across the system, a copy of the certified system design plan; e) the requirements of this authority relating to the construction of the regulated structure have been met; f) the holder has entered the details required under this authority, into a Register of Regulated Structures; and g) there is a current operational plan for the regulated structure.
- G12
For existing structures that are regulated structures: a) where the existing structure that is a regulated structure is to be managed as part of an integrated containment system for the purpose of sharing the DSA volume across the system, the holder must submit to the administering authority, prior to 30 January 2019, a copy of the certified system design plan including that structure; and b) there must be a current operational plan for the existing structures.
- G13
Each regulated structure must be maintained and operated, for the duration of its operational life until decommissioned and rehabilitated, in compliance with the current operational plan and, if applicable, the current design plan and associated certified `as constructed' drawings.
- G14
Mandatory reporting level Conditions G15 to G16 inclusive only apply to Regulated Structures which have not been certified as low consequence category for `failure to contain - overtopping'.
- G15
The Mandatory Reporting Level (the MRL) must be marked on a regulated dam in such a way that during routine inspections of that dam, it is clearly observable.
- G16
The holder must, as soon as practicable but within forty-eight (48) hours of becoming aware, notify the administering authority when the level of the contents of a regulated dam reaches the MRL.
- G17
The holder must, immediately on becoming aware that the MRL has been reached, act to prevent the occurrence of any unauthorised discharge from the regulated dam.
- G18
The holder must record any changes to the MRL in the Register of Regulated Structures. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine
- G19
Design storage allowance The holder must assess the performance of each regulated dam or linked containment system over the preceding November to May period based on actual observations of the available storage in each regulated dam or linked containment system taken prior to 1 July of each year.
- G20
By 1 November of each year, storage capacity must be available in each regulated dam (or network of linked containment systems with a shared DSA volume), to meet the Design Storage Allowance (DSA) volume for the dam (or network of linked containment systems).
- G21
The holder must, as soon as practicable but within forty-eight (48) hours of becoming aware that the regulated dam (or network of linked containment systems) will not have the available storage to meet the DSA volume on 1 November of any year, notify the administering authority.
- G22
The holder must, immediately on becoming aware that a regulated dam (or network of linked containment systems) will not have the available storage to meet the DSA volume on 1 November of any year, act to prevent the occurrence of any unauthorised discharge from the regulated dam or linked containment systems.
- G23
Annual inspection report Each regulated structure must be inspected each calendar year by a suitably qualified and experienced person.
- G24
At each annual inspection, the condition and adequacy of all components of the regulated structure must be assessed and a suitably qualified and experienced person must prepare an annual inspection report containing details of the assessment and include a recommendations section, with any recommended actions to ensure the integrity of the regulated structure or a positive statement that no recommendations are required.
- G25
The suitably qualified and experienced person who prepared the annual inspection report must certify the report in accordance with the Manual for assessing consequence categories and hydraulic
- G26
The holder must within twenty (20) business days of receipt of the annual inspection report, provide to the administering authority: a) The recommendations section of the annual inspection report; b) If applicable, any actions being taken in response to those recommendations; and c) If, following receipt of the recommendations and (if applicable) recommended actions, the administering authority requests a copy of the annual inspection report from the holder, provide this to the administering authority within ten (10) business days of receipt of the request.
- G27
Transfer arrangements The holder must provide a copy of any reports, documentation and certifications prepared under this authority, including but not limited to any Register of Regulated Structures, consequence assessment, design plan and other supporting documentation, to a new holder on transfer of this authority.
- G28
Register of Regulated Structures A Register of Regulated Structures must be established and maintained by the holder for each regulated structure.
- G29
The holder must provisionally enter the required information in the Register of Regulated Structures when a design plan for a regulated dam is submitted to the administering authority.
- G30
The holder must make a final entry of the required information in the Register of Regulated Structures once compliance with condition G11 and G12 has been achieved. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine
- G31
The holder must ensure that the information contained in the Register of Regulated Structures is current and complete on any given day.
- G32
All entries in the Register of Regulated Structures must be approved by the chief executive officer for the holder of this authority, or their delegate, as being accurate and correct.
- G33
The holder must, at the same time as providing the annual return, supply to the administering authority a copy of the records contained in the Register of Regulated Structures, in the electronic format required by the administering authority.
- G34
Transitional arrangements All existing structures that have not been assessed in accordance with either the Manual or the former Manual for Assessing Hazard Categories and Hydraulic Performance of Dams must be assessed and certified in accordance with the Manual prior to 31 July 2018.
- G35
All existing structures must subsequently comply with the timetable for any further assessments in accordance with the Manual specified in Table G1: Transitional hydraulic performance requirements for existing structures, depending on the consequence category for each existing structure assessed in the most recent previous certification for that structure.
- G36
Table G1: Transitional hydraulic performance requirements for existing structures, ceases to apply for a structure once any of the following events has occurred: a) it has been brought into compliance with the hydraulic performance criteria applicable to the structure under the Manual; or b) it has been decommissioned; or c) it has been certified as no longer being assessed as a regulated structure.
- G37
Certification of the transitional assessment required by G34 and G35 (as applicable) must be provided to the administering authority within 31 July 2018. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Table G1: Transitional hydraulic performance requirements for existing structures Transition period required for existing structures to achieve the requirements of the Manual for Assessing Consequence Categories and Hydraulic Performance of Dams Compliance with High consequence Significant Low consequence criteria consequence >90% and a history of No transition required No transition required No transitional conditions good compliance apply. Review performance in last 5 consequence years assessment every 7 years. >70%-90% By 30 January 2025, By 30 January 2028, No transitional conditions unless otherwise agreed unless otherwise agreed apply. Review with the administering with the administering consequence authority, based on no authority, based on no assessment every 7 history of unauthorised history of unauthorised years. releases. releases. 50-70% By 30 January 2023, By 30 January 2025, Review consequence unless otherwise agreed unless otherwise agreed assessment every 7 with the administering with the administering years. authority, based on no authority, based on no history of unauthorised history of unauthorised releases. releases. 50% By 30 January 2023 or By 30 January 2023 or Review consequence as per compliance as per compliance assessment every 5 requirements (e.g. TEP requirements (e.g. TEP years. timing). timing). Regulated levee By 30 November 2023, unless otherwise agreed with the administering authority. designed to prevent the
- H1
Contaminants from the activity must not be released to groundwater.
- H2
Prior to 30 September 2022, conditions H3 to H14 (inclusive) only apply to the Grasstree Extension Project.
- H3
From 1 October 2022, conditions H3 to H14 (inclusive) will apply to all mining activities under this environmental authority.
- H4
Groundwater monitoring and management program By 1 April 2024 a groundwater monitoring and management program (GMMP) must be developed by an appropriately qualified person(s) and implemented by the holder of the environmental authority.
- H5
The GMMP required by condition H4 must: a) Provide a hydrogeological conceptual groundwater model in accordance with the most recent version of the `Australian Groundwater Modelling Guidelines' (2012); b) Include all hydrogeological units potentially impacted by the activities authorised under this environmental authority; c) Identify all potential sources of contamination to groundwater from the activities; d) Identify all environmental values that may be impacted; e) Describe the groundwater monitoring and data analysis that will be undertaken to achieve the following objectives: i) Detect impacts to groundwater quality and standing water level (SWL) due to the activities authorised under this environmental authority; and ii) Determine trends in groundwater quality and SWL; and f) Document groundwater management and monitoring methodologies undertaken for the duration of all the activities authorised under this environmental authority; g) Provide an appropriate quality assurance and quality control program; and h) Include a review process to identify improvements to the program that includes addressing any comments provided by the administering authority.
- H6
A review report for the GMMP required by condition H5 must be produced by 31 December 2024 and every two (2) subsequent years and include: a) An analysis of the all the groundwater quality and standing water level (SWL) monitoring data for all groundwater bores listed within Table H1 - Groundwater monitoring locations and frequencies; b) An assessment of groundwater quality and SWL trends for all monitoring data from all groundwater bores listed in Table H1 - Groundwater monitoring locations and frequencies; c) An assessment of the adequacy of the conceptual groundwater model to accurately determine contaminant transport and changes to SWL; d) An assessment of any impacts on groundwater quality and SWL due to the mining activities; [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine e) An assessment of any interactions with, or impacts to, surface water resulting from changes to groundwater quality and SWL due to the mining activities; f) An assessment of the adequacy of the groundwater monitoring network to assess contaminant sources and pathways for all stages of mining activities; and g) Recommendations, if any, for the environmental authority holder to complete to address any inadequacy or impacts identified by (a) through (f) of this condition.
- H7
Within twenty-eight (28) days of producing or receiving the review report under condition H6, the environmental authority holder must provide to the administering authority: a) The review report; b) If applicable, any actions being taken by the environmental authority holder to address the recommendations of the review report; and c) If action is not being taken to address a recommendation, the environmental authority holder must provide justification for not taking action.
- H8
By 1 April 2025, the environmental authority holder must submit a report to the administering authority. The report must: a) Propose groundwater quality trigger levels to replace all `TBD's' Table H2 - Groundwater quality limits based on a minimum of twelve (12) sampling events per bore; and b) Propose groundwater SWL triggers and other information required to populate Table H3 - Groundwater standing water level trigger threshold based on a minimum of twelve (12) measurements per bore. Note: The report required by this condition must consider the requirements of the administering authority's, or its successor's, most recent edition of the Guideline: "Using monitoring data to assess groundwater quality and potential environmental impacts" (DES, 2021).
- H9
Groundwater monitoring Groundwater must be monitored at the locations and frequencies defined in Table H1: Groundwater Monitoring Locations and Frequencies for groundwater the quality characteristics identified in Table H2: Groundwater Quality limits and SWLs stated in Table H3: Groundwater standing water level monitoring triggers.
- H10
Results of monitoring of groundwater from compliance bores identified in Table H1 - Groundwater quality monitoring locations and frequencies, must not exceed any of the limits defined in Table
- H2
- Groundwater quality limits on three (3) consecutive occasions.
- H11
Exceedance investigation - groundwater quality If any limit specified in Table H2 - Groundwater quality limits are exceeded at the bores specified in Table - H1 Groundwater quality monitoring locations and frequencies on three (3) consecutive occasions, the holder of the environmental authority, after receiving results, must a) notify the administering authority via WaTERS within twenty-four (24) hours; b) complete an investigation within fourteen (14) days to determine if the exceedance is result of mining activities; c) provide a report of the investigation to the administering authority via WaTERS within fourteen (14) days of completion of the investigation; d) if the investigation determines that the mining activities are a potential cause or contributor to the exceedance, then: i) determine whether environmental harm has occurred; ii) Any action required to mitigate the environmental harm; and iii) Submit the water quality results to the administering authority via WaTERS. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Table H1: Groundwater Monitoring Locations and Frequencies Location Groundwater level (metres Monitoring Longitude Latitude Frequency below ground Screened Points (decimal degree, (decimal degree, Unit Quarterly level)
- MB1
148.618778 -22.926836 Quarterly 37.3 Tertiary
- MB3
148.630206 -22.95625 Sediments 10.9
- MB4
148.624003 -23.005848 Permian 31.5 Sediments
- MB5
148.602411 -22.994075 Permian Sediments Table H2: Groundwater Quality limits Quality characteristic1 Unit Contaminant trigger2 Source pH Electrical Conductivity pH Units TBD As per condition H10 Total Dissolved Solids Aluminium S/cm TBD As per condition H10 Antimony Arsenic g/L No specified limit Interpretative purposes only Calcium g/L TBD As per condition H10 g/L TBD As per condition H10 g/L TBD As per condition H10 g/L No specified limit Interpretative purposes only Chloride mg/L No specified limit Interpretative purposes only No specified limit Carbonate Alkalinity mg/L No specified limit Interpretative purposes only TBD Bicarbonate Alkalinity mg/L No specified limit Interpretative purposes only TBD Iron mg/L TBD As per condition H10 No specified limit Magnesium g/L TBD Interpretative purposes only TBD Mercury g/L No specified limit As per condition H10 TBD Molybdenum g/L 20 As per condition H10 Potassium g/L Interpretative purposes only Selenium g/L As per condition H10 Silver g/L As per condition H10 Sodium g/L Interpretative purposes only Sulphate g/L As per condition H10 Total Petroleum g/L For aquatic ecosystem Hydrocarbons (C6-C9) protection, based on LOR3 for GCMS4 [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Quality characteristic1 Unit Contaminant trigger2 Source Total Petroleum g/L 50 For aquatic ecosystem
- H12
Exceedance investigation - SWL If the level trigger thresholds specified in Table H3: Groundwater standing water level monitoring triggers are exceeded at the bores specified, the holder of the environmental authority, after receiving results must: a) notify the administering authority via WaTERS within twenty-four (24) hours; b) complete an investigation into the cause of the exceedance within ten (10) business days; c) if the investigation determines that the mining activities are a potential cause or contributor to the exceedance: i) notify the administering authority via WaTERS within twenty-four (24) hours of making the determination; ii) Identify any impacts to environmental values and/or water users as a result of the exceedance; and iii) Take immediate actions to mitigate any identified impacts and notify the administering authority of when action has been completed.. Table H3: Groundwater standing water level monitoring triggers: Monitoring Surface RL Screened interval Baseline water Level trigger level (mAHD) bore (mAHD) From To threshold - end of mining drawdown MB1 MB3 MB4 MB5 [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine
- H13
Groundwater monitoring The following information must be recorded in relation to all groundwater water sampling: a) the date on which the sample was taken; b) the time at which the sample was taken; c) the monitoring point at which the sample was taken; d) the results of all monitoring; e) groundwater levels; and f) sampling methodology.
- H14
Water sampling undertaken in accordance with the requirements of this environmental authority must comply with the methods set out in the administering authority's Water Quality Sampling Manual as amended from time to time and consider the methodology and matters stated in administering authority's guideline: Using monitoring data to assess groundwater quality and potential environmental impacts as amended from time to time.
- H15
Bore construction and maintenance and decommissioning The construction, maintenance, management and decommissioning of groundwater bores (including groundwater monitoring bores) must be undertaken in a manner that prevents or minimises impacts to the environment and ensures the integrity of the bores to obtain accurate monitoring. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Schedule I: Sewage Treatment Condition Condition number
- I1
The only contaminant permitted to be released to land is treated sewage effluent in compliance with the release limits stated in Table I1 - Contaminant Release Limits to Land. Table I1 - Contaminant Release Limits to Land Contaminant Unit Release limit Limit type Frequency mg/L 20 Maximum Monthly 5 day Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD)1 mg/L 30 Maximum Monthly Total suspended solids mg/L 60 Maximum Monthly Nitrogen mg/L 15 Maximum Monthly Phosphorus Organisms/100ml 1000 Maximum Monthly E-coli pH units 6.0 - 9.0 Range Monthly pH
- I2
Treated sewage effluent must only be released to land within the irrigation areas identified in Appendix 2A - Effluent Disposal - German Creek STP, Appendix 2B - Effluent Disposal - Grasstree West and Aquila STP, or Appendix 2C - Effluent Disposal - Grasstree East STP.
- I3
Notwithstanding condition I2, treated sewage effluent may be released to land for the purposes of dust suppression and/or firefighting.
- I4
For the German Creek STP, a minimum area of six (6) hectares of land, excluding any necessary buffer zones, must be utilised for the irrigation of treated sewage effluent at the location identified in Appendix 2A - Effluent Disposal - German Creek STP.
- I5
For the Grasstree West and Aquila STP, a minimum area of two (2) hectares and (11) hectares of land respectively, excluding any necessary buffer zones, must be utilised for the irrigation of treated sewage effluent at the locations identified in Appendix 2B - Effluent Disposal - Grasstree West and Aquila STP.
- I6
For the Grasstree East STP, a minimum area of six (6) hectares of land, excluding any necessary buffer zones, must be utilised for the irrigation of treated sewage effluent at the location identified in Appendix 2C - Effluent Disposal - Grasstree East STP.
- I7
The application of treated effluent to land must be carried out in a manner such that: a) vegetation is not damaged; b) there is no surface ponding of effluent; and c) there is no run-off of effluent to waters.
- I8
If areas irrigated with effluent are accessible to employees or the general public, prominent signage must be provided advising that effluent is present and care should be taken to avoid consuming or otherwise coming into unprotected contact with the effluent.
- I9
All sewage effluent released to land must be monitored at the frequency and for the parameters specified in Table I1 - Contaminant Release Limits to Land, and samples taken at the point where the treated sewage effluent is released from the sewage treatment plant/s.
- I10
The daily volume of effluent released to land must be measured and records kept of the volumes of effluent released. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine
- I11
When circumstances prevent the irrigation or beneficial reuse of treated sewage effluent such as during or following rain events, waters must be directed to a wet weather storage or alternative measures must be taken to store or lawfully dispose of effluent.
- I12
Treated sewage effluent must only be supplied to another person or organisation that has a written plan detailing how the user of the treated sewage effluent will comply with their general environmental duty under section 319 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994 whilst using the treated sewage effluent. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Schedule J: Offsets Condition Condition number
- J1
Conditions J2 to J7 apply only to the area of disturbance associated with the Grasstree Extension project as displayed in Appendix 3: Grasstree Extension Area of Disturbance.
- J2
Significant residual impacts to prescribed environmental matters are not authorised under this environmental authority or the Environmental Offsets Act 2014 unless the impacts are specified in Table J1 - Significant residual impacts to prescribed environmental matters and displayed in Appendix 3: Grasstree Extension Area of Disturbance.
- J3
Records demonstrating that each impact to a prescribed environmental matter not listed in Table J1 - Significant residual impacts to prescribed environmental matters did not, or is not likely to, result in a significant residual impact to that matter must be: a) completed by an appropriately qualified person; and b) kept for the life of the environmental authority.
- J4
An environmental offset made in accordance with the Environmental Offsets Act 2014 and Queensland Environmental Offsets Policy, as amended from time to time, must be undertaken for the maximum extent of impact to each prescribed environmental matter authorised in Table J1 - Significant residual impacts to prescribed environmental matters, unless a lesser extent of the impact has been approved in accordance with condition J7.
- J5
Staged Impacts The significant residual impacts to a prescribed environmental matter authorised in condition J6 for which an environmental offset is required by condition J4 may be carried out in stages. An environmental offset can be delivered for each stage of the impacts to prescribed environmental matters.
- J6
Prior to the commencement of each stage, a report completed by an appropriately qualified person, that includes an analysis of the following must be provided to the administering authority: a) for the forthcoming stage--the estimated significant residual impacts to each prescribed environmental matter; and b) for the previous stage, if applicable--the actual significant residual impacts to each prescribed environmental matter, to date.
- J7
The report required by condition J6 must be approved by the administering authority before a notice of election for the forthcoming stage, if applicable, is given to the administering authority.
- J8
A notice of election for the staged environmental offset referred to in condition J7, if applicable, must be provided to the administering authority no less than three months before the proposed commencement of that stage, unless a lesser timeframe has been agreed to by the administering authority. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Table J1 - Significant residual impacts to prescribed environmental matters Prescribed environmental Location of impact Offset Requirement Maximum extent of impact matter under Environmental (ha) Grasstree Offsets Act 2014 REGULATED VEGETATION Extension Project Yes 12.7 Of concern regional area (as shown in ecosystem - RE11.5.18 Appendix 3) Yes 46.6 Grasstree Of concern regional Extension Project Yes 4.3 ecosystem - RE11.9.7 area (as shown in Appendix 3) Regional ecosystems within Grasstree the defined distance from the Extension Project defining banks of a relevant area (as shown in watercourse on the Appendix 3) vegetation management watercourse map - RE 11.5.3 and BVG 17a. Endangered regional Grasstree No1 2.6 ecosystem - RE 11.4.9 Extension Project area (as shown in Appendix 3) Endangered regional Grasstree No1 5.4 ecosystem - RE 11.9.5 Extension Project area (as shown in Appendix 3) Protected flora species Habitat for flora species that Grasstree Yes 0.5 is Threatened flora species - Extension Project Solanum Ascophyllum area (as shown in Appendix 3) Protected wildlife habitat
- J9
Within six (6) months from the completion of the final stage of the project, a report completed by an appropriately qualified person, that includes the following matters must be provided to the administering authority: a) an analysis of the actual impacts on prescribed environmental matters resulting from the final stage; and b) if applicable, a notice of election to address any outstanding offset debits for the authorised impacts. [OFFICIAL] Permit Environmental Authority EPML00732613 - German Creek Mine Definitions Key terms and/or phrases used in this document are defined in this section. Applicants should note that where a term is not defined, the definition in the Environmental Protection Act 1994, its regulations or environmental protection policies must be used. If a word remains undefined it has its ordinary meaning. "acceptance criteria" means the measures by which the actions implemented to rehabilitate the land are deemed to be complete. The acceptance criteria indicate the success of the rehabilitation outcome or remediation of areas which have been significantly disturbed by the mining activities. Acceptance criteria may include information regarding: a) vegetation establishment, survival and succession; b) vegetation productivity, sustained growth and structure development; c) fauna colonisation and habitat development; d) ecosystem processes such as soil development and nutrient cycling, and the recolonisation of specific fauna groups such as collembola, mites and termites which are involved in these processes; e) microbiological studies including recolonisation by mycorrhizal fungi, microbial biomass and respiration; f) effects of various establishment treatments such as deep ripping, topsoil handling, seeding and fertiliser application on vegetation growth and development; g) resilience of vegetation to disease, insect attack, drought and fire; and h) vegetation water use and effects on ground water levels and catchment yields. "acid rock drainage" means any contaminated discharge emanating from a mining activity formed through a series of chemical and biological reactions, when geological strata is disturbed and exposed to oxygen and moisture as a result of mining activities. "administering authority" is the agency or department that administers the environmental authority provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. "affected person" is someone whose drinking water can potentially be impacted as a result of discharges from a dam or their life or property can be put at risk due to dwellings or workplaces being in the path of a dam break flood. "airblast overpressure" means energy transmitted from the blast site within the atmosphere in the form of pressure waves. The maximum excess pressure in this wave, above ambient pressure is the peak airblast overpressure measured in decibels linear (dBL). "annual exceedance probability" or "AEP" means the probability that at least one event in excess of a particular magnitude will occur in any given year. "annual inspection report" means an assessment prepared by a suitably qualified and experienced person containing details of the assessment against the most recent consequence assessment report and design plan (or system design plan);