Data as at 14 September 2026 · from the Queensland EP Act public register
EPML00851313 · MOUNT MARGARET MINING PTY LTD
Minerals environmental authority EPML00851313 (MOUNT MARGARET MINING PTY LTD), Granted. 143 conditions indexed. No PRC plan.
- Status
- Granted
- Holders
- MOUNT MARGARET MINING PTY LTD
- Tenures
- ML7122; ML90157; ML90198; ML90199; ML90228; ML90229
- PRC plan
- None
- How it was read
- Numbered conditions
- Register
- Register record · Instrument PDF
Conditions
143 numbered conditions read from the current instrument. Page numbers link into the register PDF.
- A1
This environmental authority authorises environmental harm caused by the carrying out of the mining activities in accordance with the conditions of this environmental authority. Where a condition in this environmental authority refers to environmental harm the condition is taken to authorise the environmental harm occurring in compliance with the condition. Where there is no condition or this environmental authority is silent on a matter, the lack of a condition or silence shall not be construed as authorising environmental harm.
- A2
In carrying out the mining activity the holder of the environmental authority must comply with Schedule A - Table 1 (Authorised Mining Activities). The location of these mining activities are shown in Schedule I - Figure 2 (Site Map - Mount Margaret E1 Area) and Figure 3 (Site Map - Monakoff Area). Schedule A - Table 1 (Authorised Mining Activities) Mine Area Mine Domain Mine Feature Name Centroid location (GDA20 / Maximum / MLs MGA, z54) Disturbance Area E1 North Pit Easting Northing (ha) E1 South Pit 25 477663 7739595 21 E1 East Pit 17 Pits 478572 7738597 109 North PAF WRD 42 478480 7739528 19 East NAF WRD 12 477846 7740363 West NAF WRD 10 Waste Rock Dump 479116 7738915 Northern WRD topsoil 8 stockpile 477508 7739075 3 East WRD topsoil 476899 7740420 stockpile 5 479366 7738434 E1 North Pit topsoil 2 stockpile 477283 7739766 6 E1 Topsoil stockpiles E1 East Pit topsoil 477908 7739859 121 (ML90157, stockpile 53 ML90199) 477118 7739327 West WRD topsoil 70 stockpile 478030 7739339 19 14 Water Management ROM Pad topsoil 479522 7739731 2 stockpile 479525 7740368 Ancillary 477981 7738110 Infrastructure Water Dam topsoil stockpile - - 478392 7739351 E1 Site Water Dam 477490 7738547 477401 7736736 Pit Dewatering Evaporation Pond Sediment dams / drainage lines E1 ROM Pad Office, Workshop, Facilities Explosives Batch Plant Permit Environmental Authority Haul Roads - - 25 Access Tracks - - 24 Cleared areas / - - 14 miscellaneous Monakoff Pit 467565 7719345 21 Pits Monakoff East Pit 1 470508 7719711 3 Monakoff East Pit 2 470198 7719664 2 Monakoff Waste Rock 468185 7719212 30 Dump Waste Rock Dumps Monakoff East Waste Rock Dump 470321 7719901 14 Topsoil stockpile Monakoff topsoil 468135 7719565 2 stockpile Monakoff Site Water 468112 7719836 24 Dam Monakoff (ML7122, Water Management Monakoff Water 468558 7719677 0.2 ML90198) Storage Sediment dams / - - 1 drainage lines Monakoff ROM Pad 468167 7719451 4 Workshop, Offices & 468570 7719578 3 Facilities Ancillary Monakoff Magazine 469148 7719669 1 Infrastructure Haul Roads - - 12 Access Tracks - - 9 Cleared areas / - - 6 miscellaneous ML 90228, Ancillary Haul Roads - - 107 ML90229 Infrastructure Cleared areas / - - 5 miscellaneous Maintenance of Measures, Plant and Equipment
- A3
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) All instruments and devices used for the measurement or monitoring of any parameter under any condition of this environmental authority must be calibrated, and appropriately operated and maintained.
- A4
No change, replacement or alteration of any plant or equipment is permitted if the change, replacement or alteration increases, or is likely to increase, the risk of environmental harm.
- A5
Except where specified otherwise in another condition of this environmental authority, all monitoring records or reports required by this environmental authority must be kept for a period of not less than 5 years. Permit Environmental Authority
- A6
Where monitoring is a requirement of this environmental authority, ensure that a competent person(s) conducts all monitoring.
- A7
All analyses, monitoring and tests required to be conducted under this environmental authority must be carried out by a laboratory that has NATA certification for such analyses, monitoring and tests, except as otherwise authorised by the administering authority.
- A8
The holder of this environmental authority must upon request from the administering authority, supply monitoring records, plans and reports in the form and by the means requested by the administering authority within fourteen days. Financial assurance
- A9
Prior to the commencement of mining activities under this environmental authority, the holder of this environmental authority must provide a financial assurance of an amount determined by the administering authority in accordance with the most recent edition of the administering authorities Guideline - Financial assurance for mining activities, and in a form acceptable to the administering authority.
- A10
The amount of financial assurance may be reviewed by the administering authority when a plan of operations is amended or replaced, the environmental authority is amended or new information is obtained from an audit or other sources.
- A11
The financial assurance must remain in force until the administering authority is satisfied no claim on the financial assurance will be required. Risk management
- A12
The holder of this environmental authority must develop and implement an environmental risk management system for mining activities. Emergency Response / Contingency
- A13
An emergency response/contingency plan must be developed, and implemented to respond to emergency events and incidents.
- A14
The emergency response/contingency plan required under condition (A13) must address the following matters as a minimum: (a) Response procedures to be implemented to prevent or minimise the risk of environmental harm arising from incidents; (b) Response procedures to minimise the extent and duration of environmental harm caused by an incident; (c) The practices and procedures to be employed to restore the environment or mitigate any environmental harm caused by an incident; (d) The resources to be used in response to an incident; (e) Procedures to investigate the cause of any incidents, including releases, and where necessary, implement remedial actions to reduce the likelihood of recurrence of similar events; (f) The provision and availability of documented procedures to staff attending any incident to enable them to effectively respond; (g) Training of staff that will be called upon to respond to incidents to enable them to effectively respond; (h) Timely and accurate reporting of the circumstance and nature of incidents to the administering authority in accordance with conditions of this environmental authority; (i) Procedures for accessing monitoring points during incidents; and Permit Environmental Authority (j) Procedures to notify any potentially impacted stakeholder who may be affected by the event within 24 hours, with information to be provided at a minimum: i. the location of any release; ii. the date and time of any release; iii. the estimated quantity and type of any substances (if available concentrations) involved in any incident; iv. the potential impacts to environmental values caused by any release. Notification of Emergencies, Incidents and Exceptions
- A15
The holder of this environmental authority must notify the administering authority by written notification within 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.
- A16
Within 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. A longer timeframe for the further written advice may be granted with agreement from the administering authority. Complaints
- A17
Records must be kept of all environmental complaints received about the mining activities including the following details: (a) Name, address and contact number for complainant; (b) Time and date of complaint; (c) Reasons for the complaint; (d) Investigations undertaken; (e) Conclusions formed; (f) Actions taken to resolve complaint; (g) Any abatement measures implemented; and (h) Person responsible for resolving the complaint. This information must be made available for inspection by the administering authority on request.
- A18
When requested by the Administering Authority, the holder of this Environmental Authority must undertake relevant specified monitoring within a timeframe nominated by the administering authority to investigate any complaint of environmental harm which is non-vexatious and non-frivolous in the opinion of an authorised officer under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. The results of the investigation (including an analysis and interpretation of the monitoring results) and abatement measures implemented must be provided to the administering authority within fourteen days of completion of the investigation, and no later than fourteen days after the end of the timeframe nominated by the administering authority to undertake 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 reasonably expected to be affected by the activities to ensure that social and cultural heritage impacts are identified and managed. This must include but not be limited to the following: Permit Environmental Authority (a) Facilitating regular meetings open to all relevant stakeholders; or (b) The establishment of a consultative committee with representation open to all relevant stakeholders that meets at regular intervals as determined by the committee. Third party auditing
- A20
The holder of this environmental authority must: (a) within 1 year of the commencement of this environmental authority, 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 3 yearly intervals, from the completion of the report referred to above; and (c) provide each report to the administering authority within 90 days of its completion. Light emission
- A21
In the event of a complaint which, after investigation, is considered to be non-vexatious and non-frivolous in the opinion of an authorised officer under the Environmental Protection Act 1994, and concerns light from any mining activity that is causing a nuisance at a sensitive place, the administering authority may request the holder to take appropriate action to mitigate the nuisance. The holder of this environmental authority must take appropriate action (e.g. by screening or directing the light away from residences or public roads) within any reasonable time set by the administering authority. Exploration
- A22
All exploration activities carried out on the mining leases must comply with each of the Standard Environmental Conditions contained in the most recent version of the Code of Environmental Compliance for exploration and mineral development projects. Transition to new Standards
- A23
Where a condition requires compliance with a standard published externally to this environmental authority and the standard is amended or changed subsequent to the issues of this environmental authority, then the holder of this Environmental Authority must: (a) Until compliance with the amended or changed standard can be achieved, continue to remain in compliance with the standard that was current immediately prior to the relevant amendment or change; and (b) Comply with the amended or changed standard within 2 years, unless a different period is specified in the amended standard or relevant legislation. Definitions
- A24
Words and phrases used throughout the environmental authority are defined in Schedule H - Definitions. Where a definition for a term used in the environmental authority is sought and the term is not defined within the environmental authority, the definitions in the Environmental Protection Act 1994, its Regulations and Environmental Protection Policies must be used. END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE A Permit Environmental Authority SCHEDULE B - AIR General
- B1
The release of 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 bulk materials from the mining tenement, leave the site with appropriate load preparation to prevent the spillage and / or loss of particulate matter and / or windblown dust during transport.
- B3
The holder of this environmental authority must implement and maintain dust control procedures that incorporate a program for continuous improvement for the management of dust resulting from the mining activities.
- B4
The holder of this environmental authority must, once every year from the commencement of this environmental authority, conduct a review of its dust control and monitoring procedures. Within 6 weeks of the completion of the review, a report detailing the review's outcomes must be given to the administering authority and implemented promptly if required. Dust and Particulate Monitoring
- B5
When requested by the administering authority or as a result of a complaint (which is neither frivolous nor vexatious nor based on mistaken belief in the opinion of the authorised officer), dust and particulate monitoring must be undertaken, and the results thereof notified to the administering authority within fourteen days following completion of monitoring. Monitoring must be carried out at a place(s) relevant to the potentially affected dust sensitive place.
- B6
Dust and particulate matter must not exceed the following levels when measured at any sensitive or commercial place: (a) Dust deposition of 120 milligrams per square metre per day, averaged over one month, when monitored in accordance with the Australian Standard AS3580.10.1 Methods for sampling and analysis of ambient air - Determination of particulate matter - Deposited matter - Gravimetric method. (b) A concentration of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 micrometres (PM10) suspended in the atmosphere of 50 micrograms per cubic metre over a 24 hour averaging time, when monitored in accordance with Australian Standard AS3580.9.6 Determination of suspended particulate matter - PM (sub) 10 high volume sampler with size-selective inlet - Gravimetric method or any alternative method of sampling PM10 which maybe permitted by the "Air Quality Sampling Manual" as published from time to time by the administering authority. (c) A concentration of particulate matter suspended in the atmosphere of 90, micrograms per cubic metre over respectively a one year, , when monitored in accordance with AS/NZS3580.9.3:2003 Determination of suspended particulate matter - Total suspended particulate matter (TSP) - High volume sampler gravimetric method.
- B7
If monitoring indicates the limits in condition (B6) have been exceeded, the holder of this environmental authority must promptly implement dust abatement measures so that emissions of dust generated by the mining activities cease to exceed the limits in condition (B6). Background Dust and Particulate Matter Monitoring
- B8
The holder of this environmental authority must develop and implement a background dust deposition monitoring program before commencement of mining operations. The program must be able to detect a significant change to dust deposition to sensitive receptors due to activities that are part of this mining activity.
- B9
The program must include, but not be limited to, the details as specified in Schedule B - Table 1 (Background Dust and Particulate Matter Monitoring). Permit Environmental Authority
- B10
The holder of this environmental authority must report the results and analysis of dust and particulate matter monitoring to the administering authority on request. Schedule B - Table 1 (Background Dust and Particulate Matter Monitoring) Air Quality Location (GDA94) Monitoring Point Determination Description Sample Point Easting (m) Northing (m) Dust Deposition North West Agricultural [total solids (g/m2/ CD01 464281 7753642 Precinct CD02 476341 7752826 month)] CD03 479925 7752079 Mount Margaret Mining - E1 DU35 468964 7754373 DU36 472321 7754373 Mount Margaret Mining - AD01 476093 7741204 Monakoff AD02 479249 7741390 AD03 481167 7741173 AD04 480301 7739286 AD05 480774 7736028 AD06 479615 7737173 BD01 467150 7721533 BD02 468998 7719858 BD03 473573 7720117 BD04 469389 7718468
- B11
The holder of this environmental authority must before commencement of full mining operations establish and maintain a permanent meteorological station to continuously measure and record wind speed, wind direction, temperature, daily rainfall volume and rainfall intensity. Point source release of contaminants to the atmosphere
- B12
Contaminants must not be released to the atmosphere from any diesel powered generator other than in accordance with the manufacturers specifications. North-West Agricultural Monitoring
- B13
The holder of this environmental authority must also design and implement a dust monitoring program: (a) for the deposition, due to activities resulting from this mining activity, of dust and metals that can have a significant impact on cattle; (b) with any monitoring point(s) location for the monitoring program outside of the authorised mining tenements to be located on Lot 1 on Plan GR45; (c) which must, prior to the commencement of pre stripping, define existing background conditions; (d) which is able to detect an increase above those existing background conditions; and (e) which is to be prepared by an independent and experienced suitably qualified person.
- B14
The holder of this environmental authority must report the results and analysis of monitoring required by condition (B13), to the administering authority on request or in a replacement or amendment to the Plan of Operations. END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE B 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 cleaned up as quickly as practicable. Such spillages must be cleaned up using dry methods that minimise the release of wastes, contaminants or materials to any stormwater drainage system, roadside gutter or waters. Rehabilitation Objectives
- C3
Land disturbed by mining must be rehabilitated in accordance with Schedule C - Table 1 (Rehabilitation Requirements). Schedule C - Table 1 (Rehabilitation Requirements) Mine Domain Mine Feature Name Rehabilitation and tenure Goal Rehabilitation Compliance with condition (C7) and the post mine land use plan required under Indicators Completion Objective s condition (C11) Criteri a Mount Margaret Project Area ML 90157 North PAF Waste Rock Dump Safe, non-polluting, stable and self sustaining In accordance with condition (C8) and the post mine land use plan required In accordance with condition (C6) and the post mine land use plan required under condition (C11) ML 90199 East NAF Waste Rock Dump under condition (C11) West NAF Waste Rock Dump E1 North Pit E1 East Pit E1 South Pit Pit Dewatering Evaporation Dam E1 Roads and Tracks E1 Topsoil Stockpiles Laydown Area E1 Explosives Magazine Ancillary infrastructure (E1) Admin. & Offices E1 ROM Pad General Waste Disposal Area Permit Environmental Authority Mine Domain Mine Feature Name Rehabilitation and tenure Goal Rehabilitation Objective s Indicators Completion Criteri a Explosive Batch Plant Pipeline Borrow Pits and Stockpiles E1 Water Dam E1 ROM Pad Stormwater Control Pond North PAF Monitoring Basin Facilities Sediment Basin East NAF WRD Sediment Basin Western WRD Sediment Basin Diversion Drains Exploration pads and tracks Monakoff Project Area ML 7122 Monakoff Waste Rock Dump Safe, non-polluting, stable and self sustaining In accordance with condition (C6) and the post mine ML 90198 Monakoff Pit land use plan required under condition (C11) Topsoil Stockpile Compliance with condition (C7) and the post mine ROM Transfer Pad land use plan required under condition (C11) In accordance with condition (C8) and the post mine Workshop, Offices & Facilities land use plan required under condition (C11) Monakoff Roads and Tracks Monakoff East Pit Monakoff East West Pit Monakoff East Topsoil Stockpile Monakoff East Waste Rock Dump Monakoff East ROM Transfer Pad Borrow Pits and Stockpiles Site Water Dams Sediment Ponds Permit Environmental Authority Mine Domain Mine Feature Name Rehabilitation and tenure Goal Rehabilitation Objective s Indicators Completion Criteri a Corridors Exploration pads and tracks ML90228 ML90229 Water Pipeline Mt. Margaret / Monakoff Haul Road (assume 40 m wide) Road Borrow Pits and Stockpiles
- C4
Rehabilitation must progressively commence as areas become available and in accordance with the Plan of Operations.
- C5
Rehabilitated areas must be managed to minimise the proliferation of species not consistent with rehabilitation objectives.
- C6
All land subject to mining activities must be rehabilitated to: (a) a stable landform and with a self-sustaining vegetation cover and species that are similar to adjoining undisturbed areas; (b) a safe landform, which is non-polluting, geo-chemically and geo-technically stable. (c) ensure that the maintenance requirements for rehabilitated land is no greater than that required for the land prior to its disturbance by mining activities; and (d) ensure that the water quality of any residual void or water bodies constructed by mining activities meets criteria for subsequent uses and does not have potential to cause environmental harm.
- C7
Maintenance of rehabilitated areas must take place to ensure and demonstrate: (a) stability of landforms; (b) erosion control measures remain effective; (c) stormwater runoff and seepage from rehabilitated areas does not negatively affect the environmental values of any waters; (d) plants show healthy growth and recruitment is occurring; and (e) rehabilitated areas are free of any declared pest plants.
- C8
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) no greater management input than for other land in the area being used for a similar purpose is required and there is evidence that the rehabilitation has been successful for at least three (3) years; (c) the rehabilitation is carried out in accordance with the goals, objectives indicators and completion criteria as specified in Schedule C - Table 1 and in the Post Mine Land Use Plan; and (d) written agreement is obtained from the landowner/holder and administering authority. Topsoil
- C9
Topsoil and subsoils must be stripped and stockpiled ahead of mining to a depth determined from soil surveys to ensure that useable soil resources are preserved for rehabilitation. Permit Environmental Authority
- C10
Topsoil and subsoil stockpiles must be managed to ensure stability and minimise the release contaminants. Measures must include: (a) Vegetating stockpiles; (b) Minimising the height of stockpiles: and (c) Re-using stockpiles as soon as possible. Post Mine Land Use Plan
- C11
The holder of this environmental authority must develop and submit to the administering authority a Post Mine Land Use Plan (PMLUP) with the initial Plan of Operations and update and resubmitted the plan with each subsequent Plan of Operations. The PMLUP must describe how the rehabilitation objectives in Schedule C - Table 1 (Rehabilitation Requirements) will be achieved. The Post Mine Land Use Plan must include: (a) Schematic representation of final land form inclusive of drainage features; (b) Slope designs; (c) Cover design; (d) Drainage design; (e) Erosion controls proposed on reformed land; (f) Description of experimental design for monitoring of analogue and rehabilitated areas inclusive of statistical design; (g) Proposed revegetation methods inclusive of plant species selection, re-profiling, respreading soil, soil ameliorants/amendments, surface preparation and method of propagation; (h) Materials balance including available top soil and low permeability capping material ; (i) Geotechnical, geochemical and hydrological studies; (j) Chemical, physical and biological properties of soil and water; and (k) A rehabilitation monitoring program. Rehabilitation Monitoring Program
- C12
A rehabilitation monitoring program must be developed and be implemented on commencement of rehabilitation identified in Schedule C - Table 1(Rehabilitation Requirements) by a person nominated by the holder of this environmental authority possessing appropriate qualifications and experience in the field of mine site rehabilitation.
- C13
The holder of this environmental authority must conduct rehabilitation monitoring in accordance with the program developed in condition (C12) on at least a yearly basis which must include sufficient spatial and temporal replication to enable scientifically justifiable conclusions as established under the rehabilitation program or other methodology to the satisfaction of the administering authority.
- C14
Verification of rehabilitation success is to be carried for each domain. Monitoring must be carried out at a minimum sampling intensity for sufficient replication to occur that enables statistical analysis of results at an acceptable power. Post Closure Management Plan
- C15
A Post Closure Management Plan for the site must be prepared at least 18 months prior to final production onsite and implemented for a nominal period of: (a) At least thirty (30) years following final production on site; or (b) A shorter period if the site 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 site will result in environmental harm and be prepared at least 6 months prior to final production onsite.
- C16
The Post Closure Management Plan must include the following elements: (a) Operation and maintenance of: (i) Wastewater collection and reticulation systems; Permit Environmental Authority (ii) Wastewater treatment systems; (iii) The groundwater monitoring network; (iv) Final cover systems; and (v) Vegetative cover. (b) Monitoring of: (i) Surface water quality; (ii) Groundwater quality; (iii) Seepage rates; (iv) Erosion rates; (v) The integrity and effectiveness of final cover systems; (vi) The health and resilience of vegetative cover. Infrastructure
- C17
All buildings, structures, mining equipment and plant erected and/or used for the mining activities must be removed from the site prior to surrender, except where agreed in writing by the administering authority and the landowner. Chemicals and Flammable or Combustible Liquids
- C18
All explosives, hazardous chemicals, corrosive substances, toxic substances, gases, flammable or combustible liquids and dangerous goods must be stored and handled in accordance with the, relevant Australian Standard where such is applicable.
- C19
Notwithstanding the requirements of any Australian Standard, any liquids stored on site 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.
- C20
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 (b) drum storages must be bunded so that the capacity and construction of the bund is sufficient to contain at least 25% of the maximum design storage volume within the bund.
- C21
All containment systems must be designed to minimise rainfall collection within the system. Pest Management
- C22
In carrying out the mining activities the holder of this environmental authority must develop and implement an effective pest management program before commencement of full mining operations that includes but is not limited to the following: (a) identification of pest species and infestation areas within the mining leases; (b) prevents and/or minimises the introduction and/or spread of pests as a result of mining activities; and (c) control and management of pest outbreaks as a result of mining activities including measures to ensure that all vehicle movements are controlled to prevent the spread of declared weeds; and (d) strategies to prevent introduction of declared weeds to the mine site and surrounding areas.
- C23
A copy of the pest management program must be made available to the administering authority on request. Contaminated Land
- C24
Before applying for surrender of a mining lease, the holder must (if applicable) provide to the administering authority a site investigation report under the Act, in relation to any part of the mining lease which has been used for notifiable activities or which the holder is aware is likely to be contaminated land, and also carry out Permit Environmental Authority any further work that is required as a result of that report to ensure that the land is suitable for its final land use.
- C25
Before applying for progressive rehabilitation certification for an area, the holder must (if applicable) provide to the administering authority a site investigation report under the Act, in relation to any part of the area the subject of the application which has been used for notifiable activities or which the holder is aware is likely to be contaminated land, and also carry out any further work that is required as a result of that report to ensure that the land is suitable for its final land use under condition (C3).
- C26
Minimise the potential for contamination of land by hazardous contaminants. Biodiversity
- C27
The holder of this environmental authority must not carry out any disturbance on site, apart from exploration activities undertaken in accordance with condition (A32) of this environmental authority, unless the land subject to the proposed disturbance has undergone a wet season field assessment of flora and fauna and a report on the assessment has been accepted by the administering authority.
- C28
In the event of identification of rare or threatened species on site, a diagrammatic representation of the
- C29
species occurrence relative to operations together with a management and monitoring strategy for species conservation must be prepared to the satisfaction of the administering authority and submitted with the Plan of Operations. Mining activities must not impact on a State significant biodiversity value unless a Biodiversity Offset Strategy has been developed, submitted and approved by the administering authority, which includes, as a minimum: (a) A detailed description of the values which will be impacted, and the extent of that impact; (b) The extent to which the holder of this environmental authority has avoided or minimised impacts to State significant biodiversity values; (c) Mapping that identifies the locations of any State significant biodiversity values on site; (d) the proposed offset delivery mechanism; (e) where an offset transfer is proposed, evidence that an offset can be located within the landscape; and (f) an ecological equivalence assessment where required by the Queensland Biodiversity Offset Policy,
- C30
Prior to undertaking mining activities that impact on State significant biodiversity values, the holder of this environmental authority must provide a legally secured direct land based offset, or enter into a Deed of Agreement with the administering authority for an offset transfer, or provide an offset payment, consistent with Residual Void Outcome
- C31
Residual voids must comply with the following outcome: (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. END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE C Permit Environmental Authority SCHEDULE D - REGULATED DAMS Assessment of consequence category
- D1
The consequence category of any structure must be assessed by a suitably qualified and experienced person in accordance with the Manual for Assessing Consequence Categories and Hydraulic Performance of Structures (EM635) at the following times: (a) prior to the design and construction of the structure, if it is not an existing structure; or (b) if it is an existing structure, prior to the adoption of this schedule; or (c) prior to any change in its purpose or the nature of its stored contents.
- D2
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.
- D3
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 Performance of Structures (EM635). Design and construction of a regulated structure
- D4
Conditions (D5) to (D9) inclusive do not apply to existing structures.
- D5
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 Consequence Categories and Hydraulic Performance of Structures (EM635).
- D6
Construction of a regulated structure is prohibited unless the holder has submitted a consequence category assessment report and certification to the administering authority has been certified by a suitably qualified and experienced person for the design and design plan and the associated operating procedures in compliance with the relevant condition of this authority.
- D7
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 Categories and Hydraulic Performance of Structures (EM635), and must be recorded in the Register of Regulated Dams.
- D8
Regulated structures must: (a) be designed and constructed in accordance with and conform to the requirements of the Manual for Assessing Consequence Categories and Hydraulic Performance of Structures (EM635); (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.
- D9
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; (b) construction of the regulated structure is in accordance with the design plan. Operation of a regulated structure Permit Environmental Authority
- D10
Operation of a regulated structure, except for an existing structure, is prohibited unless: (a) the holder has submitted to the administering authority: i) one electronic copy of the design plan and certification of the `design plan' in accordance with condition (D9), and ii) a set of `as constructed' drawings and specifications, and iii) certification of those `as constructed drawings and specifications' in accordance with condition (D9), and iv) 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. v) the requirements of this authority relating to the construction of the regulated structure have been met; vi) the holder has entered the details required under this authority, into a Register of Regulated Dams; and vii) there is a current operational plan for the regulated structures.
- D11
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 within 12 months of the commencement of this condition a copy of the certified system design plan including that structure; and (b) There must be a current operational plan for the existing structures.
- D12
Each regulated structure must be maintained and operated, for the duration of its operational life until decommissioned and rehabilitated, in a manner that is consistent with the current operational plan and, if applicable, the current design plan and associated certified `as constructed' drawings. Mandatory reporting level
- D13
Conditions (D14) to (D17) inclusive only apply to Regulated Structures which have not been certified as low consequence category for `failure to contain - overtopping'.
- D14
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.
- D15
The holder must, as soon as practical and 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.
- D16
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.
- D17
The holder must record any changes to the MRL in the Register of Regulated Structures. Design storage allowance
- D18
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.
- D19
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). Permit Environmental Authority
- D20
The holder must, as soon as possible and 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.
- D21
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. Annual inspection report
- D22
Each regulated structure must be inspected each calendar year by a suitably qualified and experienced person.
- D23
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 recommended actions to ensure the integrity of the regulated structure.
- D24
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 Performance of Structures (EM635).
- D25
The holder must: (a) Within 20 business days of receipt of the annual inspection report, provide to the administering authority: i) The recommendations section of the annual inspection report; and ii) If applicable, any actions being taken in response to those recommendations; and (b) If, following receipt of the recommendations and (if applicable) actions, the administering authority requests a full copy of the annual inspection report from the holder, provide this to the administering authority within 10 business days of receipt of the request. Transfer arrangements
- D26
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. Decommissioning and rehabilitation
- D27
Dams must not be abandoned but be either: (a) decommissioned and rehabilitated or (b) be left in-situ for a beneficial use(s) provided that: i) it no longer contains contaminants that will migrate into the environment; and ii) it contains water of a quality that is demonstrated to be suitable for its intended beneficial use(s); and iii) the administering authority, the holder of the environmental authority and the landholder agree in writing that the dam will be used by the landholder following the cessation of the environmentally relevant activity(ies). Register of Regulated Dams Permit Environmental Authority
- D28
A Register of Regulated Dams must be established and maintained by the holder for each regulated dam.
- D29
The holder must provisionally enter the required information in the Register of Regulated Dams when a design plan for a regulated dam is submitted to the administering authority.
- D30
The holder must make a final entry of the required information in the Register of Regulated Dams once compliance with condition (D10) and (D11) has been achieved.
- D31
The holder must ensure that the information contained in the Register of Regulated Dams is current and complete on any given day.
- D32
All entries in the Register of Regulated Dams must be approved by the chief executive officer for the holder of this authority, or their delegate, as being accurate and correct.
- D33
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 Dams, in the electronic format required by the administering authority. Schedule D - Table 1 (Location of Regulated Dams) Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Name of dam containing hazardous Easting Northing waste (GDA 94 - Zone 54) (GDA 94 - Zone 54) Pit Dewatering Evaporation Pond 477960 7738317 477770 7738020 E1 Site Water Dam 478333 7737658 478522 7737963 Monakoff Site Water Dam 478965 7740719 479948 7740891 Monakoff East Site Water Dam 479923 7740028 479115 7739493 478546 7739328 478421 7740028 467721 7719631 468447 7719631 467721 7720026 468447 7720026 TBD TBD Permit Environmental Authority Schedule D - Table 2 (Basic Details of Regulated Dams) Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Column 5 Column 6 Name of Surface area of Max. volume of Max. depth of Spillway Level Regulated Dam (mAHD) dam at spillway dam at spillway dam at spillway Use of Dam (ha) (ML) (m) Pit Dewatering Dewatering and Evaporation Pond 6.55 107 1.7 149.5 evaporation of mine pits E1 Site Water Dam Storage of Storage 85 820 3.5 144.5 of contaminated site water Monakoff Site Storage of Water Dam 18 456 5.9 182.2 contaminated site water Monakoff East Site Storage of Water Dam 5 200 4 TBD contaminated site water Permit Environmental Authority Schedule D - Table 3 (Hydraulic Performance of Regulated Dams) Column 1 Column 2 Column 3 Column 4 Name of Regulated Dam Spillway Capacity Design Storage Allowance Mandatory Reporting Pit Dewatering Evaporation AEP AEP Level AEP Pond 1 in 1000 AEP E1 Site Water Dam 1 in 20 AEP, 2 month wet 1 in 20 AEP, 72 hour 1 in 1000 AEP season plus other inputs for storm or the 1 in 20 AEP Monakoff Site Water Dam 1 in 1000 AEP the 2 month wet season wave allowance, Monakoff East Site Water Dam whichever is lower 1 in 1000 AEP 1 in 20 AEP, 2 month wet 1 in 20 AEP, 72 hour season plus other inputs for storm or the 1 in 20 AEP the 2 month wet season wave allowance, whichever is lower 1 in 20 AEP, 2 month wet 1 in 20 AEP, 72 hour season plus other inputs for storm or the 1 in 20 AEP the 2 month wet season wave allowance, whichever is lower 1 in 20 AEP, 2 month wet 1 in 20 AEP, 72 hour season plus other inputs for storm or the 1 in 20 AEP the 2 month wet season wave allowance, whichever is lower END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE D Permit Environmental Authority SCHEDULE E - WASTE Waste Management Program
- E1
A waste management program in accordance with Part 5 of the Environmental Management (Waste Management) Policy 2000 must be developed, implemented and maintained for the site before commencement of full mining operation. The waste management program must include: (a) A description of the mining activities that may generate waste; (b) The types and amounts of wastes generated by the mining activities; (c) A program for reusing, recycling or disposing of all wastes; (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) 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; (f) Procedures for dealing with accidents, spills and other incidents; (g) Details of any accredited management system employed, or planned to be employed, to deal with waste; (h) How often the performance of the waste management program will be assessed; (i) The indicators or other criteria on which the performance of the waste management program will be assessed; and (j) Staff training and induction to the waste management program. Waste Disposal
- E2
All general and regulated waste (other than authorised under condition (E3) must be removed from the site to a facility that is lawfully able to accept the waste under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
- E3
The only waste that can be disposed of on site is waste generated on site and is limited to: - Waste rock; - Rejects; - Concrete; - General waste including construction and demolition waste, green waste and putrescible and domestic wastes; and - Tyres.
- E4
General waste must only be disposed of into the waste disposal trench facility on the mining lease.
- E5
General waste deposited in the active waste disposal trench must be compacted and covered with a layer of inert material following placement of the waste into the trench.
- E6
Litter control methods must be effectively implemented at the active waste disposal trench.
- E7
The active waste disposal trench must be constructed and operated to minimise the generation of leachate including a system of diversion drains or embankments to divert surface waters away from any area where contact with wastes or sources of contamination may occur.
- E8
Completed waste disposal trenches must be capped with a low permeability material and compacted and contoured to effectively minimise water infiltration.
- E9
A record of the location of trenches used for waste disposal must be maintained. Notwithstanding any other condition of this authority, such records must be maintained until the administering authority approves the surrender of this authority. Permit Environmental Authority
- E10
Unless otherwise permitted by the conditions of this environmental authority, waste must not be burnt or taken off site and burnt. Regulated waste
- E11
Regulated waste, other than that authorised to be disposed of on-site under this authority, must only be removed and transported from the site 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.
- E12
Regulated waste generated in the mining activity can be temporarily stored on site awaiting removal provided it is stored to ensure there is minimal risk of causing fire or contamination to land or waters.
- E13
Each container of regulated waste stored awaiting movement off-site must be clearly marked to identify the contents. Tyre storage and disposal
- E14
Tyres stored awaiting disposal or transport for take-back and recycling or waste-to-energy options - must be stockpiled in volumes less than 3m in height and 200m2 and at least 10m from any other tyre storage area.
- E15
Fire Prevention measures must be implemented including the removal of all combustible materials, including grass and vegetation, within a 10m radius of any tyre storage area.
- E16
Subject to demonstrating to the administering authority that no other use higher in the waste management hierarchy can be implemented, waste tyres generated from mining activities may be disposed of on site in waste rock dumps, in open pit backfilled with waste rock or underground stopes.
- E17
Waste tyres resulting from the mining activities disposed within the operational land must not impede saturated aquifers or compromise the stability of the consolidated landform. Waste rock disposal
- E18
The holder of this environmental authority must develop, implement and submit to the administering authority a waste rock and spoil management plan with the initial Plan of Operations and update and resubmit the plan with each subsequent Plan of Operations, with consideration given to any comments provided by the administrating authority.
- E19
Waste rock and spoil disposal must not occur on the site unless the holder of this environmental authority has submitted to the administering authority a waste rock and spoil management plan, together with the certification by an appropriately qualified person that the plan and waste rock dump management strategy meets the requirements of this environmental authority, and is designed to minimise the risk of contaminants being released to the receiving environment.
- E20
The waste rock and spoil management plan must at a minimum include: (a) Characterisation of the waste rock and spoil to predict the quality of runoff and seepage generated, including salinity, acidity, alkalinity, dissolved metals, metalloids and non-metallic inorganic substances; (b) A program of progressive sampling to validate pre-mine waste rock and spoil characterisation. The waste rock sampling program must include validation of salinity, acid and alkali producing potential and metal concentrations including aluminium, arsenic, cadmium, chromium, cobalt, copper, lead, manganese, mercury, molybdenum, nickel, selenium, thorium, uranium and zinc; (c) Where the acid rock drainage potential / neutral mine drainage potential of waste rock material has not been conclusively determined, geochemical kinetic testing must be conducted to indicate oxidation rates, potential reaction products and effectiveness of control strategies; (d) Records must be maintained of all waste rock characterisation and disposal including contingency planning for the management of acid rock / neutral mine drainage; Permit Environmental Authority (e) A materials balance and disposal plan demonstrating how waste rock will be selectively placed and/or encapsulated to minimise the generation of contaminants (including salts, acidic solutions, alkaline solutions, and metalliferous solutions); (f) A sampling program at an appropriate statistical frequency to verify encapsulation and/or placement of potentially acid forming / acid forming waste rock / waste rock that has a potential to generate contaminated drainage; (g) How often the performance of the plan will be assessed; (h) A Rehabilitation strategy which meets the rehabilitation objectives specified in Schedule C; and (i) Monitoring or rehabilitation, research and/or trials to verify the requirements and methods for decommissioning and final rehabilitation of the placed materials, including the prevention and management of contaminated drainage, erosion minimisation and establishment of vegetation cover.
- E21
The holder of this environmental authority must construct and manage any waste rock dump on site: (a) Under the supervision of appropriately qualified person(s) in regards to: (i) Engineering and Geotechnical Stability; and (ii) Geology and Geochemistry. (b) In accordance with this environmental authority and the approved waste rock and spoil management plan; and (c) to prevent any water other than incidental rainfall from entering the waste rock dump; and (d) In a manner that minimises the risk of contaminants being generated and/or release from the waste rock dump to the receiving environment.
- E22
Only waste rock that is characterised as un-reactive and/or benign material (i.e. material that does not cause acid, neutral or saline mine drainage) may be used for the construction of temporary or permanent structures within the operation areas. END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE E Permit Environmental Authority SCHEDULE F - NOISE AND VIBRATION
- F1
Noise from any mining activity must not cause environmental harm at any sensitive place or commercial place. Noise Monitoring
- F2
In the event of a complaint made to the administering authority (which is neither frivolous or vexatious) about noise generated in carrying out the licensed 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.
- F3
Ensure that noise generated by the mining activities does not cause the criteria in Schedule F - Table 1 (Noise Limits) to be exceeded. Schedule F - Table 1 (Noise Limits) Receiver Location Proposed Noise Limit at Receiver (Leq,adj,T (T = 15 minutes to 1 hour) dB(A) 9am-6pm 6pm-10pm 10pm-9am Mining Camps BG1 + 5 (41dB) BG1 + 5 (43dB) BG1 + 3 (40dB) Sensitive Receivers BG1 + 5 (40dB) BG1 + 5 (35dB) BG1 + 3 (33dB) 1 Background (BG) noise level minimum based on E3 guideline for night time and evening.
- F4
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 percentiles and T = 15 mins); (b) Background noise LA90,T; (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 LpLIN,T; 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.
- F5
The holder of this environmental authority must develop and implement a noise monitoring program to demonstrate compliance with the noise limits identified in Schedule F - Table 1 (Noise Limits).
- F6
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 environmental nuisance at any sensitive place or commercial place and the results must be provided to the administering authority within 14 days following completion of monitoring.
- F7
The method of measurement and reporting of noise levels must comply with the most recent edition of the administering authorities Noise Measurement Manual or the most recent version of AS1055 Acoustics - Description and measurement of environmental noise. Permit Environmental Authority Air Blast and Ground Vibration
- F8
The holder of this environmental authority must ensure that blasting does not cause the limits for peak particle velocity and air blast overpressure in Schedule F - Table 2 (Blasting Noise Limits) to be exceeded. Schedule F - Table 2 (Blasting Noise Limits) Blasting noise limits Sensitive or commercial place limits 6pm to 7am Air blast overpressure 7am to 6pm No Blasting 115 dB (Linear) Peak for nine (9) out of Ground vibration peak particle velocity ten (10) consecutive blasts initiated and No Blasting not greater than 120 bB (Linear) Peak at any time 5mm/second peak particle velocity for nine (9) out of ten (10) consecutive blasts and not greater than 10 mm/second peak particle velocity at any time
- F9
Where blast monitoring detects non-compliance with Schedule F - Table 2 (Blasting Noise Limits):
- F10
(a) Take steps to ensure compliance is achieved by subsequent blasts; and (b) Continue to monitor all consecutive blasts until at least three (3) successive blasts comply with Schedule F - Table 2 (Blasting Noise Limits). The method of measurement and reporting of vibration levels must comply with the most recent edition of the administering authority's guideline Noise and vibration from blasting. END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE F Permit Environmental Authority SCHEDULE W - WATER General
- J1
Treated sewage effluent is authorised to be released to land within the nominated irrigation area identified in Schedule I - Figure 7 (Sewage treatment plant and effluent disposal) and in accordance with the contaminant release limits stated in Schedule J - Table 1 (Contaminant Release Limits to Land) and the conditions of this environmental authority.
- J2
All sewage effluent released to land must be monitored at the frequency and for the parameters specified in Schedule J - Table 1 (Contaminant Release Limits to Land). Schedule J - Table 1 (Contaminant Release Limits to Land) Contaminant Unit Release limit Limit type Frequency mg/L Monthly 5 day Biochemical 20 Maximum oxygen demand mg/L Monthly (BOD) mg/L 30 Maximum Monthly Total Suspended 30 Maximum Solids Nitrogen Phosphorus mg/L 15 Maximum Monthly E coli Organisms / 100ml 1000 Maximum Monthly pH pH units 6.0 - 9.0 Range Monthly
- J3
A minimum area of (area will be determined prior to release) of land, excluding any necessary buffer zones, must be utilised for the irrigation of treated sewage effluent.
- J4
The maximum application rate for treated sewage effluent is (application rate will be determined prior to release).
- J5
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; (c) there is no run-off of effluent.
- J6
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.
- J7
Sewage effluent released to land must not cause spray drift or over spray to any odour sensitive place. Permit Environmental Authority
- J8
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 / lawfully dispose of effluent.
- J9
The weekly volume of effluent release to land must be measured and records kept of the volumes of effluent released. END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE J Permit Environmental Authority SCHEDULE H - DEFINITIONS "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 been disturbed by the mining activities. Acceptance criteria may include information regarding: - vegetation establishment, survival and succession; - vegetation productivity, sustained growth and structure development; - fauna colonisation and habitat development; - 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; - microbiological studies including recolonisation by mycorrhizal fungi, microbial biomass and respiration; - effects of various establishment treatments such as deep ripping, topsoil handling, seeding and fertiliser application on vegetation growth and development; - resilience of vegetation to disease, insect attack, drought and fire; - vegetation water use and effects on ground water levels and catchment yields. "acid rock drainage" or "acid mine drainage" means any low pH waters, contaminated as a result of the mining activities. "ambient (or total) noise" at a place, means the level of noise at the place from all sources (near and far), measured as the Leq for an appropriate time interval. "assessed" and "assessment" by a suitably qualified and experienced person in relation to a consequence 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 of the assessment: (a) exactly what has been assessed and the precise nature of that determination; (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 based using the relevant data and facts, and the relevant criteria. "authority" means environmental authority (mining activities) under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. "background" means prevailing level in a specified environment measured in the absence of impacts being studied. "certification", in connection with dam management, means assessment and approval must be undertaken by a suitably qualified and experienced person in relation to any assessment or documentation required by this manual, including design plans, `as constructed' drawings and specifications, construction, operation or an annual report regarding regulated structures, undertaken in accordance with the Board of Professional Engineers of Queensland Policy "Certification by RPEQs (ID: 1.4 (2A)). "certifying", "certify" or "certified" have a corresponding meaning as `certification' "commercial place" means a work place used as an office or for business or commercial purposes, which is not part of the mining activity and does not include employees' accommodation or public roads. "competent person" means a person with the demonstrated skill and knowledge required to carry out the task to a standard necessary for the reliance upon collected data or protection of the environment. Permit Environmental Authority "construction" or "constructed" in relation to a dam includes building a new dam and modifying or lifting an existing dam, but does not include investigations and testing necessary for the purpose of preparing a design plan. "dam" means a land-based structure or a void that contains, diverts or controls flowable substances, and includes any substances that are thereby contained, diverted or controlled by that land-based structure or void and associated works. A dam does not mean a fabricated or manufactured tank or container, designed and constructed to an Australian Standard that deals with strength and structural integrity of that tank or container. "design plan" in the context of a dam design is the documentation required under the Manunal for Assessing Consequence Categories and Hydraulic Performance of Structures to describe the physical dimensions of the dam, the materials and standards to be used for construction of the dam, the procedures and criteria to be used for operating the dam and the decommissioning and rehabilitation objectives in terms procedures, works and outcomes at the end of dam life. The documents can include design and investigation reports, drawings, specifications and certifications. "Design Storage Allowance" or "DSA" means an available volume, estimated in accordance with the Manual for Assessing Consequence Categories and Hydraulic Performance of Structures published by the Department of Environment and Resource Management, that must be provided in a dam as at 1 November each year in order to prevent a discharge from that dam to an annual exceedance probability (AEP) specified in that Manual. "emergency action plan" means documentation forming part of the operational plan held by the holder or a nominated responsible officer, that identifies emergency conditions that sets out procedures and actions that will be followed and taken by the dam owner and operating personnel in the event of an emergency. The