Data as at 14 September 2026 · from the Queensland EP Act public register
EPML00876713 · Blair Athol Coal Mine
Coal environmental authority EPML00876713 (Blair Athol Coal Mine), Granted. 130 conditions indexed. Holds PRC plan P-PRCP-100663802.
- Status
- Granted
- Holders
- ORION MINING PTY LTD
- Tenures
- ML1804
- PRC plan
- P-PRCP-100663802 · effective 2026-05-29
- How it was read
- Numbered conditions
- Register
- Register record · Instrument PDF
Conditions
130 numbered conditions read from the current instrument. Page numbers link into the register PDF.
- A1
Although this environmental authority authorises environmental harm to the extent stated in the conditions, all reasonable and practicable measures must be taken to prevent or minimise environmental harm caused by the activities.
- A2
Maintenance of measures, plant and equipment All measures, plant and equipment necessary to comply with this authority must be: (a) installed in a proper and efficient condition; (b) maintained in a proper and efficient condition; (c) operated in a proper and efficient manner; and (d) properly calibrated.
- A3
Monitoring The results and analysis of all monitoring and investigations required by this environmental authority must be: (a) kept for a period of at least five years; (b) be provided to the administering authority within a timeframe nominated by the administering authority; and (c) provided to the administering authority in the format requested.
- A4
Any records kept or created in relation to this authority must be: (a) kept for a period of at least five years; and (b) provided to the administering authority on request.
- A5
All monitoring and investigations required by this environmental authority must be undertaken by an appropriately qualified person.
- A6
Upon request from the administering authority, copies of all records, plans and other documentation required by the conditions of this environmental authority must be made available and provided to the administering authority within: (a) ten (10) business days; or (b) an alternative timeframe agreed between the administering authority and the environmental authority holder.
- A7
Risk management The holder of this environmental authority must develop and implement a risk management system for mining activities to the Standard for Risk Management (ISO31000:2009), or the latest edition of an Australian Standard for risk management, to the extent relevant to environmental management.
- A8
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; and OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine (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.
- A9
Third-party Audits The environmental authority must: (a) ensure that an appropriately qualified third party conducts and documents an audit of compliance with all conditions of the environmental authority by 15 December 2018; and (b) ensure that further audits in accordance with condition A9(a) are conducted at intervals not exceeding once every two years from completion of initial audit.
- A10
Notification of emergencies, incidents and exceptions 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.
- A11
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.
- A12
Complaints A record must be kept in a single location of all complaints received about the activities.
- A13
The record required by condition A12 must include: (a) name, address and contact number for the complainant; (b) time and date of complaint; (c) investigations undertaken; (d) conclusions formed; (e) actions taken to resolve the complaint; (f) any abatement measures implemented; and (g) person responsible for resolving the complaint.
- A14
The administering authority must be notified that a complaint has been made, within 48 hours of receiving the complaint.
- A15
When requested by the administering authority, monitoring must be undertaken to investigate any complaint arising from the activity: (a) in the manner requested by the administering authority; and (b) within a reasonable timeframe nominated by or agreed to by the administering authority.
- A16
Scope of activity This environmental authority authorises the mining of no more than 11 million tonnes of run of mine (ROM) coal per annum.
- A17
The maximum area of disturbance that must not be exceeded in carrying out the mining activity is depicted in Figure 1 - Blair Athol Mine authorised disturbance footprint. OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine Schedule B: Air Condition Condition number
- B1
Dust and particulate matter monitoring The environmental authority holder must ensure that the dust and particulate matter emissions generated by the mining activities do not cause exceedances of 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 most recent version of 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 the most recent version of either: (i) Australian Standard AS3580.9.6 Methods for sampling and analysis of ambient air- Determination of suspended particulate matter-PM10 high volume sampler with size selective inlet - Gravimetric method; or (ii) Australian Standard AS3580.9.9 Methods for sampling and analysis of ambient air- Determination of suspended particulate matter-PM10 low volume sampler-Gravimetric method. (c) A concentration of particulate matter suspended in the atmosphere of 90 micrograms per cubic metre over a 1 year averaging time, when monitored in accordance with the most recent version of AS/NZS3580.9.3:2003 Methods for sampling and analysis of ambient air- Determination of suspended particulate matter-Total suspended particulate matter (TSP)-High volume sampler gravimetric method.
- B2
Odour nuisance The release of noxious or offensive odour or any other noxious or offensive airborne contaminants resulting from the mining activities must not cause an environmental nuisance at any sensitive or commercial place.
- B3
When requested by the administering authority, odour monitoring must be undertaken within a reasonable and practicable timeframe nominated by the administering authority to investigate any complaint (which is neither frivolous nor vexatious nor based on mistaken belief in the opinion of the authorised officer) of environmental nuisance at any sensitive or commercial place, and the results must be notified within 14 days to the administering authority following completion of monitoring.
- B4
If the administering authority determines that condition B2 is not being met, then the environmental authority holder must: (a) address the complaint including the use of appropriate dispute resolution if required; and (b) immediately implement odour abatement measures so that emissions of odour from the activity do not result in further environmental nuisance. OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine Schedule C: Surface Water 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 as a result of authorised activities, 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 water to waters must only occur from the release points specified in Table C1 (Mine affected release points, Sources and Receiving Waters) and depicted in Figure X attached to this environmental authority. Table C1 (Mine affected release points, sources and receiving waters) (1) Release Point Latitude Longitude Mine affected Monitoring Receiving waters (RP) (GDA2020) (GDA2020) water source Point description and location Note: (1) There is no current authorised release point for Blair Athol Mine on ML1804.
- C3
The release of mine affected water to internal water management infrastructure installed and operated in accordance with a water management plan that complies with condition C24 is permitted.
- 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 release limits) when measured at the monitoring points specified in Table C1 (Mine affected release points, sources and receiving waters) for each quality characteristic. Table C2 (Mine affected release limits) Quality Characteristic Release limits Monitoring frequency Electrical conductivity 1000 Daily during release (the first sample (microsiemens per centimetre) must be taken within 2 hours of commencement of release) pH (pH Unit) 6.5 (minimum), 9.0 (maximum) Daily during release (the first sample must be taken within 2 hours of commencement of release) Turbidity (NTU) Current limit or limit derived from Daily during release (first sample suspended solids limit and within 2 hours of commencement of demonstrated correlation between release) turbidity to suspended solids historical monitoring data for dam water. To be provided to the administering authority following approval of a release point. Suspended Solids (mg/L) 1000 Daily during release (first sample within 2 hours of commencement of release) OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine Sulfate (mg/L) 500 Daily during release (first sample within 2 hours of commencement of release)
- 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 release points, sources and receiving waters) for each quality characteristic and at the frequency specified in Table C2 (Mine affected release limits) and Table C3 (Release contaminant trigger investigation levels). Table C3 (Release contaminant trigger investigation levels) Quality Characteristic Trigger Levels Comment on Trigger Monitoring Frequency (1), (2) Aluminium (micrograms per litre) level Arsenic Cadmium 55 For aquatic ecosystem Chromium Copper protection, based on Iron Lead SMD guideline Mercury Nickel 13 For aquatic ecosystem Zinc Boron protection, based on Cobalt Manganese SMD guideline 0.2 For aquatic ecosystem protection, based on SMD guideline 1 For aquatic ecosystem protection, based on SMD guideline 2 For aquatic ecosystem protection, based on LOR for ICPMS 300 For aquatic ecosystem protection, based on low reliability guideline 4 For aquatic ecosystem Commencement of release protection, based on and thereafter weekly SMD guideline during release 0.2 For aquatic ecosystem protection, based on LOR for CV FIMS
- C6
If quality characteristics of the release exceed any of the trigger levels specified in Table C3 (Release contaminant trigger investigation levels) 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 and; (1) where the trigger values are not exceeded then no action is to be taken. (2) where the downstream results exceed the trigger values specified Table C3 (Release contaminant trigger investigation levels) for any quality characteristic, compare the results of the downstream site to the data from background monitoring sites; (a) if the result is less than the background monitoring site data, then no action is to be taken. (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 within 90 days of receiving the result, outlining (i) details of the investigations carried out; and (ii) actions taken to prevent environmental harm. OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine Note: Where an exceedance of a trigger level has occurred and is being investigated, in accordance with C6(2)(b)(ii) 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 24 hours 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
- C3
(Release contaminant trigger investigation levels).
- C9
Notwithstanding any other condition of this environmental authority, the release of mine affected water to waters in accordance with condition C2 must only take place during periods of natural flow in accordance with the receiving water flow criteria for discharge specified in Table C4 (Mine affected water release during flow events) for the release point(s) specified in Table C1 (Mine affected release points, sources and receiving waters). Table C4 (Mine affected water release during flow events) Receiving Release Gauging Latitude Longitude Minimum Flow water recording Point station (GDA94) (GDA94) Flow in Frequency description description Receiving Continuous Bath Creek (minimum Water daily) Required for a Release Event TBA Gauging -22- 32' 147- 32' 3.6 cubic station 1 16.8'' 16.8'' metres per second
- C10
The release of mine affected water to waters in accordance with condition C2 must not exceed the Maximum Release Rate for each receiving water flow criterion for discharges specified in Table C4 (Mine affected water release during flow events) when measured at the monitoring points specified in Table C1 (Mine affected release points, sources and receiving waters).
- C11
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 release points, sources and receiving waters).
- C12
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.
- C13
Notification of release event The authority holder must notify the administering authority as soon as practicable (no later than 6 hours of having commenced releasing mine affected water to the receiving environment). Notification must include the submission of written verification 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 (f) any details (including available data) regarding likely impacts on the receiving water(s). OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine Note: Notification to the administering authority must be via an email to WaTERS.
- C14
The authority holder must notify the administering authority as soon as practicable (nominally within 24 hours after cessation of a release) of the cessation of a release notified under condition C13 and within 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 Department Interest: Water of this environmental authority (i.e. contamination limits, natural flow, discharge volume) (e) all in-situ water quality monitoring results (f) any other matters pertinent to the water release event.
- C15
Notification of release event exceedance If the release limits defined in Table C2 (Mine affected release limits) are exceeded, the holder of the environmental authority must notify the administering authority within 24 hours of receiving the results.
- C16
The authority holder must, within 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 (f) any other matters pertinent to the water release event.
- C17
Receiving Environment Monitoring and Contaminant Trigger Levels The quality of the receiving waters must be monitored at the 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). Table C7 (Receiving waters contaminant trigger levels) Quality Characteristic Trigger Level Monitoring Frequency pH 6.5 - 8.0 Electrical Conductivity 1000 Daily during the release (microsiemens per centimetre) 1000 Suspended solids (mg/L) Sulfate (mg/L) 250 Table C8 (Receiving water upstream background sites and downstream monitoring points) Monitoring point Receiving Waters Latitude Longitude Monitoring Location frequency Upstream Background Monitoring Points OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine Monitoring Point 1 Washpool Creek, -22- 40' 02.3'' 147- 31' 52.7'' Daily during release 10,700m upstream of GS1 Monitoring Point 2 Back Creek, -22- 41' 17.5'' 147- 33' 16'' Daily during release 6,600m upstream of GS 1 Monitoring Point 3 Breaker Creek -22- 41' 10.1'' 147- 30' 40.7'' Daily during release Downstream Monitoring Points Monitoring Point 4 Breaker Creek -22- 42' 53'' 147- 31' 17'' Daily during release Diversion Monitoring Point 5 Bath Creek East -22- 43' 27'' 147- 32' 53'' Daily during release Monitoring Point 6 Bath Creek Down -22- 44' 59'' 147- 32' 13'' Daily during release Stream Note: The data from background monitoring points must not be used where they are affected by releases from other mines.
- C18
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: (1) 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. (2) where the downstream results exceed the upstream results, complete an investigation in accordance with the ANZECC and ARMCANZ 2000 methodology, 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 C18(2)(ii) of this condition, no further reporting is required for subsequent trigger events for that quality characteristic.]
- C19
All determinations of water quality monitoring must be performed by an appropriately qualified person.
- C20
Receiving Environment Monitoring Program (REMP) The environmental authority holder must 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 the Bath Creek and connected or surrounding waterways within 12 kilometres 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.
- C21
A report outlining the findings of the REMP, including all monitoring results and OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine interpretations must be prepared annually. This must include an assessment of background reference water quality, the condition of downstream water quality compared with water quality objectives, and the suitability of current discharge limits to protect downstream environment values.
- C22
Water reuse Mine affected water may be piped or trucked or transferred by some other means that does not contravene the conditions of this 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).
- C23
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 the contaminants 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 with the conditions of this environmental authority (g) water quality monitoring data must be provided to the administering authority in the specified electronic format upon request.
- C24
Water Management Plan A Water Management Plan developed by an appropriately qualified person must be implemented for all stages of the mining activity.
- C25
Stormwater and water sediment controls An Erosion and Sediment Control Plan must be developed by an appropriately qualified person and implemented for all stages of the mining activities on the site to minimise erosion and the release of sediment to receiving waters and contamination of storm water.
- C26
Stormwater, other than mine affected water, is permitted to be released to waters from: (a) Erosion and sediment control structures that are installed and operated in accordance with the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan required by condition C25. (b) Water management infrastructure that is installed and operated, in accordance with a Water Management Plan that complies with condition C24, for the purpose of ensuring water does not become mine-affected water. OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine Schedule D: Acoustic Condition Condition number
- D1
Noise limits The holder of this environmental authority must ensure that noise generated by the mining activities does not cause an environmental nuisance at any sensitive place or commercial place.
- D2
When requested by the administering authority, noise monitoring must be undertaken within a reasonable and practicable timeframe nominated by the administering authority to investigate any complaint (which is neither frivolous nor vexatious nor based on mistaken belief in the opinion of the authorised officer) of environmental nuisance at any sensitive place, and the results must be notified within 14 business days to the administering authority following completion of monitoring.
- D3
If monitoring indicates exceedance of the noise limits in Table D1 - Noise limits, then the environmental authority holder must: (a) address the complaint including the use of appropriate dispute resolution if required; or (b) immediately implement noise abatement measures so that noise from the activity does not result in further environmental nuisance.
- D4
If monitoring indicates that noise from the mining activity is causing an environmental nuisance, then the environmental authority holder must: (a) address the complaint including the use of appropriate dispute resolution if required (b) immediately implement noise abatement measures so that emissions of noise from the activity do not result in further environmental nuisance.
- D5
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 D2 - Blasting noise limits to be exceeded at any sensitive place or commercial place.
- D6
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 (d) penalties to statistical levels (e) atmospheric conditions including temperature, relative humidity and wind speed and directions (f) effects due to any extraneous factors such as traffic noise (g) location, date and time of monitoring (h) 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. OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine Table D1 (Noise limits) Sensitive place Noise level Monday to Saturday Sundays and public holidays dB(A) measured 7am to 6pm 6pm to 10pm 10pm to 7am 9am to 6pm 6pm to 10pm 10pm to 9am as: LAeq, adj, 15 CV = 50 CV = 45 CV = 40 CV = 45 CV = 40 CV = 35 AV = 5 AV = 0 AV = 5 AV = 5 AV = 0 mins AV = 5 LA1, adj, CV = 55 CV =50 CV = 45 CV = 50 CV = 45 CV = 40 15mins AV = 10 AV = 10 AV= 5 AV = 10 AV = 10 AV = 5 Commercial place Noise level Monday to Saturday Sundays and public holidays dB(A) measured 7am to 6pm 6pm to 10pm 10pm to 7am 7am to 6pm 6pm to 10pm 10pm to 7am as: LAeq, adj, 15 CV = 55 CV = 50 CV = 45 CV = 50 CV = 45 CV = 40 AV = 10 AV = 5 AV = 10 AV = 10 AV = 5 mins AV = 10 Notes: (1) CV = Critical Value (2) AV = Adjustment Value (3) To calculate noise limits in Table D1: a. If bg (CV - AV): b. Noise limit = bg + AV c. If (CV - AV) /-- LESS THAN --/ bg CV: d. Noise limit = CV If bg /-- GREATER THAN --/ CV: e. Noise limit = bg + 0 (4) 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
- E1
All general and regulated waste must only be removed and transported from site by a person who has the authority to transport such wastes to a facility that is lawfully able to accept the waste under the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
- E2
Storage of tyres Tyres stored awaiting disposal or transport for take-back and, recycling, or waste to- energy options, should be stockpiled in volumes less than 3 metres in height and 200 square metres in area and at least 10 metres from any other tyre storage area.
- E3
All reasonable and practicable fire prevention measures must be implemented, including removal of grass and other materials within a ten (10) metre radius of the scrap tyre storage area.
- E4
Disposal of tyres and conveyor belts Disposing of scrap tyres and conveyor belts resulting from the mining activities in spoil emplacements is acceptable, provided they are placed as deep in the spoil as reasonably practicable.
- E5
Scrap tyres resulting from the mining activities disposed within the operational land must not impede saturated aquifers or compromise the stability of the consolidated landform.
- E6
The location of tyre burial sites must be recorded.
- E7
Burning Waste Unless otherwise permitted by the conditions of this environmental authority or with prior approval from the administering authority and in accordance with a relevant standard operating procedure, waste must not be burnt.
- E8
The holder of this environmental authority may burn vegetation in accordance with the plan of operations, provided the activity does not cause environmental harm at any sensitive or commercial place.
- E9
Mine waste and rejects management Waste products generated on or after the 30 August 2017 from the washing of coal must be disposed of within mining voids and covered with spoil to a depth of at least 5m.
- E10
A Waste Rock, Spoil and Rejects Disposal Plan must be implemented and include, where relevant, at least: (a) effective characterisation of the waste rock, spoil and rejects to predict under the proposed placement and disposal strategy the quality of runoff and seepage generated concerning potentially environmentally significant effects including salinity, acidity, alkalinity and dissolved metals, metalloids and non-metallic inorganic substances; (b) a program of progressive sampling and characterisation to identify dispersive and non- dispersive spoil and the salinity, acid and alkali producing potential and metal concentrations of waste rock, spoil and rejects; (c) a materials balance and disposal plan demonstrating how potentially acid forming and acid forming waste rock, spoil and rejects will be selectively placed and/or encapsulated to minimise the potential generation of acid mine drainage; (d) where relevant, a sampling program to verify encapsulation and/or placement of potentially acid- forming and acid-forming waste rock, spoil and rejects; (e) how often the performance of the plan will be assessed; (f) the indicators or other criteria on which the performance of the plan will be assessed; OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine (g) a rehabilitation strategy; and (h) 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 acid mine drainage, erosion minimisation and establishment of vegetation cover.
- E11
The Waste Rock, Spoil and Rejects Disposal Plan developed by an appropriately qualified person must be implemented for all mining activities and reviewed and updated by 30 June every two (2) years.
- E12
Tailings dewatering cells must be designed and constructed to ensure that any runoff or seepage is contained within the mine water management system. OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine Schedule F: Land Condition Condition number
- F1
Cover Material The topsoil requirements for rehabilitation of the mine and the availability of suitable topsoil on site must be detailed in a Rehabilitation Management Plan.
- F2
Where a surrogate material (growth media) is proposed to be used for rehabilitation either in combination with, or instead of, topsoil, it must be demonstrated as being suitable for rehabilitation at the completion of rehabilitation trials.
- F3
A description of the rehabilitation trials and monitoring results must be included in the Rehabilitation Management Plan.
- F4
Rehabilitation landform criteria Unless otherwise permitted under the conditions of this environmental authority, all areas significantly disturbed by mining activities must be rehabilitated in accordance with Table F1 - Rehabilitation Requirements and as detailed in the Rehabilitation Management Plan described in condition F9. The final landform design is depicted in Figure 2. Table F1 (Rehabilitation Requirements) Post Mining Mine Goal Objective Indicator Acceptance criteria Land Use domain Grazing All areas Safe for Safety hazards in Hazard No significant difference disturbed humans rehabilitation are not assessment by mining and wildlife significantly different activities to surrounding unmined land subject to the same land use Stable Rehabilitation is Factor of 1.5 geotechnically stable safety Rehabilitation is Erosion No gully erosion erosionally stable Slope Rehabilitated landform: gradient <15% Ramp 3: <30% Groundcover >50% Non- Rainfall runoff from pH Not significantly different to polluting rehabilitation EC upstream values achieves water Turbidity quality objectives for receiving waters OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine Deep drainage from EC Not significantly different to: rehabilitation achieves relevant (a) the EPP (Water) water quality schedule documents objectives for water quality objectives groundwater for relevant groundwater chemistry zones; or (b) local water quality objectives developed in accordance with the Queensland Water Quality Guidelines Able to Rehabilitation is Land Land suitability class 3 or
- F5
Successfully rehabilitated land must have no active gully erosion. Erosion must be assessed by annual documented inspections. Gully dimensions must be quantitatively assessed for a minimum of two years both containing a minimum of two rainfall events of more than 25 millimetres in less than three hours.
- F6
Rehabilitation activities Progressive rehabilitation of land disturbed by resource activities must be rehabilitated in accordance with Table F1 - Rehabilitation Requirements and must commence within 2 years of when areas become available within the operational land.
- F7
The environmental authority holder must provide written notification to the administering authority that details how the progressive rehabilitation has been completed with each annual return.
- F8
Rehabilitation Management Plan A Rehabilitation Management Plan developed by an appropriately qualified person must be implemented for all mining activities and reviewed and updated by 30 June every two (2) years.
- F9
At a minimum, the Rehabilitation Management Plan must include: (a) map existing areas of rehabilitation including classification of stage (i.e. time since establishment) and quality; (b) a strategy for progressive rehabilitation; (c) detail the design objectives for rehabilitation of each domain to achieve rehabilitation success criteria and the identified post mining land uses; (d) specify spoil characteristics, soil analysis, soil separation for use on rehabilitation; (e) specify the topsoil requirements for the site and provide details of how topsoil will be managed for use in rehabilitation; (f) detail any topsoil deficit and how any deficit will be managed for successful rehabilitation, including, if applicable, the proposal of surrogate growth media; (g) detail rehabilitation methods applied to areas; (h) detail landform design including end of mine design; (i) detail how landform design will be consistent with surrounding topography; (j) identify and detail planned native vegetation rehabilitation areas and corridors; (k) identify at least a minimum of three (3) reference sites for use in rehabilitation monitoring; (l) describe rehabilitation indicators and how these will be monitored; (m) describe management actions to address unsuccessful rehabilitation or redesign; and (n) describe end of mine landform design planning and post mining land uses across the mine; and include a triple bottom line assessment (or a comparative alternative assessment method) of the proposed final landform design criteria and alternatives.
- F10
Exchange Sodium Percentage Coal washery wastes and spoil with exchangeable sodium percentage (ESP) >30 percent must be covered with a minimum of one metre of benign material (i.e. with ESP <15 percent) prior to rehabilitation commencing. OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine
- F11
Closure Management Plan A Closure Management Plan developed by an appropriately qualified person must be implemented for all mining activities and reviewed and updated by 30 June every two (2) years.
- F12
At a minimum, the Closure Management Plan must include: (a) final landform design demonstrating rehabilitation requirements; (b) a schedule of rehabilitation that is integrated with the mine plan and identifies how rehabilitation will be completed progressively throughout the life of the mine; (c) the operation, monitoring and maintenance details of the following: (i) spontaneous combustion; (ii) wastewater collection and reticulation systems; (iii) wastewater treatment systems; (iv) groundwater quality monitoring network; (v) surface water quality; (vi) groundwater quality; (vii) seepage rates; (viii) erosion rates; (ix) integrity and stability of slopes, ramps and voids; and (x) the health and resilience of vegetation cover. (d) schematic representations of the proposed final landform including, landform type, slope, regional ecosystems, drainage designs and any post mining land or infrastructure use agreed with the landowner/holder and the administering authority; (e) details of the progressive rehabilitation program designed to demonstrate the trajectory of rehabilitated areas towards rehabilitation requirements; and (f) detail outlining potential residual risk with proposed strategies to reduce or manage these risks.
- F13
Residual void outcome 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.
- F14
Residual void design Residual voids must comply with the design criteria specified in Table F1 - Rehabilitation Requirements and as detailed in the Residual Void Management Plan described in condition F16.
- F15
Residual Void Management Plan A Residual Void Management Plan developed by an appropriately qualified person must be implemented for all mining activities and reviewed and updated by 30 June every two (2) years.
- F16
At a minimum, the Residual Void Management Plan must include: (a) options available for minimising final void area and volume; (b) design objectives for rehabilitation of final voids; (c) void hydrology, addressing the long-term water balance in the voids, connections to groundwater resources and water quality parameters in the long term; (d) pit wall stability, considering the effects of long-term erosion and weathering of the pit wall and the effects of significant hydrological events; (e) options available for minimising risk of flood interaction for all flood events up to and including the Probable Maximum Flood level; (f) void capability to support native flora and fauna; and OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine (g) void rehabilitation success criteria and final void areas and volumes to meet the outcomes defined in the Rehabilitation Management Plan described in condition F9.
- F17
Acid rock drainage and leachate management Subject to the release limits defined in Table C2 - Mine affected release limits, all reasonable and practicable measures must be implemented to prevent hazardous leachate being directly or indirectly released or likely to be released as a result of the activity to any groundwater or watercourse. OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine Schedule G: Regulated structures Condition Condition 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 Manual for assessing consequence categories and (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; and (c) have the floor and sides of the dam 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: OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine (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.
- 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 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 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 paper copy and 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 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.
- 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 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 EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine
- G19
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 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
- G26
The holder must within 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 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 conditions G11 and G12 has been achieved.
- 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. OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine
- 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 within 6 months of amendment of the authority adopting this schedule.
- 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 6 months of amendment of the authority adopting this schedule. OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine Table G1 (Transitional hydraulic performance requirements for existing structures) Transition period for existing structures to achieve the requirements of the Manual for Assessing Consequence Categories and Hydraulic Performance of Dams Compliance with criteria High consequence Significant consequence Low consequence >90 percent and a No transition required No transition required No transitional conditions history of good apply. Review compliance performance consequence in last 5 years assessment every 7 years. >70 percent - <90 Within 7 years, unless Within 10 years, unless No transitional conditions percent otherwise agreed with otherwise agreed with apply. Review the administering 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 percent Within 5 years unless Within 7 years unless Review consequence otherwise agreed with otherwise agreed with assessment every 7 the administering the administering years. authority, based on no authority, based on no history of unauthorised history of unauthorised releases. releases. <50 percent Within 5 years or as per Within 5 years or as per Review consequence compliance requirements compliance requirements assessment every 5 (e.g. TEP timing) (e.g. TEP timing). years. Regulated levee Within 5 years unless otherwise agreed with the administering authority designed to prevent the ingress of clean flood water <100 percent compliant Note: Levees designed for the diversion of contaminated waters or protection of the structural integrity of a dam is not to be considered as part of this provision. These levees are considered a key design element of the relevant dam and transitional periods should as such align to that relevant compliance criteria and consequence category. OFFICIAL Permit
- H1
All effluent released from the sewage treatment plant must be evaporated in an impervious pond.
- H2
Dried sewage sludge must be buried within spoil emplacements; records of the disposal volumes and locations must be kept.
- H3
The Sewage Treatment Management Plan must be implemented for all mining activities and reviewed and updated by 30 June every two (2) years. OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine Schedule I: Groundwater Condition Condition number
- I1
The holder of this environmental authority must not release contaminants to groundwater. A groundwater monitoring program to monitor water quality and standing water level in any aquifers
- I2
likely to be impacted by mining activities must be implemented for all mining activities and reviewed and updated by 30 June every two (2) years. Groundwater monitoring Groundwater must be monitored: (a) at the locations and frequencies identified in Table I1 (Groundwater monitoring locations and frequency); and
- I3
(b) for the quality characteristics specified in Table I2 (Groundwater quality trigger thresholds) and (c) for the standing water levels stated in Table I3 (Groundwater standing water level trigger thresholds). All groundwater sampling and monitoring methods must be in accordance with the latest version of
- I4
the administering authority's `Monitoring and Sampling Manual 2018: Environmental Protection (Water) Policy 2009' unless otherwise approved by the administering authority. Groundwater quality
- I5
Results of monitoring of groundwater quality from compliance bores identified in Table I1 (Groundwater monitoring locations and frequency) must not exceed any of the limits defined in Table I2 (Groundwater quality trigger thresholds) on more than three (3) consecutive monitoring occasions. Bore construction, maintenance and decommissioning
- I9
The construction, maintenance and management of groundwater bores (including groundwater monitoring bores) must be undertaken in a manner that prevents or minimizes impacts to the environment and ensures the integrity of the bores to obtain accurate monitoring. Transitional arrangements By 30 June 2026, the environmental authority holder must: (a) prepare a hydrogeological numerical groundwater model in accordance with the most recent
- I10
version of the `Australian Groundwater Modelling Guidelines' (2012); and (b) submit a report to the administering authority proposing groundwater level trigger thresholds, derived from the results of the groundwater model, to populate Table I3 (Groundwater standing water level trigger thresholds). OFFICIAL Permit Environmental authority EPML00876713 Blair Athol Coal Mine Table I1 (Groundwater monitoring locations and frequency) Monitoring Location (GDA2020) Hydrogeological Surface RL Monitoring point Unit (mAHD) frequency Latitude Longitude Quarterly Reference bore- Quarterly GW04B -22.69090 147.55675 Permian 314 conglomerate Compliance bores BA Station -22.67855 147.55946 Tertiary Basalt 324 (Mayes Bore) Curtis Windmill -22.66615 147.56694 Tertiary Basalt 325 Quarterly Notes: [1] Monitoring is not required where a bore has been removed as a direct result of the mining activity. [2] RL must be measured to the nearest 5cm from the top of the bore casing. [3] Reference sites must: (a) have a similar flow regime (b) be from the same bio-geographic and climatic region (c) have similar geology, soil types and topography (d) not be so close to the test sites that any disturbance at the test site also results in a change at the reference site. Table I2 (Groundwater quality trigger thresholds) Parameter Units Trigger value Trigger type EC Curtis Windmill BA Station pH Sulfate -S/cm 883 631 Bore specific Metals (dissolved) Aluminium pH units 6.5-8.5 6.5-8.5 WQO* Arsenic Boron mg/L 19 24 Bore specific Cadmium Chromium mg/L 0.055 0.055 ANZG Copper mg/L 0.013 0.027 ANZG and bore specific mg/L 0.94 0.94 ANZG mg/L 0.0002 0.0002 ANZG