EPVX00136413 · BHP COAL PTY LTD

The operational area of the drill must not exceed 1000m’. (Bi-4) Drill holes are limited to less than 250mm in diameter.

The construction of sumps must not exceed 10m*. {B1-6} Topsoil stripping must be limited to aump area. (Bi-7) The environmental authority holder must minimise disturbance and no clearing of mature trees js authorised, seismic Lines

This environmental authority authorises 7 seismic exploration lines to traverse sections of the Endangered Regional Ecosystem buffer zone of EPC 889 in accordance with the submitted version of the "EPC&89 HUMBOLDT SUMMARY MAP’. —_— ecoaccess Erinimenial finenoes. end penits Permit : Permit number: MIN200669408

Seismic traverses conducted in accordance with condition B2-7 must be conducted in a manner that minimises disturbance and no clearing of malure trees is authorised. Tracks

Existing acess and fence line tracks must be used. New tracks may only be constructed with EPA Approval.

Constructed tracks must be less than 5m in width,

Track construction involving blade clearing of established ground cover vegetation and/or clearing of mature trees is to be minimised. (B2-4} All new tracks are lo be recorded with GPS and records kept of their location and made available to the adminisiaring authority on request, (B2-5} Ail tracks, including Water course crossings, must be commissioned and coerated in accordance with the Code of Practice for Native Forest Timber Production, Other Land Disturbance (B3-1} Activities musi iotinclude costeaning oar bulk sampling. (B3-2} All equipment such as. earthmoving and drilling equipment must be used in a manner which prevents the spread of weeds, minimises unnecessary disturbance of tapsoil.and ground cover vegetation. (B3-3} Prior to entering the Endangered Regional Ecosystem buffer zone all vehicles, machinery and equipment must ba washed down in accordance with the latest Department of Natural Resources and Water (NRVV) Queensland checklist for clean down procedures.

Campsites must not be established within the Endangered Regional Ecosystem buffer zone.

All waste must be removed and disposed offsite.

Burning of vegetation is not permilled.,

sediment controls Barriers installed on the tenure should be made of non-organic material to prevent the spread of weeds, Rehabilitation & Reporting

Rehabilitation of areas disturbed within the Endangered Regional Ecosystem buffer zone must be completed as soon as practicable but no longer than 3 months after completion of the disturbance activity. (B4-2} The environmental authority holder must revegetate disturbed areas of the Endangered Regional Ecosystem buffer zone with native plant species endemic to the area that will promote the same vegetation type and density of caver to that of the surrounding undisturbed areas in the Endangered Regional Ecosystem buffer zone. Fage 3 of 6 Environmental Protection Agency we ecoaccess ecvlonmenial licences are permits Permit Permit number: MIN200669408 (B4-3} An annual report must be prepared each year and submitted with each annual return. The report must include details of exploration activities undertaken and details of progressive rehabilitation works completed to demonstrate compliance with (B4 -1) and (B4-2). END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE B Schedule C —- Definitions “authority” means environmental authority (mining activities) under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. “campsite” - The area encompassing any dwelling, amenities fe.9 toilet block, power generator), sewage or general waste disposal facility and includes the office area and vehicle parking areas associated with a temporary or permanent mining camp. “eostesning” - The @igging of a french or pit across the seam or ore body for exoosing, sampling anc mappin cH the ore boay, “density of cover” - In reference to trees and/or shrubs, it means the number of trees or shrubs ina specified area (e.g. SO trees per square kilometre). Wilh reference to understorey plant species (e.g. grasses and forbs), il means lhe percentage of surface area covered by & particular species. “disturbed” - Any area that has had ite natural state altered by the action ar interfarance of carrying out an activity associated with Ine exploration project. “environmental authority” - Means a licence or approval issued by the administrating authority under the Environmertal Protection Act 1994. “environmental authority holder” means the holder of this environmental authority, “environmentally Sensitive Areas” refers to locations, however large or small, that have environmental values that contribute to maintaining biological diversity and integrity, have intrinsic or attributed scientific, historical or cultural heritage value, or are important in providing amenity, harmony or sense of community. Refer ta Appendix A of Code of Environmental Compliance for Exploration and Mineral Develooment Projects. “tinancial assurance” - Means a security deposit, either cash or a bank guarantee, that is held by the administrating authority to cover the potential: (3) costs to rehabilitate areas disturbed by mining activities; and (b) costs to restore property improvernents disturbed by mining activities: and (¢} failure of the tenure holder to pay rents and royalties. “general waste” - Schedule 9 of the Environmental Protection Regulation 1999 defines general wasle as “neans waste other than regulated waste", Waste rock, overburden and the contents of failings dams are nat included in the definitian of general waste for the purposes of these conditions. “native vegetation” - Vegetation that occurs naturally in a certain area. “progressive rehabilitation” means rehabilitation (defined below) undertaken progressively or a staged approach to rehabilitation as mining operations are ongoing. “rehabilitation processes” - The measures and actions taken ta achieve rehabilitation outcomes. including any or all of the following: - femoving all unwanted infrastructure: - backfilling mine excavations (e.g. pits) and capping drill holes: - feshaping the land surface to a stable landform similar to that of Surrounding - undisturbed areas: - spreading of topsoil: ‘ - spreading seed or planting seerilings ta promote revegetation; - benching ridge cuts and removing any overhanging material. ¥ ng ff Page 4 af 5 Environmental Protectlan Agency ecoaccess SVTvipantecriich! ceric: geried Lee ers Permit Permit number: MIN200669408 “significantly disturbed land” - Land is significantly dislurbed if— {a} itis contarninated land; or (b) it has been disturbed and human intervention is needed to rehabilitate it. Significantly disturbed land includes: - areas where soil has been compacted, removed, covered, exposed or stockpiled: - areas where vegetation has been removed or destroyed to an extent where the land has been made susceptible to erosion; (vegetation & topsoil} - areas where land use suitability or capability has been diminished; - areas within a watercourse, waterway, wetland or lake where mining project activities occur; - areas submerged by tailings or hazardous contaminant storage and dam walls in all cases: - areas under temporary infrastructure. Temporary infrastructure includes any infrastructure (roads, tracks, bridges, culverts, dams, bores, buildings, fixed machinery, fardstand areas, airstrips, nelipads etc) which is to be removed after mining has ceased; or - areas where bend has been contaminated. However, the following areas are not ineluced: - areas off lease (e.g. roads or tracks which provide access to the mining lease}, areas previously significantly disturbed which have achieved the rehabilitation outcomes; by agreement with the EPA, areas previously significantly disturbed which have not achieved the rehabilitation objectives due to circumsiances beyand the contral ofthe mine operator (such as climatic conditions): - agreas under permanent infrastructure. Permanent infrastructure includes any infrasiructure (roads, tracks, bridges, culverts, dams, bores, buildings, fixed machinery, hardstand areas, airstrips, helipacds etc} which is to be left by agreement with the tandowner, The agreement lo leave permanent infrastructure must be , - recorded in the Landowner Agreement and lodged with the EPA; - disturbances that pre

Notice of decision - Permit’ transfer or amendment This notice is issued by the Environmental Protection Agency to advise of a statutory decision mace under environmental or conservation legisiation for an application to transfer or amend a permit. BHP Coal Ply Ltd Level 23, RIPARIAN PLAZA f1 EAGLE STREET BRISBANE QLD 4000 Our reference: 210950 Dear Sir/Madam Re: Decision made in relation te your application under lagislation administered by the nvironmental Protection Agency (EPA). The EPA has assessed your application received on 13-DEC-2007 relating to EPC889 and wishes to advise vou of the following decision: Permit Anplied For Permit Number Decision Environmental Authority (Exploration or Mineral Granted Development) Non Code Compliant Level 2 Mining Project under Environmental Protection Act 1994 Where the application has been granted, the permit has been re-issued and is attached. Where the application has been refused a Statement of Reasons Is attached. Please note that for each approval, this Notice of Decision and the relevant attachments constitute the new permit documentation. Please retain this approval documentation for your records. Please be aware that the granting of this amendment application initiates the requirement for the lodgement of a revised financial assurance amount, The required amount of financial assurance required to be lodged for EA MIN200669408 is $40,000.00 according to Guideline 17: Financial Assurance for Mining Activities. If you require more information, please contact Tim Southwell, the Project Manager, on the telephone number listed below, 'Permil includes keences, approvals, permits, autnorisatlons, certificatas, sanctions or eguivalentsimliiar as required by legislation administered by the Enviranmental Protection Agency and the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service . Queensland Government LAS >° Enviranmental Peorection Aupency Queensland Parks and Wildilir Servlee Environmental Protection Agency wuw.eRa.qid.qov.aul AUN BE" LE TRG Pace (or >

Yours sincerely — ? _ | Enquiries: Michael Rodgerson Central West District Office (EPA) Emerald PO Box 906 Enviranmental Protection Agency EMERALD QLD 4720 Date: 4 /2z fey Phone: (07) 4982 4555 Fax: (OF) 4982 2468 oa aygtiact

re aS Permit $258 Environmental Protection Act 1994 Environmental Authority (Exploration) Non-Code Compliant Level 2 Mining Project Fermit number: MIN200669408 This eavicanmnertal aulhoriiy is granted under the Environmental Protection Act 7994 and includes conditions to minimise environmental harm caused, or likely to be caused, by the authorised mining aclivities. 4n environmental authority (rng activilies! may befor mining activities authorised furider ihe Mineral Nesaurces Act 1989) ta occur under one of the follwing mining tenements: a oraspecting penmil: mining claim: exploration permit: mineral development licence, or rnin iaase. fn general, a inining aclivily means: prospecting, exploring, mining, or srocessing minerals; remediation, pahabiliiation: and includes daciifation and supporting activities and anv action taken to prevent environmental harm Under the provisions of the Envronmental Protection Act 1994 this envircnmentai authority is issued to: Permit Holder(s) [Name | Name s(Adidress Principal Holder BHP Coal Pty Ltd GPO Box 1389 BRISBANE OLB 400 Level 23 Riparian Plaza 71 Eagle St | BRISBANE QLD 4000 Activity(s) an / — fneationts) Exploration — _ EPC88S wa This Environmental Authority takes effect from: 4 February 2008. The Environmental Authority is subject to the attached conditions of approval. Michael Rodgerso Delegate of the Administering Authority Environmental Protection Act 1994 4 February 2008 ¥ Environmental Protection Agency MI *) Envimermental Protection Agere WWMLEDa.gIcLgov.auU ABM Ay 220 15H THE (ueerslans Parks and Wildlife Service

ecoaccess environmental! licences sind pants Permit Permit number: MIN200669408 Schedule of conditions Schedule A — General (Al-1) For exploration activities [he environmental authority holder must comply with each of the standard environmental conditions contsined in the Code of Environmental Compliance for Exploration and Mineral Development Projects, except Condition 13, which is replaced by Schedule B conditions. (A1-2) The conditions of this anviranmental authority are in force until surrender of the authority is accepted pursuant to the Envirorvnental Proiection Act 7994. The conditions apply unless an amendment js approved pursuant to the Environmental Protection Act 1994. {47-3} Hf there is any inconsistency between a standard environmental condition referred and an additional condition in this environmental authority, the additional condition prevails to the extent of ary inconsistency, END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE A Schedule B — Disturbance to Category B A Environmentally Sensitive Areas Drill sites (B1-1} This environmental authority authorises the construction of 6 drill holes within (he Endangered Regional Ecosystem buffer zone of EPC 889 in accordance with the submitlad version of the ‘EPC889 HUMBOLDT SUMMARY MAP". (Bl-2} Drill holes constructed in accordance with condition B1-1 must be constructed in existing disturbed areas of the Endangered Regional Ecosystem buffer zone. (B1-3) The operational area of the drill must not exceed 1000m’. (Bi-4) Drill holes are limited to less than 250mm in diameter. (B1-5) The construction of sumps must not exceed 10m*. {B1-6} Topsoil stripping must be limited to aump area. (Bi-7) The environmental authority holder must minimise disturbance and no clearing of mature trees js authorised, seismic Lines (B2-1) This environmental authority authorises 7 seismic exploration lines to traverse sections of the Endangered Regional Ecosystem buffer zone of EPC 889 in accordance with the submitted version of the "EPC&89 HUMBOLDT SUMMARY MAP’. —_—

ecoaccess Erinimenial finenoes. end penits Permit : Permit number: MIN200669408 (B2-2) Seismic traverses conducted in accordance with condition B2-7 must be conducted in a manner that minimises disturbance and no clearing of malure trees is authorised. Tracks (B2-1) Existing acess and fence line tracks must be used. New tracks may only be constructed with EPA Approval. (B2-2) Constructed tracks must be less than 5m in width, (B2-3) Track construction involving blade clearing of established ground cover vegetation and/or clearing of mature trees is to be minimised. (B2-4} All new tracks are lo be recorded with GPS and records kept of their location and made available to the adminisiaring authority on request, (B2-5} Ail tracks, including Water course crossings, must be commissioned and coerated in accordance with the Code of Practice for Native Forest Timber Production, Other Land Disturbance (B3-1} Activities musi iotinclude costeaning oar bulk sampling. (B3-2} All equipment such as. earthmoving and drilling equipment must be used in a manner which prevents the spread of weeds, minimises unnecessary disturbance of tapsoil.and ground cover vegetation. (B3-3} Prior to entering the Endangered Regional Ecosystem buffer zone all vehicles, machinery and equipment must ba washed down in accordance with the latest Department of Natural Resources and Water (NRVV) Queensland checklist for clean down procedures. (B3-4) Campsites must not be established within the Endangered Regional Ecosystem buffer zone. (B3-5) All waste must be removed and disposed offsite. (B3-6) Burning of vegetation is not permilled., (B3-7) sediment controls Barriers installed on the tenure should be made of non-organic material to prevent the spread of weeds, Rehabilitation & Reporting (B41) Rehabilitation of areas disturbed within the Endangered Regional Ecosystem buffer zone must be completed as soon as practicable but no longer than 3 months after completion of the disturbance activity. (B4-2} The environmental authority holder must revegetate disturbed areas of the Endangered Regional Ecosystem buffer zone with native plant species endemic to the area that will promote the same vegetation type and density of caver to that of the surrounding undisturbed areas in the Endangered Regional Ecosystem buffer zone. Fage 3 of 6 Environmental Protection Agency we

ecoaccess ecvlonmenial licences are permits Permit Permit number: MIN200669408 (B4-3} An annual report must be prepared each year and submitted with each annual return. The report must include details of exploration activities undertaken and details of progressive rehabilitation works completed to demonstrate compliance with (B4 -1) and (B4-2). END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE B Schedule C —- Definitions “authority” means environmental authority (mining activities) under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. “campsite” - The area encompassing any dwelling, amenities fe.9 toilet block, power generator), sewage or general waste disposal facility and includes the office area and vehicle parking areas associated with a temporary or permanent mining camp. “eostesning” - The @igging of a french or pit across the seam or ore body for exoosing, sampling anc mappin cH the ore boay, “density of cover” - In reference to trees and/or shrubs, it means the number of trees or shrubs ina specified area (e.g. SO trees per square kilometre). Wilh reference to understorey plant species (e.g. grasses and forbs), il means lhe percentage of surface area covered by & particular species. “disturbed” - Any area that has had ite natural state altered by the action ar interfarance of carrying out an activity associated with Ine exploration project. “environmental authority” - Means a licence or approval issued by the administrating authority under the Environmertal Protection Act 1994. “environmental authority holder” means the holder of this environmental authority, “environmentally Sensitive Areas” refers to locations, however large or small, that have environmental values that contribute to maintaining biological diversity and integrity, have intrinsic or attributed scientific, historical or cultural heritage value, or are important in providing amenity, harmony or sense of community. Refer ta Appendix A of Code of Environmental Compliance for Exploration and Mineral Develooment Projects. “tinancial assurance” - Means a security deposit, either cash or a bank guarantee, that is held by the administrating authority to cover the potential: (3) costs to rehabilitate areas disturbed by mining activities; and (b) costs to restore property improvernents disturbed by mining activities: and (¢} failure of the tenure holder to pay rents and royalties. “general waste” - Schedule 9 of the Environmental Protection Regulation 1999 defines general wasle as “neans waste other than regulated waste", Waste rock, overburden and the contents of failings dams are nat included in the definitian of general waste for the purposes of these conditions. “native vegetation” - Vegetation that occurs naturally in a certain area. “progressive rehabilitation” means rehabilitation (defined below) undertaken progressively or a staged approach to rehabilitation as mining operations are ongoing. “rehabilitation processes” - The measures and actions taken ta achieve rehabilitation outcomes. including any or all of the following: - femoving all unwanted infrastructure: - backfilling mine excavations (e.g. pits) and capping drill holes: - feshaping the land surface to a stable landform similar to that of Surrounding - undisturbed areas: - spreading of topsoil: ‘ - spreading seed or planting seerilings ta promote revegetation; - benching ridge cuts and removing any overhanging material. ¥ ng ff Page 4 af 5 Environmental Protectlan Agency

ecoaccess SVTvipantecriich! ceric: geried Lee ers Permit Permit number: MIN200669408 “significantly disturbed land” - Land is significantly dislurbed if— {a} itis contarninated land; or (b) it has been disturbed and human intervention is needed to rehabilitate it. Significantly disturbed land includes: - areas where soil has been compacted, removed, covered, exposed or stockpiled: - areas where vegetation has been removed or destroyed to an extent where the land has been made susceptible to erosion; (vegetation & topsoil} - areas where land use suitability or capability has been diminished; - areas within a watercourse, waterway, wetland or lake where mining project activities occur; - areas submerged by tailings or hazardous contaminant storage and dam walls in all cases: - areas under temporary infrastructure. Temporary infrastructure includes any infrastructure (roads, tracks, bridges, culverts, dams, bores, buildings, fixed machinery, fardstand areas, airstrips, nelipads etc) which is to be removed after mining has ceased; or - areas where bend has been contaminated. However, the following areas are not ineluced: - areas off lease (e.g. roads or tracks which provide access to the mining lease}, areas previously significantly disturbed which have achieved the rehabilitation outcomes; by agreement with the EPA, areas previously significantly disturbed which have not achieved the rehabilitation objectives due to circumsiances beyand the contral ofthe mine operator (such as climatic conditions): - agreas under permanent infrastructure. Permanent infrastructure includes any infrasiructure (roads, tracks, bridges, culverts, dams, bores, buildings, fixed machinery, hardstand areas, airstrips, helipacds etc} which is to be left by agreement with the tandowner, The agreement lo leave permanent infrastructure must be , - recorded in the Landowner Agreement and lodged with the EPA; - disturbances that pre-existed the grant of the tenure unless those areas are disturbed during the term of the tenure. “standard environmental conditions” - For an environmental authority, means the standard enviranmental conditions approved for the authority under section 549 of the Gawrenmental Protection Aci 7994, ‘watercourse’ - Means a river, creek or stream in which water flows permanently or intermittently in a visibly defined channel (natural, artificial or artificially improved) with; (a) continuous bed and banks; (b) an extended period of flow for some months after rain ceases, and (c) an adequacy of flow thal sustains basic ecological processes and maintains biodiversity END OF CONDITIONS a] = ee ee ee ee ee Page >of 5 Environmental Protection Agancy