Muswellbrook Coal Company Limited
1907
Established
SOIL STRIPPING MANAGEMENT PLAN (SSMP) December 2015 Reason for Modification Original Management Plan Version Date Section Modified 1 February 2005 All 2 December 2010 All 5 Yearly Review 3 December 2015 All 5 Yearly Review Review Team MCC Technical Services Department MCC Technical Services Department Carbon Based Environmental MCC Environmental, Technical Services and Production Departments Approved by Senior Operations Manager: Grant Clouten – signature on file Date: 25 January 2016 Muswellbrook Coal Company Limited Soil Stripping Management Plan TABLE OF CONTENTS 1.0 INTRODUCTION ..................................................................................... 1 1.1 SCOPE ............................................................................................................... 1 1.2 OBJECTIVES ....................................................................................................... 1 2.0 STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS ................................................................. 2 3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS ........................................................................... 3 3.1 LANDFORM UNITS ............................................................................................ 3 3.2 SOIL SUITABILITY .............................................................................................. 3 4.0 SOIL MANAGEMENT .............................................................................. 3 4.1 TOPSOIL STRIPPING .......................................................................................... 3 4.2 TOPSOIL STOCKPILING ...................................................................................... 3 4.3 TOPSOIL SPREADING ........................................................................................ 3 5.0 6.0 7.0 8.0 EXTERNAL REPORTING ........................................................................... 4 ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITS ..................................................................... 4 REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT PLAN .......................................................... 4 RESPONSIBILITIES .................................................................................. 5 Version 3
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Muswellbrook Coal Company Limited Soil Stripping Management Plan 1.0 INTRODUCTION Muswellbrook Coal Company (MCC) is a wholly owned subsidiary of the Idemitsu Kosan Company Ltd. Group. MCC has a long association with coal mining at Muswellbrook, with underground coal mining commencing in 1907 and open cut operations in 1944. The mine is located on Muscle Creek Road, approximately 3 kilometres to the north‐east of Muswellbrook. On November 1, 2003, Development Consent for DA 205/2002 was granted by Muswellbrook Shire Council (MSC) to extend the former MCC No.1 Open Cut. The No.1 Open Cut Extension commenced operations in March 2005 and has a capacity to produce up to 2,000,000 tonnes coal per annum. This approval has subsequently been modified to allow the relocation of the Mine Infrastructure Area (MIA) and to extend the mine life to 2020. 1.1 SCOPE The Development Consent requires the preparation, approval and implementation of an Environmental Management Strategy (EMS) and subordinate Environmental Management Plans (EMP). One of these EMPs is the Soil Stripping Management Plan (SSMP). Whilst this plan specifically addresses issues related to the management of soil resources at MCC, it should be read in conjunction with other EMPs. This SSMP has been prepared to the satisfaction of Division of Resources and Energy (DRE). 1.2 OBJECTIVES The objectives of the Soil Stripping Management Plan are to:  Maintain a soil balance that will assist in achieving rehabilitation requirements throughout the life of the mine;  Maximise the recovery of topsoil during stripping operations; and  Maintain topsoil viability through the employment of best practices in soil stripping, stockpiling and spreading activities. Version 3
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Muswellbrook Coal Company Limited Soil Stripping Management Plan 2.0 STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS The relevant approval conditions are shown in Table 1 along with information on where they are addressed in this plan. Table 1: Statutory Requirements Approval/ Licence Condition No. 3.6 3.6 (a) 3.6 (b) 3.6 (c) Condition Section Development Consent The Applicant shall prepare and implement a Soil Stripping Management Plan to the requirements of DMR that shall include, but not be limited to: demonstration of consistency with the commitments made in documents listed in Condition 1.1 and compliance with the conditions of this consent; details of the management of soil stockpiles, soil stripping techniques and scheduling; and a program for reporting on the effectiveness of the soil stripping methods and performance against objectives contained in the Soil Stripping Management Plan, and EIS This plan Government Department Name Changes: DMR is now known as Division of Resources and Energy (DRE). The acronym DRE will be used throughout this management plan. Version 3
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3.0 4.0 5.0 Muswellbrook Coal Company Limited Soil Stripping Management Plan 3.0 EXISTING CONDITIONS An analysis of soil suitability for rehabilitation was undertaken during the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) process. A Soils and Land Capability Study was prepared and is found in Appendix G of the 2002 EIS. Refer to this Study for further information. 3.1 LANDFORM UNITS Terrain of the MCC area was assessed using aerial photography and subsequent field checking. Soil profiles were assessed in the field using various excavations as well as observations of exposed soil profiles in gully walls. 3.2 SOIL SUITABILITY According to the EIS (2002), the method for assessing topdressing material in mine rehabilitation was carried out using the method described by Elliott and Veness (1981). This method analyses the critical properties of soil through soil structure, coherence, mottling, macrostructure, ped strength, texture, sand and gravel, salt content and pH. The results indicate the soils in the mining area at MCC are largely the in situ soils formed from the weathering of the sedimentary rocks of Greta Coal Measures. All soils have deep (20‐30cm) A2‐horizons that are bleached and generally dispersible. The A‐1 horizon material is organically enriched giving it a darker colour, and contains micro‐organisms and seeds of native plants which will enhance rehabilitation following mining. 4.0 SOIL MANAGEMENT An important part of the rehabilitation program is the management of the soil resources of the site. The separation and maintenance of topsoil on the site is important to provide assistance to a successful rehabilitation program. 4.1 TOPSOIL STRIPPING Soil stripping operations at MCC have been completed. 4.2 TOPSOIL STOCKPILING Stockpiled topsoil material is located away from mining operations. Contour banks and divergent drains will be implemented around the stockpiles to prevent erosion. Topsoil stockpiles will be limited to a height of no more than three metres and will be revegetated as soon as possible to minimise loss of soil quality. Stockpiles will be inspected regularly to monitor the stockpiles for weed infestation and success of erosion control measures. Mitigation measures will be applied, as they are required. This may include weed control measures or additional drainage works. 4.3 TOPSOIL SPREADING Topsoil material will be respread in even layers of thickness, to a nominal 10cm in thickness, according to the landform and land capability of the area to be Version 3
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Muswellbrook Coal Company Limited Soil Stripping Management Plan rehabilitated. Soil treatments will be added to address deficiencies or irregularities where necessary. This may include the application of gypsum, lime or biosolids as required. 5.0 EXTERNAL REPORTING Within 2 weeks of approval of this SSMP, a copy will be made available to the Community Consultative Committee (CCC), relevant agencies, and for public viewing via the MCC website. The performance of MCC’s SSMP will be reported through the Annual Environmental Management Report (AEMR). 6.0 ENVIRONMENTAL AUDITS In accordance with the Project Approval, every three years MCC will fund an Independent Environmental Audit that will be performed by an independent third party that has been endorsed by MSC. The audit will include consultation with relevant agencies. These environmental audits will assess the environmental performance of MCC and compliance against the predictions in the EIS, conditions of the Project Approval, mining leases, water licences and Environmental Protection Licence, and review the adequacy of strategies, plans and/or programs and recommend measures or actions to improve the environmental performance of MCC. 7.0 REVIEW OF MANAGEMENT PLAN The SSMP will be reviewed;  Within 3 months of changes to Development Consent conditions relating to soil management;  Following an independent environmental audit which recommends changes to the SSMP; and  Every five years, or as directed by MSC, in accordance with Condition 3.2(f) of the Development Consent Conditions. Version 3
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Muswellbrook Coal Company Limited Soil Stripping Management Plan 8.0 RESPONSIBILITIES Table 2 outlines the responsibilities relating to the SSMP. Table 2: Management Plan Responsibilities Position Task Timing Senior Operations Provide adequate resources to Annual review Manager implement the requirements of the SSMP Environmental Provide guidance when topsoil is During topsoil spreading Coordinator being spread activities Coordinate reviews of the SSMP As outlined in SSMP Coordinate reporting as required in As required SSMP Version 3
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