water management plan

Ravensworth Underground Mine

Sustainable Development Plan

RUM SD PLN 0040

RUM SD PLN 0040

Water Management Plan

Status: Approved

Version: 3.0

Effective: 20/09/2012

Review: 20/09/2015

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THIS DOCUMENT IS UNCONTROLLED UNLESS VIEWED ON THE INTRANET

WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

1. COMMITMENT AND POLICY

1.1 Introduction

Ravensworth Underground Mine (RUM) is located in the upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales,

approximately 25 kilometres [km] north-west of Singleton (refer to Figure 1). Xstrata Coal NSW are

the site operators. Mining currently occurs via longwall methods in the Pikes Gully and Liddell coal

seams however RUM has approval to mine additional seams (Lemington and Barrett) and consideration

is being given to modify the mine plan and access these seams.

Development consent was granted to Nardell Coal Corporation Pty Limited for the mining operations on

20 November 1996 (DA 104/96). The Development Consent is provided in full in Appendix A. This

Water Management Plan (WMP) is specifically required by and has been prepared in accordance with

Condition 8, Schedule 2 of the Development Consent, which states that:

The Applicant shall prepare and implement a Site Water Management Plan for the development

to the satisfaction of the Director-General. This plan must:

(a) be prepared in consultation with NOW, DECCW and I&I NSW;

(b) be submitted to the Director-General for approval by the end of December 2009;and

(c) include:

- a Site Water Balance;

- an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan;

- a Surface Water Monitoring Plan;

- a Groundwater Monitoring Program;

- a Surface and Groundwater Response Plan.

Under the three-yearly review requirement, this WMP is to be submitted to the Director-General for

approval by the end of December 2012. This WMP updates and supersedes the 2009 WMP for the

Ravensworth Underground Mine (RUM, 2009).

The predicted Site Water Balance (SWB) is discussed in Section 2.0, the Erosion and Sediment Control

Plan (ESCP) is provided in Section 3.0, the Surface Water Monitoring Program (SWMP) in Section 4.0,

the Ground Water Monitoring Program (GMP) in Section 5.0, and the Surface and Ground Water

Response Plan (SWGRP) in Section 6.0.

The primary objective of the WMP is to describe management measures that will be used to minimise

potential mine-related impacts on water resources.



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Figure 1 Site Locality

After Umwelt (2009)



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1.2 Surface Water Management Description

Figure 2a shows the mine layout in relation to surface features including watercourses, while Figure 2b

shows the layout of the surface facilities (pit top). RUM surface facilities are located adjacent to

Bayswater Creek. Existing and future underground operations extend southwards and are located

between Bayswater Creek (to the west) and Bowmans Creek (to the east). Bayswater Creek is a

heavily modified stream being dammed by Lake Liddell upstream and diverted further downstream

around neighbouring mining operations. Bayswater Creek drains southwards joining the Hunter River

approximately 40 km upstream of Singleton. Bowmans Creek has a largely unmodified catchment and

also flows southwards joining the Hunter River 3 km downstream of the confluence with Bayswater

Creek. RUM No.2 Ventilation Shaft and RUM No.3 Ventilation Shaft are located near Bowmans Creek

but are separated from the creek by the main northern rail line. Drainage above the RUM longwall

panels are dominated by highly modified post-mining landscapes associated with other mining

operations.

RUM currently holds licences under the Water Act 1912 for the operation of groundwater extraction

from mining operations and monitoring bores, and Water Access Licences (WAL) under the Water

Management Act 2000 for water extraction under the Water Sharing Plan for the Hunter River

Regulated Water Source. A summary of water licences held by RUM is given in Table 1.

Table 1

Summary of Water Licences

Licence Number Category Limit

WAL1046 High Security (Zone 1B) 3 units

WAL8964 General Security (Zone 1B) 1590 units

WAL1325 Supplementary (Zone 1B) 13 units

20BL168023 Groundwater Extraction 400 ML/year

20BL171422 Groundwater Monitoring n/a

RUM holds 1,590 ML/annum of Hunter River General Security Entitlements (GSE), 3 ML/annum of High

Security Entitlements (HSE) and 13 ML/annum of Supplementary Entitlement. RUM does not have any

pumping infrastructure to allow direct extraction from the Hunter River. Instead RUM have entered

into an agreement with Macquarie Generation (MacGen) to source water from Lake Liddell (MacGen

power station cooling water reservoir), with MacGen pumping water into Lake Liddell using their

pumping infrastructure (debiting RUM’s Hunter Licence), and RUM pumping water from Lake Liddell to

the surface facilities.

RUM also hold 400 ML/year groundwater extraction licence associated with dewatering the

underground mining operations. Groundwater is extracted from the underground operations via the

mine access portal and no dewatering bores exist.

The Ravensworth North Project (RNP) has recently been approved and is inherently linked to the RUM

water management system. The RUM CHPP will process coal from the RNP, while the RUM Highway

Dam (the CHPP water supply storage) will receive tailings return water from a number of RNP tailings

storage facilities. Pumps at the Highway Dam will facilitate transfer of water to and from the RNP via

the RNP Booster Dam (refer Figure 2a).



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The key components of the water management system at RUM are shown in schematic fashion in

Figure 3. The catchment area and capacity of each water storage is given in Table 2.

Table 2

Ravensworth Underground Mine Water Storages

Storage Catchment

Area (ha)

Surface

Area (ha)

Capacity

(ML)

Eastern Dam 6.1 0.23 4.0

Highway Dam 6.6 5.43 264.1

Office Dam 20.0 0.34 9.8

Pit Top Dam 12.2 0.26 6.3

ROM Dam 3.2 0.19 3.9

Product Coal Collection Dam 38.5 0.82 17.8

Product Coal Stockpile Dams 6.9 0.46 8.0

Product Coal Construction Dam 6.3 0.16 1.0

The Highway Dam is the main water storage on site and is the main source of make-up water for the

Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP) and supply to the underground operations.

The CHPP is by far the largest consumer of water on site, using an average of 62.1 ML/month, while

dust suppression usage (i.e. of haul roads and stockpiles) is estimated to average around

0.5 ML/month. The majority of CHPP demand is supplied by recycled tailings water from the

Ravensworth South Tailings Dam. Additional make-up is provided from water held in other storages on

site, including surface facilities dams, which collect runoff from the approximately 132 ha catchment

area of the site and groundwater from underground mine dewatering as well as water recycled from

underground mining operations. Underground mining operations currently require approximately

17.5 ML/month. Supply of water to the underground is required for various uses such as operation of

underground mining equipment and dust suppression. It is anticipated that the underground water use

and water make will increase as the mine progresses (refer Section 2.0).

Supply of potable water to offices, workshops, bathhouses and underground workings is trucked to

site. Sewage treatment at the pit-top facilities is provided by a dedicated Sewage Treatment Plant

(STP). The STP has primary and secondary treatment systems. Effluent from the STP is irrigated on

dedicated land located within the mine water management system adjacent to the Highway Dam.



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Figure 2a Site Layout General



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Figure 2b Site Layout Surface Facilities



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Figure 3 Ravensworth Underground Mine Water Management System Schematic



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The surface water management system of RUM involves a number of interlinked dams, their

catchments, the tailings storage, the underground mining operation, the CHPP and water pumping

systems. The main storages/features are as follows:

The ROM Dam captures runoff from the run of mine (ROM) coal stockpile area and drains under

gravity via a pipeline into the Pit Top Dam.

The Pit Top Dam captures runoff from a portion of the pit top and rail loop facilities and, in addition

to receiving gravity inflow from the ROM Dam, also receives water pumped from the underground

workings. RUM is currently investigating alternative arrangements for underground dewatering to

other surface storage dams. Water in the Pit Top Dam is pumped out to the Office Dam. Currently

RUM is in the process of designing an upgrade to this system following an offsite discharge event.

These works are focused on increasing the capacity of the dam, improving the reliability and

capacity of pumping infrastructure and also optimising water management. Preliminary designs

(refer Figure 4) suggest a total capacity of approximately 12 ML can be obtained by these works

while a rock-lined spillway will provide safe access for de-silting purposes. It is anticipated that the

enlargement project will be completed by the end of quarter 1 2013.

The Office Dam captures the majority of runoff from surface infrastructure facilities (including the

CHPP and the rail loop). Water in the Office Dam is pumped out to the Highway Dam.

The Eastern Dam captures runoff from a laydown/storage area and is pumped to the Highway Dam.

The Product Coal Construction Dam captures runoff from a small catchment area and is pumped

out to the Product Coal Stockpile Dam.

The Product Coal Stockpile Dams capture runoff from the product coal stockpile and accumulated

water is pumped to the RCT Dam. These dams comprise a sediment dam and a storage dam (the

former draining into the latter).

The Product Coal Collection Dam captures runoff from the product stockpile. Water from the

Product Coal Collection Dam is pumped out to the Highway Dam.

CHPP tailings thickener underflow is pumped to a secondary flocculation facility located adjacent to

the discharge point at the Ravensworth South Tailings Dam. Water from settling tailings and runoff

reporting to the storage is reclaimed via staged settling dams and returned by pumping to the

Highway Dam.

The Highway Dam is a turkeys nest structure which receives or will receive pumped inflow from the

Office Dam, Product Coal Collection Dam, Eastern Dam, Ravensworth South Tailings Dam,

Ravensworth North Tailings Storages, Ravensworth North Booster Dam and Lake Liddell (Hunter

River WALs). Water is pumped out of the Highway Dam to the underground and CHPP.



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Figure 4 Preliminary Design Layout of Pit Top Dam Upgrade



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RUM currently holds 6 credits under the Hunter River Salinity Trading Scheme (HRSTS). However,

RUM do not have discharge infrastructure and there are no licensed discharge points. Therefore these

credits are available to transfer to other Xstrata Coal New South Wales (XCN) operations in the event

of a discharge opportunity. Current approval allows transfer of water between RUM and Ravensworth

Operations (which is being incorporated into the RNP) however this infrastructure is currently being

upgraded and transfer is not possible at present.

In compliance with Condition L1.1 of Environmental Protection Licence 10337 under Section 120 of the

Protection of the Environment Operations Act (1997), saline mine water cannot be discharged from

RUM.

2. SITE WATER BALANCE

A life-of-mine water balance model of the RUM complex has been developed by Gilbert & Associates Pty Limited. The structure of the model is generally per the schematic in Figure 3.

The model operates on a sub-daily time-step and can be setup to simulate any period up to the projected end of RUM operations. The simulations reported below correspond to the planned 12 ¼ year mine life - from 1st May 2012 to 31st July 2024. Surface catchment areas of the mine were simulated using supplied plans and were constant over the life of the mine. Total catchment area reporting to the RUM water management system is 91.3 ha.

Annually varying ROM coal tonnages (which affect CHPP water demand) are expected to be between 1.5-5.7 Mtpa and are detailed on an annual basis in Table 3. Underground mine groundwater inflow

rates were taken from groundwater modelling by Mackie Environmental Research (MER, 2011) and vary up to 1.6 ML/d for the Liddell seam and 1.2 ML/d for the Pikes Gully seam.

Table 3

ROM Coal Tonnages

Year ROM Coal (Mt)

2012 1.5

2013 4.7

2014 4.2

2015 5.0

2016 3.9

2017 4.9

2018 4.2

2019 5.7

2020 4.6

2021 5.3

2022 3.4

The AWBM (Boughton, 2004) was used to simulate runoff from rainfall on the various catchments and landforms across the mine area. Model rainfall-runoff parameters have been taken from studies conducted at similar mining operations, along with calibration against local streamflow records and experience with similar projects. Different sub-catchment types were used.



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The model simulates 119, 12 ¼ year mine life “sequences”, derived using the climatic record from 1892 to 20101. The first sequence uses climatic data from 1892-1905, the second 1893-1906 the third 1894-1907 and so on. The Hunter River IQQM2 was first run to estimate allocation levels for the next 12 ¼ years (these estimates are affected by current allocation levels, regulating storage levels and the historical rainfall/streamflow data set used). The model used output from the Hunter River IQQM in order to simulate variations in available Hunter River water in parallel with climatic variations.

Based on data provided by RUM, approximately 503 ML of water was calculated held in storages on site as at 1st May 2012.

The average predicted water balance (averaged over the simulation period) for median, wet (90th

percentile) and dry (10th percentile) rainfall sequences is summarised in Table 4.

Table 4

Summary of Simulated Annual Inflows and Outflows (ML/annum)

Flows 10th Percentile Rainfall

Sequence (Dry)

Median Rainfall Sequence

90th Percentile Rainfall

Sequence (Wet)

Inflows

Catchment Runoff 169 229 277

Groundwater 496 496 496

Hunter River Licensed Extraction 953 623 277

Tailings Water 1,399 1,400 1,410

From Ravensworth North Booster Dam (mine runoff)

1,474 1,735 1,878

Outflows

CHPP Supply 3,828 3,936 3,936

Evaporation 77 83 84

Underground Supply 259 259 259

To Ravensworth North Booster Dam

209 133 74

Table 4 shows that the main source of supply to site is water reclaimed from the tailings storages and water imported to RUM from the RNP via the Booster Dam. Water supplied to the CHPP dominates the outflows from the RUM water balance.

Water supply security can be described in terms of water supply reliability. The average predicted water supply reliability to the CHPP was 97.7 % (that is 97.7 % of the total CHPP demand could be supplied), while the lowest reliability in any 12¼ year sequence was 81.7 %. The average predicted water supply reliability to the underground was greater than 99.9 % (that is more than 99.9 % of the total underground demand could be supplied), and did not drop below this level in any 12 year sequence.

An annual retrospective site water balance for the reporting period will be documented in the Annual Environmental Monitoring Report (AEMR). A monthly internal water accounting system summarises water use and volume of water stored on site for XCN.

1 Additional climate data after 2010 was generated by “wrapping” data from the beginning of the climate record to after 2010. In

this way, the drought period of 2005/06 and the wet period of 2007 could be simulated as occurring at varying times through the mine life.

2 The integrated quantity-quality model is the model used by the NSW Office of Water to simulate the hydrology of the Hunter River Regulated Water Source.



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Measures to minimise water use include:

Tailings thickening and flocculation and the use of water reclaimed from the tailings storage(s) in preference to using Hunter River WALs

Future sourcing of excess water from the RNP in preference to using Hunter River WALs

Storage and use of runoff from disturbed areas in preference to using Hunter River WALs

Use of water reclaimed from underground operations in preference to using Hunter River WALs

Inspections and maintenance of water management infrastructure.

3. EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL PLAN

The objective of this ESCP is to set out strategies to control soil erosion and sediment generation close to the source and thereby minimise the potential for mine activities to adversely affect downstream water quality.

The following principles, which have been taken from the Landcom (2004) guidelines, underpin the approach to erosion and sediment control for the mine site:

Minimising surface disturbance and restricting access to undisturbed areas.

Progressive rehabilitation/stabilisation of mine infrastructure areas.

Separation of runoff from disturbed and undisturbed areas where practicable.

Construction of surface drains to control and manage surface runoff.

Construction of sediment dams or use of existing/modified water storages to contain runoff up to a specified design criterion.

These measures are used to minimise soil erosion and the potential for transport of sediment downstream.

Development activities will generally occur in the following order:

1. Construction of diversion drains (typically upslope of disturbance areas) – these will only be constructed where they will significantly reduce the catchment reporting to disturbance areas.

2. Construction of sediment dams/sumps where required to provide for temporary retention of runoff from disturbance areas.

3. Construction of collection drains (downslope of or within disturbance areas) where required to convey runoff to sediment dams or other storages.

4. Construction of sediment fences and straw bale filters (downslope of disturbance and stockpile areas) where appropriate.

5. Construction works only taking place once erosion and sediment control measures are in place.

The design criteria for sediment control structures are summarised in Table 5

Table 5 Design Criteria for Sediment Control Structures

Sediment Control Structure

Function Design Capacity

Upslope diversion drains Reduce runoff from undisturbed areas onto

disturbed areas

Peak flow calculated for 1 in 20 year* critical duration rainfall event (DECCW,

(2008), Table 6.1)

Downslope collection drains

Intercept and convey disturbed area runoff water to

sediment dams/sumps

Peak flow calculated for 1 in 20 year* critical duration rainfall event (DECCW,

(2008), Table 6.1)



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Sediment dams Containment of sediment-laden runoff from disturbed

areas with more than 150 m3/yr estimated soil loss

(Landcom (2004), Section 6.3.2(d))

Settling Zone: Capacity to store the runoff produced from the 90th

percentile*, 5-day rainfall event (DECCW (2008), Table 6.1)

Sediment Zone: Two months calculated soil loss estimated using RUSLE**

(Landcom (2004), Section 6.3.4 (i))

Sediment fences and/or

straw bale filters

Retention/filtration of

suspended sediments

Peak flow limited to less than 50 L/s in

the design 1 in 10 year critical duration rainfall event (Landcom (2004), Section

6.3.7(e))†

* Assuming a duration of disturbance greater than 3 years with a standard, not sensitive, receiving environment.

** Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) † Assuming a duration of disturbance between 1 and 3 years with a standard sensitivity receiving environment.

To prevent offsite discharge of dirty water from sediment dams, following a rainfall event, water in sediment dams will be pumped back to the mine water system. Sediment dams will be maintained with a minimum practicable volume of water in between rainfall events to ensure sufficient capacity is available when a rainfall event does occur.

The 90th percentile 5-day rainfall event, used in determining the sediment dam settling zone capacity, was calculated to be 39.4 mm from the average of values for Scone and Cessnock3 as given in Table 6.3a in Landcom (2004).

Based on the methodology and parameters contained in Landcom (2004) and DECCW (2008), the settling zone capacity and sediment storage zone capacity and hence required dam capacity are calculated using Equations 1, 2 and 3 below respectively:

Settling Zone Capacity (m3) = Vsettling = 251.8 x A (1)

Sediment Zone Capacity (m3) = Vsediment = 0.5 x Vsettling (2)

Required Dam Capacity (m3) = Vtotal = Vsettling + Vsediment (3)

Where; Vsettling = settling volume

Vsediment = sediment volume

Vtotal = total volume

A = catchment area of the sediment dam (ha)

Water storages at RUM serve both as water management structures and sediment dams. The locations of the sediment control dams employed at RUM are shown in Figure 2b.

Table 6 summarises the minimum sediment dam capacity requirements in comparison to existing surveyed capacities. Additional dedicated sediment dams will be constructed as required.

Table 6

Comparison of Sediment Dam Requirements to Existing Dam Capacities

Sediment Dam Name

Capacity

(m3)

Required Settling Zone Volume (m3)

Required Sediment

Zone Volume (m3)

Minimum Required

Total Volume (m3)

Eastern Dam

4000 1526 763 2289

3 Table 6.3a of Landcom (2004) gives 90

th percentile 5-day rainfall depths for Cessnock and Scone of 42.8 mm and 35.9 mm

respectively



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Office Dam

(inc. Product Coal

Construction Dam)

10800 6621 3310 9931

Pit Top Dam

6300 3072 1536 4609

ROM Dam

3900 806 403 1209

Product Coal Collection Dam

17800 9696 4848 14544

Product Coal Stockpile Dams

8000 1743 871 2614

Dam batters are typically covered with topsoil following construction and/or seeded to promote revegetation and assist with minimising the potential for erosion of the dam batters.

Activities that have the potential to cause or increase erosion, and subsequently increase the generation of sediment at the site, include exposure of soils during construction of mine infrastructure (i.e. during vegetation clearance, soil stripping and earthworks activities) and stockpiling mine materials. The following components have the potential to generate sediment:

coal handling and preparation plant (CHPP);

earthen bunds and temporary topsoil stockpiles;

coal stockpiles;

access and haul roads;

water management infrastructure (pumps, pipelines, dams, sumps and drains);

exploration sites; and

general construction works on site.

Routine inspections of sediment control structures as well as inspections following rainfall events of 25 mm or more in a 24 hour period are conducted by RUM personnel. During these inspections, sediment control structures are inspected for capacity, structural integrity and effectiveness. Inspections are documented using a check sheet developed by RUM.

Where inspections indicate substantial accumulation of sediment in a sediment dam, clean-out is undertaken so as to reinstate the minimum required volumes given in Table 6. Silt fences and straw bale filters are inspected and trapped sediment removed or straw bales replaced as necessary. Removed sediment is placed in areas upslope of existing sediment control structures, mine water

storages or tailings storages.



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4. SURFACE WATER MONITORING PROGRAM

The objective of the surface water monitoring program (SWMP) is to provide details of the monitoring

program used to monitor the effects of RUM on existing surface water bodies, in order to assist in

detecting if any significant off-site impacts occur as a result of mining and to trigger response plans to

adverse impacts.

4.1 Baseline Data

Bayswater Creek is a highly modified stream due to the construction of Lake Liddell and the creek

diversion located between Lake Liddell and its confluence with the Hunter River. Bowmans Creek is a

moderately modified stream in its lower reaches with Ashton Coal Operations currently constructing

two diversions on this creek. Historical data relating to water quality and flows in Bayswater Creek and

Bowmans Creek is summarised below. This data is used as a baseline for on-going monitoring of the

impacts of mining activities on surface water in the Bayswater Creek and Bowmans Creek catchment

areas. The baseline data end date has been assumed at 14th of January 2007 as this is the date at

which mining of LW1 at RUM began.

4.11 Water Quality

Water quality in the downstream watercourses has been monitored since 1993 at GS210130. Water

samples have been monitored for pH and total suspended solids (excluding NOW gauging stations) and

electrical conductivity (EC). Sampling points include locations along Bayswater Creek and Bowmans

Creek. The sampling locations are indicated on Figure 5 and water quality data summarised in Table 7.

Table 7

Summary of Baseline Surface Water Quality Monitoring Data

Creek Site Data

Collection

Period

pH EC (μS/cm) TSS (mg/L

Min Max Min Max Min Max

Baysw

ate

r

Cre

ek

GS210110* 19/1/1994 –

14/1/2007

- - 658 4712 - -

Bayswater

Midstream

1/7/2004 –

4/1/2007

7.1 8.4 1250 7000 3 52

Bayswater

Downstream

1/7/2003 –

3/1/2006

7.2 8.6 680 7110 1 235

Bow

mans

Cre

ek

BCK6 1/6/2002 –

1/11/2006

7.2 9.3 719 5440 1 116

GS210130* 28/10/1993 –

14/1/2007

- - 10 2790 - -

* Data source: NOW, 2012

4.12 Streamflow

Streamflow gauging stations on both Bayswater Creek and Bowmans Creek are maintained by the NSW

Office of Water (NOW). The locations of these stations are shown on Figure 5 and available streamflow

data is summarised in Table 8. As illustrated in Figure 5, the gauging station on Bayswater Creek is

immediately downstream of the spillway from Lake Liddell.



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Table 8

Summary of Recorded Baseline Streamflow Monitoring Data

Station: Bayswater Creek

GS210110*

Bowmans Creek

GS210130*

Period of Record: 19/01/1994 to 14/01/2007 28/10/1993 to 14/01/2007

No. Missing Days: 572 547

No. Zero Flow Days: 134 19

Max. Daily Flow (ML/d): 1385 12036

Mean Annual Flow (ML/d): 2529 11097

* Data source: NOW, 2012

Figure 5 Surface Water Monitoring Locations



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4.2 Surface Water Impact Assessment Criteria

Impact assessment criteria can be described as trigger levels, which, if triggered, would lead to a

response in terms of more intensive monitoring, investigation and ultimately, if required, remedial

action. The SGWRP contains details of all responses relating to each impact assessment criterion.

Surface water impact assessment criteria focus on particular areas and each area may contain more

than one criterion. Table 9 shows a summary of each focus area and the associated impact

assessment criteria.

Table 9

Surface Water Impact Assessment Criteria

Focus Area Parameter Trigger Value

Surface water

quality (local creeks)

pH If recorded value at a monitoring site is

greater than the 80th percentile of baseline

data for 2 consecutive readings or, for pH,

less than the 20th percentile of baseline data

for 2 consecutive readings

EC

TSS

Riparian and in-

stream vegetation

Density of vegetation –

photographic log

If photographs suggest a visual degradation

in vegetation cover for 4 consecutive

monitoring periods

Channel stability Erosion/deposition

features –

photographic log

If it is obvious that erosional and/or

depositional features are changing with time

4.3 Monitoring Program

The SWMP for RUM involves the monitoring of all surface water impact assessment criteria (refer Table

9). A summary of the monitoring locations and parameters monitored is provided in Table 10. In

accordance with Schedule 2 Condition 11 (d) of the Development Consent, the impacts of the operation

on private water users will be monitored, assessed and responded to in accordance with the SWGRP.

There are no private water users on Bayswater Creek (NSW Trade and Investment, 2012). There are

10 private water users on Bowmans Creek with 13 extraction licenses (NSW Trade and Investment,

2012). The existing water monitoring points shown in Figure 5 will be used to monitor and assess any

impacts on these users. A summary of the surface water monitoring program is provided in Table 10.

Table 10

Summary of Surface Water Monitoring Program

Creek Site Monitored By Parameters Frequency

Baysw

ate

r Cre

ek

GS210110 NOW Flow, EC Continuous

Bayswater Midstream Liddell Coal

Operations**

pH, EC, TSS,

photo point*

Monthly

Bayswater

Downstream

Liddell Coal

Operations**

pH, EC, TSS,

photo point*

Monthly

W114 Ravensworth

Operations**

pH, EC, TSS Monthly

W115 Ravensworth pH, EC, TSS Monthly



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Operations** Bow

mans C

reek

BCK6 Liddell Coal

Operations**

pH, EC, TSS Monthly

BMC4 Xstrata Coal Mt

Owen**

pH, EC, TSS Monthly

GS210130 NOW Flow, EC Continuous

EPL3 Ravensworth

Operations**

pH, EC, TSS Monthly

EPL4 Ravensworth

Operations**

pH, EC, TSS Monthly

* Monitoring performed by RUM on a quarterly basis

** Xstrata Coal NSW Managed Operation

4.31 Water

RUM undertake routine monitoring of water usage, water imported to the mine & volumes of water

stored onsite, as part of a program of monitoring & reporting undertaken by XCN. The data is used to:

monitor trends in water use and efficiency;

check stored water inventory; and

assist in future mine water supply and management planning.

Table 11 provides a summary of monitoring undertaken for the water balance.

Table 11

Summary of Water Balance Monitoring

Monitoring of Description Location Frequency

Site Water Supply Water imported to site using

Hunter River WALs via

agreement with Macquarie

Generation (Lake Liddell)

Flow meter west

of the Highway

Dam

Continuous

CHPP Water

Usage

Water supplied to the CHPP

from the Highway Dam

Flow meter at

the CHPP

Continuous

Underground Mine

Extraction

Water volume pumped from

underground operation into

surface water management

facilities

Flow meter at

the portal

Continuous

Underground Mine

Supply

Water volume pumped from

Highway Dam to underground

operations

Flow meter at

the Highway

Dam

Continuous

Storage Volume Water level Individual

storages

Continuous

and/or monthly

4.311 Streamflow

RUM will continue to make use of the streamflow monitoring data collected by NOW.



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4.312 Water Quality

Table 10 summarises surface water quality monitoring undertaken at sites within and surrounding

RUM. Site locations are also shown on Figure 5.

The results of water quality monitoring are reported in the AEMR. The AEMR includes an assessment of

results in terms of off-site impacts as a result of mining.

Surface water quality monitoring and sample collection, storage and transportation will be undertaken

in accordance with the procedures outlined in the relevant sections of the Australian Standard for

Water Quality Sampling AS/NZS5667.1-1998. Laboratory analysis will be undertaken by a laboratory

which has relevant accreditation by the National Association of Testing Authorities (NATA), Australia.

4.313 Stream Health and Channel Stability

The stream condition and stream health of Bayswater Creek is heavily influenced by the releases from

Lake Liddell. RUM do not undertake licensed discharges. Accordingly, the impact of RUM on

Bayswater Creek stream health is considered to be low. Notwithstanding, RUM will undertake photo

point monitoring along Bayswater Creek at the two stations nearest RUM surface facilities: Bayswater

Midstream and Bayswater Downstream (refer Figure 5).

Monitoring of riparian vegetation and channel stability is to be undertaken quarterly by taking four

photographs at each surface water monitoring site on Bayswater Creek; looking upstream, looking

downstream, looking at the left bank4 and looking at the right bank5. These photographs are to be

documented with the location, direction and date.

5. GROUNDWATER MONITORING PROGRAM

The aim of the GMP is to provide details of the monitoring program used to monitor the effects of RUM

on surrounding groundwater aquifers. The GMP also exists in order to assist in detecting if any

significant off-site impacts occur as a result of mining and to trigger response plans to adverse

impacts.

5.1 Baseline Data

Groundwater levels and basic groundwater quality parameters (pH and EC) have been measured

routinely at a number of piezometers across and external to the site. Historical groundwater level and

quality data collected at the piezometers shown in Figure 6 are summarised in Table 12.

Table 12

Historical Water Quality Results (Ravensworth Operations)

Seam Monitoring Bore pH EC (μS/cm)

Min Max Mean Min Max Mean

Bayswater

NPZ3 Mid 6.8 7.1 7.0 7,780 12,990 11,570

NPZ4 Mid 6.1 7.2 6.5 5,470 6,440 6,113

Lemington NPZ1 Tall 6.9 7.4 7.2 6,740 10,400 9,310

4 Left bank refers to the bank to the left when looking in a downstream direction.

5 Right bank refers to the bank to the right when looking in a downstream direction.



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NPZ2 Tall 8.1 8.4 8.3 9,460 9,830 9,613

NPZ3 Tall 7.3 8.4 7.6 7,410 9,830 9,041

NPZ4 Tall 6.8 7.4 7.1 6,800 8,330 7,803

Pikes Gully

CS4641C Pumps 11.2 12.2 11.7 6,170 7,700 6,969

CS4539A (S2) Hill 6.9 8.2 7.3 4,850 7,560 6,983

Liddell

CS4536 (HF7) 6.9 7.4 7.1 9,170 14,900 13,261

CS4545 (S4) 8.7 12.5 10.5 5,990 10,700 8,427

CS4547C (EE4) 6.8 8.1 7.1 8,180 13,700 12,552

Borehole P / SDH17 /

SDH18

7.1 9.6 8.3 6,590 8,900 7,573

Barrett Site 11 Conveyor 6.9 7.1 7.0 10,200 10,630 10,343

Site 3 Inside Gate 6.7 7.0 6.9 10,060 10,600 10,270

Note: Data in the table above is after Umwelt (2009)



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Figure 6 Groundwater Monitoring Locations



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5.2 Groundwater Assessment Criteria

Impact assessment criteria can be described as trigger levels, which, if triggered, would lead to a

response in terms of further, more intensive monitoring, investigation and ultimately, if required,

remedial action. The SGWRP contains details of all responses relating to each impact assessment

criterion. Groundwater impact assessment criteria focus on particular areas and each area may

contain more than one criterion. Table 13 provides a summary of each focus area and the associated

nominated impact assessment criteria.

Table 13

Groundwater Impact Assessment Criteria

Focus Area Parameter Trigger Value

Groundwater

Level and

Baseflow in

Watercourses

Drawdown The larger of:

a) 10% greater than model prediction*; or

b) 1 m greater than model prediction.

If:

i) Three or more alluvial bores exceed the above

in one round of monitoring

OR

Any alluvial bore exceeds the above for three

consecutive readings

ii) Average drawdowns for the fractured rock bore

network exceed the above for two consecutive

readings

Groundwater

Inflow to the

Underground

Inflow Sustained exceedence 10% greater than model

prediction* for a period greater than 6 months.

Riparian

Vegetation

Density of

vegetation –

photographic log

If photographs suggest a visual degradation in vegetation

cover for 4 consecutive monitoring periods

* Groundwater model documented in MER (2011)

There are no known Groundwater Dependant Ecosystems (GDEs) within the RUM complex (Umwelt,

2011) and therefore no impact assessment criteria have been set for groundwater ecology

Groundwater level impact assessment criteria have been designed to ensure that measured

depressurisation due to mining of the coal measures and associated impacts on the alluvial aquifer

systems do not significantly vary from modelled predictions (MER, 2011).

5.3 Monitoring Program

5.31 Monitoring Bores

Monitoring of water levels and water quality parameters is undertaken at a number of

bores/piezometers as summarised in Table 14. Chemical speciation is also undertaken in selected

bores as indicated in Table 14 twice yearly. Bore locations are shown in Figure 6. RUM is pursuing a

data sharing agreement with the Ashton Coal Project in order to access information collected from



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seven known bores: WML115, WML175, RSGM1, RM3, RM4, RM5, and RM6.

Table 14

Summary of Groundwater Monitoring Program

Monitored by Piezometer

No.

Target Seam Parameters Frequency

Ravensw

ort

h O

pera

tions

Coffey Dam

Borehole Liddell Level, pH, EC

Monthly (Level),

Quarterly (Quality)

CS4545 (S4) Liddell Level, pH, EC Monthly (Level),

Quarterly (Quality)

CS4641C Lower Pikes Gully Level, pH, EC Monthly (Level),

Quarterly (Quality)

CS4655

Bayswater, Lemington

LMH, Lemington LMA,

Upper Pikes Gully,

Upper Arties, Upper

Liddell, Lower Liddell,

Barrett

Level 12 hourly




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Table 14 continued


Monitored

by

Piezometer

No. Target Seam Parameters Frequency

NPZ1 Alluvium, Bayswater,

Lemington Level, pH, EC

Monthly (Level), Quarterly

(Quality)

NPZ2 Alluvium, Bayswater,

Lemington Level, pH, EC


(Quality)

Ravensw

ort

h O

pera

tions

NPZ5 Alluvium, Broonies Level, pH, EC Monthly (Level), Quarterly

(Quality)

NPZ6 Alluvium, Broonies Level, pH, EC Monthly (Level), Quarterly

(Quality)

NPZ7 (SP1) Alluvium, Broonies,

Bayswater Level, pH, EC


(Quality)

RNVW1


LMH, Lemington LMA,

Upper Pikes Gully,

Upper Arties, Upper


Barrett

Level 12 hourly

RNVW2


LMH, Lemington LMA,

Upper Pikes Gully,

Upper Arties, Upper


Barrett

Level 12 hourly




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Table 14 continued


Monitored

by

Piezometer

No. Target Seam Parameters Frequency

RNVW4

Bayswater, Lemington LMH,

Lemington LMA, Upper Pikes

Gully, Upper Arties, Upper Liddell,

Lower Liddell, Barrett

Level 12 hourly

RNVW5

Alluvium, Unnamed, Bayswater,

Lemington H, Lemington A, Upper

Liddell, Barrett

Level 12 hourly

RNVW6

Alluvium, Unnamed, Bayswater,

Lemington H, Lemington A, Upper

Liddell, Barrett

Level 12 hourly

Mt

Ow

en

NPZ13 Swamp Creek Alluvium, Lower

Pikes Gully, Lower Liddell Level, pH, EC

Quarterly

(Level), Six

Monthly

(Quality)

NPZ16 Swamp Creek Alluvium,

Lemington, Upper Liddell Level, pH, EC

Quarterly

(Level), Six

Monthly

(Quality)

GA1 Swamp Creek Alluvium Level, pH, EC

Quarterly

(Level), Six

Monthly

(Quality)

GA2 Swamp Creek Alluvium Level, pH, EC

Quarterly

(Level), Six

Monthly

(Quality)

BC-SP19 Bayswater Creek Alluvium Level, pH, EC 12 hourly

BC-SP22 Bayswater Creek Alluvium Level, pH, EC 12 hourly


5.32 Underground Inflow

Groundwater model predictions (MER, 2011) provide an estimate of the expected rate of groundwater

seepage to mining operations. This seepage may be increased by dewatering of local storage in joints

and fractures which typically occurs over a period of 1 to 3 months after mining. The summation of

both contributions represents the maximum predicted groundwater seepage to the underground

operations. Monitoring of seepage and comparison between measured and predicted rates may

therefore provide early indication of leakage from a remote source such as alluvium.

Volumes of water pumped from the underground operations may be calculated monthly from flow

meter readings at the dewatering point (refer Table 11) and flow meter readings at the underground



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supply point at the Pit Top. An estimate of net groundwater inflow to the mine can then be calculated

by subtracting the supply to the underground from the dewatering volumes, with an allowance for

ventilation rise losses. Water quality monitoring is undertaken at the dewatering point on a monthly

basis.

Table 15 provides predicted groundwater inflow rates to the underground and rates including provision

for dewatering of localised storage without contributions from rainfall seepage to the underground

mine via the subsidence zone.

Table 15

Predicted Groundwater Inflow to Underground (MER, 2011)

Year Estimated Strata Seepage

(ML/d)

2012 1.8

2014 2.2

2016 2.9

2018 3

2020 3.1

2022 2.5

To determine the impact RUM may have on regional and surrounding aquifers, groundwater levels are

monitored as per the groundwater monitoring schedule in Table 14.

MER (2011) state “…there are no identified private boreholes within or near the approved or proposed

modified operations that are likely to be affected”.

There are no known Groundwater Dependant Ecosystems (GDEs) within the RUM complex (Umwelt,

2011).

Future revisions of this Water Management Plan will include copies of future bore construction logs as

required.

The results of groundwater monitoring are reported in the AEMR. The AEMR includes an assessment of

results in terms of off-site impacts as a result of mining.

6. SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER RESPONSE PLAN

6.1 Objective

The objective of this SGWRP is to present a set of protocols to be followed and actions for

implementation should the surface or groundwater assessment criteria be exceeded. These protocols

will be followed in addition to the RUM Incident Management Procedure (2012) which states:

Should the incident be deemed a notifiable incident to the Environmental Protection Authority

(EPA), (that is, pollution incidents threatening material harm to the environment) this must be

done immediately. Upon becoming aware of the incident notification of the necessary

stakeholders must be completed immediately. Five different authorities must be notified in

the following order:



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Information that must be reported at the time of notification includes:

The type of pollution;

Its concentration;

The circumstances in which the pollution incident occurred

The names, positions and 24 hour contact details for those personnel who are involved

in managing the incident; and

The action taken to deal with the incident.

Any required information that is not known at the time of notification must be communicated

to each of the relevant authorities immediately after it becomes known. These authorities

must continue to be notified each time new information becomes available.

6.2 Protocol for Exceedence of Surface Water & Groundwater Trigger Values

In the event of a surface water or groundwater assessment criterion being exceeded, the following

protocol will be followed:

1. Check and validate the data which indicates an exceedence of the criterion.

2. A preliminary investigation will be undertaken to establish the cause(s) and determine whether changes to the water management system are required. This will involve the consideration of the

monitoring results in conjunction with:

a) site activities being undertaken at the time;

b) baseline monitoring results;

c) surface water/groundwater results at nearby locations;

d) the prevailing and preceding meteorological conditions;

e) available data indicating releases from Lake Liddell;

f) changes to the land use/activities being undertaken in the contributing catchment area; and

g) hydrological conditions.

3. If the preliminary investigation shows that the impact is linked to activities undertaken by RUM, a report will be emailed to the Department of Planning & Infrastructure (DPI) and any other relevant department. Causal factors will be addressed and rectified if possible. Contingency measures will

be developed in consultation with the DPI and any other relevant department and implemented in response to the outcomes of the investigation.

4. Remedial/compensatory measures will be developed in consultation with DPI and any other relevant department and implemented in response to the outcomes of the investigations.

5. Monitoring would be implemented as required to confirm the effectiveness of remedial measures.



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6.3 Protocol for Exceedence of Stream Health and Channel Stability Triggers

In the event of a stream health assessment criterion being exceeded, the following protocol will be

followed:

6. The area will be inspected to confirm the condition of vegetation in the photograph and the condition of vegetation in other similar areas of the site.

7. An preliminary investigation will then be undertaken and will involve the consideration of the visual inspection documented above in conjunction with:


b) baseline surface water and groundwater monitoring results;

c) surface water and groundwater results in nearby locations;

d) the prevailing and preceding meteorological conditions;

e) available data indicating releases from Lake Liddell;

f) hydrological conditions; and

g) changes to the land use/activities being undertaken in the contributing catchment or

hydrogeological regime.

8. If the investigation shows that the vegetation impact is linked to activities undertaken by RUM, a report will be emailed to the DPI and any other relevant department. Causal factors will be

addressed and rectified if possible. Contingency measures will be developed in consultation with DPI and any other relevant department and implemented in response to the outcomes of the investigation. Such contingency measures could involve direct revegetation or vegetation offsets.

9. Monitoring would be implemented as required to measure the effectiveness of contingency measures if appropriate.

In the event of a channel stability assessment criterion being exceeded, the following protocol will be

followed:

1. Undertake a ground inspection to validate the photograph and confirm the magnitude of the change (increase in erosion/deposition) evident in the photograph.

2. If this observation confirms that significant additional erosion or deposition has occurred and is likely to have been caused by RUM, DPI and any other relevant department will be notified via email.

3. An investigation will then be conducted in consultation with DPI and any other relevant department and will involve the consideration of one above in conjunction with:


b) the prevailing and preceding meteorological conditions;

c) available data indicating releases from Lake Liddell;

d) hydrological conditions; and in particular any high runoff events which may have

preceded the change; and

e) changes to the land use/activities being undertaken in the contributing catchment area.

4. If the investigation shows that the creek channel impact is linked to activities undertaken by RUM, a report will be emailed to the DPI and any other relevant department. Causal factors will be addressed and rectified if possible. Contingency measures will be developed in consultation with DPI and any other relevant department and implemented in response to the outcomes of the investigation. Such contingency measures could involve bank and channel stabilisation methods (i.e. promotion of riparian vegetation, use of rip-rap or removal of sediment accretion).



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5. Additional monitoring will be implemented as required to measure the effectiveness of contingency measures.

6.4 Protocol for Impacts on the Water Supply of Private Landowners

No privately owned groundwater bores exist “within or near the approved or proposed modified

operations that are likely to be affected” (MER, 2011); hence an impact on the groundwater supply of

private landowners is not expected. There are no privately owned surface water storages within the

RUM colliery holding boundary and hence impacts of the surface water supply of private landowners is

not expected. In the event that a complaint is received, this would be handled in accordance with RUM

procedures, which includes recording the details of the complaint, providing feedback to the

complainant (including corrective actions) and reporting of investigation outcomes and corrective

actions. Compensation would be developed in consultation with the private landowner where it can be

demonstrated that RUM has adversely affected the water supply. To date, no complaints have been

received in relation to groundwater or surface water supply of private landowners.

6.5 Roles and Responsibilities

The roles and responsibilities assigned to water management on site under this WMP are outlined in

Table 16.

Table 16

Roles and Responsibilities for Site Water Management

Water Management Component Responsible Entity

Provide resources required to implement the

WMP Operations Manager

Review and updates of WMP Environment and Community Manager

Management and maintenance of water

management infrastructure Services Superintendent and CHPP Manager

Monitoring Environment and Community Manager

Investigation of incidents Environment and Community Manager

Reporting (including AEMR and incident

reporting) Environment and Community Manager

7. REFERENCES

7.1 Legislation

Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979

Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997

7.2 Australian Standards

Australian Standard for Water Quality Sampling AS/NZS5667.1-1998

7.3 Xstrata plc

Xstrata plc Sustainable Development Standard 10 – Environment, Biodiversity and Landscape Functions



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7.4 Xstrata Coal NSW

XCN SD GDL 0010 10.0 Environment, Biodiversity & Landscape Functions

XCN SD ANN 0078 10.12 Water Management Strategy

XCN SD ANN 0040 - 10.3 Pipeline Management

XCN SD ANN 0077 – 10.11 Erosion and Sediment Control Management

7.5 Ravensworth Underground Mine

RUM SD PRO 0057 Underground Water Sample Collection

RUM SD FRM 0036 XCN Water Management / Water Supply Questionnaire

RUM SD PRO 0054 Raw Water Access (Surface Water Licences) System Procedure

RUM SD PRO 0055 Dam Water Response System Procedure - Pit Top and Office Dams

RUM SD PRO 0056 Dam Levels Operating System Procedure

RUM SD PLN 0020 Private Water Supply Management Plan

7.6 Licences

RUM SD EXT 0470 Groundwater Licences - Mine Dewatering - Bore Licence Renewal Certificate - 20BL168023

RUM SD EXT 0471 Groundwater Licences - Mine Dewatering - Bore Licence Renewal Certificate - 20BL171422

RUM SD EXT 0472 Surface Water Licence - Water Access - Certificate of Title WAL8964








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8. APPENDICES

8.1 Appendix 1—Development Consent Conditions

Extract taken from Development Application 104/96 under section 101 of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979

Schedule 2 – Conditions of Development Consent

SITE WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN

8. The Applicant shall prepare and implement a Site Water Management Plan for the development to the satisfaction of the Director-General. This plan must:

a) be prepared in consultation with NOW, DECCW and I&I NSW;

b) be submitted to the Director-General for approval by the end of December 2009; and

c) include:

a Site Water Balance;

an Erosion and Sediment Control Plan;

a Surface Water Monitoring Plan;

a Groundwater Monitoring Program; and

a Surface and Groundwater Response Plan.

SITE WATER BALANCE

9. The Site Water Balance must:

a) include details of:

sources and security of water supply;

water use and management on site;

any off-site water transfers or discharges; and

reporting procedures; and

b) describe measures to minimise water use by the site.

EROSION AND SEDIMENT CONTROL

10. The Erosion and Sediment Control Plan must:

a) be consistent with the requirements of Landcom’s Managing Urban Stormwater: Soils and Construction manual;

b) identify activities that could cause soil erosion and generate sediment;

c) describe measures to minimise soil erosion and the potential for transport of sediment

downstream;

d) describe the location, function and capacity of erosion and sediment control structures; and

e) describe what measures would be implemented to maintain the structures over time.

SURFACE WATER MONITORING

11. The Surface Water Monitoring Program must include:



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a) detailed baseline data on surface water flows and quality in creeks and other waterbodies that could potentially be affected by the development;

b) surface water and stream health impact assessment criteria;

c) a program to monitor;

surface water flows and quality;

stream health; and

channel stability;

d) a program to monitor any impacts on private water users and water levels in privately-owned farm dams; and

e) reporting procedures for the results of the monitoring program.

GROUNDWATER MONITORING

11A. The Groundwater Monitoring Program must include:

a) groundwater impact assessment criteria, including trigger levels for investigating any potentially adverse groundwater impacts of the development;

b) a program to monitor the volume and quality of groundwater seeping into the underground mine workings;

c) a program to monitor:

groundwater inflows to the underground mining operations;

impacts on regional aquifers and surrounding aquifers;

impacts on the groundwater supply of potentially affected private landowners; and

impacts on groundwater dependent ecosystems and riparian vegetation;

d) reporting procedures for the results of the monitoring program.

SURFACE AND GROUNDWATER RESPONSE PLAN

11B. The Surface and Groundwater Response Plan must describe the measures and/or procedures that would be implemented to:

a) respond to any exceedances of the surface water, stream health and groundwater impact assessment criteria;

b) offset the loss of any baseflow to watercourses caused by the development where the impact assessment criteria are exceeded;

c) compensate landowners of privately-owned land whose water supply is adversely affected by the development; and

d) mitigate and/or offset any adverse impacts on groundwater dependent ecosystems or riparian vegetation.



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9. CONTROL AND REVISION HISTORY

9.1 Document information

Property Value

Approved by Environment & Community Manager

Document Owner Environment & Community Coordinator

Effective Date 20/09/2012

Keywords

Environment, Community, Water, Management, Plant, WMP, Groundwater, surface,

consent, monitoring

For a complete list of document properties, select View Properties from the document’s context menu on the intranet.

9.2 Revisions

Version Date reviewed

Review team

(consultation) Nature of the amendment

1 31/08/09 James Barben

Vicki McBride

Initial MP

2 06/09/12 James Barben

Chris Standing

Publication of revised Water Management Plan following approval

by Department of Planning & Infrastructure.

3 20/09/12 Amendments to document properties (version history)

water management plan

Documents