Southdown Magnetite Project Dieback Management Plan. Revision 2: August 2012

Transcription

1 Southdown Magnetite Project Revision 2: August 2012

2 Document Control Document Status Author Reviewer Signature Date of Issue Draft Report MY MG 06/02/12 REV0 BP JL/SDJV Internal 20/06/12 REV1 MM SRT 25/07/12 REV2 MM 29/08/12 2

3 Executive Summary The Southdown Joint Venture (SDJV), a joint venture between Grange Resources Limited (Grange) 70% and SRT Australia Pty Ltd (SRT) 30%, proposes to construct and operate the Southdown Magnetite Project (the Project) in the southwest region of Western Australia, approximately 90 km northeast of Albany. One of the critical environmental issues in southwest Western Australia is management of Dieback, a disease which can kill a wide range of plants species. Dieback is caused by the soil borne pathogen Phytophthora which is spread by the movement of soil, plant material and water. Previous flora surveys have identified potential dieback infestations in and around the Project area and associated service corridors. When the disease spreads it kills vegetation, resulting in permanent decline in the biodiversity of the whole ecosystem. This seeks to implement best management practices to restrict the spread of Dieback from infested areas to uninfested areas. These measures will be implemented during construction and throughout the life of the Project as per Commitment 28 in the Project Public Environmental Review, and Condition 9 of Ministerial Statement 904 (Cape Riche Desalination plant). SDJV will conduct a Dieback assessment of the Project area prior to commencement of ground disturbing activities. Before construction commences, this will be revised to include mapping of Dieback extent and mitigation measures for the Mine site, Desalination plant and Slurry pipeline. The revised Plan will inform decisions on the location of cleandown areas, turn around points, stockpile areas and fencing. Until the baseline Dieback assessment has been conducted in spring 2012, all areas of remnant vegetation will be treated as Dieback free. Following Dieback surveys, vegetation areas of the Project will be classified as: Infested Areas of vegetation, identified and assessed by an accredited disease interpreter, that show visible signs of infestation through the presence of associated susceptible plant deaths in a pattern consistent with Dieback. Evidence of the infestation may be supported by positive recoveries of Dieback via laboratory analysis. Uninfested - Areas of vegetation, identified and assessed by an accredited disease interpreter, that are free from the disease. Uninfested areas must contain susceptible species in numbers that would allow detection of the disease if it were present. Uninterpretable Areas within the study area that cannot be determined to be infested or uninfested. Such areas may: o Consist of vegetation that does not contain susceptible species; o Have been recently burnt, removing all evidence of disease symptoms; or 3

4 o Be recently disturbed areas or areas of non-native vegetation. Unmappable - Areas within the study area that cannot be determined to be infested or uninfested due to the removal of native vegetation. The management objectives of this are to: manage the construction and operation of the Project to ensure no introduction of Dieback into the remnant vegetation and conservation areas adjacent to the Project footprint; ensure that the risk of spreading Dieback is minimised; protect the areas that are Dieback free during the life of the Project; ensure that SDJV is compliant with the conditions on the mining leases, exploration leases and subsequent approvals; ensure that appropriate hygiene measures limit the spread of Dieback during Project construction and operation; define environmental roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of personnel in respect to the implementation of the ; provide adequate information and instruction to ensure personnel comply with this Management Plan and that a framework exists for the inclusion of additional requirements; and ensure that senior management and all personnel understand their environmental duty of care and have concern for the overall environmental effects of their performance by implementing, managing and continually reviewing this Management Plan. 4

5 Table of Contents 1. BACKGROUND Project Description Dieback Management Issues Current Disease Status of the Project Vegetation ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS Potential Impacts Performance Indicators RELEVANT LEGISLATION AND GUIDELINES DIEBACK MANAGEMENT PLAN PERFORMANCE AND COMPLIANCE REPORTING REFERENCES APPENDICES Ecologia (2007) Southdown Magnetite Proposal Assessment of the Flora and Vegetation GHD (2011) Desalination Plant Terrestrial Flora and Vegetation Survey TABLES Table 1: Dieback Management Strategies for the Southdown Project 23 Table 2: Key Management Actions 34 FIGURES Figure 1: Location of the Southdown Magnetite Mine 8 Figure 2: Layout of the Southdown Magnetite Mine 9 Figure 3: Approximate Location of Berth 7, Albany Port 10 Figure 4: Cape Riche Desalination Plant Layout 11 Figure 5. Distribution of disease in native vegetation caused by Dieback in Western Australia 13 Figure 6. Southdown Mine Site Cropping-Lease Areas 16 Figure 7. Southdown Mine Site Vegetation Types 17 5

6 1. BACKGROUND 1.1. Project Description The Southdown Joint Venture (SDJV), a joint venture between Grange Resources Limited (Grange) 70% and SRT Australia Pty Ltd (SRT) 30%, proposes to construct and operate the Southdown Magnetite Project. The Southdown Magnetite Project (the Project) is located in the south-west region of Western Australia, approximately 90 km north-east of Albany (Figure 1). The Project is approved under Ministerial Statement 816 for an ore mining rate up to 45 Million tonnes per annum (Mtpa), a waste rock mining rate of up to 85 Mtpa, and a total concentrate production of 200 Mt for the life of mine. The Project involves conventional open-pit mining methods with the magnetite ore being crushed, ground, screened and magnetically separated. The concentrate is further upgraded using hydro separation to remove fine silica, and flotation to remove sulphur impurities. Magnetite concentrate will be produced at a targeted production rate of 10 Mtpa. The Project currently has a life of mine of 14 years but known extensions to the magnetite deposit within the adjacent exploration licence are expected to extend the Project life considerably. Mining of the magnetite will be via hard rock mining methods, using drill and blast techniques. Inert waste material will be placed in the 950 ha waste rock dump, then eventually backfilled into the 400 ha pit once the waste rock dump reaches its capacity designed to be 45 m in height at closure. Potentially Acid Forming (PAF) material will be encapsulated in purpose-built PAF cells within the waste dump to enable the material to be covered within six months to prevent oxidation (Figure 2). Non-magnetic production tailings will be thickened and deposited in a slurry form into a Tailings Storage Facility (TSF). A 250 ha TSF will be constructed to hold approximately six years of tailings production with a capacity of 104 Mt of tailings. A second above ground TSF (TSF Cell 2), north of Cell 1, is planned for tailings storage beyond six years of production. An application has been submitted to the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) under Section 45C of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 for approval to increase the TSF footprint to 605 ha to accommodate the 355 ha Cell 2. The magnetite concentrate will be transported as slurry from the Mine site through a buried steel pipeline to a purpose-built dewatering and concentrate storage facility at the Albany Port. The pipeline system includes two buried pipelines, one to return the water to the Mine site for reuse. Both pipelines are buried in the same corridor which is approximately 110 km in length (Figure 1). At the Albany Port, the magnetite slurry will be dewatered, and stockpiled before being loaded onto Cape-size vessels for export. The Port Material handling facility will be built on reclaimed land 6

7 immediately east of the Berth 6 woodchip terminal site and incorporates the addition of a new Berth 7, a filtration plant, a concentrate stockpile shed and a ship-loading facility (Figure 3). The expansion of Albany Port to accommodate export of the product involves dredging of 12 million cubic metres of marine sediments to widen, deepen and increase the length of the existing shipping channel in Princess Royal Harbour and King George Sound to allow access of Cape-size vessels to the Port. Dredged material will be disposed offshore at a location in King George Sound. A portion of the dredged material will be used for reclamation of up to nine hectares of Princess Royal Harbour to construct Berth 7. All works associated with the expansion of Albany Port are approved under Ministerial Statement 846 with the Albany Port Authority (APA) as the proponent. The construction and operation of the Port Material handling facility forms part of the Southdown Project. However, the Southdown Project does not include the dredging and reclamation works associated with the Albany Port expansion as these are managed by the APA under separate environmental approvals. To support the Project, SDJV proposes to develop a reverse osmosis, seawater Desalination plant in order to provide a reliable, independent water supply of up to 11 gigalitres per annum for the Project. The Desalination plant was approved under Ministerial Statement 904 in July, 2012 and will be located approximately five km west of Cape Riche, and approximately 25 km from the Mine site (refer Figure 4). The Desalination plant includes construction of the following infrastructure: 28.6 km treated water pipeline from the Desalination plant to the Concentrator at the Mine site; 4.7 km seawater transfer pipeline from the intake and pump station to the Desalination plant; 5.3 km brine discharge pipeline from the Desalination plant to the outfall location; and 33 kv overhead power lines from the Mine site to the Desalination plant, and combination overhead/underground cable from Desalination plant to seawater intake. In addition, Western Power will construct a 330 kv transmission line (approximately 278 km in length) from the Muja switchyard at Collie to the Southdown Mine site to provide the required 167 mega-watt connected load at the Project. While the transmission line is substantially funded by the Southdown Project, it will be managed by Western Power and does not form part of the Project. 7

8 SDJV Figure 1: Location of the Southdown Magnetite Mine 8

9 SDJV Figure 2: Layout of the Southdown Magnetite Mine 9

10 SDJV Figure 3: Approximate Location of Berth 7, Albany Port 10

11 Figure 4: Cape Riche Desalination Plant Layout 11

12 1.2. Dieback One of the critical environmental issues in southwest Western Australia is management of the plant disease Dieback, caused by the soil borne pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi. Previous flora surveys have identified potential dieback infestations in and around the Project area and associated service corridors however these have not been assessed by a qualified Phytophthora interpreter. Phytophthora is a water mould spread by the movement of soil, plant material and water. There are over 1,000 species of plants known to be affected by dieback (DMP, 2006). In Western Australia, large numbers of plants, ranging from Jarrah trees to small herbaceous plants, are known to be susceptible to the disease. It is known to kill a wide range of plant species between Walpole and Cape Arid National Park east of Esperance (Figure 5) by attacking their root system. However, the vulnerability of plants varies widely, such that Phytophthora cinnamomi can also survive and reproduce on a wide range of native plants without killing them. The pathogen lives in plant tissue and soil, and migrates and reproduces in warm, moist conditions. The dieback pathogen is also able to survive within plant roots during the dry soil conditions commonly experienced during the summer months. Infested roots cannot provide the water and nutrients needed to maintain life, and the plants die from dehydration. When the disease spreads it kills vegetation, resulting in permanent decline in the biodiversity of the whole ecosystem. Certain species, including dependant fauna taxa, can disappear from the area. The genus Phytophthora includes several varieties that are recognised in Western Australia: Phytophthora cinnamomi Phytophthora citricola Phytophthora cryptogea Phytophthora drechsleri Phytophthora megasperma var. mega Phytophthora megasperma var. sojae Phytophthora nicotinnae var. nocotinnae Phytophthora nicotinnae var. parasitica Phytophthora cinnamomi is the most widespread and destructive of these, spreading through root contact, surface and subsurface soil water movement and by physical soil transport. In general, P. cinnamomi is restricted to areas in the south-west of WA receiving at least 400 mm of average rainfall. P. cinnamomi depends on moist conditions that favor survival, sporulation and dispersal. It may be transported in a number of ways (CALM, 2003): mycelia may grow from plant to plant via root to root contact points; mycelia can be carried in soil and host tissue; 12

13 as zoospores that can actively swim very short distances towards new hosts and initiate new infections; zoospores may be carried in moving water or in transported soil; and tough, long-lived chlamydospores may be transported in soil or roots and then germinate to cause a new infection when they encounter favourable conditions, producing mycelia and zoospores. Figure 5. Distribution of disease in native vegetation caused by Phytophthora cinnamomi in Western Australia (CALM 2003) 1.3. Management Issues This seeks to implement best management practices to restrict the spread of dieback from infested areas to uninfested areas. These measures will be implemented during construction and throughout the life of the Project as per Commitment 28 in the submitted Public Environmental Review (Ecologia, 2007a). This Plan is consistent with Condition 9 of Ministerial Statement 904 (Desalination plant): 9-1 The proponent shall ensure that dieback disease (Phytophthora species) is not introduced as a direct or indirect result of implementation of the proposal into uninfested areas within the project area. 13

14 9-2 Prior to construction the proponent shall, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation, have an experienced dieback interpreter acceptable to the Department of Environment and Conservation carry out a baseline dieback survey of the proposed pipeline alignment to determine whether there are any existing areas of dieback disease and, if it is present, to map the infested areas. 9-3 Prior to construction the proponent shall: 1. Submit a report to the Department of Environment and Conservation on the results of the survey referred to in condition 9-2 providing maps and photographs and outlining the planned risk mitigation in each instance that dieback has been identified. 2. Submit detailed management measures including hygiene (inspection certification by appointed persons for each vehicle entry, clean down points and clean down procedures) to the requirements of the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority on advice from the Department of Environment and Conservation. 3. Implement dieback management and hygiene measures detailed in during construction, commissioning and operation. 9-4 The proponent shall resurvey the pipeline alignment in spring annually for at least three years unless otherwise agreed by the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority, following completion of the pipeline construction, to ensure that the requirements of condition 9-1 have been met. 9-5 In the event that there are locations where condition 9-1 has not been met, the proponent shall develop remedial measures in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation and shall implement those remedial measures until approval is given to stop by the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority on advice from the Department of Environment and Conservation. 9-6 Prior to ceasing annual spring dieback surveys as required by condition 9-4 and remedial measures referred to in condition 9-5 the proponent shall provide a closeout report and seek approval from the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority on advice from the Department of Environment and Conservation. Management measures will focus on: control/restriction of access to areas of remnant vegetation; education of personnel; contractual controls in respect to the cleanliness of equipment arriving onsite; establishment of cleandown facilities; decontamination protocols; consultation with local farm owners; record keeping; signage; auditing; and minimising access through infested areas. 14

15 The Mine site Project area has been extensively cleared for agriculture with native vegetation occurring as scattered remnants of variable size. Lot 6836 and 6831 (refer Figure 2) are currently cropped (canola, barley and wheat) on a yearly lease. Excluding the areas of Project infrastructure and native vegetation, cropping will continue for at least the construction phase of the Project (2.5 years) in the remaining areas displayed in Figure 6. This cropping lease, and the additional activity associated with farming practices, is not considered to increase the Dieback risk as all native vegetation areas at the Mine site will be fenced to restrict access by SDJV personnel and the leaseholder. This aims to ensure that SDJV does not cause environmental harm and meets its obligations and commitments under environmental approvals. Management measures identified in this Plan will be reviewed annually and implemented for the duration of the Southdown Project. The Plan will be revised and updated when required to cover future project development activities Current Disease Status of the Project Vegetation Much of the area in which the Project is located has been cleared since the 1960 s for farming purposes. Vegetation within the Project area occurs as scattered native remnants of variable size, surrounded by cleared farmland utilised for mixed cropping and grazing. At the Mine site, 14.8% of the proposed footprint is remnant vegetation in 20 separate blocks. The vegetation of the Mine site is a complex, diverse mosaic with dense mallee-heath to mallee-scrub, mostly dominated by Eucalypts (Figure 7). The largest areas of remnant vegetation have been assessed as being in good to excellent condition (Ecologia, 2007b), but many of the vegetation types remaining at the Mine site and along the pipeline route have a highly fragmented distribution, limited to road verges and small remnants on private property. Nevertheless, the vegetation units recorded from the Mine site are regionally uncommon, poorly reserved, and include a number of Priority flora populations (Ecologia, 2007b). The Slurry pipeline route transects highly disturbed areas where vegetation has variously been cleared, degraded by invasion of weeds and non-native species, or disturbed by roads and tracks. Where small patches of remnant bush and wetlands along the corridor remain in good to excellent condition, the vegetation was assessed as having at least local conservation significance (Ecologia, 2007b). A subsequent vegetation assessment of the re-aligned slurry pipeline (GHD, 2011b) found three vegetation associations with condition ranging from very degraded to very good. However, targeted searches for Conservation Significant species did not find any Species of National Conservation Significance (EPBC) or any Threatened Flora (as listed by DEC) within the Slurry pipeline corridor. 15

16 Figure 6. Southdown Mine Site Cropping-Lease Areas 16

17 Figure 7. Southdown Mine Site Vegetation Types 17

18 The vegetation survey of the Project considered the likelihood of Phytophthora cinnamomi being present in these remnant blocks of native vegetation: Although the vegetation appeared to exhibit signs of senescence, there was no evidence of any spatial pattern in the senescent or dead shrubs that would normally be present and indicate a front of dieback moving through the vegetation (Ecologia, 2007b). The presence of dead plants from species known to be susceptible to Dieback may be indicative of an infection, but confirmation is possible only after a detailed examination by a specialist. Until that determination is made, it is assumed that the mining footprint includes both Dieback infested and Dieback free vegetation, since Dieback is found throughout the southern extent of Western Australia in areas with susceptible plant species that receive rainfall in excess of 400 mm/year (Dieback Working Group, 2005). The proposed locations of the Desalination plant and associated infrastructure, including the proposed Slurry pipeline alignments, are primarily within previously disturbed or cleared areas, including road reserves and agricultural areas. However, the Desalination plant is considered to be in an area susceptible to Dieback and the increase or spread of the Dieback pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi is typically a significant risk associated with the construction of linear infrastructure such as pipelines. Dieback infestations spread through bushland either naturally, through soil water movement, or artificially through vector movement of soil on vehicles and occasionally via foot traffic (GHD, 2011a). Therefore, Dieback management during the construction phase will employ appropriate Phytophthora hygiene protocols, and post-construction Dieback monitoring and mapping will continue for at least three years. Dieback Survey Dieback disease is an important environmental issue with regard to any land clearing and major pipeline trenching associated with the Southdown Magnetite Project. Dieback mapping data has limited currency, and can be assumed as accurate for only 12 months after determination as spread of the disease after a survey can render the mapping unreliable over time. In accordance with regulatory approvals, SDJV will conduct a Dieback assessment of the Project area prior to commencement of ground disturbing activities. Before construction commences, this Dieback Management Plan will be revised to include mapping of Dieback extent and mitigation measures for the Mine site, Desalination plant and Slurry pipeline. The revised Plan will be re-submitted to the Department of Environment and Conservation (Albany Region), and will inform decisions on the location of cleandown areas, turn around points, stockpile areas and fencing. Until the baseline Dieback assessment has been conducted in spring 2012, all areas of remnant vegetation will be treated as Dieback free. The Plan will be further updated following subsequent Dieback surveys during construction, operation and closure of the Project. Dieback surveys will be undertaken prior to ground disturbance activities and, for the purpose of this management Plan, vegetation areas of the Project will be classified as: 18

19 Infested Areas of vegetation, identified and assessed by an accredited disease interpreter, that show visible signs of infestation through the presence of associated susceptible plant deaths in a pattern consistent with Dieback. Evidence of the infestation may be supported by positive recoveries of Dieback via laboratory analysis. Uninfested - Areas of vegetation, identified and assessed by an accredited disease interpreter, that are free from the disease. Uninfested areas must contain susceptible species in numbers that would allow detection of the disease if it were present. Uninterpretable Areas within the study area that cannot be determined to be infested or uninfested. Such areas may: Consist of vegetation that does not contain susceptible species; Have been recently burnt, removing all evidence of disease symptoms; or Be recently disturbed areas or areas of non-native vegetation. Unmappable - Areas within the study area that cannot be determined to be infested or uninfested due to the removal of native vegetation. 2. ENVIRONMENTAL OBJECTIVES AND POTENTIAL IMPACTS EPA Objectives relevant to vegetation and flora management over the Project area are: to maintain the abundance, diversity, geographic distribution and productivity of flora at species and ecosystem levels through the avoidance or management of adverse impacts and improvement in knowledge; and protect Threatened and Priority Flora, consistent with the provisions of the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 and the conservation significant flora listed on relevant schedules of the Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The management objectives in relation to Dieback are to: manage the construction and operation of the Project to ensure no introduction of Dieback into the remnant vegetation and conservation areas adjacent to the Project footprint; ensure that the risk of spreading Dieback is minimised; protect the areas that are Dieback free during the life of the Project; ensure that SDJV is compliant with the conditions on the mining leases, exploration leases and subsequent approvals; ensure that appropriate hygiene measures limit the spread of Dieback during Project construction and operation; define environmental roles, responsibilities and accountabilities of personnel in respect to the implementation of the ; provide adequate information and instruction to ensure personnel comply with this Management Plan and that a framework exists for the inclusion of additional requirements; and 19

20 ensure that senior management and all personnel understand their environmental duty of care and have concern for the overall environmental effects of their performance by implementing, managing and continually reviewing this Management Plan Potential Impacts The potential impacts associated with Dieback that may arise from construction and operation of the Project includes: unauthorised entry/access into uninterruptable or uninfested areas; inadequate equipment and vehicle hygiene practices; further degradation to surrounding remnant bushland resulting from the spread of Dieback associated with increased activity associated with mining operations and pipeline construction; degradation of fauna habitat due to spread of Dieback; and promoting the spread of Dieback as vehicles and mobile equipment move from Dieback disease areas to Dieback free areas, especially in moist soil conditions following rain. The most likely disease vectors are vehicles and machines carrying contaminated mud or soil. Therefore, preventing disease introduction will be achieved primarily by controlling access for vehicles and people, and ensuring cleanliness of vehicles, machinery and people entering controlled areas by implementing cleandown procedures. These measures will be particularly critical during construction activities, but also vital during ongoing operations. At all times, staff and contractor education and awareness about the nature and impact of the disease will be fundamental to the success of this Plan. Construction Activities that are considered to have a medium to high risk of introducing or spreading Dieback include mining infrastructure construction; road and track building; and pipeline construction. A wide range of activities undertaken within, or associated with the maintenance of transport corridors can spread Dieback. These include shoulder grading, drain clearing, earthmoving, stock-piling, vegetation control, extraction of raw materials, off-road vehicle use, site inspections and survey works and fencing. Operation Risks of non-autonomous spread of Dieback will be significantly reduced post-construction once the pipelines are in place and other infrastructure is established. During operations, there will be no need to traverse remnant vegetation to access to the pipelines since existing roads and tracks will be used. For the Mine site, access through vegetation will be required only for monitoring vegetation condition and checking positional dust monitoring equipment. In these circumstances, mobile cleandown facilities will provide an effective hygiene tool. 20

21 In addition, throughout the life of the Project any fire-fighting activities may require unplanned access through remnant vegetation blocks. The location of all disease boundaries will be demarcated during the disease distribution survey and this information will be used to inform the Dieback Management plan and identify locations where strategic cleandown will be required Performance Indicators The performance indicator for this management Plan will be: Prevent and minimise the spread of Dieback from infested areas into the remnant vegetation and conservation areas adjacent the Project footprint. Performance will be demonstrated by: compliance with prescribed management actions; and clear evidence of no breaches of the management actions. Dieback management actions are contingent upon the stage of development. This plan refers to two stages: construction removal of vegetation and topsoil from haul road, mining and laydown areas; preparation of haul road foundation and application of surfacing material; and operations mining and haulage; road and infrastructure maintenance; surface water management. Given the very limited currency (approximately 12 months) of the data underpinning mapping of Dieback occurrence, professional assessment will be undertaken to determine the disease status of the Project area on an annual basis. 3. RELEVANT LEGISLATION AND GUIDELINES The following legislation and policy guidelines are relevant to Dieback management for the Project: Conservation and Land Management Act 1984 (WA); Conservation and Land Management Regulations 2002 (WA); Forest Management Regulations 1993 (WA); Environmental Protection (Clearing of Native Vegetation) Regulations 2004 (WA); Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WA); Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 2000 (Cth); 21

22 Policy Statement No 3, Threat Abatement for Phytophthora cinnamomi and disease caused by it in Native Vegetation (CALM, 2004a) draft interim policy; National Threat Abatement Plan for Dieback caused by the Root-rot Fungus Phytophthora cinnamomi (Environmental Australia, 2002); Best Practice Guidelines for the Management of Phytophthora cinnamomi (CALM, 2004b); Phytophthora cinnamomi and Disease Caused by it, Volume 1 Management Guidelines, Department of Environment and Conservation (2007); Managing Phytophthora Dieback in Bushland A Guide for Landholders and Community Conservation Groups, Edition 3, Dieback Working Group (2005a); and Management of Phytophthora Dieback in Extractive Industries, Dieback Working Group(2005b). 4. DIEBACK MANAGEMENT PLAN It is assumed that Dieback is present in or near the Project areas, and the following management strategies and control actions detail the minimum requirements to minimise the risk of spreading Dieback during construction and operation of the Project on the Southdown Project Tenure. The overarching management objectives are (i) constraining the spread of the pathogen and (ii) reducing its impact. This Plan incorporates strategies for implementation, addressing contingencies, stakeholder consultation, auditing, and review and revision of the for both construction and operational activities. 22

23 Table 1: Dieback Management Strategies for the Southdown Project Reference Task Timing Responsibility 1.0 Zoning 1.1 Sites within the Project area that have no remnant vegetation will be classified as unmappable and will not be subject to specific Dieback management procedures unless they are upslope of sites that are in or adjacent to bushland or remnant vegetation. 1.2 All areas assessed as Dieback free will be classified as uninfested and demarcated for protection from Dieback infestation. Pre-construction repeated following monitoring events Pre-construction repeated following monitoring events Environmental Officer Construction Manager / Registered Manager 1.3 Areas of remnant native vegetation that contain no species considered to be susceptible to Dieback infestation will be classified as Uninterpretable and demarcated for protection from Dieback infestation. 1.4 All areas assessed to be infested by Dieback will be classified as infested and demarcated. Pre-construction repeated following monitoring events Pre-construction repeated following monitoring events Construction Manager / Registered Manager Construction Manager / Registered Manager 1.5 The following areas will be designated Public zone : public roads; the administration area; and Pre-construction repeated following monitoring events Construction Manager / Registered Manager access roads and car parks: 1.6 The following areas will be designated Operational zone working surfaces, including Pre-construction Construction Manager 23

24 Reference Task Timing Responsibility o access roads; o waste rock landforms; o tailing storage facility; o ROM Pads, pits, laydowns; o explosives magazine; o accommodation area; and haul road. 1.7 Only one entrance will be available to uninfested and Uninterpretable zones. Uncontrolled access of vehicles and machines will be prevented where practicable, with appropriate fencing barriers and signage erected along relevant borders of the Project area. A clean on entry policy will be applied to all entries into these zones. 1.8 All disease category boundaries will be assessed on an annual basis during monitoring by a qualified Dieback interpreter. Construction Construction Manager / Registered Manager All phases Registered Manager 2.0 Provision of adequate staff training 2.1 Importance of risks of spreading Dieback and environmental values to be included as a component of standard site induction. 2.2 All SDJV employees and contractors will be trained in: Pre-construction Pre-construction Registered Manager Registered Manager general Dieback awareness and understanding of various modes of Dieback spread; areas infested by Dieback, areas that are uninfested and areas that are uninterpretable; areas where inspections and vehicle/mobile machinery cleandown are required; 24

25 Reference Task Timing Responsibility techniques for identifying existing infested areas; practical introduction to the cleandown and inspections of vehicles and mobile machinery; the requirement to report internally as an environmental incident when hygiene procedures are breached; and consequences of not implementing hygiene requirements or departure from specified operating conditions. 2.3 Appropriate staff will be identified to function as inspection officers, trained in vehicular Dieback inspections at clean on entry points to inspect all heavy vehicles and mobile machinery to ensure that they are free of soil and vegetation prior to entering uninfested and Uninterpretable protected areas. 2.4 The Environmental Manager is responsible for the implementation of this Management Plan. 2.5 SDJV Environmental Officers will be encouraged to attend a DEC Dieback inspection training course Pre-construction Construction Construction Registered Manager Registered Manager Registered Manager 3.0 Vehicle and Mobile Plant/Machinery Hygiene 3.1 Dieback cleandown procedures will be developed for sites that are in or adjacent to bushland or remnant vegetation. Dieback cleandown locations will be located in accordance with known disease distribution and will be annually reviewed. Pre-construction Environmental Officer 3.2 All vehicles and machinery will require cleandown prior to access to the Project area as All phases Environmental Officer 25

26 Reference Task Timing Responsibility part of the strict clean on entry policy. Cleandown will also be required when travelling from: Infested areas into either uninterpretable or uninfested areas; Unmappable areas into either uninterpretable or uninfested areas; Uninterpretable areas into uninfested areas; and The Operational zone into either Uninfested or Uninterpretable areas. 3.3 Dieback hygiene measures, including standards for cleaning of all vehicles, machinery, equipment and personnel will be implemented as standard operating procedures for the Project workforce and incorporated as conditions in all relevant SDJV contracts. All phases Environmental Officer 3.4 Permanent cleandown facilities (where required) will be purpose-built using design criteria to the satisfaction of DEC. Bitumen will be used for road surfacing close to the exit ramp to allow vehicles to dry off and avoid providing wet surfaces for adhesion of soils. The cleandown station will be inspected for water level and drainage control by each user, and by mining staff on a daily basis, and maintained in proper working order. Collected sediments from permanent cleandown facilities shall be either sterilized prior to re-use on site or will be disposed of at a suitable landfill facility. All phases Construction Manager / Registered Manager 3.5 A mobile cleandown facility will be made available to all construction vehicles and machinery operating within remnant vegetation areas using design criteria to the satisfaction of the DEC. 3.6 Signage will be provided at cleandown stations to inform operators of correct cleandown and checking procedures. Construction All phases Environmental Officer Environmental Officer 3.7 Visitors to the Project, and non-operational vehicles, will be confined to the Public zone All phases Registered Manager 26

27 Reference Task Timing Responsibility and remain within a separate designated public access area. 3.8 The Environment Officer will undertake inspections of vehicles in the uninfested, Uninterpretable and Operational zones on a regular basis to ensure cleandown procedures have been followed correctly. If potential Dieback vectors are found on vehicles or machinery, it will be recorded as an environmental incident. All inspections will be recorded and a record maintained on site. 4.0 Construction and Pre-Operations All phases Environmental Officer 4.1 All earthworks will incorporate established hygiene standards including, but not restricted to: Construction Construction Manager separation of activities between zones; confinement of all soil and drainage to individual catchments; storage of all materials on hard, well-drained surfaces that do not drain towards vegetation; movement of material from upslope to downslope; and only bore water or treated water (i.e. free of Dieback) to be used for construction and dust suppression. 4.2 Groundwater bores (existing and future) from the Redmond-King aquifer will provide Dieback free water for dust suppression and fire-fighting purposes during construction (until the Desalination plant is commissioned). Pre-construction Construction Manager / Registered Manager 4.3 Water used for construction will be from Dieback free sources only. Construction Construction Manager 27

28 Reference Task Timing Responsibility 4.4 Water required for construction and project activities in uninfested areas will be dosed with sodium hypochlorite (250ml per L). The concentration of this solution is 125 gm/l of available chlorine, as recommended in the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) Guideline for Management of Dieback Disease in Mineral Exploration (DMP, 2006). Construction Construction Manager 4.5 All materials used (e.g. sand, gravel, rock and mulch) will be disease-free and weed-free prior to obtaining or transporting onto the site (i.e. sourced from uninfested areas). All phases Construction Manager / Registered Manager 4.6 Dieback infested topsoils will be managed so that they are identified, isolated, and returned to their original site (wherever possible) or to an area classified as infested. 5.0 Drainage control and road construction 5.1 All hard surfaces will be constructed of Dieback free material where possible and lowrisk material (e.g. from cleared farmland) otherwise. They will be built to rigorous, predetermined engineering standards. Drainage from Dieback infested areas will be constructed to report all runoff to facilities for treatment, or directed into other areas classified as infested. Construction Construction Manager 5.2 All surfaces will be constructed to prevent drainage entering uninfested or Uninterpretable zones. 5.3 Building, parking, laydown, workshop and other surfaces in the Public zone at Southdown will be constructed to report all drainage to purpose built sumps for treatment. Collected sediments will be either sterilized prior to re-use on site or will be disposed of at a suitable landfill facility. Construction Construction Construction Manager Construction Manager 28

29 Reference Task Timing Responsibility 5.4 Water recovered from construction trenches will be discharged to a purpose-built sump designed and located to prevent discharge into native vegetation. Collected sediments will be either sterilized prior to re-use on site or will be disposed of at a suitable landfill facility. All stages Environmental Officer 6.0 Operations phase 6.1 Vehicles, machinery and personnel will not enter uninfested or Uninterpretable zones during operations, unless permission is obtained from the Environmental Officer. Any vehicle, machinery or personnel entering these areas without following cleandown procedures will be recorded as an environmental incident. 6.2 All vehicles, machinery and personnel accessing Uninterpretable or Public zones (i.e. risk areas) during operations will be cleaned or washed down and inspected by the operator prior to re-entering uninfested or operational zones (i.e. clean areas). 6.3 Clearing for any purpose in the project area will conform with ground disturbance procedures specific to managing Dieback. Operations Operations Operations Registered Manager Registered Manager Registered Manager 7.0 Contractor and Sub-contractor management 7.1 Conditions will be included in contracts to ensure all contractors and sub-contractors adhere to applicable requirements of the. Pre-construction / ongoing Commercial Manager 8.0 Monitoring and Management 8.1 A full assessment of the distribution of Dieback across the Southdown Project area will Spring

30 Reference Task Timing Responsibility be conducted in Spring This assessment will demarcate and map all disease infestations, areas classified as uninterpretable and vegetation currently free from infestation. The assessment will be performed by a DEC accredited Dieback interpreter to the standards defined in Phytophthora cinnamomi and the disease caused by it- Volume 2: Interpreters Guidelines for Detection, Diagnosis and Mapping, (CALM, 2001) 8.2 Monitoring for infestations believed to be introduced by construction works will be undertaken annually by an accredited person for a minimum of three years after construction. Annual monitoring shall focus on areas subject to construction works and areas considered to be at high risk of infestation as a result of operational activities. It is considered that areas of interpretable remnant vegetation that are within the southdown project area but are not influenced by site construction or operation shall not require annual monitoring. Such areas include vegetation that has not been accessed during site construction works and areas that are situated up slope of drainage from operational areas. 8.3 Following construction, a full Dieback survey of operational areas will be conducted every three years by an accredited person with an annual re-check of all disease boundaries to review disease spread and hygienic cleandown locations. If any infestations are found, appropriate mitigation strategies shall be developed in consultation with the DEC. 9.0 Contingencies Annually Biannually Environment Officer Environment Officer 9.1 Any suspected occurrence of Dieback will be clearly marked in the field, signs erected and barriers installed to prevent vehicle access. The locations of any infestation will be recorded and the details made accessible to mine planning and environmental staff. As required Environment Officer/Registered Manger 30

31 Reference Task Timing Responsibility 9.2 Sites suspected to contain the Dieback pathogen will be tested using the double-baiting As required Environment Officer method, to confirm the presence of Phytophthora cinnamomi or other pathogens. 9.3 If any Dieback infestations are identified or suspected along areas where vehicle access cannot be prevented, such as the haul road and water pipeline corridor or other operational areas, appropriate hygiene barriers will be implemented in consultation with the DEC and mitigation strategies implemented if required. 9.4 If any Dieback infestations are identified or suspected then stockpiles of suspected Dieback and Dieback free material will be stockpiled separately in infested or unmappable areas and only respread back to their point of origin. 9.5 If any Dieback infestations are identified or suspected then drainage from suspected infested areas will be managed to prevent drainage into uninfested areas. 9.6 If any Dieback infestations are identified or suspected then a phosphite treatment program will be considered in consultation the DEC. A phosphite treatment program will only be deemed necessary if the infestation is threatening Dieback-susceptible Threatened or Priority Flora. 9.7 If any Dieback infestations are identified or suspected other than Phytophthora cinnamomi then these will be managed on an individual species basis. 9.8 A contingency for high rainfall events will be established whereby all drains and sumps are checked, cleared and assessed to be in appropriate condition. As required As required As required As required As required As required Environment Officer Environment Officer Environment Officer Environment Officer Environment Officer Environment Officer 10.0 Stakeholder consultation 10.1 Maintain liaison with the DEC and surrounding landowners and ensure that Dieback surveys are current. As required Environmental Officer 31

32 Reference Task Timing Responsibility 10.2 DEC will continue to be consulted in regard to any significant changes in management actions and monitoring identified in this Plan. As required Environmental Officer 11.0 Auditing 11.1 Auditing of the implementation and compliance of management actions detailed within the Plan will be undertaken annually in an internal performance and compliance report. The results will be provided to the DEC as part of the Project s Annual Environmental Reporting requirements Review Annually for life of mine Environmental Officer 12.1 The will be reviewed annually, incorporating feedback from relevant SDJV staff, local DEC and surrounding landowners as well as updated information from Dieback surveys. Annually for life of mine Environmental Officer 32

33 5. PERFORMANCE AND COMPLIANCE REPORTING SDJV will provide an annual integrated performance compliance report that includes reference to all elements of the EMP s for the Project. This will detail performance against the EMP s, including management, monitoring and measures against performance criteria. A list of the key management actions as outlined in Table 2, with an indication of evidence to demonstrate implementation will be provided as the basis of the report. The key management actions will be carried out with the purpose of achieving the environmental objectives described above. 33

34 Table 2: Key Management Actions Reference Key management action Timing Evidence Status 1 A Dieback survey of the entire project area, including the Desalination plant and pipeline area will be undertaken by an accredited person prior to ground disturbance activities. Pre-ground disturbance and annually Monitoring/survey reported and Dieback Management Plan updated accordingly 2 Disease categories within the project area will be reviewed on an annual basis following monitoring by a qualified Dieback interpreter. All phases Documented in Management Plan 3 Dieback hygiene measures, including standards for cleaning of all vehicles, machinery, equipment and personnel will be implemented as standard operating All phases Included in staff induction package procedures for the Project workforce. 4 All phases Record of environmental All vehicles and machinery will require cleandown prior to access to the Project inspections area as part of the strict clean on entry policy. Cleandown will also be required when travelling from: infested areas into either uninterpretable or uninfested areas; unmappable areas into either uninterpretable or uninfested areas; uninterpretable areas into uninfested areas; and the Operational zone into either Uninfested or Uninterpretable areas. 5 Construction of hard surfaces at Southdown will proceed from low risk to high risk areas, with machinery remaining on the newly constructed surface. Construction Mine site design documentation 34

35 Reference Key management action Timing Evidence Status 6 Vehicles, machinery and personnel will not enter uninfested or Uninterpretable areas during operations, unless permission is obtained from the Environmental Officer All phases Record of environmental incidents 7 All surfaces will be constructed to prevent drainage entering uninfested or Uninterpretable areas. Drainage from infested areas will report all runoff to facilities for treatment and prevent conditions that promote Dieback growth. Runoff will drain to either the purpose built sumps or trenches. Construction Mine site design documentation 8 As part of the standard mine site training program, all employees will be appropriately trained in hygiene measures, with particular attention given to procedures for inspecting, cleaning, and washing down vehicles. 9 Monitoring for infestations will be undertaken by an accredited person annually at specified locations. 10 A full Dieback survey will be implemented every three years by an accredited person. 11 If any Dieback infestations are identified or suspected along areas where vehicle access cannot be prevented, such as the haul road and desalination pipeline corridor or other operational areas, appropriate hygiene barriers will be implemented in consultation with the DEC and mitigation strategies implemented if required. 12 If any Dieback infestations are identified or suspected then drainage from suspected infested areas will be managed to prevent drainage into uninfested All phases Annually Three Yearly As required As required Included in staff induction package Monitoring reported in Annual Environmental Report (AER) Monitoring reported in AER Monitoring repored in AER Management repored in AER 35