Care and Maintenance Mining Operations Plan. 6 May November Sunnyside Coal Mine. Report Number

Transcription

1 6 May 216 November 22 Report Number April 216 Whitehaven Coal Mining Limited Gunnedah NSW Version: Revision

2 Report Number April 216 Revision Page I 6 May 216 November 22 PREPARED BY: ABN PO Box 1134 Tamworth NSW 234 Australia M: F: tamworth@slrconsulting.com This report has been prepared by with all reasonable skill, care and diligence, and taking account of the timescale and resources allocated to it by agreement with the Client. Information reported herein is based on the interpretation of data collected, which has been accepted in good faith as being accurate and valid. This report is for the exclusive use of Whitehaven Coal Mining Limited. No warranties or guarantees are expressed or should be inferred by any third parties. This report may not be relied upon by other parties without written consent from SLR Consulting. SLR Consulting disclaims any responsibility to the Client and others in respect of any matters outside the agreed scope of the work. DOCUMENT CONTROL Reference Status Date Prepared Checked Authorised Revision 7 April 216 P. Tett A. Hutton / J. Johnson J. Johnson

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4 Report Number April 216 Revision Page III TABLE OF CONTENTS 1 INTRODUCTION History of Operations Scope of this MOP Consents, Authorisations and Licences Land Ownership and Land Use 3 1. Stakeholder Consultation 3 2 PROPOSED ACTIVITIES IN THE MOP TERM 2.1 Project Description 2.2 Asset Register 2.3 Activities over the MOP Term Exploration Construction Mining Operations Overburden Emplacement Processing Residues Waste Management Decommissioning and Demolition Activities Temporary Stabilisation Progressive Rehabilitation and Completion Material Production Schedule 7 3 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES MANAGEMENT Environmental Risk Assessment Environmental Risk Management Air Quality Surface and Ground Water Erosion and Sedimentation Contaminated Land Flora and Fauna Weeds and Pests Soil Resources and Management Noise Visual and Lighting Aboriginal and Cultural Heritage European Heritage Spontaneous Combustion Bushfire Mine Subsidence 13 4 POST MINING LAND USE Regulatory Requirements Post Mining Land Use Goals 17

5 Report Number April 216 Revision Page IV Biodiversity Enhancement Pasture Final Void Retained Infrastructure Rehabilitation Objectives ShortCterm rehabilitation objectives: LongCterm rehabilitation objectives: 18 REHABILITATION PLANNING 19.1 Domain Selection 19.2 Domain Rehabilitation Objectives 21.3 Rehabilitation Phases 22 6 PERFORMANCE INDICATORS AND COMPLETION CRITERIA 23 7 REHABILITATION IMPLEMENTATION Status at MOP Commencement Proposed Rehabilitation Activities during the MOP Term Summary of Rehabilitation Areas during the MOP Term Relinquishment Phase Achieved During MOP Period 37 8 REHABILITATION MONITORING AND RESEARCH Rehabilitation Monitoring Remote Sensing Pasture Areas Native Vegetation Monitoring Terrestrial Fauna and Habitat Monitoring Research and Rehabilitation Trials and Use of Analogue Sites Rehabilitation Trials Analogue Sites 4 9 INTERVENTION AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT Threats to Rehabilitation Trigger Action Response Plan 42 1 REPORTING REVIEW AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MOP Review Implementation REFERENCES

6 Report Number April 216 Revision Page V TABLES Table 1: Consents, Authorisations and Licences Table 2: Asset Register Table 3: Inventory of Soil Volumes (stockpiled and spread to date) Table 4: Regulatory and Approval Requirements Relating to Post Mining Land Use and Rehabilitation Table : Primary Domains Table 6: Secondary Domains Table 7: Domain Rehabilitation Objectives Table 8: Rehabilitation Phases Table 9: Summary of Rehabilitation Phases throughout the MOP Term Table 1: Decommissioning Phase Table 11: Landform Establishment Phase Table 12: Growth Medium Development Phase Table 13: Ecosystem Establishment Phase Table 14: Ecosystem Sustainability Phase Table 1: Relinquishment Table 16: Rehabilitation Status and Proposed Activities at MOP Commencement Table 17: Summary of Rehabilitation Proposed during the MOP Term Table 18 Key Threats to Rehabilitation Table 19: Rehabilitation TARP Table 2: Responsibilities for Implementation of the MOP APPENDICES Appendix A MOP Plans Appendix B Sunnyside MOP Risk Register

7 Report Number April 216 Revision Page 1 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 History of Operations The (Sunnyside) is a conventional openccut coal mining operation, located in northern New South Wales (NSW), within the Gunnedah Shire, 1 km west of Gunnedah NSW (Plan 1A). The coal product is a thermal coal for the export market. The mine is located within Mining Lease (ML) 1624 which is 1624 issued to Namoi Mining Pty Ltd (NMPL)and is hectares in size. Sunnyside is wholly owned and managed by NMPL, a wholly owned subsidiary of Whitehaven Coal Limited (WCL) which is a publicly listed company on the Australian Stock Exchange. Project Approval for the was granted by the NSW Minister for Planning under Part 3A of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 (EP&A Act) on 24 September 28 (PA 6_38). ML1624 was issued by the Minister for Mineral Resources on November 28. In addition, Environment Protection Licence (EPL) 1297 was granted on 1 December 28. The Project Approval provided for the extraction of approximately 7 million tonnes (Mt) of Run of Mine (ROM) coal, with a maximum rate of 1 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa). The approval also allows for the crushing and screening of ROM coal at Sunnyside, prior to transport to the Whitehaven Siding Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP) near Gunnedah. Mining occurred from the Hoskissons Coal Seam which is described as medium volatile bituminous coal. The seam is typically 9 m thick and subdivided into two runcofcmine (ROM) coal plies, including low ash comprising the lower 4 m of the seam and high ash comprising the upper m of the seam. Coal was recovered from the ROM stockpile and transported via road truck to the CHPP which is approximately 16 km from Sunnyside. Following processing the coal is loaded onto trains for transport to the Port of Newcastle for export. Due to unfavourable economic conditions, mining operations at Sunnyside ceased on 29 November 212, with stockpiled ROM coal continuing to be transported to the CHPP on a campaign basis until May 213. Activities at the mine site since then have been limited to environmental monitoring, ongoing rehabilitation, and care and maintenance of the site (including spontaneous combustion management). There have been three amendments to the original MOP for Sunnyside previous to this document. MOP (28) Original MOP; MOP Amendment A (August 214) C prepared to reflect the care and maintenance status of the site, and extend the MOP life to the end of 214 to allow WCM to develop and seek NSW Trade and Investment Division of Resources and Energy (DRE) approval for a suitable Care and Maintenance MOP; MOP Amendment B (November 214) C prepared to extend the term of the MOP until November 21 to coincide with the expiry of the Project Approval and facilitate preparation of a number of technical studies to inform the development of a preferred final landform that is achievable in the event of limited further mining at Sunnyside; and MOP Amendment C (November 21) prepared to extend the term of the MOP to May 216 due to delay in issue of the Project Approval Modification.

8 Report Number April 216 Revision Page Scope of this MOP It is estimated that approximately 1 Mt of mineable coal reserve remains within the current open cut consent area. Should it become economically viable, Whitehaven may recommence operations. Subsequently, an application to modify the Project Approval was submitted to the Department of Planning and Environment (DP&E). The primary purpose of the Project Approval modification was to extend the term of the approval until December 22. The modification to the Project Approval was approved on 3 November 21. This MOP has been prepared as a care and maintenance document and does not reflect any additional coal recovery, processing or transport. Should the recovery of the remaining coal become economically viable, a revised MOP will be submitted to the DRE to reflect the shift from care and maintenance to operational status. The scope of this MOP includes activities associated with: Ongoing management of issues such as spontaneous combustion and water; Ongoing environmental monitoring; and Ongoing rehabilitation monitoring and rehabilitation maintenance as required. This MOP has been prepared in accordance with the DRE guideline ESG3 Mining Operations Plan (MOP) Guidelines (ESG3) (DRE, September 213) and to meet all regulatory requirements including relevant consent conditions documented in Table 4. Sunnyside is a State Significant Development and subsequently is considered a Level 1 Mine for the purposes of ESG3. A rehabilitation cost estimate (RCE) was provided to DRE in 21 for the revised final landform and therefore will not be updated for this MOP. In accordance with the DRE guideline ESG1 Rehabilitation Cost Estimate Guidelines the RCE was calculated for the maximum disturbance during the MOP. 1.3 Consents, Authorisations and Licences Sunnyside s consents, authorisations and licenses are listed in Table 1. The ML and Project Approval areas are shown on the MOP Plans. Table 1: Consents, Authorisations and Licences Regulatory Authority Instrument Date of Issue Expiry Date Comments NSW Department of Industry, Skills and Regional Development Division of Resources and Energy ML 1624 November 28 November 229 NSW Department of Planning and Environment PA 6_38 24 September 28 November 21 NSW Department of Planning and Environment PA 6_38 MOD 1 3 November 21 November 22 To extend expiry of PA 6_38 and address revised final landform. NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) EPL November 28 C Includes two licensed surface water discharge points.

9 Report Number April 216 Revision Page 3 Regulatory Authority Instrument Date of Issue Expiry Date Comments Department of Primary Industries Water (DPI Water) Water Licences WAL BL248 9BL2486 9BL2487 9BL2488 9BL2489 9BL BL BL1284 Various C Water Access License and Groundwater monitoring bores. 1.4 Land Ownership and Land Use Sunnyside is located on the Sunnyside property which is owned by NMPL. The Werona and Lilydale properties, located to the northwest and east of Sunnyside respectively, are also owned by NMPL. The Plain View property, located to the northeast of Sunnyside is privately owned, however the property is related to Sunnyside operations through leasing of the section of the property on which the coal transport route is located. Sunnyside is located on Lot 12 DP73 and Lot 1 DP3937 which are within the Parish of Gill in the Gunnedah Shire. These parcels are held in freehold title by NMPL. The subject land is zoned RU1 (Primary Production) under the Gunnedah Local Environment Plan 212. The general location of Sunnyside is shown on Plan 1A. PreCmining land use is shown on Plan 1B. Prior to mining, Sunnyside had predominantly been cleared for agricultural cultivation and grazing and was vegetated with open grassland. Land use immediately surrounding Sunnyside is also predominantly cropping and pastoral land use. A rocky escarpment with remnant vegetation and regrowth is located immediately south of the Sunnyside mine. This southern area is considered a valuable area of local habitat given the historical landscape clearing within the region and is proposed to be managed as Koala habitat. 1. Stakeholder Consultation Whitehaven and / or its representatives consulted with the following government agencies during the preparation of the 28 MOP and associated environmental management / monitoring plans. Department of Primary Industries C Mineral Resources (now DRE). Department of Environment and Climate Change (now EPA). Department of Water and Energy (now DPI Water). Whitehaven consulted with the DRE during preparation of MOP Amendments A, B and C and confirmed with DRE that the content of this MOP would specifically relate to care and maintenance activities. Whitehaven has been consulting with DRE on Care and Maintenance MOP requirements and the revised final landform since 214 and draft MOP plans were presented to DRE in January 216. Consultation regarding the rehabilitation of the was primarily undertaken during the preparation of the Sunnyside Coal Project Environmental Assessment 28 (SCPEA) and revolved around negotiating an acceptable compromise between: restoring areas of the final land form to a similar or better class of land than that prior to mining; and creating an aesthetically pleasing final landform.

10 Report Number April 216 Revision Page 4 Further consultation has occurred with relevant stakeholders during preparation of the Sunnyside Coal Mine Environmental Assessment 21 and, specific to rehabilitation, the integration of the site Rehabilitation and Landscape Management Plan into this MOP (refer Sections 48) in accordance with DRE direction. A Community Consultative Committee (CCC) has been established and routine meetings convened in accordance with the requirements of PA 6_38 MOD 1 (Schedule Condition 9). Meeting minutes are available on the Whitehaven website. Progress of rehabilitation and closure activities has been reported annually in the Annual Environmental Management Reports (AEMR) which are available on the Whitehaven website.

11 Report Number April 216 Revision Page 2 PROPOSED ACTIVITIES IN THE MOP TERM 2.1 Project Description Mining ceased at Sunnyside in November 212 due to unfavourable economic conditions and the operation was placed into care and maintenance. Approximately 1 Mt of mineable coal reserve coal remains within the pit. At present the recommencement of mining to recover the remaining coal is not scheduled within the term of this MOP. Subsequently, completion of the final landform development is not possible until mining is completed or the decision taken to forgo the remaining coal. The activities during the term of this MOP will include: Ongoing management of issues such as spontaneous combustion and water; Ongoing environmental monitoring; and Ongoing rehabilitation monitoring and rehabilitation maintenance as required. Whitehaven propose, not necessarily within this MOP term, to partially backfill the remaining open cut void to encapsulate exposed carboniferous material susceptible to spontaneous combustion and buttress the final highwall to achieve long term stability of the void. Whitehaven propose to use overburden material rehandled from the northern outcofcpit emplacement. Review of the environmental technical studies was undertaken to support the application for modification of the Project Approval made to DP&E. These included: Surface and ground water studies including a water balance for the proposed final void; Geotechnical assessment of the proposed highwall treatment options; and Visual amenity assessment for the proposed rehabilitated high wall and final landform. 2.2 Asset Register Primary domains have been defined in accordance with the requirements of ESG3 and represent the set of discrete areas that have a particular operational or functional purpose. All areas previously disturbed by mining, or proposed to be subject to the activities described in the sections below, have been assigned to an appropriate primary domain. The relevant primary domains at Sunnyside are defined in Section.1. The asset register (Table 2) provides a summary of the key features of each primary domain and principal activities required for decommissioning and rehabilitation. The areas for each primary domain represent the footprint for each domain depicted on Plan 2. Table 2: Asset Register Domain Domain 1: Infrastructure Area (ha) Major Assets 23.2 Ablutions block; Sealed access road and haul route to the Coocooboonah Lane intersection at the ML boundary); Unsealed access roads; Hardstand; Administration buildings; Helipad; Amenity bund; Vehicle washcdown sump; Maintenance Facility; and

12 Report Number April 216 Revision Page 6 Domain Domain 3: Water management areas Domain : Overburden emplacement areas Area (ha) Major Assets Explosives Magazine and bund..1 Sediment dams, clean water storage dams, pipelines and pumps 8.41 Spoil emplacements required for operations or under rehabilitation for native vegetation and pasture land uses. Domain 4: Stockpiled material.91 Areas disturbed for stockpiling material for future management, (e.g. soil resources). Domain 6: Void (Open cut void) Void footprint Domain 7: Rehabilitation areas Footprint of existing rehabilitation areas. 2.3 Activities over the MOP Term Exploration To date, exploration activity has identified additional satellite reserves to the northc west and southc east of the project site. Development of these areas would maximise resource recovery in the area, with additional exploration activity to further confirm mineable reserves. Any additional mineable reserves may allow for the continued utilisation of infrastructure on the Sunnyside site for extraction of those reserves at identified satellite deposits. Development of these incremental reserves would be subject to an environmental impact assessment and a new MOP. No exploration activities are expected to be undertaken within ML 1624 during the term of the MOP Construction No construction activities are expected to be undertaken during the term of the MOP Mining Operations No mining operations are proposed during the term of the MOP Overburden Emplacement No significant overburden handling or changes to the overburden emplacement, other than which may be required for rehabilitation management during care and maintenance, are proposed in the MOP term Processing Residues No processing is proposed during the term of the MOP Waste Management Waste generated during the period of care and maintenance will be minimal due to the limited on site activities. Any waste generated during the care and maintenance period will be disposed of in the appropriate remaining on site bins / receptacles. Waste collections will be scheduled during care and maintenance on an ascneeds basis Decommissioning and Demolition Activities Decommissioning of some onsite infrastructure may occur during the MOP period.

13 Report Number April 216 Revision Page Temporary Stabilisation No temporary stabilisation is proposed, but may be undertaken during the MOP period Progressive Rehabilitation and Completion Rehabilitation at Sunnyside has been progressed as far as practicable considering the remaining coal and activities necessary for closure of the site. Approximately three quarters of the outcofcpit dump has been reshaped, drainage infrastructure developed, subsoil and topsoil spread and seeding completed. However, as a component of the final landform it is proposed to reduce the height of the outcofcpit overburden dump by approximately 7 m and use the recovered overburden to stabilise the highwall and partially backfill the void above the reinstated groundwater equilibrium level. No rehabilitation activities, other than rehabilitation maintenance as required, are proposed during the term of the MOP. Plan 4 and Plan shows the intended final landform and post mining land use. A closure schedule for decommissioning and final rehabilitation will be developed prior to the completion of mining activities should they restart. Should mining not recommence, a Closure MOP will be developed to address the final rehabilitation of the site from its current status. Final rehabilitation and closure schedules will be developed in consultation with the relevant authorities Material Production Schedule No production is proposed during the term of the MOP.

14 Report Number April 216 Revision Page 8 3 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES MANAGEMENT 3.1 Environmental Risk Assessment Environmental risks associated with the Sunnyside project were assessed during development of the initial Sunnyside Open Cut MOP (28). The risk assessment was undertaken in accordance with the WHC Qualitative Likelihood Rating and Risk Rating Matrix which is consistent with the requirements of Joint Australian and New Zealand Standard AS / NZS 31:29 Risk Management Principles and Guidelines. The risk assessment was revised during the development of this MOP. The focus of the risk assessment revision was to identify key risks associated with care and maintenance, closure and rehabilitation and analyse risks using a qualitative approach that identifying: Issue aspects, associated risks, and the unmitigated risk rating; The anticipated consequences and likelihood; Existing and proposed additional controls; and The residual risk rating after implementation of nominated controls. The key environmental risks and risks to rehabilitation identified for the MOP are reproduced in Appendix B and were all assessed to be of a Low risk ranking. 3.2 Environmental Risk Management All operations (including care and maintenance) at Sunnyside are undertaken in accordance with environmental management plans, including: Environmental Management Strategy (28); Environmental Monitoring Program (211); Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan (28); and Site Water Management Plan (28); These plans are available on the Whitehaven website.

15 Report Number April 216 Revision Page Air Quality During the care and maintenance phase, deposited dust and PM 1 may be monitored, however, monitoring is not required by the PA 6_38 MOD 1 until prior to ROM coal production recommencing. Controls to minimise the impact and risk of air pollution during care and maintenance are: Maintenance of groundcover on rehabilitation areas; and Restriction of vehicular access to minimise exposed surfaces from traffic Surface and Ground Water Surface Water The mine site is located within an essentially dry, ephemeral first order stream catchment which drains to the north and northwest into the essentially dry, ephemeral Coocooboonah Creek. It is located within a low rainfall, high evaporation climatic regime. Ultimately, water from the site flows to the Namoi River approximately 2 km to the north. The surface water management system at Sunnyside includes: Diversion banks to divert clean water flows away from disturbed areas to clean water storage dams; Storage dams that harvest clean water and clarified dirty water discharged from sediment dams. Storage Dams SDC3 and SDC4 are licenced discharge points (LDPs) for water discharges from site; Catch drains to collect and direct potentially sedimentcladen water generated from the existing mining operations to sediment basins; Sediment basins to detain potentially sedimentcladen water and the controlled release of clarified water; Contour banks and rock lining of waterways on, or to direct water from, the postcmining landform to the natural surface; and Agricultural contour banks and farm dams. Discharges from Sunnyside report to Coocooboonah Creek. To minimise potential for dirty water discharges entering receiving waters, sediment dams are regularly inspected and maintained as required to retain the design capacity. Water quality monitoring is undertaken at each LDP during each overflow event (i.e. while discharging) and upstream and downstream of Sunnyside in Coocooboonah Creek to verify compliance with EPL water quality discharge limits. Sediment basins will continue to be maintained until the rehabilitated catchment has met rehabilitation completion criteria and water quality monitoring at the LDP satisfies the NSW EPA s requirements to remove the LDP for the catchment from the EPL. Once discharge from a given catchment is considered clean water, sediment dams will be dewatered, desilted, and (where required) embankments will be graded and seeded to convert the basins to clean water storage dams for post mining use. Groundwater The final landform will incorporate partial backfilling of the void and shaping of the floor. Backfilling will be higher than the RL of the extracted coal seam which is expected to limit groundwater seepage into the void.

16 Report Number April 216 Revision Page 1 Water monitoring in the void has been undertaken since 21. Electrical Conductivity (EC) has ranged between approximately 1,8 Os/cm to 7,2 Os/cm. There has been a general increase in EC during the period since ceasing mining operations. This increase is as expected with less volume of water held due to decreased surface water runoff and evaporation caused by increasingly drier conditions experienced during the care and maintenance phase. The ph of the void water has remained in the low to mid 8 ph unit range since monitoring began Erosion and Sedimentation Final landform drainage structures including contour banks, drains and rock lines structures have been, or will be, designed and constructed on rehabilitated landforms to manage runcoff from rehabilitation areas at subcerosive velocities. As outlined in Section 3.2.2, all runoff from rehabilitation areas is to be directed to sediment basins and storage dams prior to discharge from site. Water quality monitoring data (TSS) indicates that the water management system is effective in minimising erosion with all historical discharges (four) being in accordance with EPL1297 discharge water quality criteria. Erosion is assessed as a component of rehabilitation monitoring and inspection program and any significant erosion features are remediated as required. Since rehabilitation commenced in 21 there have been isolated instances of minor erosion which are remediated with conservation earthworks and recseeding as required Contaminated Land If decommissioning activities occur during the MOP period, contaminated land assessment and any required management will be undertaken. Once the site is to be permanently closed, the ROM coal handling and stockpiling facilities, workshops, fuel storage and chemical storage facilities will be assessed for potential contamination and remediated accordingly Flora and Fauna Sunnyside is located in an area which had previously (to operational commencement) been extensively cleared for agriculture and subsequently no major areas of native vegetation have, or will be, cleared within the footprint of the operation. Notwithstanding this, Whitehaven has incorporated flora and fauna management aspects into the Project. During the care and maintenance phase of these include: Ongoing implementation of the Koala Management Plan; Maintenance of fencing as necessary to exclude livestock from Koala habitat areas; Utilisation and maintenance of local tree species in revegetation maintenance with an emphasis on Koala feed trees; Control noxious weeds; Maintenance and improvement of habitat corridors on and adjacent to the Mine Site and protection of areas of native vegetation from agricultural activities on Whitehaven land external to the Mine Lease; and Maintenance of Koala habitat corridors to promote the linkage of remnant vegetation in the local area.

17 Report Number April 216 Revision Page Weeds and Pests Weed Management Under the NSW Noxious Weeds Act 1993, Whitehaven has a statutory responsibility to prevent the spread of noxious weeds on all Whitehaven lands at and surrounding Sunnyside. Weed species presence and abundance is assessed in the rehabilitation monitoring program on both rehabilitation areas and analogue sites. Pre mining assessments identified 34 weed species in the area of Sunnyside, including four declared noxious weeds, being: Prickly Pear C Opuntia stricta var. stricta; Johnson Grass C Sorghum halepense; Patterson s Curse C Echium plantagineum; and Galvanised Burr C Sclerolaena birchii. These declared species will be targeted for identification and treatment. Several environmental weeds of note are also present, including Paddy s Lucerne (Sida rhombifolia) and Horehound (Marrubium vulgare). These species have the potential to impact on areas of remnant vegetation and revegetation and will also be a key focus for control. Weed management practices to be adopted during the MOP term include: Ongoing visual assessments and weed monitoring as part of the rehabilitation monitoring program; Application of herbicides where required to control weed infestations; Recording and controlling any occurrences of Class 4 noxious weeds; Restriction of grazing and vehicular traffic to minimise spread of weeds; and Liaison with the North West Local Land Services (LLS) and adjacent landowners. Pest Animal Control Feral animals have not been a significant issue over the life of the mine and are not considered to present a significant risk to rehabilitation. Controls in place to minimise the impact and potential for feral animal infestation include: Ongoing visual observations of feral animal activity including inspections for all the nominated vertebrate pests will be conducted in conjunction with the biodiversity and postcmining rehabilitation monitoring program; and Liaison with adjoining landholders and the North West LLS, and participation with North West LLS vertebrate pest control programs. Pest control actions may include 18 poison baiting for the declared Rabbits and Wild Dogs as well as other nuisance species such as European Red Foxes and Feral Pigs Soil Resources and Management Soil Resources Soil resources at Sunnyside were assessed in the Soils and Land Capability Assessment by GCNRC in 28. GCNRC (28) identified and classified soils to be stripped ahead of disturbance for the Sunnyside operations.

18 Report Number April 216 Revision Page 12 Soil resources identified to be salvaged for rehabilitation were predominantly representative of three discrete soil mapping units (SMUs), being: SMU 1 C Soils of the Upper Slopes C to 14 cm deep over weathered rock; upper slope location; surface condition loose to firm; moderate to large amounts of surface stone present, rounded / angular to 1 cm; SMU 2 C Soils of the MidC and Lower Slopes C to 26 cm+ deep; midc and lower slope location; surface condition loose, firm or hardsetting; surface stone absent or some surface stone present, rounded or angular, 1C1 cm (usually 1 cm); and SMU 3 C Soils of the Drainage Depression Deep C to 26 cm+ deep; surface condition self mulching and cracking; surface stone absent. All available topsoil and subsoil has been recovered ahead of disturbance. Table 3 presents an inventory of the available topsoil and subsoil volumes for rehabilitation and closure of the mine. Table 3: Inventory of Soil Volumes (stockpiled and spread to date) At start of MOP Quantities At the end of the MOP Soil Stripped (m 3 ) 177, ,282 Soil used / spread (m 3 ),312,312 Stockpiled soil remaining (m 3 ) 121,97 121, Noise During the care and maintenance phase noise impacts are expected to be minimal and limited to care and maintenance activities undertaken at site (ie. inspections, limited equipment maintenance). No specific noise controls are proposed during the care and maintenance phase and implementation of a Noise Management Plan isn t required by PA 6_38 MOD1 until prior to ROM coal production recommencing Visual and Lighting The established northern bund wall screening the coal processing area remains in place and established rehabilitation of the site is progressing well, which assists with reducing visual impacts. Use of lighting is unlikely whilst the site is in care and maintenance Aboriginal and Cultural Heritage An Aboriginal Heritage Assessment was undertaken for the by Archaeological Surveys & Reports Pty Ltd (27). Four Aboriginal heritage sites were recorded during the field survey, including an axecgrinding groove, an artefact scatter and two isolated artefacts. All of these sites were assessed as being of low significance (Archaeological Surveys & Reports Pty Ltd, 27). All four of the Aboriginal heritage sites are located outside of the approved disturbance areas (three outside of the ML area) and accordingly there would be no direct impacts on these sites. The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan remains in place while the site is in care and maintenance European Heritage There are no known features with European heritage value located within or immediately surrounding Sunnyside.

19 Report Number April 216 Revision Page Spontaneous Combustion The Hoskissons Coal Seam has potential for spontaneous combustion. Management of spontaneous combustion during the care and maintenance phase consists of as required earthworks to spread and/or smother hot spots as well as bulk earthworks for final capping of heated material Bushfire Fire prevention will continue to be undertaken in accordance with the Bushfire Management Plan which has been developed in consultation with the Rural Fire Service (RFS) local bushfire controller and the Gunnedah Shire Council Mine Subsidence The is located to the north of the now closed Gunnedah No. Coal Mine subsidence district. Subsequently, no specific management controls or monitoring programs are necessary. For the open pit area a barrier pillar of 4 m has been maintained as an offset from the old underground workings.

20 Report Number April 216 Revision Page 14 4 POST MINING LAND USE 4.1 Regulatory Requirements The regulatory and approval requirements relating to post mining land use and rehabilitation are summarised in Table 4. Table 4: Regulatory and Approval Requirements Relating to Post Mining Land Use and Rehabilitation Condition Requirement Status ML The proponent shall implement all practicable measures to prevent and / or minimise any harm to the environment that may result from the construction, operation or rehabilitation of the development. 7 Disturbed land must be rehabilitated to a sustainable/agreed end land use to the satisfaction of the DirectorCGeneral. 3 Mining Operations Plan (MOP) (a) Mining operations must not be carried out otherwise than in accordance with: a Mining Operations Plan (MOP) which has been approved by the DirectorCGeneral of the Department of Primary Industries. (b) The MOP must: i) identify areas that will be disturbed by mining operations; ii) detail the staging of specific mining operations; iii) identify how the mine will be managed to allow mine closure; iv) identify how mining operations will be carried out on site in order to prevent and or minimise harm to the environment; v) reflect the conditions of approval under: C the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 C the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 C and any other approvals relevant to the development including the conditions of this lease; and vi) have regard to any relevant guidelines adopted by the DirectorCGeneral. (c) The titleholder may apply to the DirectorCGeneral to amend an approved MOP at any time. (d) It is not a breach of this condition if: i) the operations constituting the breach were necessary to comply with a lawful order or direction given under the Mining Act 1992, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 or the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2; and ii) the DirectorCGeneral had been notified in writing of the terms of the order or direction prior to the operations constituting the breach being carried out. (e) A MOP ceases to have affect 7 years after date of approval or other such period as identified by the DirectorCGeneral. An approved amendment to the MOP under condition does not constitute an approval for the purpose of this paragraph unless otherwise identified by the Director General. In progress. In progress. This MOP.

21 Report Number April 216 Revision Page 1 Condition Requirement Status 18 Operations must be carried out in a manner that does not cause or aggravate air pollution, water pollution (including sedimentation) or soil contamination or erosion, unless otherwise authorised by a relevant approval, and in accordance with an accepted Mining Operations Plan. For the purpose of this condition, water shall be taken to include any watercourse. waterbody or groundwaters. The lease holder must observe and perform any instructions given by the DirectorCGeneral in this regard. 22 Access tracks must be kept to a minimum and be positioned so that they do not cause any unnecessary damage to the land. Temporary access tracks must be ripped, topsoiled and revegetated as soon as possible after they are no longer required for mining operations. The design and construction of access tracks must be in accordance with specifications fixed by the Department of Environment and Climate Change. 31 The lease holder must make every reasonable attempt, and be able to demonstrate their attempts, to enter into a cooperation agreement with the holder(s) of any overlapping petroleum title(s). The cooperation agreement should address but not be limited to issues such as: access arrangements; operational interaction procedures; dispute resolution; information exchange; well location; timing of drilling; potential resource extraction conflicts; and EPL1297 rehabilitation issues. E1.1 The licensee must notify the EPA's Manager, Armidale Region in writing 1 month prior to mining or handling any coal on the premises. PA 6_38 Schedule 2 1 Schedule 2 Schedule 2 13 Schedule 3 28 Schedule 3 29 The Proponent shall implement all practicable measures to prevent and / or minimise any harm to the environment that may result from the construction, operation, or rehabilitation of the project. Mining operations may take place on the site until November 22. Note: Under this Approval, the Proponent is required to rehabilitate the site to the satisfaction of the Secretary and DRE. Consequently this approval will continue to apply in all other respects other than the right to conduct mining operations until the site has been rehabilitated to a satisfactory standard. The Proponent shall ensure that all demolition work is carried out in accordance with Australian Standard AS 261=21: The Demolition of Structures, or its latest version. The Proponent shall implement the Koala habitat management and enhancement actions described in the EA (shown conceptually in Figure 6 in Appendix 4) in consultation with the OEH and to the satisfaction of the Secretary. The Proponent shall rehabilitate the site to the satisfaction of the Secretary and DPI Water. In Progress This MOP. In Progress. N/A Pending recommencement of coal mining activities. See ML 1624 Condition 2. In progress. Also see ML 1624 Condition 7. To commence at decommissioning. In progress. In progress. Also see ML 1624 Condition 7.

22 Report Number April 216 Revision Page 16 Condition Requirement Status Schedule 3 3 Schedule 3 31 Schedule 3 4 The Proponent shall prepare and implement a detailed Rehabilitation and Landscape Management Plan for the site to the satisfaction of the Secretary and DRE. This plan must: (a) be prepared in consultation with OEH, DPI Water and Council by suitably qualified expert(s) whose appointment(s) have been approved by the Secretary; and (b) be submitted to the Secretary and DRE for approval by 1 March 29; (c) include: the rehabilitation objectives for the site; description of how the rehabilitation of the site would be integrated with the landscape of the surrounding area; detailed performance and completion criteria for the rehabilitation of the site; a detailed description of the measures that would be implemented to achieve the performance and completion criteria for each site, including the procedures to be implemented for: C protection and enhancement of koala habitat; C progressively rehabilitating the areas disturbed by mining operations; C restoration of agricultural land suitability; C revegetating the site; C protecting and / or enhancing areas in the vicinity of the disturbance area; C conserving and recusing any topsoil; C controlling weeds and feral pests; C controlling access; and C bushfire management. a program to monitor the performance of the rehabilitation against the stated objectives, performance and completion criteria; a description of the potential risks to successful rehabilitation, and a description of the contingency measures that would be implemented to minimise these risks; and details of who is responsible for monitoring, reviewing and implementing the plan. At least two years prior to the cessation of mining operations on the site the Proponent shall prepare a Mine Closure Plan. This plan must: (a) define the objectives and criteria for mine closure; (b) investigate options for the future use of the site; (c) provide a detailed methodology for decommissioning the site s storage dams; (d) investigate ways to minimise the adverse socioceconomic effects associated with mine closure, including reduction in local and regional employment levels; (e) describe the measures that would be implemented to minimise or manage the oncgoing environmental effects of the project; and (f) describe how the performance of these measures would be monitored over time. The Proponent shall minimise the visual impacts of the project to the satisfaction of the Secretary. Complete. Pending Modification Application and final mining cessation. An existing Closure Plan is in place (GSSE 21) as part of the Rehabilitation and Landscape Management Plan developed in accordance with Schedule 3, 3. In progress.

23 Report Number April 216 Revision Page Post Mining Land Use Goals The overall closure goal for Sunnyside is to establish a stable and safe landform that is sympathetic with the surrounding topography and which maximises the return to an appropriate agricultural land use comparable to the prec mining level, but considerate of the fact that the land form is a backfilled mining area. The rehabilitation strategy also includes the enhancement of habitat value and ecosystem connectivity Biodiversity Enhancement The post mining landform will include approximately 3. ha of land rehabilitated with woodland species to enhance biodiversity values of the area. The rehabilitation of disturbed areas with woodland species targets the enhancement of Koala habitat and movement corridors and includes the batters of the regraded outcofcpit waste emplacement. The elevated areas (undisturbed by mining activities) on the southern end of the property will remain as Koala habitat. Additionally, approximately 18 hectares of additional tree planting on areas undisturbed by mining activities along the eastern, northern and western boundaries of the property will enhance wildlife corridors. The development of Sunnyside mine site has not involved the clearing of native vegetation and as such no biodiversity offsets were required. Native vegetation rehabilitation areas and enrichment zones are shown on Plan Pasture The post mining landform will include approximately 44 ha of land rehabilitated with a mix of native and exotic pasture species. Pasture rehabilitation areas will be created with a mix of land capability classes that is generally in accordance with the precmining environment to restore the potential for some productive grazing areas with characteristics similar to pasture areas in the general locality, Plan Final Void In accordance with the Project Approval, one final void will remain in the south of the mining area adjacent to limits of the open cut extraction area. The final void area will be constructed to function as a minor clean water storage for local catchments following rainfall and is expected to remain dry during drier periods with no groundwater seepage expected above the final floor level. The highwall has been developed in competent rock and will have a slope in the order of 41 degrees between the backfill floor (minimum RL 33 m) and the crest (approximate RL of 372 m) (Plan ). The backfilling of the void to a minimum of 33 m at the highwall is intended to buttress the highwall and enhance long term stability. The slope of the ramp batters and lowwalls will be constructed to a slope in the order of 1 to 18 degrees Retained Infrastructure Following closure it is intended to retain only the Turkeys Nest Dam in the southeast, clean water dams, some tracks and the bore into the underground workings. Plan 4 is conceptual only, with additional detail to be developed in the Closure MOP. 4.3 Rehabilitation Objectives Key rehabilitation objectives to achieve the desired post mining land use goals include:

24 Report Number April 216 Revision Page Short@term rehabilitation objectives: a) To minimise clearing / vegetation disturbance consistent with operational requirements; b) To schedule operations including overburden / interburden emplacement and shaping and revegetation to minimise visual exposure; c) To rehabilitate areas of disturbance no longer required for mining related operations; d) To apply soil (topsoil / subsoil) to the final landform based on material availability and postc mining land use; e) To stabilise all earthworks, drainage lines and disturbed areas in order to minimise erosion and sedimentation; and f) To control vermin, feral animals and noxious weeds Long@term rehabilitation objectives: a) Continuation and / or restoration of biodiversity and ecological integrity of areas affected by mining or agriculture within the mining lease; b) To establish a low maintenance, geoctechnically stable landform commensurate with agricultural and nature conservation land uses; c) To blend the created landforms to appear as a natural extension with the surrounding landforms; d) To provide habitat for fauna and corridors for fauna movement within the final landform; e) To enhance Koala habitat in accordance with the Koala Management Plan; and f) To monitor rehabilitation success in terms of physical and biological parameters.

25 Report Number April 216 Revision Page 19 REHABILITATION PLANNING.1 Domain Selection The primary domains discussed in Section 2.2 and Section 2.3 and depicted on Plan 2 have been defined in accordance with the requirements of ESG3 and represent the set of discrete areas that have a particular operational or functional purpose. All areas previously disturbed by mining, or proposed to be subject to the activities described in the sections below, have been assigned to an appropriate primary domain. The relevant primary domains at Sunnyside are defined in Table. The footprint of each primary domain at the commencement of the MOP term is depicted on Plan 2. Table : Primary Domains Primary Domains Code Description Infrastructure 1 Footprint of areas disturbed for existing and decommissioned infrastructure including; amenity facilities, sealed and unsealed roads and carparks, workshop and wash down bay Maintenance Facility and associated laydown area, gravel production area and explosives magazine. Water management area 3 The network of clean water and dirty water dams and associated infrastructure used for operational and rehabilitation water management. Overburden emplacement area 4 Footprint of outcofcpit overburden waste and incpit overburden waste dumps. Stockpiled material Material stockpiled for future management, (e.g. soil resources). Void (Open cut void) 6 Footprint of the open cut pit area that is below natural (precmining) ground level. Rehabilitation area 7 Footprint of existing rehabilitation areas. Secondary domains are land management units with similar post mining land use objectives, such as pasture and native vegetation rehabilitation areas. Secondary domains reflect the proposed post mining land use described throughout Section 4 and have been selected in accordance with all relevant regulatory requirements for rehabilitation. Secondary domains are depicted on Plans 2 to 4, and are described in Table 6.

26 Report Number April 216 Revision Page 2 Table 6: Secondary Domains Secondary Domains Code Description Infrastructure A Infrastructure proposed to be retained following relinquishment including some access tracks and the bore into the underground workings. Water management areas B The network of dams and water management structures retained in the final landform. Dams will provide water resources for grazing areas and native fauna. These include the Turkeys Nest Dam in the southeast and other clean water dams. Rehabilitation areas C Pasture D Footprint of areas rehabilitated with native pasture species and a rural land capability of (at least) Class VI, sufficient to sustain a grazing land use. Approximately 44 hectares is targeted for establishment. Rehabilitation areas C Woodland E The footprint of areas rehabilitated with native vegetation species analogous to adjacent remnant vegetation communities in the areas surrounding Sunnyside. Native vegetation areas will have characteristics similar to existing analogue sites to provide suitable habitat and movement corridors for native fauna. Approximately 3. hectares is targeted for establishment. Final Void I The footprint of the open cut extraction area not backfilled to the prec mining RL. The final void will be designed and constructed to capture limited localised run off from areas surrounding the void and due to evaporation levels is expected to otherwise generally remain dry. Lowwall slopes will generally be less than 18 degrees and the final buttressed highwall will be in the order of 41 degrees. Conservation and Biodiversity Offset area J Enrichment zones / New Vegetation C The footprint of areas undisturbed by mining activities (including remnant vegetation and pasture areas), preserved and enhanced with supplementary plantings to enhance biodiversity values such as movement corridors. Approximately 17.7 hectares are targeted for enhancement or new vegetation planting.