environmental effects report - epa tasmania excavations...final adam pandelis 19/09/2014 this report...
TRANSCRIPT
Environmental Effects Report
Mark Lardner Excavations
White Hills Pit
Irishtown Road, Beacom Hills
September 2014
Prepared by Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd ABN 97 107 517 144 ACN 107 517 144 Office 14 Cattley Street Burnie TAS 7320 Phone: (03) 6431 2999 Fax : (03) 6431 2933 www.esandd.com.au
Postal PO Box 651 Burnie TAS 7320 ProjectNo. 4852
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 1
Document Control
Prepared & Published by: Environmental Service & Design (ES&D)
Version: Final
File: 4852
Contact: Adam Pandelis
Phone No: (03) 6431 2999
Prepared For: Mark Lardner
Version: Reviewed/Approved By Date
Draft Hamish Howe 11/12/2013
Review Rod Cooper 13/12/2013
V1 Hamish Howe 20/12/2013
V2 Hamish Howe 30/06/2014
V3 Adam Pandelis 09/09/2014
Review Gillian Rasmussen 09/09/2014
Final Adam Pandelis 19/09/2014
This report has been prepared, based on information generated by Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd from a wide range of sources. If you believe that Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd has misrepresented or overlooked any relevant information, it is your responsibility to bring this to the attention of Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd before implementing any of the report’s recommendations.
In preparing this report, we have relied on information supplied to Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd, which, where reasonable, Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd has assumed to be correct. Whilst all reasonable efforts have been made to substantiate such information, no responsibility will be accepted if the information is incorrect or inaccurate.
This report is prepared solely for the use of the client to whom it is addressed and Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd will not accept any responsibility for third parties.
In the event that any advice or other services rendered by Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd constitute a supply of services to a consumer under the Trade Practices Act 1974 (as amended), then Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd’s liability for any breach of any conditions or warranties implied under the Act shall not be excluded but will be limited to the cost of having the advice or services supplied again.
Nothing in this Disclaimer affects any rights or remedies to which you may be entitled under the Trade Practices Act 1974 (as amended).
Each paragraph of this disclaimer shall be deemed to be separate and severable from each other. If any paragraph is found to be illegal, prohibited or unenforceable, then this shall not invalidate any other paragraphs.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 2
Table of Contents
Document Control ............................................................................................ 1
Part A – Proponent Information ........................................................... 6 1.0
Part B – Project Description ................................................................ 9 2.0
2.1 Project Description .............................................................................. 9
2.1.1 Mine Plan ............................................................................. 10
2.2 Project Area ...................................................................................... 21
2.3 Map and Site Plan ............................................................................. 27
2.4 Rationale and Alternatives ................................................................ 29
Part C – Potential Environmental Effects .......................................... 30 3.0
3.1 Flora and Fauna ................................................................................ 30
3.1.1 Weeds ................................................................................. 35
3.1 Rivers , creeks, wetlands and estuaries ............................................ 37
3.2 Significant areas ................................................................................ 48
3.3 Coastal zone ..................................................................................... 48
3.4 Marine areas ..................................................................................... 48
3.5 Air emissions ..................................................................................... 50
3.6 Liquid effluent .................................................................................... 51
3.7 Solid wastes ...................................................................................... 51
3.8 Noise emissions ................................................................................ 54
3.9 Transport impacts.............................................................................. 54
3.10 Fire hazard ........................................................................................ 55
3.11 Other off-site impacts ........................................................................ 55
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 3
3.12 Hazardous substances and chemicals .............................................. 55
3.13 Site contamination ............................................................................. 56
3.14 Sustainability and climate change ..................................................... 56
3.15 Cultural heritage ................................................................................ 57
3.16 Sites of high public interest ............................................................... 57
3.17 Rehabilitation .................................................................................... 57
Part D - Management Commitments ................................................. 61 4.0
Part E – Public Consultation .............................................................. 62 5.0
References ........................................................................................ 63 6.0
List of Figures
Figure 1. Working faces and crushing and screening plant. ............................ 7
Figure 2.Flow chart of quarrying process. ........................................................ 8
Figure 3. Current quarry layout.. .................................................................... 12
Figure 4. Stage 1: Mine plan.. ........................................................................ 13
Figure 5. Stage 2: Mine plan.. ........................................................................ 14
Figure 6. Final Mine plan. .............................................................................. 15
Figure 7. Areas of vegetation clearing. .......................................................... 16
Figure 8. Acidic rock vein. .............................................................................. 17
Figure 9. Sources of acidity. .......................................................................... 18
Figure 10. White Hills Pit with contours. ......................................................... 24
Figure 11. TasVeg 3.0 mapping. .................................................................... 25
Figure 12. Title information. ........................................................................... 26
Figure 13. Proximity to Smithton. ................................................................... 27
Figure 14. Areas to be cleared. ...................................................................... 28
Figure 15. Vegetation to be cleared. .............................................................. 30
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 4
Figure 16. Threatened flora and fauna .......................................................... 33
Figure 17. Threatened species around Lake Mikany. .................................... 34
Figure 18. Weeds onsite. ............................................................................... 36
Figure 19. Swamp vegetation. ....................................................................... 38
Figure 20. Swamp vegetation. ....................................................................... 39
Figure 21. Water monitoring locations. .......................................................... 40
Figure 22. Water monitoring location CK2. .................................................... 43
Figure 23. Water monitoring location:Pit. ....................................................... 44
Figure 24. Water monitoring location: WL1. ................................................... 44
Figure 25. Watercourses near the White Hills Pit.. ......................................... 49
Figure 26. Distance to residences. ................................................................. 51
Figure 27. Topsoil and waster rock stockpiles. .............................................. 53
Figure 28. Topsoil stockpiles.......................................................................... 58
Figure 29. Final quarry state. ......................................................................... 59
List of tables
Table 1. Proponent information ........................................................................ 5
Table 2. Rock and silty clay vein analysis ...................................................... 19
Table 3. Water monitoring: physical analysis ................................................. 60
Table 4. Water monitoring: metals analysis ................................................... 60
Table 5. Management commitments .............................................................. 60
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 5
Appendices
Appendix 1: Mining Plan
Appendix 2: PAF Management Plan
Appendix 3: Raw Data
Appendix 4: TasVeg 3.0 Key
Appendix 5: Weed Management Plan
Appendix 6: Phytophthora Management Plan
Appendix 7: Circular Head council planning permit
Appendix 8: Traffic Impact Assessment
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 6
Part A – Proponent Information 1.0
Table 1. Proponent information
Name Mark Lardner
Business Name Lardner Excavations
ABN 99 472 941 202
Residential Address 105 Green Hills Road, Stanley TAS 7331
Registered Business Address
105 Green Hills Road, Stanley TAS 7331
Postal Address P O Box 76, Stanley TAS 7331
Phone 03-64581191 or mobile 0438 581 191
Facsimile 03-6458 1191
Email [email protected]
Other Leases Held 15M/2002, 1809P/M
Lease Number 16M/1993
M.I. Lardner (the Proponent) owns and operates Lardner Excavations Unit
Trust which is a supplier of screened and crushed stone from this pit. Based in
Stanley, the operation supplies materials to construction companies, road
base, fill and as well as bulk haulage.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 7
Figure 1. White Hills Pit showing working face and crushing/screening plant.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 8
Figure 2.Flow chart of quarrying process.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 9
Part B – Project Description 2.0
2.1 Project Description
It is proposed that the existing Level 1 operation be upgraded to a Level 2
operation as listed in Schedule 2 of the Environmental Management and
Pollution Control Act, 1994, thus allowing for greater than 5000 cubic
metres to be extracted per annum and greater than 1000 cubic metres to be
crushed from the White Hills Pit. The existing quarry operation has been
granted approval by the Circular Head Council under planning permit (DA
2006 / 0002) details of this permit can be found in appendix 7. It is proposed
that there is to be a maximum 20 000 cubic metres of material mined and
crushed each year. The quarry produces crushed stone to varying
specifications. Figure 2 shows the quarrying process.
Broadly, the source materials are mudstone and quartzite, this is blasted
from the quarry face to form lose material that can be easily crushed. This
loose material is then placed in the jaws of the mobile crushing plant where
it is fed to a series of belts which separate the grades of crushed stone.
Once the material has undergone the crushing/ screening process it is then
stockpiled onsite awaiting transportation off site. There are no permanent
structures onsite, nor will there be any constructed as part of the proposed
expansion. The nearest residences are located approximately 1000 metres
away from the location of the main working face. Due to the nature of the
location of the White Hills Pit, with the surrounding quarrying operations,
the noise from the crushing, screening and infrequent blasting has not
impacted, nor are operations at this higher rate likely to impact significantly
on the local residences. Operating hours are to be consistent with the
Quarry Code of Practice 1999; 0700 – 1900 weekdays and 0800 – 1600 on
Saturdays with operations at the site being continuous.
Due to the nature of the underlying geology, there is blasting required at
the site. The pit currently has one bench and two working faces from which
material can be sourced, with these working faces being 13m and 8m
(approximately) high. The mining will no longer continue to extract directly
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 10
from the main bench, but rather from the back and side, in order to reduce
the bench height and begin the rehabilitation on the site, with the operating
bench height to be less than 10m. Plant and equipment proposed includes
a mobile crushing and screening plant with a 10 tonne (loading capability)
and a Caterpillar 950H Loader. The crushing/screening plant is mobile and
only used periodically to generate enough material to ensure stockpiles are
large enough to cope with demand.
The increase in production will begin upon receiving approval for expansion
and continue for approximately ten years, or until the Proponent indicates
his wish to cease operation at Level 2.
Production rates will be relatively constant throughout the year, however,
there will be increases to production rates in summer due to the added
demand from the local dairy farmers constructing cow lanes and from
clients requiring general fill.
2.1.1 Mine Plan
The mine plan is shown in the following figures, with a more detailed mining
plan contained in Appendix 1. As shown in Figures 1 and 3, the working
faces are currently too high (13 and 8 metres, approximately) for safe and
effective remediation of the site to be carried out.
As shown in Figure 3, the quarry currently has limited drainage control and
two main faces, which have 3rd faces being cut into them from the north
and from the south.
Figure 4 shows the proposed first stage of the mine plan, which is to extract
materials working back from the north towards the south thereby joining
the middle bench together to make 3 whole benches, thus resulting in an
extra bench being cut into the existing faces.
Drainage modifications will occur to centralize drainage from the site into a
singular settling pond via three channels, two of which are lined with
limestone cobbles. The limestone cobbles will be aggravated to prevent
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 11
armoring occurring through the motion of vehicles driving over the cobbled
channel. Armoring occurs when minerals and sediment precipitate out of
the runoff and coat the limestone, thus reducing its effectiveness.
Stage 2 of the mining plan is shown in Figure 5. There is an extra bench
included in the figure to the east of the main quarry workings, resulting
from splitting the top working face in half. There may be some clearing of
vegetation (Figure 7) associated with the construction of this bench. The
location of the limestone cobbles in the northern drainage line will be
moved to be across the access road, for easier stimulation by vehicle
movements and to reflect the changes to the quarry face.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 12
Figure 3. Current quarry layout. The yellow areas highlight the mining lease. Blue lines indicate drainage and drainage direction and red lines
indicate bench faces. Brown areas outline the waste rock stockpiles.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 13
Figure 4. Stage 1 of mine plan. The yellow areas highlight the mining lease. Blue lines indicate drainage and drainage direction and red lines
indicate bench faces. Grey areas indicate drainage channels with limestone cobbles present.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 14
Figure 5. Stage 2 of mine plan. The yellow areas highlight the mining lease. Blue lines indicate drainage and drainage direction and red lines indicate
bench faces. Grey areas indicate drainage channels with limestone cobbles present.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 15
Figure 6. Final quarry layout. The yellow areas highlight the mining lease. Blue lines indicate drainage and drainage direction and red lines indicate
bench faces. Grey areas indicate drainage channels with limestone cobbles present. Green areas show where rehabilitation is to occur. Although the
whole lease area will be revegetated, the areas entitled “revegetated” on the above figure are the areas which will have topsoil spread over them and
planted, rather than being deep ripped, like the quarry floor.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 16
Figure 7. Areas of vegetation to be cleared as a result of the expansion of the quarry. The area of vegetation to be cleared is highlighted in red and
the yellow border indicates the mining lease.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 17
Figure 6 depicts the final quarry state, showing proposed rehabilitation
methods and final bench structure. All the drainage modifications will be
retained. The bench floors will have topsoil spread over and be planted with
native species (See Appendix 1).
The presence of acidic waste rock, which has the potential to cause acidic
drainage onsite complicates the proposed mine plan (See Appendix 2: PAF
Management Plan). The acidic rock is located onsite in the form of thin veins
(approximately 100 – 500mm wide) that rise up the face of the quarry (Figure
8).
There is a silty clay vein present onsite which also presents a low degree of
acidity (Table 2) exposed on the southern wall of the quarry and on the
northern wall that is attached to the main quarry workings (Figure 9).
Figure 8. PAF rock vein in quarry face.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 18
Two separate composite grab samples from the acidic rock vein and from the
clay vein were taken on the 13/11/13. These samples were taken in
accordance with the methods described in Australian Standard 1141 –
Methods for Sampling and Testing Aggregates. The laboratory analysis and
quality control reports are located in Appendix 3. The mineralogy of the PAF
material was not analysed due to the high costs and minimal benefits
associated with mineralogy assessment.
As shown in Table 2, both the clay and rock veins are acidic in nature. There
are low levels of acid produced shown by the Net Acid Production Potential
(NAPP) values in Table 2, with the actual strength of the acid being low also.
This is highlighted by the pH of the materials once oxidised and the lack of
acid (H2SO4) produced at pH 4.5 (Table 2). This, coupled with the acidic
Figure 9. Sources of acidity at the quarry. The clay vein is highlighted in red. The black
rocks (crushed) at the base of the image are also PAF material.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 19
nature of the receiving environment, means detrimental environmental
effects from the exposure and subsequent production of acid by the
aforementioned sources, will be minimal. Although, the Net Acid Generation
(NAG) analysis shows that there was no detectable acid produced at pH 4.5,
the acid from the silty clay and rock vein will be produced upon exposure and
subsequently released into the drainage as runoff. However, due to the very
limited presence and random distribution of the acid rock veins, the most
viable means of avoiding potential acidic drainage, is to avoid disturbing the
veins, thereby minimizing the exposure of new PAF material and controlling
the amount of acid released through runoff. This physical avoidance method
will allow for normal quarry operation. With the avoidance of exposure and
through centralising the drainage through a settling pond, the effects of the
acidity will be mitigated. The drainage modifications as shown in Figures 4, 5
and 6, will result in the quarry runoff passing through the drainage channels
that have limestone cobbles in them. The limestone will increase the pH of
the runoff and, therefore, the settling pond will receive very dilute acidic or
neutral runoff. Overflow out of the settling pond will be into the swamp to
the north of the site, with pH, TSS and electrical conductivity monitoring
undertaken monthly and quarterly monitoring of total and dissolved metals
as per the Environmental Effects Report Guidelines for M & C Lardner –
Beacom Hills Quarry Expansion – Circular Head Council dated 9th of
September 2013. Drainage and water quality is further discussed in Part C
1.2.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 20
Table 2. Rock and clay vein analysis results.
Analysis Unit PAF Rock Vein Silty Clay
Net Acid Production Potential (NAPP) Kg H2SO4/t 1.8 2.1
NAG pH pH Unit 6.4 5.3
Net Acid Generation (pH 4.5) Kg H2SO4/t <0.1 <0.1
Net Acid Generation (pH 7.0) Kg H2SO4/t 0.7 2.4
The Proponent does not see the encapsulation of PAF rock material in a clay
lined pit onsite an appropriate option. This is not considered a viable option for
the management of PAF material onsite due to the poor quality of the clay
reserves onsite, thus requiring clay of sufficient quantity for encapsulation to be
brought onsite, thus significantly increasing the probability of bringing external
weeds and pathogens onsite. Due to the acidic nature of the receiving
environment, the low sulphide, low strength and the low quantities of PAF
material currently discovered onsite, the excavation and subsequent
encapsulation of PAF veins is not recommended.
There is a small patch (approx. 50mm2) of iron staining on the southern end of
the upper face, which indicates the possible presence of iron sulfides in the rock.
If there are greater quantities of iron sulfides present in the quarry, then the
potential for acid metalliferous drainage (AMD) is considerably greater. AMD is
particularly harmful for the receiving environment, causing “dead creeks” along
with riparian vegetation dieback and localized fauna deaths. Upon inspection by
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 21
ES & D on the 13/11/2013 and 28/05/2014 there were no signs of an increased
area of iron staining, despite works having been done to that region of the
quarry. Should greater areas- of iron staining become visible onsite, then the
proponent is to immediately cease extraction from that region of the quarry and
contact ES&D, who will immediately contact the EPA, as per Section 32 of
Environmental Management and Pollution Control Act 1994. This is included in
the PAF management plan, found as Appendix 2.
2.2 Project Area
The site is situated in the Beacom Hills region near Lake Mikany, Smithton. The
region is very densely populated with other quarries, particularly adjacent to this
quarry. As shown in Figure 3, the drainage offsite currently moves through a
number of small, uncontrolled channels, which will eventually flow onto the
adjacent paddock. The proposed drainage modifications as shown in Figures 4,
5 and 6, will act to control the drainage and centralise it through a single settling
pond. The settling pond will act to control the amount of sediment leaving site
as well as reduce the acidity of the runoff through the limestone cobbles added
to the drainage channels. The settling pond will overflow offsite and into the
nearby swampy area. This treatment process will ensure water leaving the site is
similar to the reseeding environment and at an acceptable level. The increased
pH (compared to the pH of the runoff entering the settling pond) will minimize
offsite contamination with metals as they will be precipitated in the settling
pond and drainage channels. Further information on the settling pond function
and the resulting water chemistry is discussed in Part C-1.2. The swamp has
continually been interrupted by historical disturbance. Continual disturbance
within habitats has the ability to increase the resilience of existing flora and
increase plant diversity1. Broadly the flora within the west coast of Tasmania has
1 Osland M.J, Gonzalez E and Richardson C.J (2011). Restoring diversity after cattail expansion:
disturbance, resilience, and seasonality in a tropical dry wetland. Ecological Application, 21 (3)
715:728
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 22
adapted to harsh conditions including acid sulfate soils2, where species survive
in soils with high metal content3. The quarry is situated back into the White Hills
on the eastern side, with flat paddocks lying to the west and north (Figure 12).
The site is located in an area of native vegetation with farmland bordering the
western and northern side of the lease, with native vegetation to the east.
Immediately south of the Proponent’s mining lease is another quarry (mining
lease 29M/1993), with farmland south of the adjacent quarry (Figure 13). The
forest the mining lease is located in is dominated by Eucalyptus nitida (Smithton
Peppermint Gum), which is distinguished by the canopy of E. nitida and the
closed secondary tree canopy, consisting of Leptospermum sp. with Pteridium
esculentum (Bracken Fern) forming the main understory. The forest is
structurally and florally similar to Eucalyptus obliqua forests, but is found on
poorer quality soils, like those the lease is situated on. The forest is not a rare or
threatened community. The soils present in the lease are of poor quality and are
a quartzite based sandy loam4.
The land the mining lease is situated on is made up of two separate Crown Land
titles and is adjacent to numerous other leases, as previously stated (Figure 12).
Under the Circular Head Interim Planning Scheme 2013, the site and surrounding
area is zoned as “Rural Resource”. As shown in Figure 12, there is a residence
1000m to the west of the quarry, which, along with the mining leases; 1085P/M
(Frankcombe M K + G J and McBain P), 1279P/M (Leis T J + M J) and 29M/1993
(CCG (Tas) Pty Ltd), utilizes the same access road to the quarry. There is a verbal
agreement between the various quarry operators and the residents of the house
2 Gurun S Tasmanian Geological Survey Record 2001/05 Report 1 Acid drainage from abandoned
mines in Tasmania
3 DPIPWE (2014). URL: http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/agriculture/land-management-soils/soil-
management/acid-sulfate-soils. Accessed 05/09/2014
4 Harris, S and Kitchener, A (2005). From Forest to Fjaeldmark: Descriptions of Tasmania’s
Vegetation. Department of Primary Industries, Water and Environment, Printing Authority of
Tasmania. Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 23
with regards to travel speeds along the access road and crushing and blasting at
the quarries. There are no other sensitive users within 1km of the site.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 24
Figure 10. White Hills Pit and highlighted (red) mining lease (16M/1993), with contours.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 25
Figure 11. TasVeg 3.0 mapping of the White Hills Pit and surrounding area. The mining lease (16M/1993) is highlighted in red. The types of
vegetation are highlighted. Key: FAG = Agricultural land, FUM = Extra-Urban miscellaneous, SLS = Leptospermum scoparium heathland and scrub,
SLW = Leptospermum scrub, WNU = Eucalyptus nitida wet forest. A full TasVeg 3.0 key can be found as Appendix 4 to this report. Sourced from
Land Information Systems Tasmania.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 26
Figure 12. Title details for the White Hills Pit and surrounding land. The mining lease which covers the White Hills Pit is highlighted in red
(16M/1993), with the adjacent leases hatched in brown. The crown land that the White Hills Pit is situated on is shown in yellow. The property
identification numbers (PID) for the surrounding areas are shown. The two residences and access road are also highlighted.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 27
2.3 Map and Site Plan
The site is located on Irishtown road, 4.3 km south of Smithton (Figure 13).
Irishtown Road has moderate traffic levels from forestry, agriculture and other
quarrying operations.
There is to be minimal clearing of vegetation on the lease as part of the
expansion of operations, as much of the region to be quarried has already been
cleared by the Proponent as part of his current operations (Figure 7). It is in the
Proponent’s interests to retain as much of the vegetation on the site in order to
screen the quarrying operations.
There are two main regions where there will be significant earthworks on the
site as part of the operations expansion. Along with these two areas shown in
Figure 14, there will be very minor earth works associated with the construction
of the drainage channels on the site. See previous Figures; 10, 11 and 12 for
further maps of the site relating to; topography (10), vegetation (11) and
planning (12).
Figure 13. White Hills Pit and surrounding region. Sourced from Land Information
Systems Tasmania.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 28
Figure 14. Areas of significant earthworks to be undertaken onsite. Note that the construction of drainage channels is not included. The “S ite of major
quarry works” should be viewed with respect to the mining plans shown in Figures; 4, 5, 6 and 7.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 29
2.4 Rationale and Alternatives
The Proponent has had substantial increase in demand for products quarried
from the site, resulting in his wish to increase the production levels at the
White Hills Pit. Due to the location of the quarry, there are numerous
potential contracts for the product produced from the quarry in the north
west of Tasmania. By increasing production to a maximum of 20 000 cubic
metres annually, it allows the Proponent to undertake larger contracts,
thereby increasing his financial security.
There are limited alternatives to the increase in production from this pit. The
most likely alternative would be to operate another lease in the region at
level 1. This however is not feasible due to the increased costs of travel and
operating a fourth lease. This quarry can provide road base and clean fill
material to a variety of customers, ranging from local farmers and
construction contractors to DIER. There has been a steep increase in material
demand in the area to the point where the available quarries cannot provide
the required material.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 30
Part C – Potential Environmental Effects 3.0
3.1 Flora and Fauna
Due to the location of the site and its proximity to other mining leases, its
individual impact on the local environment, aesthetically, physically and from
noise is not considered to increase significantly with the increasing
production levels.
Native vegetation, as mentioned in Part B; 1.3, will be cleared as part of the
expansion process. The amount of native vegetation to be cleared is
approximately 850m2 (Figures, 7, 11, 14 and 15) and is not ‘virgin’ forest, i.e.
it has been cleared historically. The cleared vegetation will not have a notable
effect on the local fauna populations or plant communities. As shown in
Figure 11, and described in Part B; 1.2, the vegetation community making up
the majority of the lease is dominated by E. nitida, however the area to be
cleared is comprised mainly of small Leptospermum sp. and E. nitida shrubs,
Figure 15. The highlighted area shows some of the region where there will be
vegetation cleared.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 31
with P. esculentum common also (Figure 15).
A detailed flora and fauna survey has not been undertaken for the site due to
the limited amount of vegetation to be cleared as part of the increase in
production and the current disturbed nature of the vegetation.
There are no threatened vegetation communities likely to be impacted by the
increase in production (Figures 11 and 15), nor are there any threatened
fauna likely to be impacted by the increased production (Figure 16 and 17).
There are multiple records of Aquila audax subsp. fleayi (Tasmanian Wedge
Tailed Eagle), Alcedo azurea subsp. diemenensis (Tasmanian Azure Kingfisher)
and Haliaeetus leucogaster (White Bellied Sea Eagle) 1200m away from the
quarry, (to the nearest point of the Lake) to the south east, around Lake
Mikany. The A. audax subsp. fleayi nests are located at approximately
1600m, 2300m and 2600m away from the White Hills Pit. The quarrying
operation is not expected to detrimentally impact the A. audax subsp. fleayi
utilising these nests and there is no line of site to any of the nests. Similarly,
the H. leucogaster and A. azurea subsp. diemenensis are not expected to be
affected by the quarry operations, due to their preferred habitat and feeding
ecology ensuring they need to reside close to the water body (Figure 17).
During a site visit, by ES&D on the 13/11/2013, it was confirmed that due to
site topography, there is no line of site to the existing nests.
As shown in Figure 16 there are numerous records of threatened species
within 5km from the lease, however only one record of a threatened species
within 1.5km from the lease. Although not recorded, there is the potential
for Sarcophilus harrisii (Tasmanian Devil), Dasyurus maculatus subsp.
maculatus (Spotted Tail Quoll) and Peramales gunnii (Eastern Barred
Bandicoot) to be present in the forested regions off the lease, as they are
present in the region around nearby Lake Mikany. The lack of encroachment
into the vegetation at the eastern side of the lease means that there will be
little or no impact on these species from the increase in quarry production.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 32
Upon inspection of the swamp, there were numerous calls from Crinea
signifera (Common Froglet) as well as evidence, from scats and tracks, of
many Thylogale billardierii (Tasmanian Pademelon), Macropus rufogriseus
(Bennett’s Wallaby). A Circus approximans (Swamp Harrier) was spotted
flying out of the vegetation at the swamp. The increased quarrying activities
are not expected to detrimentally impact the swamp habitat these species
reside in through the chemical composition of the runoff.
There are no local groundwater users nor is there to be any detrimental
effects on the groundwater through the quarrying intensification. Fuel and oil
spills onsite will be of such low volume that the groundwater will not be
impacted. Further information on fuel and oil spills can be found in Part C;
1.13.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 33
Figure 16. Threatened flora and
fauna in the vicinity of the White
Hills Pit. Approximate location of
the pit is highlighted in the center of
the image with a 5km radius
around the site highlighted.
Threatened flora are shown as
green triangles and threatened
fauna as orange squares.
www.thelist.tas.gov.au/listmap/app/
list/map
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 34
Figure 17. Threatened species records around Lake Mikany, Smithton. The approximate location of the lease is highlighted in the
northwest corner of the image. Threatened species records are taken from www.thelist.tas.gov.au/listmap/app/list/map.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 35
3.1.1 Weeds
Overall, the site has very few weeds present, with the majority of the quarry
weed free. A survey of the weeds present onsite was undertaken on the
13/11/2013 by ES & D with the following results. There are two main areas on
the lease where there are weeds present; the southern face and the area
near the waste rock pile. The weeds range from Cirsium vulgare (Spear
Thistles), Ulex europaeus (Gorse) and various other species present on the
lease, with the thistles the most numerous. Figure 18 shows examples of the
weeds present on site. Control (spraying with Roundup) measures of the
weeds have been undertaken as of the 9/11/2013 as part of regular quarterly
weed management. A full weed and Phytophothora cinnamoni management
plan can be found as Appendix 5 and 6 respectively. There are numerous
weeds near to the lease, which are potential sources of weeds on the lease,
which will need to be controlled in discussion with the adjacent land owners.
Due to the isolated nature of the weeds on the lease, there is limited
evidence to suggest that the lease will provide a source of weeds for nearby
areas or areas where quarry vehicles may also operate. By implementing a
stringent and effective weed management plan, the site will continue to
maintain and further reduce its low weed levels and prevent the outbreak
and spread of weeds onsite.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 36
Figure 18. Examples of weeds onsite; 1. Dock and thistle on southern ridge. 2. Small thistles and small gorse plant on southern
ridge. 3. Example of thistle. 4. Thistles on southern ridge. 5. Small thistles and gorse on southern ridge. 6. Thistles on waste rock
pile.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 37
3.1 Rivers , creeks, wetlands and estuaries
There is little current infrastructure situated onsite to deal with water quality,
however there are a number of proposed developments to be undertaken
onsite as part of the drainage modifications. As shown in Figures 4, 5 and 6,
the drainage will be directed through a centralized settling pond to eliminate
sediment from the runoff and increase the pH of the runoff. The settling pond
will have the capacity to hold a 1/20 year rain event for 2 hours in the settling
pond. Therefore the settling pond will be a minimum of 40 m35. Further
details on the settling pond and drainage modifications can be found in
Appendix 1 and 3.
There will be a number of rocks suitable for rip-wrap placed in the drainage
channel on the northern road to slow the water flow downhill and therefore
minimise the erosion occurring in the channel. Where drainage lines cross
access roads (see Figures; 4, 5 and 6) there will be limestone cobbles added
to increase the alkalinity of the runoff. By placing the cobbles in the drainage
channel across the road, the stimulation of the cobbles by the vehicle
movements over the channel will prevent armoring occurring on the
limestone, thus increasing its neutralization capacity.
The settling pond and drainage lines will be frequently checked for excess
sediment, and subsequently cleaned out, if there is found to be excessive
sediment in either. At a minimum this will be undertaken annually. Further
details are included in Appendix 1.
As mentioned, there will be limestone cobbles added to the two main
drainage lines where they cross the access roads, in order to increase the pH
of the quarry runoff. The limestone will be examined on an annual basis
(when the settling pond is cleaned out) to inspect for iron staining and
5 Information derived from www.bom.gov.au/water/designRainfalls/ifd/index.shtml. Accessed
on 28/10/2013.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 38
armoring. Visual inspections of the limestone will occur when operations are
occurring onsite.
Storm water from the site will drain through a settling pond and subsequently
drain into a swamp to the north of the site, as discussed in Part B; 1.2.
Figures 4, 5 and 6 show the proposed drainage plan for the site.
The swamp in which surface waters are to discharge into has previously been
interrupted by historical disturbance, this continual disturbance has the
ability to increase the resilience of existing flora and increase plant diversity
within wetlands6. Broadly the flora within the west coast of Tasmania has
adapted to harsh environmental conditions including; acid sulfate soils7,
where species survive in soils with high metal content8. Furthermore, the
volumes of water that are potentially draining into the swamp are low, thus
6 Osland M.J, Gonzalez E and Richardson C.J (2011). Restoring diversity after cattail
expansion: disturbance, resilience, and seasonality in a tropical dry wetland. Ecological
Application, 21 (3) 715:728
7 Gurun S Tasmanian Geological Survey Record 2001/05 Report 1 Acid drainage from
abandoned mines in Tasmania
8 DPIPWE (2014). URL: http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/agriculture/land-management-soils/soil-
management/acid-sulfate-soils. Accessed 05/09/2014
Figure 19. Swamp to the north of the White Hills Pit. This is the receiving environment for the
overflow out of the settling pond.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 39
the impact is minimized significantly. However, as the following figures
(Figures 21 and 22) show, the swamp is thriving, despite there being two
quarries potentially draining into it.
Figure 20. Images of the swamp to the north of the Whit Hills Pit after heavy rain.
.
Testing of the physical characteristics and analysis of metals in the runoff
from the site, as well as from the swamp and nearby unnamed creek was
undertaken through late 2013 and early 2014 by ES & D. The sample
locations are shown in Figure 21.
The results from the field tests are shown in Table 3, with the laboratory
analysis shown in Table 4.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 40
Table 3. Mean field data from three water monitoring events at the White Hills Pit.
Data is limited due to the locations being dry during summer.
White Hills Pit Field Data
Site Temp (C⁰) pH EC (µs/cm)
CK2 12.83 4.67 263
WL1 12.15 4.25 316
PIT 13.52 4.52 263
Figure 21. Water monitoring locations and water courses near the White Hills Pit.
Monitoring locations are shown as blue dots.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 41
Table 4. Analysis of mean total metals at White Hills Pit. Highlighted values exceed
ANZECC 2000, trigger limits for toxicity in low – moderately disturbed fresh waters. ID
refers to insufficient data to derive a reliable trigger value.
White Hills Pit Metals Analysis
Site Al (µg/L) Cu (µg/L) Pb (µg/L) Mn (µg/L) Zn (µg/L) Fe (µg/L)
ANZECC 95% TL
ID 1.4 3.4 1900 8.0 ID
CK2 1103.3 3 2.3 71.3 44.3 843.3
WL1 1506.6 2.6 1.6 23 17 2890
PIT 5826.6 30 5 81.6 341.3 233.3
Each of the water monitoring points are shown in the following Figures; 22,
23 and 24. Site CK2 (Figure 22) is a small farm drainage creek that drains the
paddocks to the west and south of the quarry and flows into the farmlands to
the north of the quarry site. The creek is ephemeral and therefore is often dry
in the summer months. This creek was utilised as the background for the
monitoring, as the White Hills Pit has no impact on the creek, with the runoff
from the pit running down the access road and then into the paddock (see
Figure 4), not directly into the creek. As shown by the acidic nature of the
background site and WL1 (Table 3), the water in the region is naturally acidic.
WL1 samples are taken from a small drainage line on the edge of a clearing
and patch of Leucopogon vegetation (Figure 23). The water sampled was rich
in tannins and quite acidic, the most acidic site of all those sampled. This
acidity is most likely organic, not resulting from AMD, and naturally occurring
due to the vegetation communities and biological processes present in the
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 42
swamp. The high iron levels also indicate the origin of the acidity as being
from the vegetation rather than as a result of quarrying.
Water samples taken from the main drainage line in the pit (Figure 24)
showed a pH of 4.52 (Table 3), indicating acidity present from the exposed
quarry rocks, however, the runoff was not significantly different to the other
areas sampled, including the background site. The highest levels of metals
were found at the pit sampling point, with levels of Copper and Zinc being
between 7.6 and 20 times higher than WL1 and CK2 (Table 4). The presence
of metals in the pit drainage will be mitigated through the centralization of
drainage through limestone cobbles prior to entering a settling pond. The
limestone cobbles will act to precipitate the metals from the pit drainage,
with further precipitation of the metals occurring in the settling pond prior to
discharge into the swamp. Future drainage (Figures 5 and 6) is likely to have
little or no impact on the swamp, particularly after the drainage modifications
occur onsite (Appendix 1). The sample taken from the pit (Figure 21 and 24) is
representative of the overall drainage from the quarry as it is the main
drainage line leaving the quarry.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 43
Figure 22. Water monitoring location CK2.
Figure 23. Water monitoring location CK2.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 44
Figure 24. Pit sample point is highlighted.
Figure 25. Sample point WL1, samples are taken from the water flowing through the
depression under the tree line.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 45
As shown in Table 3, levels of Aluminum, Copper, Zinc and Iron are above the
trigger levels stated in Table 3.4.1 of ANZECC, 2000. However, as per Chapter
3.4.3.1 of ANZECC 2000, the following applies; “The investigation and/or
regular monitoring may also result in refinement of the guideline figure to
suit regional or local water quality parameters and other conditions. Such
refinement would occur where exceedance of the trigger value was shown to
have no adverse effects upon the ecosystem.”
Mean total Aluminum levels were the highest in the pit runoff (5826µg/L),
with the background creek having the lowest levels; 1103µg/L. The swamp
returned results of 1506µg/L. Aluminum is generally not toxic to humans or
the environment in a non-dissolved form due to its abundance in the earth’s
crust, however it has been shown to be a potential aquatic toxicant in
dissolved form, particularly in acidic environments. There is also the potential
for Al3+ to become toxic to plant root systems in high concentrations in acidic
soil. There is limited dissolved metals data available for the site, however the
most current available data, along with the acidity of the pit runoff and
surrounding environment suggests that there will be a significant proportion
of the total in dissolved form (Appendix 3).
As shown in Table 4, the copper levels are between 1.9 and 21 times greater
than the trigger limits in Table 3.4.1 of ANZECC, 2000. Copper is rarely found
in a free, unbound state, rather it is found bound to small organic or inorganic
particles in the water course. As copper is an essential element for plant and
animal function, the uptake of copper occurs readily by vegetation, where it
is stored in the plant tissue. Copper transport in plants is undertaken through
the xylem where the Cu2+ ions (the form available to plants for uptake) binds
to amino acids for transport around the plant. Research suggests that by
increasing the copper available to the plant results in an increased production
of amino acids, therefore suggesting that plants have mechanisms to
minimise potential damage caused by excess copper. Wetlands have been
used as a treatment method to reduce metals from the environment through
this uptake. A study by Nelson (2002) showed copper concentrations as high
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 46
as 180µg/L being reduced below 10µg/L within a wetland treatment system9.
Tolerance to Copper concentrations varies considerably among species with
invertebrate taxa within streams declining in levels of 5-10µg/L10 compared
to amphibians withstanding levels of 12-18µg/L11. As shown in Table 4, the
copper levels in the pit runoff was 30 µg/L, with the samples from the swamp
(WL1) and background (CK2) returning results of 3µg/L and 2.67µg/L
respectively. Therefore, the excess 27µg/L copper from the pit runoff, which
will drain into the swamp through a lightly vegetated area, has the ability to
be absorbed by the vegetation in the area without adverse effects, thus
mitigating the effects by excess copper. Furthermore, addition of lime to the
settling pond as well as the limestone lined drains will act to increase the pH
of the runoff, thereby keeping the copper, and other metals, out of solution,
and reducing the need for uptake by plants in the swamp.
Zinc is generally not toxic to plants until at concentrations in excess of
300mg/kg of leaf tissue12. Soil zinc levels can vary from 66 – 300mg/kg in
organic and agricultural soils, like those the receiving environment is situated
on, thus contributing to the elevated zinc levels in the surface waters,
particularly at the background site. Accumulation of zinc in the tissue of small
mammals has been shown in studies to be minimal, despite high background
concentrations in the environment, suggesting active regulation of the zinc by
9 Nelson E.A, W.L Specht, J.A Bowers and J.B Gladden, 2002. Constructed Wetlands for
removal of heavy metals from NPDES outfall effluent. U.S. Department of Commerce,
National Technical Information Service.
10 Leland H.V, S.V Fend, T.L Dudley and J.L Carter, 1989. Effects of copper on species
composition of benthic insects in a Sierra Nevada, California, Stream. Freshwater Biology, 21,
163-179
11 Schuytema G.S and A.V Nebeker, 1996. Amphibian Toxicity data for water quality criteria
chemicals. US EPA URL: http://nepis.epa.gov/Adobe/PDF/P100G6IF.pdf. Accessed 5/9/2014
12 Reichman S.M., 2002, The Responses of Plants to Metal Toxicity: A review focusing on
Copper, Manganese and Zinc. Australian Minerals & Energy Environment Foundation. 144 High St, Prahran, Victoria, 3181.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 47
the mammals over time13. The lack of accumulation in the mammalian tissue
suggests that there will be little bioaccumulation of zinc throughout the food
chain. The excess zinc in the pit water runoff will be reduced to levels
consistent with the background through bioremediation in the swamp.
The total iron levels in the runoff varied considerably between the sample
sites, with WL1 containing approximately five times greater iron than the pit
runoff and twice as much as the background. This is naturally occurring and
can be attributed to the vegetation and bacteriological communities in the
swamp. The iron contained in the runoff from the pit will have minimal
impact on the ecology of the swamp.
Levels of manganese were below trigger limits. Lead levels were below the
trigger limit (3.4µg/L) at all sites except the Pit (5µg/L), the excess 1.6µg/L will
be mitigated through the drainage modifications before leaving site. Field
electrical conductivity (EC), total suspended solids (TSS) and pH will be
measured monthly in the settling pond and the turbidity will be visually
inspected regularly. This will ensure that there are no excessive sediment
loads flowing out of the settling pond.
As previously mentioned, the proposal will be undertaken near a swamp
approximately 60m to the north of the lease and there is a small farm
drainage creek that flows approximately 120m to the west of the lease. Upon
completion of the proposed drainage works, the water that would have
flowed down the access road drains in a westerly direction towards the creek,
and water that flowed through the main workings of the White Hills Pit and
eventually into the adjacent paddock, will cease to flow into that area,
therefore there should no longer be any impact on the paddock from the
quarry (Figures; 4, 5, 6 and 21). The vegetation clearing is proposed to occur
approximately 250m away from the creek and 100m away from the swamp.
13
M. S. Johnson, R. D. Roberts, M. Hutton and M. J. Inskip, 1978. Distribution of Lead, Zinc and Cadmium in Small Mammals from Polluted Environments. Oikos , Vol. 30, Fasc. 1 (1978), pp. 153-159
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 48
There will be no foreseen detrimental impact on either the creek or swamp as
a result of this proposal.
None of the proposed earthworks or vegetation clearing are to occur within
30m from the waterways as per MRT Quarry Code of Practice 1999.
3.2 Significant areas
The mining lease is not located adjacent to or within any reserved areas or
areas of significance.
3.3 Coastal zone
The proposal is not located within 300m of the coast.
3.4 Marine areas
The proposal will have no impact on marine areas.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 49
Figure 26. Watercourses near the White Hills Pit. The swamp is the only water course to be impacted by this proposal. The
mining lease is highlighted.
Figure 27. Watercourses near the White Hills Pit. The swamp is the only water course to be impacted by this proposal. The
mining lease is highlighted.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 50
3.5 Air emissions
The quarrying operations will produce air emissions from machinery as well
as dust from blasting. The proponent uses a CAT 950H Wheel Loader along
with a mobile crushing and screening plant. Numerous private haulage
contractors, as well as the proponents own haulage trucks utilise the
resource from the lease, thereby contributing to the air emissions on site.
Dust from operations is considered a minor issue due to local weather
conditions favoring the prevention of dust creation on site. Furthermore,
blasting and drilling in the White Hills Pit is undertaken when there are
favorable weather conditions for dust minimization. There have been no
complaints from the residences near the White Hills Pit and the adjacent
quarries in relation to dust issues in the past, and this is not predicted to
change with the increase in production. Seventeen years of rainfall data from
Smithton Aerodrome (approx. 8km NW of the lease) show that there is a
median annual rainfall of 907mm with a mean of 202.8 days of rainfall
annually14. Coupled with the predominantly westerly wind direction, any
dust produced on the days of no rainfall or days of high evaporation, will be
blown back towards the working face of the quarry, and dust from the face
will be blown back away from the residences into the well vegetated area in
the east of the lease, thereby causing no nuisance to neighboring residents or
livestock.
Dust from the access road is not expected to cause a noticeable adverse
impact due to the number of other quarries utilising the access road.
Furthermore, there is a verbal agreement between the residents of the house
that live on the access road and the proponent as well as the nearby
residents on Irishtown road, regarding the minimisation of dust and noise
from the quarry traffic travelling on the access road. There will be minimal
odours from operations. Dust control will be undertaken on the access roads
14 Data sourced from Bureau of Meteorology.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 51
and quarry floor during hot and windy days, whereby a water cart will be
utilised by the proponent.
3.6 Liquid effluent
There will be no liquid wastes or polluted waters produced from this
proposal. Runoff is covered separately.
3.7 Solid wastes
The solid wastes produced onsite will be ‘green waste’ from the clearing of
vegetation as discussed in Part C; 1.1. There will be no other wastes produced
or stored onsite. The green waste will be stored onsite or mulched and used
for rehabilitation. There may be some taken offsite for fire wood.
Topsoil that has been stripped back prior to quarrying will be stored in
stockpiles above the uppermost bench, towards the east of the main
workings. There will be very little waste rock produced from the quarry and it
will be stockpiled to the north of the main access road (Figure 27). General
refuse such as lunch scraps and wrappers will be taken off site at the end of
Figure 28. Nearest residences from the working face of the White Hills Pit.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 52
each day to prevent littering. There will be no onsite toilet facilities
permanently located on the site, however in periods of peak production, with
numerous personnel working in and out of the quarry, the need for a ‘Porta-
loo’ to be located onsite may arise, in which case there will be one brought
onsite.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 53
Figure 29. Waste rock storage and topsoil storage locations at the White Hills Pit. The approximate mining lease location is highlighted in yellow, with
the current bench locations in red.
Figure 30. Waste rock storage and topsoil storage locations at the White Hills Pit. The approximate mining lease location is highlighted in yellow, with
the current bench locations in red.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 54
3.8 Noise emissions
As mentioned previously, there are two major pieces of machinery present
onsite, the CAT 950H Wheel Loader and the Mobile Crushing and Screening
plant, with haulage trucks frequenting the site also. The noise emissions on
site will not increase significantly with the increased production and the
nearest residence is 1000 meters to the west (Figure 26). As the production
increases, there will be an increase in frequency of noise produced from the
site, due to the increased extraction. The nuisance caused by this is foreseen
to be minimal, considering its contribution to the cumulative noise from the
surrounding quarries. Furthermore, there will be significant dissipation of the
noise from the quarry over the 1000 metres to the residences, particularly
with the prevailing westerly winds. However, upon receipt of a noise
complaint relating specifically to blasting and crushing from the White Hills
Pit, there will be a noise and blasting survey undertaken.
Blasting onsite will occur infrequently, approximately twice a year, with the
potential for an extra blasting event should demand for product be required.
Blasting uses 35kg of explosives per hole, with a 12millisecond delay in the
hole and 25millisecond delay above ground. The only drilling to occur onsite
will be the drilling of holes for blasting, and it is not envisaged that there will
be a significant increase in noise as a result of infrequent drilling events. The
ground vibrations from blasting are not expected to impact the residences
near the quarry.
3.9 Transport impacts
There will be approximately 12 truck movements (to and from the quarry)
per day in peak production periods, with approximately 5 truck movements
per day during normal operation periods. The access onto Irishtown road has
had a traffic impact assessment undertaken for the Circular Head Council
(Appendix 8).
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 55
3.10 Fire hazard
As there is to be no permanent infrastructure constructed onsite, the fire
management focus of the site is less about protection of the site, rather it is
based on a prevention strategy. By ensuring fuel loads in the vegetated areas
are kept low, through allowing the vegetation to progress to its final stage
with a thicker canopy cover, thus reducing undergrowth and ensuring all
cleared vegetation is not allowed to be kept near ignition sources. On days of
high fire risk, the client will keep firefighting equipment onsite (water and
hose). Fire extinguishers are kept inside all vehicles. Should access be
required to the site in the event of a potential fire, then access is two vehicle
widths wide and there is sufficient space for truck maneuvering on the quarry
floor.
3.11 Other off-site impacts
There are no other potential offsite impacts.
3.12 Hazardous substances and chemicals
There are to be no hazardous chemicals, fuels, oils or other substances that
have the potential to cause environmental harm stored onsite. The fuel and
oil required for the operation of onsite equipment is taken onsite daily by the
client and is removed at the end of each day. The diesel fuel is contained in a
bunded (110% of the capacity of fuel stored), approximately 400L steel tank
with a pump on a trailer. Oils, both engine and hydraulic, are stored in their
respective 5-25L drums on the Proponent’s vehicle, which has an insert that
acts as a bund (>110% of the capacity of the oils stored). A spill kit will be
kept onsite. There will also be the potential for minor hydrocarbon spillage
(<1L) from the crushing and screening plant, which may flow into the
drainage channel. This will be mitigated through the creation of bunds
around the crushing plant, and by utilising the spill kit to control large
spillages.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 56
3.13 Site contamination
Due to the proximity of the White Hills Pit to the surrounding quarries and
intensive agriculture of the region, the groundwater of the site is potentially
historically contaminated. The intensification of quarrying operations onsite
will have a negligible impact on the groundwater of the region. There is no
known existing soil contamination onsite.
3.14 Sustainability and climate change
The White Hills Pit is not a major producer of greenhouse gasses, with only
the aforementioned machinery and haulage trucks operating out of the
quarry. However, in order to minimise the potential impact of the increase in
greenhouse gasses from a greater production rate in the quarry, there will be
a concerted effort to minimise excessive vehicular movements and idling,
waste generation and water usage. Obviously, with an increase in
production, there will be an increase in emissions from vehicles and crushing
equipment proportional to that of the increase production rate. The
emissions from the loader are undefined, however engine specifications are
shown in Appendix 3. The engine size is a 6 cylinder, 7.2 litre diesel. Increased
production will also result in increased truck movements (see Part C; 1.10),
however, the greenhouse impact of this can be mitigated somewhat through
the use of twin trailer trucks, which, for the same engine size, can transport
double the load, thereby reducing emissions per unit load, thus reducing the
rate of increase of greenhouse gasses produced onsite, when compared with
the current operations. The management of greenhouse gas emissions
onsite has been developed with reference to Tasmania’s Action Plan to
Reduce Emissions, 2011.
The potential impacts of climate change, specifically, changes to rainfall
patterns and events, temperature and wind regimes are foreseen to have a
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 57
minimal impact on the quarry over the foreseeable future. As mentioned in
Part B; 1.2 and Part C; 1.2, the settling pond for the storm water runoff from
the quarry will be designed with the capacity to continue to function
normally in the event of a 1 in 20 year rainfall event, considering the increase
in intensity of rainfall events. Therefore, if there were to be a greater
number of infrequent heavy rainfalls, rather than frequent light falls, as is
predicted for much of western and north western Tasmania, then the settling
pond and drainage system is expected to be sufficient to withstand such an
event. Water usage onsite is minimal, with the main use for water being dust
suppression. Water will either be pumped from the settling pond or brought
in from outside sources if required.
3.15 Cultural heritage
The proposal is not foreseen to have any cultural heritage impacts, due to the
very limited clearing of vegetation onsite and the historical clearing and
disturbance of the vegetation that will be cleared as part of the mine plan.
Data from Land Information Systems Tasmania showed no records of
Aboriginal heritage on or near the site. Thus, it is extremely unlikely that
there would be any Aboriginal or European heritage relics or sites found on
the lease. There have been no objects of cultural heritage found on this site,
nor sites nearby to date.
3.16 Sites of high public interest
The site is not located near any sites of high public interest.
3.17 Rehabilitation
The site is to be progressively rehabilitated in order to maintain the minimal
footprint of disturbance possible. The aims of rehabilitation of the site are
to;
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 58
Achieve long term stablisation of the quarry faces and slopes to
minimise erosion and sediment runoff;
Revegetate all disturbed areas with local plant species, to promote
recolonisation of the site by native flora and fauna;
Minimise the visual impact of the site through recontouring and
revegetation; and
Ensure that the quarry site is safe for future uses.
As discussed in the mine plan (Part B; 1.1.1) and Figure 4, the reshaping of the
current benches (Figures 1 and 2), will allow for the progressive rehabilitation
of the upper most bench of the quarry whilst extraction is taking place on the
lower benches. The rehabilitation on these benches will be undertaken
through the spreading of topsoil which is currently stockpiled on the top of
the highest bench (Figure 27 and 28) and spreading of seed slash from
Figure 31. Topsoil stockpiles on the top bench. The vegetated area in the east of the lease can be seen in the
background of the top two images.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 59
cleared vegetation, which will act to not only provide seed for revegetation,
particularly from the Leucopogon species, but also provide mulch when the
seed slash begins to break down. In addition to this, the mature native
vegetation situated adjacent to the areas to be rehabilitated on the top
bench, will self-seed into the freshly spread topsoil, thereby providing flora
characteristic of E. nitida forest. The area outside the western boundary of
the mining lease will also be rehabilitated.
Further to this, there will be seed slash spread over the topsoil on the slope in
order to stabilise the topsoil further until vegetation can be established. Due
to the nature of the geology of the site, erosion of topsoil is going to be a
significant factor in the effectiveness of the rehabilitation of the site.
The next stage of the rehabilitation of the site, upon completion of works, will
be to ensure that all bench heights are below 3m with a slope of no greater
than 3 in 1. The bench floors of the lower benches will also have topsoil and
seed slash laid on them (provided there is enough available) and/or have
native seeds brought in from external sources to recolonize the areas. By
Figure 32. Final rehabilitation state. The benched areas will have seed slash spread over
them. Blue lines indicate drainage direction. The settling pond and drainage lines will remain.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 60
planting the floor of the benches, it will act to shield the steep bench faces,
thus improving the quarries aesthetic qualities.
The drainage channels and settling pond implemented as part of the revised
drainage plan for the quarry will remain, with the settling pond potentially
having to be cleaned out after the first 12 months, prior to vegetation
establishing. The quarry floor will be deep ripped and have topsoil spread
over it to allow for better establishment of vegetation. As mentioned
previously, the rehabilitation of the site is to take place progressively,
however, there will be a preference for earthworks to be undertaken during
the summer months, for ease of process. The site will be monitored after the
closure of the quarry to ensure rehabilitation processes are progressing as
planned.
By spreading topsoil over the site to assist in the rehabilitation process and
provide a suitable surface for the vegetation to take root in, will act to cover
the exposed silty clay vein and parts of the acidic rock veins. Once the
vegetation has taken hold, this will act to naturally encapsulate the acidic
materials, thereby preventing further exposure. The period where there isn’t
significant vegetation growth or topsoil cover over the acidic material will not
cause a detrimental environmental impact, as the runoff will still be diverted
through the limestone containing settling pond.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 61
Part D - Management Commitments 4.0
Table 5. Table of Commitments.
Number Commitment Completion
Date
Person
Responsible
1. Execute mine plan as per Part B; 1.1.1; and
Appendix 1.
Ongoing M. Lardner
2. Avoid extraction and disturbance of PAF
rock veins. As per Part B; 1.1.1, Appendix 1
and 2.
Ongoing M. Lardner
3. Implement drainage modifications as
discussed in Part B; 1.2, Figures 5 and 6,
and Appendix 1.
Within
3 months
M. Lardner
4. Undertake control of weeds as discussed in
Appendix 4.
Ongoing M. Lardner
5. Water monitoring undertaken as per Part
C; 1.2.
Monthly/
Quarterly
ES & D/ M.
Lardner
6. Prevention of excessive dust from quarry
operations, by utilising dust suppression
techniques (water truck) in dry, windy
conditions as discussed in Part C; 1.6.
Ongoing M. Lardner
7. Minimisation of noise generation from
quarrying, blasting, transport, and crushing
operations as per Part C; 1.9.
Ongoing M. Lardner
8. Ensure truck movements are kept to a
minimum to avoid excessive noise, dust
and nuisance to neighbors. See Part C; 1.6
and 1.10.
Ongoing M. Lardner
9. Keep firefighting equipment onsite in
periods of high fire danger. Discussed in
Part C; 1.11.
Ongoing M. Lardner
10. Spill kit to be brought onsite when the site
is being utilised. Refer to Part C; 1.13.
Ongoing M. Lardner
11. Ensure operations are conducted to be Ongoing M. Lardner
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 62
environmentally sustainable, as per Part C;
1.15.
12. Ensure the long term stabilisation of the
quarry faces to minimise erosion and
sediment runoff, whilst enhancing the
success of plants used for revegetation.
Part C; 1.18.
Ongoing
and upon
completion
of
operations.
M. Lardner
13. Revegetate all disturbed areas
progressively with local native species. Part
C; 1.18.
Ongoing
and upon
completion
of
operations.
M. Lardner
14. Minimise the visual impacts of the quarry,
through progressive rehabilitation of the
disturbed areas. Part C 1.18.
Ongoing
and upon
completion
of
operations.
M. Lardner
15. Conduct all rehabilitation in accordance
with rehabilitation plan, discussed in Part C;
1.18.
Ongoing
and upon
completion
of
operations.
M. Lardner
Part E – Public Consultation 5.0
Consultation with representatives from the Environmental Protection
Authority (EPA) Tasmania and Mineral Resources Tasmania have been
undertaken as part of the proposal. The Proponent has discussed the
proposed expansion with the neighboring quarry operators as well as the
owners of the residence located along the access road.
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 63
References 6.0
DPIPWE (2014). URL: http://dpipwe.tas.gov.au/agriculture/land-
management-soils/soil-management/acid-sulfate-soils. Accessed 05/09/2014
Gurun S Tasmanian Geological Survey Record 2001/05 Report 1 Acid
drainage from abandoned mines in Tasmania
Gurun S Tasmanian Geological Survey Record 2001/05 Report 1 Acid drainage
from abandoned mines in Tasmania
Harris, S and Kitchener, A (2005). From Forest to Fjaeldmark: Descriptions of
Tasmania’s Vegetation. Department of Primary Industries, Water and
Environment, Printing Authority of Tasmania. Hobart, Tasmania, Australia.
Information derived from
www.bom.gov.au/water/designRainfalls/ifd/index.shtml. Accessed on
28/10/2013.
Leland H.V, S.V Fend, T.L Dudley and J.L Carter, 1989. Effects of copper on
species composition of benthic insects in a Sierra Nevada, California, Stream.
Freshwater Biology, 21, 163-179
Johnson M.S, R. D. Roberts, M. Hutton and M. J. Inskip, 1978. Distribution of
Lead, Zinc and Cadmium in Small Mammals from Polluted Environments.
Oikos , Vol. 30, Fasc. 1 (1978), pp. 153-159
Nelson E.A, W.L Specht, J.A Bowers and J.B Gladden, 2002. Constructed
Wetlands for removal of heavy metals from NPDES outfall effluent. U.S.
Department of Commerce, National Technical Information Service.
Osland M.J, Gonzalez E and Richardson C.J (2011). Restoring diversity after
cattail expansion: disturbance, resilience, and seasonality in a tropical dry
wetland. Ecological Application, 21 (3) 715:728
White Hills Pit EER – June 2014
Environmental Service and Design Pty Ltd – PAF#4852
Page 64
Reichman S.M., 2002, The Responses of Plants to Metal Toxicity: A review
focusing on Copper, Manganese and Zinc. Australian Minerals & Energy
Environment Foundation. 144 High St, Prahran, Victoria, 3181.
Schuytema G.S and A.V Nebeker, 1996. Amphibian Toxicity data for water
quality criteria chemicals. US EPA URL:
http://nepis.epa.gov/Adobe/PDF/P100G6IF.pdf. Accessed 5/9/2014
www.bom.gov.au/water/designRainfalls/ifd/index.shtml. Accessed on
28/10/2013.