monthly environmental monitoring report - moolarben coal · environmental monitoring report for the...

MOOLARBEN COAL OPERATIONS PTY LTD | PART OF THE YANCOAL AUSTRALIA GROUP

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Name of Operation Moolarben Coal Complex

Name of Licensee Moolarben Coal Operations Pty Ltd

Environmental Protection Licence 12932

Reporting Period start date 1 December 2016

Reporting Period end date 31 December 2016

Version 1

Author M. Cavanagh

Approver G. Chase

Monthly Environmental

Monitoring Report For the Month Ending 31 December 2016

MONTHLY ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING REPORT For the Month Ending 31 December 2016

MOOLARBEN COAL OPERATIONS PTY LTD | PART OF THE YANCOAL AUSTRALIA GROUP Page 1

1 INTRODUCTION

Moolarben Coal Operations Pty Ltd (MCO) operates the Moolarben Coal Mine located at 4250 Ulan Road, Ulan,

NSW which is approximately 40km north-east of Mudgee, within the Western Coal Field. It is located east of the

Ulan Coal Mine and west of the Wilpinjong Coal Mine.

The purpose of this report is to provide a monthly update of monitoring data in accordance with the requirements

of Environmental Protection Licence (EPL) 12932, section 66(6) of the POEO Act and the MCO Project Approvals

05_0117 and 08_0135.

To view MCO EPL 12932 in full please refer to the link below.

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au

On 26 May 2016 EPL 12932 Variation was approved. The variation replaces all previous versions of the licence.

2 MONITORING REQUIREMENTS

The Moolarben Environment Protection Licence (EPL) 12932 specifically requires the monitoring of:

Eight dust gauge sites (dust deposition monitoring);

Three Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) PM10 sites;

One PM10 High Volume Air Sampler (HVAS);

Three water discharge points;

Two surface water quality sites;

Four effluent discharge sites;

Blast monitoring;

Noise monitoring; and

Meteorological monitoring.

Monitoring of sites not required by the EPL are carried out in accordance with MCO Environmental Monitoring

Program (EMP) and Project Approval 05_0117 and 08_0135.

The MCO EPL12932 Environmental Monitoring Network is shown on Figure 1.

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/



Figure 1: EPL 12932 MCO Environmental Monitoring Network



3 DUST DEPOSITIONAL GAUGES

During December 2016 samples from eleven dust gauges were collected and analysed by a NATA accredited

laboratory (Table 1). As at 31 December 2016 no depositional dust gauges had recorded an exceedance of the

12-month rolling average criteria of 4 g/m2/month (Figure 2).

Table 1: Dust Deposition Results – December 2016

Note: Contaminated results are not included in the 12 month rolling average

Monthly results above 4g/m2/month are not classed as an exceedance of criteria as the criteria is an annual average of 4g/m2/month

Sampled: 30 December 2016 Licensee: Moolarben Coal Operations Pty Ltd

Obtained: 13 January 2017 EPL No. 12932 Published: 23 January 2017 Monitoring frequency: Monthly

Location EPA ID no. Pollutant Measurement (g/m2/month)

12 month Rolling Average

(g/m2/month)

100 percentile concentration

limit (g/m2/month)

DG01 6 Particulates - Deposited Matter 0.5 0.5 4.0







DG11 NA Particulates - Deposited Matter 0.6 0.7 4.0






Figure 2: Depositional Dust 12 Month Averages



4 REAL TIME PM10 MONITORING

Continuous particulate matter less than 10μm (PM10) monitoring was conducted by four tapered element

oscillating microbalance (TEOM) units at Moolarben during December 2016.

The EPA identification numbers 15, 17 and 27 refer to the TEOMs installed on Ulan-Wollar Road (TEOM06), Ulan

Public School (TEOM 1) and Southern Ridge Road (TEOM 5) respectively. In addition, a fourth unit is located on Ulan

Road (TEOM 4) with data used for management purposes only.

No results were above the daily or annual limit (Table 2). Real time PM10 results for December 2016 are illustrated

in Figure 3.

Table 2: Explanation of TEOM results above the daily criteria

Figure 3: Daily Results from TEOMs

Site Date Result (μg/m3) Weather Comment

There were no average results above the daily limit

There were no average results above the annual limit



Table 3: TEOM Data – December 2016

Daily PM10 Monitoring EPL No. 12932

Obtained 03 January 2017 Licensee: Moolarben Coal Operations Pty Ltd

Published 23 January 2017

Sampled 24hr Impact (µg/m3) 12 month Rolling Average (µg/m3)

Measurement Criteria Measurement Criteria

TEOM

01

EPL 1

7

TEOM

04

TEOM

05

EPL2

7

TEOM

06

EPL 1

5

TEOM

01

EPL 1

7

TEOM

04

TEOM

05

EPL2

7

TEOM

06

EPL 1

5

1/12/2016 14.6 20.9 14.0 15.7 50 13.4 11.1 8.5 11.4 30

2/12/2016 16.2 25.6 17.8 26.9 50 13.3 11.1 8.5 11.4 30

3/12/2016 24.9 31.1 20.8 25.5 50 13.3 11.1 8.5 11.5 30

4/12/2016 26.5 29.1 20.1 20.7 50 13.4 11.2 8.5 11.5 30

5/12/2016 26.9 28.1 21.4 23.8 50 13.4 11.2 8.5 11.5 30

6/12/2016 16.2 17.9 11.8 13.0 50 13.4 11.2 8.5 11.5 30

7/12/2016 12.0 13.1 6.7 5.9 50 13.3 11.2 8.5 11.5 30

8/12/2016 12.3 18.6 9.1 15.6 50 13.3 11.2 8.5 11.5 30

9/12/2016 8.2 12.7 6.9 13.3 50 13.2 11.2 8.5 11.5 30

10/12/2016 19.7 22.5 13.9 17.1 50 13.3 11.2 8.5 11.5 30

11/12/2016 21.4 26.2 18.8 17.7 50 13.3 11.3 8.5 11.6 30

12/12/2016 15.4 17.9 11.9 14.0 50 13.2 11.3 8.5 11.6 30

13/12/2016 27.5 18.4 13.1 23.5 50 13.2 11.3 8.5 11.6 30

14/12/2016 22.7 19.0 14.6 20.4 50 13.2 11.3 8.5 11.6 30

15/12/2016 8.3 12.0 4.1 5.5 50 13.1 11.3 8.5 11.5 30

16/12/2016 5.4 9.1 4.6 4.7 50 13.0 11.3 8.4 11.5 30

17/12/2016 4.7 7.7 4.4 6.5 50 13.0 11.3 8.4 11.4 30

18/12/2016 21.7 25.4 19.2 20.3 50 13.0 11.3 8.4 11.5 30

19/12/2016 19.4 22.7 13.8 1.6 50 13.0 11.4 8.4 11.4 30

20/12/2016 14.9 17.6 16.0 14.2 50 13.0 11.4 8.4 11.4 30

21/12/2016 17.2 17.7 17.8 20.8 50 13.0 11.4 8.4 11.5 30

22/12/2016 20.0 24.6 14.8 14.6 50 13.0 11.4 8.4 11.5 30

23/12/2016 18.4 22.2 14.5 3.3 50 13.0 11.4 8.4 11.4 30

24/12/2016 4.6 7.9 3.4 5.9 50 13.0 11.5 8.4 11.4 30

25/12/2016 5.8 8.0 4.3 4.5 50 13.0 11.5 8.4 11.4 30

26/12/2016 5.9 9.8 4.9 5.2 50 13.0 11.5 8.4 11.4 30

27/12/2016 12.4 18.3 10.9 14.4 50 13.0 11.5 8.4 11.4 30

28/12/2016 13.4 17.7 10.9 12.1 50 13.0 11.5 8.4 11.4 30

29/12/2016 10.3 14.6 9.4 19.2 50 13.0 11.6 8.4 11.4 30

30/12/2016 13.8 15.3 11.4 17.5 50 13.0 11.6 8.5 11.5 30

31/12/2016 9.4 12.9 8.3 12.5 50 13.0 11.6 8.5 11.5 30



5 HIGH VOLUME AIR SAMPLER (HVAS) PM10 MONITORING

Moolarben Coal monitors PM10 with two high volume air sampler (HVAS) units located on John Street in Ulan

Village and on Ridge Road. The Ridge Road HVAS is not required by the EPL. Samples were taken every six days with

a 100% data capture rate for the period. The annual rolling average and PM10 results for December 2016 are

presented graphically in Figure 4.

Table 4: HVAS (PM10) RESULTS

Obtained: 13 January 2017 EPL No.12932 Licensee: Moolarben Coal Operations Pty Ltd Published: 23 January 2017

Monitoring frequency: Every 6 days

Sample Date Pollutant Measurement 24hr Impact

Assessment

Criteria

12 Month

Rolling

Average

Yearly Impact

Assessment

Criteria

Units

Sampling Point: PM01 (EPL Point No. 16) – Ulan Village 01-Dec-16 PM10 16 50 11.8 30 µg/m3

07-Dec-16 PM10 24 50 11.7 30 µg/m3

13-Dec-16 PM10 22 50 11.6 30 µg/m3

19-Dec-16 PM10 23 50 11.6 30 µg/m3

25-Dec-16 PM10 8 50 11.6 30 µg/m3

31-Dec-16 PM10 11 50 11.5 30 µg/m3

Sampling Point: PM02 – Ridge Rd 01-Dec-16 PM10 18 50 10.2 30 µg/m3

07-Dec-16 PM10 17 50 10.1 30 µg/m3

13-Dec-16 PM10 18 50 10.0 30 µg/m3

19-Dec-16 PM10 21 50 10.0 30 µg/m3

25-Dec-16 PM10 8 50 10.0 30 µg/m3

31-Dec-16 PM10 11 50 9.9 30 µg/m3

Table 5: Explanation of HVAS Results Above Criteria

Site Date Result

(μg/m3) Weather Comment

There were no daily results above the daily limit

There were no average results above the annual limit



Figure 4: HVAS Results



6 SURFACE WATER

Table 6 shows the total suspended solids, electrical conductivity, pH and oil and grease results for the routine

monthly monitoring conducted on 9th December 2016. In accordance with conditions M2.3 of EPL 12932, surface

water quality is monitored at two locations, SW10 (EPL Point 4) and SW11 (EPL Point 3), along Bora Creek on a

monthly basis.

Table 6: Surface Water Results

Sampled: 09 December 2016

Licensee: Moolarben Coal Operations Pty Ltd

EPL No. 12932 Obtained: 13 January 2017

Published: 23 January 2017

Location EPL Sampling

point EPL Monitoring

frequency

Total Suspended Solids (mg/L)

Electrical Conductivity

(μS/cm) pH

Oil & Grease

SW01 – Goulburn River

n/a n/a 6 741 8.1 n/a


n/a n/a <5 725 8.0 n/a

SW04 – Murragamba Creek

n/a n/a 10 523 7.4 n/a

SW05 – Moolarben Creek

n/a n/a 6 714 7.3 n/a

SW07 – Lagoon Creek

n/a n/a 10 1970 8.3 n/a


n/a n/a 8 2910 6.7 n/a


n/a n/a 12 3690 6.8 n/a

SW10 – Bora Creek

4 Special Frequency 11 Dry Dry Dry Dry

SW11 – Bora Creek

3 Special Frequency 11 46 322 7.1 <5


n/a n/a 5 534 7.2 n/a

SW 15 – Wilpinjong Creek

n/a n/a 42 277 6.6 n/a

SW 16 – Wilpinjong Creek

n/a n/a 15 338 7.1 n/a

SW17 – Eastern Creek

n/a n/a 31 792 6.9 n/a

SW18 – Wilpinjong Creek

n/a n/a Dry Dry Dry n/a

SW19 – Murragamba Creek

n/a n/a <5 622 6.2 n/a

SW20 – Eastern Creek

n/a n/a Dry Dry Dry n/a

Note: Total Suspended Solids limit of Analysis = <5mg/L. Sample result below detectable range. 1: Point 3 is required to be sampled monthly in the event of a flow, and daily during periods of discharge from license point 1 and in the event of a flow at Point 3. Point 4 is required to be sampled monthly in the event of a flow.



Figure 5: pH Results

Figure 6: EC Results



Figure 7: Total Suspended Solid Results



6.1 Water Discharges

Moolarben Coal did not have any licensed discharges during December 2016.

6.2 Effluent System

Moolarben Coal operates four effluent discharges to land, which are identified as Point 5, Point 22, Point 23 and

Point 48 in Condition P1.3 of EPL 12932. Effluent discharge occurs daily and quality sampling occurs on a quarterly

basis.



7 GROUNDWATER

Figure 8: Groundwater Levels



8 NOISE

In accordance with the MCO Noise Management Plan attended noise compliance monitoring is undertaken

monthly by a suitably qualified and experienced person. Monthly monitoring was conducted in December 2016

with results obtained on 17 January 2017. All monitoring measurements were undertaken during night time, except

for monitoring site NA1 (Ulan School) which was monitored during the day.

A brief description of the measurements at all sites are shown below and full attended noise monitoring results for

December 2016 are shown in Table 7.

NA1, Ulan School

During the day measurement on 14 December 2016, MCO was inaudible. Birds generated the measured LA1, LA10 and LAeq. Breeze in foliage generated the measured LA90. Road traffic noise, aircraft, insects and noise from a nearby school were also noted. The wind speed during this measurement was 3.5 m/s with a stability class of A. NA6, Lower Ridge Road

During the night measurement on 13 December 2016, MCO was inaudible. Dogs were primarily responsible for generating the measured LA1 and contributed to the measured LA10 and LAeq. Insects and frogs were primarily responsible for the measured LA10 and LAeq and generated the measured LA90. Birds, livestock and road traffic noise were also noted. The wind speed during this measurement was 1.1 m/s with a stability class of D. NA12, Winchester Crescent

During the night measurement on 13 December 2016, MCO was inaudible. Frogs and insects were primarily responsible for measured levels. Road traffic noise, aircraft, birds, dogs, livestock and owls were also noted. The wind speed during this measurement was 0.9 m/s with a stability class of D.



Table 7: Monthly Attended Noise Monitoring Results



9 BLASTING

Blast monitoring is required by EPL 12932 at Ulan School (BM1). Monitoring is also undertaken at Ridge Road

(BM5). A total of eight blasts were conducted during December 2016. The blast results are shown in Table 8.

Table 8: Blast Results

Date Time Blast Location

BM1 Ulan School BM5 Ridge Rd

Ground Vibration (mm/s)

Blast Overpressure

(dBL)

Ground Vibration (mm/s)

Blast Overpressure

(dBL)

07/12/16 12:17 OC4 S02 B04 0.27 88.0 0.29 94.5

09/12/16 12:04 OC2 S13 B05 0.27 100.0 0.2 101.9

12/12/16 12:01 OC2 S14 B05 0.13 94.0 0.22 97.5

16/12/16 12:11 OC4 S02 B07 0.41 94.0 0.47 102.8

23/12/16 12:06 OC4 S02 B10 0.34 94.0 0.32 104.2

28/12/16 16:02 OC2 S14 B04 0.14 88.0 0.12 95.9

30/12/16 16:00 OC2 S10 B01 0.12 91.5 0.05 91.5

30/12/16 16:05 OC4 S02 B16 0.50 88.0 0.33 94.0



10 METEOROLOGY

Weather data is measured continuously at the Ulan Road Weather Station (Weather Station 3). Temperature (2m)

and rainfall data are presented below. In addition to these parameters the weather station also measures wind,

temperature (10m), solar radiation, humidity, atmospheric pressure, and sigma theta. All data was captured during

December 2016.

Figure 12: Temperature Data

Figure 13: Rainfall Data

-5

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

01

/12/1

6

03

/12/1

6

05

/12/1

6

07

/12/1

6

09

/12/1

6

11

/12/1

6

13

/12/1

6

15

/12/1

6

17

/12/1

6

19

/12/1

6

21

/12/1

6

23

/12/1

6

25

/12/1

6

27

/12/1

6

29

/12/1

6

31

/12/1

6

Deg

ree (

Cels

ius

)

Date

Weather Station 3Temperature (2m)

MaximumTemperature

AverageTemperature

MinimumTemperature

0

5

10

15

20

25

30

35

40

01

/12/1

6

03

/12/1

6

05

/12/1

6

07

/12/1

6

09

/12/1

6

11

/12/1

6

13

/12/1

6

15

/12/1

6

17

/12/1

6

19

/12/1

6

21

/12/1

6

23

/12/1

6

25

/12/1

6

27

/12/1

6

29

/12/1

6

31

/12/1

6

Rain

fall

(m

m)

Date

Weather Station 3Rainfall

DailyRainfall

CumulativeRainfall

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