stratford mining complex blast management … mining complex blast management plan revision status...

STRATFORD MINING COMPLEX

Blast Management Plan

STRATFORD MINING COMPLEX

BLAST MANAGEMENT PLAN

Revision Status Register

Section/Page/ Annexure

Revision Number Amendment/Addition Distribution DP&E Approval Date

All Version A BRNOC Blasting and Vibration Management Plan

DP&I October 2002

All Version B May 2011 BRNOC Blasting and Vibration Management Plan

EPA, DP&I -

All Version C (June 2011) Stratford Mining Complex Blast Management Plan

EPA, DP&E -

All Version D (April 2017) Review and Approval

DPE comments addressed

DPE 22 September 2017

APRIL 2017 Project No. GCL-17-33

Document No. 00843641

Stratford Mining Complex – Blast Management Plan

BLAST MANAGEMENT PLAN SMC - E i Stratford Coal Pty Ltd

TABLE OF CONTENTS Section Page

1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 STRATFORD MINING COMPLEX 1 1.2 PURPOSE AND SCOPE 1 1.3 STRUCTURE OF THE BLMP 4

2 STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS 5

2.1 EP&A ACT DEVELOPMENT CONSENTS 5

2.1.1 Blast Management Plan 5

2.1.2 Management Plan Requirements 6 2.2 LICENCES, PERMITS AND LEASES 7 2.3 OTHER LEGISLATION 7 2.4 COMPLIANCE STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES 8

3 BLASTING CRITERIA AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 9

3.1 NSW DEVELOPMENT CONSENT CONDITIONS 9

3.1.1 Blasting Criteria 9

3.1.2 Blasting Hours and Frequency 10

3.1.3 Property Inspections and Investigations 10

3.1.4 Operating Conditions 11 3.2 EPL CONDITIONS 11 3.3 PERFORMANCE INDICATORS 12

4 MANAGEMENT MEASURES 13

4.1 BLAST TIMING AND FREQUENCY 13 4.2 BLASTING AND LOCAL RESIDENCES 13

4.2.1 Notification of Blasting and/or Road Closure 13

4.2.2 Property Inspections 14

4.2.3 Property Investigations 14

4.2.4 Change of Ownership 14 4.3 ROAD CLOSURE PROTOCOL 14 4.4 FUME MANAGEMENT 15 4.5 INTERACTION WITH SURROUNDING INFRASTRUCTURE 15

5 MONITORING 16

5.1 MONITORING METHODS AND PROGRAM 16 5.2 VIDEO MONITORING OF BLASTS 16 5.3 MONITORING OF FUME 16 5.4 MONITORING PROGRAM FOR FLYROCK DISTRIBUTION 18

6 BLASTING PROTOCOLS & CONTINGENCY PLAN 19


BLAST MANAGEMENT PLAN SMC - E ii Stratford Coal Pty Ltd

6.1 CONTINGENCY PLAN 19

6.1.1 Blast Fume 19 6.2 POTENTIAL CONTINGENCY MEASURES 20

7 ANNUAL REVIEW AND IMPROVEMENT OF BLMP 21

7.1 ANNUAL REVIEW 21 7.2 BLMP REVIEW AND UPDATE 21

8 REPORTING AND MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS 22

9 REFERENCES 23

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 NSW Development Consent Requirements Relevant to this BLMP

Table 2 Management Plan Requirements

Table 3 EPL Conditions Relevant to Blasting

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Regional Location

Figure 2 General Arrangement

Figure 3 Blast Monitoring Sites


BLAST MANAGEMENT PLAN SMC - E 1 Stratford Coal Pty Ltd

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 STRATFORD MINING COMPLEX Stratford Coal Pty Ltd (SCPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Yancoal Australia Limited (Yancoal), owns and operates the Stratford Coal Mine (SCM), which is located approximately 100 kilometres (km) north of Newcastle, New South Wales (NSW) (Figure 1). SCPL also owns and operates the Bowens Road North Open Cut (BRNOC), located to the immediate north of the SCM. Collectively, these mines, and the associated coal processing and handling facilities, are referred to as the Stratford Mining Complex (SMC). Yancoal also owns the Duralie Coal Mine (DCM), which is located approximately 20 km south of the SMC (Figure 1). Run-of-mine (ROM) coal from the DCM is transported by rail to the SMC, where it is processed along with ROM coal from the SCM and BRNOC. The SCM commenced in 1995 and is operated in accordance with Development Consent (DA 23-98/99) (the SCM Development Consent). The BRNOC commenced in 2003 and is operated under a separate Development Consent (DA 39-02-01) (the BRNOC Development Consent). The general arrangement of the SMC approved under the SCM and BRNOC Development Consents is provided in Figure 2. At the time of writing (April 2017), construction and mining activities approved under the SCM Development Consent and the BRNOC Development Consent are suspended. However, the SMC continues to process ROM coal from DCM and transport ROM coal from the SMC by rail under the SCM Development Consent. On 29 May 2015, the NSW Planning Assessment Commission approved the Stratford Extension Project (SEP) (Development Consent SSD-4966) under the State Significant Development provisions (Division 4.1) of Part 4 of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 (EP&A Act). The SEP involves the extension and continuation of mine operations at the SMC. SCPL has not commenced the SEP under Development Consent SSD-4966.

1.2 PURPOSE AND SCOPE This SMC Blast Management Plan (BLMP) has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of: • Condition 15, Schedule 3 (Environmental Performance Conditions) of the SCM Development

Consent; and

• Condition 6.3, Schedule 2 of the BRNOC Development Consent. SCM and BRNOC operations are covered collectively in this BLMP. The overall objectives of the BLMP are to: • ensure the safety of members of the public during blasting;

• ensure the protection of livestock and animals during blasting;

• prevent damage to private or public property as a result of blasting; and

• minimise any nuisance to the public as a result of blasting.

v

v

v

v

v

vv

v

v

v

Bowens Road

Upper Avon Road

Road

Main Access Road

Road

Roseville Pit (Backfilled)

"

Workshops andAdministration

MLA1

MLA2

TrapCreek

AvondaleCreek

AvondaleCreek

Dog

AVON RIVER

ML1360

ML1538

ML1528

ML1521

ML1409

ML1447

ML1577

ML1733BOWENS ROAD NORTH

OPEN CUT

STRATFORD MAIN PIT(Co-Disposal Area)

"ReturnWater Dam

"Product

Stockpile

"

Parkers/BowensRoad West Pit Void

"CHPP andInfrastructure

"ROM Pad andStockpiles

"

ETL Realignment

Rail Loop

Stratford East DamSTRATFORD

WASTEEMPLACEMENT

WesternCo-Disposal

Area

NorthernWaste

EmplacementROSEVILLEWEST PIT

Roseville Extended Pit (Partially Backfilled)

Bowens

Wenham Cox Road

Glen Road

Parkers

THE BUCKETTS WAY

Whe

atle

ys

Lan

e

NORTH COAST

RAILWAY

STRATFORD

CRAVEN

400000

4000

00

Source: LPI (2016); Geoscience Australia (2006); NSW Department of Industry (2016); SCPL (2016)

General Arrangement

S T R A T F O R D M I N I N G C O M P L E X

Figure 2

0 1

Kilometres

±GDA 1994 MGA Zone 56

GCL-

17-3

3 M

PCF_

201A

LEGENDMining Lease BoundaryMining Lease Application BoundaryElectricity Transmission Line



1.3 STRUCTURE OF THE BLMP The remainder of the BLMP is structured as follows: Section 2: Outlines the statutory requirements applicable to the BLMP.

Section 3: Details the blasting criteria and performance indicators that will be used to assess blasting impacts at the SMC.

Section 4: Describes blasting management measures.

Section 5: Describes blasting monitoring program.

Section 6: Provides a Contingency Plan to manage any unpredicted impacts and their consequences.

Section 7: Describes the annual review and improvement of environmental performance process.

Section 8: Describes the management and reporting of incidents, complaints and non-compliances.

Section 9: List of references cited.



2 STATUTORY REQUIREMENTS SCPL’s statutory obligations relevant to the SMC are contained in: (i) the conditions of the SCM and BRNOC Development Consents;

(ii) relevant licences and permits, including conditions attached to mining leases; and

(iii) other relevant legislation. These are described below.

2.1 EP&A ACT DEVELOPMENT CONSENTS The conditions of the SCM and BRNOC Development Consents relevant to blast management are described below.

2.1.1 Blast Management Plan Condition 15, Schedule 3 (Environmental Performance Conditions) of the SCM Development Consent and Condition 6.3, Schedule 2 of the BRNOC Development Consent require the preparation of a BLMP and blast management for the SMC. Table 1 presents these requirements and indicates where they are addressed within this BLMP.

Table 1 NSW Development Consent Requirements Relevant to this BLMP

NSW Development Consent Conditions BLMP Section

SCM Development Consent DA 23-98/99

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

(a) be prepared in consultation with the DECCW, and submitted to the Director-General for approval by the end of May 2011; This Document

(b) describe the blast mitigation measures that would be implemented to ensure compliance with the relevant conditions of this consent;

Section 4

(c) describe the measures that would be implemented to ensure the public can get up-to-date information on proposed blasting schedule on site; and

Section 4.2

(d) include a blast monitoring program to evaluate the performance of the development. Section 5

BRNOC Development Consent DA 39-02-01

6.3(f) The Applicant shall prepare and implement a Blasting/Vibration Management Plan to the satisfaction of the Director-General, prior to the commencement of any blasting. The Plan must include, but not be limited to, the following matters:

This Document

(i) compliance standards; Section 3

(ii) mitigation standards; Section 4

(iii) remedial action; Section 6

(iv) monitoring methods and program; Section 5.1

(v) monitoring program for flyrock distribution; Section 5.4

(vi) measures to be undertaken to demonstrate that the Bowens Road North mine is achieving best practice in minimising air blast overpressure, ground vibration levels, fumes and odours from blasting activities. This shall include specific reference to best practice measures employed to meet the blasting criteria under subclauses 6.3(a) and 6.3(b) at the Ellis, Atkins and Clarke residences;

Sections 4 & 5



Table 1 (continued) NSW Development Consent Requirements Relevant to this BLMP

BRNOC Development Consent DA 39-02-01

(vii) measures to protect underground utilities (eg: rising mains, subsurface telecommunication and electric cables) and livestock on non-mine owned land;

Section 4

(viii) measures to consider the blasting activities from the Stratford mine. This shall include details of the proposed measures to ensure that cumulative blast related impacts are managed;

Section 4.6

(ix) procedures for the notification of occupiers of buildings and residents prior to detonation of each blast;

Section 4

(x) measures to ensure no damage by flyrock to people, property, livestock and powerlines; and

Section 5.4

(xi) details of the inter-relationship of this plan with the blast requirements of the development consent for Stratford Coal Mine.

This Document

6.3(g) The applicant shall, as a minimum, advise occupiers of buildings and residents within two (2) kilometres of blasting locations of future blasting events on at least a monthly basis, and of any changes to the proposed blast schedules.

Section 4.2

6.3(h) Upon written request of the owner of any dwelling located within two (2) kilometres of the blasting locations, the Applicant shall arrange at its own costs, for the inspection by a technically qualified person agreed to by both parties, to record the material condition of any structure on such property within 14 days of receipt of the request. The Applicant shall supply a copy of any inspection report, certified by the person who undertook the inspection, to the relevant property owner within fourteen (14) days of the receipt of the report.

Section 4.2.2

Blasting criteria and blasting condition requirements under the SCM Development Consent and BRNOC Development Consent are described in Section 3.

2.1.2 Management Plan Requirements Condition 2, Schedule 5 of the SCM Development Consent outlines the management plan requirements that are applicable to the preparation of the BLMP. Table 2 presents these requirements and indicates where they are addressed within this BLMP.

Table 2 Management Plan Requirements

Development Consent Condition BLMP Section

Condition 2 of Schedule 5

2. The Applicant shall ensure that the management plans required under this consent are prepared in accordance with any relevant guidelines, and include:

(a) detailed baseline data; N/A

(b) a description of:

• the relevant statutory requirements (including any relevant consent, licence or lease conditions);

Section 2

• any relevant limits or performance measures/criteria; Sections 3 and 4

• the specific performance indicators that are proposed to be used to judge the performance of, or guide the implementation of, the development or any management measures;

Sections 3 and 4

(c) a description of the measures that would be implemented to comply with the relevant statutory requirements, limits, or performance measures/criteria;

Section 4

(d) a program to monitor and report on the:

• impacts and environmental performance of the development;

• effectiveness of any management measures (see c above);

Section 5

(e) a contingency plan to manage any unpredicted impacts and their consequences;

Section 6



Table 2 (continued) Management Plan Requirements

Development Consent Condition BLMP Section

(f) a program to investigate and implement ways to improve the environmental performance of the development over time;

Section 5

(g) a protocol for managing and reporting any;

• incidents;

• complaints;

• non-compliances with statutory requirements; and

• exceedances of the impact assessment criteria and/or performance criteria; and

Section 8

(h) a protocol for periodic review of the plan. Section 7

2.2 LICENCES, PERMITS AND LEASES In addition to the Development Consents, all activities at or in association with the SMC will be conducted in accordance with a number of licences, permits and leases which have been issued. Key licences, permits and leases pertaining to the SMC include: • The conditions of Environment Protection Licences (EPLs) No. 5161 (SCM) and No. 11745

(BRNOC) issued under the NSW Protection of the Environment Operations Act, 1997.

• The conditions of the following Mining Leases (MLs) issued under the NSW Mining Act, 1992:

- MLs 1360, 1409, 1447, 1538, 1521 and 1733 (SCM); and

- MLs 1528 and 1577 (BRNOC).

• The SMC Mining Operations Plan (MOP).

• Mining and occupational health and safety related approvals granted by NSW Department of Industry, Skills and Regional Development – Division of Resources and Energy and SafeWork NSW.

2.3 OTHER LEGISLATION SCPL will ensure that the SMC is consistent with the SMC and BRNOC Development Consents and any other legislation that is applicable to an approved Project under Part 4 of the EP&A Act. In addition to those Acts referred to in Section 2.2, the following NSW Acts may be applicable to the conduct of the SMC: • Contaminated Land Management Act, 1997;

• Dangerous Goods (Road and Rail Transport) Act, 2008;

• National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974;

• Noxious Weeds Act, 1993;

• Roads Act, 1993;

• Threatened Species Conservation Act, 1995;

• Work Health and Safety (Mines and Petroleum Sites) Act, 2013;



• Crown Lands Act, 1989;

• Dams Safety Act, 2015;

• Fisheries Management Act, 1994; and

• Petroleum (Onshore) Act, 1991.

2.4 COMPLIANCE STANDARDS AND GUIDELINES Blasting will be conducted in accordance with the following: • Australian Standard (AS) 2187:2006 Explosives Storage Transport and Use.

• Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council (1990) Technical Basis for Guidelines to Minimise Annoyance Due to Blasting Overpressure and Ground Vibration.

• Australian Explosives Industry and Safety Group Inc. (2011) Code of Practice: Prevention and Management of Blast Generated NOx Gases in Surface Blasting.

These technical standards and guidelines are considered to be best practice.



3 BLASTING CRITERIA AND PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

3.1 NSW DEVELOPMENT CONSENT CONDITIONS

3.1.1 Blasting Criteria Blasting criteria is provided in Condition 9, Schedule 3 (Environmental Performance Conditions) of the SCM Development Consent, viz.:

Blasting Criteria

9. The Applicant shall ensure that blasting on site does not cause any exceedances of the criteria in Table 4.

Table 4: Blasting criteria

Location Airblast

overpressure (dB(Lin Peak))

Ground vibration (mm/s)

Allowable exceedance

Residence on privately owned land

115 5 5% of the total number of blasts over a period of 12

months

120 10 0%

However, these criteria do not apply if the Applicant has a written agreement with the relevant landowner to

exceed the Criteria, and the Applicant has advised the Department in writing of the terms of this agreement. Blasting criteria is also provided in Condition 6.3, Schedule 2 of the BRNOC Development Consent, viz.:

Overpressure

(a) The overpressure level from blasting operations on the premises must not:

(i) Exceed 115dB (Linear Peak) for more than 5% of the total number of blasts over a period of 12 months; and

(ii) Exceed 120dB (Linear Peak) at any time,

The airblast overpressure values stated above apply when measurements are performed with equipment having a lower cut-off frequency of 2Hz or less. If the instrumentation has a higher cut off frequency then a correction of 5dB should be added to the measured value. Equipment with a lower cut-off frequency exceeding 10Hz should not be used for the purpose of measuring airblast overpressure.

Ground vibration (ppv)

(b) Ground vibration peak particle velocity from the blasting operations at noise sensitive receivers must not:

(i) Exceed 5mm/s for more than 5% of the total number of blasts over a period of 12 months;

(ii) Exceed 10mm/s at anytime, when measured at any point within one (1) metre of any affected residence or other noise sensitive location such as a school or hospital.

... Blast Monitoring

(k) The applicant must monitor ground vibration and overpressure of all blasts.

(l) Ground vibration or the overpressure must be measured at all noise sensitive sites (e.g. residences, hospitals, schools etc), selected in consultation with the EPA.



3.1.2 Blasting Hours and Frequency Conditions 10 and 11 of Schedule 3 (Environmental Performance Conditions) of the SCM Development Consent prescribe the blasting hours and frequency of blasting permitted at the SCM viz.:

Blasting Hours

10. The Applicant shall only carry out blasting on the site between 9am and 5pm Monday to Saturday inclusive. No blasting is allowed on Sundays, public holidays, or at any other time without the written approval of the Director-General.

Blasting Frequency

11. The Applicant shall not carry out more than:

(a) 1 blast a day on site unless an additional blast is required following a misfire; and

(b) 3 blasts a week, averaged over any 12 month period.

Condition 6.3 of Schedule 2 of the BRNOC Development Consent prescribes the blasting hours and frequency of blasting permitted at the BRNOC viz.:

Time of blasting

(c) Blasting operations on the premises may only take place between 9.00am and 5.00pm Mondays to Saturdays inclusive.

(d) The hours of operation for blasting operations specified in this condition may be varied if the EPA, having regard to the effect that the proposed variation would have on the amenity of the residents in the locality, gives written consent to the variation.

Frequency of blasting

(e) Blasting at the premises is limited to one (1) blast each day on which blasting is permitted unless under extenuating circumstances as determined by the Mine Manager. In such cases when an additional blast is deemed necessary the EPA shall be notified in writing within twenty four hours of the additional blast occurring.

3.1.3 Property Inspections and Investigations Conditions 12 and 13, Schedule 3 (Environmental Performance Conditions) of the SCM Development Consent describe the procedures to be implemented by SCPL regarding the inspection and investigation of buildings and/or structures on privately-owned land for blasting impacts viz.

Property Inspections

12. If the Applicant receives a written request for the owner of any privately-owned land within 2 kilometres of the approved open cut mining pit on site, for a property inspection to establish the baseline condition of any buildings and/or structures on their land, or to have a previous property inspection report updated, then within 2 months of receiving this request the Applicant shall:

(a) commission a suitably qualified, experienced and independent person, whose appointment has been approved by the Director-General, to:

• establish the baseline condition of any buildings and/or structures on the land, or update the previous property inspection;

• inspect the condition of any building or structure on the land, and recommend measures to minimise the potential blasting impacts of the development on these buildings and/or structures; and

(b) give the landowner a copy of the new or updated property inspection report.



Property Investigations

13. If the owner of privately-owned land claims in writing that the buildings and/or structures on his/her land have been damaged as a result of blasting on site, then within 2 months of receiving this claim, the Applicant shall:

(a) commission a suitably qualified, experienced and independent person, whose appointment has been approved by the Director-General, to investigate the claim; and

(b) give the landowner a copy of the property investigation report.

If this independent property investigation confirms the landowner’s claim, and both parties agree with these findings, then the Applicant shall repair the damages to the satisfaction of the Director-General.

If the Applicant or landowner disagrees with the findings of the independent property investigation, either party may refer the matter to the Director-General for resolution.

3.1.4 Operating Conditions The operating conditions relating to blasting required under the SCM Development Consent are detailed in Condition 14 of Schedule 3 (Environmental Performance Conditions) viz.:

14. During mining operations on site, the Applicant shall:

(a) implement best practice blasting practice to:

• protect the safety of people and livestock in surrounding area;

• protect public or private property in the surrounding area; and

• minimise the dust and fume emissions of any blasting on site; and

(b) operate a suitable system to enable the public to get up-to-date information on the proposed blasting schedule on site,

to the satisfaction of the Director-General.

3.2 EPL CONDITIONS The conditions in EPL No. 5161 and EPL No. 11745 relevant to blasting are provided in Table 3.

Table 3 EPL Conditions Relevant to Blasting

Licence Condition Condition Requirement

EPL No. 5161 L3.1 The overpressure level from blasting operations carried out in or on the premises must not:

a) exceed 115 dB(L) for more than 5% of the total number of blasts carried out on the premises within the 12 months annual reporting period; and

b) exceed 120 dB(L) at any time

at any residence or noise sensitive location (such as a school or hospital) that is not owned by the licensee or subject of a private agreement between the owner of the residence or noise sensitive location and the licensee as to an alternative overpressure level.

L3.2 The ground vibration peak particle velocity from blasting operations carried out in or on the premises must not:

a) exceed 5mm/second for more than 5% of the total number of blasts carried out on the premises within the 12 months annual reporting period; and

b) exceed 10mm/second at any time

at any residence or noise sensitive location (such as a school or hospital) that is not owned by the licensee or subject of a private agreement between the owner of the residence or noise sensitive location and the licensee as to an alternative ground vibration level.



Table 3 (Continued) EPL Conditions Relevant to Blasting

Licence Condition Condition Requirement

EPL No. 5161 (continued)

L3.3 The Licensee must not carry out more than:

a) 1 blast on each day unless an additional blast is required due to a misfire; and

b) 3 blasts a week, averaged over any 12 month period.

L3.4 Blasting operations at the premises may only take place between 9am and 5pm Monday to Saturday inclusive. Where compelling reasons exist the EPA may approve in writing a blast to occur outside the abovementioned hours.

M7.1 The licensee must monitor all blasts carried out in or on the premises at or near the nearest residence or noise sensitive location (such as a school or hospital) that is likely to be most affected by the blast and that is not owned by the licensee or subject of a private agreement between the owner of the residence or noise sensitive location and the licensee relating to alternative blasting limits.

M7.2 All blasting shots on the premises must be recorded on video from a position allowing the collars of the shot, and where possible, any face, or toe, to be seen.

R4.1 The licensee must report any exceedence of the licence blasting limits to the regional office of the EPA as soon as practicable after the exceedence becomes known to the licensee or to one of the licensee’s employees or agents.

EPL No. 11745

L3.1 Blasting in or on the premises must only be carried out between 9:00 hours and 17:00 hours, Monday to Saturday. Blasting in or on the premises must not take place on Sundays or Public Holidays without the prior approval of the EPA.

L3.2 The hours of operation for blasting operations specified in this condition may be varied if the EPA, having regard to the effect that the proposed variation would have on the amenity of residents in the locality, gives written consent to the variation.

L3.3 The airblast overpressure level from blasting operations carried out in or on the premises must not exceed:

a) 115 dB (Lin Peak) for more than 5% of the total number of blasts during each reporting period; and

b) 120 dB (Lin Peak) at any time.

At any residence or noise sensitive location (such as a school or hospital) that is not owned by the licensee or subject of a private agreement between the owner of the residence or noise sensitive location and the licensee as to an alternative overpressure level.

L3.4 The ground vibration peak particle velocity from blasting operations carried out in or on the premises must not exceed:

a) 5mm/second for more than 5% of the total number of blasts carried out on the premises during each reporting period; and

b) 10mm/second at any time

At any residence or noise sensitive location (such as a school or hospital) that is not owned by the licensee or subject of a private agreement between the owner of the residence or noise sensitive location and the licensee as to an alternative ground vibration level.

M7.1 All blasting shots on the premises must be recorded on video from a position allowing the collars of the shot, and where possible, any face, or toe, to be seen.

3.3 PERFORMANCE INDICATORS The extent to which this BLMP complies with the SCM Development Consent, BRNOC Development Consent, EPL 5161 and EPL 11745 requirements will be measured by the following performance indicators: 1. Compliance with relevant blasting criteria at monitoring locations, in particular those

representative of sensitive receptor locations.

2. Compliance with blast restrictions associated with frequency and blast hours.

3. The frequency and extent of complaints reported to SCPL in relation to blasting.

4. Compliance with this BLMP, as indicated by internal and statutory review, reporting and auditing (Sections 7 and 8).



4 MANAGEMENT MEASURES Mining activities at the SMC are currently suspended including drill and blasting activities (Section 1.1). Notwithstanding the above, in addition to the blast design and implementation methodologies, the following activities shall be undertaken to minimise any potential impacts of blasting at the SMC (when operating): • Development and ongoing review of “site laws” (i.e. site based prediction equations) for ground

vibration and airblast.

• A commitment to notify the occupants of residences within 2 km of blasting activities that they are entitled to a structural inspection by a suitably qualified, experienced and independent person.

• Extension of the blast notification list to include any new landowners within 2 km of blasting areas, including properties within 2 km that do not have residences within 2 km.

• Safety control measures and notification procedures for property managers regarding livestock in proximity to blasting activities.

These mitigation measures will be recorded, and assessed if required, allowing for refinement of blasting practices. The blast engineer in conjunction with the Environment & Community Superintendent (or delegate) will keep records and undertake required assessments. All management measures provided in this section have been developed in accordance with the best practice technical standards and guidelines outlined in Section 2.4.

4.1 BLAST TIMING AND FREQUENCY Blasting will only occur between 9.00 am and 5.00 pm, Monday to Saturday, inclusive. No blasting will occur on Sundays, public holidays or any other time without the written approval of the Secretary of the DP&E in accordance with Condition 10, Schedule 3 (Environmental Performance Conditions) of the SCM Development Consent, Condition 6.3(c), Schedule 2 of the BRNOC Development Consent, EPL 5161 and EPL 11745. There will be no more than three blasts per week on site, averaged over a calendar year. Only one blast is to occur each day on site1.

4.2 BLASTING AND LOCAL RESIDENCES

4.2.1 Notification of Blasting and/or Road Closure A “Blasting Information Line” (02 6538 4253) has been established to provide the public with up-to-date information on the blasting schedule and road closures at the mine. The existence of the “Blasting Information Line” is promoted by advertising within the Dungog Chronicle and the Gloucester Advocate on two occasions each year. The “Blasting Information Line” is also featured within the “Pink Pages” local telephone directory issued by each local newspaper as well as in the Sensis White Pages Directory (Newcastle and Kempsey Directory areas).

1 A blast refers to a single blast event, which may involve a number of individual blasts fired in quick succession in a discrete

area of the mine.



4.2.2 Property Inspections If SCPL receives a written request from the owner of any privately-owned land within 2 km of an approved open cut mining pit at the SMC for a property inspection to establish the baseline condition of any buildings and/or structures on his/her land, or to have a previous property inspection report updated, then within 2 months of receiving this request, SCPL will: (a) commission a suitably qualified, experienced and independent person, whose appointment is

acceptable to both parties, to:

• establish the baseline condition of any buildings and/or structures on the land, or update the previous property inspection report;

• identify any measures that should be implemented to minimise the potential blasting impacts of the SMC on these buildings and/or structures; and

(b) give the landowner a copy of the new or updated property inspection report. If there is a dispute over the selection of the suitably qualified, experienced and independent person, or SCPL or the landowner disagrees with the findings of the independent property investigation, either party may refer the matter to the Secretary of the DP&E for resolution.

4.2.3 Property Investigations If the owner of any privately-owned land claims that the buildings and/or structures on his/her land have been damaged as a result of blasting at the SMC, then within 2 months of receiving this claim in writing from the landowner, SCPL will: (a) commission a suitably qualified, experienced and independent person, whose appointment is

acceptable to both parties, to investigate the claim; and

(b) give the landowner a copy of the property investigation report. If this independent property investigation confirms the landowner’s claim, and both parties agree with these findings, then SCPL will repair the damages to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the DP&E. If there is a dispute over the selection of the suitably qualified, experienced and independent person, or SCPL or the landowner disagrees with the findings of the independent property investigation, then either party may refer the matter to the Secretary of the DP&E for resolution.

4.2.4 Change of Ownership SCPL will conduct regular checks of the ownership of properties within 2 km of the SMC using current land tenure records. In the event that non-SCPL owned land is under new ownership, the notification and inspection procedure described in Sections 4.2.2 will be enacted with the new owner.

4.3 ROAD CLOSURE PROTOCOL A Road Closure Management Plan was prepared to address issues relating to blasting near a public road, in accordance with the BRNOC Development Consent Condition 6.3(i), Schedule 2. The road closure management measures in the Road Closure Management Plan would be implemented if road closures are required during blasting.



4.4 FUME MANAGEMENT Blasting activities have the potential to result in fugitive fume and particulate matter emissions. Imperfect blasts (e.g. when the explosive product is incorrectly formulated) may result in nitrogen oxide (NOx) fumes (Australian Explosives Industry and Safety Group Inc., 2011). The management of blast fume is described in the SMC Blast Fume Management Procedure (SCPL, 2016). Measures to minimise or avoid imperfect blasts would be implemented in accordance with the Code of Practice: Prevention and Management of Blast Generated NOx Gases in Surface Blasting (Australian Explosives Industry and Safety Group Inc., 2011) and would include: • Conduct of a risk assessment prior to blasting which will review factors such as:

- geological conditions;

- ground conditions (e.g. presence of clay or loose/broken ground of heavily rain affected ground);

- location of the blast relative to previous blasts which may have triggered fume events;

- blasting product selection; and

- presence of groundwater.

• Based on outcomes of the risk assessment, the blasting method will be altered including consideration of the following:

- minimising the time between drilling and loading, and loading and shooting of the blast;

- formulation of explosive products to an appropriate oxygen balance to reduce the likelihood of fumes; and

- meteorological conditions in blast scheduling. Risk Assessment factors outlined above are assigned a score which corresponds to the likelihood of fume generation (1=rare to 5=almost certain). The score assigned to each of the parameters is then multiplied by the full time weighting of each parameter. The sum of the resulting scores then determines the overall likelihood of fume generation. The outcome of the risk assessment determines the guidelines for product selection and sleep time (i.e. the amount of time a charge is located within the blast hole prior to detonation). Where particular circumstances are known to increase the likelihood of a blast producing unacceptable fumes and/or odours (i.e. prevailing wind direction indicates that any potentially generated fume will be carried to a potential receiver), control measures will be implemented to avoid those operational circumstances where practicable. In the interest of the minimisation of fume generation to the greatest extent possible, the type of explosive approved for use at the SMC has been limited to heavy ammonium nitrate fuel oil (HANFO), Fortran Eclipse 12, Fortran Eclipse 13 and Fortis Eclipse. The exact explosive type used in each circumstance is determined by the risk assessment process outlined above.

4.5 INTERACTION WITH SURROUNDING INFRASTRUCTURE SCPL will establish a co-operation agreement with any surrounding infrastructure owners that will be impacted by blasting. The co-operation agreement will address any interaction issues between the two operations, along with relevant measures to minimise any incompatibility between the project and the SMC.



5 MONITORING

5.1 MONITORING METHODS AND PROGRAM Monitoring will be conducted to confirm compliance with the blasting limits/criteria defined in Section 3 and will use a blasting seismograph which meets the standards specified in the Australian Standard Explosive Code (AS2187 – 2006). SCPL currently has an existing blast monitoring network as shown in Figure 3. Note that all EPL licensed monitoring locations: • are subject to permission to monitor being given by the property owner; and

• may be altered or supplemented on the basis of blasting results over time and/or community feedback. Any alteration to an EPL designated monitoring location will first require a relevant EPL variation.

Monitoring data is included within the Annual Review which is made available on the Stratford Coal website (www.stratfordcoal.com.au). Blasting results will be recorded and monitoring data provided to the Community Consultative Committee (CCC) established for the SMC. In the event that upper limits of either blast overpressure or ground vibration limits are exceeded, the DP&E and Environment Protection Authority (EPA) will be informed within 24 hours of the blast and the EPA notified in accordance with the EPL requirements.

5.2 VIDEO MONITORING OF BLASTS SCPL monitors blasting using video and audio recording so that blasts can be reviewed after the event. In accordance with Condition M7.1 of EPLs 5161 and 11745, all blast shots will be recorded on video from a position allowing the collars of the shot, and where possible, any face, and/or toe, to be seen on the video. SCPL will retain a copy of each video for at least 12 months after the blast is initiated.

5.3 MONITORING OF FUME The level and rating of blast fume generation will be monitored for each blast by the shotfirer as described in the Blast Fume Management Procedure. In situations where fume has been generated and where practicable, a visual assessment will be made of the extent to which the fume has travelled as well as its dispersion time. As described above, blasting at the SMC is monitored using video and audio recording, so where necessary, blast fume can be reviewed after an event.



5.4 MONITORING PROGRAM FOR FLYROCK DISTRIBUTION Following each blast the shotfirer will inspect the blast site to determine whether all explosive has satisfactorily detonated and whether it is safe for work to resume in the area. During this inspection, a visual assessment will be made of flyrock distribution in the immediate area. Similarly, where blasting occurs in a location where there is a potential for flyrock to reach a public road or private property, an inspection of the road or private property will be undertaken post-blast to ascertain whether flyrock has reached the road or private property. Should flyrock be present on the road or private property, it will be removed in order to make the trafficable surface safe for vehicle and pedestrian use. Additionally, any damage to a public road or privately-owned property caused by flyrock will be repaired by SCPL.



6 BLASTING PROTOCOLS & CONTINGENCY PLAN An incident investigation (i.e. remedial action) will be required when any one of the following incidents arises following blasting: • monitoring indicates an exceedance of the blasting limits stated within the SMC Development

Consent, BRNOC Development Consent, EPL 5161 and EPL 11745;

• breach of any other Licence, Lease or Development Consent condition relating to blasting;

• receipt of a complaint from a member of the public or a public authority following blasting; and

• evidence of structural damage to nearby privately or publicly-owned structures attributable to blasting.

6.1 CONTINGENCY PLAN In the event of any of the above incidents or exceedances SCPL will implement the following Contingency Plan (i.e. remedial actions): • The exceedance of the blasting criteria will be reported to the Operations Manager and

Environment & Community Superintendent (or delegate) within 24 hours of assessment completion.

• SCPL will report the exceedance of the blasting criteria to the EPA and the DP&E as soon as practicable (i.e. within 24 hours of assessment completion).

• SCPL will identify an appropriate course of action with respect to the identified impact(s), in consultation with specialists and EPA, as necessary. For example contingency measures, such as, but not limited to, those described in Section 6.2 of this BLMP.

• SCPL will, on request, submit the proposed course of action to the DP&E for approval.

• SCPL will implement the approved course of action to the satisfaction of the DP&E.

6.1.1 Blast Fume SCPL is required to notify the relevant regulatory authorities including the EPA and DP&E of any blast producing post blast fume that rates 3 at its highest extent and leaves the site, and any blast that rates 4 and 5. In the event that monitoring records Scale 3 or above blast fumes blown towards nearby receivers without significant dispersion before exiting the relevant EPLs, the Pollution Incident Response Management Plan (PIRMP) (SCPL, 2017) will be implemented and an investigation process will be undertaken to identify any possible mitigation measures which will be implemented to minimise the potential for ongoing fume generation as a result of blasting. The investigation process will be undertaken in accordance with Sections 5 and 6 of the Australian Explosives Industry and Safety Group Inc. Code of Practice, Prevention and Management of Blast Generated NOx Gases in Surface Blasting (Australian Explosives Industry and Safety Group Inc., 2011).



6.2 POTENTIAL CONTINGENCY MEASURES Potential contingency measures will be reviewed during revisions of this BLMP. Key potential contingency measures to be implemented following the exceedance of blast criteria identified in Section 3 shall include the following: • SCPL will notify affected landholder and tenants of the exceedance and provide them with blast

monitoring results, and will not continue blasting at SMC until it is deemed compliant.

• SCPL will acquire affected properties on request in accordance with Conditions 5, Schedule 4 of the SCM Development Consent.



7 ANNUAL REVIEW AND IMPROVEMENT OF BLMP

7.1 ANNUAL REVIEW In accordance with Condition 3, Schedule 5 of the SCM Development Consent, SCPL will conduct an Annual Review of the environmental performance of the SMC by the end of December each year. The Annual Review meets the requirement for the Annual Environmental Management Report required by Condition 9.2 Schedule 2 of BRNOC Development Consent. The Annual Review will be made publicly available on the Stratford Coal website, in accordance with Condition 10, Schedule 5 of the SCM Development Consent. The Annual Review will specifically address the following aspects of Condition 3, Schedule 5, which are directly relevant to blast management: • include a comprehensive review of the monitoring results and complaints records for the SMC

over the previous calendar year, including a comparison of these results against the:

− relevant statutory requirements, limits or performance measures/criteria;

− monitoring results of previous years; and

− relevant predictions in the EA;

• identify any non-compliance over the past year, and describe what actions were (or are being) taken to ensure compliance;

• identify any trends in the monitoring data over the life of the SMC;

• identify any discrepancies between the predicted and actual impacts of the SMC, and analyse the potential cause of any significant discrepancies; and

• describe what measures will be implemented over the next year to improve the environmental performance of the SMC.

This BLMP will be reviewed within three months of the submission of an Annual Review, and revised where appropriate, as described in Section 7.2.

7.2 BLMP REVIEW AND UPDATE In accordance with Condition 4, Schedule 5 of the SCM Development Consent, this BLMP will be reviewed, and if necessary revised to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the DP&E within three months of the submission of: • an Annual Review, in accordance with Condition 3, Schedule 5;

• an incident report, in accordance with Condition 6, Schedule 5;

• an audit, in accordance with Condition 8, Schedule 5; or

• any modification to the conditions of SCM Development Consent. Where this review leads to revisions of the BLMP, the revised BLMP will be submitted for the approval of the Secretary of the DP&E. The revision status of this BLMP is indicated on the title page of each copy. This BLMP will be made publicly available on the Stratford Coal website, in accordance with Condition 10, Schedule 5 of the SCM Development Consent. A hard-copy will also be kept at the SMC.



8 REPORTING AND MANAGEMENT PROTOCOLS In accordance with Condition 2(g), Schedule 5 of the SCM Development Consent, SCPL has developed protocols for managing and reporting the following: • incidents;

• complaints;

• non-compliances with statutory requirements; and

• exceedances of the impact assessment criteria and/or performance criteria. The management of incidents is described in detail in the PIRMP (SCPL, 2017). The management of complaints and non-compliances is described in detail in the Environmental Management Strategy. The management of exceedances of performance criteria is detailed in Sections 5 and 6 of this BLMP.



9 REFERENCES Australian and New Zealand Environment Council (1990) Technical Basis for Guidelines to Minimise

Annoyance Due to Blasting Overpressure and Ground Vibration.

Australian Explosives Industry and Safety Group Inc. (2011) Code of Practice: Prevention and Management of Blast Generated NOx Gases in Surface Blasting.

Stratford Coal Pty Ltd (2017) Stratford Coal Mine Pollution Incident Response Management Plan. Stratford Coal Pty Ltd (2016) Stratford Mining Complex Blast Fume Management Procedure.

stratford mining complex blast management … mining complex blast management plan revision status...

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