works approval supporting information

MT IDA GOLD PROJECT WORKS APPROVAL SUPPORTING INFORMATION

Contents 1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................... 1

1.1 Preliminary Works Approval .................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Background ................................................................................................................................... 1

2. Applicant .......................................................................................................................................... 3 3. Activities ........................................................................................................................................... 5

3.1 Prescribed Activities - WWTP and Irrigation Field ........................................................................ 6 4. Premises .......................................................................................................................................... 7 5. Legislative Context and other Approvals ....................................................................................... 12 6. Stakeholder Engagement .............................................................................................................. 14

6.1 Stakeholders ................................................................................................................................ 14 7. Biophysical Environment ............................................................................................................... 15

7.1 Biogeography .............................................................................................................................. 15 7.2 Climate ........................................................................................................................................ 15

7.2.1 Implications for risk assessment ........................................................................................... 17 7.3 Geology ....................................................................................................................................... 17

7.6.1 Implications for risk assessment ........................................................................................... 17 7.7. Hydrogeology ............................................................................................................................. 18

7.8.1 Surface Water ....................................................................................................................... 18 7.8.2 Ground Water ....................................................................................................................... 18 7.8.1 Hydrogeological implications for risk assessment ................................................................ 18

7.9 Flora and Vegetation ................................................................................................................... 19 7.9.1 Vegetation types and Condition ............................................................................................ 19 7.9.2 Flora ...................................................................................................................................... 19 7.9.3 Conservation Significant Flora, Ecological Communities, and Areas ................................... 20 7.9.4 Introduced Flora .................................................................................................................... 20

7.10 Fauna and Fauna Habitats ........................................................................................................ 20 7.10.1 Short Range Endemic and Subterranean Fauna ............................................................... 21 7.10.3 Introduced Fauna ................................................................................................................ 21 7.10.1 Biodiversity value implications for risk assessment ............................................................ 21

7.12 Environmental Threats and Other Factors ................................................................................ 21 7.12.1 Weeds ................................................................................................................................. 21 7.12.2 Fire ...................................................................................................................................... 22 7.12.3 Feral Animals ...................................................................................................................... 22 7.12.4 Dust ..................................................................................................................................... 22 7.12.5 Noise ................................................................................................................................... 22 7.12.6 Hydrocarbon & Chemical Management .............................................................................. 22 7.12.7 Implications for risk assessment ......................................................................................... 23 7.13 ESA, Conservation Areas ...................................................................................................... 23

8. Social Environment ........................................................................................................................ 24 8.1 Aboriginal Heritage ...................................................................................................................... 24


8.2 European Heritage ...................................................................................................................... 25 8.1.1 Implications for risk assessment ........................................................................................... 25

9. Environmental Siting ...................................................................................................................... 26 10. Emission Sources, Pathways, Receptors and Controls ............................................................ 28

10.1 Emissions .................................................................................................................................. 28 10.2 Pathways ................................................................................................................................... 28

10.2.1 Pathway by leakage, spills, unexpected discharge or clearing .......................................... 28 10.2.2 Pathway by air/wind dispersion .......................................................................................... 28

10.3 Receptors .................................................................................................................................. 28 10.3.1 Public drinking water source areas ..................................................................................... 28

11. Risk Assessment ....................................................................................................................... 29 11.1 Risk event .................................................................................................................................. 29

11.1.1 Pathway & Receptor ........................................................................................................... 29 11.1.2 Management & Controls ..................................................................................................... 30 11.1.3 Rating of this risk event ...................................................................................................... 30

11.2 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................. 30 12. Fee Calculation ......................................................................................................................... 32 13. References ................................................................................................................................ 33 ATTACHMENT 1 A PROOF OF OCCUPIER ....................................................................................... 34 ATTACHMENT 1B COMPANY EXTRACT ........................................................................................... 35 ATTACHMENT 2 PREMISES MAP ...................................................................................................... 36 ATTACHMENT 3A ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONING PLAN ...................................................... 37 ATTACHMENT 3B ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ............................................................................... 38 ATTACHMENT 3C PRESCRIBED PREMISES BOUNDARY SPATIAL FILES ................................... 39 ATTACHMENT 4 NA ............................................................................................................................. 40 ATTACHMENT 5 RELATED APPROVALS .......................................................................................... 41 ATTACHMENT 6 EMMISSIONS & DISCHARGES .............................................................................. 42 ATTACHMENT 7 SITING ...................................................................................................................... 43 ATTACHMENT 8 SUPPORTING INFORMATION ............................................................................... 44 ATTACHMENT 9 COST CALCULATION ............................................................................................. 45

Figures Figure 1 Mt Ida Gold project location ...................................................................................................... 4 Figure 2 Proposed early works infrastructure general arrangement; accommodation village, airstrip, access track, expanded temporary camp ............................................................................................... 8 Figure 3 Accommodation Village general arrangement (L 29/145) ........................................................ 9 Figure 4 Irrigation spray field layout ...................................................................................................... 10 Figure 5 Proposed Prescribed Premises boundary – encompassing Village, WWTP & irrigation sprayfield ............................................................................................................................................... 11 Figure 6 Mean Monthly Maximum and Minimum Temperatures (BOM 2021) ...................................... 15 Figure 7 Mean Monthly Rainfall (1939-2021) (BOM 2021) ................................................................... 16 Figure 8 Annual Average Evaporation (BOM 2021) ............................................................................. 16 Figure 9 Environmental siting: local sensitive receptors ....................................................................... 27


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1. Introduction Aurenne Mining is developing the planned to be a 1.2-1.4 Mtpa gold mining operation using conventional carbon-in-leach technology. The Project tenements are held by , both owned by the and are centred around the and .

The Project is in the Eastern Goldfields, 80 km west of Menzies, and 230 km north-northwest of Kalgoorlie with little existing infrastructure. Access to the area is via the sealed Kalgoorlie – Leonora Highway to Menzies, and then along the well-maintained, unsealed Menzies – Sandstone Road to 45 Mile Outcamp, and finally the Mt Ida Road just north of the Copperfield mining centre (Figure 1).

1.1 Preliminary Works Approval This Works Approval application is to document Aurenne’s risk assessment and management to obtain a works approval (and licencing) for the early infrastructure required to support the construction workforce prior to mining.

A review of all EP Act Schedule 1 prescribed activities and threshold was reviewed to ensure the early works (pre-mining) are appropriately approved, was undertaken and is presented in Table 1. The key characteristics of the Project are described in Table 1. Activities that are of relevance to this works approval application; for the early works, only the wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) exceeded thresholds (category 85) and is described in further detail.

A future Works Approval/licence amendment to commission mining infrastructure and associated activities, will be applied for in tandem with a Mining Proposal/Mine Closure Plan (MP/MCP). A preliminary MP/MCP has been submitted to the Department (DMIRS) for these early/preliminary works.

1.2 Background Bottle Creek was discovered in 1983 and mined by Norgold Ltd between 1988 and 1989 but was prematurely shutdown due to a pit wall failure, mill issues, and a declining gold price in 1990. The project produced 93,000 oz Au from two open pits (VB and Boags) in 18 months of operation. Remaining are three long narrow water filled pits and mullock hills. The mullock has been encased in earth and rehabilitated with relinquishment by Norgold/Rio Tinto in 2001 back to the Sate of Western Australia.

The acquisition by Aurenne Mining to form Aurenne ALT Resources occurred mid-2020 and has since consolidated tenements from Alt Resources, MGK Resources and other local tenements to develop a viable mining operation of mining and processing; the Mt Ida Gold Project (MIG).

The MIG Project comprises the following project areas:

• Bottle Creek consists of Emu, Southwark, Cascade, VB North, VB and Boags

• Mt Ida consists of Tim’s Find and Shepherd’s Bush

• Quinns consists of Forest Belle and Boudie Rat.


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3. Activities A review of the proposed pre-mining supporting operations/activities were reviewed against Schedule 1 of the EP Act. Given the activities are limited to supporting exploration and a construction workforce prior to the mining, there are low throughput volumes calculated for the potential prescribed activities.

The early works and infrastructure to support the exploration and construction workforce, which will vary from approximately 10 to a maximum of 200 persons, include the following:

• Temporary camp on M 29/150. A small camp for exploration is approved under a PoW Reg ID 96890 but to facilitate early-works, construction workers this camp will need to increase in size to provide for the number of contractors required to build the Accommodation Village

• Accommodation Village on L 29/145, just north of the (existing) airstrip, and to the south of the Bottle Creek project area. The Village will accommodate a workforce for the development and construction of the Project (and ultimately for mining once approved)

• Upgrade of the existing airstrip on L 29/137 to aerodrome (CASA) standard and maintenance of the existing major access track (also L 29/137)

• WWTP, reverse osmosis (RO) plant and evaporation pond (and fencing) and tanks on L 29/145 with the WWTP irrigation field on L 29/145 and E 29/1014.

The Village will be serviced by:

1. A containerised WWTP and evaporation spray field (Plate 1; Figure 3). The WWTP will be a self-contained system (example Plate 1), with treated effluent discharged to a spray field via an above ground sprinkler arrangement. Effluent will be collected and pumped from the Accommodation Village to the WWTP via HDPE poly welded pipes. The effluent line will be fitted with pressure relief valves and scour pits will be located along the earth culvert. The WWTP will be constructed, operated, and maintained in accordance with the DWER Works Approval once granted and an Environmental Licence and Local Government Health Regulations and permitting requirements as issued by the Shire of Menzies.

2. Potable water that will be processed onsite from raw water sourced from a licenced groundwater bore. A reverse osmosis (RO) Plant will be installed and for the interim the brine will be pumped and trucked to be disposed of in one of the pit lakes. For the next MP/MCP iteration, pipework will be installed to transport the brine. This component at full operation with pipeline will be included in the future Prescribed Premises boundary.

3. Power will be provided by overhead HV power reticulated from the main power station at the process plant, supported by backup diesel powered generators located at the Village. For the purposes of this interim MP, double bunded diesel powered generators will supply the power requirements.

4. All-weather track (existing). No approvals currently required.

5. Domestic (putrescible and non-putrescible), non-recyclable waste produced at the Accommodation Village will be managed via a Class II putrescible landfill facility. The landfill design is a moving trench which incorporates a single trench of a maximum open excavation of 30 m long by 10 m wide and up to 4 m deep. The landfill trench will be operated as per standard mine industry standards with only one landfill operational at any one time with the


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landfills progressively decommissioned and rehabilitated as trench storage capacity is exhausted. Given the early stage of the Project, the material to landfill does not meet the Schedule 1 category (Table 1) and a later or amended application will be made to locate a Prescribed Premises landfill site within the Waste Rock Landform once the workforce numbers increase.

6. Chemical and Dangerous good use and storage is required at low quantities as fuel source for diesel powered generators, and other hydrocarbons associated with vehicle and plant maintenance. The volumes stored do not approach a prescribed quantity and all chemicals and hydrocarbons are stored in double walled, self-bunded storage contains; or low volumes on pallets within a designated storage area (sea container).

3.1 Prescribed Activities - WWTP and Irrigation Field The scope of this Works Approval application includes only construction and operation of a WWTP (Category 85) and irrigation field as it is calculated at 36-60 m3 per day, which is within a prescribed range under Schedule 1 – Prescribed Premises, of the EP Act Environmental Protection Regulations. Plate 1 shows a conceptual layout of the proposed WWTP; and Plate the Process Flow Diagram.

The WWTP will be fenced to exclude stock and people; signage will notify no access Authorised Access only. Sludge from the WWTP will be periodically removed and transported off site for appropriate disposal by a licenced waste management company.

Monitoring of effluent water quality and spray irrigation water quality are components of the system for which records will be kept ensuring compliance with Works Approval commissioning and during Operation (under licence if granted).

Plate 1 Conceptual WWTP components

Aurenne is proceeding with a MAK Water supplied, installed and commissioned WWTP and associated infrastructure due to the company’s experience and commissioning QAQC. The Supporting Information includes MAK’s specification for the unit purchased (Attachment 8).

Plate 2 MAK Water process flow diagram


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Figure 3 Accommodation Village general arrangement (L 29/145)


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6. Stakeholder Engagement The principal stakeholders identified for the Project is the Shire of Menzies and the pastoral lease holders within which the Project is located (Perinvale and Riverina Stations) both currently held by Zenith Group.

Aurenne Mining made initial contact to introduce the business and the Project in Q1 2021. Following this, face-to-face meetings have taken place with both parties. Aurenne is committed to open and collaborative engagement with all stakeholders and maintain a Stakeholder Register to track all interactions.

There is no Native Title that exists over the Project area but Aurenne ALT Resources has engaged with Traditional Owners from the Leonora area who have connection to country in which the Project sits.

One desktop assessment (O’Connor 2019) and two on-country surveys have occurred (Rayner 2019, 2021). No sites have been recorded within the Project area.

6.1 Stakeholders Identified stakeholder are listed in the Stakeholder Register in Attachment 5.


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7. Biophysical Environment 7.1 Biogeography The Project Area lies within the Eastern Goldfields subregion of the Eremaean Province of Western Australia, as defined by the Interim Biogeographical Regionalisation of Australia classification system (Thackway and Cresswell 1995). The subregion is characterised by an Archaean basement of parallel greenstone belts and Proterozoic basic granulite, bearing structural lithological shears and rich mineralised deposits. The underlying bedrock comprises highly weathered gneiss, granite and basalt units, with ridges of greenstone and granite intermittent within gently undulating plains of lateritic gravel and poorly structured calcareous loam (Cowan 2001).

The remnants of an ancient major drainage systems exist throughout the region, evident through the presence of a series of saline playa lake systems. The region exhibits vast sandplains with vegetation dominated by mallee, acacia thicket and shrub heath. Valleys and ranges display diverse eucalypt woodlands, often hosting a range of endemic species. Salt lake systems are dominated by eucalypt woodlands and an understorey of dwarf samphire shrubland (Cowan 2001).

7.2 Climate The Project is situated within the arid to semi-arid Goldfields region, experiencing hot, dry summers and cool, wet winters (Cowan 2001). Menzies weather station (012052) is the closest Bureau of Meteorology (BOM) station to the Project area but has not recorded data since April 2019. Therefore, Kalgoorlie weather station (012038) data were used for this summary.

The area experiences average maximum temperatures between 33.7 ˚C and 16.8˚C in January, and average minimum temperatures between 18.3˚C and 5.1˚C in July (Figure 2). The area experiences approximately 266 mm of rainfall per year, and an average of 39 days of rain per year. Rainfall is highest in February at 31 mm and lowest in September at 13 mm (2021). Mean rainfall and the average rainfall days within each month are shown in Figure 3. Periods of high rainfall in summer generally falls over few days, following cyclones in the north of the state or summer thunderstorms.

Figure 6 Mean Monthly Maximum and Minimum Temperatures (BOM 2021)


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Figure 7 Mean Monthly Rainfall (1939-2021) (BOM 2021)

Annual evaporation rates of 2400 – 2800 mm/year (Figure 4) exceed rainfall, with surface water bodies remaining only for short periods of time after rainfall. Rain that may fall and pond on mine landforms usually evaporates quickly. Similarly, water within the pits is subject to high evaporation rates and the formation of pit lakes is usually the result of groundwater and surface water inflows rather than rainfall.

Figure 8 Annual Average Evaporation (BOM 2021)

An Annual Exceedance Probability (AEP) is defined as the chance that an extreme rainfall event will occur in any given year. Based on AEP calculations by the (BOM), there is a 1 in 100 (1%) chance that the Menzies-Leonora area will receive 52 mm of rain for a 1-hour period, 159 mm for a 24-hour period and 206 mm for a 72-hour period based on AEP calculations (BOM 2021).


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Across the average year, morning (09:00) humidity levels are highest in January with an average of 74%, dropping to an average of 43% in December. Afternoon humidity levels (15:00) are highest in June at an average of 48%, with the months of December and January experiencing the lowest afternoon humidity levels at 24% (BOM 2021). Average daily evaporation rates in the region range between 12.5 mm in January and 2.6 mm in June (BOM 2021).

Wind conditions are predominantly from the easterly, north-easterly, and south-easterly winds, and between 10 and 30 km/hr. Average afternoon wind direction is variable, and is most predominant as westerlies, easterlies, and south-easterlies. Stronger winds (30-40 km/hr) are commonly associated with westerlies in the afternoons. Maximum wind gusts are generally seen in January, on average (BOM 2021).

7.2.1 Implications for risk assessment The Accommodation Village is not within a region that experiences cyclones and receives little rainfall; it is low risk for extreme climatic conditions and the Village will meet Shire of Menzies engineering requirements for tying down, fire, etc.

7.3 Geology The Project lies almost entirely within the Kalgoorlie Terrane of the Yilgarn Craton, encompassing Archean mafic-ultramafic intrusive and volcanic rocks with minor interflow sediments that make up the Mt Ida-Ullarring Greenstone Belt. The northern half of the belt forms a gently south plunging anticline (Kurrajong Anitcline) with the Copperfield Monzogranite at its core. The belt is bounded to the east by the Ballard/Zulieka shear and the Mt Ida Shear to the west. The Mt Ida Shear is a major structural break and forms the boundary between the Kalgoorlie Terrane and the Southern Cross Terrane to the west.

The Mt Ida Gold Project is located on the northern extremity of the Mt Ida-Ularring greenstone belt extending from Davyhurst to Mt Alexander. The Bottle Creek Emu Formation comprises carbonaceous black shale, graphitic chert and BIF and is an interflow sedimentary unit between mafic flows. Gold and silver mineralisation is found close to the contact of two sequences and coincides with a sheared, up to 20m thick, Emu Formation which on the eastern contact is a felsic porphyry unit. The western contact appears as weathered quartz-biotite schists and mafic volcanics (Legge et al 1990).

At the surface, the sheared Emu Formation is a gossanous ironstone, oxidised and lateritised, to a depth of 100m below surface. Below the base of weathering and oxidation, a massive pyrite-pyrrhotite zone, up to 6m thick, occurs within the sheared black shale in a variable gangue of quartz, mica and schist.

The area is characterized by two landforms: alluvial flats along the drainage courses with shallow (1m red, earthy loam to sand over red-brown hardpan); and low rises between drainage lines with shallow red earths overlying red-brown hardpan; rises with a stony surface mantle (Pendragon 2021).

7.6.1 Implications for risk assessment The Accommodation Village and associated infrastructure requires very little clearing and ground disturbance in a landscape that is undulating and surrounded by almost 100% native vegetation extent. It is low risk for erosion or the mobilisation of soils that may have an adverse impact on surrounding vegetation or groundwater.


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7.7. Hydrogeology The aquifers are characterised by weathered and fractured bedrock with faulting and shearing which controls the occurrence and movement of groundwater. The Raeside Fractured Rock Aquifer extends across the northern third of the tenements whilst the south is occupied by the Rebecca Fractured Rock Aquifer with the Rebecca Paleochannel underlying the Bottle Creek drainage line.

7.8.1 Surface Water A surface water assessment was undertaken for both the Bottle Creek and Tims Find project areas (Hydrologia 2020 and 2021). The proposed Project area lies in the headwaters of Bottle Creek, which drains to Lake Ballard. Lake Ballard is an internally drained, intermittent salt lake in the wider Raeside-Ponton catchment and has substantial environmental values and has been nominated Nationally Important Wetland (RAMSAR listing). Topography in the area of the site is characterised by low hills and rises with broad valleys and indistinct drainage lines. It is located in the Salt Lake Basin surface water management area (DWER 2019), which is not in a proclaimed surface water management area. Existing surface drainage in the area has been modified by previous mining activities at the site and further surface water management is proposed for the Project to ensure both pit integrity and safety, and to maintain ecological hydrology regimes.

Due to the distance to Lake Ballard, the Project activities and proposed clearing is unlikely to have a negative impact on the water quality or quantity, and therefore the environmental values of the Lake.

7.8.2 Ground Water The regional aquifers are characterised by weathered and fractured bedrock with faulting and shearing which controls the occurrence and movement of groundwater. The Raeside Fractured Rock Aquifer extends across the northern third of the MIG Project tenements whilst the south is occupied by the Rebecca Fractured Rock Aquifer with the Rebecca Paleochannel underlying the Bottle Creek drainage line.

Standing groundwater levels vary between 28.9m and 44.3m below surface and appear to be of a semi-confined to confined aquifer and flow regime. Groundwater within the MIG Project vicinity varies between circum-neutral (pH <8 i.e. most bores except Tims Bore at 8.01) and alkaline (pH 8 to 9, i.e. the open pits) with marginal (between 500mg/L and 1,000mg/L TDS i.e. Walling Rock BIF Water Bore) to saline (2,000mg/L and 10,000mg/L TDS, Tim and Boag Bores) and highly saline (10,000mg/L to 35,000mg/L, Emu and Shepherds Bores and the Boags and VB open pits).

Most groundwater sources, excluding the Walling Rock BIF Bore, have elevated concentrations of sulfate (between 530mg/L and 4,460mg/L SO4), chloride (between 1,020mg/L and 14,300mg/L Cl), sodium (between 678mg/L and 6,970mg/L) and potassium (between 20mg/L and 246mg/L). Consequently, groundwater may be classified as a Na-Cl type water indicative of a stagnant groundwater regime in which little if any recharge is taking place (Pendragon Environmental 2021 in prep.)).

7.8.1 Hydrogeological implications for risk assessment The Project location is considered low risk due to its distance from key significant hydrological (surface and groundwater) environmental receptors i.e. Lake Ballard and subterranean calcrete Priority Ecological Communities (calcrete subterranean ecological communities). In addition, the catchment is not a proclaimed (surface/ groundwater) area and remains highly vegetated, which allows buffering to any localised impacts from clearing of ground disturbance.


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7.9 Flora and Vegetation Desktop reviews of state and Commonwealth databases (Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) Species and Communities Branch records for flora, fauna and priority and threatened ecological communities (TEC/PECs), Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment’s (DAWE) Protected Matters Search Tool, NatureMap, FloraBase, and the records of the WA Museum (WAM)) were undertaken to understand the biodiversity of the local and regional area (Appendix B). The results indicate that the Project area is not known as having outstanding biodiversity values across flora, vegetation, and fauna habitats. No species were listed as endemic to the area.

7.9.1 Vegetation types and Condition A suite of flora, vegetation, fauna (including short range endemic (SRE) and subterranean fauna) surveys have been undertaken over the past three years to inform mine planning and approvals ((Terrestrial Ecosystems, NVS (2019 a, b,c,d; and Phoenix & Bennelongia 2021 (in prep.)). The following surveys have been undertaken relevant to this stage of the Project:

2021 Phoenix – Flora, vegetation, fauna (including SRE and targeted conservation significant fauna) surveys across wider Project tenements (including camp, access tracks, ancillary infrastructure areas) (report in prep.)

2021 Bennelongia – Subterranean fauna (including troglofauna and stygofauna) surveys across wider Project tenements and utilising regional bore suite (report in prep.)

2019 Native Vegetation Solutions (NVS) - Detailed Flora and Vegetation Survey of Tim's Find - Part 2

2019 Goldfields Landcare Services - Flora and Vegetation Survey of Tim’s Find

2019 NVS Flora and Vegetation Survey of Bottle Creek

2019 Terrestrial Ecosystems - Level 1 Vertebrate Fauna Risk Assessment for Tim’s Find

2019 Terrestrial Ecosystems - Level 1 Vertebrate Fauna Risk Assessment for Bottle Creek.

As part of governmental regional survey for greenstone areas, the following report is relevant to the general Mt Ida area, although of differing geological features:

Meisner, R & Owen, G, 2010, Flora and vegetation of banded iron formations of the Yilgarn Craton: Mt Ida Greenstone Belt and Mt Hope. In: Conservation Science W. Aust. 7 (3): 583–592.

In general, the Accommodation Village, and the wider Project area, are wholly within pastoral leases that have been actively grazed by feral and managed stock for over 100 years. There are no records of Threatened flora nor Threatened/Priority Ecological Communities and the fauna habitats are not restricted or of higher value to the local or regional area. The historical prospecting, mining, and exploration has degraded habitats and brought many access tracks which have increased feral predators within the area.

7.9.2 Flora NatureMap (DBCA 2021) and the Protected Matters Search Tool (DAWE 2021)(Appendix B) show that 152 plant taxa are recorded from the local area with no threatened flora, one Priority 1 (Drosera eremaea), no Priority 2 taxa, two Priority 3 (Calotis sp. Perrinvale Station (R.J. Cranfield 7096), Calytrix hislopii), and two Priority 4 (Hemigenia exilis, Lepidosperma lyonsii). The flora surveys to


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date have found no additional conservation significant flora despite four surveys across multiple seasons.

7.9.3 Conservation Significant Flora, Ecological Communities, and Areas The PMST results listed one Threatened flora species (Rincinocarpos brevis) as potentially occurring in the area. However, this species is restricted to elevated banded ironstone ranges, which are not found in the Project area, nor the proposed Village site.

Database search requested from the DBCA’s Species & Communities Branch listed the Perinvale/Walling vegetation complexes (Banded Iron Formation (BIF)) priority ecological community (PEC), which is 100 m from the closest tenement boundary (DBCA 2021, Appendix A). The BIF does not extent into the Project tenements however and the Project activities and clearing are not likely to impact directly nor indirectly on the values of the BIF.

No conservation reserves are in proximity to the Project area; the Project area sites within pastoral stations stocked with cattle and feral donkeys.

7.9.4 Introduced Flora The PMST results listed to highly invasive weeds within the area (Wards weed *Carrichtera annua and Buffel grass *Cenchrus ciliaris). NatureMap (DBCA 2021) recorded one weed taxa (*Pentameris airoides subsp. airoides) within the local area. However, given the degraded nature and long history and continued use as an active pastoral lease, there is likely to be a wider suite of grassy, herbaceous, and perennial weeds present. These weeds may be preferentially grazed by the cattle and donkey herds.

7.10 Fauna and Fauna Habitats A fauna habitat assessment with targeted conservation significant fauna survey including short-range endemic invertebrates (SRE) was undertaken in 2021, which included the proposed Village site (Phoenix in prep.).

Previous level 1 fauna surveys were conducted in 2019 for Bottle Creek and Tims Find (Terrestrial Ecosystems 2019 a and b) with the reports and data submitted via the IBSA portal. The total area assessed was ~1200 ha and the area contains the following fauna habitats:

• drainage line

• Eucalypt mallee woodland (consistent with the Village site)

• open mulga woodland over shrubs/grasses.

No conservation significant species were recorded in the project area.

Although no rare or endangered species were identified in the survey, three threatened species of fauna and five migratory species of birds identified under the EPBC Act potentially occur in the project area or surrounds. There is one Schedule 7 species as listed under the WA Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 and one species listed on the DBCA’s Priority Fauna List that potentially occur in the project area or surrounds. Mallee Fowl is the highest ranked fauna of conservation significance, and records exist in the local and regional area. Within the proposed activities sites no mounds have been located; however the general Project area and region may still be utilised as Mallee Fowl foraging range.

The Village site does not contain the dense scrub favoured by Mallee Fowl to prevent predation by foxes/dogs/cats and during site walk overs, not activity has been recorded. The site does not provide


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an important ecological linkage or fauna movement corridor. Clearing native vegetation is likely to result in the loss of small vertebrate fauna on-site that are unable to move away during the clearing process. The few larger animals, such as goannas, and most of the birds will move into adjacent areas once clearing commences. There are no threatened or conservation significant vertebrate fauna likely to be significantly impacted by this proposed development.

7.10.1 Short Range Endemic and Subterranean Fauna A desktop review was completed based on the EPA Guidance Statement No. 20 – Sampling of Short Range Endemic Invertebrate Fauna for Environmental Impact Assessment in Western Australia. The review indicated that the existing environment does not hold potential habitats know to support SRE, being Vine thickets, boulder piles, isolated hills and other landforms, vegetated gullies and freshwater habitats (Harvey, 2002). Additionally, most of the species and communities recorded during the flora survey are widespread throughout the subregion and adjoining regions. Therefore, the limited area of clearing for the Village is not likely to be significant to SRE.

A desktop review was completed based on the Environmental Assessment Guideline No. 12 – Consideration of subterranean fauna in environmental impact assessment in Western Australia. To ensure an adequate an informed baseline suite of data are collected for the Project, both a subterranean and SRE field survey were commissioned in 2021 and will inform the planning and development of the Project MP/MCP associated within the mining/dewatering components (Bennelongia and Phoenix Environmental (in prep.)). The Village site, limited in area and not impacting on groundwater, is not likely to impact on any subterranean fauna.

7.10.3 Introduced Fauna The PMST listed 10 feral animals recorded from the local area: camels, donkeys, dogs, cats, goats, horses, rabbits and foxes. All are likely to occur at varying densities and noting that the Project area s an active pastoral lease running a herd of cattle with a large resident herd of feral donkeys.

7.10.1 Biodiversity value implications for risk assessment There has been detailed biological surveys conducted 2019 to 2021 over the project area across multiple seasons. The biodiversity values of the Village site, temporary camp, and associated areas that require maintenance or minor upgrades (airstrip, access tracks) are well represented in the local and regional area and these development areas do not contain unique or restricted geological features (such as BIF, breakaways, TEC/PEC etc). Therefore, it is considered low risk to impact important biodiversity values, or to be difficult to rehabilitate back to pre-disturbance condition.

7.12 Environmental Threats and Other Factors The following section details the currently known threats associated either directly or indirectly to the proposed Project.

7.12.1 Weeds The Project area is within Perrinvale and Riverina pastoral leases (both held by Zenith Group), currently managed for cattle and contains a high feral donkey population. Both these introduced ungulates can contribute to land degraded and weed spread. As most areas are highly grazed, weeds (and any soft herbaceous plants) are preferentially grazed, and high weed loads are not evident within the Project area.

The Project will manage weeds through vehicle and plant hygiene/clean on entry procedures and by weed surveillance following significant rainfall events. Weed management procedures are being developed within the site EMP.


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7.12.2 Fire Wildfires can result naturally from lightning strike, or anthropogenically from deliberately or accidentally lit from vehicles and equipment. The Project does not allow campfires and maintains equipment and fire extinguishers to contain accidental ignition. Wildfires from storms may be controlled by the pastoralist but may be left to run out naturally.

The Village design includes fire management infrastructure (building design, extinguishers, etc) and through clear earth fire breaks around facilities consistent with the Bush Fire Act 1954 and Shire of Menzies requirements.

7.12.3 Feral Animals Feral animals have been recorded and anecdotally noted within the Project tenements, which co-occur within an active pastoral lease. A herd of cattle have access to all tenement areas and there is a large resident population of donkeys. Feral cats and dogs are likely present but as they are more cryptic in their habitats they are less frequently seen.

The Project will manage water points and waste disposal so that no net increase in feral animals results from operations. Staff and contractors will be advised that the feeding or encouragement of feral animals is not permitted.

Exclusion fencing will be installed around facilities such as the WWTP spray field and the RO Plant evaporation pond.

7.12.4 Dust Historic clearing for gold mining, exploration, and active grazing coupled with long periods without rainfall means that the local area, and region, is usually dry and therefore has higher potential for dust generation. The dominant mulga woodland vegetation type acts as a natural suppression to strong winds and buffers against dust mobilisation.

Dust generated by clearing and ground preparation for the Village will be controlled using water carts. Saline groundwater will be used to supress dust as required. During periods of high winds, clearing activities, topsoil handling will be restricted if dust cannot be adequately controlled.

7.12.5 Noise The ambient noise levels are low and consistent with a remote location in the extensive land use zone. Noise levels consistent with construction and Village operations are expected to be consistent with mines locally and regionally with limited sensitive receptors. The closest receptors are the Perrinvale homestead (one occupant) and Lake Ballard, which is over 20 km away with no long term/ permanent camping and unlikely to be affected.

The Project was considered in regard to compliance with the noise regulations under the Mines Safety and Inspection Act 1994, Mines Safety and Inspection Regulations 1995 and the Environmental Protection Act (Noise) Regulations 1997. No noise modelling assessment was conducted due to the lack of sensitive receptors.

7.12.6 Hydrocarbon & Chemical Management Chemicals and hydrocarbons are stored appropriately within bunds which are designed to minimise the risk of contamination to the surrounding environment by containing any spilled products. Diesel will be stored within double lined, self-bunded fuel tanks. In addition to storage bunding, portable pallet bunds are also utilised. Aurenne is developing an EMP with a Hydrocarbon and Hazardous Substances Management Procedure.


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Only certified suppliers will be engaged to transport dangerous goods and periodic dangerous goods audits across site are proposed. Bulk explosives will be transported to site and stored in a licenced magazine, according to the Dangerous Goods Safety Act 2004.

Spill response equipment will be available on each maintenance/service vehicle. In the event of a hydrocarbon spill, the product will be contained by earthen bunds. The product will then be collected and recycled if practicable or disposed of via waste hydrocarbon collection. Any contaminated soil will be removed and taken to the bioremediation pad for treatment.

7.12.7 Implications for risk assessment The threat/risk of weeds, fire, feral animals, dust, noise, and hydrocarbon spill occurring are certain given the environmental context and planned activities at the Village during construction and operation.

However, these are activities and risks that can have proactive management and thereby reduce the potential impact to the receiving and surrounding environment.

7.13 ESA, Conservation Areas There is no conservation area within or adjacent to the proposed Prescribed Premise. The closest Environmentally Sensitive Area (ESA) is Lake Ballard, which is over 20 km southeast.

The distance to Lake Ballard and the context of low relief and intact native vegetation as a significant buffer to natural drainage and therefore the Lake, mean that impacts to Lake Ballard from the proposed containerised WWTP and irrigation sprayfield are low potential/low risk of impact.


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8. Social Environment The Project is within the locality of Ularring, a small Western Australian rural location within the local government area of Menzies, located approximately 475 km from Perth covering an area of 26,564.35 km2. Ularring has a recorded population of 4 residents (Australia’s Guide 2021).

The Mt Ida area has an historic value from a social perspective for the goldrush history still evident in the local area with gravesites, mining shafts and remnants of past goldrush towns. Less is known of the Aboriginal land-use but evidence in artefact scatters in the local area also remains. Given the lack of permanent water or springs, the area may have been less frequently visited.

The PMST results recorded no World or National Heritage places (DAWE 2021)(Appendix B).

8.1 Aboriginal Heritage There is no active Native Title claim over the Project area. The Darlot Claim (WC 2018/005) was filed in April 2018 but dismissed by the National Native Title Tribunal for the fifth time on 21 October 2020. The database shows the closest registered site is ~17 km to NNW and is an artefact scatter (ID 3093 (Mt Alexander Stone Arrangement); in the wider region sites are associated with the salt lakes Lakes Raeside and Ballard) (DPLH 2021).

A desktop assessment conducted by consulting anthropologist Rory O’Connor (2019) noted that “no registered Aboriginal sites or other heritage places within those parts of the five tenements listed … which make up this Prospect. One previous report is listed in the DPLH database as relevant to E29/1008, M29/151, L29/137, E29/1007 and M29/150, namely the March 2009 Assessment of Aboriginal Heritage at Mt Forrest Prospect, Bulga Downs Project, Southeast of Sandstone. All sectors …which make up the Bottle Creek Prospect were included in their entirety in the research upon which the assessment is based. That research comprised a desktop study followed by fieldwork to re-record known sites and inspect the Mt Forrest tenements. That fieldwork included a consultation with the relevant native title claimants. As a result of that research, the assessment states that based on these findings, and on the re-recording of registered sites, it is possible to state with confidence that there was little Aboriginal activity in the land constituting the Mt Forrest Prospect. Few archaeological sites are likely to occur in the tenements and fewer ethnographic sites would be expected.”

Aurenne does not have a heritage agreement or pre-existing arrangement with any Aboriginal party that prescribes processes for compliance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972. However, the Aboriginal Heritage Due Diligence Guidelines (Department of Planning, Lands & Heritage and Premier and Cabinet 2013) were applied to the proposed Project and a consultant was engaged to consult with local elders and engage with them to undertake surveys of the project areas.

Two recent Aboriginal heritage surveys have been undertaken for the Project by A J Rayner Consulting in 2019 and further survey in 2020 (Appendix C). No places of cultural interests or ethnographic and archaeological sites of importance and significance to the Aboriginal people were identified during the survey; areas which may have higher perspectivity for artefacts or cultural significance include water sources, elevated ranges containing shelters, pronounced landforms features. These prospective places are not within the proposed Project disturbance areas and are limited locally.

Aurenne is aware of its obligations under the Aboriginal Heritage Act 1972 and in regard to future potential Native Title claims and will continue to manage its responsibilities accordingly.


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8.2 European Heritage The Project is within the locality of Ularring, a small Western Australian rural location within the local government area of Menzies, located approximately 475 km from Perth covering an area of 26,564 km2. Ularring has a recorded population of 4 residents (Australia’s Guide 2021).

The Mt Ida area has an historic value from a social perspective for the goldrush history still evident in the local area with gravesites, mining shafts and remnants of past goldrush towns. Less is known of the Aboriginal land-use but evidence in artefact scatters in the local area also remains. Given the lack of permanent water or springs, the area may have been less frequently visited.

The PMST results recorded no World or National Heritage places (DAWE 2021)(Appendix B).

8.1.1 Implications for risk assessment The heritage values from an Aboriginal and European perspective, are limited due to the lack of Native Title and identified sites. However, Aurenne ALT Resources understands its obligations under the Aboriginal Heritage Act and is developing a procedure of ‘stop work’ should any site be uncovered.

Given the desktop report and two subsequent field-based surveys have not identified any significant values associated with the site, the development of the Village is considered low risk and Aurenne ALT Resources will continue to engage with local Traditional Owners as part of our stakeholder strategy.


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10. Emission Sources, Pathways, Receptors and Controls 10.1 Emissions The potential for emissions to impact on sensitive receptors has been assessed in accordance with the DWER Risk Framework. The key emissions during premises construction which have been considered in this report are dust and noise from construction activities including equipment placement and use and vehicle movements.

Measures to minimise and manage dust are proposed with the control measures considered when undertaking the risk assessment detailed in Section 11.1.2.

Following completion and compliance with this works approval, a prescribed premises category 5 licence under Part V of the EP Act will be required to authorise emissions associated with the operation of the premises. A risk assessment for the operational phase has been included in this decision report, however licence conditions will not be finalised until DWER assesses the licence application. The key emissions considered in during premises operation are the potential for uncontained leaks of untreated wastewater.

10.2 Pathways 10.2.1 Pathway by leakage, spills, unexpected discharge or clearing Leaks or other unexpected discharge from the WWTP has the potential to infiltrate through the soil and reach the groundwater. The premises is located within the Goldfields, Rebecca, Combined - Fractured Rock West – Alluvium water resource (https://maps.water.wa.gov.au/#/webmap/register). The WWTP is in the vicinity of the Rebecca Fractured Rock Aquifer with the Rebecca Paleochannel underlying the Bottle Creek drainage line. Standing groundwater levels vary between 28.9 m and 44.3 m below surface and appear to be of a semi-confined to confined aquifer and flow regime. Therefore, it would take a very significant volume of wastewater to reach groundwater and with a low potential to reach Bottle Creek and the paleodrainage channel either as surface or groundwater flow. 10.2.2 Pathway by air/wind dispersion Prevailing winds in relation to sensitive receptors can affect potentially adverse dust and noise impacts with a low potential for odour. Dust and noise emissions can occur during construction works and vehicle movements. 10.3 Receptors The closest residential areas are the Towns of Menzies and Leonora, both hundreds of kilometres away. There are no environmentally sensitive flora, fauna or vegetation that would be impacted locally during the short duration of clearing/construction. 10.3.1 Public drinking water source areas The closest Public Drinking Water Source Areas are each over 100 km away from the proposed Prescribed Premises boundary and include:

• SE - Menzies Water Reserve & 3 x Wellhead Protection Zone (CAWS Act) • E - Leonora Water Reserve & multiple Wellhead Protection Zone (CAWS Act) • N - Sandstone Water Reserve Wellhead Protection Zone (CAWS Act).


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Dust and noise are carried through the air but with a short construction duration, low volumes noise, no night works and no sensitive receptors, there is little potential for impact.

Commissioning and operation of the WWTP and irrigation spray field has potential for equipment or infrastructure failure that may cause a leak or discharge to the ground. There is no watercourse, wetland or sensitive surface receptor in the vicinity. The groundwater is at depth and therefore with the handled volumes of wastewater, low likelihood of potential impact.

11.1.2 Management & Controls The following management and controls will ensure low risk to the environment through clearing, construction, commissioning and operation:

• Small clearing area clearly demarcated with authorisation by Environmental Superintendent to proceed; clearing delayed if high wind conditions cause excessive dust generation

• Construction according to contract and works approval specifications

• Commissioning according to Environmental Commissioning Plan (Attachment 3A)

• Operation according to contract specification and manufacturer’s instructions

• Operation and maintenance according to specifications that include continuous monitoring and live alarm system

• Irrigation sprayfield to be fenced with stock proof fencing and signposted with warning signs for Authorised Entry only

• Spill kits with infrastructure; spill reporting procedure.

WWTP & Sprayfield Operation

In the event of spills from either facility, the first priority will be to isolate the system and stop the release of wastewater. Contaminated soil will then be removed and disposed to an appropriately licensed landfill facility. An investigation and necessary works (e.g. repairs, upgraded capacity, etc.) will be undertaken to prevent further incidents.

11.1.3 Rating of this risk event All phases (Construction, Commissioning and Operation) will have similar impacts, management and controls. Mt Ida Gold Project is remote with limited environmentally sensitive areas/sensitive receptors. Aurenne considers that with the existing and proposed management controls, the residual environmental risks associated with the prescribed activities are acceptable. The overall risk rating is low given the proposed activities to construct and operate the WWTP and sprayfield, and the management and control measures proposed. 11.2 Conclusion Based on the risk assessment and the management/controls developed to address the activities with potential to impact the environment, it is considered that a Works Approvals can be granted for the application activities.

A post-construction and commissioning period is requested in the works approval to commence at the conclusion of the independent components of construction works.


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13. References AS/NZS 1547:2012 On-site domestic wastewater management. Bureau of Meteorology 2021 Climate Data Online Accessed: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/stations; accessed at http://www.bom.gov.au/ Cowan, MA, 2001, Murchison 1 (MUR1 – East Murchison subregion). In NL McKenzie & JE May (eds.), A Biodiversity Audit of Western Australia’s 53 Biogeographical Subregions in 2002 (pp.466-479). Western Australia: Department of Conservation and Land Management. Curry, PJ, Payne, AL, Leighton, KA, Hennig, P and Blood, DA, 1994, Technical Bulletin No. 84 An inventory and condition survey of the Murchison River catchment and surrounds, Western Australia. Department of Agriculture, Perth. Department of Environment Regulation (DER), February 2017 Guidance Statement: Risk Assessments. DER, Perth, accessed at www.dwer.wa.gov.au Department of Environment Regulation (DER), 2016, Environmental Siting Part V, Division 3, Environmental Protection Act 1986. State of Western Australia. Accessed: https://www.der.wa.gov.au/images/documents/our-work/licences-and-works-approvals/GS-Environmental-Siting.pdf DER, October 2015. Guidance Statement: Setting conditions. Department of Environment Regulation, Perth. DER, February 2017. Guidance Statement: Risk Assessments. Department of Environment Regulation, Perth. Department of Health, 2011, Guidelines for the Non-potable Uses of Recycled Water in Western Australia. Department of Health, Perth. Department of Health, 2016, Recycled Water Sampling Technique. Department of Health, Perth. DER, July 2015. Guidance Statement: Regulatory principles. Department of Environment Regulation, Perth Department of Water (DoW), 2008, Water Quality Protection Note 22: Irrigation with nutrient-rich wastewater. Department of Water, Perth. Accessed: https://www.water.wa.gov.au/ data/assets/pdf file/0013/4045/82324.pdf DoW, 2009, Water Quality Protection Note 111 Landfills for Disposal of Putrescible Materials Department of Water, Perth. Accessed: https://www.water.wa.gov.au/ data/assets/pdf file/0015/4056/84596.pdf Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), 2019a, GWL63902(6) Licence to Take Water, granted by the Minister under section 5C of the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. DWER, 2019, Environmentally Sensitive Areas map. Accessed: https://cps.dwer.wa.gov.au/main

DWER, 2019, Landfill Waste Classification and Waste Definitions 1996 (as amended 2019). Accessed: https://www.der.wa.gov.au/images/media/Media statements/Waste definitions.pdf


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ATTACHMENT 1 A PROOF OF OCCUPIER


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ATTACHMENT 1B COMPANY EXTRACT


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ATTACHMENT 2 PREMISES MAP


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ATTACHMENT 3A ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONING PLAN


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ATTACHMENT 3B ADDITIONAL INFORMATION


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ATTACHMENT 3C PRESCRIBED PREMISES BOUNDARY SPATIAL FILES


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ATTACHMENT 4 NA


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ATTACHMENT 5 RELATED APPROVALS


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ATTACHMENT 6 EMMISSIONS & DISCHARGES


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ATTACHMENT 7 SITING


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ATTACHMENT 8 SUPPORTING INFORMATION


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ATTACHMENT 9 COST CALCULATION

works approval supporting information

Documents