Data as at 14 September 2026 · from the Queensland EP Act public register
EPML00899713 · ERNEST HENRY MINING PTY LTD
Minerals environmental authority EPML00899713 (ERNEST HENRY MINING PTY LTD), Granted. 140 conditions indexed. No PRC plan.
- Status
- Granted
- Holders
- ERNEST HENRY MINING PTY LTD
- Tenures
- ML2671; ML90041; ML90072; ML90075; ML90085; ML90100; ML90107; ML90116
- PRC plan
- None
- How it was read
- Numbered conditions
- Register
- Register record · Instrument PDF
Conditions
140 numbered conditions read from the current instrument. Page numbers link into the register PDF.
- A1-1
The environmental authority holder must: (a) install all measures, plant and equipment necessary to ensure compliance with the conditions of this environmental authority and the general environmental duty; (b) maintain such measures, plant and equipment in a proper condition; (c) operate such measures, plant and equipment in a proper manner; and (d) ensure that all instruments and devices used for the measurement or monitoring of any parameter under any condition of this environmental authority must be calibrated and appropriately operated and maintained.
- A1-2
No change, replacement or alteration of any measures, plant or equipment is permitted if the change, replacement or alteration increases, or is likely to increase, the risk of environmental harm caused by the mining activities. Monitoring
- A2-1
Record, compile, evaluate and keep for a minimum of five years all monitoring results required by this environmental authority, and any complaints received about the mining activities and make available for inspection all or any of these records upon request by the administering authority.
- A2-2
Where monitoring is a requirement of this environmental authority, ensure that a competent person(s) conducts all monitoring.
- A2-3
The holder of this environmental authority must develop, implement and maintain an Environmental Monitoring Manual to monitor compliance with the requirements of this environmental authority. The holder must provide the administering authority a copy of the manual on request. Emergency Response and Contingency Plan
- A3-1
An emergency response/contingency plan must be implemented and maintained to respond to emergency events and incidents.
- A3-2
The emergency response/contingency plan required under condition (A3-1) must address the following matters as a minimum: (a) Response procedures to be implemented to prevent or minimise the risk of environmental harm arising from incidents; (b) Response procedures to minimise the extent and duration of environmental harm caused by an incident; (c) The practices and procedures to be employed to restore the environment or mitigate any environmental harm caused by an incident; (d) Response procedures to be implemented in response to cyanide related incidents to contain, investigate and, if necessary, remediate environmental harm; (e) The resources to be used in response to an incident; (f) Procedures to investigate the cause of any incidents, including releases, and where necessary, implement remedial actions to reduce the likelihood of recurrence of similar events; (g) The provision and availability of documented procedures to staff attending any incident to enable them to effectively respond; (h) Training of staff that will be called upon to respond to incidents to enable them to effectively respond; (i) Timely and accurate reporting of the circumstance and nature of incidents to the administering authority in accordance with conditions of this environmental authority; (j) Procedures for accessing monitoring points during incidents; and (k) Procedures to notify any potentially impacted stakeholder who may be affected by the event within 24 Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority hours, with information to be provided at a minimum: i. the location of any release; ii. the date and time of any release; iii. the estimated quantity and type of any substances (if available concentrations) involved in any incident; iv. the potential impacts to environmental values caused by any release. Storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids
- A4-1
All flammable and combustible liquids must be contained within an on-site containment system and controlled in a manner that prevents environmental harm (other than trivial harm) and maintained in accordance with the most recent publication of AS 1940 - Storage and Handling of Flammable and Combustible Liquids. Chemical Storage and Handling
- A5-1
All explosives, hazardous chemicals, corrosive substances, toxic substances, gases and dangerous goods must be stored and handled in accordance with the relevant Australian Standard where such is available.
- A5-2
Magnetite concentrate must be stored and loaded in a purpose built storage and loading facility which prevents dust emissions.
- A5-3
The holder of this environmental authority must maintain records of cyanide storage and use on site. These records must be made available to the administering authority within 5 business days of the request. Notification
- A6-1
The environmental authority holder must notify the administering authority by telephone or email immediately after becoming aware of any emergency or incident resulting in, or having the potential to cause, environmental harm or any breach of condition or exceedance of water quality trigger level of this environmental authority concerning releases of contaminants to the environment.
- A6-2
The notification in condition (A6-1) must include the following information: (a) the environmental authority number and name of holder; (b) the name and telephone number of the designated contact person; (c) the location of the emergency or incident; (d) the date and time of the incident; (e) the time the holder of the environmental authority became aware of the incident; (f) the estimated quantity and type of any substances involved in the incident; (g) the actual or potential cause of the incident; (h) a description of the nature and effects of the incident including environmental harm caused, threatened, or suspected to be caused by the incident; (i) any sampling conducted or proposed, relevant to the emergency or incident; and (j) immediate actions taken to prevent any further release and mitigate any environmental harm caused by the release.
- A6-3
Within fourteen (14) days following the initial notification of an emergency or incident, further written advice must be provided to the administering authority, including the following: (a) results and interpretation of all samples taken and analysed (if available, if not yet available nominate a timeframe acceptable to the administrating authority); (b) outcomes of actions taken at the time to prevent or minimise environmental harm; and (c) proposed actions to prevent a recurrence of the emergency or incident including the timeframe to which such action would be completed. Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority
- A6-4
As soon as practicable, but not more than six (6) weeks following the conduct of environmental monitoring performed in relation to the emergency or incident, which results in the release of contaminants not in accordance, or reasonably expected to be not in accordance with the conditions of this environmental authority, written advice must be provided of the results of any such monitoring performed to the administering authority. Note: a period of greater than 6 weeks may be approved if authorised by the administering authority. Activity
- A7-1
This environmental authority does not authorise environmental harm unless a condition contained within this authority explicitly authorises that harm. Where there is no condition or the authority is silent on a matter, the lack of a condition or silence shall not be construed as authorising harm.
- A7-2
In carrying out the mining activity, all reasonable and practicable measures must be taken to prevent or minimise the likelihood of environmental harm being caused.
- A7-3
Any management or monitoring plans, systems or programs required to be developed and implemented by a condition of this environmental authority must be reviewed for effectiveness in minimising the likelihood of environmental harm on an annual basis and amended promptly if required.
- A7-4
The environmental authority holder is authorised to receive, stockpile and process ore from third party mining operations, provided such activities comply with the requirements set out in this environmental authority and a geochemical assessment of the ore is undertaken and made available to the administering authority prior to processing. Complaints
- A8-1
Records must be kept of all environmental complaints received about the mining activities including the following details: (a) name, address and contact number for complainant (if not available record - not identified); (b) time and date of complaint; (c) specifics of the complaint; (d) investigations undertaken; (e) conclusions formed; (f) actions taken to resolve complaint; (g) any abatement measures implemented; and (h) person responsible for resolving the complaint. This information must be made available for inspection by the administering authority on request.
- A8-2
When requested by the administering authority, the environmental authority holder must undertake relevant specified monitoring within a period of 4 weeks to investigate any complaint of environmental harm at any sensitive place or commercial place. The results of the investigation (including an analysis and interpretation of the monitoring results) and abatement measures implemented must be provided to the administering authority within fourteen (14) days of completion of the investigation. Definitions
- A9-1
Words and phrases used throughout this EA are defined in Schedule H - Definitions. Where a definition for a term used in this EA is sought and the term is not defined within this EA, the definitions in the Environmental Protection Act 1994, its Regulations and Environmental Protection Policies must be used. END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE A Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Schedule B - Air Dust nuisance
- B1-1
Subject to Conditions (B1-2) and (B1-3) the release of dust or particulate matter or both resulting from the mining activity must not cause an environmental nuisance, at any sensitive or commercial place.
- B1-2
When requested by the administering authority, dust and particulate monitoring must be undertaken within a reasonable and practicable timeframe nominated by the administering authority to investigate any complaint (which is neither frivolous nor vexatious nor based on mistaken belief in the opinion of the authorised officer) of environmental nuisance at any sensitive or commercial place, and the results must be notified within 14 days to the administering authority following completion of monitoring.
- B1-3
If the environmental authority holder can provide evidence through monitoring that the following limits are not being exceeded then the holder is not in breach of (B1-1): (a) Dust deposition of 120 milligrams per square metre per day, averaged over one month, when monitored in accordance with AS 3580.10.1 Methods for sampling and analysis of ambient air - Determination of particulates - Deposited matter - Gravimetric method of 1991; and (b) A concentration of particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter of less than 10 micrometre (-m)
- B1-4
If monitoring indicates exceedance of the relevant limits in Condition (B1-3), then the environmental authority holder must: (a) address the complaint including the use of appropriate dispute resolution if required; or (b) immediately implement dust abatement measures so that emissions of dust from the activity do not result in further environmental nuisance.
- B1-5
The environmental authority holder must develop and implement a dust management plan that sets out how dust emitting activities will be managed to minimise off-site impacts. The elements of the dust management plan must include, but are not limited to: (a) Identification of all major sources of dust emissions that may occur as a result of the operation of the project; (b) A description of the procedures to manage the dust emissions from the sources identified; (c) A detailed complaints management procedure for nearby land users and residents affected by dust, including a system for recording, investigating, and responding to complaints, and reporting outcomes to the administering authority; (d) Identification of responsible person(s) for carrying out the required actions/tasks; (e) Procedures for monitoring dust emissions from the project, in accordance with the requirements of this environmental authority; (f) Protocols for regular maintenance of plant and equipment, to minimise the potential for fugitive dust emissions; and (g) A description of procedures to be undertaken if any non-compliance with the dust management plan or this environmental authority is detected. Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE B Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Schedule C - Water Surface Water
- C1-1
Contaminants must not be released directly or indirectly to any surface waters other than in accordance with the contaminant release requirements, conditions and limits stated in this environmental authority.
- C1-2
Release of contaminants to surface waters from the licensed place must only occur at the release points specified in Table C1 - Release points (surface water) and identified in Schedule J Map 1 - Process water and storm water release points.
- C1-3
The release of contaminants to surface waters from the release points must be monitored at the locations and frequencies specified in Schedule C - Table C1 and comply with the contaminant limits specified in Schedule C - Table C4 (Receiving water contaminant limits).
- C1-4
An estimate of the daily quantity of contaminants released from each release point must be measured and recorded at the monitoring points in Schedule C - Table C1 Release points (surface water).
- C1-5
Receiving waters must be monitored at the locations defined in Table C2 and identified in Schedule J Map 2 for parameters defined in Table C3 and frequency identified in Table C2.
- C1-6
If receiving waters exceed any of the contaminant trigger levels stated in Table C3, the environmental authority holder must: (a) complete an investigation in accordance with the ANZECC (2000) methodology, into the potential for environmental harm; and (b) provide a written report to the administering authority within 3 months of the date of the original exceedance, specifying: i. details of the investigations carried out; and ii. actions taken to prevent environmental harm. Note: a period of greater than 3 months may be approved if authorised by the administering authority.
- C1-7
Receiving waters must not exceed any of the contaminant limits defined in Table C4 as a result of the authorised mining activities carried out on site.
- C1-8
Water released from the site must not produce any slick or other visible evidence of oil, grease or litter. Table C1 - Release points (surface water) Release Point Easting Northing Monitoring GDA 94 GDA 94 Frequency (Zone 54) (Zone 54) When discharging SW12 - Northern 0469067 7741170 Continuous real time (5 minute) monitoring of pH, Release Point EC and flow2. For other parameters, one sample must be taken within 12 hours of the discharge event1 commencing. A second sample must be taken between 12 and 24 hours after the discharge event SW15 - Southern 0471142 7736733 commences. Where a discharge event1 has a Release Point duration of 24 hours or greater, samples must be taken daily for one week, and once a week thereafter. 1 Discharge event is a surface water discharge from water storages or contaminated areas on the licensed place. 2 Monitoring equipment required to undertake real time monitoring must be installed and operated by 1 December 2011. Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Table C2 (Receiving waters monitoring locations) Monitoring point Easting Northing Monitoring GDA 94 GDA 94 Frequency3 SW4 (Zone 54) (Zone 54) Gipsy Creek 1 471368 Receiving waters SW5 471337 Gipsy Creek 2 472063 7744261 For the routine monitoring of receiving waters: 474092 SW6 Monthly Gipsy Creek 3 472138 476241 7745311 Event based sampling of discharge1 must occur at the SW7 7747516 following frequency: Gipsy Creek East Branch 7744440 One sample must be taken within 12 hours of a SW8 discharge event1 commencing. A second sample Eliza Creek Drainage Channel must be taken between 12 and 24 hours after the discharge event1 commences2. SW10 Eliza Creek Downstream Where a discharge event1 has a duration of 24 hours or greater, samples must be taken daily for one week, and once a week thereafter. 7736194 Note: Sampling must continue at these frequencies for 7735601 a period of one week following cessation of a discharge event1. Reference Sites 4 For the routine monitoring of receiving waters: Monthly SW17 480232 7742321 Event based sampling of discharge1 must occur at the Mt Margaret Creek Reference 1 471188 7735012 following frequency: ML4 One sample must be taken within 12 hours of a Eliza Creek discharge event1 commencing. A second sample Reference 2 must be taken between 12 and 24 hours after the discharge event1 commences2. SW40 Reference 3 Where a discharge event1 has a duration of 24 hours or greater, samples must be taken daily for one week, and once a week thereafter. To be confirmed pending Note: Sampling must continue at these frequencies for site inspection for a period of one week following cessation of a suitability discharge event1. (interim - 503297E 7772808N) 1 Discharge event is a surface water discharge from water storages or contaminated areas on the licensed place. 2 The use of remote sampling techniques such as rising stage samplers is acceptable where access will be inhibited by rainfall. 3 Monitoring will only be conducted where safe access can be gained. 4 Reference sites must: - be from the same bio-geographic and climatic region; - have similar geology, soil types and topography; - contain a range of habitats similar to those at the test sites; - have a similar flow regime; and - not be so close to the test sites that any disturbance at the test site also results in a change at the reference site. Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Table C3 (Receiving water contaminant trigger levels) Parameter Unit Trigger Levels Limit Type pH pH unit 20th percentile1,5 of reference4 Median6 or 6.03, whichever is lower. EC -S/cm 80th percentile1,5 of reference4 Median6 or 7.53, whichever is higher Median6 Turbidity NTU 80th percentile1,5 of reference4 or 5009, whichever is higher 80th percentile1,5 of reference4 or 153 whichever is higher. Hardness (CaCO3) Interpretational purposes only Fluoride -g/L 80th percentile2,5 of reference4 Median6, 7 Sulphate -g/L 80th percentile1,5 of reference4 Median6 Aluminium -g/L Median6, 7 or 95th percentile5,6,7 Antimony -g/L 80th percentile2,5 of reference4 Median6, 7 or 95th percentile5,6,7 Arsenic -g/L or 553, whichever is higher Median6, 7 or 95th percentile5,6,7 Cadmium -g/L Median6, 7 or 95th percentile5,6,7 Chromium -g/L 80th percentile2,5 of reference4 Median6, 7 or 95th percentile5,6,7 Cobalt -g/L Median6, 7 or 95th percentile5,6,7 Copper -g/L 80th percentile2,5 of reference4 Median6, 7 or 95th percentile5,6,7 Free Cyanide -g/L or 133, whichever is higher Median6,7 or 95th percentile WAD Cyanide -g/L 80th percentile2,5 of reference4 Median6,7 or 95th percentile or 0.23, whichever is higher 80th percentile2,5 of reference4 or 13, whichever is higher 80th percentile2,5 of reference4 or 1.410, whichever is higher 80th percentile2,5 of reference4 or 1.43, whichever is higher 80th percentile of reference4 or 73 whichever is higher 80th percentile of reference4 Total Cyanide -g/L Interpretational purposes only Lead -g/L 80th percentile2,5 of reference4 Median6, 7 or 95th percentile5,6,7 or 3.43, whichever is higher Mercury -g/L 80th percentile2,5 of reference4 Median6, 7 or 95th percentile5,6,7 or 0.63, whichever is higher Molybdenum -g/L 80th percentile2,5 of reference4 Median6, 7 or 95th percentile5,6,7 Nickel -g/L or 3410, whichever is higher Median6, 7 or 95th percentile5,6,7 80th percentile2,5 of reference4 or 113, whichever is higher Selenium -g/L 80th percentile2,5 of reference4 Median6, 7 or 95th percentile5,6,7 or 113, whichever is higher Uranium -g/L 80th percentile2,5 of reference4 Median6, 7 or 95th percentile5,6,7 or 111, whichever is higher Zinc -g/L 80th percentile2,5 of reference4 Median6, 7 or 95th percentile5,6,7 or 8.03, whichever is higher Total Nitrogen 8 -g/L 80th percentile2,5 of reference4 Median6 or 1503 , whichever is the higher Median6 Total Phosphorus 8 -g/L 80th percentile2,5 of reference4 or 103, whichever is the higher 1 An interim trigger value can be derived from > 8 but <17 consecutive reference site samples4, derived using EHP Queensland Water Quality Guidelines (2009) methodology (section 4.3). 2 For toxicants, trigger values are based on the 80th percentile of at least 10 and no more than 24 consecutive reference site samples4, derived using the EHP Queensland Water Quality Guidelines (2009) methodology (Table D1, and section 4.3). Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority 3 Default trigger values - from ANZECC (2000) trigger levels for aquatic ecosystems indicative of slightly disturbed tropical Australian upland river ecosystems. 4 Reference sites are defined in Table C2. 5 20th, 80th and 95th percentiles are calculated using ANZECC (2000) methodology (section 7.4.4.1). 6 The median and 95th percentile must be determined on the most recent three (3) consecutive routine monitoring samples. Comparison against trigger and contaminant limits should be made to maximum test values collected during discharge and flow events. 7 The median limit type is used if the 80th percentile trigger level is used, or if the default trigger level is used when there are <24 reference site values used to calculate the 80th percentile. The 95th percentile limit type is used if the default trigger level is used when there are 24 reference site values used to calculate the 80th percentile. 8 Monitoring of Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus is only required for release point SW15 and receiving water monitoring locations for Eliza creek SW8, SW9, SW10. 9 Default trigger value - from QWQG (EHP 2009) Table G.1 (EC Percentiles for Queensland Salinity Zone) 75th percentile for the Gulf Zone 10 Interim (low reliability value from ANZECC (2000) Section 8.3.7.1 11 As per Table F3 in the EHP Guideline for Model Mining Conditions (26 June 2013) Note: Analysis for total and or dissolved metal concentrations. Table C4 (Receiving water contaminant limits) Parameter Unit Test Value Contaminant Limit pH pH unit Range Lower Limit 6.0 Upper Limit 9.01 EC mS/cm Maximum 12 or 95th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest. Fluoride mg/L Maximum 21 or 95th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest. Sulphate mg/L Maximum 10001 or 95th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest. Turbidity NTU Maximum Interpretation purposes only Aluminium mg/L Maximum 51 or 95th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest. Antimony mg/L Maximum 95th percentile of reference3 Arsenic mg/L Maximum 0.51 or 95th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest Cadmium mg/L Maximum 0.011 or 95th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest Chromium mg/L Maximum 11 or 95th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest Cobalt mg/L Maximum 11 or 95th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest Copper mg/L Maximum 11 or 95th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest Free Cyanide mg/L Maximum 0.0226 or 95th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest WAD Cyanide mg/L 0.56 Total Cyanide mg/L N/A Interpretational purposes only Lead mg/L Maximum 0.11 or 95th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest Mercury mg/L Maximum 0.0021 or 95th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest Molybdenum mg/L Maximum 0.151 or 95th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest Nickel mg/L Maximum 11 or 95th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest Selenium mg/L Maximum 0.021 or 5th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest Uranium mg/L Maximum 0.21 or 95th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest Zinc mg/L Maximum 201 or 95th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest Total Nitrogen 4 mg/L Maximum 305 or 95th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest Total Phosphorus 4 mg/L Maximum 105 or 95th percentile of reference3, whichever is lowest E. Coli 1, 4 Organisms / Maximum 1000 applied for release only 100ml 1 Contaminant limit based on ANZECC (2000) stock water quality guidelines. 2 Interim limit set by the Administering Authority. 3 Where the 95th percentile of reference is exceeded and the reference site also exceeds the value during the same event, the value of the reference site during the same event applies. 4 Contaminant Limits for Total Nitrogen and Total Phosphorus are only applicable to release point SW15 and receiving waters monitoring locations for Eliza Creek SW8, SW9 and SW10. E. Coli are only applicable to release point SW15 5 Based on usual sewage treatment plant performance data. 6 Based on Implementation Guidance for the International Cyanide Management Code, International Cyanide Management Institute, Standard Practice 4.5. Note: Analysis for total metal concentrations. Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Stream Sediment Contaminant Levels
- C2-1
Sediment quality of receiving waters and reference waters must be monitored twice a year (once at the end of the wet season and once at the end of the dry season) at the monitoring locations defined in Table C2 and Schedule J - Map 2 and for the parameters defined in Table C5.
- C2-2
If the bed of the receiving waters exceeds any of the stream sediment trigger levels defined in Table C5, the environmental authority holder must: (a) complete an investigation in accordance with the ANZECC (2000) methodology, into the potential for environmental harm; and (b) provide a written report to the administering authority within 3 months of the date of the original exceedance, specifying: i. details of the investigations carried out; and ii. actions taken to prevent environmental harm. Note: a period of greater than 3 months may be approved if authorised by the administering authority.
- C2-3
The releases of contaminants must not result in an exceedance of sediment contaminant limits stated in Table C5.
- C2-4
All stream sediment sampling must be undertaken in accordance with AS 5667.12 Guidance on Sampling of Bottom Sediments of 1999. Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Table C5 (Stream sediment trigger and contaminant levels) Parameter Unit Contaminant Limit Trigger Level Antimony mg/kg 253 or three times the reference value1, Reference1or 22, whichever is higher. Arsenic mg/kg whichever is higher Barium mg/kg Reference value1 or 202, whichever is 703 or three times the reference value1, higher. whichever is higher Reference value1 3 times the reference value1 Bismuth mg/kg 3 times the reference value1 Reference value1 Boron mg/kg 3 times the reference value1 Reference value1 Cadmium mg/kg 103 or three times the reference value2, Reference value1 or 1.52, whichever is Chromium mg/kg whichever is higher higher. Cobalt mg/kg Reference1or 802, whichever is higher. 3703 or three times the reference value1, whichever is higher Reference value1 3 times the reference value1 Copper mg/kg 2703 or three times the reference value1, Reference1or 652, whichever is higher. whichever is higher Cyanide mg/kg For interpretational purposes only Lead mg/kg 2203 or three times the reference value1, Reference value1 or 502 whichever is mg/kg whichever is higher higher. Nickel Manganese 523 or three times the reference value1, Reference value1 or 212 whichever is whichever is the higher higher. 3 times the reference value1 Reference value1 Mercury mg/kg 13 or three times the reference value1, Reference1or 0.152, whichever is higher. whichever is higher Reference value1 Molybdenum Reference value1 Selenium 3 times the reference value1 mg/kg 3 times the reference value1 Sulphate mg/kg 3 times the reference value1 Reference value1 Thorium 3 times the reference value1 Reference value1 Uranium mg/kg 3 times the reference value1 Reference value1 Vanadium 3 times the reference value1 Reference value1 Zinc mg/kg 4103 or three times the reference value1, Reference value1 or 2002 or, whichever is whichever is higher. higher. Particle size distribution for interpretation purposes 1 Reference value is 2 times the median of values taken at the reference sites defined in Table C2 (Receiving waters monitoring locations). 2 ANZECC (2000) Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines - low values based on total sediments. 3 ANZECC (2000) Interim Sediment Quality Guidelines - high values based on total sediments. Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Receiving Environment Monitoring Program (REMP)
- C3-1
The environmental authority holder must develop and implement a Receiving Environment Monitoring Program (REMP) to monitor, identify and describe any adverse impacts to surface water environmental values, quality and flows due to the authorised mining activity. This must include monitoring the effects of the mine on the receiving environment periodically (under natural flow conditions) and while mine affected water is being discharged from the site. For the purposes of the REMP, the receiving environment is the waters of the Gipsy Creek, Elisa Creek and connected or surrounding waterways within 20 km downstream of the release, or further if an impact is detected beyond 20km. The REMP should encompass any sensitive receiving waters or environmental values downstream of the authorised mining activity that will potentially be directly affected by an authorised release of mine affected water.
- C3-2
A REMP Design Document that addresses the requirements of the REMP must be prepared and made available to the administrating authority upon request.
- C3-3
A report outlining the findings of the REMP, including all monitoring results and interpretations in accordance with conditions C3-1 must be prepared and submitted in writing to the administering authority by 1 December 2012 and thereafter every 12 months. This should include an assessment of background water quality, the condition of downstream water quality compared against water quality objectives, and the suitability of current discharge limits to protect downstream environment values.
- C3-4
All determinations of water quality and biological monitoring must be performed by an appropriately qualified person. Onsite Water Storages
- C4-1
Onsite storages containing contaminated waters must be monitored at the locations defined in Table C6 for parameters listed in Table C7 and at a frequency of: For the routine monitoring of onsite water locations: (i) Quarterly
- C4-2
In the event that waters defined in Table C6, exceed the contaminant limits defined in Table C7, the holder of the environmental authority must implement measures to prevent access to waters by all livestock and minimise access by native fauna. Table C6 (Onsite water storage monitoring locations) Easting Northing Monitoring Point GDA 94 (Zone 54) GDA 94 (Zone 54) PED - Production Evaporation Dam 471559 7741060 TED - Tailings Evaporation Dam 472809 7741031 Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Table C7 (Onsite water limits) Parameter Unit Test Value Contaminant Limit pH pH unit Range Lower Limit 6.0 EC mS/cm Maximum Upper Limit 9.01 5.9701 Fluoride mg/L Maximum 21 Sulphate mg/L Maximum 10001 Aluminium mg/L Maximum 51 Arsenic mg/L Maximum 0.51 Cadmium mg/L Maximum 0.011 Chromium mg/L Maximum 11 Cobalt mg/L Maximum 11 Copper mg/L Maximum 11 WAD Cyanide mg/L Maximum 502 Lead mg/L Maximum 0.11 Mercury mg/L Maximum 0.0021 Molybdenum mg/L Maximum 0.151 Nickel mg/L Maximum Selenium mg/L Maximum 11 Uranium mg/L Maximum 0.021 Zinc mg/L Maximum 0.21 Total Suspended Solids mg/L Maximum 201 30 Nitrogen mg/L Maximum 30 Phosphorus mg/L Maximum 15 E. Coli1 Organisms / Maximum 1000 100ml 1 Contaminant limit based on ANZECC (2000) stock water quality guidelines. 2 Based on Implementation Guidance for the International Cyanide Management Code, International Cyanide Management Institute, Standard Practice 4.4. Note: Analysis for total metal concentrations. Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Groundwater
- C5-1
The holder of this environmental authority must not release contaminants to groundwater.
- C5-2
Groundwater quality and level must be monitored at the locations and frequencies defined in Schedule C - Table C8 (Groundwater Monitoring Locations and Frequency) for the analytes identified in Schedule C - Table C9 (Groundwater Quality Monitoring Analytes).
- C5-3
If groundwater drawdown bores identified in Table C8 show a change in the groundwater drawdown rate greater than the predicted groundwater drawdown rate in the model results presented in the Groundwater Impact Assessment AGE 2025 (as amended), the environmental authority holder must complete an investigation into the potential source, cause and extent of the water level change, and provide a written report to the administering authority within 3 months of the date of the original variation, outlining: (a) details of the investigation carried out; and (b) any actions taken to prevent further impact. Note: a period of greater than 3 months may be approved if authorised by the administering authority
- C5-4
If groundwater from compliance bores listed in Schedule C - Table C8 (Groundwater Monitoring Locations and Frequency) exceed any of the trigger levels stated in Schedule C - Table C10 (Groundwater Trigger Levels and Contaminant Limits), the holder of this environmental authority must complete an investigation in accordance with the ANZECC & ARMCANZ (2000) approach into the potential for environmental harm and provide a written report to the administering authority within 3 months of the date of the original exceedance, outlining: (a) details of the investigations carried out; and (b) actions taken to prevent environmental harm. Note: Where an exceedance of a trigger level has occurred and is being investigated, in accordance with condition (C5-4), no further reporting is required for subsequent trigger levels for that quality characteristic within the three-month investigation period.
- C5-5
Groundwater monitoring results from compliance bores identified in Schedule C - Table C8 (Groundwater Monitoring Locations and Frequency), must not exceed any of the contaminant limits defined in Schedule C - Table C10 (Groundwater Trigger Levels and Contaminant Limits). Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Table C8 (Groundwater Monitoring Locations and Frequency) Monitoring Easting Northing Surface RL Top of Total Monitoring Point GDA 94 GDA 94 (mAHD) Frequency (Zone 54) (Zone 54) Casing Depth (mAHD)1 (mBGL) Compliance Bores TD03 472908 7737192 154.44 155.20 71.6 TD04 470915 7737789 156.01 TD05B 472986 7741228 152.31 156.56 66.3 Quarterly TD06A 4710113 7741274 153.89 (groundwater RP29 474615 7741064 151.32 153.19 61.9 RP33 467001 7739666 157.18 quality & 154.46 56 groundwater 145.39 140.68 152.05 58 levels) 154.05 154.26 157.88 76 154.28 Drawdown Bores (RL measurements only) 138.32 138.28 RP06 480583 7733557 138.22 145.8 70 127.25 141.28 RP26 468509 7753237 151.02 155.04 76 125.62 155.03 RP43A 459834 7741496 143.44 155.01 64 139.05 RP43B 459849 7741495 139.01 51 138.9 RP43C 459860 7741494 127.9 28.5 Biannually 151.56 RP45A 468856 7755723 126.45 63.5 between 143.96 RP45B 468857 (November to 7755722 38.4 April) and (May to RP45C 468864 7755733 12 October) RP47 489929 7737971 286 RP48 463201 7744583 24 RP49 489295 7730323 252 RP50 474104 7728516 65.6 Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Table C9 (Groundwater Quality Monitoring Analytes) Analyte Unit Electrical Conductivity -S/cm Field pH pH unit Sulphate mg/L mg/L Fluoride mg/L Aluminium1 mg/L Antimony1 mg/L Arsenic1 mg/L Boron1 mg/L Cadmium1 mg/L Chromium1 mg/L Cobalt1 mg/L Copper1 mg/L Lead1 mg/L Manganese1 mg/L Mercury1 mg/L Molybdenum1 mg/L Nickel1 mg/L Selenium1 mg/L Uranium1 mg/L Vanadium1 mg/L Zinc1 mg/L mg/L Free Cyanide mg/L WAD Cyanide Total Cyanide2 1 Dissolved (filtered) concentration of analyte to be determined. 2 For interpretational purposes only Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Table C10 (Groundwater Trigger Levels and Contaminant Limits) Type Event (based on samples from routine monitoring) Trigger Levels Contaminant Limit For all analytes including upper pH limit: - 1 value greater than 99th percentile control limit1,2 listed in Schedule C - Table C11 - 2 consecutive values greater than 97th percentile control limit1,2 listed in Schedule C - Table C11 - 5 consecutive values greater than 84th percentile control limit1,2 listed in Schedule C - Table C11 For lower pH only: - 1 value less than 1st percentile control limit1,2 listed in Schedule C - Table C11 - 2 consecutive values less than 3rd percentile control limit1,2 listed in Schedule C - Table C11 - 5 consecutive values less than 16th percentile control limit1,2 listed in Schedule C - Table C11 For all analytes including upper pH limit: - 3 consecutive values greater than 99th percentile control limit1,2 listed in Schedule C - Table C11 For lower pH only: - 3 consecutive values less than 1st percentile control limit1,2 listed in Schedule C - Table C11 1. Calculated from the reference dataset for the bore. 2. Reference data for each bore are to consist of at least 8 values collected over a minimum of at least a year from: (a) before the licenced operation generated ground disturbance; and (b) routine monitoring data determined by an appropriately qualified person to not be impacted by the operation. Routine monitoring data for a compliance bore collected after the start of disturbance by the operation may be transferred to its referenced dataset after 8 monitoring events have demonstrated no trigger level exceedance and no trending in the dataset has been identified. Note: Only applies for dissolved (filtered) concentration of analyte. Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Table C11 (Control limits for compliance bores) Control EC SO4 F Free WAD Al As B Cd Cr Co Cu Pb Mn Hg Mo Ni Sb Se U V Zn pH Control pH Limits -S/cm mg/L mg/L CN CN mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L mg/L Upper Limits Lower mg/L mg/L Limit Limit RP29 <0.01# 0.001 0.01 0.002 84th %ile 1438 181 0.7 <0.004# <0.004# 0.06 0.057 2.64 <0.0001# 0.001 <0.001# 0.010 0.001 0.109 <0.0001# 0.009 0.002 0.001 0.01 0.002 <0.01# 0.026 8.21 16th%ile 7.45 <0.01# 0.135 8.36 3rd %ile 7.12 97th %ile 1545 206 1.1 <0.004# <0.004# 0.24 0.074 2.71 0.0005 0.002 0.005 0.018 0.006 0.211 0.0001 0.010 0.004 0.004 <0.01# <0.001# <0.01# 0.154 8.40 1st %ile 7.04 <0.01# 0.002 99th %ile 1582 207 1.2 <0.004# <0.004# 0.41 0.097 2.72 0.0005 0.002 0.005 0.026 0.009 0.297 0.0001 0.010 0.005 0.005 <0.01# 0.003 RP33 <0.01# <0.001# <0.01# <0.001# 84th %ile 505 24 1.2 <0.004# <0.004# 0.03 0.002 0.18 <0.0001# <0.001# <0.001# 0.005 <0.001# 0.033 <0.0001# 0.004 <0.001# <0.001# <0.01# <0.01# 0.022 8.20 16th%ile 7.86 0.001 <0.01# 0.029 8.42 3rd %ile 7.40 97th %ile 541 31 1.4 <0.004# <0.004# 0.11 0.003 0.20 0.0001 <0.001# 0.005 0.015 0.004 0.044 <0.0001# 0.007 <0.001# <0.001# <0.01# <0.01# 0.032 8.51 1st %ile 7.40 <0.01# <0.001# 99th %ile 567 33 1.5 <0.004# <0.004# 0.17 0.004 0.20 0.0002 <0.001# 0.006 0.018 0.006 0.055 <0.0001# 0.008 <0.001# <0.001# <0.01# 0.001 0.001 TD03 <0.01# 0.01 <0.001# 84th %ile 754 46 1.6 <0.004# <0.004# 0.03 0.002 0.18 <0.0001# <0.001# <0.001# 0.005 0.001 0.019 <0.0001# 0.003 <0.001# <0.001# 0.01 0.001 <0.01# 0.023 8.25 16th%ile 7.90 0.001 0.01 0.044 8.59 3rd %ile 7.51 97th %ile 802 63 1.9 <0.004# <0.004# 0.10 0.004 0.20 0.0025 <0.001# <0.001# 0.012 0.006 0.035 <0.0001# 0.004 0.001 <0.001# <0.01# 0.01 0.118 8.60 1st %ile 6.88 <0.01# <0.001# 99th %ile 817 65 2.0 <0.004# <0.004# 0.10 0.004 0.20 0.0310 <0.001# 0.005 0.013 0.007 0.046 <0.0001# 0.004 0.001 <0.001# <0.01# 0.001 0.001 TD04 84th %ile 2042 138 TBA* TBA* TBA* 0.12 0.008 TBA* <0.0001# <0.001# 0.005 0.010 0.001 0.261 <0.0001# 0.003 0.003 <0.001# <0.01# 0.021 8.10 16th%ile 7.13 <0.01# 0.053 8.55 3rd %ile 7.03 97th %ile 2305 170 TBA* TBA* TBA* 0.27 0.008 TBA* 0.0005 0.001 0.005 0.022 0.005 0.350 <0.0001# 0.003 0.005 0.002 <0.01# 0.074 8.78 1st %ile 7.01 99th %ile 2375 177 TBA* TBA* TBA* 0.30 0.008 TBA* 0.0005 0.001 0.006 0.028 0.005 0.383 <0.0001# 0.004 0.006 0.002 TD05B 84th %ile 1010 76 2.6 <0.004# <0.004# 0.02 <0.001# 0.50 <0.0001# <0.001# <0.001# 0.001 0.003 0.031 <0.0001# 0.005 0.001 <0.001# <0.01# 0.022 8.30 16th%ile 8.03 0.01 0.030 8.55 3rd %ile 7.89 97th %ile 1050 84 2.9 0.003 0.003 0.08 0.001 0.52 0.0001 0.001 0.001 0.008 0.008 0.069 0.0001 0.005 0.003 0.001 0.01 0.035 8.60 1st %ile 7.86 99th %ile 1070 85 3.0 0.004 0.004 0.12 0.001 0.53 0.0002 0.002 0.001 0.014 0.009 0.070 0.0001 0.006 0.004 0.001 TD06A 84th %ile TBA* TBA* 2.0 <0.004# <0.004# <0.01# <0.001# 0.53 <0.0001# <0.001# <0.001# <0.001# <0.001# 0.055 <0.0001# 0.003 <0.001# <0.001# <0.01# 0.006 8.17 16th%ile 7.92 0.02 0.007 8.34 3rd %ile 7.83 97th %ile TBA* TBA* 2.1 <0.004# <0.004# <0.01# <0.001# 0.54 <0.0001# <0.001# <0.001# 0.001 0.002 0.092 <0.0001# 0.004 0.001 0.002 0.02 0.008 8.40 1st %ile 7.80 99th %ile TBA* TBA* 2.1 <0.004# <0.004# <0.01# <0.001# 0.54 <0.0001# <0.001# <0.001# 0.001 0.002 0.103 <0.0001# 0.004 0.001 0.002 Free CN - Free Cyanide; WAD CN - Weak Acid Dissociable Cyanide Where suitable reference data are not available for calculation of the control limit for a compliance bore, the values will be `To Be Advised' (TBA). All `TBA' values will be updated by an amendment application before 30 June 2017. * Minimum size of the referenced dataset required to calculate control limits is 8 samples taken over a minimum of 12 months. # Value is less than limit of reporting (<LOR) and will be refined if more data becomes available where a new percentile limit exceeds the LOR. Control limits can be updated by agreed amendment, in accordance with s215 (1) of the Environmental Protection Act 1994, in the event additional information is supplied that meets the satisfaction of the administering authority. The control limits in Table C11 apply until the environmental authority is otherwise amended. Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Seepage Management
- C6-1
The holder of the environmental authority must implement a Seepage Management System to
- C6-2
manage seepage generated from the activity in accordance with a Seepage Management Plan.
- C6-3
The Seepage Management Plan must be developed and approved by an appropriately qualified
- C6-4
person/s as compliant with the seepage management conditions of this environmental authority. The Seepage Management Plan must: (a) identify origins of saline and/or metalliferous mine drainage and seepage within the mining lease; (b) describe the Seepage Management System, its components and detail how each seepage control forms part of the broader Seepage Management System, including a schematic diagram of interceptions, storages, transfers and disposal facilities; (c) list internally approved, detailed design and as-constructed documentation/drawings reasonably required for an independent technical review and substantiation of the plan; (d) accurately record and include details of internally approved, detailed design and as- constructed seepage controls for the Seepage Management System in a Register of Seepage Controls kept by the holder of this environmental authority; (e) include all reasonable and practicable measures to capture and contain all seepage from the mining activities; and (f) include a Seepage Monitoring Program that includes groundwater monitoring bores and is designed to detect locations both on and off the mining lease, where seepage may circumvent the Seepage Management System. (g) The groundwater bores required under the seepage monitoring program must be monitored at least once every quarter, for the quality characteristics specified in Schedule C - Table C9 (Groundwater Quality Monitoring Analytes) An appropriately qualified person/s must review the performance of the Seepage Management System and submit a Seepage Management Performance Report to the administering authority by 30 June 2025 and then on an annual basis by 30 June thereafter. The Seepage Performance Report required by condition (C6-3) must: (a) detail the review method and findings, provide an assessment of the effectiveness of the Seepage Management Plan, and detail and review the findings of the seepage monitoring program; (b) include an assessment of the performance of the Seepage Management System as a whole in meeting its intent and continuing to remain as fit for purpose; and (c) include documentation reasonably required for an independent technical review and substantiation of the performance. This, as a minimum, must include for each seepage control: (i) the volume of seepage captured and when, and any changes in seepage volume over time; (ii) the quality of the seepage with respect to the quality characteristics listed in Schedule C - Table 10 (Groundwater Trigger Levels and Contaminant Limits) and any changes over time; (iii) the source of the seepage, influences on the quality and quantity of seepage generated, and if not well understood, recommended investigations to establish this information; (iv) the disposal location for captured seepage; (v) an assessment of the performance of each individual seepage control in meeting the design intent and continuing to remain as fit for purpose; and (d) make recommendations for update of the Seepage Management Plan.
- C6-5
The Seepage Management Plan must be updated in accordance with all reasonable and practicable recommendations in the Seepage Performance Report required by C6-4. Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Sewage effluent from the contractor demountable toilet block - for irrigation
- C7-1
Treated sewage effluent from the aerated wastewater treatment system (AWTS) may only be released to land within the nominated irrigation area identified in Schedule J - Map 7 (Contractor demountable toilet block- irrigation area) in accordance with the contaminant release limits stated in Table C12 (Contaminant Release Limits to Land) and in accordance with condition C7-8.
- C7-2
All sewage effluent released to land must be monitored at the frequency and for the parameters specified in Table C12 (Contaminant Release Limits to Land). Table C12 (Contaminant Release Limits to Land) Contaminant Unit Release Limit type Frequency mg/L limit 5 day Biochemical oxygen Maximum Monthly demand (BOD)1 20 Total Suspended Solids Maximum Monthly Nitrogen mg/L 30 Maximum Monthly Phosphorus mg/L 30 Maximum Monthly E coli mg/L 15 Maximum Monthly pH Organisms / 100ml 1000 Monthly pH units 6.0 - 9.0 Range 1 Based on at least 5 but no more than 10 consecutive samples.
- C7-3
A minimum area of 2500m2 of land, excluding any necessary buffer zones, must be utilised for the irrigation of treated sewage effluent.
- C7-4
The maximum outflow from the treatment plant to be irrigated must not exceed 1000L/day.
- C7-5
Treated sewage effluent must only be dispersed in accordance with the following outcomes: (a) Efficient application of effluent utilising best practice methods; (b) Minimal degradation of soil structure; (c) Prevention of: i. run-off of effluent or seepage from irrigation areas by limitation of application rates and the use of structures such as bunds, catch dams and the Production Evaporation Dam; ii. surface ponding; iii. damage to native vegetation; (d) Provide prominent signage, in areas irrigated with effluent and which are accessible to the employees and general public, advising that effluent should not be consumed or used; (e) Maximise health and safety protection in relation to effluent handling and irrigation; and (f) Irrigation areas are adequately identified.
- C7-6
Sewage effluent released to land must not cause spray drift or over spray to any odour sensitive place.
- C7-7
The daily volume of effluent release to land must be measured and records kept of the volumes of effluent released.
- C7-8
In periods of wet weather or following wet weather, when no further evaporation and/or infiltration of effluent is reasonably practicable, the release of effluent from the contractor demountable toilet block to waters is permitted to the Production Evaporation Dam (PED). Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Permanent Sewage Treatment Plant
- C7-9
Sewage effluent from the permanent sewage treatment facilities identified on Schedule J - Map 3 must be evaporated and must not be directly released from the sewage treatment plant to any waters or drainage line other than in accordance with condition C7-10.
- C7-10
The holder of this environmental authority must ensure the permanent sewage effluent evaporation pond as identified on Schedule J - Map 3 is managed in such a way that: (a) restrictions on general access are established to minimise risk to health and safety; (b) prominent signage is installed around the evaporation pond, advising that effluent should not be consumed or used; and (c) prevents impacts on the groundwater resource through infiltration.
- C7-11
In periods of wet weather or following wet weather, when no further evaporation of effluent is reasonably practicable and when effluent storage ponds are full, the release of effluent from the Permanent Sewage Treatment Plant to waters is permitted to the Production Evaporation Dam. Loading and Unloading Facilities
- C8-1
Concentrate transport procedures must include: (a) the use of wash down facilities for vehicles leaving the site to minimise concentrate emissions during transport; and (b) covering of loads. Site Water Management Plan
- C9-1
A Water Management Plan must be developed by an appropriately qualified person and implemented.
- C9-2
The Water Management Plan will be kept on site and made available to the administering authority or adjoining and neighbouring landholders on request. Stormwater, Sediment and Erosion controls
- C10-1
An Erosion and Sediment Control Plan must be developed by an appropriately qualified person and implemented for all stages of the mining activities on the site to prevent or minimise erosion and the release of sediment to receiving waters and the contamination of storm water.
- C10-2
The Erosion and Sediment Control Plan must provide for at least the following stormwater management functions: (a) Prevent or minimise the contamination of stormwater; (b) diverting uncontaminated stormwater run-off around areas disturbed by mining activities or where contaminants or wastes are stored or handled; (c) contaminated stormwater runoff, incident rainfall and leachate is collected; and treated, reused, or released in accordance with the conditions of this environmental authority; (d) roofing or minimising the size of areas where contaminants or wastes are stored or handled; (e) using alternate materials and or processes (such as dry absorbents) to clean up spills that will minimise the generation of contaminated waters; (f) erosion and sediment control structures are placed to minimise erosion of disturbed areas and prevent the contamination of any waters; (g) procedures to ensure that erosion and sediment control structures are maintained and adequate storage is available in sediment dams in accordance with design criteria; and (h) training of staff that will be responsible for maintenance and operations of sediment and erosion control structures. Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority
- C10-3
Erosion protection measures and sediment control measures must be implemented and maintained to minimise erosion and the release of sediment and contamination of storm water. END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE C Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Schedule D - Noise and Vibration There are no conditions prescribed for this section. END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE D Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Schedule E - Waste Storage of tyres
- E1-1
Tyres stored awaiting disposal or removal off site should be stockpiled in volumes less than 3m in height and 200m2 in area and at least 10m from any other tyre storage area.
- E1-2
All reasonable and practicable fire prevention measures must be implemented, including removal of grass and other materials within a 10m radius of the scrap tyre storage area. Disposal of tyres
- E2-1
Disposing of scrap tyres resulting from the mining activities in spoil emplacements is acceptable, provided tyres are placed as deep in the spoil as reasonably practicable.
- E2-2
Scrap tyres resulting from the mining activities disposed within the operational land must not impede saturated aquifers or compromise the stability of the consolidated landform. Waste Management Program
- E3-1
A waste management program in accordance with the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act 2011 must be developed, implemented and maintained. The waste management program must include: (a) A description of the mining activities that may generate waste; (b) The types and amounts of wastes generated by the mining activities; (c) A program for reusing, recycling or disposing of all wastes; (d) How the waste will be dealt with in accordance with the waste management hierarchy, including a description of the types and amounts of waste that will be dealt with under each of the waste management practices in the waste management hierarchy (i.e., avoidance, reuse, recycling, energy recovery, disposal); (e) Procedures for identifying and implementing opportunities to minimise the amount of waste generated, promote efficiency in the use of resources and improve the waste management practices employed; (f) Procedures for dealing with accidents, spills and other incidents; (g) Details of any accredited management system employed, or planned to be employed, to deal with waste; (h) How often the performance of the waste management program will be assessed; (i) The indicators or other criteria on which the performance of the waste management program will be assessed; and (j) Staff training and induction to the waste management program.
- E3-2
The waste management program required in condition (E3-1) must be reviewed for effectiveness in minimising the likelihood of environmental harm on an annual basis and amended promptly if required. Waste Rock
- E4-1
The holder of the environmental authority must develop and implement a waste rock management plan, together with the certification of an appropriately qualified person that the plan is compliant with the conditions in this environmental authority and in accordance with best practice environmental management. Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority
- E4-2
The waste rock management plan must include: (a) characterisation of waste rock to inform disposal strategies; (b) selective handling techniques to ensure placement of waste rock is according to characterisation results and disposal strategies; (c) a program of progressive characterisation of waste rock to validate selective handling techniques and disposal strategies; (d) records of all waste rock characterisation and disposal; (e) contingency planning for the management of contaminated drainage (including acidic, neutral or saline drainage); (f) a materials balance and disposal plan demonstrating how waste rock will be selectively placed and/or encapsulated to minimise the generation of contaminated drainage (including acidic, neutral or saline drainage); (g) a regular review process to ascertain the performance of the plan; (h) a rehabilitation strategy in accordance with the Administering Authority's Guideline for Rehabilitation Requirements for Mining Projects to ensure waste rock dumps are safe, non-polluting, self-sustaining and geotechnical and geochemical stable; and (i) monitoring of rehabilitation, research and/or trials to verify the requirements and methods for decommissioning and final rehabilitation of the placed materials, including the prevention and management of contaminated drainage, erosion minimisation and establishment of vegetation cover.
- E4-3
For the purpose of the waste rock management plan, characterisation to inform disposal strategies includes testing to determine the following: (a) potential for Acid Production; (b) potential for Saline Drainage; (c) potential for Neutral Mine Drainage; and (d) characterisation testing for requirements a,), b) and c) above must include an assessment of the metal / metalloids listed in table E1 and their mobility.
- E4-4
The waste rock management plan must be provided to the administering authority upon request.
- E4-5
Only benign waste rock may be used on site for authorised surface construction activities, unless otherwise authorised by the administering authority. Tailings Management
- E5-1
The management of tailings disposal must be in accordance with the following: (a) all tailings material must be progressively characterised during disposal for acid producing potential and the following metals: arsenic, copper, molybdenum; and (b) where the acid producing potential of tailings material has not been conclusively determined geochemical kinetic testing must be conducted to indicate oxidation rates, potential reaction products and effectiveness of control strategies; and (c) implement measures to minimise the exposure of potentially acid producing tailings to oxidising conditions.
- E5-2
The holder of this environmental authority must conduct research during the operational life of the tailings storage facility to determine requirements for final rehabilitation. Research must include but not be limited to: (a) site specific climatic conditions; (b) seepage management; and (c) reactivity of tailings under various conditions.
- E5-3
Research undertaken in accordance with condition number (E5-2) must be finalised no later than thirty-six (36) months prior to the planned mine closure. Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Ore and Waste Characterisation
- E6-1
The holder of this environmental authority must investigate the occurrence of the metals and metalloids identified in Table E1 within any material mined or processed on site, and submit a report to the administering authority by 1 January 2011. The report must address at a minimum: (a) the distribution of any identified metals and metalloids per lithological unit; and (b) for any potentially radioactive or radiogenic metals or metalloids, describe the radioactive or radiogenic nature of those metals and metalloids; and (c) the fate of any identified metals and metalloids as a result of mining activities in relation to on-site storage of concentrate, tailings and waste rock; and (d) the impact or risk of any identified metals and metalloids in relation to: i. surface water; ii. groundwater; iii. sediments; iv. soils; v. air; and vi. rehabilitation. Table E1. Metals and Metalloids for ore and waste characterisation. Metals / Metalloids for Analysis Aluminium Antimony Arsenic Barium Beryllium Cadmium Chromium Cobalt Copper Lithium Lead Manganese Molybdenum Nickel Rubidium Selenium Strontium Uranium Vanadium Zinc END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE E Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Schedule F - Land Rehabilitation landform criteria
- F1-1
Land disturbed by mining must be rehabilitated in accordance with Table F1 (Rehabilitation Requirements). Table F1. Rehabilitation Requirements. Disturbance Type Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Indicators Completion Goal Objectives Criteria Residual Void Safe, non-polluting, In accordance with Compliance with In accordance with stable and self- condition (F1-4) condition (F1-5) condition (F1-6) Tailings Dam sustaining and the post mine and the post mine and the post mine land use plan land use plan Evaporation Dams required under land use plan required under surface condition (F3-1) required under condition (F3-1) condition (F3-1) Evaporation Dams wall Waste Rock Dump Batters Waste Rock Dump Plateaux Infrastructure ROM Area Roads and Tracks
- F1-2
Rehabilitation must progressively commence as areas become available and in accordance with the Plan of Operations.
- F1-3
Rehabilitated areas must be managed to minimise the proliferation of species not consistent with rehabilitation objectives.
- F1-4
All land subject to mining activities must be rehabilitated to: (a) a stable landform and with a self-sustaining vegetation cover and species that are similar to adjoining undisturbed areas; (b) a safe landform, which is non-polluting, geo-chemically and geo-technically stable. (c) ensure that the maintenance requirements for rehabilitated land is no greater than that required for the land prior to its disturbance by mining activities; and (d) ensure that the water quality of any residual void or water bodies constructed by mining activities meets criteria for subsequent uses and does not have potential to cause environmental harm.
- F1-5
Maintenance of rehabilitated areas must take place to ensure and demonstrate: (a) stability of landforms; (b) erosion control measures remain effective; (c) stormwater runoff and seepage from rehabilitated areas does not negatively affect the environmental values of any waters; (d) plants show healthy growth and recruitment is occurring; and (e) rehabilitated areas are free of any declared pest plants.
- F1-6
Rehabilitation can be considered successful when: (a) the site can be managed for its designated land-use (e.g., similar to that of surrounding undisturbed Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority areas); (b) no greater management input than for other land in the area being used for a similar purpose is required and there is evidence that the rehabilitation has been successful for at least three (3) years; (c) the rehabilitation is carried out in accordance with the goals, objectives indicators and completion criteria as specified in Schedule F - Table 1 and in the Post Mine Land Use Plan; and (d) written agreement is obtained from the landowner/holder and administering authority. Residual void outcome
- F2-1
Residual voids must comply with the following outcomes: (a) residual voids must not cause any serious environmental harm to land, surface waters or any recognised groundwater aquifer, other than the environmental harm constituted by the existence of the residual void itself and subject to any other condition within this environmental authority. Post Mine Land Use Plan
- F3-1
A Post Mine Land Use Plan must be developed and included in the Plan of Operations before 1 March 2011 and updated with each subsequent Plan of Operations, describing how the rehabilitation objectives in Table F1 will be achieved. The Post Mine Land Use Plan must include: (a) schematic representation of final land form inclusive of drainage features; (b) slope designs; (c) cover design; (d) drainage design; (e) erosion controls proposed on reformed land; (f) description of experimental design for monitoring of analogue and rehabilitated areas inclusive of statistical design; (g) proposed revegetation criteria including: i. species diversity, abundance and composition; ii. projective cover; iii. dry matter production; and iv. stocking rates to ensure self-sustaining vegetation is maintained; (h) proposed revegetation methods inclusive of plant species selection, re-profiling, respreading soil, soil ameliorants/amendments, surface preparation and method of propagation; (i) materials balance including available top soil and low permeability capping material ; (j) research program and associated milestones; (k) geotechnical, geochemical and hydrological studies; (l) chemical, physical and biological properties of soil and water; (m) measurable completion criteria for each rehabilitation indicator (for each land unit) that enables determination of rehabilitation success for each disturbance type (or land unit); and (n) rehabilitation monitoring program. Rehabilitation Monitoring Program
- F4-1
A rehabilitation monitoring program must be developed and be implemented on commencement of rehabilitation identified in Table F1 (Rehabilitation Requirements) by a person nominated by the holder of this environmental authority possessing appropriate qualifications and experience in the field of mine site rehabilitation. Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority
- F4-2
The holder of this environmental authority must conduct rehabilitation monitoring in accordance with the program developed in Condition (F4-1) on at least a yearly basis which must include sufficient spatial and temporal replication to enable scientifically justifiable conclusions as established under the rehabilitation program or other methodology to the satisfaction of the administering authority.
- F4-3
Verification of rehabilitation success is to be carried for each domain. Monitoring must be carried out at a minimum sampling intensity for sufficient replication to occur that enables statistical analysis of results at an acceptable power. Infrastructure
- F5-1
All infrastructure, constructed by or for the environmental authority holder during the mining activities including water storage structures, must be removed from the site prior to mining lease surrender, except where agreed in writing by the post mining land owner / holder. NOTE: This is not applicable where the landowner/holder is also the environmental authority holder. Subsidence
- F6-1
The environmental authority holder must maintain and implement a subsidence monitoring program.
- F6-2
The subsidence monitoring program must include at least the following: (a) description of the areas at greatest subsidence risk; (b) monitoring program to detect any failures or subsidence in or adjacent to the pit; (c) monitoring program to detect any failures or subsidence in or adjacent to the waste rock stockpiles; and (d) monitoring of surface infrastructure to detect structural damage.
- F6-3
The total extent of the pit and associated subsidence must not exceed 264 hectares as predicted by modelling included in "Ernest Henry Mine - Evolution Ltd Feasibility Study Caveability and Surface Subsidence Mid-Year Mine Plan 2024 prepared for Evolution Mining by Itasca Australia 2025". END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE F Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Schedule G - Community Complaint response
- G1-1
All complaints received must be recorded including details of complainant, reasons for the complaint, investigations undertaken, conclusions formed and actions taken. This information must be made available for inspection by the administering authority on request. Notification to Stakeholders
- G2-1
The Environmental Authority holder must make all reasonable efforts to notify any potentially impacted stakeholder (including but not limited to adjoining and neighbouring landholders) by telephone or email as soon as reasonably possible after becoming aware of any emergency or incident that has the potential to cause serious or material environmental harm or breaches any condition of this environmental authority concerning releases of contaminants to the environment.
- G2-2
The notification of condition (G2-1) must include the following: (a) the location of the release; (b) the date and time of the release; (c) an estimated quantity and the type of any substances involved in the incident; and (d) a description of the nature and potential effects of the incident including environmental harm caused, threatened or suspected to be caused by the incident.
- G2-3
The Environmental Authority holder must establish, promote and maintain easily accessible lines of communication with adjoining and neighbouring landholders to ensure that potential impacts are identified and managed. END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE G Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Schedule H - Dams Assessment of consequence category
- H1
The consequence category of any structure must be assessed by a suitably qualified and experienced person in accordance with the Manual for Assessing Consequence Categories and Hydraulic Performance of Structures (EM635) at the following times: (a) prior to the design and construction of the structure, if it is not an existing structure; or (b) if it is an existing structure, prior to the adoption of this schedule; or (c) prior to any change in its purpose or the nature of its stored contents.
- H2
A consequence assessment report and certification must be prepared for each structure assessed and the report may include a consequence assessment for more than one structure.
- H3
Certification must be provided by the suitably qualified and experienced person who undertook the assessment, in the form set out in the Manual for Assessing Consequence Categories and Hydraulic Performance of Structures (EM635). Design and construction of a regulated structure
- H4
Conditions (H5) to (H9) inclusive do not apply to existing structures.
- H5
All regulated structures must be designed by, and constructed under the supervision of, a suitably qualified and experienced person in accordance with the requirements of the Manual for Assessing Consequence Categories and Hydraulic Performance of Structures (EM635).
- H6
Construction of a regulated structure is prohibited unless the holder has submitted a consequence category assessment report and certification to the administering authority has been certified by a suitably qualified and experienced person for the design and design plan and the associated operating procedures in compliance with the relevant condition of this authority.
- H7
Certification must be provided by the suitably qualified and experienced person who oversees the preparation of the design plan in the form set out in the Manual for Assessing Consequence Categories and Hydraulic Performance of Structures (EM635), and must be recorded in the Regulated Dams/Levees register.
- H8
Regulated structures must: (a) be designed and constructed in accordance with and conform to the requirements of the Manual for Assessing Consequence Categories and Hydraulic Performance of Structures (EM635); (b) be designed and constructed with due consideration given to ensuring that the design integrity would not be compromised on account of: i) floodwaters from entering the regulated dam from any watercourse or drainage line; and ii) wall failure due to erosion by floodwaters arising from any watercourse or drainage line.
- H9
Certification by the suitably qualified and experienced person who supervises the construction must be submitted to the administering authority on the completion of construction of the regulated structure, and state that: (a) the 'as constructed' drawings and specifications meet the original intent of the design plan for that regulated structure; (b) construction of the regulated structure is in accordance with the design plan. Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Operation of a regulated structure
- H10
Operation of a regulated structure, except for an existing structure, is prohibited unless: (a) the holder has submitted to the administering authority: i) one paper copy and one electronic copy of the design plan and certification of the `design plan' in accordance with condition (H9), and ii) a set of `as constructed' drawings and specifications, and iii) certification of those `as constructed drawings and specifications' in accordance with condition (H9), and iv) where the regulated structure is to be managed as part of an integrated containment system for the purpose of sharing the DSA volume across the system, a copy of the certified system design plan. v) the requirements of this authority relating to the construction of the regulated structure have been met; vi) the holder has entered the details required under this authority, into a Register of Regulated Dams; and vii) there is a current operational plan for the regulated structures.
- H11
For existing structures that are regulated structures: (a) where the existing structure that is a regulated structure is to be managed as part of an integrated containment system for the purpose of sharing the DSA volume across the system, the holder must submit to the administering authority within 12 months of the commencement of this condition a copy of the certified system design plan including that structure; and (b) There must be a current operational plan for the existing structures.
- H12
Each regulated structure must be maintained and operated, for the duration of its operational life until decommissioned and rehabilitated, in a manner that is consistent with the current operational plan and, if applicable, the current design plan and associated certified `as constructed' drawings. Mandatory reporting level
- H13
Conditions (H14) to (H17) inclusive only apply to Regulated Structures which have not been certified as low consequence category for `failure to contain - overtopping'.
- H14
The Mandatory Reporting Level (the MRL) must be marked on a regulated dam in such a way that during routine inspections of that dam, it is clearly observable.
- H15
The holder must, as soon as practical and within forty-eight (48) hours of becoming aware, notify the administering authority when the level of the contents of a regulated dam reaches the MRL.
- H16
The holder must, immediately on becoming aware that the MRL has been reached, act to prevent the occurrence of any unauthorised discharge from the regulated dam.
- H17
The holder must record any changes to the MRL in the Register of Regulated Structures. Design storage allowance
- H18
The holder must assess the performance of each regulated dam or linked containment system over the preceding November to May period based on actual observations of the available storage in each regulated dam or linked containment system taken prior to 1 July of each year. Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority
- H19
By 1 November of each year, storage capacity must be available in each regulated dam (or network of linked containment systems with a shared DSA volume), to meet the Design Storage Allowance (DSA) volume for the dam (or network of linked containment systems).
- H20
The holder must, as soon as possible and within forty-eight (48) hours of becoming aware that the regulated dam (or network of linked containment systems) will not have the available storage to meet the DSA volume on 1 November of any year, notify the administering authority.
- H21
The holder must, immediately on becoming aware that a regulated dam (or network of linked containment systems) will not have the available storage to meet the DSA volume on 1 November of any year, act to prevent the occurrence of any unauthorised discharge from the regulated dam or linked containment systems. Annual inspection report
- H22
Each regulated structure must be inspected each calendar year by a suitably qualified and experienced person.
- H23
At each annual inspection, the condition and adequacy of all components of the regulated structure must be assessed and a suitably qualified and experienced person must prepare an annual inspection report containing details of the assessment and include recommended actions to ensure the integrity of the regulated structure.
- H24
The suitably qualified and experienced person who prepared the annual inspection report must certify the report in accordance with the Manual for Assessing Consequence Categories and Hydraulic Performance of Structures (EM635).
- H25
The holder must: (a) Within 20 business days of receipt of the annual inspection report, provide to the administering authority: i) The recommendations section of the annual inspection report; and ii) If applicable, any actions being taken in response to those recommendations; and (b) If, following receipt of the recommendations and (if applicable) actions, the administering authority requests a full copy of the annual inspection report from the holder, provide this to the administering authority within 10 business days of receipt of the request. Transfer arrangements
- H26
The holder must provide a copy of any reports, documentation and certifications prepared under this authority, including but not limited to any Register of Regulated Structures, consequence assessment, design plan and other supporting documentation, to a new holder on transfer of this authority. Decommissioning and rehabilitation
- H27
Dams must not be abandoned but be either: (a) decommissioned and rehabilitated to achieve compliance with condition (H28); or (b) be left in-situ for a beneficial use(s) provided that: i) it no longer contains contaminants that will migrate into the environment; and ii) it contains water of a quality that is demonstrated to be suitable for its intended beneficial use(s); and iii) the administering authority, the holder of the environmental authority and the landholder agree in writing that the dam will be used by the landholder following the cessation of the environmentally Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority relevant activity(ies).
- H28
After decommissioning, all significantly disturbed land caused by the carrying out of the environmentally relevant activity(ies) must be rehabilitated to meet the following final acceptance criteria: (a) the landform is safe for humans and fauna; (b) the landform is stable with no subsidence or erosion gullies for at least three (3) years; (c) any contaminated land (e.g. contaminated soils) is remediated and rehabilitated; (d) not allowing for acid mine drainage; or (e) there is no ongoing contamination to waters (including groundwater); (f) rehabilitation is undertaken in a manner such that any actual or potential acid sulphate soils on the area of significant disturbance are treated to prevent or minimise environmental harm in accordance with the Instructions for the treatment and management of acid sulphate soils (2001); (g) all significantly disturbed land is reinstated to the pre-disturbed soil suitability class; (h) for land that is not being cultivated by the landholder: i) groundcover, that is not a declared pest species is established and self-sustaining ii) vegetation of similar species richness and species diversity to pre-selected analogue sites is established and self-sustaining, and iii) the maintenance requirements for rehabilitated land is no greater than that required for the land prior to its disturbance caused by carrying out the activities. (i) for land that is to be cultivated by the landholder, cover crop is revegetated, unless the landholder will be preparing the site for cropping within 3 months of activities being completed. Register of Regulated Dams
- H29
A Register of Regulated Dams must be established and maintained by the holder for each regulated dam.
- H30
The holder must provisionally enter the required information in the Register of Regulated Dams when a design plan for a regulated dam is submitted to the administering authority.
- H31
The holder must make a final entry of the required information in the Register of Regulated Dams once compliance with condition (H10) and (H11) has been achieved.
- H32
The holder must ensure that the information contained in the Register of Regulated Dams is current and complete on any given day.
- H33
All entries in the Register of Regulated Dams must be approved by the chief executive officer for the holder of this authority, or their delegate, as being accurate and correct.
- H34
The holder must, at the same time as providing the annual return, supply to the administering authority a copy of the records contained in the Register of Regulated Dams, in the electronic format required by the administering authority. Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Table H1. Location of Regulated Structures. Name of dam containing Easting Northing hazardous waste GDA 94 (Zone 54) GDA 94 (Zone 54) 470841 7737176 7741176 470841 7741176 7739176 Tailings dam including 474123 7739176 Evaporation dam 474123 7737176 473123 473123 Table H2. Basic Details of Regulated Dams. Name of Max. surface Max. volume Max. depth Terminal Use of Dam Regulated Dam area of dam of dam (m3) of dam at spillway terminal The permanent containment of (ha) spillway (m) Level tailings and potentially (mAHD) contaminated water from the Tailings dam production of copper/gold including 781 186,000,000 58.7 212.542 concentrate at the Ernest Henry Evaporation dam Mine (TED) Table H3. Hydraulic Performance of Regulated Dams. Name of Regulated Dam Spillway Capacity AEP Design Storage Mandatory Reporting Allowance AEP Level AEP Tailings dam including 1:1000 1:100 2 month wet 1:100 72 hour storm Evaporation dam (TED) season plus process inputs for the 2 month wet season END OF CONDITIONS FOR SCHEDULE H Permit OFFICIAL Environmental Authority Schedule I - Definitions "acceptance criteria" means the measures by which the actions implemented to rehabilitate the land are deemed to be complete. The acceptance criteria indicate the success of the rehabilitation outcome or remediation of areas which have been significantly disturbed by the mining activities. Acceptance criteria may include information regarding: - vegetation establishment, survival and succession; - vegetation productivity, sustained growth and structure development; - fauna colonisation and habitat development; - ecosystem processes such as soil development and nutrient cycling, and the recolonisation of specific fauna groups such as collembola, mites and termites which are involved in these processes; - microbiological studies including recolonisation by mycorrhizal fungi, microbial biomass and respiration; - effects of various establishment treatments such as deep ripping, topsoil handling, seeding and fertiliser application on vegetation growth and development; - resilience of vegetation to disease, insect attack, drought and fire; - vegetation water use and effects on ground water levels and catchment yields. "appropriately qualified person" means a person who has professional qualifications, training, skills or experience relevant to the nominated subject matter and can give authoritative assessment, advice and analysis on performance relative to the subject matter using the relevant protocols, standards, methods or literature. "ambient (or total) noise" at a place, means the level of noise at the place from all sources (near and far), measured as the Leq for an appropriate time interval. "assessed" and "assessment" by a suitably qualified and experienced person in relation to a hazard assessment of a dam, means that a statutory declaration has been made by that person and, when taken together with any attached or appended documents referenced in that declaration, all of the following aspects are addressed and are sufficient to allow an independent audit of the assessment: - exactly what has been assessed and the precise nature of that determination; - the relevant legislative, regulatory and technical criteria on which the assessment has been based; - the relevant data and facts on which the assessment has been based, the source of that material, and the efforts made to obtain all relevant data and facts; and - the reasoning on which the assessment has been based using the relevant data and facts, and the relevant criteria. "authority" means environmental authority (mining activities) under the Environmental Protection Act 1994. "authorised officer" means a person authorised under Section 445 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994. "background" means the average of samples taken prior to