DURALIE COAL MINE

Mining Operations Plan and

Rehabilitation Management Plan

1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021

DURALIE COAL MINE

MINING OPERATIONS PLAN AND REHABILITATION MANAGEMENT PLAN

(1 JANUARY 2020 - 31 DECEMBER 2021)

Section/Page/ Approval Revision Amendment/Addition Distribution Annexure Date Department of Planning, Industry & Environment (DPIE) – Resources Regulator; DPIE – Biodiversity Conservation Division; DPIE Water; All Version 1 Original TBC DPIE – Planning & Assessment Division; MidCoast Council; and Duralie Coal Mine (DCM) Community Consultative Committee.

DECEMBER 2019 Project No. YAN-19-22 Document No. 01007333 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Name of Mine: DURALIE COAL MINE

MOP Commencement Date: 1 January 2020

MOP Completion Date: 31 December 2021

Mining Authorisations (Lease/Licence No) ML 1646 and ML 1427

Name of Authorisation/Authorisation Holders: CIM Duralie Pty Ltd / CIM Services Pty Ltd

Name of Mine Operator (if different): Duralie Coal Pty Ltd

Name and Contact Details of the Mine Manager (or equivalent):

John Cullen Phone: (02) 6538 4210 Mobile: 0459 149 450 Email: [email protected]

Name and Contact Details of Environmental Representative:

Michael Plain Phone: (02) 6538 4203 Mobile: 0400 474 126 Email: [email protected]

Name of Representative(s) of the Authorisation Holder(s):

John Cullen

Title of Representative(s) of the Authorisation Holder(s):

Operations Manager

Signature of Representative(s) of the Authorisation Holder(s):

Date: December 2019

Version: 2020-2021 MOP-RMP01 [01007333]

01007333 i Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

SUMMARY OF TABLES AND PLANS

A summary of the relevant tables and plans required by the ESG3: Mining Operations Plan (MOP) Guidelines, September 2013 (Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services – Division of Resources and Energy, 2013) is provided below.

ESG3 Requirement Section of Table Reference Plan Reference Source MOP Material Production Section 2.3.3 Table 4 N/A Duralie Coal Pty Ltd Schedule during the MOP Term MOP Guidelines Domain Selection Section 5.1 Table 7 Plans 2, Duralie Open Pit Modification Plans 3A – 3B Environmental Assessment MOP Guidelines

Rehabilitation Phases Section 5.3 Table 8 Plans 3A – 3B Spatial Data MOP Guidelines Performance Indicators Section 6 Table 10 N/A In consideration of MOP and Completion/ Guidelines and Relinquishment Criteria DCM 2015-2019 MOP/RMP.

Proposed Disturbance Section 7.2 Table 11 Plans 3A – 3B Spatial Data and Rehabilitation Activities during the MOP Guidelines MOP Term

Summary of Section 7.3 Table 12 Plans 3A – 3B Spatial Data Rehabilitation Areas during the MOP Term MOP Guidelines Plans Section 12 N/A All Plans In consideration of MOP Guidelines and GIS Software

01007333 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Section Page

1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 HISTORY OF OPERATIONS 1 1.1.1 History of Approvals 1 1.2 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THIS MOP/RMP 3 1.3 CURRENT CONSENTS, AUTHORISATIONS AND LICENSES 4 1.4 MOP/RMP REQUIREMENTS 5 1.5 LAND OWNERSHIP AND LAND USE 6 1.6 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION 6 2 PROPOSED ACTIVITIES 7 2.1 PROJECT DESCRIPTION 7 2.2 ASSET REGISTER 7 2.3 ACTIVITIES OVER THE MOP TERM 8 2.3.1 Exploration 8 2.3.2 Mining Operations 9 2.3.3 Material Production Schedule during the MOP/RMP Term 10 2.3.4 Implementation of Mine Closure Planning Program 10 2.3.5 Decommissioning and Demolition Activities 10 2.3.6 Waste Rock Management 10 2.3.7 Waste Management 10 2.3.8 Water Management 11 2.3.9 Progressive Rehabilitation and Completion 13 2.3.10 Topsoil Management 14 3 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES MANAGEMENT 15 3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT 15 3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL RISK MANAGEMENT 16 3.3 SPECIFIC RISKS RELATING TO REHABILITATION 17 3.3.1 Geology and Environmental Geochemistry 17 3.3.2 PAF Material Management 18 3.3.3 Spontaneous Combustion 18 3.3.4 Surface Water Management 18 3.3.5 Groundwater 19 3.3.6 Geotechnical Stability and Slope Management 19 3.3.7 Soil Type(s) and Suitability 20 3.3.8 Flora Management Measures 21 3.3.9 Fauna Management Measures 22 3.3.10 Other Risks 23 4 POST-MINING LAND USE AND REHABILITATION OBJECTIVES 26 4.1 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS / REHABILITATION OBJECTIVES 26 4.2 POST-MINING LAND USE GOALS 26 5 REHABILITATION PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT 28 5.1 DOMAIN SELECTION 28 5.2 DOMAIN REHABILITATION OBJECTIVES 28 5.2.1 Domain 1B – Infrastructure Areas (Woodland/Open Forest) 28

01007333 i Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

5.2.2 Domain 2A/2B – Water Management Area (Pasture/Scattered Trees or Woodland/Open Forest) 29 5.2.3 Domain 2C – Retained Water Infrastructure 29 5.2.4 Domain 3A/3B – Waste Emplacement (Pasture/Scattered Trees or Woodland/Open Forest) 30 5.2.5 Domain 4D – Open Cut Pit (Final Void/Water Storage) 30 5.2.6 Domain 5E – Offset Areas 31 5.3 REHABILITATION PHASES 31 6 PERFORMANCE INDICATORS AND COMPLETION CRITERIA 32 7 REHABILITATION IMPLEMENTATION 46 7.1 REHABILITATION STATUS AT MOP/RMP COMMENCEMENT 46 7.2 PROPOSED REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES DURING THE MOP/RMP TERM 46 7.2.1 Domain 1 – Infrastructure Area 48 7.2.2 Domain 2 – Water Management Area 48 7.2.3 Domain 3 – Waste Emplacement 49 7.2.4 Domain 4 – Open Pits/Final Voids 50 7.2.5 Domain 5 – Offset Area 50 7.3 SUMMARY OF REHABILITATION AREAS DURING THE MOP/RMP TERM 51 7.4 RELINQUISHMENT PHASE ACHIEVED DURING THE MOP/RMP TERM 52 8 MINE CLOSURE PLANNING PROGRAM 53 8.1 APPROVALS AND MINING LEASE RELINQUISHMENT STRATEGY 55 8.2 FINAL LANDFORM DESIGN 55 8.3 FINAL VOID 55 8.3.1 Refined Final Void Design 55 8.3.2 Final Void Water Balance 55 8.3.3 Final Void Water Quality 56 8.4 WATER MANAGEMENT 56 8.4.1 Site Water Balance 56 8.4.2 Coal Shaft Creek Reconstruction Plan 56 8.4.3 Retained Water Infrastructure 58 8.5 REHABILITATION RESOURCES 58 8.6 CONTAMINATED LAND ASSESSMENT 58 8.7 INFRASTRUCTURE REMOVAL AND SCHEDULING 59 8.8 MINE WATER DAM DECOMMISSIONING STRATEGY 60 8.9 BIODIVERITY OFFSET INTEGRATION 61 8.10 POST-CLOSURE MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM 62 8.11 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLANS 63 8.12 HUMAN RESOURCES STRATEGY 63 8.13 COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY 63 8.14 MINE CLOSURE CONSULTATION 64 9 REHABILITATION MONITORING 66 9.1 NATIVE VEGETATION REHABILITATION MONITORING 66 9.2 AGRICULTURAL REHABILITATION MONITORING 67 9.3 PAF MATERIAL MONITORING 68 9.4 OTHER MONITORING 68 9.5 RESEARCH AND REHABILITATION TRIALS 69

01007333 ii Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

10 INTERVENTION AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT 70 10.1 THREATS TO REHABILITATION 70 10.2 REHABILITATION TRIGGER ACTION RESPONSE PLAN 70 11 REPORTING 79 12 PLANS 80 13 REVIEW AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MOP/RMP 81 13.1 REVIEW 81 13.2 IMPLEMENTATION 81 14 REFERENCES 83

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 Key Consents, Leases, Licences and Permits Table 2 MOP/RMP Requirements Table 3 Major Asset Register Table 4 Indicative Coal and Material Production Schedule Table 5 Project Approval 08_0203 Rehabilitation Objectives Table 6 General Rehabilitation and Mine Closure Objectives for the DCM Table 7 DCM Primary and Secondary Domains Table 8 Summary of Rehabilitation Phases Proposed for Completion at the End of the MOP/RMP Term Table 9 Key Completion Criteria Table 10 Summary of Rehabilitation Objectives, Performance Indicators and Completion Criteria Table 11 Disturbance and Rehabilitation Progression during the MOP/RMP Term Table 12 Summary of Domains, Rehabilitation Phases and Areas at Commencement and Completion of MOP/RMP Term Table 13 Mine Closure Planning Program Components and Schedule Table 14 Retained Dam Design Configurations Table 15 Rehabilitation Trigger Action Response Plan Table 16 Site Management Relevant to Implementation of this MOP/RMP

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1 Duralie Coal Mine General Arrangement Figure 2 Coal Shaft Creek Reconstruction (Typical Sections)

01007333 iii Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

LIST OF PLANS

Plan 1A Regional Location Plan 1B Pre-Mining Environment – Natural Environment Plan 1C Pre-Mining Environment – Built Environment Plan 2 Rehabilitation Domains at Commencement of MOP/RMP Plan 3A Mining and Rehabilitation – 2020 Plan 3B Mining and Rehabilitation – 2021 Plan 4 Conceptual Post-Rehabilitation – Final Landform and Domains Plan 5A Conceptual Sections of the Gloucester Basin Post-Mining Plan 5B Cross Section of Final Voids Post-Mining

LIST OF PLATES

Plate 1: Landform Establishment – Bulk Shaping Plate 2: Landform Establishment – Bulk Shaping and Topsoil Spreading Plate 3: Growth Medium Development – Topsoil Spreading Plate 4: Ecosystem Establishment – Pasture Germination Plate 5: Ecosystem Establishment – Pasture Establishment Plate 6: Ecosystem Establishment – Native Vegetation Species Germination Plate 7: Ecosystem Establishment – Native Vegetation Species (2 years old) Plate 8: Ecosystem Establishment – Flowering Eucalypt Species (3 years old) Plate 9: Ecosystem Establishment – Flowering Acacia Species (3 years old) Plate 10: Ecosystem Establishment – Native Vegetation (3 years old) Plate 11: Ecosystem Establishment – Native Vegetation and Pasture (mixed ages) Plate 12: Ecosystem Sustainability – Native Vegetation (8 years old)

LIST OF ATTACHMENTS

Attachment 1 Duralie Coal Mine Project Approval (08_0203) Attachment 2 Relevant Mining Lease Condition Extracts

01007333 iv Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

1 INTRODUCTION

Duralie Coal Pty Ltd (DCPL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Yancoal Australia Limited, owns and operates the Duralie Coal Mine (DCM). The DCM is located approximately 10 kilometres (km) north of the village of Stroud and approximately 20 km south of Stratford in the Gloucester Valley in New South Wales (NSW) (Plan 1A). The DCM is situated adjacent to Mammy Johnsons River within the Karuah River Catchment, between the townships of Wards River and Stroud Road.

Development of the DCM is approved under Mining Lease (ML) 1427 and ML 1646 (Plan 1C) and NSW Project Approval (08_0203). Other key approvals, licences and permits for the DCM are described in Section 1.3.

This Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (MOP/RMP) has been prepared by DCPL in accordance with the requirements of the ML 1427 and ML 1646 conditions, Project Approval (08_0203) conditions and the ESG3: Mining Operations Plan (MOP) Guidelines, September 2013 (the MOP Guidelines) (Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services [DTIRIS], 2013).

This MOP/RMP describes the proposed operational mining activities and rehabilitation activities for the DCM for the period from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021 (the MOP/RMP term). This MOP/RMP also describes the assessments and activities that have been implemented as part of the DCM’s Mine Closure Planning Program (Section 8), which has been prepared in accordance with the requirements of a notice issued under section 240(1)(C) of the NSW Mining Act, 1992 by the Department of Planning and Environment on 28 September 2017. This MOP/RMP replaces the DCM MOP/RMP (1 January 2015 to 31 December 2019), including its approved Amendments A and B.

1.1 HISTORY OF OPERATIONS

Construction at the DCM commenced in June 2002 with mining production commencing in March 2003. The first coal railed to the Stratford Mining Complex (SMC) for processing was in March 2003. Open cut mining at the DCM has been conducted in the Clareval Open Pit and Weismantel Open Pit (Figure 1).

Run-of-mine (ROM) coal is railed to the SMC for processing, located some 20 km to the north of the DCM (Plan 1A), by a shuttle train. DCM coal rejects are managed at the SMC.

1.1.1 History of Approvals

NSW Project Approval

Development Consent for the DCM was originally granted by the NSW Minister for Urban Affairs and Planning in 1997.

The Duralie Extension Project (DEP) was approved (Project Approval 08_0203) by the Land and Environment Court of NSW in 2011. The Project Approval has since been modified on two occasions (in November 2012 and December 2014) under the former section 75W of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, 1979.

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LEGEND Source: © NSW Spatial Services (2019) Mining Lease Boundary Orthophoto: Yancoal (Flown May 2016)

Approximate Extent of Existing/Approved Surface Development , Existing/Approved Up-catchment Diversion System Existing/Approved First Flush Protocol Pump BackSystem

DURALIE COAL MINE MOP/RMP Duralie Coal Mine General Arrangement

Figure 1 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Commonwealth Approval

The Commonwealth approved the DEP under the Commonwealth Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act, 1999 (EPBC Act) on 2 December 2010. EPBC Approval 2010/5396 for the DCM has effect until 31 December 2020. A variation under section 145C of the EPBC Act will be sought during the MOP/RMP term to extend the expiry date of EPBC Approval 2010/5396 to align with end date for ‘mining operations’ prescribed by the NSW Project Approval (08_0203).

Mining Leases

ML 1427 was granted on 6 April 1998 and ML 1646 was granted on 4 January 2011. The locations of these MLs are shown on Plan 1C. Yancoal Australia Limited also holds the surrounding exploration licence, Authorisation 315 (Plan 1A).

The conditions of the above MLs relevant to rehabilitation and this MOP/RMP are provided in Attachment 2.

1.2 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THIS MOP/RMP

This MOP/RMP is relevant to the period between 1 January 2020 and 31 December 2021.

This MOP/RMP has been prepared in accordance with Condition 2 of ML 1427 and Condition 3 of ML 1646 (relevant to preparation of a MOP) and addresses the requirements for the DCM RMP provided within Condition 57 of Schedule 3 of Project Approval (08_0203). These requirements are outlined in Table 2 in Section 1.4, along with where they are addressed in this MOP/RMP.

Other conditions of Project Approval (08_0203) relevant to rehabilitation (i.e. Conditions 55 and 56 of Schedule 3 of Project Approval [08_0203]) are also addressed in this MOP/RMP. Condition 11 of EPBC Approval 2010/5396 requires DCPL to implement the DCM RMP (this MOP/RMP).

This MOP/RMP describes the proposed operational mining activities and rehabilitation activities for the DCM for the period from 1 January 2020 to 31 December 2021 (the MOP/RMP term). This MOP/RMP also describes the assessments and activities implemented as part of the DCM’s Mine Closure Planning Program (Section 8).

MOP/RMP Structure

In accordance with the MOP Guidelines, this MOP/RMP is structured as follows:

Section 1 Provides details of the DCM’s operational history, the purpose and scope of this MOP/RMP, the current Project Approval, authorisation and licences, the statutory requirements for this MOP/RMP, land use and land ownership details and describes the stakeholder consultation undertaken relevant to this MOP/RMP. Section 2 Provides details of the proposed activities at the DCM during the MOP/RMP term. Section 3 Outlines environmental and rehabilitation risks relevant to the DCM and the risk management measures. Section 4 Describes the post-mining land use goals and rehabilitation objectives for the DCM. Section 5 Presents the rehabilitation domains, objectives and phases. Section 6 Presents performance indicators and completion criteria for the rehabilitation domains. Section 7 Describes rehabilitation activities to be implemented during the MOP/RMP term.

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Section 8 Describes the Mine Closure Planning Program, including (but not limited to) a description of the technical and/or environmental assessments for the DCM final landform, and strategies for the decommissioning of mine water dams, infrastructure and human resourcing. Section 9 Describes rehabilitation monitoring for the MOP/RMP term and details of relevant rehabilitation research that has informed the DCM’s rehabilitation program. Section 10 Outlines the identified rehabilitation risks/threats and the intervention and adaptive management methods to mitigate these risks. Section 11 Outlines the reporting mechanisms relevant to implementation of this MOP/RMP. Section 12 Describes the content of the MOP Plans. Section 13 Outlines the protocol for reviewing and revising the MOP/RMP and the personnel responsible for monitoring, reviewing and implementing the MOP/RMP. Section 14 Lists the references cited in this MOP/RMP.

1.3 CURRENT CONSENTS, AUTHORISATIONS AND LICENSES

Details of the date of grant and duration of the Project Approval, authorisations and licenses issued by the relevant government agencies for the DCM are provided in Table 1.

Table 1 Key Consents, Leases, Licences and Permits

Instrument Relevant Authority Date of Grant Duration of Approval Project Approval (as Modified) NSW Department of Planning, 5/12/2014 The Applicant may carry out Industry and Environment (DPIE) mining operations on site until 31 December 2021. ML1646 Resources Regulator 4/1/2011 21 years. (within DPIE Environment, Energy and Science [EES] Group) ML1427 Resources Regulator 6/4/1998 21 years. A renewal application (within DPIE EES Group) for ML 1427 was lodged in April 2018 and is currently pending. AUTH 315 Resources Regulator 14/10/2013 28 November 2017. (within DPIE EES Group) Renewal lodged 27/11/2017 and is currently pending. Environment Protection NSW Environment Protection 4/9/2002 Until the licence is surrendered, Licence (EPL) 11701 Authority (EPA) suspended or revoked. The (within DPIE EES Group) licence is subject to review every three years. Commonwealth Approval Commonwealth Department of the 22/10/2010 31 December 2020. (EPBC 2010/5396) Environment and Energy Groundwater monitoring and DPIE Water Various Various. test bore licences Water Supply Works Approval DPIE Water 1/7/2004 1 October 2028. 20WA202053 (Coal Shaft Creek diversion and various on-site water management structures) Water Access Licence 41518 DPIE Water 22/09/2002 Until the licence is surrendered. (for extraction of groundwater from the DCM open pits)

In accordance with the MOP Guidelines, the Project Approval for the DCM is provided in Attachment 1. The DCM is a Level 1 mine as defined in the MOP Guidelines.

01007333 4 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

1.4 MOP/RMP REQUIREMENTS

Table 2 details the relevant conditions of ML 1646 and ML 1427 and Project Approval 08_0203 (as modified) which set out the requirements for this MOP/RMP, and provides the section where each condition has been addressed. Project Approval 08_0203 (as modified) also includes detailed rehabilitation objectives for the DCM final landform and requirements relating to post-mining land use. These objectives are outlined in Section 4.

Table 2 MOP/RMP Requirements

Condition Requirement Section Addressed ML 1646 Mining Operations Plan Condition 3 a) Mining operations must not be carried out otherwise than in This MOP/RMP accordance with a Mining Operations Plan (MOP) which has been approved by the Director-General. b) The MOP must: i. identify areas that will be disturbed by mining operations; Section 2.3 ii. detail the staging of specific mining operations; Section 2.3 iii. identify how the mine will be managed to allow mine closure; Section 8 iv. identify how mining operations will be carried out in order to Sections 3, 9 and 10 prevent and or minimise harm to the environment; v. reflect the conditions of approval under: Sections 1.3, 1.4 and 4.1 • the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979; • the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997; • and any other approvals relevant to the development including the conditions of this lease; and • have regard to any relevant guidelines adopted by the Section 1 Director-General. ML 1427 Mining Operations Plan (MOP) Condition 2 a) Mining operations, including mining purposes, must be conducted in This MOP/RMP accordance with a Mining Operations Plan (MOP) approved by the Director-General. The Plan together with environmental conditions of development consent and other approvals will form the basis for: i. ongoing mining operations and environmental management; and ii. ongoing monitoring of the project. b) The Plan must be prepared in accordance with the Director-General’s Section 1 guidelines current at the time of lodgement. c) The Plan must present a schedule of proposed mine development for Sections 1.2, 2.3 and MOP a period of up to seven (7) years and contain diagrams and Plans documentation which identify: i. area(s) proposed to be disturbed under the Plan; Section 2.3 ii. mining and rehabilitation method(s) to be used and their Sections 2.3, 5 and 7 sequence;

iii. existing and proposed surface infrastructure; Sections 2.2 and 2.3 iv. progressive rehabilitation schedules; Sections 2.3.9 and 7.2 v. areas of particular environmental sensitivity; Sections 1.5 and 3.2 vi. water management systems; Sections 2.3.8, 7.2.2 & 8.4 vii. proposed resource recovery; and Section 2.3.3 viii. handling and management of potential acid forming waste Sections 2.3.2, 2.3.6, 3.2.2 material, so as to control and prevent acid mine drainage. & 9.3

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Table 2 (continued) MOP/RMP Requirements

Condition Requirement Section Addressed Project Approval Rehabilitation Management Plan 08_0203 The Proponent shall prepare and implement a detailed Rehabilitation This MOP/RMP Schedule 3 Management Plan for the project to the satisfaction of the Secretary of Condition 57 DTIRIS. This plan must: a) be prepared in consultation with the Department, OEH, NOW, Council Section 1.6 and the CCC; b) be prepared in accordance with any relevant DRE guideline; Section 1 c) build, to the maximum extent practicable, on the other management Section 3.2 plans required under this approval; c1) address all aspects of mine closure and rehabilitation, including Sections 4, 5, 6, 8 and 9 post-mining land use domains, rehabilitation objectives, completion criteria and rehabilitation monitoring and management; d) provide for scientific knowledge gained during the rehabilitation, to be Sections 6 and 11 made publicly available; and e) be submitted to the Secretary of DTIRIS for approval within 3 months Section 13 of the date of this approval, unless otherwise agreed by the Secretary.

1.5 LAND OWNERSHIP AND LAND USE

The DCM is owned and operated by DCPL and is located approximately 10 km north of the village of Stroud and approximately 20 km south of Stratford in the Gloucester Valley in NSW (Plan 1A).

The existing MLs exist wholly within land owned by Yancoal (i.e. Freehold land) (Plan 1C). Dwellings within the MLs are not occupied.

The DCM is located within the MidCoast Local Government Area on land zoned under the Great Lakes Local Environmental Plan (2014) as Zone U2 (Rural Landscape).

Historic and current land use in the vicinity of the DCM is dominated by agricultural production (primarily grazing for beef production), mining and remnant vegetation generally located along ridgelines, watercourses and in isolated patches within the cleared landscape (Plan 1B).

A number of reserved areas are located in the vicinity of the DCM, including the Myall River State Forest (located approximately 5 km to the south-east), Monkerai Nature Reserve (located approximately 7 km to the south-west), the Glen Nature Reserve (located approximately 11 km to the north-east) and Ghin-doo-ee National Park (located approximately 11 km to the east).

Townships in the vicinity of the DCM site include Wards River and Stroud Road (Plan 1C).

1.6 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION

As required by Condition 57(a), Schedule 3 of Project Approval 08_0203, this MOP/RMP has been provided to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE) – Planning and Assessment Division, DPIE Environment, Energy and Science Group (EES) Group – Biodiversity & Conservation Division (BCD), DPIE Water, MidCoast Council (MCC) and the CCC for comment, prior to submission to the NSW Resources Regulator (within DPIE EES Group) for approval.

Ongoing consultation with the community and relevant stakeholders occurs via the CCC, Duralie Coal website, DCPL’s community hotline and response protocol.

The Resources Regulator will be consulted with as part of preparation of this MOP/RMP.

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2 PROPOSED ACTIVITIES

2.1 PROJECT DESCRIPTION

Mining operations at the DCM are approved until the end of 2021 in accordance with the Project Approval. “Mining operations” includes the removal of overburden and the extraction, processing, handling, storage and transportation of coal. The Project Approval then continues to be in force until DCPL rehabilitates the site in accordance with the conditions of the Project Approval and MLs.

A detailed description of the approved operations at the DCM is provided in Sections 2 and 3 of the 2014 Duralie Open Pit Modification Environmental Assessment (DCPL, 2014) (the 2014 Modification Environmental Assessment [EA]). In general, the approved DCM involves:

• open pit mining operations within the Clareval and Weismantel open pits in ML 1427 and ML 1646; • progressive backfilling of the open pits with waste rock as mining develops, and out-of-pit Waste Emplacement, to an elevation of approximately 135 metres Australian Height Datum (m AHD); • sized ROM coal rail transport movements on the North Coast Railway between the DCM and SMC; • disposal of excess water through irrigation within ML 1427 and ML 1646; • development of dewatering bores, pumps, dams, irrigation infrastructure and other water management equipment and structures; • use of supporting infrastructure and facilities; • ongoing exploration activities within existing exploration tenements; • establishment of a permanent Coal Shaft Creek Diversion alignment adjacent to the existing DCM mining area; and • ongoing monitoring and rehabilitation.

2.2 ASSET REGISTER

In accordance with the MOP Guidelines, an Asset Register is provided in Table 3 which lists the major assets relevant to each DCM primary domain at the commencement of the MOP/RMP term (Plan 2) and the proposed decommissioning activities for the listed assets.

Table 3 Major Asset Register

Proposed Primary Approximate Relevant Secondary Decommissioning Rehabilitation Major Assets Size (ha)1 Domain Activities During Domain MOP/RMP Term Domain 1 – 54 • coal handling plant; • woodland/open No decommissioning Infrastructure forest. activities are proposed • rail loading Area during the MOP/RMP infrastructure; term. • rail siding; • workshop; • fuel farm; • car park; • offices, muster areas and bathhouses; • go-line; and • explosives storage.

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Table 3 (Continued) Major Asset Register

Proposed Primary Approximate Relevant Secondary Decommissioning Rehabilitation Major Assets Size (ha)1 Domain Activities During Domain MOP/RMP Term Domain 2 – 63 • up-catchment diversions; • pasture area; Auxiliary Dam No.1 was Water dewatered and • Auxiliary Dam No. 1; • woodland/open Management decommissioned during forest; and Area • Auxiliary Dam No. 2; the previous MOP/RMP • Main Water Dam • retained water term. infrastructure. (MWD); Auxiliary Dam No.2 and • Coal Shaft Creek the MWD will be reduced diversion; in size during this MOP/RMP term (refer • irrigators; and Sections 2.3.8 and 8). • temporary water DCM irrigation systems management will be decommissioned infrastructure during the MOP/RMP (e.g. sediment control term. dams). Domain 3 – 231 • irrigators; • pasture area; and The irrigation system will Waste • evaporators; and • woodland/open be decommissioned Emplacements during the MOP/RMP • general waste forest. term. emplacement areas. Progressive rehabilitation of the Waste Emplacements will continue. Domain 4 – 53 • Weismantel Open Pit2; • final void/water Mining operations at the Open Cut Pits • Clareval Open Pit; and storage; Clareval open pit have ceased. • dewatering pump • pasture area; and systems and associated • woodland/open Dewatering pump and pipelines. forest. pipeline systems at the Clareval open pit to be decommissioned during MOP/RMP term. Progressive rehabilitation of the open pit/final voids will continue. Domain 5 – 692.53 - • Offset Area. NA Offset Area 1 Based on the maximum disturbance at the commencement of the MOP/RMP term. 2 Expected Mining Area of Weismantel open pit during MOP/RMP term approximately 13 ha. 3 82 ha occurs within ML 1427. ha = hectares.

Further detail regarding demolition and decommissioning activities is provided in Section 2.3.5 and Section 8.

2.3 ACTIVITIES OVER THE MOP TERM

2.3.1 Exploration

Exploration activities within Authorisation 315 to the north of the existing Weismantel open pit may be undertaken during the MOP/RMP term. Future exploration activities within Authorisation 315 are expected to focus around the SMC area. Other works will include studies and reviews of the existing data package and ongoing data management, review and interpretation to support future assessments.

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If undertaken, the exploration activities would likely occur within, and external to, the existing Weismantel open pit footprint and would be used to investigate aspects such as geological features, seam structure and coal/overburden characteristics as input to detailed mine planning studies.

2.3.2 Mining Operations

Throughout the MOP/RMP term, ROM coal will continue to be mined from the Weismantel open pit. ROM coal from the DCM will continue to be transported to the SMC Coal Handling and Preparation Plant to be blended and processed with ROM coal from the SMC. Mining of the Clareval open pit has been finalised and will not occur during the MOP/RMP term.

Waste rock (including overburden and interburden) mined during the development of the Weismantel open pit will continue to be placed within the existing Waste Emplacement. Waste rock will also continue to be used to partially backfill the Weismantel and Clareval open pits.

Throughout this MOP/RMP term, activities at the DCM will include progressive rehabilitation and implementation of water management infrastructure strategies for the DCM final landform.

Following cessation of mining operations, rehabilitation activities including supplementary earthworks (e.g. waste rock rehandling into the open pits, landform bulk shaping and soil placement) are expected to continue into the next MOP/RMP term.

Clareval Open Pit

Mining of the Clareval open pit has been finalised and the pit has been developed to a final depth of -81 m AHD. During the MOP/RMP term, activities at the Clareval open pit will include partial backfilling of the void with waste rock mined from the Weismantel open pit, and placement of potentially acid forming (PAF) material (from existing stockpiles on the Waste Emplacement) within the pit and capping with non-acid forming (NAF) material, in accordance with procedures in DCM’s PAF Material Management Plan (Section 3.3.2). Activities will also include ongoing rehabilitation of the southern extent of the Clareval open pit area including re-shaping to its final landform design (Plans 3A to 3B). Additional detail regarding the Clareval final void is discussed in Section 8.

Weismantel Open Pit

The Weismantel open pit will be active throughout the MOP/RMP term and will be developed up to approximately Relative Level (RL) -8 m deep.

After the cessation of mining of the Weismantel open pit (beyond this MOP/RMP term), the Weismantel open pit will be partially backfilled with PAF material (from existing stockpiles on the Waste Emplacement) and capped with NAF material in accordance with procedures in DCM’s PAF Material Management Plan (Section 3.3.2). Activities will also include ongoing rehabilitation of the southern extent of the Weismantel open pit area including re-shaping to its final landform design (Plans 3A to 3B). Additional detail regarding the Weismantel final void is discussed in Section 8.

As described in Section 8.2, mining of the Clareval open pit has not progressed to the depth described within the approved 2014 Modification EA, nor will mining of the Weismantel open pit occur to its approved final depth during the MOP/RMP term. As such, coal resources remain potentially available beyond this MOP/RMP term and the term of approved mining operations under the Project Approval (i.e. 31 December 2021). DCPL may consider seeking a modification to Project Approval (08_0203) to extend the term that mining operations may be carried out at the DCM.

01007333 9 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

2.3.3 Material Production Schedule during the MOP/RMP Term

An indicative coal and material production schedule for the MOP/RMP term is provided in Table 4.

Table 4 Indicative Coal and Material Production Schedule

Stripped Topsoil Overburden ROM Coal PAF Material Year (m3) (Bcm) (tonnes) Re-handle (Bcm) 2020 0 0 0 400,000 2021 0 520,686 158,481 0 Total 0 520,686 158,481 400,000 m3 = cubic metres. Bcm = bank cubic metres.

2.3.4 Implementation of Mine Closure Planning Program

The DCM Mine Closure Planning Program will continue to be implemented during the MOP/RMP term. A detailed description of the program is provided in Section 8.

2.3.5 Decommissioning and Demolition Activities

Given mining operations will continue to be undertaken during the MOP/RMP term, major DCM infrastructure/assets will remain active during the MOP/RMP term. Decommissioning of some water management infrastructure (e.g. Auxiliary Dam No. 1) will continue during the MOP/RMP term. Decommissioning of on-site irrigation system infrastructure will also commence during the MOP/RMP term. An infrastructure removal strategy has been prepared as part of the Mine Closure Planning Program and is provided in Section 8.7.

2.3.6 Waste Rock Management

Waste rock (including overburden and interburden) mined will continue to be used to in-fill the Weismantel void behind the advancing open cut, as well as being placed in the out-of-pit Waste Emplacement. PAF material management is described in Section 3.3.2.

During the MOP/RMP term, approximately 0.52 Mbcm of waste rock will be removed from the Weismantel open pit (Table 4).

The Waste Emplacement will continue to be active during the MOP/RMP term and will continue to be developed to its maximum final elevation of approximately 135 m AHD. Portions of the existing Waste Emplacement (southern extent) have been developed to the maximum final height of 135 m AHD.

The current status of rehabilitation of the Waste Emplacement at the commencement of the MOP term is described in Section 7.1.

2.3.7 Waste Management

All waste streams generated during the MOP/RMP term will be managed in accordance with the DCM Waste Management Plan (WMP).

Key waste streams (apart from waste rock) that will be generated during the MOP/RMP term comprise:

• recyclable and non-recyclable general wastes;

01007333 10 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

• sewage and effluent; and • other wastes from mining and workshop activities (e.g. waste oils, scrap metal and used tyres).

General waste minimisation principles (i.e. reduce, re-use and recycle) will continue to be applied at the DCM to minimise the quantity of wastes that require off-site disposal.

All general domestic waste (e.g. general solid [putrescibles] waste and general solid [non-putrescible] waste as defined in Waste Classification Guidelines Part 1: Classifying Waste [EPA, 2014]) and general recyclable products will continue to be collected by an appropriately licensed contractor. DCPL will maintain a register of regulated waste collected by the licensed waste contractor.

Waste tyres will continue to be stockpiled and disposed in the backfilled sections of pit voids. Tyres will be placed in discrete lots and buried with a minimum cover of 5 m, and avoid other combustible material. Records of buried locations and depths will continue to be recorded during the MOP/RMP term.

Scrap metal is collected by a scrap metal merchant for recycling.

Sewage and wastewater from ablution facilities on-site is collected and transferred via a sewerage system to the existing on-site sewage treatment plant.

Sewage is treated in the on-site sewage treatment plant (that consists of an aerobic treatment system) and is disposed of in a manner to the satisfaction of the EPA (i.e. EPL 11701) and the MCC.

Any waste generated from exploration activities (i.e. drill cuttings) will be disposed of in the mine voids. Any exploration drill cuttings that are considered to be PAF will be managed in accordance with the PAF material management techniques outlined in Section 3.3.2.

2.3.8 Water Management

Management of the site water management system will be conducted in accordance with the DCM Water Management Plan (WAMP) required by Project Approval 08_0203.

The water management system at the DCM comprises the following:

• water management storages; • diversion of runoff from catchment areas upslope of the mine disturbance area; • runoff control on disturbed and rehabilitated areas at the mine; • runoff control on infrastructure areas; • erosion and sedimentation control; • open pit dewatering; • disposal of excess water through on-site irrigation; and • sewage treatment and disposal of effluent.

DCPL operates the water management system such that water captured is used on-site (e.g. for dust suppression and irrigation of rehabilitation areas).

The WAMP will be revised during the MOP/RMP term to incorporate the outcomes and results from the studies undertaken for the Mine Closure Planning Program (Section 8).

01007333 11 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Water Management Storages

Water stored on-site includes groundwater inflows to the open pits and incident rainfall and runoff from mine disturbance areas at the DCM.

As mining of the Clareval open pit has ceased and the post-mining land use for the Clareval open pit will be a final void, water will be left to gradually fill the pit during the MOP/RMP term.

During the MOP/RMP term, water pumped from sumps in the Weismantel open pit will be preferentially transferred to the Clareval open cut. Mine water will also continue to be stored in the MWD and Auxiliary Dam No. 2. The MWD and Auxiliary Dam No. 2 will also be used to store water collected from selected sediment dams and runoff from the main infrastructure area.

Auxiliary Dam No. 1 was dewatered during the previous MOP/RMP term with water transferred to the MWD and Auxiliary Dam No. 2. Decommissioning activities for Auxiliary Dam No. 1 that will be undertaken during the MOP/RMP term are described in Section 8.8.

Up-catchment Runoff Control

Surface water runoff controls aim to prevent up-catchment runoff water from entering the open pit and waste emplacement areas. The main runoff water control structures at the DCM include the following:

• MWD and Auxiliary Dam Diversions located around the MWD and Auxiliary Dams intercept runoff from the catchments upstream of the dams and divert the up-catchment runoff water to Coal Shaft Creek and Mammy Johnsons River. The MWD diversion is a component of the irrigation first flush protocol and is discussed further below. • Coal Shaft Creek Diversion channel allows for the flow of up-catchment runoff reporting to Coal Shaft Creek to avoid the open pit, Waste Emplacement and infrastructure areas. • Eastern Diversion drain located along the ridgeline to the east of the Weismantel open pit to intercept runoff from the catchments upstream and divert the up-catchment runoff water to Mammy Johnsons River. • Permanent up-catchment diversions around the Clareval and Weismantel open pits. • A culvert beneath an internal haul road crossing Coal Shaft Creek.

Erosion and Sedimentation Control

Erosion and sedimentation control will be undertaken in accordance with the Erosion and Sediment Control Plan, a component of the WAMP.

The primary objectives of the erosion and sediment control at the DCM are to:

• minimise and control soil erosion and sediment generation in areas disturbed by ongoing mining and associated activities; and • minimise the potential for sediment generated from site activities to adversely affect the water quality of the Mammy Johnsons River or the Karuah River.

Open Pit Dewatering

The open pits are sinks for groundwater inflow, incident rainfall, infiltration through waste rock emplacements and rainfall runoff.

01007333 12 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Sumps are excavated in the floor of the active open pits as part of routine mining operations to facilitate efficient dewatering operations and to minimise interruption to mining.

Water removed from the open pits is initially transferred to out-of-pit water supply storages for use in dust suppression and controlled irrigation.

As described in Section 2.3.2, mining of the Clareval open pit has ceased, and water will be left to gradually fill the pit during the MOP/RMP term. Water pumped from sumps in the Weismantel open pit will be preferentially transferred to the Clareval void.

On-site Irrigation System

Irrigation management is undertaken in accordance with the Irrigation Management Plan, a component of the WAMP. An on-site irrigation system of pumps, piping and water distribution equipment is used to supply water from the MWD to the DCM irrigation areas, and comprises the following:

• electrically powered centrifugal pumps; • travelling irrigators; • fixed sprays; and • evaporators.

The five types of irrigation areas approved are:

• Type I – Irrigation areas located between the MWD diversions and the water storage inundation area of the MWD.

• Type II – Irrigation areas located upslope of the MWD diversions within ML 1427. • Type III – Irrigation areas located upslope of the northern extent of the Weismantel and Clareval open pits, including the upper reaches of Coal Shaft Creek. Type III irrigation has not been established to date.

• Type IV – Irrigation areas located on partially rehabilitated and rehabilitated areas of the Waste Emplacement.

• Type V – Irrigation areas located on inactive (but not yet topsoiled or rehabilitated) areas of the Waste Emplacement.

A mixture of pasture, woodland and cropping occurs within the irrigation areas.

Due to the cessation of mining of the Clareval open pit and the Clareval void becoming available as a water storage and given open cut dewatering is now preferentially transferred to the Clareval void (and not stored within the MWD), the demand for irrigation to reduce the total site water surplus has reduced. As such, all irrigation activities ceased during the previous MOP/RMP period. Implementation of the control measures in the Irrigation Management Plan will continue until the relevant assessments have been completed to confirm this can be ceased.

2.3.9 Progressive Rehabilitation and Completion

Rehabilitation at the DCM is undertaken progressively, behind the advancing open cut or once areas become available for rehabilitation, and aims to create a structurally stable landform capable of sustaining the agreed post-mining land use(s). Rehabilitation of the southern extent of the Waste Emplacement has commenced and is well progressed (Section 7.1).

01007333 13 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Progressive rehabilitation activities during the MOP/RMP term will focus on the waste emplacements and final void areas and will involve landform establishment works to re-shape the area to its final landform design.

A description of the status of DCM rehabilitation is provided in Section 7.1, with a detailed description of rehabilitation activities proposed during the MOP/RMP term provided in Section 7.2. Rehabilitation performance indicators and completion criteria developed for the DCM are outlined in Section 6.

2.3.10 Topsoil Management

No topsoil stripping will occur during the MOP/RMP term.

Existing topsoil stockpiles will continue to be maintained during the MOP/RMP term to maintain soil viability. Topsoil stockpiles are located along the edge of open cut pits and along the side of haul roads and Waste Emplacements.

01007333 14 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

3 ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES MANAGEMENT

3.1 ENVIRONMENTAL RISK ASSESSMENT

The DEP EA included an Environmental Risk Assessment (ERA) which identified environmental and rehabilitation risks relevant to the DCM (SP Solutions, 2009). The ERA was prepared in accordance with the Australian Standard/New Zealand Standard (AS/NZS) 4360:2004 Risk Management, Standards Australia Handbook 203:2006 Environmental Risk Management – Principles and Process and MDG1010 Risk Management Handbook for the Mining Industry (Department of Planning and Infrastructure [DPI], 1997).

An ERA workshop was conducted on 22 October 2009 to identify key issues for the DCM. The following issues were assigned a risk greater than low:

• Noise and blasting impacts exceed criteria at nearby receivers consistent with predictions. • Loss of flora and fauna habitat resulting from approved clearance of vegetation. • Dust emissions exceed criteria at nearby receivers in accordance with predictions. • Visual impacts on The Bucketts Way and nearby receivers to the north of the DCM.

The relevant environmental impacts relating to the above issues have been assessed in the DEP EA and the 2014 Modification EA. The relevant mitigation and management measures for these impacts have been described in the environmental management plans where necessary (Section 3.2).

A Mine Closure ERA (HMS Consultants Australia Pty. Ltd [HMS], 2017) for the DCM was undertaken on 22 November 2017 to review the 2009 ERA findings, to review and update the DCM Environmental Risk Register for the mine closure and rehabilitation stage of operations and to provide guidance for the Mine Closure Planning Program (Section 8). The risk assessment was undertaken in accordance with the AS/NZS ISO 31000:2009 Risk management – Principles and guidelines and the Yancoal Risk Assessment Standard Consequences Matrix.

Key risks identified at the DCM (i.e. risks of “Medium” risk level or higher) from the 2017 ERA specifically relating to mine closure and rehabilitation included (HMS, 2017):

• rehabilitation of PAF waste emplacements causing acid mine drainage contamination of surface and groundwater;

• surface water runoff causing detrimental effects on Mammy Johnsons River aquatic ecology;

• long-term contamination from mine water stored in mine water storages;

• failure to achieve biodiversity targets causing detrimental impacts on Coal Shaft Creek and Mammy Johnsons River aquatic ecology;

• geotechnical instability of rehabilitated waste emplacements and final void resulting in a detrimental environmental impact;

• failure of the final void to achieve a criteria of safe, stable and non-polluting;

• unplanned release of mine water during rehabilitation;

• poor quality runoff from rehabilitated areas reaching Mammy Johnsons River;

• rehabilitation of in-situ and exposed coal seams causing spontaneous combustion or acid mine drainage contamination of groundwater;

• odours emitted from site;

• rehabilitation activities disturb Aboriginal Heritage sites;

01007333 15 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

• failure to achieve biodiversity targets in rehabilitation areas;

• inability to complete rehabilitation to required standard due to insufficient materials (e.g. inert capping material, clay topsoil);

• unsustainable water balance during rehabilitation and mine closure;

• failure to meet rehabilitation runoff water quality criteria during rehabilitation and mine closure;

• infrastructure not suitably decommissioned; and

• erosion of final landforms, compromising establishment of vegetation and water quality.

For each of the key rehabilitation and mine closure risks identified, appropriate risk reduction strategies/actions were developed to adequately control the risk. This MOP/RMP addresses risks related to closure planning and the associated risk reduction strategies through incorporation of the Mine Closure Planning Program (Section 8). The findings of the 2017 ERA summarised above have informed the technical and environmental assessments required by the Mine Closure Planning Program outlined in Section 8. The technical and environmental assessments undertaken and strategies developed as part of the Mine Closure Planning Program have been incorporated into the trigger, action, response plan (TARP) provided in Table 15 in Section 10.

3.2 ENVIRONMENTAL RISK MANAGEMENT

A comprehensive environmental management system has been established at the DCM which includes implementation of environmental management commitments contained within a number of management plans, programs, studies, strategies and protocols which have been prepared in accordance with relevant approval conditions (and approved as required by regulatory agencies).

In addition to this MOP/RMP, the following environmental management plans and other documents have been prepared in accordance with the Project Approval Conditions to guide environmental management on-site:

• Environmental Management Strategy (EMS); • Noise Management Plan (NMP); • Blast Management Plan (BLMP); • Air Quality & Greenhouse Gas Management Plan (AQMP); • WAMP, including; − Site Water Balance (SWB); and − Surface Water Management Plan (SWMP), including; ▪ Irrigation Management Plan (IMP); and ▪ PAF Material Management Plan; • Groundwater Management Plan (GWMP); • Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP); • Giant Barred Frog Management Plan (GBFMP); • Heritage Management Plan (HMP); and • Waste Management Plan (WMP).

These plans are progressively updated with the latest version being available on the DCM website (http://www.duraliecoal.com.au).

01007333 16 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

During the MOP/RMP term, DCM environmental management plans will be reviewed and revised as necessary, in consultation with relevant regulatory agencies, where required. Any revision to these plans will be reported in the DCM Annual Review. During the MOP/RMP term revisions will be undertaken to specifically address the outcomes of the Mine Closure Planning Program (Section 8).

3.3 SPECIFIC RISKS RELATING TO REHABILITATION

The key risks to mine closure and the rehabilitation stage of the DCM, identified from the 2017 ERA, are listed in Section 3.1. The actions/measures undertaken to reduce/mitigate these risks are detailed in the TARP in Table 15 in Section 10 and have informed the technical and environmental assessments undertaken and strategies developed as part of the Mine Closure Planning Program, which is described in detail in Section 8.

The sub-sections below provide an overview of the risks relevant to rehabilitation at the DCM, in accordance with the requirements of the MOP Guidelines (DTIRIS, 2013).

3.3.1 Geology and Environmental Geochemistry

Description of Mine Geology

The coal resource at the DCM is located within the Permian aged Gloucester Basin in NSW.

The DCM is located in the southern closure of the main synclinal structure of the Gloucester Basin and is associated with the coal bearing strata of the Dewrang Group. The Dewrang Group comprises three main stratigraphic units, namely: Mammy Johnsons Formation; Weismantels Formation; and Duralie Road Formation.

The coal seams mined at the DCM include:

• the Weismantel Seams; • the Clareval Seams; and • the Cheerup Seams.

The underlying basement rocks are principally volcanics of Early Permian (i.e. Alum Mountain Volcanics) and Carboniferous age that were folded during formation of the Gloucester Basin. The Early Permian and Carboniferous volcanic rocks are typically erosion resistant and form the more prominent ridges to the east and west of the DCM.

Environmental Geochemistry

The Weismantel and Clareval Seams are mostly NAF, however, geochemical assessments have indicated the presence of PAF waste material above the Weismantel Seam and the Clareval Seam within the extent of the open pits.

An assessment of the geochemical characteristics of the waste rock material associated with the DCM is provided in the DEP Geochemical Assessment of Overburden and Floor Rock (Environmental Geochemistry International Pty Ltd, 2009).

01007333 17 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

3.3.2 PAF Material Management

A small percentage of the mined waste rock at the DCM is PAF and is managed by selective mining and management in accordance with the PAF Material Management Plan which is a component of the SWMP. PAF management at the DCM includes the following components:

• PAF material identification and separation procedures; • PAF material storage procedures; and • monitoring of surface water and groundwater to determine the effectiveness of PAF material controls.

PAF waste material is segregated and selectively handled. The location of PAF material is determined by geological modelling, informed by ongoing exploration activities and field sampling. PAF material is mined to the modelled PAF limits before placement in accordance with the PAF Material Management Plan. Confirmation of the thickness of the PAF band is periodically assessed by field sampling and laboratory analysis (utilising net acid generation testing).

Limestone is selectively placed on the open pit floor and PAF waste emplacement lifts/faces to minimise the release of acid rock drainage products. PAF material is stored in two distinct manners at the DCM, both in the out-of-pit Waste Emplacement and in-pit Waste Emplacement.

In the out-of-pit Waste Emplacements at the DCM, the PAF material is encapsulated within appropriately designed and constructed containment cells and capped with a clay capping layer.

For the in-pit Waste Emplacement, once PAF material has been placed within the designated PAF management area of the open pit (i.e. below the post-mining water table), a layer of NAF material is placed above the emplaced PAF material. Upon final placement of sufficient NAF material to construct the design profile for the given section of the emplacement area, shaping, drainage construction, topsoil placement and revegetation is undertaken.

3.3.3 Spontaneous Combustion

DCM has historically had minor spontaneous combustion events associated with coal stockpiles older than one year and in-pit coal heating (related to adjacent blasted reactive ground). Spontaneous combustion is managed by the Spontaneous Combustion Management Plan. The Spontaneous Combustion Management Plan outlines measures to control potentially spontaneously combustible material including monitoring, encapsulation and extinguishment.

3.3.4 Surface Water Management

The existing water management system at the DCM as described in the WAMP comprises the following (Section 2.3.8):

• water management storages; • diversion of runoff from catchment areas upslope of the mine disturbance area (i.e. upslope diversions); • runoff control structures and devices on disturbed and rehabilitated areas at the mine; • runoff control structures and devices on infrastructure areas; • procedures, structures and devices for the control of erosion and sedimentation movement; • open pit dewatering;

01007333 18 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

• procedures and equipment for the disposal of excess water through on-site irrigation; and • sewage treatment plant and a system for the disposal of effluent.

Water Management Plan

Water management at the DCM will continue to be undertaken in accordance with the WAMP.

The WAMP includes the SWB, SWMP (which includes the IMP and PAF Material Management Plan) and the GWMP and prescribes DCPL’s water monitoring requirements in accordance with the Project Approval and the DCM EPL.

The SWMP describes the operational water management system and provisions for review of the SWB, erosion and sediment control measures, surface water and groundwater monitoring and management. The SWMP also prescribes DCPL’s surface water quality monitoring program requirements in accordance with the Project Approval and EPL.

Water quality data from surface water quality monitoring points at the DCM are documented in the Annual Review, available on the DCM website.

Erosion and Sediment Control

Characteristics of soils at the DCM include high gully erosion and sheet erosion risk (Henderson, 2000). The water management and sediment control systems at the DCM have been successful in controlling potential erosion and sediment impacts based on on-site and downstream surface water monitoring.

Erosion and sediment control structures used at the DCM include:

• temporary upslope diversion drains; • downslope collection drains; • sediment dams; and • sediment dam spillway channels.

The design criteria for the sediment control structures are outlined in the WAMP.

3.3.5 Groundwater

The GWMP describes DCPL’s groundwater quality monitoring program requirements in accordance with the Project Approval and EPL.

Groundwater quality monitoring results are documented in the Annual Review available on the DCM website.

3.3.6 Geotechnical Stability and Slope Management

Geotechnical Stability

As part of the Mine Closure Planning Program, a Geotechnical Assessment of the Clareval final void has been undertaken by Pells Sullivan Meynink Pty Limited (2019) and a Stability Assessment of the DCM’s final landform is being undertaken by Hydro Engineering Consultants Pty Ltd (HEC) (2019) (Section 8). On completion of mining of the Weismantel open pit, a geotechnical assessment of the Weismantel void will be undertaken (beyond the term of this MOP/RMP).

01007333 19 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Slope Management

The outer batters of the waste emplacements will be constructed to a maximum gradient of approximately 1 Vertical (V):4 Horizontal (H) with lesser gradients designed where practicable.

Drainage on the outer waste emplacement batters will be facilitated via contour benches and drains with a longitudinal grade of 1 percent (%) flattening to 0.6%. No large rocks will be placed on waste emplacement slopes to minimise the potential of erosion downslope.

General rehabilitation principles will be applied to reduce the risk of erosion on rehabilitated batters (e.g. profiling free-draining landforms generally consistent with the surrounding topography).

3.3.7 Soil Type(s) and Suitability

Soil landscapes in the vicinity of the DCM have been broadly mapped by the Soil Conservation Service of NSW as described in the Soil Landscapes of the Dungog 1:100,000 Sheet (Henderson, 2000). Four key soil landscapes have been mapped in the DCM area, namely Wards River, Stroud Road, Gloucester Buckets and Gloucester River (landscape variant) soil landscapes (Gloucester Coal Ltd, 2010).

A soil sampling programme conducted by Veness & Associates (1996) for the DCM identified the following five soil mapping units based on geological formations:

• alluvial soils (restricted to lower Coal Shaft Creek – now removed); • fine grained sandstone (lower) and coarse and medium grained sandstone with minor conglomerate (associated with the Dewrang Group); • conglomerate with minor interbedded basalt and welded tuff, thin coals (associated with the Alum Mountain Volcanics); • basalt intermediate and acid lavas and pyroclastics (associated with the Alum Mountain Volcanics); and • undifferentiated Carboniferous sediments.

As described in Section 2.3.10, no soil stripping will occur during the MOP/RMP term.

The DCM’s existing soil stockpiles are managed to maximise long-term viability through implementation of the following practices:

• the surfaces of the completed stockpiles are left in a “rough” condition to help promote water infiltration and minimise erosion prior to vegetation establishment; • soil stockpiles have a maximum height of 3 m in order to limit the potential for anaerobic conditions to develop within the soil stockpile; • soil stockpiles have an embankment grade of approximately 1 V:4 H (to limit the potential for erosion of the outer pile face); • stockpiles will be sown with a stabilising cover crop once established; and • soil rejuvenation practices (e.g. fertiliser addition) are undertaken (if required) prior to re-spreading as part of rehabilitation works.

These management measures will continue to be implemented throughout the MOP/RMP term.

01007333 20 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

To ensure suitable and adequate topsoil resources are available for final rehabilitation, a site topsoil balance is undertaken annually and the volume compared to the total remaining disturbed area requiring rehabilitation. Annual reporting of the site soil balance and rehabilitation performance is provided in the DCM Annual Review.

3.3.8 Flora Management Measures

Vegetation Clearance and Seed Collection

A Vegetation Clearance Protocol has been developed for the DCM and is described in the BMP. Any land disturbance and vegetation clearance activities are undertaken in accordance with this Protocol.

Seed collection will be undertaken in accordance with the BMP and the seed collected (type and quantity) will be reported in the Annual Review.

Threatened Species

No threatened ecological communities listed under the NSW Biodiversity Conservation Act, 2016 (BC Act) or the Commonwealth EPBC Act have been recorded within the DCM area (FloraSearch, 2014).

FloraSearch and Ecobiological undertook a literature and database review in addition to targeted surveys to identify threatened flora species listed under the BC Act or EPBC Act which could potentially occur within the DCM area. No threatened flora species have been recorded in the DCM area or immediate surrounds (FloraSearch, 2014). No threatened flora populations listed under the BC Act or EPBC Act are relevant to the DCM (FloraSearch, 2014).

Management measures relevant to flora species will be undertaken in accordance with the BMP.

Weed Management

Weed management will be undertaken in accordance with the BMP. General weed management measures will include:

• minimisation of seed transport from the site during operations through the use of the DCM vehicle wash bay; • identification of weeds via regular site inspections and communication with landholders and regulatory authorities; • mechanical removal of identified weeds and/or the application of approved herbicides in authorised areas; and • specific control of priority weeds and weeds of concern.

Appropriately qualified persons will be engaged to undertake weed control. Follow-up site inspections will occur to determine the effectiveness of weed control. Weed management and monitoring results will be reported in the Annual Review.

The DCM rehabilitation monitoring programme (Section 9) also includes monitoring for the presence of weeds in the rehabilitation areas. Rehabilitation monitoring results are used to inform the requirement for weed control measures in the rehabilitation areas. The DCM’s soil stockpiles are also inspected for presence of weed species, and subject to weed control as required.

01007333 21 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Flora Habitat Management

Measures that will continue to be undertaken at the DCM to improve flora habitat within rehabilitated areas include:

• exclusion and management of cattle from rehabilitation areas and areas where existing vegetation is to be protected; • restriction of the use of light vehicles within revegetated areas; • environmental and priority weed management; • feral animal control; and • signs and demarcation of rehabilitation areas.

3.3.9 Fauna Management Measures

The potential impacts to fauna are currently managed through the implementation of measures included in the BMP and the GBFMP.

Threatened Species

Threatened fauna species listed under the BC Act and EPBC Act that may potentially be affected by the DCM are listed below (Australian Museum Consulting [AMC], 2014):

• Swift Parrot (Lathamus discolor);

• Brown Treecreeper (eastern subspecies) (Climacteris picumnus victoriae);

• Speckled Warbler (Chthonicola sagittata);

• Grey-crowned Babbler (eastern subspecies) (Pomatostomus temporalis temporalis);

• Brush-tailed Phascogale (Phascogale tapoatafa);

• Squirrel Glider (Petaurus norfolcensis);

• Eastern Bentwing-bat (Miniopterus orianae oceanensis);

• Eastern Freetail-bat (Micronomus norfolkensis); and

• Large-footed (or Southern) Myotis (Myotis macropus).

The DCM area provides limited habitat for migratory species. Four migratory birds have been recorded in the disturbance area and surrounds (i.e. the White-throated Needletail [Hirundapus caudacutus], Rainbow Bee-eater [Merops ornatus], Rufous Fantail [Rhipidura rufifrons] and Black-faced Monarch [Monarcha melanopsis]) (AMC, 2014).

Fauna Habitat Management

Fauna habitat management measures during vegetation clearance are describe in the BMP.

No land disturbance or vegetation clearance will be undertaken during the MOP/RMP term. As such, habitat management measures associated with vegetation clearance activities (e.g. salvage of habitat features and tree hollows) will not be implemented during the MOP/RMP term.

Habitat Enhancement and Nest Box Program

The existing nest box program is in place at the DCM to provide nesting habitat for birds, arboreal mammals, and bats and is documented in the BMP.

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The nest boxes will be monitored by suitably qualified personnel to observe fauna usage. A monitoring report will continue to be prepared annually that includes a summary of previous monitoring reports. The monitoring results will be reported in the Annual Review.

Management of Pest Animals

Management of pest animals at the DCM (including rehabilitation areas) is undertaken in accordance with the BMP.

Measures to control pest animals include:

1. Monitor the abundance of pest animals. 2. Identification of suitable control methods for target pest animals (e.g. trapping and/or baiting for European Rabbits [Oryctolagus cuniculus] and European Red Foxes [Vulpes vulpes]). 3. Implementation of the selected control methods on the target pest animals. 4. Re-monitor the abundance of pest animals to evaluate the effectiveness of the control methods. 5. Follow-up control where previous control has been sub-optimal.

Measures to control pest animals will be implemented by an appropriately qualified person. A summary of the pest animal management and monitoring results will be reported in the Annual Review.

3.3.10 Other Risks

Air Quality

Air quality management and monitoring at the DCM will be conducted in accordance with the AQMP.

The existing DCM dust monitoring network currently comprises:

• one Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance monitoring continuously (i.e. real-time monitor); • four High Volume Air Samplers; and • nine dust deposition gauges.

The AQMP prescribes DCPL’s air quality monitoring program requirements in accordance with the Project Approval and EPL. Air quality monitoring results are documented in the Annual Review and data is made available on the DCM website.

Greenhouse Gases

DCPL reports annual greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption from the DCM to the Federal government in accordance with the National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act, 2007 requirements.

Blasting

Potential impacts associated with blasting at the existing DCM are monitored and managed in accordance with the BLMP. Blast monitoring (ground vibration and overpressure) for every blast is conducted at four locations surrounding the DCM.

The BLMP prescribes DCPL’s blast monitoring program requirements, in accordance with the Project Approval and EPL. Blast monitoring results are documented in the Annual Review available on the DCM website.

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Noise

Noise management and monitoring at the DCM is conducted in accordance with the NMP. The noise monitoring program includes operator-attended monitoring at locations representative of privately-owned dwelling locations surrounding the DCM, unattended noise logging (including digital audio sample recordings), an on-site Automatic Weather Station and temperature inversion measurements.

The NMP prescribes DCPL’s noise monitoring program requirements, in accordance with the Project Approval and EPL. Noise monitoring results are documented in the Annual Review available on the DCM website.

Visual and Lighting

DCPL implements a number of measures to minimise visual and lighting impacts at the DCM, including:

• progressive rehabilitation of the waste rock emplacement; • the waste rock emplacement has been designed to produce a landform that integrates with the adjoining natural landform (i.e. Tombstone Hill) and incorporates relief to integrate with the surrounding natural landforms; • boundary vegetation has been retained along the eastern toe of the waste rock emplacement to provide a visual screen between users of the North Coast Railway and the DCM; • substantial fabricated infrastructure has been painted with a colour (“Rivergum”) that assists it to blend in with the adjoining landscape; • the placement, configuration and direction of lighting has been designed to reduce off-site nuisance effects of stray light; • all external lighting has been operated in accordance with Australian Standard 4282 (Int) 1995 – Control of Obtrusive Effects of Outdoor Lighting as required by Condition 49, Schedule 3 of Project Approval (08_0203); and • a visual screen has been constructed along an approximate 360 m section of The Bucketts Way in accordance with Condition 51, Schedule 3 of Project Approval (08_0203) to minimise views of the DCM and potential night lighting impacts along the section of The Bucketts Way identified in the DEP EA as having the greatest potential for unmitigated visual impact to occur.

Cultural Heritage

The HMP sets out the salvage, excavation, monitoring and management measures for archaeological sites and other Aboriginal objects located at the DCM, in accordance with the existing permits and consents. The HMP details the management of registered sites and other Aboriginal objects within the DCM area.

Contaminated Land

Prior to relinquishment of the DCM mining leases, a land contamination assessment will be conducted (Section 8.6).

Issues expected to be addressed by this assessment will include, but not be limited to, decontamination of areas such as those impacted by carbonaceous material (e.g. coal spillage, coal storage), by hydrocarbon spillage (e.g. workshops, fuel storage areas) or by sedimentation (e.g. dams which have directly received pit water).

01007333 24 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Bushfire

Management measures relevant to bushfire hazards are detailed in the BMP, including details on operational arrangement, on-site fire protection, hazard management and the implementation of fuel management strategies.

Hazardous Materials

Hydrocarbon storage facilities will continue to be operated in accordance with the requirements of AS 1940:2017 The Storage and Handling of Flammable and Combustible Liquids. All explosives at the DCM will continue to be stored in accordance with the requirements of AS 2187.1:1998 Explosives – Storage Transport and Use – Storage.

No chemicals or hazardous materials will be permitted on site unless accompanied by the appropriate Safety Data Sheet.

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4 POST-MINING LAND USE AND REHABILITATION OBJECTIVES

4.1 REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS / REHABILITATION OBJECTIVES

Project Approval Conditions

Condition 55 of Schedule 3 of the Project Approval specifies the DCM rehabilitation objectives which are reproduced in Table 5.

Table 5 Project Approval 08_0203 Rehabilitation Objectives

Feature Objective Mine site (as a whole of the Safe, stable & non-polluting, fit for the purpose of the intended post-mining land use(s). disturbed land and water) Surface Infrastructure To be decommissioned and removed, unless the Secretary agrees otherwise. Coal Shaft Creek Diversion Hydraulically and geomorphologically stable, with riparian vegetation that is the same or better than prior to mining. Landforms Final landforms sustain the intended land use for the post-mining domain(s). Final landforms are consistent with and complement the topography of the surrounding region to minimize the visual prominence of the final landforms in the postmining landscape. Final landforms incorporate design relief patterns and principles consistent with natural drainage. Other land affected by the Restore ecosystem function, including maintaining or establishing self-sustaining project eco-systems comprised of: • local native plant species; and • a landform consistent with the surrounding environment. Water quality Water retained on site is fit for the intended land use(s) for the post-mining domain(s). Water discharged from site is consistent with the baseline ecological, hydrological and geomorphic conditions of the creeks prior to mining disturbance. Water management is consistent with the regional catchment management strategy. Native flora and fauna Size, locations and species of native tree lots and corridors are established to sustain habitat and corridors biodiversity habitats. Species are selected that re-establishes and complements regional and local biodiversity. Final voids Safe, stable and non-polluting. Post-mining agricultural The land capability classification for the relevant nominated agricultural pursuit for each pursuits domain is established and self-sustaining within 5 years of land use establishment (first planting of vegetation). Community Minimise the adverse socio-economic effects associated with mine closure.

The Project Approval conditions relating to the “Final Voids”, “Coal Shaft Creek Diversion” and “Surface Infrastructure” (Table 5) are domain specific, while all other features relate to all Rehabilitation Domains.

Condition 57 of the Project Approval specifies the requirements for the RMP (Table 2 in Section 1.4):

Mining Lease Conditions

Rehabilitation requirements are prescribed in the conditions of ML 1427 and ML 1646. The relevant conditions for each ML are provided in Attachment 2.

4.2 POST-MINING LAND USE GOALS

The mine closure goal for the DCM is to achieve relinquishment to the satisfaction of the relevant Minister(s), meeting relevant ML and Project Approval conditions.

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Rehabilitation of mined lands will be considered suitable when the nominated standards and/or completion criteria (Section 6) have been met, or if the relevant Minister(s) otherwise accepts the rehabilitation status.

The post-mining land uses at the DCM include:

• pasture and scattered trees;

• woodland/open forest;

• retained water infrastructure;

• biodiversity offsets; and

• final void/water storage.

Table 6 describes the general rehabilitation and mine closure objectives for the DCM, consistent with Table 5-1 of the 2014 Modification EA. Plan 4 shows the proposed post-mining land use for each rehabilitation domain.

Table 6 General Rehabilitation and Mine Closure Objectives for the DCM

Short-term Medium-term Long-term Objectives Objectives Objectives • Minimisation of disturbance areas. • Creation of landforms which are • Creation of landforms which are geotechnically stable and visually geotechnically stable and visually • Conservation of sufficient soil consistent with the surrounding consistent with the surrounding resources for rehabilitation via environment. environment. appropriate soil management. • Minimisation of erosion through the • Creation of final land use of • Provision of sediment control design and construction of contour grazing and woodland habitat. measures. drainage and additional sediment • Reconstruction of Coal Shaft • Rapid stabilisation of newly control dams to align with final Creek using design principles constructed infrastructure by landform and drainage designs. which provide for long-term topsoiling, seeding and fertilising. • Appropriate selection of tree and stability including a stable • Appropriate waste rock pasture species for progressive vegetative covering. management including delineation rehabilitation. • Management of cattle through and controlled placement of rock • Encouragement of seed propagation fencing to allow controlled grazing wastes on the basis of acid forming through placement of topsoil, within particular rehabilitated potential. utilisation of soil ameliorants as areas. • Recovery and placement onto required (e.g. gypsum, lime), • Provision of access tracks for light rehabilitation, items suitable for seeding and fertilising. vehicles, tractors, etc. providing alternative habitat for • Evaluation of availability of topsoil displaced fauna (e.g. tree hollows). • Retention of water management resources for rehabilitation infrastructure for use as agreed • Progressive backfilling of the open completion by routinely calculating a with the relevant landholders. pit. soil balance. • Decommissioning of sediment • Direct placement of topsoil • Improvement of habitat in control structures if they are no resources where areas on the rehabilitated areas through noxious longer serving an ancillary waste rock emplacement are weed management, feral animal purpose (e.g. stock watering). available for topsoil application. control and restriction of cattle and vehicle access. • Gradual removal and • Management of access into decommissioning of redundant rehabilitated areas. • Revegetation monitoring with site infrastructure. remediation where monitoring indicates the need. • Maintenance of the quality of surface water runoff to • Harvesting of on-site seed bank appropriate standards. where available and practicable. • Revegetation monitoring with remediation where monitoring indicates the need. • Identification and remediation of contaminated soils in accordance with the requirements of the NSW Contaminated Land Management Act, 1997.

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5 REHABILITATION PLANNING AND MANAGEMENT

5.1 DOMAIN SELECTION

Consistent with contemporary rehabilitation guidelines and rehabilitation planning best practice, conceptual rehabilitation domains have been developed for the DCM. Based on the MOP Guidelines (DTIRIS, 2013), Table 7 outlines the DCM primary (operational) and secondary (post-mining land use) domains together with the codes that have been allocated for each domain.

Table 7 DCM Primary and Secondary Domains

Code Primary Domains Code Secondary Domains (Operational) (Post-Mining Land Use) 1 Infrastructure Area A Pasture/Scattered Trees 2 Water Management Area B Woodland/Open Forest 3 Waste Emplacement C Retained Water Infrastructure 4 Open Cut Pit D Final Void/Water Storage 5 Offset Area E Offset Area

In summary, the following conceptual rehabilitation domains have been developed for the DCM in accordance with the MOP Guidelines:

• Domain 1B – Infrastructure Area –Woodland/Open Forest; • Domain 2A/2B – Water Management Area – Pasture/Scattered Trees or Woodland/Open Forest; • Domain 2C – Retained Water Infrastructure (includes Coal Shaft Creek Diversion/Reconstruction Corridor); • Domain 3A/3B – Waste Emplacement – Pasture/Scattered Trees or Woodland/Open Forest; • Domain 4D – Open Cut Pit – Final Void/Water Storage; and • Domain 5E – Offset Areas.

Plan 2 shows the primary domains and secondary domains at the commencement of the MOP/RMP term (it should be noted that the ‘Expected Mining Area’ shown on Plan 2 is a component within the Open Cut Pit primary domain). Plan 4 provides a conceptual view of the DCM post-rehabilitation and the secondary domains.

5.2 DOMAIN REHABILITATION OBJECTIVES

Rehabilitation objectives have been developed for each domain based on relevant Project Approval and ML conditions and the rehabilitation and mine closure objectives are presented in Table 6. The domain rehabilitation completion criteria are outlined in Section 6.

5.2.1 Domain 1B – Infrastructure Areas (Woodland/Open Forest)

The infrastructure areas at the DCM comprise (Figure 1):

• main infrastructure area; • rail loading infrastructure and workshop; and • internal haul roads.

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Post-operations, the key rehabilitation objectives for the infrastructure areas are to:

• Decommission and remove all infrastructure, unless otherwise agreed by the determining authority (e.g. decommissioning of the rail siding). • If there are any contaminated soils associated with the site workshops or contaminated sediments in the return water dam, these will be identified and remediated in accordance with the requirements of the NSW Contaminated Land Management Act, 1997. • Deep rip areas as required and topsoil all areas. • Revegetate the domain to woodland/open forest.

Rail Loading Infrastructure and Workshop

If at the time of mine closure, the determining authority requires the decommissioning of the rail siding, DCPL will rehabilitate this area as follows:

• removal of line and signalling infrastructure; • identify any contaminated soils associated in the rail siding area and remediate in accordance with the requirements of the NSW Contaminated Land Management Act, 1997; • profile to a free-draining landform; and • revegetate the area to woodland/open forest.

Haul Roads

Consistent with the DEP EA and 2014 Modification EA, at the completion of mining the DCM haul roads will be decommissioned, reprofiled or removed where required, topsoiled and revegetated with woodland and open forest species unless otherwise agreed by the determining authority (e.g. retained for agricultural use).

5.2.2 Domain 2A/2B – Water Management Area (Pasture/Scattered Trees or Woodland/Open Forest)

Minor water management structures and sediment control dams will be decommissioned and rehabilitated, or retained as farm water dams in consultation with relevant regulatory authorities and landholders.

Sediment dams downstream of the waste rock emplacements will be maintained until the revegetated surface is stable and the runoff water quality is suitable for release off-site. The stability of the landform will be determined by rehabilitation monitoring (Sections 6 and 9).

5.2.3 Domain 2C – Retained Water Infrastructure

The following water structures will be retained for future agricultural use and environmental benefit1 (Plan 4):

• MWD; • Auxiliary Dam No. 2; • Coal Shaft Creek diversion/reconstruction; and

1 The retained water structures would be retained unless agreed otherwise with Resources Regulator, DPIE, NSW Dams Safety and relevant future landholders.

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• other water management structures.

The MWD and Auxiliary Dam No. 2 retained in the final landform would however, be reduced in size. A decommissioning strategy for the DCM mine water dams is provided in Section 8.8 and includes details of the final design for these dams. The dams would be dewatered (with water transferred to the final voids), decontaminated (e.g. sediments excavated and disposed off-site at a licenced facility) and new spillways constructed to the designed height. Existing diversions around the retained dams would be removed, once the dams have been re-configured, to facilitate clean water recharge of the dams. As such, future water quality of the dams is expected to reflect up-catchment water quality.

Coal Shaft Creek is required to be reconstructed following the completion of mining activities. The Coal Shaft Creek Reconstruction Plan is described in Section 8.4.2.

The rehabilitation objective for the retained water structures is to create safe, stable and non-polluting systems which retain water fit for post mining land use(s).

Up-catchment Diversions

A number of up-catchment diversions will be permanent structures that will remain post-mining. Up-catchment diversions which don’t provide a future beneficial use will be removed.

Other Water Management Structures

A number of permanent drop-down structures will be retained post-mining (e.g. on the batters of waste rock emplacements).

The drop-down structures will be designed so that they are safe and structurally stable and non-polluting in the long-term. The stability of the drop-down structures will be determined by qualified engineering design and geotechnical assessment (Section 6).

5.2.4 Domain 3A/3B – Waste Emplacement (Pasture/Scattered Trees or Woodland/Open Forest)

In general, rehabilitation of the Waste Emplacements involves reshaping of the waste material to maximise stability and reduce erosion, spreading of soil substrates where required, revegetation and ongoing monitoring and management.

The majority of the upper surface of the Waste Emplacement will be rehabilitated to endemic woodland/open forest species as shown on Plan 4.

Some of the upper areas of the Waste Emplacement will be revegetated to pasture with scattered trees as shown on Plan 4. These areas will target stocking rates between 1.5 to 4.0 dry sheep equivalents (DSE) per ha (Section 6).

The planned progression of rehabilitated areas from rehabilitation stage (e.g. landform establishment to ecosystem establishment) during the MOP/RMP term is shown on Plans 3A to 3B. Actual progression will, however, be determined by rehabilitation monitoring results (Section 9). A final landform cross-section is shown on Plan 5A.

5.2.5 Domain 4D – Open Cut Pit (Final Void/Water Storage)

The DCM final landform will include partially backfilled final voids located at the Weismantel pit and Clareval pit (Plan 4). The rehabilitation objectives for these final voids are to:

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• minimise the footprint of the final voids; • minimise the catchment area of the final voids; • provide a stable long-term structure; and • leave the void surrounds safe and secure (for humans and stray stock).

At the completion of mining, the final voids will be surrounded by areas of pasture and scattered trees, woodland/open forest and undisturbed land (Plan 4). Post-mining cross sections are shown on Plans 5A-5B.

5.2.6 Domain 5E – Offset Areas

The biodiversity offset strategy for the DCM involves conserving areas of land with existing conservation values and providing active management to maintain and enhance their values. The Offset Areas consist of two biodiversity offset areas (Plan 4). Within the biodiversity offset areas, existing native vegetation communities will be enhanced (approximately 299 ha) and cleared land will be revegetated (approximately 393.5 ha). The biodiversity offset area provides linkages of existing native vegetation to the DCM rehabilitation area.

The majority of the Offset Areas are located outside of the MLs (Plan 4).

5.3 REHABILITATION PHASES

A summary of the rehabilitation phases proposed for completion at the end of the MOP/RMP term is provided in Table 8.

Table 8 Summary of Rehabilitation Phases Proposed for Completion at the End of the MOP/RMP Term

Domain Water Infrastructure Waste Open Cut Pit Rehabilitation Phase Management Offset Areas Area Emplacement (Final Void) Area1 (1B) (3A/3B)2 (4D)3 (5E) (2A/2B/2C) Active Mining Area      Decommissioning ×    × Landform Establishment × ×   × Growth Medium × ×   × Development Ecosystem and Land Use ×     Establishment Ecosystem and Land Use × ×  ×  Sustainability Relinquished Lands × × × × × 1 Some water management structures will remain active during the MOP/RMP term, and other structures (e.g. Auxiliary Dam No.1) will be decommissioned and rehabilitated as described in Section 7.2.2. 2 Some areas of the Waste Emplacement will remain active during the MOP/RMP term, however other areas will continue to progress through the rehabilitation phases. 3 As described in Section 2.3.2, the Weismantel open pit will remain active during the MOP/RMP term and areas of the Clareval open pit will continue to be rehabilitated as described in Section 7.2.4.

Plans 3A to 3B show the planned progression of the rehabilitation areas (according to the rehabilitation phase) at the end of Years 1 and 2 of the MOP/RMP term. The proposed rehabilitation activities during the MOP/RMP term are described in Section 7.2.

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6 PERFORMANCE INDICATORS AND COMPLETION CRITERIA

The key completion criteria for the DCM (Table 9) are designed to address rehabilitation objectives (Tables 5 and 6) and incorporate outcomes from the assessment of woodland and pasture rehabilitation. Rehabilitation will need to achieve a standard which satisfies the Resources Regulator that DCPL has met rehabilitation undertakings provided in this MOP/RMP and rehabilitation bonds can be released.

Table 9 Key Completion Criteria

Component Key Completion Criteria Final Landforms • Safe, stable, adequately drained post-mining landforms consistent with the surrounding landscape as evidenced by comparative photography, water quality monitoring and geotechnical surveys. • Geomorphic stability of drainage features comparable to existing natural drainage features as evidenced by cross-section and long-section surveys and monitoring of erosion. Final Voids • Surface water inflows to the final voids minimised through appropriate land forming as evidenced by revision of the water balance based on final as-built mine landforms. • Final voids profiled for long-term stability as evidenced by geotechnical surveys of high walls and end walls. • Perimeter bunding formed. Rehabilitation and Revegetation • Woodland/riparian areas on trajectory towards self-sustaining ecosystem1 and/or Areas measures of ecosystem function (e.g. vegetation cover, landform stability, species diversity) equivalent to reference sites. Grazing Areas • Stocking rates of between 1.5 and 4.0 DSE per ha (average 2.8 DSE) in accordance with Beef Stocking Rates and Farm Size - Hunter Region (DPI, 2006) (Native unimproved pasture – moderate fertility [no seed or fertiliser added]) as evidenced by monitoring of grazing productivity. 1 As measured by Landscape Function Analysis (LFA) or a similar systems-based approach.

A summary of the rehabilitation objectives, performance indicators and completion criteria relevant to each rehabilitation domain is provided in Table 10.

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Table 10 Summary of Rehabilitation Objectives, Performance Indicators and Completion Criteria

Link to Progress at Objective Performance Indicator Completion Criteria Monitoring Method Justification/Source Complete TARP Start of MOP Rehabilitation Phase – Decommissioning Domain 1B – Infrastructure Area Infrastructure removal. Undertake consultation to Consultation complete. Ongoing consultation. DEP. No NA Not confirm any alternative use commenced Decision made regarding The Modification. for retained infrastructure post-mining use of retained (i.e. rail siding) post-mining. infrastructure. Relevant infrastructure Complete removal of relevant Visual monitoring. DEP. No NA Not removed (as agreed via infrastructure (as agreed via The Modification. commenced consultation). consultation). Identify any contaminated Contaminated soils Contaminated soils removed and Rehabilitation DEP. No NA Not soils associated within the identified and proposed remediation completed in monitoring commenced infrastructure areas and rail remediation measures accordance with requirements of (Section 9.1). siding and remediate in consistent with the NSW Contaminated Land accordance with the requirements of the NSW Management Act, 1997 (which requirements of the NSW Contaminated Land references soil quality criteria [e.g. Contaminated Land Management Act, 1997. pH]). Management Act, 1997. Domain 2A/2B – Water Management Area (Backfilled) Water management Undertake consultation to Consultation complete. Ongoing consultation. DEP. No NA Not infrastructure (i.e. pump confirm any alternative use Decision made regarding commenced and pipeline systems) will for water management post-mining use of retained be dismantled and removed infrastructure post-mining. infrastructure. from site and either sold or transferred to another Relevant water Complete removal of relevant Visual monitoring. DEP. No NA Not Yancoal site. management infrastructure infrastructure (as agreed via commenced dismantled and removed consultation). (as agreed via consultation). Auxiliary Dam No. 1 will be Decommissioning of Decommissioning of Auxiliary Visual monitoring. This MOP/RMP and No Yes Commenced dewatered (to the Clareval Auxiliary Dam No. 1 Dam No. 1 completed in Mine Water Dam void) and decommissioned undertaken as per Mine accordance with Mine Water Dam Decommissioning in accordance with Mine Water Dam Decommissioning Strategy Strategy (Section 8.8). Water Dam Decommissioning Strategy (Section 8.8). Decommissioning Strategy. (Section 8.8).

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Table 10 (Continued) Summary of Rehabilitation Objectives, Performance Indicators and Completion Criteria

Link to Progress at Objective Performance Indicator Completion Criteria Monitoring Method Justification/Source Complete TARP Start of MOP Rehabilitation Phase – Decommissioning (continued) Domain 2A/2B – Water Management Area (Backfilled) (continued) Sediment control dams will Sediment control dams Dewatering of sediment control Visual monitoring. The Modification. No NA Not be dewatered to either one dewatered. dams complete. commenced SWMP. of the final voids or transferred offsite for disposal at relevant facility. Any contaminated Contaminated sediments Contaminated sediments removed Rehabilitation DEP. No NA Not sediments in water identified and proposed and remediation completed in monitoring The Modification. commenced management structures will remediation measures accordance with requirements of (Section 9.1). be identified and consistent with the NSW Contaminated Land remediated in accordance requirements of the NSW Management Act, 1997 (which with the requirements of the Contaminated Land references soil quality criteria [e.g. NSW Contaminated Land Management Act, 1997. pH]). Management Act, 1997. Domain 2C – Retained Water Infrastructure Retained water The stability of retained Structures have been assessed as Erosion and sediment DEP. No NA Not infrastructure (i.e. water structures has been stable and safe determined by control monitoring. The Modification. commenced permanent diversions, assessed. periodic monitoring. Section 9.4 and the drains and water storages) SWMP. are stable and safe. MWD and Auxiliary Dam Decommissioning works The dams have been Suitably qualified Mine Closure No Yes Not No. 2 decommissioned for have been undertaken. decommissioned and engineer verification. Planning Program – commenced retention in final landform re-configured as non-prescribed Retained Water as non-prescribed dams. dams and verified by suitably Infrastructure qualified engineer in consultation (Section 8.4.3). with the Dams Safety NSW. Domain 3A/3B – Waste Emplacement No spontaneous Presence of spontaneous No areas of spontaneous Spontaneous Spontaneous No N/A Commenced combustion present in combustion. combustion identified. combustion Combustion waste emplacements. monitoring Management Plan. (Section 9.4). No indication of material pH levels recorded in Monitoring results show no Groundwater and Duralie Coal Mine No N/A Commenced acid generation in areas of surrounding unusual pH levels recorded in Surface water WMP. waste emplacement cells groundwater/surface water. surrounding surface/groundwater. monitoring containing PAF material. (Section 9.4).

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Table 10 (Continued) Summary of Rehabilitation Objectives, Performance Indicators and Completion Criteria

Link to Progress at Objective Performance Indicator Completion Criteria Monitoring Method Justification/Source Complete TARP Start of MOP Rehabilitation Phase – Decommissioning (continued) Domain 4D – Open Cut Pit (Final Void/Water Storage) Cease dewatering open cut Infrastructure dismantled Infrastructure removed. Visual monitoring. The Modification. No NA Commenced pits and remove all and removed. associated infrastructure. Domain 5E – Offset Area Offset Areas will be fenced Construct fencing around Construction of perimeter fencing Visual monitoring. The Modification. No NA Complete to restrict access and perimeter of offset areas. complete. exclude grazing during revegetation establishment/existing vegetation enhancement phase. The Offset Areas will be Undertake consultation with Consultation complete. Ongoing consultation. The Modification. No NA Complete protected in perpetuity. relevant regulatory Decision made regarding agencies and landholders to arrangement for protection of the confirm arrangement for offset areas. protection of the offset areas. Rehabilitation Phase – Landform Establishment Domain 1B – Infrastructure Area Profile the domain to a Free-draining landform. Safe, stable, adequately drained Surface water quality DEP. No NA Not free-draining landform post-mining landforms consistent monitoring and The Modification. commenced consistent with the with the surrounding landscape as erosion and sediment surrounding topography. evidenced by comparative control monitoring. photography, water quality Section 9.4 and the monitoring and geotechnical SWMP. Visual surveys. monitoring and topographic survey.

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Table 10 (Continued) Summary of Rehabilitation Objectives, Performance Indicators and Completion Criteria

Link to Progress at Objective Performance Indicator Completion Criteria Monitoring Method Justification/Source Complete TARP Start of MOP Rehabilitation Phase – Landform Establishment (continued) Domain 2A/2B – Water Management Area (Backfilled) Re-shape embankments Free-draining landform. Safe, stable, adequately drained Surface water quality DEP. No NA Commenced and reprofile the domain to post-mining landforms consistent monitoring and The Modification. a free-draining landform. with the surrounding landscape as erosion and sediment evidenced by comparative control monitoring. photography, water quality Section 9.4 and the monitoring and geotechnical SWMP. Visual surveys. monitoring and topographic survey. Domain 2C – Retained Water Infrastructure Create stable structures. Dams Safety Committee Structures constructed in N/A DEP. No NA Commenced Consulted. accordance with approved design. Engineered Slope design. Low longitudinal gradients Engineered Sizing design. (i.e. 0.5%). Design to convey 1:100 Average Recurrence Interval intensity rainfall event. Drainage channel which Channel profile. Safe, stable drainage channel Coal Shaft Creek SWMP. No NA Not generally replicates the Channel alignment. generally consistent with the Reconstruction Plan commenced original meandering surrounding landscape as (Section 8.4.2). geometry of Coal Shaft Bed slope. evidenced by geomorphic and SWMP. Creek. geotechnical surveys. Development of a low Bed permeability. Hydraulic assessment indicates Coal Shaft Creek SWMP. No NA Not permeability liner of the final Hydraulic assessment. the engineered low permeability Reconstruction Plan commenced Coal Shaft Creek liner has an acceptable level of (Section 8.4.2). alignment. permeability to restrict water SWMP. movement between Coal Shaft Creek and the Waste Emplacement. Construction of drop-down Free-draining landform. Safe, stable structure as Coal Shaft Creek SWMP. No NA Not structure(s) as part of the evidenced by qualified Reconstruction Plan commenced final Coal Shaft Creek engineering design and (Section 8.4.2). alignment. geotechnical assessment. SWMP.

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Table 10 (Continued) Summary of Rehabilitation Objectives, Performance Indicators and Completion Criteria

Link to Progress at Objective Performance Indicator Completion Criteria Monitoring Method Justification/Source Complete TARP Start of MOP Rehabilitation Phase – Landform Establishment (continued) Domain 3A/3B – Waste Emplacement Minimise long-term erosion Slope of landform. Waste emplacements constructed Visual monitoring and The Modification. No Yes Commenced on waste emplacements. in accordance with approved survey. Table 15 Free-draining landform. SWMP. design. Berm design. The gradient for waste Removal of large rocks. emplacement slopes will be Post-mining landforms designed at approximately consistent with the 1 V:4 H. surrounding landscape. Drainage on the outer emplacement batters is facilitated via contour benches and drains with a longitudinal grade of 1% flattening to 0.6%. No large rocks present on waste emplacement slopes that prevent the establishment of the final land use. Elevation of waste Elevation of landform. Waste emplacements constructed Visual monitoring and The Modification. No NA Commenced emplacements constructed in accordance with approved survey. in accordance with design. approved design. Domain 4D – Open Cut Pit (Final Void/Water Storage) Leave the void surrounds Geotechnical Report Highwalls constructed in SWMP. The Modification. No NA Commenced safe (for humans and stray completed by suitably accordance with approved design. Geotechnical stock) high walls stable. qualified person. – Geotechnical report concludes low assessment. risk of highwall failure. Minimise catchment of final Up-catchment diversion. Up-catchment diversions and SWMP. The Modification. No NA Commenced voids. Contour drains. contour drains constructed around Final void water final voids in accordance with balance and surface approved design. water monitoring. Restrict access. Bunding, fencing and/or Bunding, fencing and/or signage Visual monitoring. Previously approved No NA Not signage will be installed installed and access restricted. RMP. commenced around perimeter of final voids.

01007333 37 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Table 10 (Continued) Summary of Rehabilitation Objectives, Performance Indicators and Completion Criteria

Link to Progress at Objective Performance Indicator Completion Criteria Monitoring Method Justification/Source Complete TARP Start of MOP Rehabilitation Phase – Landform Establishment (continued) Domain 5E – Offset Area Enhance existing Determine requirement for Ripping complete (if necessary). Visual monitoring. BMP. No NA Commenced vegetation and establish ripping prior to revegetation new vegetation. planting/seeding.

Rehabilitation Phase – Growth Medium Development Domain 1B – Infrastructure Area Growth medium developed Topsoil depth. Approximately 100 millimetres Visual monitoring and The Modification. No Yes Not to sustain proposed post- (mm) to 150 mm topsoil. supervision of topsoil Table 15 commenced mining vegetation spreading. communities (e.g. woodland/open forest). Domain 2A/2B – Water Management Area (Backfilled) Growth medium developed Topsoil depth. Approximately 100 mm to 150 mm Visual monitoring and Successful No Yes Commenced to sustain proposed post- topsoil. supervision of topsoil rehabilitation Table 15 mining vegetation spreading. experience. communities (e.g. pasture Monitoring of and scattered trees or Landscape Function woodland/open forest). and Vegetation Structure of rehabilitation areas at the DCM. Domain 2C – Retained Water Infrastructure Growth medium established Topsoil depth. Approximately 100 mm to 150 mm Visual monitoring and Successful No Yes Commenced on relevant areas of topsoil. supervision of topsoil rehabilitation Table 15 retained water structures spreading. experience. (i.e. on embankments of Monitoring of retained dams and Landscape Function permanent Coal Shaft and Vegetation Creek alignment). Structure of rehabilitation areas at the DCM.

01007333 38 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Table 10 (Continued) Summary of Rehabilitation Objectives, Performance Indicators and Completion Criteria

Link to Progress at Objective Performance Indicator Completion Criteria Monitoring Method Justification/Source Complete TARP Start of MOP Rehabilitation Phase – Growth Medium Development (continued) Domain 3A/3B – Waste Emplacement Growth medium developed Topsoil depth. Approximately 100 mm to 150 mm Visual monitoring and Successful No Yes Commenced to sustain proposed post- topsoil. supervision of topsoil rehabilitation Table 15 mining vegetation spreading. experience. communities (e.g. pasture Monitoring of and scattered trees or Landscape Function woodland/open forest). and Vegetation Structure of rehabilitation areas at the DCM. Growth medium is Soil fertility test conducted Growth medium stable and Soil chemistry Previously approved No Yes Commenced structurally stable to to determine requirement prepared for planting. analysis. RMP. Table 15 minimise long-term erosion for soil treatments (e.g. potential. lime, gypsum, fertiliser). Slopes contour ripped as Monitoring of erosion Slopes contour ripped and low Visual monitoring. Previously approved No Yes Commenced required to minimise incidence. incidence of erosion on waste RMP. Erosion and sediment Table 15 erosion potential. emplacement slopes. control monitoring. Other measures described Section 9.4 and the in the MOP/RMP SWMP. implemented as necessary to control erosion. Domain 4D – Open Cut Pit (Final Void/Water Storage) Perimeter bunds will be Topsoil depth. Approximately 100 mm to 150 mm Visual monitoring and Successful No NA Not revegetated with endemic topsoil placed on perimeter bunds supervision of topsoil rehabilitation commenced woodland species upon to support revegetation. spreading. experience. completion of construction. Monitoring of Landscape Function and Vegetation Structure of rehabilitation areas at the DCM.

01007333 39 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Table 10 (Continued) Summary of Rehabilitation Objectives, Performance Indicators and Completion Criteria

Link to Progress at Objective Performance Indicator Completion Criteria Monitoring Method Justification/Source Complete TARP Start of MOP Rehabilitation Phase – Growth Medium Development (continued) Domain 5E – Offset Area Enhance existing Soil fertility test conducted Growth medium stable and Soil chemistry BMP. No NA Commenced vegetation and establish to determine requirement prepared for planting. analysis. new vegetation. for soil treatments (e.g. lime, gypsum, fertiliser).

Rehabilitation Phase – Ecosystem and Land Use Establishment Domain 1B – Infrastructure Area The domain will be LFA Soil surface Suitable EFA reference site EFA (Section 9.1). EFA. No Yes Not revegetated to assessment indices. selected. The Modification. Table 15 commenced woodland/open forest trees Ecosystem Function EFA results indicate that via seed and/or tubestock Analysis (EFA) Vegetation vegetation is developing similar to (if required). dynamics. that found in the relevant reference site based on measurement of stability, infiltration and nutrient cycle by a suitably qualified expert. Domain 2A – Water Management Area (Backfilled) The domain will be LFA Soil surface LFA results indicate that the EFA (Section 9.1). EFA. No NA Not revegetated to pasture, with assessment indices. pasture is developing similar to The Modification. commenced scattered endemic trees via that found in the relevant

seed and/or tubestock (if reference site. required). Domain 2B – Water Management Area (Backfilled) The domain will be LFA Soil surface Suitable EFA reference site EFA (Section 9.1). EFA. No NA Not revegetated to assessment indices. selected. The Modification. commenced woodland/open forest trees EFA Vegetation dynamics. EFA results indicate that via seed and/or tubestock vegetation is developing similar to (if required). that found in the relevant reference site based on measurement of stability, infiltration and nutrient cycle by a suitably qualified expert.

01007333 40 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Table 10 (Continued) Summary of Rehabilitation Objectives, Performance Indicators and Completion Criteria

Link to Progress at Objective Performance Indicator Completion Criteria Monitoring Method Justification/Source Complete TARP Start of MOP Rehabilitation Phase – Ecosystem and Land Use Establishment (continued) Domain 2C – Retained Water Infrastructure Retained water structures Internal geotechnical During mine closure phase, Geotechnical analysis The Modification. No NA Commenced are operating effectively. assessment. internal geotechnical assessment undertaken as part of confirms that retained water Stability Assessment structures are stable and effective. (Section 8.2). Some sediment control Undertake consultation with Arrangements confirmed for long- Ongoing consultation. The Modification. No NA Not dams may be retained as relevant local landholders term use of retained sediment commenced SWMP. farm dams where agreed in and regulatory agencies control dams and any other dam consultation with relevant regarding long-term use of retained for future agricultural use. regulatory agencies and sediment control dams. landholders. Vegetate banks of final LFA indices. Suitable LFA reference site EFA (Section 9.1). SWMP. No NA Not Coal Shaft Creek alignment selected. Coal Shaft Creek commenced with riverine vegetation. LFA results indicate that Reconstruction Plan. vegetation is developing similar to that found in the relevant reference site based on measurement of stability, infiltration and nutrient cycle by a suitably qualified expert. Former MWD and Auxiliary Internal geotechnical During mine closure phase, Geotechnical analysis The Modification No NA Not Dam No. 2 operating assessment. internal geotechnical assessment undertaken as part of commenced effectively. confirms that dam structures are Stability Assessment stable and effective. (Section 8.2). Domain 3A – Waste Emplacement Waste emplacement areas LFA Soil surface Suitable LFA reference site EFA (Section 9.1). Successful No Yes Commenced will be revegetated with assessment indices. selected. rehabilitation Table 15 pasture, with scattered LFA results indicate that the experience. endemic woodland/open pasture is developing similar to Monitoring of forest trees via seed and/or that found in the relevant Landscape Function tubestock (if required). reference site based on and Vegetation measurement of stability, Structure of infiltration and nutrient cycle by a rehabilitation areas at suitably qualified expert. the DCM.

01007333 41 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Table 10 (Continued) Summary of Rehabilitation Objectives, Performance Indicators and Completion Criteria

Link to Progress at Objective Performance Indicator Completion Criteria Monitoring Method Justification/Source Complete TARP Start of MOP Rehabilitation Phase – Ecosystem and Land Use Establishment (continued) Domain 3B – Waste Emplacement Waste emplacement areas LFA Soil surface Suitable EFA reference site EFA (Section 9.1). Successful No Yes Commenced will be revegetated with assessment indices. selected. rehabilitation Table 15 woodland/open forest trees EFA Vegetation dynamics. EFA results indicate that experience. via seed and/or tubestock vegetation is developing similar to Monitoring of (if required). that found in the relevant Landscape Function reference site based on and Vegetation measurement of stability, Structure of infiltration and nutrient cycle by a rehabilitation areas at suitably qualified expert. the DCM. Domain 4D – Open Cut Pit (Final Void/Water Storage) Safe, stable and non- Internal geotechnical and During mine closure phase, Geotechnical analysis DEP. No NA Commenced polluting. water quality assessment. internal geotechnical and water undertaken as part of The Modification. quality assessments confirm that Stability Assessment final voids are safe, stable and (Section 8.2). non-polluting. SWMP. Domain 5E – Offset Area Enhance existing Monitoring of vegetation Monitoring indicates vegetation is EFA (Section 9.1). BMP. No NA Commenced vegetation and establish establishment and maturing and developing The Modification. new vegetation in enhancement in characteristics similar to that accordance with the BMP. accordance with the BMP. found in the relevant reference site. Rehabilitation Phase – Ecosystem and Land Use Sustainability Domain 1B – Infrastructure Area (Woodland/Open Forest) Woodland/open forest LFA Soil surface EFA results indicate EFA (Section 9.1). DEP. No NA Not areas are self-sustaining assessment indices. woodland/open forest areas on The Modification. commenced and on a path towards trajectory towards self-sustaining EFA Vegetation dynamics. obtaining comparable flora ecosystem and/or measures of values with unmined control ecosystem function (e.g. sites of remnant vegetation. vegetation cover, landform stability, species diversity) equivalent to unmined control sites of remnant vegetation.

01007333 42 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Table 10 (Continued) Summary of Rehabilitation Objectives, Performance Indicators and Completion Criteria

Link to Progress at Objective Performance Indicator Completion Criteria Monitoring Method Justification/Source Complete TARP Start of MOP Rehabilitation Phase – Ecosystem and Land Use Sustainability (continued) Domain 1B – Infrastructure Area (Woodland/Open Forest) (continued) Runoff from rehabilitated Water quality monitoring Median water quality for 24 Water quality SWMP. No NA Not areas is suitable for results. months of data is within 10% of monitoring. commenced discharge off-site. the median values of control catchments2 and 25% of the 80th percentile for electrical conductivity (EC), pH and total suspended solids (TSS) and 25% of the 20th percentile for pH. Domain 2A – Water Management Area (Backfilled) (Pasture/Scattered Trees) Areas of pasture, with LFA Soil surface LFA results indicate the pasture EFA (Section 9.1). The Modification. No NA Not scattered endemic trees, assessment indices. areas are on a trajectory towards commenced are suitable for grazing. self-sustaining ecosystems based on measurement of stability, infiltration and nutrient cycle by a suitably qualified expert. Stocking rates between 1.5 and 4.0 DSE per ha. Domain 2B – Water Management Area (Backfilled) (Woodland/Open Forest) Woodland/open forest LFA Soil surface EFA results indicate EFA (Section 9.1). The Modification. No NA Not areas are self-sustaining assessment indices. woodland/open forest areas on commenced and on a path towards trajectory towards self-sustaining EFA Vegetation dynamics. obtaining comparable flora ecosystem and/or measures of values with unmined control ecosystem function (e.g. sites of remnant vegetation. vegetation cover, landform stability, species diversity) equivalent to unmined control sites of remnant vegetation.

2 Control catchments under consideration include Coal Shaft Creek (pre-mine and post-mine up-catchment of the DCM), Avondale Creek (pre-mine and post-mine up-catchment of SMC) and/or other adjacent catchments subject to availability of data (e.g. tributaries east of Mammy Johnsons River, Chainy Flat Creek and Coal Creek).

01007333 43 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Table 10 (Continued) Summary of Rehabilitation Objectives, Performance Indicators and Completion Criteria

Link to Progress at Objective Performance Indicator Completion Criteria Monitoring Method Justification/Source Complete TARP Start of MOP Rehabilitation Phase – Ecosystem and Land Use Sustainability (continued) Domain 2A/2B – Water Management Area Runoff from rehabilitated Water quality monitoring Median water quality for 24 Water quality SWMP. No NA Not areas is suitable for results. months of data is within 10% of monitoring. commenced discharge off-site. the median values of control catchments2 and 25% of the 80th percentile for EC, pH and TSS and 25% of the 20th percentile for pH. Domain 2C – Retained Water Infrastructure Safe, stable and non- Regulatory (e.g. DPIE, At mine closure, relevant Ongoing consultation. SWMP. No NA Not polluting. Resources Regulator) regulatory agencies (e.g. DPIE, commenced assessment at mine Resources Regulator) confirm that closure. retained water structures are safe, stable and non-polluting. Domain 3A – Waste Emplacement (Pasture/Scattered Trees) Areas of pasture, with LFA Soil surface LFA results indicate the pasture EFA (Section 9.1). The Modification. No Yes Commenced scattered endemic trees, assessment indices. areas are on a trajectory towards Table 15 are suitable for grazing. self-sustaining ecosystems based

on measurement of stability, infiltration and nutrient cycle by a suitably qualified expert. Stocking rates between 1.5 and 4.0 DSE per ha. Domain 3B – Waste Emplacement (Woodland/Open Forest) Woodland/open forest LFA Soil surface EFA results indicate EFA (Section 9.1). The Modification. No Yes Commenced areas are self-sustaining assessment indices. woodland/open forest areas on Table 15 and on a path towards trajectory towards self-sustaining EFA Vegetation dynamics. obtaining comparable flora ecosystem and/or measures of values with unmined control ecosystem function (e.g. sites of remnant vegetation. vegetation cover, landform stability, species diversity) equivalent to unmined control sites of remnant vegetation.

01007333 44 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Table 10 (Continued) Summary of Rehabilitation Objectives, Performance Indicators and Completion Criteria

Link to Progress at Objective Performance Indicator Completion Criteria Monitoring Method Justification/Source Complete TARP Start of MOP Rehabilitation Phase – Ecosystem and Land Use Sustainability (continued) Domain 3A/B – Waste Emplacement Runoff from rehabilitated Water quality monitoring Median water quality for 24 Water quality SWMP. No NA Not areas is suitable for results. months of data is within 10% of monitoring. commenced discharge off-site. the median values of control catchments2 and 25% of the 80th percentile for EC, pH and TSS and 25% of the 20th percentile for pH. Domain 4D – Open Cut Pit (Final Void/Water Storage) Safe, stable and non- Regulatory (e.g. DPIE, At mine closure, relevant Ongoing consultation. DEP. No NA Not polluting. Resources Regulator) regulatory agencies (e.g. DPIE, The Modification. commenced assessment at mine Resources Regulator) confirm that closure. final voids are safe, stable and non-polluting. Domain 5E – Offset Area Enhance existing Long-term land tenure Areas of existing remnant Spatial data The Modification. No NA Commenced vegetation and establish security mechanism in vegetation within the Offset areas monitoring. new vegetation. place. (299 ha) have been conserved EFA indices. and enhanced. 393.5 ha of revegetated land on a EFA (Section 9.1). The Modification. No NA Commenced trajectory to a self-sustaining ecosystem. Flora assessment of offset Native vegetation has been Spatial data The Modification. No NA Commenced areas and DCM established which directly links monitoring. rehabilitation areas. vegetation areas of the Offset areas with the Rehabilitation area.

01007333 45 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

7 REHABILITATION IMPLEMENTATION

7.1 REHABILITATION STATUS AT MOP/RMP COMMENCEMENT

DCPL has successfully undertaken rehabilitation activities at the DCM over approximately 158 ha of the Waste Emplacement (i.e. shaped, covered with topsoil and revegetated). The southern section of the waste rock emplacement has been completed and progressive rehabilitation will continue to advance to the north. The rehabilitation areas will continue to be monitored during the MOP/RMP term. Rehabilitation progress is reported in the DCM Annual Review.

Rehabilitation works on the southern sections of the Waste Emplacement have been effectively completed. Endemic woodland shrubs and trees have been successfully established across these sections of the Waste Emplacement. The Waste Emplacement has been constructed with an overall outer batter slope of approximately 1V:4H. Following the development of drainage structures, the waste rock has been covered with 100 to 150 mm of topsoil. Following topsoil placement, site preparation works have included shallow ploughing along contours, depending on the vegetation type to be established.

Approximately 55 ha of the Waste Emplacement has been rehabilitated with pasture species. Pasture rehabilitation is generally confined to flatter sections of the Waste Emplacement, whilst endemic woodland areas are planted on the slopes and batters.

Rehabilitation works to the north of the 132 kilovolt powerline corridor have been undertaken with a combination of endemic woodland and pasture areas.

Plates 1 to 12 provide examples of the progression of rehabilitation phases and successful rehabilitation undertaken at the Waste Emplacement.

7.2 PROPOSED REHABILITATION ACTIVITIES DURING THE MOP/RMP TERM

Rehabilitation activities over the MOP/RMP term will focus on the Clareval void area. The Weismantel open pit, infrastructure areas and northern extent of the Waste Emplacement will remain active during the MOP/RMP term. The rehabilitated areas of the Waste Emplacement will continue to be maintained and monitored during the MOP/RMP term. No additional disturbance within the approved surface development footprint is proposed during the MOP/RMP term.

In accordance with the MOP Guidelines, Table 11 provides a summary of the proposed rehabilitation activities for the MOP/RMP term.

Table 11 Disturbance and Rehabilitation Progression during the MOP/RMP Term

Total Total Cumulative Year Disturbance Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Comments/Explanation Area (ha)1 Area (ha)2 Area (ha)2 Start of MOP/RMP 406 NA 184 Refer to Section 7.1. term (1 January 2020) End of Year 1 406 22 206 • Approximately 22 ha of Clareval final (31 December 2020) void area will be bulk shaped to final landform design. • Auxiliary Dam No. 2 will be dewatered to size of dam to be retained in final landform (Section 8.4.3).

01007333 46 Plate 1: Landform Establishment – Bulk Shaping Plate 2: Landform Establishment – Bulk Shaping and Topsoil Spreading

Plate 3: Growth Medium Development – Topsoil Spreading Plate 4: Ecosystem Establishment – Pasture Germination

YAN-19-22_D 2020 MOP_007A Source: DCPL (2019)

DURALIE COAL MINE MOP/RMP Duralie Coal Mine Waste Emplacement Rehabilitation

Plates 1-4 Plate 5: Ecosystem Establishment – Pasture Establishment Plate 6: Ecosystem Establishment – Native Vegetation Species Germination

Plate 7: Ecosystem Establishment – Native Vegetation Species (2 years old) Plate 8: Ecosystem Establishment – Flowering Eucalypt Species (3 years old)

YAN-19-22_D 2020 MOP_008A Source: DCPL (2019)

DURALIE COAL MINE MOP/RMP Duralie Coal Mine Waste Emplacement Rehabilitation

Plates 5-8 Plate 9: Ecosystem Establishment – Flowering Acacia Species (3 years old) Plate 10: Ecosystem Establishment – Native Vegetation (3 years old)

Plate 11: Ecosystem Establishment – Native Vegetation and Pasture (mixed ages) Plate 12: Ecosystem Sustainability – Native Vegetation (8 years old)

YAN-19-22_D 2020 MOP_009A Source: DCPL (2019)

DURALIE COAL MINE MOP/RMP Duralie Coal Mine Waste Emplacement Rehabilitation

Plates 9-12 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Table 11 (continued) Disturbance and Rehabilitation Progression during the MOP/RMP Term

Total Total Cumulative Year Disturbance Rehabilitation Rehabilitation Comments/Explanation Area (ha)1 Area (ha)2 Area (ha)2 End of Year 2 406 22 206 • Approximately 22 ha of Clareval final (31 December 2021) void area will be topsoiled and seeded/planted with endemic plant species. 1 Total disturbance area includes areas of land which are in the Active phase. 2 Total Rehabilitation Area includes areas of land which are in the Landform Establishment and Growth Medium Development, Ecosystem and Land Use Establishment, and Ecosystem and Land Use Sustainability phases.

The sub-sections below provide a description of the rehabilitation activities over the MOP/RMP term.

7.2.1 Domain 1 – Infrastructure Area

The infrastructure areas are currently active. No decommissioning or rehabilitation activities will occur during the MOP/RMP term.

The existing infrastructure and services at the DCM will continue to be utilised throughout the life of the DCM until commencement of the infrastructure removal strategy (Section 8.7).

During the decommissioning phase, the priority will be to dismantle fixed equipment and infrastructure for removal from site and re-use at another location or recycling. Non-salvageable/non-recyclable and non-contaminated infrastructure will be disposed of at suitable off-site disposal areas (or on-site subject to relevant approvals being obtained). Once all the equipment and infrastructure components have been removed from an area, it will be deep-ripped, topsoiled and seeded.

Some concrete hardstands, administration and ablution buildings, site access roads, sheds, buildings and sediment dams may be retained for alternate post-mining uses. Electricity transmission infrastructure will be retained for future use by landholders unless it is no longer required, in which case it will be decommissioned and removed. The rail siding may also be retained for future infrastructure use if required by relevant stakeholders and if appropriate approvals are obtained.

It is anticipated that some of the internal roads will be retained for use by landholders following the cessation of mining, although this will be subject to consultation with relevant landholders during closure planning.

7.2.2 Domain 2 – Water Management Area

Auxiliary Dam 1 has been dewatered prior to the MOP/RMP term. Auxiliary Dam 1 will be decommissioned during the MOP/RMP term and further information is provided in Section 8.8.

In consultation with the regulatory authorities and the community, and considering the Karuah River Catchment Management Plan (Great Lakes Council, 2015), future local and regional water infrastructure needs, site water dams and accompanying upstream diversion structures may be retained for future use.

In consideration of this and as described in Section 5.2.3, the MWD and Auxiliary Dam No. 2 will be retained in the final landform, however will be dewatered, decontaminated and reduced in size. Dewatering of Auxiliary Dam No. 2 to its final size will commence during the MOP/RMP term with water transferred to the MWD. MWD will remain active during the MOP/RMP term.

01007333 48 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Section 8.4.3 describes the strategy for retained water infrastructure in the DCM final landform and provides further design details for the retained re-configured MWD and Auxiliary Dam No. 2.

Sediment dams will remain pending long-term acceptable water quality and may be kept for stock water if suitable.

Irrigation infrastructure owned by DCPL will be decommissioned and sold, unless used for post-mining agricultural use.

7.2.3 Domain 3 – Waste Emplacement

The northern extent of the Waste Emplacement will remain active during the MOP/RMP term.

As described in Section 2.3.2, existing stockpiles of PAF material (located at the northern extent of the Waste Emplacement) will be removed and placed within the Clareval and Weismantel open pits during the MOP/RMP term.

As described in Section 7.1, rehabilitation works on the southern sections of the Waste Emplacement have been effectively completed. Areas of endemic woodland shrubs and trees have been successfully established across slopes and batters of the southern extent of the Waste Emplacement, with pasture rehabilitation established on flatter sections of the Waste Emplacement. Plates 1 to 12 provide examples of the progression of rehabilitation phases and successful rehabilitation undertaken at the Waste Emplacement.

The final landform will consist of integrated in-pit and out-of-pit waste emplacements. The maximum height of the Waste Emplacement will be approximately 135 m AHD (i.e. similar scale to the existing Tombstone Hill) and include visible relief patterns and principles which are consistent with natural drainage, where practicable.

The closure concept and rehabilitation strategy for the Waste Emplacement involves:

• management of PAF material in accordance with existing site practices (i.e. encapsulation within cells of low permeability material or placement of PAF material below the post-mining groundwater table); • grading the final surface of the Waste Emplacement to blend in with the natural topography of the area, with an overall outer batter slope of 1 V:4 H; • maintenance of operational erosion and sediment controls until establishment of stable final landforms; • installation of drainage structures and sediment dams to channel runoff safely to constructed outlet areas; and • progressive rehabilitation of outer batters.

The native tree and shrub seed mixes for the woodland and forest rehabilitation areas generally includes a selection of the same species for the representative vegetation communities as shown on Plan 1B. Species pallets are also provided in the BMP.

Pasture seed utilised for Secondary Domain A (post-mining land-use) – pasture and scattered trees areas will consist of a mix based on species successful in previous sowings, seasonal availability and external advice.

01007333 49 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Water Management

The top surface of the Waste Emplacement will be designed as an extension of Tombstone Hill and will generally drain towards the south to Coal Shaft Creek. In the northern portion of the Waste Emplacement, drainage from the eastern batter of the Waste Emplacement will drain eastwards towards Mammy Johnsons River.

Surface water runoff on the batters of the Waste Emplacement will flow perpendicularly down the slope to the toe of each batter. Stabilising drains will be constructed if required. The slope length of the rehabilitated waste emplacements will be constructed in accordance with Managing urban storm water – Soils and Construction Volume 1 (Landcom, 2004) as recommended by the independent environmental audit (Trevor Brown & Associates, 2011). Drains will be grass or rock-lined, and will flow to the natural ground surface. Hydraulic control structures may be constructed to minimise erosion potential down the slope to the existing ground level (Woodward-Clyde, 1996). Rock-lined channels (or other appropriate erosion control treatment) will be used at the base of the Waste Emplacement to direct runoff into natural creek lines (e.g. Coal Shaft Creek).

Sediment dams downstream of the waste emplacements will be maintained until the revegetated surface is stable and the runoff water quality is suitable for release off-site as described in the WMP.

7.2.4 Domain 4 – Open Pits/Final Voids

The Weismantel open pit will remain active during the MOP/RMP term.

Mining operations at the Clareval Open Pit have ceased and shaping and rehabilitation of the southern extent of the Clareval open pit area will continue during the MOP/RMP term. Approximately 22 ha of the Clareval open pit area is planned to be rehabilitated during the MOP/RMP term (Plans 3A and 3B).

At the cessation of mining, final voids will remain in the Clareval and Weismantel open pits. Following cessation of Clareval open pit mining activities, the remaining final void will be used to store mine water. Following the completion of mining activities at the DCM, it will be expected that the Clareval final void and Weismantel final void will continue to fill until an equilibrium level is reached.

Similar to the Clareval open pit, the Weismantel open pit will be progressively backfilled with waste rock as the open pit is developed, with a final void remaining to the north. The integrated final landform is shown on Plan 4 and comprises the abovementioned final voids, and the rehabilitated backfilled open pits integrated with rehabilitated out-of-pit waste rock emplacements. A description of the refined final void design is provided in Section 8.3.

During the mine closure phase, the following rehabilitation activities will be undertaken for the final voids:

• restriction of access via perimeter bunding, fencing and installation of signage; and • vegetation screens will be established at strategic locations to provide visual screening and additional access control.

7.2.5 Domain 5 – Offset Area

In accordance with Condition 42 of Schedule 3 of the Project Approval, DCPL will protect the biodiversity offset area in perpetuity. Areas of existing native vegetation communities will be enhanced (approximately 299 ha), and areas of cleared land will be revegetated (approximately 393.5 ha). Approximately 82 ha of the biodiversity offset area occurs within ML 1427. Management of the biodiversity offset area is described in the DCM’s BMP.

01007333 50 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

A description of the integration of the biodiversity offset areas with DCM rehabilitation is described in Section 8.9.

7.3 SUMMARY OF REHABILITATION AREAS DURING THE MOP/RMP TERM

In accordance with the MOP Guidelines, a summary of the change in size of the areas of rehabilitation within each domain (according the rehabilitation phase) is provided in Table 12. Plans 3A to 3B provide a conceptual view of the status of rehabilitation at the DCM (according to rehabilitation phase) and show the proposed rehabilitation areas for the MOP/RMP term.

Table 12 Summary of Domains, Rehabilitation Phases and Areas at Commencement and Completion of MOP/RMP Term

Area at Start Area at End Primary Secondary Domain Code Rehabilitation Phase of MOP/RMP of MOP/RMP Domain Term (ha) Term (ha) Infrastructure Woodland/Open 1B Active 38 38 Area (1) Forest (B) Decommissioning 0 0 Landform Establishment 5 2 Growth Medium Development 0 0 Ecosystem Establishment 6 9 Ecosystem Sustainability 5 5 Relinquished Lands 0 0 Total 54 54 Water Pasture/Scattered 2A Active 0 0 Management Trees (A) Area (2) Decommissioning 0 0 Landform Establishment 0 0 Growth Medium Development 0 0 Ecosystem Establishment 9 9 Ecosystem Sustainability 1 1 Relinquished Lands 0 0 Total 10 10 Woodland/Open 2B Active 0 0 Forest (B) Decommissioning 0 0 Landform Establishment 0 0 Growth Medium Development 0 0 Ecosystem Establishment 0 0 Ecosystem Sustainability 1 1 Relinquished Lands 0 0 Total 1 1 Retained Water 2C Active 54 54 Infrastructure (C) Decommissioning 0 0 Landform Establishment 0 0 Growth Medium Development 0 0 Ecosystem Establishment 0 0 Ecosystem Sustainability 0 0 Relinquished Lands 0 0 Total 54 54

01007333 51 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Table 12 (Continued) Summary of Domains, Rehabilitation Phases and Areas at Commencement and Completion of MOP Term

Area at Start Area at End Primary Secondary Code Rehabilitation Phase of MOP/RMP of MOP/RMP Domain Domain Term (ha) Term (ha) Waste Pasture/Scattered 3A and 3B Active (primarily northern extent of 40 40 Emplacement Trees (A) and Waste Emplacement) (3) Woodland/Open Decommissioning 0 0 Forest (B) Landform Establishment 29 5 Growth Medium Development 0 0 Ecosystem Establishment – 32 32 Pasture/Scattered Trees (3A) Ecosystem Establishment – 42 66 Woodland/Open Forest (3B) Ecosystem Sustainability (3B) 88 88 Relinquished Lands 0 0 Total 231 231 Open Cut Pit Final Void (D) 4D Active (Expected Mining Area shown 13 13 (4) on Plan 2) Decommissioning 40 40 Landform Establishment 0 0 Growth Medium Development 0 0 Ecosystem Establishment 0 0 Ecosystem Sustainability 0 0 Relinquished Lands 0 0 Total 53 53 Offset Area Offset Area (E) 5E Active 82 82 (5) Decommissioning 0 0 Landform Establishment 0 0 Growth Medium Development 0 0 Ecosystem Establishment 0 0 Ecosystem Sustainability 0 0 Relinquished Lands 0 0 Total 82 82

7.4 RELINQUISHMENT PHASE ACHIEVED DURING THE MOP/RMP TERM

No lands are proposed for relinquishment during the MOP/RMP term.

01007333 52 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

8 MINE CLOSURE PLANNING PROGRAM

A Mine Closure Planning Program has been developed for the DCM which outlines the technical and environmental assessments and other works required to inform final rehabilitation planning and closure of the DCM. The technical assessments identified in the Mine Closure Planning Program have been informed by the key risks and risk reduction strategies associated with rehabilitation and mine closure of the DCM, identified in the 2017 ERA (Section 3.1).

The majority of the assessments/studies required by the Mine Closure Planning Program have been completed progressively during the previous MOP term (Table 13). The remaining components of the Program will continue to be developed over this MOP/RMP term.

The Mine Closure Planning Program components and completion status/schedule for each component is provided in Table 13. The detailed mine closure components are described in the following sections.

Table 13 Mine Closure Planning Program Components and Schedule

MOP/RMP Aspect Assessment/Study/Design Work Component Completion Date Section Approvals and Mining • Prepare an Approvals and Mining Lease Commenced/Ongoing Section 8.1 Lease Relinquishment Relinquishment Strategy that considers timing and Strategy process for relinquishing approvals following mine closure (e.g. EPL, Project Approval and MLs). Final Landform Design • Undertake a Stability Assessment of final landform 30 June 2021 Section 8.2 including all drainage features, water management (Commenced/Ongoing) areas and rehabilitated waste emplacements, to identify any works required to ensure stability in the final landform. • Undertake a Geotechnical Assessment of the final 30 June 2021 Section 8.2 void to ensure the final landform designs are safe, (Commenced/Ongoing) stable & non-polluting. Final Void Design, • Prepare a detailed final void design which includes 30 June 2021 Section 8.3 Water Balance and water qualities/equilibrium level and considers (Commenced/Ongoing) Water Quality surface water runoff and drainage. • Review/update the site groundwater model to ensure the model is consistent with the final landform design. • Review the medium to long term water quality predictions of the final void against available monitoring data to determine the need for additional/alternate management. Water Management • Review the site water balance to ensure the 30 June 2021 Section 8.4 balance incorporates the final landform design, (Commenced/Ongoing) surface water inflows and outflows to/from the final void. • Prepare a strategy for transferring mine water from the prescribed dams back to the final voids. Coal Shaft Creek • Commission and undertake a detailed final design 30 June 2021 Section 8.4.2 Reconstruction of the Coal Shaft Creek final re-alignment and (Commenced/Ongoing) reconstruction. • Update Coal Shaft Creek Reconstruction Plan for consultation. • Establish biodiversity values for the reconstructed Coal Shaft Creek in consultation with relevant agencies, to ensure biodiversity outcomes are the same or better than pre-mining levels.

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Table 13 (Continued) Mine Closure Planning Program Components and Schedule

MOP/RMP Aspect Assessment/Study/Design Work Component Completion Date Section Mine Water Dam • Prepare a strategy for decommissioning of Complete Section 8.8 Decommissioning the mine water dams or for integration with Strategy the final land use, with consideration of future approvals or mine closure requirements in consultation with relevant agencies (e.g. Dams Safety NSW). • The above strategy will include consideration of assessments and approvals required for all dams (i.e. non mine water dams) proposed to be retained in the final landform, including an assessment of the dam catchments and harvestable rights. Rehabilitation • Undertake an annual material balance for Ongoing Section 8.5 Resources required rehabilitation materials (such as topsoil, inert capping material [i.e. NAF material] and clay for the Coal Shaft Creek Reconstruction). To be repeated annually. Contaminated Land • Undertake a contaminated lands 30 June 2021 Section 8.6 Assessment assessment focusing on infrastructure areas to identify any remediation requirements. Infrastructure • Identify infrastructure not required to support Complete Section 8.7 mine closure and develop removal strategy/timing. • Undertake consultation to confirm any Commenced alternative use for retained infrastructure (i.e. internal roads, access tracks, water storages and dams) post-mining. Biodiversity Offset • Assess the completion of the biodiversity Undertaken annually as part Section 8.9 Integration offsets to ensure integration with the of Biodiversity Offset rehabilitated mining areas for providing monitoring program wildlife corridors. Environmental • Review and update as required, existing Commenced/ Section 8.11 Management Plans environmental management plans for the Ongoing rehabilitation stage of operations. Post-closure Monitoring • Identify post-closure environmental Complete Section 8.10 and Maintenance monitoring requirements. • Identify post-closure maintenance requirements such as priority weed and feral animal control, exclusion or control of grazing animals, control of public access, fire management and maintenance of safety signage/fencing. • Carry out a monitoring program to validate Commenced/ Sections 8.10 prior placement of PAF/NAF materials within Ongoing and 3.3.2 the waste dumps. Human Resources • Prepare a Human Resources Strategy to Complete Section 8.12 Strategy identify opportunities to stage the release of employees and to support redeployment where appropriate. Community • Prepare a Community Management Strategy Complete Section 8.13 Management Strategy to minimise any adverse socio-economic effects of mine closure. Stakeholder • Communicate with the CCC regarding the Commenced Section 8.14 Engagement process for stakeholder engagement during (CCC consultee for this mine closure. MOP/RMP)/ Ongoing

01007333 54 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

8.1 APPROVALS AND MINING LEASE RELINQUISHMENT STRATEGY

An Approvals and Mining Lease Relinquishment Strategy will be developed for the DCM during the MOP/RMP term that outlines the process and indicative timing for relinquishing/surrendering the DCM’s approvals and mining leases following mine closure. The timing for relinquishment/surrendering each approval instrument will be informed by the conditions or requirements associated with each instrument, and the likely consultation requirements involved.

8.2 FINAL LANDFORM DESIGN

The rehabilitation objectives for the final landforms requires final landform designs which sustain the intended land use for the post-mining domain(s). Final landforms are to be consistent with and complement the topography of the surrounding region to minimise the visual prominence of the final landforms in the post-mining landscape. Final landforms are to incorporate design relief patterns and principles consistent with natural drainage.

The conceptual DCM final landform design (prepared as part of the 2014 Modification EA) has been refined to reflect the status of the DCM upon completion of mining operations. As mining of the Clareval and Weismantel open pits will not be undertaken to the depths modelled in the conceptual final landform design, the changes to the conceptual final landform design are therefore primarily limited to the final voids and immediate surrounds. The only other change to the conceptual final landform is the removal of Auxiliary Dam No. 1, with Auxiliary Dam No. 2 and the MWD being retained, however reduced in size. The refined final landform and rehabilitation domains are shown in Plan 4.

As required by the Mine Closure Planning Program, numerous technical assessments have commenced based on the refined final landform design, including a Stability Assessment, a Geotechnical Assessment of the final voids, final void water balance (Section 8.3.2) and final void water quality review (Section 8.3.3), and a revised site water balance (Section 8.4.1).

8.3 FINAL VOID

8.3.1 Refined Final Void Design

A refined final void design has been prepared. As described in Section 8.2, mining of the Clareval and Weismantel open pits will not occur to the maximum approved depth as modelled in the 2014 Modification EA. As such the design of the Clareval and Weismantel final voids has been refined to reflect the shallower depth of each pit. The final maximum depth of the Clareval final void is -81 m AHD and the final maximum depth of the Weismantel final void will be -8 m AHD. The refined final void design also aims to minimise the overall extent of the void area compared to the conceptual design in the 2014 Modification EA.

8.3.2 Final Void Water Balance

A final void water balance was prepared for the 2014 Modification EA.

A review of the final void water balance is being prepared by HEC to ensure the balance incorporates the refined final landform design, surface water inflows and outflows to/from the final void and to predict the long-term filling and equilibrium level.

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8.3.3 Final Void Water Quality

A review of the medium to long term water quality predictions of the final void against available monitoring data is being prepared by HEC to determine the requirement for additional/alternate management measures other than that currently proposed.

8.4 WATER MANAGEMENT

8.4.1 Site Water Balance

In accordance with Condition 29(a), Schedule 3 of Project Approval (08_0203), a site water balance has been prepared for the DCM by a suitably qualified and experienced person, Mr Lindsay Gilbert (formerly of Gilbert & Associates Pty Limited, now HEC). A revised post-mining site water balance is being prepared by HEC to reflect the refined final landform and final void, including all surface water inflows and outflows.

8.4.2 Coal Shaft Creek Reconstruction Plan

The current proposed design for the post-mining alignment of Coal Shaft Creek comprises a reworked section of the existing Coal Shaft Creek diversion channel, a drop-down section outside the in-pit waste rock emplacement, and a reconstruction of the creek within a corridor over the in-pit waste rock emplacement at the southern end of the Weismantel open pit extent (Plan 4). Typical sections of the current design are shown on Figure 2.

During the MOP/RMP term, analyses will be conducted into the geotechnical, hydrological and hydraulic design of the final alignment, in consideration of the refined final landform design. The analyses will focus on long-term stability, seepage management and the creation of habitat. The outcomes of these analyses will inform the final detailed design of the post-mining alignment and reconstruction of Coal Shaft Creek.

The current design of the post-mining alignment of Coal Shaft Creek is documented in the Coal Shaft Creek Reconstruction Plan, prepared in accordance with Condition 29(b), Schedule 3 of Project Approval (08_0203). The Coal Shaft Creek Reconstruction Plan is included as an attachment of the SWMP (Attachment C of the WAMP).

Selection of final form and alignment will be subject to a detailed hydraulic analysis as part of final design, together with an assessment of the likelihood of bed/bank erosion on the outside of bends under a range of flow conditions (Gilbert & Associates, 2010).

The conceptual longitudinal channel profile will also include habitat creation initiatives such as the provision of irregular pool and riffle sequences, use of material recovered from the existing channel or some other suitable source, placement of large boulders and/or timber to form pools upstream and promote aquatic habitat and planting of riverine vegetation on banks to enhance stability (Gilbert & Associates, 2010).

Following the completion of detailed design, the Coal Shaft Creek Reconstruction Plan will be revised and submitted to DPIE Water for consultation, prior to submission to DPIE Planning and Assessment Division for approval.

01007333 56 Top of Clay Liner* 50m (Channel Corridor) Top of Clay Liner* RL 55.0m Clay Liner (Min Thickness 0.9m) Constructed Using Clay Fill 1 1 4 4 3m (min) Backfill and Invert 3m (min) Backfill and Waste Rock Waste Rock 18m Engineered Fill

Depth Varies Base of Pit Excavation *Channel Corridor Clay Liner to extend up batters to RL 55m or 3m(min) vertically from corridor invert (whichever is greater). Typical Channel Corridor Section

Over Bank (Outside Bend) Main Channel Over Bank (Inside Bend) 4 4 1 1 Armouring Stream Bed Backfill 2 1

Backfill and Backfill and Waste Rock Engineered Fill Waste Rock Clay Liner (Min Thickness 0.9m) Constructed Using Clay Fill

Base of Pit Excavation

Typical Section - Reconstructed Creek (Bend)

Over Bank Main Channel Over Bank 4 4 1 1 Stream Bed Backfill 4 4 1 1 Backfill and Backfill and Waste Rock Waste Rock Engineered Fill Clay Liner (Min Thickness 0.9m) Constructed Using Clay Fill

Base of Pit Excavation

Typical Section - Reconstructed Creek (Straight)

YAN-19-22_D 2020 MOP_006A Source: Allan Watson Associates (2006)

DURALIE COAL MINE MOP/RMP Coal Shaft Creek Reconstruction (Typical Sections) Figure 2 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

8.4.3 Retained Water Infrastructure

Permanent water infrastructure, including site water dams (e.g. reconfigured MWD, Auxiliary Dam No. 2) and accompanying upstream diversion structures may be retained in the DCM final landform for future use. Retained water infrastructure will be determined in consultation with the regulatory authorities and the community, and will consider the Karuah River Catchment Management Plan (Great Lakes Council, 2015), and future local and regional water infrastructure needs. The final uses of the retained water storages will be determined during the consultation process. Specific detail regarding the Coal Shaft Creek reconstruction is described in Section 8.4.2. Specific detail regarding the mine water dam decommissioning is described in Section 8.8.

Sediment dams will remain pending long-term acceptable water quality and may be kept for stock water if suitable.

Irrigation infrastructure owned by DCPL will be decommissioned, unless used for post-mining agricultural use.

8.5 REHABILITATION RESOURCES

The DCM maintains a site topsoil balance which is updated annually to ensure adequate resources are available for rehabilitation of disturbed areas. At the end of July 2019 an estimated 129,000 cubic metres of topsoil is held in various stockpiles. This will provide for rehabilitation of 129 ha to the nominal topsoil depth of 100 mm. The current area of disturbance which will require topsoil (i.e. not including the final voids of 56 ha or retained water infrastructure areas of 54 ha) is 115 ha, therefore sufficient topsoil resources are available to complete rehabilitation of the DCM.

Topsoil stripping has now been completed up to the northern extent of both the Clareval pit and the Weismantel pit.

During the MOP/RMP term, the DCM’s topsoil balance will be augmented to incorporate estimates of other materials required to complete rehabilitation of the DCM, including inert capping material (i.e. NAF material) and clay for the Coal Shaft Creek Reconstruction. Estimates of clay volumes required for Coal Shaft Creek Reconstruction will be determined once the detailed design works for the revised Coal Shaft Creek Reconstruction Plan have been completed (Section 8.4.2).

8.6 CONTAMINATED LAND ASSESSMENT

A contaminated land assessment will be undertaken once mining operations have ceased, during the mine closure phase. The assessment will focus on decommissioned infrastructure areas, including ROM coal handling and stockpiling facilities, workshops, fuel storage areas and chemical storage facilities.

The contaminated land assessment will be undertaken in accordance with the requirements of the NSW Contaminated Land Management Act, 1997 and in consideration of relevant guidelines, including the Managing Land Contamination Planning Guidelines SEPP 55–Remediation of Land (Department of Urban Affairs and Planning and EPA, 1998), Guidelines for Consultants Reporting on Contaminated Sites (OEH, 2011) and the National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure (National Environment Protection Council, 2013).

Any potential contamination areas will be remediated as recommended in the assessment, which is expected to involve excavation of the contaminated materials and disposal at an off-site licensed facility or on-site subject to relevant approvals being obtained. Rehabilitation of the area would be undertaken in accordance with the rehabilitation objectives for the Infrastructure Area Domain (i.e. revegetated to woodland/open forest), or domain applicable to the area.

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8.7 INFRASTRUCTURE REMOVAL AND SCHEDULING

Anticipated Infrastructure Removal

Infrastructure anticipated to be removed from site includes:

• fixed equipment and infrastructure (for re-use at another location [e.g. the SMC] or recycling); and • non-salvageable/non-recyclable and non-contaminated infrastructure (for disposal at an off-site licensed facility or on-site subject to relevant approvals being obtained).

Once all equipment and infrastructure components not required for mine closure have been removed from an area, the area will be rehabilitated in accordance with the rehabilitation objectives for the Infrastructure Area Domain (i.e. revegetated to woodland/open forest). Rehabilitation will involve deep-ripping the area, topsoiling and seeding/planting with woodland/open forest species.

Some concrete hardstands, administration and ablution buildings, site access roads, sheds, buildings and sediment dams may be retained for alternate post-mining uses, subject to consultation with the relevant stakeholders.

Electricity transmission infrastructure will be retained for future use by landholders unless during consultation landholders/stakeholders determined it is no longer required, in which case it will be decommissioned and removed from site.

The rail siding may also be retained for future use if agreed with relevant regulatory authorities and if appropriate approvals are obtained.

It is anticipated that some internal roads will be retained for future use to facilitate access through the site.

Removal Strategy and Timing

Once mining operations have ceased, it is expected that infrastructure and equipment not required to support final rehabilitation activities (i.e. landform bulk shaping and soil placement) and ongoing monitoring and maintenance works, will be progressively decommissioned and removed from site. The removal of infrastructure is not planned during this MOP term.

Scheduling of infrastructure removal will be undertaken on a campaign basis to minimise disruptions to road networks. Oversize heavy vehicle transport of infrastructure/equipment will be undertaken in accordance with relevant permits and load declarations obtained in accordance with Additional Access Conditions – Oversize and overmass heavy vehicles and loads (Roads and Maritime Services, 2017) (or its current equivalent at the time of the event) and any other licences and escorts as required by regulatory authorities. Any relevant permits and transport requirements will be obtained in consultation with the RMS and relevant local councils at the time.

Heavy vehicle scheduling will, where possible, consider and occur outside of peak periods associated with general movement of vehicles (e.g. morning and afternoon peak traffic times) to minimise disruptions to the road networks along the transport route.

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8.8 MINE WATER DAM DECOMMISSIONING STRATEGY

The MWD, Auxiliary Dam No. 1 and Auxiliary Dam 2 are all prescribed dams under the NSW Dams Safety Act, 2015.

A Conceptual Decommissioning Strategy for the DCM’s prescribed mine water dams has been prepared by ATC Williams Pty Ltd (ATC Williams) (2019). The strategy has been prepared in consideration of relevant NSW Dams Safety’s guidance sheets and Australian National Committee on Large Dams (ANCOLD) guidelines, including:

• DSC2D – Demonstration of Safety for Dams; • DSC3A – Consequence Categories for Dams; • DSC3B – Acceptable Flood Capacity of Dams; • ANCOLD Guidelines on the Consequence Category for Dams (2012); and • ANCOLD Guidelines on Risk Assessment (2003).

As described in Section 2.3.5, Auxiliary Dam No. 1 will be decommissioned and will not form part of the DCM final landform, while Auxiliary Dam No. 2 and the MWD will be reduced in size and retained for beneficial use by a future landholder.

The approach for Auxiliary Dam No. 2 and the MWD is to reduce the capacity of the dams such that under a dam break scenario, the consequence category would be considered Low, thereby having no ongoing regulated status (ATC Williams, 2019).

A summary of the final configuration dimensions for Auxiliary Dam No. 2 and the MWD are provided in Table 14.

Table 14 Retained Dam Design Configurations

Dam Configuration MWD Auxiliary Dam No.2 External Catchment Area 132.3 ha 70.25 ha Full Supply Level RL 64.5 m RL 79.0 m Storage Capacity 256 million litres (ML) 500 ML Embankment Elevation RL 74.6 m RL 100.0 m Pan evaporation Factor 0.9 0.9 Modelled Median Spill Volume 285 ML 94 ML Source: ATC Williams (2019)

The spillway design criteria reflect a ‘Low’ consequence classification as specified in NSW Dams Safety Committee guidance sheet DSC3B Acceptable Flood capacity of Dams - Table 5.1. The spillway design for each dam assumes a 0.1% annual exceedance probability rainfall event and will be rock armoured.

ATC Williams (2019) has prepared detailed engineering drawings for the decommissioning of the prescribed dams, and has developed a decommissioning process for each dam, as follows:

1. Erosion and Sediment Control a) Implement appropriate Erosion and Sediment Control measures. b) Use the MWD as the sediment dam during decommissioning works.

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2. Decommissioning Auxiliary Water Dam (AWD)1 a) Dewater all the storage contained in AWD1 through pump transfer to the approved mine void/MWD. b) Excavate the embankment at the critical section or lowest point to prevent any accumulation of runoff. c) Remove the remaining embankment and stockpiles material. d) Remove the associated structures and monitoring equipment. e) Topsoil and revegetate exposed bare earth areas. 3. Decommissioning AWD2 a) Dewater AWD2 through pump transfer to the MWD, maintaining the level indicated in the drawings. b) Excavate the embankment to the levels and profiles defined in the drawings. c) Remove the associated structures and monitoring equipment. d) Construct the new spillway as per the drawings. e) Topsoil and revegetate exposed bare earth areas. 4. Decommissioning MWD a) Dewater the MWD through pump transfer to the Pit to the level indicated in the drawings. b) Implement new erosion and sediment controls, including a new sediment dam. c) Excavate the embankment to the levels and profiles defined in the drawings. d) Construct a new spillway as per the drawings. e) Topsoil and revegetate exposed bare earth areas. 5. Removal of diversion structures associated with the water dams as either: a) Complete removal of bunds and regrading of the subsurface; or b) Break the chainage and provide rock armouring as per drawings at sag points and valleys.

8.9 BIODIVERITY OFFSET INTEGRATION

Completion criteria have been developed for the DCM’s Offset Strategy which includes:

Native vegetation has been established which directly links vegetation areas of the Offset areas with the Rehabilitation area.

The DCM BMP includes an Assessment Target for this Completion Criteria which includes:

Management Units A, E, B, T, W, S, X, Y, Z and F are to have met individual Completion Criteria as above to ensure a continuous link across the floor of the Mammy Johnsons River valley floor.

Completion of the Offset Strategy will be assessed against the completion criteria in the DCM’s BMP.

An annual Biodiversity Report which tracks progress of the offset areas against the completion criteria will continue to be prepared and made available on DCM’s website.

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8.11 POST-CLOSURE MONITORING AND MAINTENANCE PROGRAM

The mine closure phase will commence once all mining activities at the DCM have ceased, all relevant infrastructure required to be removed has been decommissioned and removed and once all final landform rehabilitation works (e.g. bulk shaping, soil placement and revegetation activities) have been completed. The post-closure monitoring and maintenance phase is relevant to the period after the completion of all works needed to implement closure of the DCM, as described above, up until relinquishment of the DCM.

Post-Closure Monitoring

DCPL currently conducts numerous environmental monitoring programs at the DCM in accordance with the DCM’s Project Approval, EPL and environmental management plan requirements, including air quality, noise, blasting, surface water, irrigation, groundwater, rehabilitation and offset area monitoring programs.

Some of these monitoring programs will continue during the post-closure phase (e.g. surface water and groundwater monitoring, rehabilitation monitoring), however, some programs will become redundant and will cease (e.g. blast monitoring, irrigation monitoring) or will be gradually refined once coal extraction and landform bulk shaping and soil placement rehabilitation works have ceased (e.g. noise and air quality monitoring). DCPL will refine its monitoring programs in consultation with the relevant government agencies during the mine closure phase.

It is anticipated that the surface water and groundwater monitoring program will be progressively refined during the post-closure period to focus on runoff areas from the major mine landforms and groundwater aquifers potentially impacted by the DCM.

Rehabilitation performance monitoring will continue throughout the post-closure phase and results from the rehabilitation monitoring program will be used to confirm that the rehabilitation completion criteria have been met.

Similarly, monitoring of regeneration and revegetation performance in the biodiversity offset areas will continue during the post-closure phase and results from the offset monitoring program will be used to confirm that the offset area completion criteria have been met.

Amendments to the monitoring programs during the post- closure phase will be reflected in the relevant environmental management plan revisions (Section 8.11). It is expected that the residual monitoring programs will be undertaken for approximately ten years following mine closure.

Post-Closure Maintenance

Results from the post-closure monitoring programs will be used to inform the post-closure maintenance requirements (e.g. the requirement for erosion control, supplementary rehabilitation plantings or offset area revegetation plantings, weed and pest control activities). It is expected that any maintenance requirements will be undertaken on a campaign / as required basis.

Post-closure maintenance activities will continue until the specific completion criteria has been met and confirmation has been received from the relevant authority.

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8.13 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLANS

As described in Section 3.2, DCPL implements a number of environmental management plans and strategies in accordance with the Project Approval conditions to guide environmental management on-site:

• EMS; • NMP; • BLMP; • AQMP; • WAMP (including SWB, SWMP, IMP and GWMP); • BMP; • GBFMP; • HMP; and • WMP.

Similar to the post-closure monitoring programs during the mine closure phase, it is expected that a number of these management plans will become redundant to reflect the cessation of coal extraction and associated earthworks such as waste emplacement construction (e.g. the BLMP, NMP, IMP, HMP) or require revisions to reflect the refined scope of the monitoring programs (e.g. WAMP).

Revision and removal of these plans will be undertaken in consultation with the relevant regulatory agencies required under Project Approval 08_0203.

8.14 HUMAN RESOURCES STRATEGY

The gradual completion of mining at the DCM has been aligned with the commencement of Yancoal’s Stratford Extension Project at the SMC. During 2017, a strategy was developed to progressively transition all staff, employees and contractors from the DCM to the SMC. The process of transitioning the DCM workforce to the SMC commenced in July 2018, and by the end of October 2018, the remaining DCM workforce had been relocated to the SMC.

The recommencement of mining at the SMC has avoided the need to release any of the DCM workforce. Furthermore, Stratford Coal Pty Ltd has employed new/additional operators in 2019.

During the MOP/RMP term, employees and/or contractors will be engaged/relocated to the DCM to undertake the activities as described in Section 2 of this MOP/RMP and the rehabilitation activities as described in Section 7 of this MOP/RMP.

8.15 COMMUNITY MANAGEMENT STRATEGY

The socio-economic effects on the local community post-closure of the DCM has been considered as part of the Mine Closure Planning Program. During the previous MOP/RMP term, the scale of operations at the DCM was reduced and operations at the SMC was ceased requiring a reduction in the total workforce. These reductions were staged over several years to reduce potential adverse impacts on the local community. As a result of recommencement of mining at the SMC in 2018 and the transition of the DCM workforce to the SMC, adverse socio-economic effects of mine closure of the DCM have been neutralised and no further reductions to the workforce have been required.

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A small workforce will continue to undertake mining and rehabilitation activities at the DCM during the MOP/RMP term.

Upon the completion of mining operations at the DCM, the contributions to the MCC required under Schedule 2, Conditions 16 and 17, of Project Approval 08_0203 will cease. Ongoing consultation has been undertaken with MCC. Notwithstanding, contributions to the MCC are required under the SMC Development Consent SSD_4966.

8.16 MINE CLOSURE CONSULTATION

Proposed rehabilitation and post-mining land use concepts have been continuously developed throughout the DCM approval process, in consultation with relevant government agencies and key stakeholders, including the DCM’s CCC.

This MOP/RMP details the final rehabilitation and post-mining land use goals for the DCM and will be provided to the following government agencies and key stakeholders for comment, as required by Condition 57, Schedule 3, of Project Approval 08_0203:

• Resources Regulator; • DPIE Planning and Assessment Division; • DPIE EPA; • DPIE BCD; • DPIE Water; • MCC; and • CCC.

Results of consultation undertaken with the abovementioned stakeholders will be incorporated into this MOP/RMP where relevant.

DCPL will continue to consult with relevant government agencies and the community throughout the mine life and during mine closure.

Community Consultative Committee

The DCM CCC was established in 2003 in accordance with Schedule 5, Condition 5 of the Project Approval for the DEP and operates under the guidance of the DPIE. Meetings are held quarterly and provide a forum for open discussion between the community, Council, DCPL and other stakeholders on issues relating to the mine’s operations, environmental performance and community engagement.

The CCC for the DCM is currently comprised of:

• an independent Chairperson; • five local community representatives; • two local government representatives (MCC); and • two DCPL representatives.

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The CCC conducts meetings either meeting on-site or in the local community. The CCC undertakes regular inspections, reviews environmental and audit reports and discusses any concerns, incidents or complaints that may have been registered. The CCC members are an active conduit between local communities and the DCM. Minutes are taken from each meeting and published on the DCM’s website.

Items of discussion at these meetings include (but are not limited to) mine progress, rehabilitation activities, environmental monitoring reporting, complaints and any environmental assessments undertaken. Outcomes from CCC meetings and community liaison activities are documented annually in the Annual Review.

The CCC will continue to be consulted regarding mine closure process, objectives and concepts.

As required by Project Approval, Schedule 3, Condition 57, the CCC is a consultee for this MOP/RMP.

Aboriginal Groups

Consultation with Aboriginal groups about the DCM has been extensive and involved various methods including advertisements, meetings, correspondence and archaeological survey attendance prior to the commencement of, and during, the operation of the DCM.

Numerous groups have been consulted about the DCM to date, including:

• Barrington-Gloucester-Stroud Preservation Alliance Inc.; • Garigal Aboriginal Community Inc.; • Gidawaa Walang Cultural Heritage Consultancy; • Johnsons Creek Conservation Committee; • Karuah Local Aboriginal Land Council; • Maaiangal Group; and • Minimbah and District Aboriginal Elders Inc.

These groups will continue to be consulted during mine closure.

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9 REHABILITATION MONITORING

Rehabilitation is monitored on a regular basis to ensure vegetation in the rehabilitation areas is establishing and to determine the need for any maintenance and/or contingency measures (e.g. supplementary plantings, weed or erosion control). The monitoring also aims to demonstrate the effectiveness of the rehabilitation techniques and track the progression towards achieving the rehabilitation performance and completion criteria (Section 6).

9.1 NATIVE VEGETATION REHABILITATION MONITORING

Rehabilitation monitoring has been established for the rehabilitation areas proposed as Secondary Domain B (post-mining land-use) – native woodland/open forest. The areas of the DCM final landform targeted for native vegetation are shown on Plan 4.

Rehabilitation monitoring for the native vegetation areas includes a combination of visual monitoring and Ecosystem Function Analysis (EFA) monitoring. A summary of these methodologies is provided below.

Visual Monitoring

Visual monitoring includes:

• monitoring of soil erosion status and the effectiveness of erosion control methods; • observing drains to determine whether substantial silting of inverts and/or any localised failure of the drain embankment has occurred; • assessing germination success and vegetation establishment (diversity and abundance); • usage of habitat enhancement features; • evaluating the behaviour of placed topsoil; • evaluating threats posed to rehabilitated areas posed by weed infestation and feral animals; and • opportunistic fauna observations.

Visual monitoring of rehabilitation areas provides an early identification of areas requiring remedial planting or other maintenance works to maintain rehabilitation progress. Annual surveys of select revegetation areas will be undertaken by an appropriately qualified and experienced person to review the success of rehabilitation and identify any additional measures required to achieve ongoing rehabilitation success.

Regular feral animal and weed control is undertaken over the entire DCM area (including the rehabilitation areas) and will continue as completed areas transition into rehabilitation.

Ecosystem Function Analysis Monitoring

In-depth monitoring and assessment of the quality and ecological value of woodland rehabilitation will be required prior to lease relinquishment. This assessment will be conducted using EFA. EFA aims to measure the progression of rehabilitation areas towards self-sustaining ecosystems. EFA has been incorporated into the overall DCM rehabilitation monitoring programme to provide an assessment of landscape functionality.

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EFA monitoring is comprised of the following components:

• Landscape Function Analysis (LFA); • vegetation dynamics; and • habitat complexity.

EFA Analogue Transects have been established in proximal areas to the DCM which represent the varying landscapes (i.e. slopes and aspects) and target communities planned for each rehabilitation area.

During February 2013, Greening Australia (2013) established a total of 20 fixed monitoring transects across a range of rehabilitation areas at the DCM. LFA surveys were conducted at each transect. Vegetation structure was also measured at the same transects.

DCPL will continue to undertake annual EFA monitoring at the DCM during the MOP/RMP term.

As rehabilitation progresses, additional EFA Revegetation Transects will be established at the DCM in each of the rehabilitation domain areas. The location of each transect will be determined on the basis of representative slope, aspect and target vegetation community in consultation with a suitably qualified specialist.

The representativeness of the EFA transects are reviewed during each monitoring round to confirm that transects continue to accurately represent the status of rehabilitation across each of the rehabilitation domains.

The results of LFA, vegetation dynamics and habitat complexity monitoring (i.e. EFA) are used at the DCM to monitor progress towards rehabilitation completion criteria (Section 6) and to determine a trajectory towards self-sustaining ecosystems.

A detailed monitoring report is prepared annually that includes a summary of previous monitoring results, results of the current year’s monitoring and any planned remedial works, if required. The monitoring results are summarised in the DCM Annual Review which is made available on the DCM website.

9.2 AGRICULTURAL REHABILITATION MONITORING

Rehabilitation monitoring has commenced for the rehabilitation areas proposed as Secondary Domain A (post-mining land-use) – pasture and scattered trees. The areas of the DCM final landform targeted for future agricultural pursuits will be rehabilitated with pasture species (and scattered tree species) (e.g. areas of the Waste Emplacement and former infrastructure areas [Plan 4] and are proposed for Class 4 agricultural suitability. Class 4 Agricultural Suitability is defined as (NSW Agriculture, 2002):

Land suitable for grazing but not for cultivation. Agriculture is based on native pastures and improved pastures established using minimum tillage techniques. Production may be seasonally high but the overall production level is low as a result of major environmental constraints.

Monitoring of pasture and scattered tree rehabilitation areas will involve monitoring of LFA indices, including stability, infiltration and nutrient cycling indices.

Completion criteria for these areas will be assessed by undertaking an assessment of the Agricultural Suitability class by a suitably qualified specialist or agronomist.

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9.3 PAF MATERIAL MONITORING

As described in Section 3.3.2, the SWMP includes a PAF Material Management Plan.

The PAF Material Management Plan includes routine monitoring to provide checks on materials management and effects of acid rock drainage (ARD). Monitoring includes (Environmental Geochemistry International Pty Ltd, 2009):

• routine sampling and geochemical testing of overburden materials from both seams as required during operations to monitor variations in acid potential and to reconcile the predicted distribution of ARD rock types in overburden; • water quality monitoring of seepage and runoff from pit surfaces and waste rock dumps to check for ARD generation, to assess the performance of management strategies, and to determine and/or refine limestone treatment requirements; and • routine site water quality monitoring including pH, EC, acidity/alkalinity, sulphate, Aluminium, Copper, Iron, Manganese, Nickel, Zinc and storage volumes and flows to monitor the performance of the ARD control program.

Rehabilitated area surface water runoff performance indicators and completion criteria have been established in Section 9 of the SWMP and are included in Table 10 of this MOP/RMP. The SWMP will be used to assess progress against the completion criteria.

DCPL will continue to monitor the water quality of contained water storages (i.e. pH and solute concentrations) during the life of the DCM as part of the existing surface water monitoring program. If in the event ARD is identified through the surface water monitoring program, specific acid rock drainage controls will be implemented.

9.4 OTHER MONITORING

Several other monitoring programs are implemented to demonstrate achievement of the DCM’s rehabilitation objectives. These monitoring programs are detailed below.

Surface Water Monitoring

DCPL monitors surface water quality by sampling from monitoring locations in and surrounding the mine site. These locations comprise both streams and water storage structures. Surface water is sampled and analysed on a monthly and event basis, or following a sediment dam spill. Collected waters are analysed for a suite of physical and chemical parameters and the results are reported in the Annual Review along with a comparison to a number of performance indicators and measures.

Surface water monitoring is described in the SWMP. This surface water monitoring will continue over the MOP/RMP term to confirm that rehabilitated areas are progressing satisfactorily to a final landform which is non-polluting and not adversely affecting off-site water quality.

Groundwater Monitoring

Groundwater monitoring is undertaken at a suite of monitoring bores located in and around the DCM area. Groundwater monitoring, water level measurements and sample collection, storage and transportation are undertaken in accordance with the procedures outlined in the Murray Darling Basin Groundwater Quality Sampling Guidelines (Murray Darling Basin Commission, 1997). Monitoring is undertaken on a quarterly basis. Monitoring results are reported in the Annual Review along with a comparison to relevant performance indicators

01007333 68 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

A site water balance review is undertaken on an annual basis to monitor the status of inflows (including groundwater inflows to open pits), storage and consumption of final voids. The site water balance review is used to optimise water management performance and enables corrective actions to be implemented, if required. The results of the water balance reviews are reported in the Annual Review.

Groundwater monitoring is described in the GWMP and will continue during the MOP/RMP term.

Erosion and Sediment Control Monitoring

All sediment dams are monitored on a minimum quarterly basis or following receipt of sufficient rain whereby such dams have the potential to spill. Maintenance activities are undertaken on sediment dams as required. Sediment dams are cleaned out when the storage volume is reduced by sediment deposition (i.e. when 30% of storage volume is lost to sediment build up) and inspected after major rainfall events. All overflows and controlled discharges from sediment dams are sampled and analysed.

Areas under rehabilitation are stabilised by structural controls such as bench drains and contour banks (as required), to break up effective slope length exposed to erosion.

All rehabilitation areas are assessed regularly via visual monitoring of soil erosion status and the effectiveness of erosion control methods (Section 9.1). The visual monitoring identifies any areas of active erosion occurring in the rehabilitation areas and remedial works are undertaken where required.

Spontaneous Combustion Monitoring

As described in Section 3.3.3, the DCM’s Spontaneous Combustion Management Plan outlines measures to control potentially spontaneously combustible material and includes monitoring, encapsulation and extinguishment measures.

Spontaneous combustion monitoring will continue to be undertaken during the MOP/RMP term in relevant domains to identify materials with the potential to spontaneously combust. Following identification, DCPL will undertake appropriate remediation work and mitigation measures.

Fauna Monitoring

Fauna usage of the native woodland/open forest rehabilitation areas will be documented over time. Fauna surveys will be conducted every three years to assess the success of the rehabilitation areas in providing habitat for a range of vertebrate fauna.

9.5 RESEARCH AND REHABILITATION TRIALS

DCPL has extensive experience in both native woodland/open forest revegetation and agricultural pasture rehabilitation, with successful rehabilitation areas completed over the past 20 years at both the DCM and SMC mine sites. Learnings from the rehabilitation works undertaken onsite to date along industry best practice guidelines are employed in the methodology for new rehabilitation areas.

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10 INTERVENTION AND ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT

10.1 THREATS TO REHABILITATION

DCPL has successfully undertaken rehabilitation activities at the DCM (Section 7.1) with rehabilitation monitoring, studies and trials continuing to inform the effectiveness of rehabilitation methods and requirements for contingency measures.

The 2009 ERA (SP Solutions, 2009) and the 2017 ERA (HMS, 2017) (Section 3.1) identified potential issues and risks associated with rehabilitation and mine closure at the DCM. These risks/threats to rehabilitation are outlined in Table 15 along with actions that will be undertaken to mitigate these risks. Emerging threats to rehabilitation success will be identified through the ongoing monitoring programs described in Section 9.

10.2 REHABILITATION TRIGGER ACTION RESPONSE PLAN

A TARP (Table 15) has been developed based on identified threats to rehabilitation at the DCM.

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Table 15 Rehabilitation Trigger Action Response Plan

Action/Response to Mitigate, Justification for How Impact will Notification Domain Threat to Rehabilitation Success Trigger/Cause Remediate and/or Compensate any Action/Response be Monitored Protocol Identified Impacts Domains 2A and 3A Erosion on steep slopes (e.g. outer Rehabilitation monitoring • Exclude stock and remediate eroded • Greening Australia’s (2013) Regular visual Reporting in batters of waste emplacements) due to indicates active erosion on area. Monitoring of Landscape inspection of Annual Review. overgrazing of pasture or damage from outer batters. Function and Vegetation rehabilitation • Rest remediated area from stock. Structure of Rehabilitation area and ongoing continuous grazing to improve Areas at the DCM. rehabilitation long-term stability of the area. monitoring using • This MOP/RMP. EFA • Successful implementation methodology. of Action/Response at the DCM. Continuous grazing on areas revegetated Rehabilitation monitoring • Modify grazing regime to include • Greening Australia’s (2013) Regular visual Reporting in with pasture results in low density, depth indicates active erosion and rest periods. Monitoring of Landscape inspection of Annual Review. and cover of pasture grass, increasing poor revegetation cover. Function and Vegetation rehabilitation erosion potential (particularly on steep Structure of Rehabilitation area and ongoing batters of waste emplacement areas or Areas at the DCM. rehabilitation other landforms). monitoring using • This MOP/RMP. EFA • Successful implementation methodology. of Action/Response at the DCM. Domains 1B, 2B Dense cover of exotic grasses (e.g. Rehabilitation monitoring • Discontinue use of Kikuyu/remove • Greening Australia’s (2013) Regular visual Reporting in and 3B Kikuyu [Pennisetum clandestinum]) in un- indicates low species diversity from seed mix. Monitoring of Landscape inspection of Annual Review. grazed woodland areas results in and dominance of exotic Function and Vegetation rehabilitation • Increase number of native grass suppression of native grasses. grasses. Structure of Rehabilitation areas and species in seed mix. Areas at the DCM. ongoing • Re-seed relevant areas with native rehabilitation • This MOP/RMP. grass species (i.e. Kangaroo Grass monitoring using [Themeda australis]). EFA methodology. Domains 1B, 2A/2B, Direct-seeding of Eucalypt species is an Rehabilitation monitoring • Revegetation methods to include • Greening Australia’s (2013) Regular visual Reporting in 3A/3B and 5E ineffective method to achieve long-term indicates poor/slow growth both direct-seeding and planting of Monitoring of Landscape inspection of Annual Review. development of resilient Eucalypt trees. and development of Eucalypt tubestock (particularly for Eucalypt Function and Vegetation rehabilitation trees. tree species). Structure of Rehabilitation area and ongoing Areas at the DCM. rehabilitation monitoring using • This MOP/RMP. EFA methodology.

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Table 15 (Continued) Rehabilitation Trigger Action Response Plan

Action/Response to Mitigate, Justification for How Impact will Notification Domain Threat to Rehabilitation Success Trigger/Cause Remediate and/or Compensate any Action/Response be Monitored Protocol Identified Impacts Domains 1B, Species diversity and/or density in During ecosystem • Conduct additional plantings or • This MOP/RMP. Regular visual Reporting in 2A/2B, 3A/3B and rehabilitation areas do not correspond establishment and further actions following planting inspection of Annual Review. 5E with reference site(s). sustainability phase, such as application of fertiliser or rehabilitation area monitoring indicates that watering of rehabilitation areas. and ongoing species diversity and/or rehabilitation density in some areas does • Obtain expert opinions if required. monitoring using not correspond with reference EFA site(s). methodology. Severe drought results in loss of Rehabilitation monitoring • Species selection consistent with • Successful implementation Regular visual Reporting in vegetation and failure of rehabilitation indicates revegetation species species native to area. of Action/Response at the inspection of Annual Review. area. failure as a result of drought DCM. remediated area conditions. • Monitoring of rehabilitation following and ongoing any prolonged dry periods and rehabilitation watering and/or replanting of seeds monitoring using as necessary. EFA methodology. Inadequate weed and pest animal control Rehabilitation monitoring • Implement targeted weed control or • This MOP/RMP and BMP. Regular visual Reporting in results in failure of rehabilitation area. indicates revegetation failure pest animal control in accordance inspection of Annual Review. due to significant weed with BMP. remediated area infestation and/or pest and ongoing animals. • Educate relevant staff in rehabilitation identification of potential weed monitoring using species, and in vehicle EFA inspection/wash down procedures to methodology. minimise weed transport. • Conduct follow-up site inspections to determine the effectiveness of weed control. Flooding results in loss of vegetation and Rehabilitation monitoring • Design final landforms (e.g. slopes), • WMP. Regular visual Reporting in failure of rehabilitation area. indicates significant erosion in structures to minimise impacts from inspection of Annual Review. • Successful implementation rehabilitation area as a result heavy rainfall/flooding. remediated area of flooding and loss of of Action/Response at the and ongoing revegetation. • Monitoring of rehabilitation areas DCM. rehabilitation following any major rainfall event monitoring using and re-stabilisation of any landforms EFA and/or replanting of seeds as methodology. necessary. Fire results in loss of vegetation and Occurrence of bushfire in • Species selection consistent with • BMP. Regular visual Reporting in failure of rehabilitation area. rehabilitation area results in species native to area that are inspection of Annual Review. • Successful implementation loss of revegetation. fire-tolerant. remediated area of Action/Response at the and ongoing • Implementation of fire prevention DCM. rehabilitation measures in rehabilitation area and monitoring using surrounds. EFA methodology.

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Table 15 (Continued) Rehabilitation Trigger Action Response Plan

Action/Response to Mitigate, Threat to Rehabilitation Justification for How Impact will Notification Domain Trigger/Cause Remediate and/or Compensate any Success Action/Response be Monitored Protocol Identified Impacts Domains 1B, Exploration activities results in Rehabilitation monitoring indicates • Implement relevant impact • SDN. Visual inspection Reporting in 2A/2B, 3A/3B and loss of vegetation and failure of revegetation is damaged resulting in avoidance measures in accordance of remediated Annual Review. • REF. 5E (continued) rehabilitation area. failure of rehabilitation area. with approved Surface Development area following Notice (SDN) or Review of • BMP. exploration Environmental Factors (REF), BMP activities. and this MOP/RMP. • This MOP/RMP. • Monitoring of rehabilitation areas • Successful implementation following exploration and replanting of Action/Response at the of seeds as necessary. DCM. Domain 2C Rainfall/flooding results in failure Monitoring indicates failure of • Geotechnically stable design of • WAMP. Regular visual Reporting in of permanent Coal Shaft Creek permanent Coal Shaft Creek permanent Coal Shaft Creek inspection of Annual Review. alignment. alignment. alignment to minimise impacts from permanent Coal heavy rainfall/flooding. Shaft Creek alignment. • Monitoring of permanent Coal Shaft Creek alignment following any major rainfall event and re-stabilisation of any landforms and/or replanting seeds as necessary. Domains 3A/3B Rehabilitation of PAF waste Surface water and groundwater • Implement SWMP Contingency Plan • WAMP. Ongoing Reporting in emplacements causing acid mine monitoring indicates potential acid (Section 10). implementation of Annual Review. drainage contamination of surface mine drainage contamination. SWMP and and groundwater. GWMP monitoring programs. Domains 3A and 3B Rehabilitation of in-situ and Observed spontaneous combustion • Prepare detailed final void design. • 2017 ERA (Section 3.1). Ongoing Reporting in exposed coal seams causing event or groundwater monitoring implementation of Annual Review. spontaneous combustion or acid results indicates potential acid mine • Review final void water balance. • Mine Closure Planning Spontaneous Program – Final Void mine drainage contamination of drainage contamination. • Review medium to long term water Combustion (Section 8.3). groundwater. quality predictions for final void. Management Plan and GWMP monitoring program. Domains 1B, 2A/2B Surface water runoff causing Surface water, stream health and/or • Prepare a detailed final design for • 2017 ERA (Section 3.1). Ongoing Reporting in and 3A/3B. detrimental effects on Mammy ecotoxicity monitoring of Mammy Coal Shaft Creek Reconstruction. implementation of Annual Review. Johnsons River aquatic ecology. Johnsons River indicates potential • Mine Closure Planning SWMP monitoring adverse effects to aquatic ecology. • Review site water balance to ensure Program – Coal Shaft programs. it incorporates final landform design. Creek Reconstruction Plan (Section 8.4.2) and Site • Identify post-closure environmental Water Balance monitoring requirements. (Section 8.4.1).

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Table 15 (Continued) Rehabilitation Trigger Action Response Plan

Action/Response to Mitigate, Threat to Rehabilitation Justification for How Impact will Notification Domain Trigger/Cause Remediate and/or Compensate any Success Action/Response be Monitored Protocol Identified Impacts Domains 1B, 2A/2B Poor quality runoff from • Ineffective surface water runoff • Implement SWMP Contingency • SWMP (Rehabilitation Ongoing Reporting in and 3A/3B. rehabilitation areas reaching controls during rehabilitation. Plan. Runoff Criteria). implementation of Annual Review. Mammy Johnsons River. SWMP monitoring • On-site and Mammy Johnsons • Review site water balance to ensure • 2017 ERA (Section 3.1). programs during River surface water monitoring it incorporates the final landform • Mine Closure Planning operations and results indicate poor quality design, surface water inflows and Program Site Water rehabilitation, and water. outflows to/from final void. – Balance (Section 8.4.1) and Post-Closure • Identify post-closure environmental Post-Closure Monitoring Monitoring monitoring requirements. and Maintenance Program Program during (Section 8.10). closure. Domains 1B, 2A/2B Failure to achieve biodiversity • Contaminated ground water from • Commission and undertake final • 2017 ERA (Section 3.1). Ongoing Reporting in and 3A/3B. targets causing detrimental rehabilitated waste dumps enters design of the Coal Shaft Creek final implementation of Annual Review. • Mine Closure Planning impacts on Coal Shaft Creek and Coal Shaft Creek due to less than re-alignment and reconstruction. SWMP monitoring Mammy Johnsons River aquatic adequate groundwater modelling. Program – Coal Shaft programs during • Review and update predicted final Creek Reconstruction Plan ecology. • Less than adequate operations and ground water model to ensure (Section 8.4.2) and Final rehabilitation, and understanding of key issues for consistency with final landform Void Design (Section 8.3.1). creek reconstruction. Post-Closure design. Monitoring • Less than adequate design and/ Program during or construction. closure. • Erosion or failure of reconstructed Implementation of Coal Shaft Creek. Coal Shaft Creek • Failure to adequately establish monitoring aquatic and riparian vegetation. program. Domains 2A/2B/2C Unplanned release of mine water • Current water management Existing Controls • 2017 ERA (Section 3.1). Ongoing Reporting in during rehabilitation. practices on-site are less than implementation of Annual Review. • WMP. • Mine Closure Planning adequate for rehabilitation stage SWMP monitoring Program Environmental of operations. • Dedicated resources on site. – programs during Management Plans • Prescribed Dam Maintenance Plan. operations and • Less than adequate surface and (Section 8.11), Retained rehabilitation, and ground water controls for • Current water infrastructure in place. Water Infrastructure implement Post- rehabilitation stage of operations. (Section 8.4.3) and Mine • Site water balance. Closure Water Dam • Uncontrolled spill from MWD or Monitoring Further Risk Reduction Actions Decommissioning Strategy auxiliary dams to Mammy Program during (Section 8.8). Johnsons River. • Review and update existing closure. management plans for rehabilitation • Unexpected structural failure of stage of operations. dam. • Prepare a strategy for transferring mine water from the prescribed dams back to the final voids. • Prepare strategy for decommissioning mine water dams or integration with final land use.

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Table 15 (Continued) Rehabilitation Trigger Action Response Plan

Action/Response to Mitigate, Threat to Rehabilitation Justification for How Impact will Notification Domain Trigger/Cause Remediate and/or Compensate any Success Action/Response be Monitored Protocol Identified Impacts Domains 2A/2B/2C Long-term contamination from • Mine water unable to be Existing Controls • 2017 ERA (Section 3.1). Ongoing Reporting in mine water stored in prescribed transferred to mine void to enable implementation of Annual Review. • Prescribed Dam Management and • Mine Closure Planning dams. prescribed dams to be SWMP monitoring Maintenance Manual. Program Retained Water decommissioned. – programs during Infrastructure • WMP. operations and • Less than adequate maintenance (Section 8.4.3) and Mine rehabilitation, and of prescribed dams leads to Further Risk Reduction Actions Water Dam implement Post- failure. Decommissioning Strategy • Develop a strategy to transfer water Closure (Section 8.8). to final voids. Monitoring Program during closure. Domain 2C Failure to meet rehabilitation • Less than adequate control of Existing Controls • 2017 ERA (Section 3.1). Ongoing Reporting in runoff water quality criteria during runoff from rehabilitation areas. implementation of Annual Review. • WMP and this MOP/RMP. rehabilitation and mine closure. • Mine Closure Planning WMP and • Eroding/unstable landform. Further Risk Reduction Actions Program – Post-Closure MOP/RMP Monitoring and monitoring • Identify post-closure environmental Maintenance Program programs during monitoring requirements. (Section 8.10). operations and rehabilitation, and implement Post- Closure Monitoring Program during closure. Domains 2C and Unsustainable water balance • Less than adequate water Existing Controls • SWMP. Ongoing Reporting in 4D during rehabilitation and mine balance model of the final implementation of Annual Review. • Site Water Balance Model reviewed • 2017 ERA (Section 3.1). closure. landform design. WMP during annually. • Mine Closure Planning operations and • Less than adequate design of • Infrastructure meets needs of Program Site Water rehabilitation, and existing infrastructure. – existing operating coal mine and will Balance (Section 8.4.1). implement Post- be maintained during rehabilitation. Closure Monitoring Further Risk Reduction Actions Program during • Update site water balance to closure. consider final landform.

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Table 15 (Continued) Rehabilitation Trigger Action Response Plan

Action/Response to Mitigate, Threat to Rehabilitation Justification for How Impact will Notification Domain Trigger/Cause Remediate and/or Compensate any Success Action/Response be Monitored Protocol Identified Impacts Domains 3A/3B and Geotechnical instability of • Steepness/instability of final Existing Controls • This MOP/RMP. Ongoing Reporting in 4D rehabilitated waste emplacements highwalls, endwalls, batters and implementation of Annual Review. • Operational geotechnical • 2017 ERA (Section 3.1). and final void resulting in a waste emplacements. WMP during assessments. detrimental environmental impact. • Mine Closure Planning operations and • Undetermined water impacts on • Conceptual final landform design. Program Stability rehabilitation, and wall stability and submerged – Assessment (Section 8.2) implement Post- rehabilitated waste Further Risk Reduction Actions and Final Void Design and Closure emplacements. • Undertake a Stability Assessment of Geotechnical Assessment Monitoring • Uncontrolled erosion. all drainage features, water (Sections 8.2 and 8.3). Program during management areas and closure. rehabilitated waste emplacements, to identify any works required to ensure stability in the final landform. • Undertake a Geotechnical Assessment of the final voids to ensure the final landform designs are safe, stable & non-polluting. Domain 4D Failure of the final void to achieve • Less than adequate water Existing Controls • This MOP/RMP. Ongoing Reporting in a criteria of safe, stable and non- resources to reach the modelled implementation of Annual Review. • Perimeter bunding/fencing planned • 2017 ERA (Section 3.1). polluting. final void water equilibrium. WMP during to be established and maintained. • operations and • Less than adequate modelling of Mine Closure Planning • Conceptual final void design. Program Final Void rehabilitation, and long-term final void water quality. – Design and Geotechnical implement Post- • Final void water balance model. • Inability to control access to steep Assessment (Sections 8.2 Closure final void slopes. • Predicted final void water quality and 8.3), Final Void Water Monitoring model. Balance (Section 8.3.2) and Program during Final Void Water Quality closure. Further Risk Reduction Actions (Section 8.3.3). • Review site groundwater model to ensure model is consistent with final landform design. • Review medium to long term water quality predictions of final void against available monitoring data to determine need for additional/alternate management. • Undertake Geotechnical Assessment of final voids to ensure final landform designs are safe, stable & non-polluting. • Identify post-closure environmental monitoring requirements.

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Table 15 (Continued) Rehabilitation Trigger Action Response Plan

Action/Response to Mitigate, Threat to Rehabilitation Justification for How Impact will Notification Domain Trigger/Cause Remediate and/or Compensate any Success Action/Response be Monitored Protocol Identified Impacts Domains 1B, Erosion of final landforms, • Less than adequate design of Existing Controls • This MOP/RMP. Ongoing Reporting in 2A/2B/2C, 3A/3B, compromising establishment of drainage from landforms/waste implementation of Annual Review. • Conceptual final landform design. • 2017 ERA (Section 3.1). 5E. vegetation and water quality. emplacement slopes. this MOP/RMP • Demonstrated previous • Mine Closure Planning during operations rehabilitation experience. Program – Final Landform and rehabilitation, Design (Section 8.2). and implement • WMP and this MOP/RMP. Post-Closure Further Risk Reduction Actions Monitoring Program during • Develop detailed final landform closure. design that considers surface water run-off and drainage. Domains 1B, Inability to complete rehabilitation • Inadequate supply of inert Existing Controls • This MOP/RMP. Ongoing Reporting in 2A/2B, 3A/3B, 5E. to required standard due to capping material and clay implementation of Annual Review. • Sufficient NAF for inert capping has • 2017 ERA (Section 3.1). insufficient materials (e.g. inert available on site. this MOP/RMP been verified. capping material, clay, topsoil). • Mine Closure Planning during operations • Less than adequate clay for Coal • Topsoil management procedure, Program Rehabilitation and rehabilitation, Shaft Creek Diversion re- – including site topsoil balance Resources (Section 8.5). and implement establishment (clay liner). identifies sufficient topsoil resources Post-Closure • Less than adequate topsoil for rehabilitation. Monitoring available on site. Program during • Topsoil balance updated annually. closure. • Monitoring and reporting. Further Risk Reduction Actions • Quantify availability of rehabilitation resources, particularly clay and review requirements. Domains 1B, Failure to achieve biodiversity • Inability to integrate rehabilitation Existing Controls • This MOP/RMP. Ongoing Reporting in 2A/2B, 3A/3B, 5E. targets in rehabilitation areas. with undisturbed land and wildlife implementation of Annual Review. • Biodiversity Management Plan. • 2017 ERA (Section 3.1). corridors. BMP and this • This MOP/RMP. • Mine Closure Planning MOP/RMP during • Human interference. Program Post-Closure operations and • Demonstrated previous – • Impacts on native ecosystems by Monitoring and rehabilitation, and rehabilitation and experience. introduced species. Maintenance Program implement Post- Further Risk Reduction Actions (Section 8.10). Closure • Poor establishment of vegetation. Monitoring • Identify post-closure environmental Program during monitoring requirements. closure. • Identify post closure/rehabilitation maintenance requirements.

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Table 15 (Continued) Rehabilitation Trigger Action Response Plan

Action/Response to Mitigate, Threat to Rehabilitation Justification for How Impact will Notification Domain Trigger/Cause Remediate and/or Compensate any Success Action/Response be Monitored Protocol Identified Impacts Domain 1B Infrastructure not suitably • Decommissioning requirements • Identify infrastructure not required to • This MOP/RMP. Implementation of Reporting in decommissioned. not adequately identified. support mine closure and develop Post-Closure Annual Review. • 2017 ERA (Section 3.1). decommissioning strategy. Monitoring • Mine Closure Planning Program during Program – Infrastructure closure. Removal Strategy and Scheduling (Section 8.7). Domains 1B, Rehabilitation activities disturb • Rehabilitation activities • Implement HMP controls, including • This MOP/RMP. Ongoing Reporting in 2A/2B, 3A/3B, 5E. Aboriginal Heritage sites. inadvertently occur outside Pre-clearance Procedure and Permit implementation of Annual Review. • 2017 ERA (Section 3.1). approved disturbed areas. process. HMP and this • Mine Closure Planning MOP/RMP during • Less than adequate delineation of Program Post-Closure operations and Aboriginal heritage sites. – Monitoring and rehabilitation, and • Previously unidentified Aboriginal Maintenance Program implement Post- heritage sites adjacent to current (Section 8.10). Closure disturbed area. Monitoring Program during closure. Domains 3A/3B Odours emitted from site. • Less than adequate PAF • Implement PAF Material • PAF Material Management Ongoing Reporting in management and capping. Management Plan procedures. Plan. implementation of Annual Review. PAF Material • Less than adequate control • This MOP/RMP. Management during PAF rehandle. • 2017 ERA (Section 3.1). Plan during operations and • Mine Closure Planning rehabilitation, and Program – Post-Closure implement Post- Monitoring and Closure Maintenance Program Monitoring (Section 8.10). Program during closure.

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11 REPORTING

Annual Review

A review of DCPL’s compliance with all conditions of the Project Approval, mining leases and all other approvals and licences will be undertaken prior to (and included within) each Annual Review. The Annual Review will be made publicly available on the DCM website (http://www.duraliecoal.com.au).

The Annual Review will include a description of rehabilitation activities undertaken during the reporting period.

Website and Community Call Line

DCPL’s website provides updates on assessments and approvals relevant to the DCM and provides access to relevant environment and community information.

DCPL has established a dedicated Complaints Line (1300 658 239) that is available 24 hours, seven days per week for community members who have enquiries or who wish to lodge complaints in relation to DCPL’s activities at the DCM.

A summary of complaints is documented in the Annual Review and regularly made available on the DCM website.

Non-Compliances with Statutory Requirements

Compliance with all approvals, plans and procedures will be the responsibility of all personnel (staff and contractors) employed on or in association with the DCM.

The Environment and Community Superintendent will have oversight of inspections and internal audits, initiate directions identifying any remediation/rectification work required, and areas of actual or potential non-compliance.

The Annual Review will include any reported non-compliances with DCM’s statutory requirements set within the DCM’s approvals, lease, licences and plans.

Incidents

An incident is defined as a set of circumstances that causes or threatens to cause material harm to the environment, and/or breaches or exceeds the limits or performance measures/criteria in the Project Approval.

The reporting of incidents will be conducted in accordance with Condition 6 of Schedule 5 of the Project Approval. DCPL will notify the DPIE, at the earliest opportunity, and any other relevant agencies of any incident at the DCM that has caused, or threatens to cause, material harm to the environment. For any other incident associated with the DCM, DCPL will notify the DPIE and any other relevant agencies as soon as practicable after DCPL becomes aware of the incident. Within seven days of the date of the incident, DCPL will provide the DPIE and any relevant agencies with a detailed report on the incident (as requested), and such further reports as may be requested.

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12 PLANS

The following plans relevant to this MOP/RMP have been prepared in consideration of the Plan requirements in the MOP Guidelines:

• Plan 1A – Duralie Coal Mine Locality; • Plan 1B – Pre-Mining Environment – Natural Environment; • Plan 1C – Pre-Mining Environment – Built Environment; • Plan 2 – Rehabilitation Domains at Commencement of MOP/RMP; • Plan 3A – Mining and Rehabilitation – 2020; • Plan 3B – Mining and Rehabilitation – 2021; • Plan 4 – Conceptual Post-Rehabilitation – Final Landform and Domains; • Plan 5A – Conceptual Sections of the Gloucester Basin Post-Mining; and • Plan 5B – Cross Section of Final Voids Post-Mining;

These plans are attached to this MOP/RMP.

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13 REVIEW AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE MOP/RMP

13.1 REVIEW

The rehabilitation principles and targets described in this MOP/RMP will continue to be tracked via DCPL’s internal review and tracking systems and the reporting and auditing mechanisms described in Section 11. Any proposed changes to the MOP/RMP that would potentially require an amendment to this MOP/RMP would be discussed with the Resources Regulator in accordance with the MOP Guidelines. The results of environmental performance monitoring undertaken during the MOP/RMP term will contribute to refining future MOPs/RMPs.

In addition, in accordance with the requirements of Condition 4(c) of Schedule 5 of Project Approval 08_0203, this MOP/RMP will be reviewed and revised if necessary within three months of:

• the submission of an Annual Review under Condition 3 of Schedule 5 of Project Approval 08_0203; • the submission of an incident report under Condition 6 of Schedule 5 of Project Approval 08_0203; • the submission of an Independent Environmental Audit under Condition 8 of Schedule 5 of Project Approval 08_0203; or • the approval of any modification to the conditions of Project Approval 08_0203 (unless the conditions require otherwise).

13.2 IMPLEMENTATION

A general overview of the responsibility of DCPL personnel in regard to the monitoring, review and implementation of this MOP/RMP is provided in Table 16 below.

Table 16 Site Management Relevant to Implementation of this MOP/RMP

Management Team Role and Responsibility Member Operations Manager • Provide adequate resourcing to support site environmental management. • Provide strategic direction. • Overall site management responsibility. • Responsible for management of mining contractors and DCPL staff. Superintendent – Mine • Responsible for, review and implementation of planning and engineering aspects of Planning MOP/RMP. • Annual internal auditing and reporting (Annual Review). • Responsible for the performance of activities undertaken within mining area. Environment and • Responsible for monitoring, review and implementation of environmental aspects of Community Superintendent MOP/RMP. • Monitoring and management of environmental compliance. • Environmental related approvals and planning. • Responsible for site environmental monitoring. • Management of the implementation and compliance with Environmental Management Plan, approvals, licensing and permits. • Annual internal auditing and reporting (Annual Review). • Progressive rehabilitation planning, development and reporting. • External government and community consultation. • Responsible for community enquiry and initiatives management.

01007333 81 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Table 16 (Continued) Site Management Relevant to Implementation of this MOP/RMP

Management Team Role and Responsibility Member General Staff and • All general staff members trained in environmental procedures and protocols as part of Contractors the induction process and site meetings. • All general staff members responsible for immediately reporting environmental incidents. • All general staff members responsible for undertaking works in an environmentally sound manner and in accordance with relevant site commitments, management plans and regulatory approvals.

01007333 82 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

14 REFERENCES

Australian National Committee on Large Dams (2003) Guidelines on Risk Assessment. Australian National Committee on Large Dams (2012) Guidelines on the Consequence Categories for Dams. ATC Williams Pty Ltd (2019) Conceptual Decommissioning Strategy. Australian Museum Consulting (2014) Duralie Open Pit Modification Fauna Assessment.

Department of Primary Industries (1997) MDG1010 Risk Management Handbook for the Mining Industry. May, 1997.

Department of Primary Industries (2006) Beef Stocking rates and Farm Size – Hunter Region.

Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services – Division of Resources and Energy (2013) ESG3: Mining Operations Plan (MOP) Guidelines, September 2013.

Department of Urban Affairs and Planning and Environment Protection Authority (1998) Managing Land Contamination Planning Guidelines SEPP 55 – Remediation of Land.

Duralie Coal Pty Ltd (2012) Waste Management Plan.

Duralie Coal Pty Ltd (2013a) Water Management Plan.

Duralie Coal Pty Ltd (2013b) Irrigation Management Plan.

Duralie Coal Pty Ltd (2013c) Rehabilitation Management Plan.

Duralie Coal Pty Ltd (2014) Duralie Open Pit Modification Environmental Assessment.

Environmental Geochemistry International Pty Ltd (2009) Duralie Extension Project Geochemical Assessment of Overburden and Floor Rock.

Environment Protection Authority (2014) Waste Classification Guidelines Part 1: Classifying waste.

FloraSearch (2014) Duralie Open Pit Modification Flora Assessment.

Gilbert & Associates Pty Ltd (2010) Appendix A Duralie Extension Project – Surface Water Assessment. Report prepared for Duralie Coal Pty Ltd.

Gloucester Coal Pty Ltd (2010) Duralie Extension Project Environmental Assessment.

Great Lakes Council (2015) Karuah River Catchment Management Plan.

Greening Australia (2013) Monitoring of Landscape Function and Vegetation Structure of Rehabilitation Areas at the Duralie Coal Mine.

Henderson (2000) Soil Landscapes of the Dungog 1:100,000 Sheet. https://data.nsw.gov.au/data/dataset/0383a298-571f-46ab-8398-39ecd8fe3a57.

HMS Consultants Australia Pty. Ltd (2017) Mine Closure Environmental Risk Assessment.

Landcom (2004) Managing urban storm water – Soils and Construction Volume 1.

01007333 83 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

Murray Darling Basin Commission (1997) Murray Darling Basin Groundwater Quality Sampling Guidelines.

National Environment Protection Council (2013) National Environment Protection (Assessment of Site Contamination) Measure).

New South Wales Agriculture (2002) Agricultural Land Classification.

Office of Environment and Heritage (2011) Guidelines for Consultants Reporting on Contaminated Sites.

Pells Sullivan Meynink Pty Limited (2019) Clareval Pit Closure Advice – Duralie.

Roads and Maritime Services (2017) Additional Access Conditions – Oversize and overmass heavy vehicles and loads.

SP Solutions (2009) Duralie Extension Project Environmental Risk Assessment.

Trevor Brown & Associates (2011) Independent Environmental Review Duralie Coal Mine.

Veness & Associates (1996) Soil Sampling Program Duralie Coal.

Woodward-Clyde (1996) Surface Water Resources Report. Appendix Ea in Duralie Coal Pty Ltd (1996) Duralie Coal Environmental Impact Assessment

01007333 84 Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

PLANS

01007333 380000 Coneac State Forest 400000 420000 Bowman State BOWM A Forest N R E T V H I U R N D E R B O L T S Copeland WAY Tops State B A R Conservation Area R I 6460000 N T 6460000 GT HE WAY ON

GLOUCESTER BUCKETTS R

E RI V V ER I R

Forbesdale !

AMBA LL R A IV N W ER O V A

AUTH315 ! Berrico Stratford Nature Stratford Mining T Reserve E Complex L E G Avon River The Glen H ! E State Craven R AUTH315 Nature Reserve R Y Chichester Forest 6440000 State 6440000 RIVER R Forest AUTH311 MYALL I V E R R I EL6904 VE R

S LIT D TLEM Y A AR L W M L Wang Barrington Tops K AMM R W A Y I A R V E N Wauk State National Park U R G C A Ghin-Doo-Ee

H Black Bulga State Forest

H W I C Conservation Area JOHNS National Park A H O U N K E S S R T I E V R ER E V R

R I Fosterton R DURALIE COAL MINE I

V State Forest

E R Killarney

Nature R

I V Bulahdelah Reserve E

R W State IL L Forest IA M S Monkerai ! Stroud Road 6420000 R Nature Reserve 6420000

IV E C R d

a R d Ro Strou A Myall W F River State O

R

Forest D Bulahdelah State

DUNGOG Conservation Area

Y A

W STROUD BULAHDELAH

S

T T

E R K

C I

Myall Lakes V U E B National Park R

E

H T 05± Kilometres GDA 1994 MGA Zone 56 380000 400000 420000 YAN-19-22_D 2020 MOP_206A

QUEENSLAND LEGEND Mining Lease Boundary Mining Lease Application Boundary NEW SOUTH WALES Exploration Licence Boundary NSW State Forest GLOUCESTER ! National Park, Nature Reserve or State Conservation Area DURALIE COAL MINE NEWCASTLE Source: Geoscience Australia (2006); DURALIE COAL MINE MOP/RMP SYDNEY NSW Department of Planning & Environment (2017) Regional Location ACT

VICTORIA PLAN 1A YAN-19-22_D 2020 MOP_002A

DURALIE COAL MINE MOP/RMP Pre-Mining Environment - Natural Environment

Plan 1B YAN-19-22_D 2020 MOP_001A Source: Department of Lands (2009); DCPL (2013)

DURALIE COAL MINE MOP/RMP Pre-Mining Environment - Built Environment

Plan 1C 400000 k e e r C D

l u i r a o l l S i e k Y c A a W l R L o I B a A

d R M

J A

o

h M

n

T

s M

S o

A

Y n Y

A O s W C

S T T

E H K T

C R

U O

B N J

O H

N C E re H S e T

ML 1427 O k

N S

R oa ML 1646 d

k R e IV

e ER

r C

t

f

a Gr h oom S l Cr a eek o C

K A R U A H

(Decommissioned) R IVE d R Roa

T k H ee E Cr

B U R C ons s I K S V E n

E T N h T o R S Y O J

A S W IL N A

R H

O J

W

T Y

A S Y A M

O M C A M 01± Kilometres

H

T

R GDA 1994 MGA Zone 56

O

N 400000 YAN-19-22_D 2020 MOP_202A

LEGEND Relevant Secondary Domain Source: © NSW Spatial Services (2019)

Mining Lease Boundary Pasture/Scattered Trees (A) Orthophoto: Yancoal (Flown May 2016); Google (2018) , Up-catachment Diversion Þ Þ ÞÞ Þ Þ Þ Woodland/Open Forest (B)

Expected Mining Area Retained Water Infrastructure (C) Primary Domains , Indicative Coal Shaft Creek Diversion (C) Infrastructure (1) Indicative Coal Shaft Creek Reconstruction Corridor (C) Water Management Area (2) 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 Waste Emplacement Area (3) 6 6 6 6 6 6 Final Void /Water Storage (D) Final Void/Open Pit (4) DURALIE COAL MINE MOP/RMP Offset Area (5) Rehabilitation Domains at Commencement of MOP/RMP

Plan 2 400000 k e e r C D

l u i r a o l l S i e k Y c A a W l R L o I B a A

d R M

J A

o

h M

n

T

s M

S o

Y A n Y

A O s W C

S T T

E H K T

C R

U O

B N J

O H

N C E re H S e T

ML 1427 O k

N S

R oa ML 1646 d

k R e IV

e ER

r C

t

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a Gr h oom S l Cr a eek o C

K A R U A H

! R IVE d R Roa (Decommissioned)

T k H ee E Cr

B U R C ons s I K S V E n

E T N h T o R S Y O J

A S W IL N A

R H

O J

W

T Y

A S Y A M

O M C A M 01± Kilometres

TH R GDA 1994 MGA Zone 56 O

N 400000 YAN-19-22_D 2020 MOP_203A

LEGEND Source: © NSW Spatial Services (2019)

Mining Lease Boundary Rehabilitation Phase Orthophoto: Yancoal (Flown May 2016); Google (2018) , Up-catachment Diversion Landform Establishment

Culvert Ecosystem and Land Use Establishment – Pasture/Scattered Trees , Indicative Coal Shaft Creek Diversion Ecosystem and Land Use Establishment – Woodland/Open Forest Expected Mining Area Ecosystem and Land Use Sustainability Primary Domains Infrastructure (1) DURALIE COAL MINE MOP/RMP Water Management Area (2) Waste Emplacement Area (3) Mining and Rehabilitation - 2020 Final Void/Open Pit (4) Offset Area (5)

Plan 3A 400000 k e e r C D

l u i r a o l l S i e k Y c A a W l R L o I B a A

d R M

J A

o

h M

n

T

s M

S o

A

Y n Y

A O s W C

S T T

E H K T

C R

U O

B N J

O H

N C E re H S e T

ML 1427 O k

N S

R oa ML 1646 d

k R e IV

e ER

r C

t

f

a Gr h oom S l Cr a eek o C

K A R U A H

! VER RI oad (Decommissioned) R

T k H ee E Cr

B U R C ons s I K S V E n

E T N h T o R S Y O J

A S W IL N A

R H

O J

W

T Y

A S Y A M

O M C A M 01± Kilometres H

T

R

O GDA 1994 MGA Zone 56

N 400000 YAN-19-22_D 2020 MOP_204A

LEGEND Source: © NSW Spatial Services (2019)

Mining Lease Boundary Rehabilitation Phase Orthophoto: Yancoal (Flown May 2016); Google (2018) , Up-catachment Diversion Landform Establishment

Culvert Ecosystem and Land Use Establishment – Pasture/Scattered Trees , Indicative Coal Shaft Creek Diversion Ecosystem and Land Use Establishment – Woodland/Open Forest Expected Mining Area Ecosystem and Land Use Sustainability Primary Domains Infrastructure (1) Water Management Area (2) DURALIE COAL MINE MOP/RMP Waste Emplacement Area (3) Mining and Rehabilitation - 2021 Final Void/Open Pit (4) Offset Area (5)

Plan 3B 400000 k e e r C D

l u i r a o l l S i B¹ e k Y c A a W l R L o I B a A d R

C¹ M

J A

o

h M

n

T

s M

S o

A

Y 4D n Y

A O s W C

S T T

E H K T

C R

U O A

B N J

O H

N C E 4D re H S e T

C ML 1427 O k N 3B S 3B

Ro ML ad 1646 1B

k R e IV

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C 3A

t

f

a Gr 5E h oom S l Cr a eek o C

2C

2C

K A R 3B U A H A¹ 2C 2C

1B 5E 2A R IVE d R Roa

T k H ee E Cr 5E B U R C ons s I K S V E n

E T N h T o R S Y O J

A S W IL N A

R H

O J

W

T Y

A S Y A M

O M C A B M 01±

H

T Kilometres

R O GDA 1994 MGA Zone 56 N 400000 YAN-19-22_D 2020 MOP_205A

LEGEND Source: © NSW Spatial Services (2019)

Mining Lease Boundary Orthophoto: Yancoal (Flown May 2016); Google (2018) , Up-catachment Diversion Offset Area Relevant Secondary Domain Pasture/Scattered Trees (A) ÞÞ Þ Woodland/Open Forest (B) Retained Water Infrastructure (C) DURALIE COAL MINE MOP/RMP

, Indicative Coal Shaft Creek Diversion (C) Conceptual Post-Rehabilitation Indicative Coal Shaft Creek Reconstruction Corridor (C) 6 6 6 6 6 Final Landform and Domains 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 6 Final Void /Water Storage (D) Cross Section - Refer Plans 5A and 5B Plan 4 Extent of Duralie Coal Mine at Completion 1000 Buckleys Range Mammy Johnsons River The Bucketts Way

500

Elevation (m)

0 Waste Rock Emplacement -300 0 1 2345678910km 1 A Section A - A 1 (Looking South-East) A (Refer to Plan 4)

Extent of Duralie Coal Mine at Completion Mammy Johnsons The Bucketts Way 500 River

Elevation (m)

0 Existing Waste Rock Emplacement Weismantel Open Pit -200

0 1 2345 67km B Section B - B 1 (Looking South-West) B1 (Refer to Plan 4)

YAN-19-22_D 2020 MOP_004A Source: Marc & Co (2014) and DCPL (2019)

LEGEND Section of Plan 4 Background Topography of Section (to approximately 4 km) DURALIE COAL MINE MOP/RMP Conceptual Sections of the Gloucester Basin Post-Mining Plan 5A Approximate Pre-mining Ground Level

150

100

50

0 Base of Weismantel Pit During Mining Weismantel Seams -50

-100 Cheer-up Seams Elevation(m)

-150 Clareval Seams

-200

-250 Duralie Seams Base of Clareval Pit during Mining -300

-350 Fa Fa ult ult

-400

-450

-500 0 500 1000 1500 m Section C - C 1

YAN-19-22_D 2020 MOP_003A Source: DCPL (2019)

DURALIE COAL MINE MOP/RMP Cross-Section of Final Voids Post-Mining

Plan 5B Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

ATTACHMENT 1

DURALIE COAL MINE PROJECT APPROVAL (08_0203)

01007333 Annexure A

Project Approval

Section 75J of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979

The Land and Environment Court of New South Wales approves the project application referred to in Schedule 1, subject to the conditions in Schedules 2 to 5.

10 November 2011

SCHEDULE 1

Application Number: 08_0203

Proponent: Duralie Coal Pty Limited

Land: See Appendix 1

Project: Duralie Extension Project

November 2012 Modification in Blue December 2014 Modification in Red

TABLE OF CONTENTS

DEFINITIONS 2

SCHEDULE 2: ADMINISTRATIVE CONDITIONS 4

Obligation to Minimise Harm to the Environment 4 Terms of Approval 4 Limits on Approval 4 Surrender of Consents 4 Structural Adequacy 5 Demolition 5 Operation of Plant and Equipment 5 Staged Submission of any Strategy, Plan or Program 5 Contributions to Council 5

SCHEDULE 3: ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS 6

Acquisition Upon Request 6 Noise 6 Blasting 8 Air Quality & Greenhouse Gas 9 Meteorological Monitoring 11 Soil & Water 11 Biodiversity 13 Heritage 18 Transport 18 Visual 19 Waste 19 Bushfire Management 19 Rehabilitation 19

SCHEDULE 4: ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES 21

Notification of Landowners 21 Independent Review 21 Land Acquisition 22

SCHEDULE 5: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, REPORTING AND AUDITING 24

Environmental Management 24 Reporting 25 Auditing 25 Access to Information 26

APPENDIX 1: SCHEDULE OF LAND 27

APPENDIX 2: PROJECT LAYOUT PLANS 28

APPENDIX 3: LAND OWNERSHIP PLANS 31

APPENDIX 4: IRRIGATION AREA 34

APPENDIX 5: OFFSET STRATEGY 35

APPENDIX 6: HERITAGE SITES 36

APPENDIX 7: INDICATIVE LOCATION OF VISUAL SCREEN ON BUCKETTS WAY 37

APPENDIX 8: CONCEPTUAL REHABILITATION PLAN 38

APPENDIX 9: STATEMENT OF COMMITMENTS 39

1

DEFINITIONS

Annual Review The review required by Condition 3 in Schedule 5 ARTC Australian Rail Track Corporation BCA Building Code of Australia CCC Community Consultative Committee Conditions of this approval Conditions contained in Schedules 2 to 5 inclusive CPI Consumer Price Index Day The period from 7am to 6pm on Monday to Saturday, and 8am to 6pm on Sundays and Public Holidays Department Department of Planning and Environment DRE Division of Resources and Energy within DTIRIS DTIRIS Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services EA Environmental Assessment titled Duralie Extension Project, dated January 2010, as modified by the associated response to submissions dated 25 March 2010 and 12 July 2010 and the correspondence by or on behalf of the Proponent dated 12 March 2010, 9 April 2010, 30 June 2010, 12 and 19 July 2010 and 31 August 2010 EA (Mod 1) Environmental Assessment titled Duralie Rail Hours Modification, dated April 2012 and associated response to submissions dated 17 May 2012 and 24 May 2012. EA (Mod 2) Environmental Assessment titled Duralie Open Pit Modification, dated July 2014 and associated response to submissions dated August 2014 EP&A Act Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 EP&A Regulation Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation 2000 EPA Environment Protection Authority EPL Environment Protection Licence Evening The period from 6pm to 10pm Exceptional Circumstances Circumstances when ARTC determines that the shuttle train must operate on the North Coast railway between midnight and 1am because there have been significant disruptions to the services on the railway over the last 12 hours or where there have been power outages at either the Stratford or Duralie mines that have materially affected the operation of the shuttle train on the North Coast railway Feasible Feasible relates to engineering considerations and what is practical to build or carry out GLC Great Lakes Council GSC Gloucester Shire Council Incident A set of circumstances that causes or threatens to cause material harm to the environment, and/or breaches or exceeds the limits or performance measures/criteria in this approval Irrigation Area The irrigation area depicted in the figure in Appendix 4 Land In general, the definition of land is consistent with the definition in the EP&A Act. However, in relation to noise and air quality conditions in Schedules 3 and 4 it means the whole of a lot, or contiguous lots owned by the same landowner, in a current plan registered at the Land Titles Office at the date of this approval. Material harm to the environment Actual or potential harm to the health or safety of human beings or to ecosystems that is not trivial Mine Water Water that accumulates within active mining areas and infrastructure areas, synonymous with dirty water Mining Operations Includes the removal of overburden and the extraction, processing, handling, storage and transportation of coal Minister Minister for Planning & Environment, or delegate Mitigation Activities associated with reducing the impacts of the project Negligible Small and unimportant, such as to not be worth considering Night The period from 10pm to 7am on Monday to Saturday, and 10pm to 8am on Sundays and Public Holidays NOW NSW Office of Water within the Department of Primary Industries OEH Office of Environment and Heritage Offset area The land covered by the Offset Strategy Offset strategy The biodiversity conservation and enhancement program described in the EA and depicted generally in the figure in Appendix 5; as well as the implementation of the offset that was required under the previous development consent for the mine (DA168/99), which is also depicted generally in the figure in Appendix 5. The obligations in the offset strategy do not extend to buildings and infrastructure 2

complexes, formed roads, the railway, water bodies and road easements that occur within the offset area that existed on the date of this approval. POEO Act Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 Privately-owned land Land that is not owned by a public agency or a mining company (or its subsidiary) Project The development described in the EA Proponent Duralie Coal Pty Limited, or its successors Reasonable Reasonable relates to the application of judgement in arriving at a decision taking into account: mitigation benefits, cost of mitigation versus benefits provided, community views and the nature and extent of potential improvements Rehabilitation The treatment or management of land disturbed by the project for the purpose of establishing a safe, stable and non-polluting environment Remediation Activities associated with partially or fully repairing, or controlling the environmental consequences of this impact RMS Roads and Maritime Services Secretary Secretary of the Department, or nominee Site The land listed in Appendix 1 Statement of Commitments The Proponent’s commitments in Appendix 9 Surface development area The approximate area of incremental major surface development (including open pit, waste rock emplacement, soil stockpiles and Auxillary Dam No. 2 embankment raise and inundation areas) that would result from the approval of the Duralie Extension Project as shown in Appendix 2.

3

SCHEDULE 2 ADMINISTRATIVE CONDITIONS

OBLIGATION TO MINIMISE HARM TO THE ENVIRONMENT

1. The Proponent shall implement all reasonable and feasible measures to prevent and/or minimise any material harm to the environment that may result from the construction, operation or rehabilitation of the project.

TERMS OF APPROVAL

2. The Proponent shall carry out the project generally in accordance with the: (a) EA; (a1) EA (Mod 1); (a2) EA (Mod 2); (b) statement of commitments; and (c) conditions of approval

Notes: • The general layout of the project is shown in Appendix 2; and • The statement of commitments is reproduced in Appendix 9

3. If there is any inconsistency between the above documents, the most recent document shall prevail to the extent of the inconsistency. However, the conditions of this approval shall prevail to the extent of any inconsistency.

4. The Proponent shall comply with any reasonable requirement/s of the Secretary arising from the Department’s assessment of: (a) any reports, strategies, plans, programs, reviews, audits or correspondence that are submitted in accordance with this approval; and (b) the implementation of any actions or measures contained in these documents.

LIMITS ON APPROVAL

5. The Proponent may carry out mining operations on site until 31 December 2021.

Note: Under this approval, the Proponent is required to rehabilitate the site and carry out additional undertakings to the satisfaction of both the Secretary and the Director-General of DTIRIS. Consequently, this approval will continue to apply in all other respects – other than the right to conduct mining operations – until the rehabilitation of the site and these additional undertakings have been carried out satisfactorily.

6. The Proponent shall not extract more than 3 million tonnes of coal from the site in a calender year.

7. The Proponent shall ensure that: (a) all coal is transported from the site by rail; (b) no more than 5 laden trains leave the site each day; and (c) no more than 4 laden trains leave the site each day, when averaged over a 12 month period.

8. The Proponent shall: (a) only dispatch shuttle trains from the site between 6am and 10pm; (b) only receive shuttle trains on site between 6am and midnight; and (c) only operate shuttle trains on the North Coast railway between midnight and 1am in exceptional circumstances.

8A. Within 12 hours of operating shuttle trains on the North Coast railway between midnight and 1am in exceptional circumstances, the Proponent shall provide a detailed explanation of the exceptional circumstances on its website.

SURRENDER OF CONSENTS

9. By the end of December 2011, or as otherwise agreed by the Secretary, the Proponent shall surrender all existing development consents for the site in accordance with Section 104A of the EP&A Act.

10. Prior to the surrender of these consents, the conditions of this approval shall prevail to the extent of any inconsistency with the conditions of these consents.

4

STRUCTURAL ADEQUACY

11. The Proponent shall ensure that all new buildings and structures, and any alterations or additions to existing buildings and structures, are connected in accordance with the relevant requirements of the BCA.

Notes: • Under Part 4A of the EP&A Act, the Proponent is required to obtain construction and occupation certificates for the proposed building works; and • Part 8 of the EP&A Regulation sets out the requirements for the certification of the project.

DEMOLITION

12. The Proponent shall ensure that all demolition work is carried out in accordance with Australian Standard AS 2601-2001: The Demolition of Structures, or its latest version.

OPERATION OF PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

13. The Proponent shall ensure that all the plant and equipment used on site, or to transport coal from the site is: (a) maintained in a proper and efficient condition; and (b) operated in a proper and efficient manner.

STAGED SUBMISSION OF ANY STRATEGY, PLAN OR PROGRAM

14. With the approval of the Secretary, the Proponent may submit any strategy, plan or program required by this approval on a progressive basis.

Note: While any strategy, plan or program may be submitted on a progressive basis, the Proponent will need to ensure that the operations on site are covered by suitable strategies, plans or programs at all times.

15. Until they are replaced by an equivalent strategy, plan or program approved under this approval, the Proponent shall continue to implement the existing strategies, plans or programs that apply to any development on site.

CONTRIBUTIONS TO COUNCIL

16. For the period from the end of December 2010 until the completion of mining operations on site, the Proponent shall pay GLC the following contributions each year: (a) $59,688.09 for the maintenance of The Bucketts Way; (b) $11,022.58 for a structural inspection of the bridges on The Bucketts Way (between its intersection with Clarence Town Road and the mine access road); (c) $120,000 for the Karuah Catchment Management Program; and (d) $100,000 for the provision of community infrastructure.

These contributions must be indexed according to the CPI at the time of each payment.

If no mining operations occur on site in a calender year, then the Proponent is not required to pay these contributions.

17. For the period from the end of December 2010 until the completion of mining operations on site, the Proponent shall pay GSC the following contributions each year: (a) $15,000 for specified community works that have been agreed to between GSC and the Proponent; (b) $15,000 for the GSC Community Education Fund for an annual trade apprenticeship, traineeship, scholarship or equivalent; and (c) $10,000 for the provision of community infrastructure.

These contributions must be indexed according to the CPI at the time of each payment.

If no mining operations occur on site in a calender year, then the Proponent is not required to pay these contributions.

5

SCHEDULE 3 ENVIRONMENTAL PERFORMANCE CONDITIONS

ACQUISITION UPON REQUEST

1. Upon receiving a written request for acquisition from an owner of the land listed in Table 1, the Proponent shall acquire the land in accordance with the procedures in Conditions 5-6 of Schedule 4.

Table 1: Land subject to acquisition upon request 117 - Holmes 125 (1) - Zulumovski

118 - Moylan 125 (2) - Zulumovski 122 - White 128 - Hare Scott Note: To identify the locations referred to in Table 1, see the figure in Appendix 3.

NOISE

Noise Criteria

2. Except for the land referred to in Table 1, the Proponent shall ensure that the noise generated by the project does not exceed the criteria in Table 2 at any residence on privately-owned land or on more than 25 percent of any privately-owned land.

Table 2: Noise criteria dB(A) Day Evening Night Location LAeq(15 minute) LAeq(15 minute) LAeq(15 minute) LA1(1 minute) 172 - Lyall 35 39 40 45 126 – Hamann Pixalu PL 35 35 39 45 123 – Oleksiuk & Carmody 173 – Trigg & Holland 35 36 37 45 116 - Weismantel 127 – Fisher-Webster 35 35 37 45 131(1) - Relton 180 (1) - Thompson 35 36 36 45 95 - Smith & Ransley 35 35 36 45 144 - Wielgosinski 169 - Williams 35 36 35 45 177 - Thompson All other privately-owned land 35 35 35 45 Notes: • To identify the locations referred to in Table 2, see the figure in Appendix 3; and • Noise generated by the project is to be measured in accordance with the relevant procedures and exemptions (including certain meteorological conditions) of the NSW Industrial Noise Policy.

However, these criteria do not apply if the Proponent has a written agreement with the relevant landowner to exceed the criteria, and the Proponent has advised the Department in writing of the terms of this agreement.

Noise Acquisition Criteria

3. If the noise generated by the project exceeds the criteria in Table 3 at any residence on privately- owned land or on more than 25 percent of any privately-owned land, then upon receiving a written request for acquisition from the landowner, the Proponent shall acquire the land in accordance with the procedures in Conditions 5-6 of Schedule 4.

Table 3: Noise acquisition criteria dB(A) LAeq(15 min)

Location Day Evening Night

All privately-owned land 40 40 40

Notes: • Noise generated by the project is to be measured in accordance with the relevant procedures and exemptions (including certain meteorological conditions) of the NSW Industrial Noise Policy; and • For this condition to apply, the exceedances of the criteria must be systemic.

6

Additional Noise Mitigation Measures

4. Upon receiving a written request from the owner of any residence: (a) On the land listed in Table 1; (b) On the land listed as 123, 126 and 172 on the figure in Appendix 3; (c) On the land listed as R2, R4-R12 on the figure in Appendix 3; (d) On privately-owned land where subsequent noise monitoring shows that noise generated by the project is greater than or equal to LAeq (15 min) 38 dB(A); or (e) On privately-owned land between the Stratford and Duralie mines where the maximum passby rail traffic noise from the Project exceeds 85 dB(A), the Proponent shall implement additional noise mitigation measures (such as double glazing, insulation and/or air conditioning) at the residence in consultation with the owner. These measures must be reasonable and feasible.

If within 3 months of receiving this request from the owner, the Proponent and the owner cannot agree on the measures to be implemented, or there is a dispute about the implementation of these measures, then either party may refer the matter to the Secretary for resolution.

Rail Noise

5. By the end of December 2011, or as otherwise agreed by the Secretary, the Proponent shall only use locomotives that are approved to operate on the NSW rail network in accordance with the noise limits in the ARTC’s EPL (No. 3142).

Operating Conditions

6. The Proponent shall: (a) implement best practice noise management, including all reasonable and feasible noise mitigation measures to minimise the operational, low frequency and rail noise generated by the project; and (b) regularly assess the real-time noise monitoring and meteorological forecasting data and relocate, modify and/or stop operations on site to ensure compliance with the relevant conditions of this approval, to the satisfaction of the Secretary.

Noise Management Plan

7. The Proponent shall prepare and implement a Noise Management Plan for the project to the satisfaction of the Secretary. This plan must: (a) be prepared in consultation with EPA, and submitted to the Secretary for approval within 3 months of the date of this approval, unless otherwise agreed by the Secretary; (b) describe the noise mitigation measures that would be implemented to ensure compliance with conditions 2-6 of Schedule 3 of this approval, including: • a real-time noise management system that employs both reactive and proactive mitigation measures; • a detailed program for the replacement and attenuation of existing plant on site; and • the specific measures that would be implemented to minimise the rail noise impacts of the project, and in particular: - the braking and train horn impacts of the project; - the use of the shuttle train during the approved night-time hours; • the construction of earth bund walls around evaporative fan units located on the waste rock emplacement area; and (c) include a noise monitoring program that: • uses a combination of real-time and supplementary attended monitoring measures to evaluate the performance of the project; • includes a program to evaluate the effectiveness of the noise mitigation measures referred to in 7(b) above; • includes a protocol for determining exceedances of the relevant conditions of this approval; and • includes a program to monitor the actual sound power levels of the plant on site, compare it with the benchmark levels used in the EA, and evaluate the effectiveness of any attenuation.

Note: The effectiveness of the Noise Management Plan is to be reviewed and audited in accordance with the requirements in Schedule 5. Following this review and audit, the plan is to be revised to ensure it remains up to date (see Condition 4 of Schedule 5).

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BLASTING

Blasting Criteria

8. The Proponent shall ensure that the blasting on the site does not cause exceedances of the criteria in Table 4.

Table 4: Blasting criteria Location Airblast Ground overpressu vibratio Allowable exceedance re (dB(Lin n Peak)) (mm/s) 5% of the total number of 115 5 blasts over a period of 12 Residence on privately months owned land 120 10 0% Mammy Johnson’s Grave - 5 0% Former Weismantel’s Inn - 10 0%

However, these criteria do not apply if the Proponent has a written agreement with the relevant landowner to exceed the criteria, and the Proponent has advised the Department in writing of the terms of this agreement.

Blasting Hours

9. The Proponent shall only carry out blasting on site between 9am and 5pm Monday to Saturday inclusive. No blasting is allowed on Sundays, public holidays, or at any other time without the written approved of the Secretary.

Blasting Frequency

10. The Proponent shall not carry out more than: (a) 1 blast a day on site, unless an additional blast is required following a blast misfire; and (b) 3 blasts a week on site, averaged over any 12 month period.

Property Inspections

11. If the Proponent receives a written request for the owner of any privately-owned land within 2 kilometres of the approved open cut mining pit on site for a property inspection to establish the baseline condition of any buildings and/or structures on his/her land, or to have a previous property inspection report updated, then within 2 months of receiving this request the Proponent shall: (a) commission a suitably qualified, experienced and independent person, whose appointment has been approved by the Secretary, to: • establish the baseline condition of the buildings and/or structures on the land, or update the previous property inspection report; • identify any measures that should be implemented to minimise the potential blasting impacts of the project on these buildings and/or structures; and (b) give the landowner a copy of the new or updated property inspection report.

Property Investigations

12. If the owner of any privately-owned land claims that the buildings and/or structures on his/her land have been damaged as a result of blasting on site, then within 2 months of receiving this claim, the Proponent shall: (a) commission a suitably qualified, experienced and independent person, whose appointment has been approved by the Secretary, to investigate the claim; and (b) give the landowner a copy of the property inspection report.

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

If the Proponent or landowner disagrees with the findings of the independent property investigation, then either party may refer the matter to the Secretary for resolution.

Operating Conditions

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13. The Proponent shall: (a) implement best blasting practice on site to: • protect the safety of people and livestock in the surrounding area; • protect public or private property in the surrounding area; and • minimise the dust and fume emissions from blasting on site; and (b) operate a suitable system to enable the public to get up-to-date information on the proposed blasting schedule on site, to the satisfaction of the Secretary.

14. The Proponent shall not carry out any blasting within 500 metres of: (a) a public road without the approval of Council; and (b) the North Coast Railway without the approval of ARTC.

15. The Proponent shall not carry out blasting within 500 metres of any privately-owned land or land not owned by the Proponent unless: (a) the Proponent has a written agreement with the relevant landowner to allow blasting to be carried out closer to the land, and the Proponent has advised the Department in writing of the terms of this agreement; or (b) the Proponent has: • demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Secretary that the blasting can be carried out without compromising the safety of the people or livestock on the land, or damaging the buildings and/or structures on the land; and • updated the Blast Management Plan to include the specific measures that would be implemented while blasting is being carried out within 500 metres of the land.

Blast Management Plan

16. The Proponent shall prepare and implement a Blast Management Plan for the project to the satisfaction of the Secretary. This plan must: (a) be prepared in consultation with EPA, and submitted to the Secretary for approval within 3 months of the date of this approval, unless otherwise agreed by the Secretary; (b) describe the blast mitigation measures that would be implemented to ensure compliance with conditions 8-15 of this Schedule; (c) describe the measures that would be implemented to ensure the public can get up-to-date information on the proposed blasting schedule on site or any road closures; and (d) include a blast monitoring program to evaluate the performance of the project.

Note: The effectiveness of the Blast Management Plan is to be reviewed and audited in accordance with the requirements in Schedule 5. Following this review and audit the plan is to be revised to ensure it remains up to date (see Condition 4 of Schedule 5).

AIR QUALITY & GREENHOUSE GAS

Odour

17. The Proponent shall ensure that no offensive odours are emitted from the site, as defined under the POEO Act.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions

18. The Proponent shall implement all reasonable and feasible measures to minimise the release of greenhouse gas emissions from the site to the satisfaction of the Secretary.

Air Quality Assessment Criteria

19. The Proponent shall ensure that particulate matter emissions generated by the project do not exceed the criteria listed in Tables 5, 6 or 7 at any residence on privately-owned land or on more than 25 percent of any privately-owned land.

Table 5: Long term criteria for particulate matter. Pollutant Averaging Period d Criterion

Total suspended particulate (TSP) 3 Annual a 90 µg/m matter a 3 Particulate matter < 10 µm (PM10) Annual 30 µg/m

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Table 6: Short term criterion for particulate matter. Pollutant Averaging Period d Criterion

a 3 Particulate matter < 10 µm (PM10) 24 hour 50 µg/m

Table 7: Long term criteria for deposited dust Maximum increase in Maximum total Pollutant Averaging Period deposited deposited dust level dust level c Deposited dust Annual b 2 g/m2/month a 4 g/m2/month

Notes to Tables 5-7: • a Total impact (i.e. incremental increase in concentrations due to the project plus background concentrations due to all other sources); • b Incremental impact (i.e. incremental increase in concentrations due to the project on its own); • c Deposited dust is to be assessed as insoluble solids as defined by Standards Australia, AS/NZS 3580.10.1:2003: Methods for Sampling and Analysis of Ambient Air – Determination of Particulate Matter – Deposited Matter – Gravimetric Method. • d Excludes extraordinary events such as bushfires, prescribed burning, dust storms, sea fog, fire incidents, illegal activities or any other activity agreed by the Secretary in consultation with EPA.

Air Quality Acquisition Criteria

20. If particulate matter emissions generated by the project exceed the criteria in Tables 8, 9 or 10 at any residence on privately-owned land or on more than 25 percent of any privately-owned land, then upon receiving a written request for acquisition from the landowner the Proponent shall acquire the land in accordance with the procedures in Conditions 5-6 of Schedule 4.

Table 8: Long term acquisition criteria for particulate matter Pollutant Averaging Period d Criterion

Total suspended particulate (TSP) matter Annual a 90 µg/m3

a 3 Particulate matter < 10 µm (PM10) Annual 30 µg/m

Table 9: Short term acquisition criteria for particulate matter Pollutant Averaging period d Criterion

a 3 Particulate matter < 10 µm (PM10) 24 hour 150 µg/m

b 3 Particulate matter < 10 µm (PM10) 24 hour 50 µg/m

Table 10: Long term acquisition criteria for deposited dust Maximum total Maximum increase in deposite Pollutant Averaging Period deposited d dust dust level level c Deposited dust Annual b 2 g/m2/month a 4 g/m2/month

Notes to Tables 8-10: • a Total impact (i.e. incremental increase in concentrations due to the project plus background concentrations due to all other sources); • b Incremental impact (i.e. incremental increase in concentrations due to the project on its own); • c Deposited dust is to be assessed as insoluble solids as defined by Standards Australia, AS/NZS 3580.10.1:2003: Methods for Sampling and Analysis of Ambient Air - Determination of Particulate Matter - Deposited Matter - Gravimetric Method. • d Excludes extraordinary events such as bushfires, prescribed burning, dust storms, sea fog, fire incidents, illegal activities or any other activity agreed by the Secretary in consultation with EPA.

Additional Dust Mitigation Measures

21. Upon receiving a written request from the owner of any residence: (a) on the land listed as 125(1) and 125(2) in the figure in Appendix 3; or (b) on privately-owned land where subsequent air quality monitoring shows that the dust generated by the project is greater than or equal to the applicable criteria in Tables 5, 6 or 7 on a systemic basis, the Proponent shall implement additional dust mitigation measures (such as a first flush roof system, 10

internal or external air filters, and/or air conditioning) at the residence in consultation with the owner. These measures must be reasonable and feasible.

If within 3 months of receiving this request from the owner, the Proponent and the owner cannot agree on the measures to be implemented, or there is a dispute about the implementation of these measures, then either party may refer the matter to the Secretary for resolution.

21A. Within 3 months of the date of this approval, the Proponent shall submit a study of the dust emissions from the laden trains associated with the Project to the Secretary. This study must: (a) be carried out by a suitably qualified and experienced expert whose appointment has been endorsed by the Secretary; (b) include consultation with the EPA, the Department and the residents in close proximity to the railway line; (c) assess the scale, nature and significance of the dust emissions of the laden trains; (d) identify any reasonable and feasible mitigation measures that could be implemented to reduce the dust emissions from these trains; (e) recommend the implementation of any specific measures; and (f) be accompanied by the Proponent’s response to any recommendations in the study.

If, following review of the study, the Secretary directs the Proponent to implement additional mitigation measures to reduce the dust emissions of the laden trains associated with the Project, then the Proponent shall implement these measures to the satisfaction of the Secretary and, within one month of such direction, update the Air Quality & Greenhouse Gas Management Plan for the Project to include a detailed program for the implementation of these measures and monitoring of compliance.

Operating Conditions

22. The Proponent shall: (a) implement best practice air quality management on site, including all reasonable and feasible measures to minimize the off-site odour, fume and dust emissions generated by the project, including any emissions from spontaneous combustion; (b) minimize any visible air pollution generated by the project; (c) regularly assess the real-time air quality monitoring and meteorological forecasting data and relocate, modify and/or stop operations on site to ensure compliance with the relevant conditions of this approval, to the satisfaction of the Secretary.

Air Quality & Greenhouse Gas Management Plan

23. The Proponent shall prepare and implement an Air Quality & Greenhouse Gas Management Plan for the project to the satisfaction of the Secretary. This plan must: (a) be prepared in consultation with EPA, and submitted to the Secretary for approval within 3 months of the date of this approval, unless otherwise agreed by the Secretary; and (b) describe the measures that would be implemented to ensure compliance with conditions 17-22 of Schedule 3 of this approval, including the proposed real-time air quality management system; and (c) include an air quality monitoring program that: • uses a combination of real-time monitors, high volume samplers and dust deposition gauges to evaluate the performance of the project; and • includes a protocol for determining exceedances with the relevant conditions of this approval.

Note: The effectiveness of the Air Quality & Greenhouse Gas Management Plan is to be reviewed and audited in accordance with the requirements in Schedule 5. Following this review and audit the plan is to be revised to ensure it remains up to date (see Condition 4 of Schedule 5).

METEOROLOGICAL MONITORING

24. During the life of the project, the Proponent shall ensure that there is a suitable meteorological station operating in the vicinity of the site that: (a) complies with the requirements in Approved Methods for Sampling of Air Pollutants in New South Wales guideline; and (b) is capable of continuous real-time measurement of temperature lapse rate in accordance with the NSW Industrial Noise Policy.

SOIL AND WATER

Water Discharges

25. The Proponent shall ensure that: (a) mine water or runoff from the irrigation area is not discharge directly into Mammy Johnsons River; and (b) all surface water discharges from the site comply with section 120 of the POEO Act or, if an EPL 11

has been issued regulating water discharges from the site, the discharge limits (both volume and quality) set for the project in the EPL.

Base Flow Offsets

26. The Proponent shall offset the loss of any base flow to Mammy Johnsons River. This condition does not apply if the Secretary determines this loss to be negligible.

Compensatory Water Supply

27. The Proponent shall provide compensatory water supply to any landowner of privately-owned land whose water licence entitlements are impacted (other than an impact that is negligible) as a result of the project, in consultation with NOW, and to the satisfaction of the Secretary.

The compensatory water supply measures must provide an alternative long-term supply of water that is equivalent to the loss attributed to the project. Equivalent water supply must be provided (at least on an interim basis) within 24 hours of the loss being identified.

If the Proponent and the landowner cannot agree on the measures to be implemented, or there is a dispute about the implementation of these measures, then either party may refer the matter to the Secretary for resolution.

If the Proponent is unable to provide an alternative long-term supply of water, then the Proponent shall provide alternative compensation to the satisfaction of the Secretary.

Irrigation

28. The Proponent shall carry out irrigation: (a) only in the irrigation area; and (b) in accordance with the irrigation system, including the irrigation management plan, in the approved Surface Water Management Plan under Condition 29 of Schedule 3.

Water Management Plan

29. The Proponent shall prepare and implement a Water Management Plan for the project to the satisfaction of the Secretary. This plan must be prepared in consultation with EPA and NOW by suitably qualified and experienced persons whose appointment has been approved by the Secretary, and submitted to the Secretary within 3 months of the date of this approval.

In addition to the standard requirements for management plans (see Condition 2 of Schedule 5), this plan must include: (a) a Site Water Balance that: • includes details of: - sources of water supply; - water use on site; - water management on site; and - reporting procedures; and • describes what measures would be implemented to minimse potable water use on site; and (b) a Surface Water Management Plan that includes: • a detailed description of the water management system on site, including the: - clean water diversion systems; - erosion and sediment controls; - water storages; and - irrigation system; • an irrigation management plan for the irrigation system under the water management system, which includes: - salinity trigger levels for controlling discharges from the irrigation areas to Coal Shaft Creek and the unnamed tributary, representing the 80th percentile value of the relevant data set for the creek/unnamed tributary and Mammy Johnsons River in accordance with the methodology in ANZECC/ARMCANZ (2000), Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality, National Water Quality Management Strategy; and - provision of an automated first flush system for the additional irrigation areas (Northern Areas) shown in the figure in Appendix 4; • a plan for identifying, extracting, handling, and the long-term storage of potentially acid forming material on site; • detailed plans, including design objectives and performance criteria, for: - the reconstruction of Coal Shaft Creek; - design and management of the final voids; - reinstatement of drainage lines on the rehabilitated areas of the site; and - control of any potential water pollution from the rehabilitated areas of the site;

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• performance criteria, including trigger levels for investigating any potentially adverse impacts, for the following: - the water management system; - surface water quality of the Unnamed Tributary, Coal Shaft Creek and Mammy Johnsons River; - the stream and vegetation health of the Unnamed Tributary, Coal Shaft Creek and Mammy Johnsons River; and - channel stability of the reconstructed Coal Shaft Creek; • performance criteria for surface water quality attributes relevant to water quality impacts on biological diversity and aquatic ecological integrity, including salinity, heavy metals, sediment load, pH, hardness and biological oxygen demand; • trigger levels representing the 80th percentile value of the relevant reference data set in accordance with the methodology in ANZECC/ARMCANZ (2000), Australian Water Quality Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality, National Water Quality Management Strategy, to determine the levels for investigating any potentially adverse impacts; • a program to monitor: - the effectiveness of the water management system; - surface water flows and quality in the Unnamed Tributary, Coal Shaft Creek and Mammy Johnsons River, including utilization of existing monitoring sites together with an additional monitoring site in Mammy Johnsons River immediately downstream of the mixing zone of the confluence of Coal Shaft Creek and Mammy Johnsons River; - the stream and riparian vegetation health of the unnamed tributary, Coal Shaft Creek and Mammy Johnsons River; and - a channel stability of the reconstructed Coal Shaft Creek; • a program of ecotoxicity testing of water in water storages on-site and at selected water monitoring sites in Mammy Johnsons River and macroinvertebrate sampling at selected monitoring sites in Mammy Johnsons River; • a plan to respond to any exceedances of the performance criteria and mitigate and/or offset any adverse surface water impacts of the project; and (c) a Groundwater Management Plan, which includes: • a groundwater assessment criteria, including trigger levels for investigating any potentially adverse groundwater impacts; • a program to monitor; - groundwater inflows to the open cut mining operations; - the impacts of the project on: o the alluvial aquifers including investigating the potential for direct interface between mine spoil and alluvium and assessment of any consequential impact on alluvial and surface water; o base flows to Mammy Johnsons River; o any groundwater bores on privately-owned land; and - the seepage/leachate from water storages or backfilled voids on site; and • a program to validate the groundwater model for the project, and calibrate it to site specific conditions; and • a plan to respond to any exceedances of the assessment criteria, including, - if a direct interface between mine spoil and alluvium is identified, development of a trigger action response plan (TARP) for potential salinity impacts on alluvial and surface water sources; and - a plan to offset the loss of any base flow to Mammy Johnsons River caused by the project.

Note: The effectiveness of the Water Management Plan is to be reviewed and audited in accordance with the requirements in Schedule 5. Following this review and audit the plan is to be revised to ensure it remains up to date (see Condition 4 of Schedule 5).

BIODIVERSITY

Giant Barred Frog

30. The Proponent shall ensure that the project has no more than a negligible impact on the local Giant Barred Frog population.

31. The Proponent shall prepare a Giant Barred Frog Study to the satisfaction of the Secretary. This study must: (a) be prepared, in consultation with OEH, by a suitably qualified and experienced person, whose appointment has been endorsed by the Secretary; (b) be submitted to the Secretary for approval within 2 months of this approval; (c) investigate the extent of the Giant Barred Frog population in the Mammy Johnsons River Catchment; (d) assess the condition of the Giant Barred Frog habitat where it is recorded within the Catchment, including the presence of any Chytrid fungus; (e) analyse the age structure of the frog population and the health of tadpoles; and

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(f) document the relevant hydrological conditions both prior to and during the study, including rainfall, water flows and quality in Mammy Johnsons River, both upstream and downstream of the confluence of Mammy Johnsons River and Coal Shaft Creek, and in Coal Shaft Creek.

31A. The Proponent shall review and expand the Giant Barred Frog Study approved under Condition 31 into a longitudinal study of the life cycle of the ‘population’ of the Giant Barred Frog over the lifetime of the mine and for a 5 year period after the mine ceases to operate (the Giant Barred Frog Long-term Study). The Giant Barred Frog Long-term Study must include to include: (a) clarification as to what exactly constitutes 'the population' of the Giant Barred Frog for the purposes of monitoring, and that this is the population at the location most susceptible to impacts from the mine; (b) baseline data collected for sites (transects) below and above the site to be used for comparison with data collected in the future; (c) testing to determine if any changes to Giant Barred Frog populations identified downstream of the site on the monitoring transects are a result of impacts from the mining operation; (d) a requirement for detailed capture/recapture studies using 'Pollocks robust design' at sites above and below the confluence of Coal Shaft Creek and Mammy Johnsons River, and at a series of control sites in the upper reaches of the catchment; (e) a requirement that individual frogs encountered during the study should be tagged (or scanned); (f) a requirement that transects be of a fixed length (at least 200m), and that the area searched on each occasion be the same; (g) a requirement that transects are to be randomly selected; (h) a requirement that testing be conducted on a minimum of three nights, on four occasions per season (12 visits to each transect in each season) over the life of the mine, and for a 5 year period after the mine ceases to operate; (i) a requirement that individual frogs encountered during the study be swabbed for the presence of the Chytrid fungus; (j) a requirement that weather conditions and search effort should be recorded during each census at the transect site.

32. The Proponent shall prepare and implement a Giant Barred Frog Management Plan to the satisfaction of the Secretary. This plan must: (a) be prepared in consultation with OEH by a suitably qualified and experienced person, whose appointment has been endorsed by the Director-General; (b) be submitted to the Secretary for approval within 3 months of the date of this approval; (c) include a summary of the Giant Barred Frog Study; (d) establish performance measures for evaluating the impact of the project on the local Giant Barred Frog population; (e) describe the measures that would be implemented to minimise the potential spread of Chytrid fungus, including training of staff in site hygiene management in accordance with the NPWS Hygiene Protocol for the Control of Disease in Frogs 2001; (f) include a program to monitor the potential impact of the project on the local frog population, which includes: • detailed performance indicators for the project, with reference to the performance measures established in (d) above; • annual monitoring of the frog population and its habitat during the breeding season along Mammy Johnson River both upstream and downstream of the confluence of Mammy Johnsons River and Coal Shaft Creek; • trigger levels for further investigation; and (g) a contingency plan that would be implemented if monitoring suggests the frog population downstream of the confluence of Mammy Johnsons River and Coal Shaft Creek is declining due to the project, which may include a revision of the first flush salinity trigger or the implementation of additional water quality controls.

Biodiversity Offsets

33. The Proponent shall implement the offset strategy and achieve the broad completion criteria in Table 11 to the satisfaction of the Secretary.

Table 11: Offset Strategy Completion Criteria Domain Completion Criteria Enhancement Areas (i.e. existing remnant Areas of existing remnant vegetation within the vegetation) offset area (299 ha) have been conserved and enhanced. Revegetation Areas 357.5 ha of revegetated woodland/open woodland habitat areas and 36 ha of revegetated forest habitat areas as a self-sustaining ecosystem.

The methodology for determining a self-sustaining ecosystem shall be to the satisfaction of the 14

Secretary.

Woodland/open woodland and forest revegetation areas that provide habitat resources for the threatened species by including the flora species referred to in approval conditions 35 to 38. Direct links between the Offset Area and Native vegetation has been established which Rehabilitation Area directly links vegetation areas of the offset area with the Rehabilitation area.

Habitat for Threatened Fauna Species

34. The Proponent shall ensure that the offset area: (a) provides suitable habitat for all the threatened fauna species recorded in the surface development area, namely the Swift Parrot, Brown Treecreeper (eastern subspecies), Speckled Warbler, Grey- crowned Babbler (eastern subspecies), Varied Sittella and Squirrel Glider; and (b) includes the following habitat types: • Woodland/open woodland; • Forest; and • Riparian forest.

Swift Parrot / Brown Treecreeper/ Grey-crowned Babbler

35. The Proponent shall ensure that the offset area: (a) provides appropriate habitat resources for the Swift Parrot, Brown Treecreeper and Greycrowned Babbler; (b) contains a total of 174ha of the following vegetation types1: • Spotted Gum – Grey Ironbark forest dry open forest of the lower foothills of the Barrington Tops, North Coast; • Grey Box – Forest Red Gum – Grey Ironbark open forest of the hinterland ranges of the North Coast; and • Sydney Peppermint – Smooth-barked Apply shrubby open forest on coastal hills and plains of the southern North Coast and northern Sydney Basin; and (c) the revegetation areas within the offset area contains: • Winter flowering eucalypts (such as Spotted Gum [Corymbia maculata], Narrow-leaved Ironbark [Eucalyptus crebra], White Stringybark [Eucalyptus globoidea]) as habitat resources for the Swift Parrot. • Species typical of open eucalypt woodlands (such as Spotted Gum [Corymbia maculata], Red Ironbark [Eucalyptus fibrosa], Grey Ironbark [Eucalyptus siderophloia] as habitat resources for the Grey-crowned Babbler; and • Appropriate understorey species (such as tussock grasses).

Speckled Warbler

36. The Proponent shall ensure that the offset area: (a) provides appropriate habitat resources for the Speckled Warbler: (b) contains a total of 126ha of Spotted Gum - Grey Ironbark forest dry open forest of the lower foothills of the Barrington Tops, North Coast1; and (c) the revegetation areas within the offset area includes Eucalyptus species, tussock grasses and shrub species as habitat resources for the Speckled Warbler.

Varied Stilleta

37. The Proponent shall ensure that the offset area: (a) provides appropriate habitat resources for the Varied Sittella; (b) contains a total of 172ha of the following vegetation types1: • Spotted Gum – Grey Ironbark forest dry open forest of the lower foothills of Barrington Tops, North Coast; and • Sydney Peppermint – Smooth-barked Apple shrubby open forest on coastal hills and plains of the southern North Coast and northern Sydney Basin. (c) the revegetation areas within the offset area includes species typical of eucalypt forests and woodlands, especially rough-barked species, smooth-barked gums and Acacia species as habitat resources for the Varied Stilleta.

Squirrel Glider

38. The Proponent shall ensure that the offset area: (a) provides appropriate habitat resources for the Squirrel Glider;

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(b) contains a total of 128ha of the following vegetation types1: • Spotted Gum - Grey Ironbark forest dry open forest of the lower foothills of the Barrington Tops, North Coast; and • Sydney Peppermint - Smooth-barked Apple shrubby open forest on coastal hills and plains of the southern North Coast and northern Sydney Basin. (c) the revegetation areas within the offset area includes species typical of woodland/forest (such as Spotted Gum [Corymbia maculata], Red Ironbark [Eucalyptus fibrosa], Grey Ironbark [Eucalyptus siderophloia]) as habitat resources for the Squirrel Glider.

39. Hollow bearing habitat features must be introduced into the areas of habitat resources and the revegetation areas identified in approval condition 38.

Note: For clarity, the total areas included in approval conditions 35-38 are not cumulative, whereby the area of habitat resources provided for one of the fauna species identified in approval condition 35 may be the same for all species mentioned in approval conditions 35 to 38.

Endangered Ecological Communities

40. The Proponent shall ensure that the offset area contains at least: • 2 ha of Freshwater Wetlands on Coastal Floodplains of the NSW North Coast, Sydney Basin and South East Corner Bioregions. • 10 ha of River-Flat Eucalypt Forest on Coastal Floodplains of the NSW North Coast, Sydney Basin and South East Corner Bioregions (Cabbage Gum Floodplain Forest). • 19 ha of Lowland Forest on Floodplain in the NSW North Coast Bioregion.

Note: See the mapped areas in the figure in Appendix 5.

Operating Conditions

41. The Proponent must: (a) not destroy, damage, remove or harm any native flora or fauna in the offset area; or (b) not carry out in the offset area or the vicinity of the offset area any activity that may cause, or is likely to result in, or will or might threaten the viability of, native flora or fauna in the offset area, or threaten the success of the offset strategy; and (c) ensure that its agents, contractors, licensees and invitees (and use best endeavours to ensure that any other persons) also comply with condition 41(a) and (b).

Long Term Security of Offset

42. Within 12 months of the date of this approval, unless otherwise agreed by the Secretary, the Proponent shall either: (a) enter into a conservation agreement pursuant to s 69B of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 relating to the offset area, recording the obligations assumed by the Proponent under the conditions of this approval in relation to the offset area, and register that agreement pursuant to s 69F of the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974; or (b) cause to be registered against the titles of the offset area a public positive covenant and/or restriction on the use of the land, in favour of the Director-General, requiring the proponent to implement and observe the conditions of this approval in relation to the offset area.

The conservation agreement or the public positive covenant and/or restriction on the use of the land in relation to the offset area, shall remain in force in perpetuity.

Biodiversity Management Plan

43. The Proponent shall prepare and implement a Biodiversity Management Plan for the project to the satisfaction of the Secretary. This plan must: (a) be prepared in consultation with OEH by suitably qualified and experienced persons whose appointment has been approved by the Secretary; (b) be submitted to the Secretary for approval within 3 months of the date of this approval; (b1) be approved by the Secretary prior to the commencement of clearing in EA (Mod 2); (c) describe how the offset strategy and its implementation will be integrated with other strategies, plans and programs required under this approval, including the Giant Barred Frog Management Plan, Water Management Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan, and their implementation; (d) include:

1 Note: Vegetation types referred to in Conditions 35 to 38 are to be in accordance with the Vegetation Types in the Hunter/Central Rivers as described in the Office of Environment and Heritage (2011) Threatened Species Profile Databases for the Swift Parrot, Brown Treecreeper (eastern subspecies), Speckled Warbler, Grey-crowned Babbler (eastern subspecies) and Brush-tailed Phascogale. http://threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au/tsprofile/ 16

• a description, based on field surveys, and in consultation with OEH, of the biodiversity values of the vegetation communities in the offset area, including remnant vegetation and derived grasslands, including as habitat for the threatened species that are recorded in the surface development area; • a description of the biodiversity values to be lost through clearing of vegetation communities in the surface development area, including remnant vegetation and derived grasslands, including as habitat for the threatened species that are recorded in the surface development area; • a description of the short, medium and long term measures that would be implemented to: − implement the Offset Strategy; − maintain and enhance biodiversity values in the offset area to offset the loss of biodiversity values in the surface development area; − provide and enhance suitable habitat in the offset area for the threatened species that are recorded in the surface development area; − manage the remnant vegetation and habitat on the site (including in the offset area); • detailed completion criteria, as well as performance criteria for the measuring the short, medium and long term success of the Offset Strategy; • the measures described in the EA and in the expert report of Dr Goldney dated 7 April 2011 in Land and Environment Court proceedings No 10090 of 2011 to avoid or mitigate impacts on biological diversity, native flora and fauna and threatened species; • a detailed description of the measures that would be implemented in the short, medium and long term to implement the Offset Strategy, including the procedures to be implemented for: – implementing revegetation and regeneration within the offset area, including establishment of canopy, understorey and ground strategy; – the introduction of hollow bearing habitat features; – controlling weeds and feral pests, including the engagement of appropriately qualified contractors; – managing grazing and agriculture, including provision to exclude livestock grazing from existing treed areas and Endangered Ecological Communities within the offset area; – controlling vehicular access to minimise the potential for vehicle strike of native fauna; and – bushfire management; • a description of the measures that would be implemented in the short, medium and long term to manage the remnant vegetation and habitat on site, including the procedures to be implemented for: – protecting vegetation and soil outside the disturbance areas; – rehabilitating creeks and drainage lines on the site (both inside and outside the disturbance areas), to ensure no net loss of stream length and aquatic habitat; – managing salinity; – undertaking pre-clearance surveys including for threatened species; – if pre-clearance surveys identify any breeding pair of threatened species, including the Varied Sittella, deferral of clearing of their habitat until the breeding site is vacated; – managing impacts on fauna; – landscaping the site, and particularly the land adjoining public roads, to minimise visual and lighting impacts; – collecting and propagating seed; – salvaging and reusing material from the site for habitat enhancement; – controlling weeds and feral pests, including the engagement of appropriately qualified contractors; – controlling vehicular access to minimise the potential for vehicle strike of native fauna; and – bushfire management; • a Vegetation Clearing Plan (VCP) that must include the following: – clear delineation of disturbance areas and restriction of clearing to the minimum area necessary to undertake the approved activities; – a methodology for recording the approximate size and number of hollow bearing trees to be removed and their replacement with the same number of nesting boxes of appropriate sizing within similar vegetation within the Project site or offset lands; – a methodology for the management of hollow bearing trees during vegetation clearing to minimize impacts on hollow dependent fauna which may be present; – provision for a suitably trained or qualified person to the satisfaction of the Director-General to be present during the felling of identified hollow bearing trees to provide assistance with the care of any injured fauna; – provision for the checking of any animals found and recording of the species, number and condition (age class, pregnant or lactating females etc) and for details to be provided to the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Department within 3 months of the clearing event; – provision for the annual inspection of the nesting boxes for the life of the mine. An inspection report shall be prepared and include a review of the condition and use of the nesting boxes; – provision for the checking of vegetation to be cleared for threatened species and recording of the species, number and condition and for details to be provided to the National Parks and Wildlife Service and the Department within 3 months of the clearing event;

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• a description of the contingency measures that would be implemented to improve the performance of the offset strategy and the detailed performance criteria that are not being met in any given year; and • details of who would be responsible for monitoring, reviewing, and implementing the plan; • a program to monitor and report on the effectiveness of the measures in the Biodiversity Management Plan and conditions 33–43 of this approval, and the performance of the Offset Strategy, with summary reporting to be carried out annually and comprehensive reporting every three years following the independent environmental audit (see condition 8 of Schedule 5).

Conservation Bond

44. Within 6 months of the approval of the Biodiversity Management Plan, the Proponent shall lodge a conservation bond with the Department to ensure that the offset strategy is implemented in accordance with the performance and completion criteria of the Biodiversity Management Plan. The sum of the bond shall be determined by: (a) calculating the full cost of implementing the offset strategy; and (b) employing a suitably qualified quantity surveyor to verify the calculated costs, to the satisfaction of the Secretary.

If the offset strategy is completed to the satisfaction of the Secretary, the Secretary will release the conservation bond.

If the offset strategy is not completed to the satisfaction of the Secretary, the Secretary will call in all or part of the conservation bond, and arrange for the satisfactory implementation of the offset strategy.

45. After each Independent Environment Audit (see Condition 8 of Schedule 5), the Proponent shall review and adjust the sum of the bond to the satisfaction of the Secretary.

HERITAGE

46. The Proponent shall prepare and implement a Heritage Management Plan for the project to the satisfaction of the Secretary. This plan must: (a) be prepared in consultation with OEH, the Aboriginal community, Heritage Branch, Council, and any local historical organisations; (b) be submitted to the Secretary for approval within 3 months of the date of this approval, unless otherwise agreed by the Secretary; (c) describe the program/procedures that would be implemented for: • recording, salvaging and/or managing the Aboriginal sites and potential archaeological deposits within the project disturbance area; • conserving, managing and monitoring Aboriginal sites DM2, DM4, DM6, DM 9, DM 10 and 38- 1-0033; • minimising the potential impacts of the project on Aboriginal site 38-1-0034, DM7 and DM8; • responding to the discovery of any new Aboriginal objects or skeletal remains during the project; • enabling the Aboriginal community to access the archaeological sites on site; and • involving the Aboriginal community in the conservation and management of Aboriginal cultural heritage on the site. (d) include the following for the Weismantel Inn: • a baseline dilapidation survey; • photographic and archival recording; • a program to monitor the effects of the project on the inn; and • a contingency plan that would be implemented if the monitoring indicates that the project is adversely affecting the condition of the inn. Notes: • To identify the heritage sites referred to in this condition, see the figure in Appendix 6. • The effectiveness of the Heritage Management Plan is to be reviewed and audited in accordance with the requirements in Schedule 5. Following this review and audit the plan is to be revised to ensure it remains up to date (see Condition 4 in Schedule 5)

TRANSPORT

Access

47. Prior to the closure of Cheerup Road and the portion of Duralie Road within the project area, the Proponent shall construct a suitable access road to property No. 143 (Madden) to the satisfaction of the Secretary. However, this condition does not apply if the Proponent purchases the property.

Monitoring of Coal Transport

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48. The Proponent shall keep accurate records of: (a) the amount of coal transported from the site each month, and make these records publically available on its website at the end of each calendar year; and (b) the: • number of train movements to and from the site each day; • date and time of each train movement to the site between 10pm and midnight; and • instances when the shuttle train is operated on the North Coast railway between midnight and 1am in exceptional circumstances. and make these records publically available on its website on a fortnightly basis.

VISUAL

Visual Amenity and Lighting

49. The Proponent shall: (a) minimise visual impacts, and particularly the off-site lighting impacts, of the project; and (b) ensure that all external lighting associated on site complies with Australian Standard AS4282 (INT) 1995 - Control of Obtrusive Effects of Outdoor Lighting, to the satisfaction of the Secretary.

Additional Visual Mitigation Measures

50. Upon receiving a written request from the owner of: (a) the land listed as 125(1), 125(2), and 116 on the figure in Appendix 3; or (b) any residence on privately-owned land which has, or would have, significant direct views of the mining operations on site, the Proponent shall implement visual mitigation measures (such as landscaping treatments or perimeter bunding) on the land in consultation with the owner. These measures must be reasonable and feasible, and directed toward minimising the visibility of the mining operations from the residence on the land.

If within 3 months of receiving this request from the owner, the Proponent and the owner can not agree on the measures to be implemented, or there is a dispute about the implementation of these measures, then either party may refer the matter to the Secretary for resolution.

51. Unless the Secretary agrees otherwise, the Proponent shall: (a) screen the views of the project as far as is practicable from the section of Bucketts Way marked in red on the figure in Appendix 7 within 6 months of the date of this approval, in consultation with the RTA, Council and any relevant landowners; (b) maintain the screen and associated vegetation during the life of the project; and to the satisfaction of the Secretary

WASTE

52. The Proponent shall: (a) minimise the waste generated by the project; and (b) ensure that the waste generated by the project is appropriately stored, handled and disposed of, to the satisfaction of the Secretary.

53. The Proponent shall prepare and implement a Waste Management Plan for the project to the satisfaction of the Secretary. This plan must be submitted to the Secretary within 3 months of the date of this approval, unless otherwise agreed by the Secretary.

BUSHFIRE MANAGEMENT

54. The Proponent shall: (a) ensure that the project is suitably equipped to respond to any fires on site; and (b) assist the Rural Fire Service and emergency services as much as possible if there is a fire in the surrounding area.

REHABILITATION

Rehabilitation Objectives

55. The Proponent shall rehabilitate the site to the satisfaction of the Secretary of DTIRIS. This rehabilitation must be generally consistent with the proposed rehabilitation strategy described in the EA (and depicted conceptually in the figures in Appendix 7), and comply with the objectives in Table 12.

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Table 12: Rehabilitation Objectives

Feature Objective

Mine site (as a whole of the disturbed lane and Safe, stable & non-polluting, fit for the purpose of water) the intended post-mining land use(s). Surface Infrastructure To be decommissioned and removed, unless the Secretary agrees otherwise. Coal Shaft Creek Diversion Hydraulically and geomorphologically stable, with riparian vegetation that is the same or better than prior to mining. Landforms Final landforms sustain the intended land use for the post-mining domain(s).

Final landforms are consistent with and complement the topography of the surrounding region to minimise the visual prominence of the final landforms in the post-mining landscape.

Final landforms incorporate design relief patterns and principles for consistent with natural drainage. Other land affected by the project Restore ecosystem function, including maintaining or establishing self-sustaining eco-systems comprised of: • local native plant species; and • a landform consistent with the surrounding environment. Water quality Water retained on site is fit for the intended land use(s) for the post-mining domain(s).

Water discharged from site is consistent with the baseline ecological, hydrological and geomorphic conditions of the creeks prior to mining disturbance. Water management is consistent with the regional catchment management strategy. Native flora and fauna habitat and corridors Size, locations and species of native tree lots and corridors are established to sustain biodiversity habitats. Species are selected that re-establishes and complements regional and local biodiversity. Final void Safe, stable and non-polluting Post-mining agricultural pursuits The land capability classification for the relevant nominated agricultural pursuit for each domain is established and self-sustaining within 5 years of land use establishment (first planting of vegetation). Community Minimise the adverse socio-economic effects associated with mine closure.

Progressive Rehabilitation

56. The Proponent shall carry out the rehabilitation of the site progressively, that is, as soon as reasonably practicable following disturbance.

Rehabilitation Management Plan

57. The Proponent shall prepare and implement a Rehabilitation Management Plan for the project to the satisfaction of the Secretary of DTIRIS. This plan must: (a) be prepared in consultation with the Department, OEH, NOW, Council and the CCC; (b) be prepared in accordance with any relevant DRE guideline; (c) build, to the maximum extent practicable, on the other management plans required under this approval; (c1) address all aspects of mine closure and rehabilitation, including post-mining land use domains, rehabilitation objectives, completion criteria and rehabilitation monitoring and management; (d) provide for scientific knowledge gained during the rehabilitation, to be made publicly available; (e) be submitted to the Secretary of DTIRIS for approval within 3 months of the date of this approval, unless otherwise agreed by the Secretary.

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SCHEDULE 4 ADDITIONAL PROCEDURES

NOTIFICATION OF LANDOWNERS

1. Within 1 month of the date of this approval, the Proponent shall notify in writing the owners of: (a) the land listed in Table 1 in Condition 1 of Schedule 3 that they have the right (under Condition 1 of Schedule 3) to require the Proponent to acquire their land at any stage during the project; (b) any residence on the land listed in Table 1 in Condition 1 or in Condition 4(b) or (c) of Schedule 3 that they are entitled (under Condition 4 of Schedule 3) to ask for additional noise mitigation measures to be implemented at their residence at any stage during the project; (c) any privately-owned land within 2 kilometres of the approved open cut mining pit on site that they are entitled (under Condition 11 of Schedule 3) to ask for an inspection to establish the baseline condition of any buildings or structures on their land, or to have a previous inspection report updated; (d) any residence on the land listed as 125(1) and 125(2) on the figure in Appendix 3 that they are entitled (under Condition 21 of Schedule 3) to ask for additional dust mitigation measures to be implemented at their residence at any stage during the project; and (e) the owner the land listed as 125(1), 125(2), and 116 on the figure in Appendix 3 or any residence on privately-owned land which has (or would have) significant direct views of the mining operations on site, that they are entitled (under Condition 50 of Schedule 3) to ask for additional visual mitigation measures to be implemented on their land at any stage during the project

1A. Within 1 month of the approval of the first modification to the conditions of this approval, the Proponent shall prepare a Consultation Plan for the implementation of additional noise mitigation measures at the residences listed in Condition 4(c) of Schedule 3. This plan must provide for: (a) notifying the land owners of these residences that they are entitled to ask for additional noise mitigation measures to be implemented at their residence at any stage during the project; (b) explaining the sorts of mitigation measures that could be implemented to these residences; (c) following up the initial notification of these owners with detailed discussions about the potential implementation of suitable mitigation measures; (d) explaining to these land owners that they have the right to refer the matter to the Secretary for resolution if there is a dispute about what measures should be implemented or the implementation of any agreed measures.

The Plan is to be made publicly available on the Proponent’s website and the plan shall be implemented to the satisfaction of the Secretary.

2. Within 2 weeks of obtaining monitoring results showing: (a) an exceedence of the relevant criteria in any condition in Schedule 3, the Proponent shall notify the affected landowner and tenants in writing of the exceedence, and provide monitoring results to each of these parties until the project is complying with the relevant criteria again; (b) an exceedence of the relevant noise acquisition criteria in Condition 3 of Schedule 3, the Proponent shall notify the relevant owner in writing that they have the right (under Condition 3 of Schedule 3) to require the proponent to acquire their land; (c) an exceedence of the relevant noise mitigation criteria in Condition 4(d) or (e) of Schedule 3, the Proponent shall notify the relevant owner in writing that they are entitled (under Condition 4 of Schedule 3) to ask for additional noise mitigation measures to be installed at their residence; (d) an exceedence of the relevant air quality criteria in Schedule 3, the Proponent shall send the affected landowners and tenants (including the tenants of any mine-owned land) a copy of the NSW Health fact sheet entitled "Mine Dust and You" (as may be updated from time to time); and an (e) exceedence of the relevant air quality criteria in Condition 20 of Schedule 3, the Proponent shall notify the relevant owner in writing that they have the right (under Condition 20 of Schedule 3) to require the Proponent to acquire their land; and (f) an exceedence of the relevant dust mitigation criteria in Condition 21 of Schedule 3, the Proponent shall notify the relevant owner in writing that they are entitled (under Condition 21 of Schedule 3) to ask for additional dust mitigation measures to be implemented at their residence.

INDEPENDENT REVIEW

3. If an owner of privately-owned land considers the project to be exceeding the relevant criteria in Schedule 3, then he/she may ask the Secretary in writing for an independent review of the impacts of the project on his/her land.

If the Secretary is satisfied that an independent review is warranted, then within 2 months of the Secretary’s decision the Proponent shall: (a) commission a suitably qualified, experienced and independent person, whose appointment has been approved by the Secretary, to: • consult with the landowner to determine his/her concerns; • conduct monitoring to determine whether the project is complying with the relevant criteria in Schedule 3; and • if the project is not complying with these criteria, then identify the measures that could be implemented to ensure compliance with the relevant criteria; and 21

(b) give the Secretary and landowner a copy of the independent review.

4. If the independent review determines that the project is complying with the relevant criteria in Schedule 3, then the Proponent may discontinue the independent review with the approval of the Secretary.

If the independent review determines that the project is not complying with the relevant criteria in Schedule 3, then the Proponent shall: (a) implement all reasonable and feasible mitigation measures, in consultation with the landowner and appointed independent person, and conduct further monitoring until the project complies with the relevant criteria; or (b) secure a written agreement with the landowner to allow exceedences of the relevant criteria, to the satisfaction of the Secretary.

If the independent review determines that the project is not complying with the relevant acquisition criteria in Schedule 3, then upon receiving a written request from the landowner, the Proponent shall acquire all or part of the landowner’s land in accordance with the procedures in Conditions 5–6 below.

LAND ACQUISITION

5. Within 3 months of receiving a written request from a landowner with acquisition rights, the Proponent shall make a binding written offer to the landowner based on: (a) the current market value of the landowner’s interest in the land at the date of this written request, as if the land was unaffected by the project, having regard to the: • existing and permissible use of the land, in accordance with the applicable planning instruments at the date of the written request; and • presence of improvements on the land and/or any approved building or structure which has been physically commenced on the land at the date of the landowner’s written request, and is due to be completed subsequent to that date, but excluding any improvements that have resulted from the implementation of any additional noise mitigation measures under Condition 4 of Schedule 3; (b) the reasonable costs associated with: • relocating within the Great Lakes or Gloucester local government areas, or to any other local government area determined by the Secretary; and • obtaining legal advice and expert advice for determining the acquisition price of the land, and the terms upon which it is to be acquired; and (c) reasonable compensation for any disturbance caused by the land acquisition process.

However, if at the end of this period, the Proponent and landowner cannot agree on the acquisition price of the land and/or the terms upon which the land is to be acquired, then either party may refer the matter to the Secretary for resolution.

Upon receiving such a request, the Secretary will request the President of the NSW Division of the Australian Property Institute to appoint a qualified independent valuer to: • consider submissions from both parties; • determine a fair and reasonable acquisition price for the land and/or the terms upon which the land is to be acquired, having regard to the matters referred to in paragraphs (a)-(c) above; • prepare a detailed report setting out the reasons for any determination; and • provide a copy of the report to both parties. Within 14 days of receiving the independent valuer’s report, the Proponent shall make a binding written offer to the landowner to purchase the land at a price not less than the independent valuer’s determination.

However, if either party disputes the independent valuer’s determination, then within 14 days of receiving the independent valuer’s report, they may refer the matter to the Secretary for review. Any request for a review must be accompanied by a detailed report setting out the reasons why the party disputes the independent valuer’s determination. Following consultation with the independent valuer and both parties, the Secretary will determine a fair and reasonable acquisition price for the land, having regard to the matters referred to in paragraphs (a)-(c) above, the independent valuer’s report, the detailed report disputing the independent valuer’s determination, and any other relevant submissions.

Within 14 days of this determination, the Proponent shall make a binding written offer to the landowner to purchase the land at a price not less than the Secretary’s determination.

If the landowner refuses to accept the Proponent’s binding written offer under this condition within 6 months of the offer being made, then the Proponent's obligations to acquire the land shall cease, unless the Secretary determines otherwise.

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6. The Proponent shall pay all reasonable costs associated with the land acquisition process described in Condition 5 above, including the costs associated with obtaining Council approval for any plan of subdivision (where permissible), and registration of this plan at the Office of the Registrar-General.

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SCHEDULE 5 ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, REPORTING AND AUDITING

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

Environmental Management Strategy

1. The Proponent shall prepare and implement an Environmental Management Strategy for the project to the satisfaction of the Secretary. This strategy must: (a) be submitted to the Secretary for approval within 3 months of the date of this approval, unless otherwise agreed by the Secretary; (b) provide the strategic framework for the environmental management of the project; (c) identify the statutory approvals that apply to the project; (d) describe the role, responsibility, authority and accountability of all key personnel involved in the environmental management of the project; (e) describe the procedures that would be implemented to: • keep the local community and relevant agencies informed about the operation and environmental performance of the project; • receive, handle, respond to, and record complaints; • resolve any disputes that may arise during the course of the project; • respond to any non-compliance; • respond to emergencies; and (f) include: • copies of any strategies, plans and programs approved under the conditions of this approval; and • a clear plan depicting all the monitoring required to be carried out under the conditions of this approval.

Management Plan Requirements

2. The Proponent shall ensure that the management plans required under this approval are prepared in accordance with any relevant guidelines, and include: (a) detailed baseline data; (b) a description of: • the relevant statutory requirements (including any relevant approval, licence or lease conditions); • any relevant limits or performance measures/criteria; • the specific performance indicators that are proposed to be used to judge the performance of, or guide the implementation of, the project or any management measures; (c) a description of the measures that would be implemented to comply with the relevant statutory requirements, limits, or performance measures/criteria; (d) a program to monitor and report on the: • impacts and environmental performance of the project; • effectiveness of any management measures (see (c) above); (e) a contingency plan to manage any unpredicted impacts and their consequences; (f) a program to investigate and implement ways to improve the environmental performance of the project over time; (g) a protocol for managing and reporting any: • incidents; • complaints; • non-compliances with statutory requirements; and • exceedences of the impact assessment criteria and/or performance criteria; and (h) a protocol for periodic review of the plan.

Note: The Secretary may waive some of these requirements if they are unnecessary or unwarranted.

Annual Review

3. By the end of December 2011, and annually thereafter, the Proponent shall review the environmental performance of the project to the satisfaction of the Secretary. This review must: (a) describe the development (including any rehabilitation) that was carried out in the past year, and the development that is proposed to be carried out over the next year; (b) include a comprehensive review of the monitoring results and complaints records of the project over the past year, which includes a comparison of these results against the • the relevant statutory requirements, limits or performance measures/criteria; • the monitoring results of previous years; and • the relevant predictions in the EA;

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(c) identify any non-compliance over the past year, and describe what actions were (or are being) taken to ensure compliance; (d) identify any trends in the monitoring data over the life of the project; (e) identify any discrepancies between the predicted and actual impacts of the project, and analyse the potential cause of any significant discrepancies; and (f) describe what measures will be implemented over the next year to improve the environmental performance of the project.

Revision of Strategies, Plans and Programs

4. Within 3 months of: (a) the submission of an annual review under Condition 3 above; (b) the submission of an incident report under Condition 6 below; (c) the submission of an audit under Condition 8 below; (d) any modification to the conditions of this approval (unless the conditions require otherwise); or (e) prior to the commencement of clearing in EA (Mod 2), the Proponent shall review, and if necessary revise, the strategies, plans, and programs required under this approval to the satisfaction of the Secretary.

Note: This is to ensure the strategies, plans and programs are updated on a regular basis, and incorporate any recommended measures to improve the environmental performance of the project.

Community Consultative Committee

5. The Proponent shall establish and operate a new Community Consultative Committee (CCC) for the project in general accordance with the Guidelines for Establishing and Operating Community Consultative Committees for Mining Projects (Department of Planning, 2007, or its latest version), and to the satisfaction of the Secretary. This CCC must be operating within 3 months of the date of this approval. Note: • The CCC is an advisory committee. The Department and other relevant agencies are responsible for ensuring that the Proponent complies with this approval; • In accordance with the guideline, the Committee should be comprised of an independent chair and appropriate representation from the Proponent, Council, recognised environmental groups and the local community; and • With the approval of the Secretary, this CCC may be combined with the current CCC for the Stratford coal mine.

REPORTING

Incident Reporting

6. The Proponent shall notify the Secretary and any other relevant agencies of any incident associated with the project as soon as practicable after the Proponent becomes aware of the incident. Within 7 days of the date of the incident, the Proponent shall provide the Secretary and any relevant agencies with a detailed report on the incident.

Regular Reporting

7. The Proponent shall provide regular reporting on the environmental performance of the project on its website, in accordance with the reporting arrangements in any plans or programs approved under the conditions of this approval, and to the satisfaction of the Secretary.

AUDITING

Independent Environmental Audit

8. By the end of December 2011, and every 3 years thereafter, unless the Secretary directs otherwise, the Proponent shall commission and pay the full cost of an Independent Environmental Audit of the project. This audit must: (a) be conducted by a suitably qualified, experienced and independent team of experts whose appointment has been endorsed by the Secretary; (b) include consultation with the relevant agencies; (c) assess the environmental performance of the project and assess whether it is complying with the requirements in this approval and any relevant EPL or Mining Lease (including any assessment, plan or program required under these approvals); (d) review the adequacy of strategies, plans or programs required under the approvals in (c) above; and (e) recommend appropriate measures or actions to improve the environmental performance of the project, and/or any assessment, plan or program required under the approvals in (c) above.

Note: This audit team must be led by a suitably qualified auditor and include experts in any fields specified by the Secretary.

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9. Within 6 weeks of the completion of this audit, or as otherwise agreed by the Secretary, the Proponent shall submit a copy of the audit report to the Secretary, together with its response to any recommendations contained in the audit report.

9A. By the end of December 2013, and with every Independent Environmental Audit thereafter, unless the Secretary directs otherwise, the Proponent shall commission and pay the full cost of a Rail Haulage Audit of the project. This audit must: (a) be conducted by a suitably qualified, experienced and independent experts whose appointment has been endorsed by the Secretary; (b) review the existing rail haulage operations and determine whether all reasonable and feasible measures are being implemented to minimise the: • noise and dust impacts of these operations; • use of the shuttle train during the approved night-time hours; • dispatch of trains from the site between 9.25pm and 1am the following day; and (c) recommend appropriate measures or actions to improve the efficiency of these rail haulage operations and minimise their associated impacts; and (d) evaluate the use of the exceptional circumstances provision in condition 8 of schedule 2, and the associated reporting on any use of this provision on the Proponent’s website (see condition 8A in schedule 2).

9B. Within 6 weeks of the completion of this audit, or as otherwise agreed by the Secretary, the Proponent shall submit a copy of the audit report to the Secretary, together with its response to any recommendations contained in the audit report.

ACCESS TO INFORMATION

10. Within 1 month of the date of this approval, the Proponent shall: (a) make copies of the following publicly available on its website: • the documents referred to in Condition 2 of Schedule 2; • all relevant statutory approvals for the project; • all approved strategies, plans, programs and studies required under the conditions of this approval; • the monitoring results of the project, reported in accordance with the specifications in any approved strategies, plans, programs or studies required under the conditions of this or any other approval; • a complaints register, which is to be updated on a monthly basis; • the agenda papers and minutes of CCC meetings; • the annual reviews required under this approval; • any audit of the project required under this approval, and the Proponent's response to the recommendations in any audit report; • any other matter required by the Secretary; and (b) keep this information up-to-date, to the satisfaction of the Secretary.

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APPENDIX 1 SCHEDULE OF LAND

Tenure Type Lot Number Deposited Plan Number FREEHOLD 1 595876 FREEHOLD 4 595876 FREEHOLD 6 876013 FREEHOLD 12 95773 FREEHOLD 19 95688 FREEHOLD 22 95765 FREEHOLD Part of 1 1103426 FREEHOLD Part of 1 1127503 FREEHOLD Part of 1 986142 FREEHOLD Part of 30 95765 FREEHOLD Part of 125 95694 FREEHOLD Part of 126 95695 FREEHOLD Part of 130 95768 FREEHOLD Part of 131 95773 FREEHOLD Part of 136 95698 FREEHOLD Part of 636 95742 FREEHOLD Part of 705 95759 FREEHOLD Part of C 160430 FREEHOLD (Great Lakes Severed land resumed for public N/A Council) road FREEHOLD (Private subdivision Roads located within and road reserves or owned by Great between the above parcels of N/A Lakes Council) land STATE RAIL AUTHORITY OF Rail corridor located within and N/A NSW adjacent to the above titles

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APPENDIX 2 PROJECT LAYOUT PLANS

Figure 2: Project General Arrangement

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Figure 3: Project General Arrangement 2015

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Figure 4: Project General Arrangement 2018

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APPENDIX 3 LAND OWNERSHIP PLANS

Figure 5: Land Ownership Plan 31

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Figure 6: Receptors within 100 m of North Coast Railway

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APPENDIX 4 IRRIGATION AREA

Figure 7: Project Irrigation Areas 34

APPENDIX 5 OFFSET STRATEGY

Figure 8: Proposed Offset Arrangement

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APPENDIX 6 HERITAGE SITES

Figure 9: Aboriginal Heritage Sites identified within the Study Area

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APPENDIX 7 INDICATIVE LOCATION OF VISUAL SCREEN ON BUCKETTS WAY

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APPENDIX 8 CONCEPTUAL REHABILITATION PLAN

Figure 10: Indicative Final Landform

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APPENDIX 9 STATEMENT OF COMMITMENTS • management of on-site waters; • management and mitigation of operational noise; SOC1. STATEMENT OF COMMITMENTS • management of DCM run-of-mine (ROM) coal rail transport noise; In accordance with the Director-General’s • monitoring of temperature inversions for noise Environmental Assessment Requirements, this compliance monitoring; sections provides a statement of Duralie Coal Pty • management and mitigation of potential blasting Ltd’s (DCPL’s) commitments in relation to the Duralie impacts; and Extension Project (the Project). • provision of ecological offset measures for the Project. SOC1.1 PROPOSED PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT, These are described further below. MONITORING AND REPORTING Alternative Landholder Access The environmental assessment provided in Section 4 in the Main Report of the EA outlines proposed The entire length of Cheerup Road and environmental management and offset measures for approximately one kilometer of Duralie Road (within the Project including those relevant to land resources, Mining Lease Application 1) will be closed as a result groundwater, surface water, noise, blasting, air of the Project. The formal process for road closure quality, greenhouse gas emissions, terrestrial and will be conducted in accordance with the aquatic ecology, Aboriginal heritage, non-Aboriginal requirements of the Great Lakes Council (GLC). heritage, road transport, socio-economics, hazard and risk and visual character. Where relevant, These local road closures will result in the loss of environmental monitoring proposals are also provided existing public road access for one privately owned in Section 4. lot.

DCPL will review and revise the existing management DCPL Commitment and monitoring plans to incorporate the Project and address the revised management plan requirements DCPL will provide an alternative access route to the of the Project Approval. access-affected property in consultation with the relevant landholder and the GLC. The existing monitoring programme at the Duralie Coal Mine (DCM) will be augmented to address On-site Water Management additional Project disturbance areas and extensions. Figure SOC-1 shows the location of environmental The original proposal for the Project incorporated a monitoring sites proposed to be maintained for the controlled release of excess mine water to the Project. Mammy Johnsons River and additional irrigation areas to the east of the Mammy Johnsons River. Environmental management, monitoring and reporting will be conducted in accordance with the During the assessment of the Project water balance Project Approval conditions, with the final monitoring and refinement of engineering and mine planning it details (locations, parameters and frequencies) to be was determined that an off-site controlled mine water provided in the relevant management plans. release and irrigation areas to the east of Mammy Johnsons River was not required. SOC1.2 SPECIFIC ENVIRONMENTAL COMMITMENTS DCPL Commitment

Environmental mitigation measures to be DCPL will maintain and extend current water implemented for the Project are described in Section management measures (e.g. on-site water storage, 4. Key commitments include: beneficial use of contained water for irrigation and • provision of alternative landholder access as a diversion of runoff from upstream sources) in result of local road closures; accordance with the conditions of the Project • design, construction and management of the Approval and Environment Protection Licence. post-mining alignment of Coal Shaft Creek;

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Coal Shaft Creek – Reconstruction emissions at nearby residences.

Coal Shaft Creek has been diverted around the DCPL Commitment existing Weismantel open pit to allow mining at the DCM. The Project surface water management system DCPL commits to adopting the following noise will include the continued use of the Coal Shaft Creek management and mitigation measures to appreciably Diversion. reduce noise emissions associated with the Project:

DCPL Commitment • mobile equipment necessary to meet Project ROM coal production will be low noise emission Following the completion of mining activities at the standard, including up to 16 CAT 785XQ haul DCM, a final alignment of Coal Shaft Creek will be trucks and attenuation of other plant items (i.e. established, stabilized and revegetated prior to excavator, drill and grader); relinquishment of ML 1427. DCPL commits to a final • the use of two existing CAT 789 haul trucks will alignment with the following components: be restricted to daytime operations only; • a reworked section of the existing Coal Shaft • XQ D10 dozers (rather than D10 dozers) will be Creek Diversion channel; used in the northern extent of the Clareval North • a reconstructed meandering channel within a West open pit and waste rock emplacement; corridor over the in-pit waste rock emplacement; • only two unattenuated D10 dozer will be used on and site; • a drop-down section between the two above • (deleted) components. • (deleted) • (deleted) DCPL commits to the development of a Surface • (deleted) Water Management Plan to document the final design • the height of the waste rock emplacement will be of the post-mining alignment of Coal Shaft Creek. restricted to relative level 135 m.

Throughout the Project life, further analysis will be Noise Management Zone (1 to 5 A-weighted decibels conducted into the geotechnical, hydrological and [dBA] above Project-Specific Criteria) hydraulic design of the final alignment focusing on long-term stability, seepage management and the For private residences within the Noise Management creation of habitat. The outcomes of this analysis will Zone, DCPL will implement reasonable and feasible inform the final detailed design of the post-mining acoustical mitigation (which may include measures alignment and reconstruction of Coal Shaft Creek. such as enhanced glazing, insulation and/or air- conditioning), in consultation with the relevant DCM ROM Coal Rail Transport Noise landowner, where compliance noise monitoring shows Project noise levels are 3 to 5 dBA above There will be a slight increase in the number of DCM Project-specific noise criteria. ROM coal rail movements to the Stratford Coal Mine from approximately 950 to 1,125 per annum and the Noise Affectation Zone (>5 dBA above Project- current hours of operation of the train (7:00 am to Specific Criteria) 10:00 pm) will be extended by some four hours (i.e. 7:00 am to 2:00 am) with the written approval of the For private residences within the Noise Affectation Secretary of the Department in accordance with the Zone, the following additional noise management Project Approval. procedures will be implemented for the Project: • implementation of reasonable and feasible DCPL Commitment acoustical mitigation at receivers (which may include measures such as enhanced glazing, DCPL commits to replacing the existing locomotives insulation and/or air-conditioning), in consultation on the DCM ROM coal transport train with GL class with the relevant landowner, where compliance locomotives (or equivalent) which are quieter than the noise monitoring shows Project noise levels are existing DCM locomotives from Year 2 of the Project greater than 5 dBA above Project-specific noise (or sooner, subject to contract arrangements). criteria; and • negotiated agreements with landowners where Operational Noise Management and Mitigation required. Measures

Due to the extension of mining operations to the north and west and the increase in the mobile fleet, the Project has the potential to result in additional noise

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Direct Temperature Inversion Measurement DCPL Commitment

The noise limits stipulated in the existing DCM DCPL commits to the provision of an area to offset Development Consent (DA 168/99) with respect to the potential impacts of the Project and maintain or temperature inversions, state: improve the biodiversity values of the surrounding region in the medium to long-term. The noise emission limits…apply under all meteorological conditions except for: DCPL proposes an offset area which is located on …temperature inversions with a strength of greater freehold Gloucester Coal Ltd/DCPL owned land than 3oC/100 m for all receivers… (Figure SOC-2), which is currently managed for pastoral purposes. Table SOC-1 provides a summary It is anticipated that should the Project be approved, of the proposed offset. the presence and strength of temperature inversions will be relevant to determine the application of noise criteria in accordance with the Industrial Noise Policy.

DCPL Commitment

DCPL will install suitable monitoring equipment to provide for continuous real-time measurement of temperature lapse rate in accordance with the Industrial Noise Policy.

For the purposes of determining Project operational noise compliance at nearby private residences, the results of the direct temperature inversion monitoring will be converted to a temperature gradient (degrees Celcius [oC]/100 m) for comparison to the inversion strength conditions applicable under the Project Approval.

Management of Potential Blasting Impacts

Consistent with the Blast Management Plan, DCPL commits to appropriate blast designs addressing aspects including total charge size, instantaneous charge size, delay between the hole explosive initiation, direction of initiation, type and quantity of stemming material and geology to minimize potential blasting impacts at nearby receivers.

DCPL commits to notifying the occupants of residential receivers within 2 kilometres (km) of a proposed blast prior to the blast occurring. In addition, DCPL will establish an exclusion zone around blast events, including the positioning of sentries on public access points for privately owned properties within 500 m of a blast event. DCPL also commits to notifying the occupants of residential receivers within 2 km of Project active mining areas that they are entitled to a structural property inspection by a suitably qualified, experienced and independent person.

Ecological Offset Measures

Approximately 87 hectares (ha) of natural vegetation communities and 109 ha of derived grassland will be cleared for the Project.

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Figure SOC-2: Offset Areas

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Table SOC-1 Summary of the Offset Proposal

Area Description Approximate Area (ha) Enhancement Enhancement of 299 Area existing areas of native vegetation communities through natural regeneration and management for conservation Revegetation Re-establishment 393.5 Area of woodland, open woodland, forest and riparian forest in derived grasslands by selective planting and fencing for natural regeneration Total Area Conserved (ha) 692.5

DCPL commits to make suitable payments to provide appropriate long-term security for the offset area to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.

A Biodiversity Management Plan will be prepared by a suitably qualified person(s) to facilitate the revegetation and regeneration of native vegetation and habitats and provide a framework for continued management and monitoring of the offset area. The Biodiversity Management Plan will be prepared to the satisfaction of the Secretary of the NSW Department of Planning and Environment.

The proposed offset area will be independently audited or reviewed at intervals as described in the Biodiversity Management Plan. The audits/reviews will be conducted by a suitably qualified person(s) to: • assess compliance with the Biodiversity Management Plan; • assess the performance of the offset area; • review the adequacy of the management measures and monitoring programme; and • recommend actions or measures to improve the performance of the offset, Biodiversity Management Plan, or monitoring programme, if required.

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Duralie Coal Mine – Mining Operations Plan and Rehabilitation Management Plan (1 January 2020 – 31 December 2021)

ATTACHMENT 2

RELEVANT MINING LEASE CONDITION EXTRACTS

01007333