Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
MINING TENEMENT SUMMARY REPORT
MISCELLANEOUS LICENCE 52/163 Status: Live
TENEMENT SUMMARY
Area: 36.37000 HA Death Reason : Mark Out : N/A Death Date : Received : 02/09/2015 08:33:48 Commence : 09/03/2016 Term Granted : 21 Years Expiry : 08/03/2037
CURRENT HOLDER DETAILS
Name and Address BHP BILLITON MINERALS PTY LTD WAIO LAND TENURE, C/- LAND TENURE TEAM, PO BOX 7474 CLOISTERS SQUARE, PERTH, WA, 6850, [email protected] ITOCHU MINERALS & ENERGY OF AUSTRALIA PTY LTD WAIO LAND TENURE, C/- LAND TENURE TEAM, PO BOX 7474, CLOISTERS SQUARE, PERTH, WA, 6850, [email protected] MITSUI-ITOCHU IRON PTY LTD WAIO LAND TENURE, C/- LAND TENURE TEAM, PO BOX 7474 CLOISTERS SQUARE, PERTH, WA, 6850, [email protected]
DESCRIPTION
Locality: Ophthalmia Dam Datum: Datum is at MGA94 Zone 50 Coordinates. 798661.887mE; 7415783.466mN Boundary: Thence 798661.887mE 7415783.466mN 798195.142mE 7414537.433mN 798145.514mE 7414505.938mN 797110.415mE 7414753.892mN 797115.012mE 7414725.174mN 796870.169mE 7414567.479mN 796849.420mE 7414561.946mN 796465.521mE 7414475.760mN 796462.363mE 7414475.051mN 796460.004mE 7414474.521mN 796399.464mE 7414460.930mN 796226.110mE 7414459.887mN 796050.820mE 7414470.256mN 796032.918mE 7414526.242mN 796068.190mE 7414559.056mN 796379.567mE 7414559.171mN 796736.615mE 7414657.382mN 796815.910mE 7414657.431mN 796886.689mE 7414688.863mN 797014.764mE 7414775.141mN 797075.629mE 7414824.500mN 797079.962mE 7414852.758mN 797112.933mE 7414856.133mN 798117.341mE 7414614.787mN 798546.508mE 7415804.088mN 798665.096mE 7415801.711mN 798661.887mE 7415783.466mN Area : Type Dealing No Start Date Area Granted 09/03/2016 36.37000 HA Applied For 02/09/2015 36.37382 HA
Created 13/03/2017 08:57:39 Requested By: BREE KEITH/Page 1 of 2 Mining Tenement Summary Report MISCELLANEOUS LICENCE 52/163 - Live SHIRE DETAILS
Shire Shire No Start End Area EAST PILBARA SHIRE 3220 02/09/2015 36.37000 HA
RENT STATUS
Due For Year End 08/03/2018: PAID IN FULL Due For Year End 08/03/2019: $558.70
EXPENDITURE STATUS
Expended Year End : NO EXPENDITURE REQUIRED Current Year Commitment :
Created 13/03/2017 08:57:39 Requested By: BREE KEITH/Page 2 of 2 Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
MINING TENEMENT SUMMARY REPORT DISCLAIMER: This is not the official Register referred to in Reg. 84C of the Mining Regulations 1981. MINING LEASE S.A. 70/266 Status: Live
TENEMENT SUMMARY
Area: 47,191.00000 HA Death Reason : Mark Out : N/A Death Date : Received : 09/08/1988 00:00:00 Commence : 11/10/1988 Term Granted : Expiry : 10/10/2030
CURRENT HOLDER DETAILS
Name and Address BHP IRON ORE (JIMBLEBAR) PTY LTD C/- LAND TENURE TEAM, PO BOX 7474, CLOISTERS SQUARE, PERTH, WA, 6850
DESCRIPTION
Locality: PEAK HILL MINERAL FIELD Datum: IDENTICAL TO TR 4326H Boundary: IRON ORE (MCCAMEYS MONSTER) AGREEMENT AUSTHORISATION ACT 1972 - Clause 11, 13(i) MINES FILE: 1149/87 PURPOSE FOR IRON ORE ...... NOTE: 1995 SUMMARY OF SPECIAL AGREEMENT ACT LEASES LEASE NO: 266 HOLDER: BHP Iron Ore (Jimbelbar) Pty Ltd AGREEMENT ACT TITLE: Iron Ore (McCameys Monster) Agreement Act 1972 MINERAL: IRON TERM TO: 10.10.2009 AREA: 9.065 hectare RENTAL RATE: $1.72971 hectare RENTAL PER HA: $1.7297 CURRENT RENTAL PAID: $15679.73 REMARKS: NIL paid up until 10.10.1999 amount paid: $15679.73 date paid: 30.10.1998 Area : Type Dealing No Start Date Area Special Act adjustment 10/11/2015 47,191.00000 HA Special Act adjustment 02/04/2014 46,923.00000 HA Applied For 09/08/1988 9,065.00000 HA
SHIRE DETAILS
Shire Shire No Start End Area EAST PILBARA SHIRE 3220 10/11/2015 47,191.00000 HA
RENT STATUS
Due For Year End : Due For Year End :
Created 13/03/2017 09:02:00 Requested By: BREE KEITH/Page 1 of 2 Mining Tenement Summary Report MINING LEASE S.A. 70/266 - Live EXPENDITURE STATUS
Expended Year End : NO EXPENDITURE REQUIRED Current Year Commitment :
Created 13/03/2017 09:02:00 Requested By: BREE KEITH/Page 2 of 2 Government of Western Australia Department of Mines and Petroleum
MINING TENEMENT SUMMARY REPORT DISCLAIMER: This is not the official Register referred to in Reg. 84C of the Mining Regulations 1981. MINERAL LEASE S.A. 70/244 Status: Live
TENEMENT SUMMARY
Area: 77,132.70000 HA Death Reason : Mark Out : 06/04/1967 00:00:00 Death Date : Received : 06/04/1967 00:00:00 Commence : 07/04/1967 Term Granted : Expiry : 06/04/2030
CURRENT HOLDER DETAILS
Name and Address BHP BILLITON MINERALS PTY LTD C/- LAND TENURE TEAM, PO BOX 7474 CLOISTERS SQUARE, PERTH, WA, 6850 ITOCHU MINERALS & ENERGY OF AUSTRALIA PTY LTD C/- LAND TENURE TEAM, PO BOX 7474, CLOISTERS SQUARE, PERTH, WA, 6850 MITSUI-ITOCHU IRON PTY LTD C/- LAND TENURE TEAM, PO BOX 7474 CLOISTERS SQUARE, PERTH, WA, 6850
DESCRIPTION
Locality: Mt Newman Datum: IRON ORE (MT NEWMAN) AGREEMENT ACT 1964 Boundary: PURPOSE FOR IRON ORE See areas marked 1-21: folio 19 of Mines File 2907/67 NOTE: - 1995 SUMMARY OF SPECIAL AGREEMENT ACT LEASES LEASE: No. 244 HOLDER: Pilbara Iron Ltd Mitsui-Itocu Iron Pty Ltd CI Minerals Australia Pty Ltd BHP Minerals Pty Ltd AGREEMENT ACT TITLE: Iron Ore (Mount Newman) Agreement Act 1972 MINERAL: IRON TERM TO: 06.04.2009 AREA: 77 132.7 HA RENTAL RATE: 35c/acre RENTAL PER HA: $0.865 CURRENT RENTAL PAID: $66 710.00 REMARKS: NIL Tenements affected within this agreement: 244 SA only AREA REDUCED TO 77132.70 HECTARES PAID UP UNTIL 6.4.2000 AMOUNT PAID: $66710.00 ON 19.4.1999 Area : Type Dealing No Start Date Area Applied For 06/04/1967 77,132.70000 HA
SHIRE DETAILS
Shire Shire No Start End Area EAST PILBARA SHIRE 3220 06/04/1967 77,132.70000 HA
Created 13/03/2017 08:57:14 Requested By: BREE KEITH/Page 1 of 2 Mining Tenement Summary Report MINERAL LEASE S.A. 70/244 - Live RENT STATUS
Due For Year End : Due For Year End :
EXPENDITURE STATUS
Expended Year End : NO EXPENDITURE REQUIRED Current Year Commitment :
Created 13/03/2017 08:57:14 Requested By: BREE KEITH/Page 2 of 2 ASIC Au s tralian Securities & In v estm en ts Commissio n
Current Company Extract
Name: BHP IRON ORE (JIMBLEBAR) PTY LTD ACN: 009 114 210
Date/Time: 13 March 2017 AEST 02:54:36 PM
This extract contains information derived from the Australian Securities and Investments Commission's (ASIC) database under section 1274A of the Corporations Act 2001.
Please advise ASIC of any error or omission which you may identify. Current Company Extract BHP IRON ORE (JIMBLEBAR) PTY LTD ACN 009 114 210
Organisation Details Document Number
Current Organisation Details Name: BHP IRON ORE (JIMBLEBAR) PTY LTD 00911421E ACN: 009 114 210 ABN: 95009114210 Registered in: Western Australia Registration date: 12/11/1984 Next review date: 01/07/2017 Name start date: 29/11/1993 Previous state number: C0810124H Status: Registered Company type: Australian Proprietary Company Class: Limited By Shares Subclass: Proprietary Company
Address Details Document Number
Current Registered address: 'Brookfield Place' Level 37, 125 St Georges Terrace, 7E6351127 PERTH WA 6000 Start date: 15/09/2014
Principal Place Of 'Brookfield Place' Level 37, 125 St Georges Terrace, 7E6351127 Business address: PERTH WA 6000 Start date: 25/08/2014
Contact Address Section 146A of the Corporations Act 2001 states 'A contact address is the address to which communications and notices are sent from ASIC to the company'. Address: Level 14, 480 Queen Street, BRISBANE QLD 4000
Start date: 24/02/2017
Officeholders and Other Roles Document Number Director Name: VANESSA DE MACEDO TORRES 9E0008088 Address: Unit 39, 100 Terrace Road, PERTH WA 6000 Born: 19/09/1969, IPATINGA, MG, BRAZIL Appointment date: 27/05/2016 Name: JON-PIERRE JAMES BESTER 7E8385218 Address: 42 Mannikin Heights, BEELIAR WA 6164 Born: 04/05/1982, PORT ELIZABETH, EASTERN CAPE, SOUTH AFRICA Appointment date: 01/09/2016 Secretary Name: LEE-ANNE MCLEAN 2E2506626 Address: 29 Garners Way, BURNS BEACH WA 6028 Born: 05/02/1987, JOHANNESBURG, SOUTH AFRICA
13 March 2017 AEST 02:54:36 PM 1 Current Company Extract BHP IRON ORE (JIMBLEBAR) PTY LTD ACN 009 114 210
Appointment date: 17/09/2015 Appointed Auditor Name: KPMG 026147493 Address: 235 St Georges Terrace PERTH WA 6000 Start date: 20/05/2003 Ultimate Holding Company Name: BHP BILLITON LIMITED 00911421K ACN: 004 028 077 ABN: 49004028077
Share Information
Share Structure
Class Description Number Total amount Total amount Document issued paid unpaid number
A CLASS A 1000000 1454895000.00 0.00 7E5376970 000
B CLASS B SHARES 9922271 992227172.00 0.00 028596843 72
Members
Note: For each class of shares issued by a proprietary company, ASIC records the details of the top twenty members of the class (based on shareholdings). The details of any other members holding the same number of shares as the twentieth ranked member will also be recorded by ASIC on the database. Where available, historical records show that a member has ceased to be ranked amongst the top twenty members. This may, but does not necessarily mean, that they have ceased to be a member of the company.
Name: ITOCHU MINERALS & ENERGY OF AUSTRALIA PTY LTD ACN: 009 256 259 Address: 'Forrest Centre' Level 22, 221 St Georges Terrace, PERTH WA 6000
Class Number held Beneficially held Paid Document number
A 80000000 yes FULLY 7E5376970 I I I I I I
Name: MITSUI & CO. IRON ORE EXPLORATION & MINING PTY. LTD. ACN: 164 171 448 Address: 'Exchange Plaza' Level 25, 2 The Esplanade, PERTH WA 6000
Class Number held Beneficially held Paid Document number
A 70000000 yes FULLY 7E6232179 I I I I I I
Name: BHP BILLITON MINERALS PTY LTD ACN: 008 694 782 Address: 'Brookfield Place' Level 37, 125 St Georges Terrace, PERTH WA 6000
13 March 2017 AEST 02:54:36 PM 2 Current Company Extract BHP IRON ORE (JIMBLEBAR) PTY LTD ACN 009 114 210
Class Number held Beneficially held Paid Document number
A 850000000 yes FULLY 7E6914785 I I I I I I
Name: BHP BILLITON MINERALS PTY LTD ACN: 008 694 782 Address: 'Brookfield Place' Level 37, 125 St Georges Terrace, PERTH WA 6000
Class Number held Beneficially held Paid Document number
B 992227172 yes FULLY 7E6914785 I I I I I I
Financial Reports
Balance Report due AGM due Extended AGM held Outstanding Document date date date AGM due date number
31/05/1996 no 011438532
31/05/1997 no 013130578
31/05/1998 30/09/1998 no 014639588
31/05/1999 30/09/1999 no 015443986
30/06/2000 31/10/2000 no 016676756
30/06/2001 31/10/2001 no 016859750
30/06/2002 31/10/2002 no 019081133
30/06/2003 31/10/2003 no 019893765
30/06/2004 31/10/2004 no 020847630
30/06/2005 31/10/2005 no 022472471
30/06/2006 30/11/2006 no 023476547
30/06/2007 31/10/2007 no 024326022
30/06/2008 31/10/2008 no 024945398
30/06/2009 31/10/2009 no 026147493
30/06/2010 31/10/2010 no 7E3265185
30/06/2011 31/10/2011 no 7E4057011
30/06/2012 31/10/2012 no 7E4816457
30/06/2013 31/10/2013 no 7E5613392
30/06/2014 31/10/2014 no 7E6489403
30/06/2015 31/10/2015 no 7E7425453
30/06/2016 31/10/2016 no 7E8482842
13 March 2017 AEST 02:54:36 PM 3 Current Company Extract BHP IRON ORE (JIMBLEBAR) PTY LTD ACN 009 114 210
Documents
Note: Where no Date Processed is shown, the document in question has not been processed. In these instances care should be taken in using information that may be updated by the document when it is processed. Where the Date Processed is shown but there is a zero under No Pages, the document has been processed but a copy is not yet available.
Date received Form type Date Number of Effective Document processed pages date number
22/07/2014 484A2 Change To Company 22/07/2014 2 22/07/2014 7E6232179 Details Change Member Name Or Address
23/08/2014 484E Change To Company 23/08/2014 3 23/08/2014 7E6310837 Details Appointment Or Cessation Of A Company Officeholder
08/09/2014 484 Change To Company 08/09/2014 2 08/09/2014 7E6351127 Details 484B Change Of Registered Address 484C Change Of Principal Place Of Business (Address)
26/10/2014 484E Change To Company 26/10/2014 2 26/10/2014 7E6470646 Details Appointment Or Cessation Of A Company Officeholder
31/10/2014 388H (FR 2014) Financial 31/10/2014 34 30/06/2014 7E6489403 Report Financial Report - Large Proprietary Company That Is Not A Disclosing Entity
24/02/2015 484E Change To Company 24/02/2015 2 24/02/2015 7E6749727 Details Appointment Or Cessation Of A Company Officeholder
25/03/2015 484E Change To Company 25/03/2015 2 25/03/2015 7E6827796 Details Appointment Or Cessation Of A Company Officeholder
10/04/2015 484E Change To Company 10/04/2015 2 10/04/2015 7E6865011 Details Appointment Or Cessation Of A Company Officeholder
29/04/2015 484A2 Change To Company 29/04/2015 2 29/04/2015 7E6914785 Details Change Member Name Or Address
08/05/2015 484E Change To Company 08/05/2015 2 07/05/2015 2E1809014 Details Appointment Or Cessation Of A Company Officeholder
23/07/2015 484E Change To Company 23/07/2015 2 23/07/2015 7E7157835
13 March 2017 AEST 02:54:36 PM 4 Current Company Extract BHP IRON ORE (JIMBLEBAR) PTY LTD ACN 009 114 210
Details Appointment Or Cessation Of A Company Officeholder
11/08/2015 484E Change To Company 11/08/2015 2 11/08/2015 2E2266822 Details Appointment Or Cessation Of A Company Officeholder
18/08/2015 484E Change To Company 18/08/2015 2 18/08/2015 2E2305710 Details Appointment Or Cessation Of A Company Officeholder
30/09/2015 484E Change To Company 30/09/2015 2 30/09/2015 2E2506626 Details Appointment Or Cessation Of A Company Officeholder
29/10/2015 388H (FR 2015) Financial 29/10/2015 33 30/06/2015 7E7425453 Report Financial Report - Large Proprietary Company That Is Not A Disclosing Entity
04/11/2015 488N Application To Change 09/11/2015 8 04/11/2015 028818892 Review Date Of A Company Or Scheme Synchronise Review Date By Office Holder - No Fee
17/12/2015 484A1 Change To Company 17/12/2015 2 17/12/2015 7E7567372 Details Change Officeholder Name Or Address
11/05/2016 370 Notification By 12/05/2016 2 11/05/2016 7E7951659 Officeholder Of Resignation Or Retirement
01/06/2016 484E Change To Company 01/06/2016 2 01/06/2016 9E0008088 Details Appointment Or Cessation Of A Company Officeholder
21/07/2016 484E Change To Company 25/07/2016 2 21/07/2016 7E8179327 Details Appointment Or Cessation Of A Company Officeholder
22/07/2016 492 Request For Correction 25/07/2016 4 22/07/2016 7E8181201
27/09/2016 484E Change To Company 27/09/2016 2 27/09/2016 7E8385218 Details Appointment Or Cessation Of A Company Officeholder
31/10/2016 388H (FR 2016) Financial 31/10/2016 34 30/06/2016 7E8482842 Report Financial Report - Large Proprietary Company That Is Not A Disclosing Entity
***End of Extract of 5 Pages*** 13 March 2017 AEST 02:54:36 PM 5 800000 805000 810000 815000 820000 825000 830000
OB18 Reinjection Bore HMG0054P
OB18 Bioremediation Area OB18 Reinjection Bore HMG0056P OB18 Putrescible Landfill 7420000 7420000
OB18 WWTP OB31 Creek Discharge OB18 Wastewater Location FNJV0150 Irrigation Area
7415000 South Jimblebar Creek 7415000 Ammonium Nitrate Facility Discharge Locatin Stormwater Pond W1-JBDMDW002 Opthalmia Dam Discharge Point Jimblebar Oily Wastewater Treatment Plant Jimblebar Inert Landfill Jimblebar Reinjection Hub Wastewater Treatment Plant Bore JBGW0069P
Hub Wastewater Lined
7410000 Evaporation Pond 7410000
Jimblebar Bioremediation South Jimblebar Creek Area Discharge Location Wheelarra Hill Jimblebar Reinjection W1-JBDMDW001 Inert Landfill 1 Lined Evaporation Pond Bore JBGW0003P
Primary Crusher WWTP Wheelarra Hill Inert Landfill 2 Jimblebar Reinjection Bore JBGW0076P
7405000 Unlined Evaporation 7405000 Pond (WH 4 Workshop WWTP)
Wheelarra Hill 4 Workshop WWTP
800000 805000 810000 815000 820000 825000 830000 Health Safety and Environment LOCALITY LEGEND .,, BHP BILLITON IRON ORE !( Yarrie bhpbilliton Port Hedland !( resourcing the future CJ Jimblebar Hub Prescribed Premises L5415/1988/9 Jimblebar Hub 0 Existing Jimblebar Infrastructure ± Prescribed Premises Exisitng OB31 to Ophthalmia Dam Pipeline 0 0.75 1.5 3 4.5 6 Kilometers !( Scale-- (A3): 1:100,000 Datum: GDA94/MGA 51 Dwg: STJIM_029WA_001_RevB_0 Newman Prepared: Chris Hopkins Revision: FINAL 0 250 Centre: Perth Date: 14 March 2017 FIGURE 1 Kilometres
Source: A:\Spatial_Information_Group\ENVIRONMENT_GIS_TEMPLATES\Mapping Templates\A3_Landscape_ENV.mxt GPS Coordinates of the Jimblebar Hub Prescribed Premises Coordinate ID X_Coord Y_Coord 0 209563.1 7421182 1 209584.3 7420103 2 209588.7 7419877 3 209604.1 7419091 4 209609 7418842 5 209625 7418030 6 209630 7417773 7 209641.7 7417179 8 209658.5 7416324 9 209667.5 7415865 10 209647.9 7415868 11 208570.2 7415914 12 206097.5 7416270 13 205967.3 7416288 14 205299.1 7416467 15 205291.6 7416468 16 204716.7 7416556 17 204576.7 7416577 18 204128.3 7416645 19 203813.2 7416597 20 203798.9 7416595 21 203055.1 7416482 22 202831.1 7416448 23 202192.6 7416350 24 202075.9 7416332 25 201605.8 7416261 26 201637.7 7414682 27 202516.4 7414699 28 202587.7 7414017 29 202111.6 7413724 30 202001.7 7413681 31 202001.8 7413385 32 220791.6 7413762 33 220867.9 7409737 34 198333.2 7409284 35 198250.8 7413309 36 201668.4 7413378 37 201647 7414219 38 193543 7414041 39 193531.6 7414965 40 193526.6 7415362 41 193497.2 7415371 42 193495.8 7415371 43 193489.9 7415373 44 193484.4 7415376 45 193479.3 7415380 46 193474.8 7415384 47 193470.7 7415389 48 193466.4 7415395 49 193363.3 7415426 Coordinate ID X_Coord Y_Coord 50 193359.8 7415424 51 193353.7 7415423 52 193347.5 7415422 53 193341.2 7415422 54 193335 7415423 55 193331.2 7415424 56 193221.8 7415453 57 193219.5 7415454 58 193213.7 7415456 59 193208.2 7415459 60 193203.1 7415463 61 193198.6 7415467 62 193194.5 7415472 63 193193.4 7415474 64 193108.2 7415498 65 193020.1 7415522 66 192978.6 7415411 67 192978.2 7415410 68 192975.5 7415404 69 192972.2 7415399 70 192968.2 7415394 71 192963.6 7415390 72 192958.5 7415386 73 192953 7415383 74 192947.2 7415381 75 192941.1 7415379 76 192934.9 7415379 77 192928.6 7415379 78 192922.3 7415379 79 192916.3 7415381 80 192915.1 7415381 81 192881.7 7415393 82 192878.3 7415394 83 192724.6 7415462 84 192656.4 7415484 85 192655.6 7415484 86 192538.4 7415525 87 192496.1 7415541 88 192492.3 7415542 89 192376.9 7415594 90 192316.2 7415618 91 192271.5 7415633 92 192117 7415677 93 192090.7 7415676 94 192084.6 7415676 95 192079.5 7415676 96 192052.4 7415681 97 192051.3 7415681 98 192049.1 7415682 99 191809 7415739 100 191531.2 7415802 Coordinate ID X_Coord Y_Coord 101 191319.1 7415850 102 190926.5 7415938 103 190472.4 7416040 104 190105.1 7416123 105 189872.8 7416175 106 189421.7 7416276 107 189045.7 7416361 108 188751.2 7416427 109 188495.5 7416481 110 188490.5 7416483 111 188489.8 7416483 112 188434.1 7416502 113 187852.2 7416686 114 187687.7 7416737 115 186105.5 7417229 116 185744.6 7417339 117 185620.2 7416952 118 185587.8 7416848 119 185556.8 7416753 120 185536 7416678 121 185535.6 7416676 122 185524.7 7416641 123 185523.9 7416639 124 185490.2 7416547 125 185468.2 7416474 126 185467.5 7416472 127 185399.8 7416277 128 185373.8 7416196 129 185331.6 7416069 130 185206.5 7415685 131 184716.8 7414183 132 184715.8 7414181 133 184713.1 7414175 134 184709.7 7414170 135 184705.7 7414165 136 184701.2 7414160 137 184696.1 7414157 138 184690.6 7414154 139 184684.7 7414151 140 184678.7 7414150 141 184672.4 7414149 142 184666.1 7414149 143 184659.8 7414150 144 183623.6 7414354 145 183375.2 7414178 146 183373.1 7414177 147 183367.6 7414174 148 183361.7 7414171 149 182934.8 7414035 150 182929 7414034 151 182922.8 7414033 Coordinate ID X_Coord Y_Coord 152 182921.4 7414033 153 182641.1 7414023 154 182636.2 7414023 155 182630 7414024 156 182623.9 7414025 157 182618.1 7414028 158 182612.6 7414031 159 182607.5 7414034 160 182602.9 7414039 161 182598.9 7414044 162 182595.5 7414049 163 182592.9 7414054 164 182590.9 7414060 165 182589.7 7414067 166 182589.4 7414073 167 182589.7 7414079 168 182590.9 7414085 169 182592.9 7414091 170 182595.5 7414097 171 182598.9 7414102 172 182602.9 7414107 173 182607.5 7414111 174 182612.6 7414115 175 182618.1 7414118 176 182623.9 7414120 177 182630 7414122 178 182636.2 7414123 179 182637.6 7414123 180 182911 7414133 181 183323.8 7414264 182 183583.3 7414448 183 183585.4 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190494.4 7416137 231 190948.4 7416035 232 191341.1 7415948 233 191553.3 7415899 234 191831.5 7415836 235 192070.6 7415779 236 192090.4 7415776 237 192119.6 7415778 238 192125.7 7415778 239 192131.9 7415777 240 192136.3 7415776 241 192300.3 7415729 242 192301.9 7415728 243 192302.7 7415728 244 192349.5 7415712 245 192351.1 7415711 246 192414 7415687 247 192416.8 7415686 248 192531.7 7415634 249 192571.7 7415620 250 192688.1 7415579 251 192758.1 7415556 252 192762.5 7415554 253 192902.4 7415493 Coordinate ID X_Coord Y_Coord 254 192942.4 7415600 255 192942.7 7415601 256 192945.4 7415606 257 192948.8 7415612 258 192952.8 7415617 259 192957.3 7415621 260 192962.4 7415625 261 192967.9 7415628 262 192973.8 7415630 263 192979.8 7415631 264 192986.1 7415632 265 192992.3 7415632 266 192998.6 7415631 267 193000.7 7415631 268 193010.9 7415629 269 193012.8 7415628 270 193135 7415594 271 193239.7 7415565 272 193241.8 7415564 273 193247.6 7415562 274 193253.1 7415559 275 193258.2 7415555 276 193262.8 7415551 277 193266.8 7415546 278 193267.8 7415545 279 193339 7415525 280 193343.1 7415527 281 193349.2 7415528 282 193355.4 7415529 283 193361.7 7415529 284 193367.9 7415528 285 193372.6 7415527 286 193511.1 7415486 287 193512.5 7415486 288 193518.3 7415484 289 193523.8 7415481 290 193525.2 7415480 291 193522.1 7415728 292 193493 7418079 293 193504.8 7418079 294 201566 7418232 295 201568.3 7418268 296 201557.7 7418793 297 201554.4 7418956 298 201542 7419573 299 201567.7 7419599 300 202263.1 7420256 301 202628.5 7419972 302 202848.4 7420205 303 202715 7420535 304 203206.8 7420820 Coordinate ID X_Coord Y_Coord 305 203512.3 7420997 306 205192 7421049 307 206406 7421086 308 209513.8 7421182
800000 805000 810000 815000 820000 825000 830000 7420000 7420000
7415000 !( 7415000
Opthalmia Dam Discharge Point 7410000 7410000 7405000 7405000
800000 805000 810000 815000 820000 825000 830000 Health Safety and Environment LOCALITY LEGEND .,, BHP BILLITON IRON ORE !( Yarrie bhpbilliton Port Hedland !( resourcing the future Jimblebar Hub Prescribed Premises L5415/1988/9 Jimblebar Hub !( Approved Ophthalmia Dam Discharge Point ± Prescribed Premises Proposed and Exisitng Pipelines 0 0.75 1.5 3 4.5 6 Kilometers Exisitng Pipelines !( Scale-- (A3): 1:100,000 Datum: GDA94/MGA 51 Dwg: STJIM_029WA_002_RevB_0 Newman Prepared: Chris Hopkins Revision: FINAL 0 250 New Pipeline Centre: Perth Date: 14 March 2017 FIGURE 2 Kilometres
Source: A:\Spatial_Information_Group\ENVIRONMENT_GIS_TEMPLATES\Mapping Templates\A3_Landscape_ENV.mxt STATUS OF THIS DOCUMENT This document has been produced by the Office of the Appeals Convenor as an electronic version of the original Statement for the proposal listed below as signed by the Minister and held by this Office. Whilst every effort is made to ensure its accuracy, no warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this document. The State of Western Australia and its agents and employees disclaim liability, whether in negligence or otherwise, for any loss or damage resulting from reliance on the accuracy or completeness of this document. Copyright in this document is reserved to the Crown in right of the State of Western Australia. Reproduction except in accordance with copyright law is prohibited. Published on: 18 February 2011 Statement No. 857
STATEMENT THAT A PROPOSAL MAY BE IMPLEMENTED (PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT 1986)
JIMBLEBAR IRON ORE PROJECT, 40 KILOMETRES EAST OF NEWMAN, SHIRE OF EAST PILBARA
Proposal: The proposal is to extend the existing Wheelarra Hill open pits, develop the South Jimblebar and Hashimoto deposits, and to increase the ore processing capacity by 30 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 75 mtpa. Open pit mining will occur above and below ground and will involve dewatering. Excess water will be discharged into the Ophthalmia Dam.
The proposal is further documented in schedule 1 of this statement.
Proponent: BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd
Proponent Address: PO Box 7122, Cloisters Square PERTH WA 6850
Assessment Number: 1847
Appeal Determination: Appeal 94 of 2010
Related Statements: Ministerial Statement No. 683 and No. 809.
Report of the Environmental Protection Authority: Report 1371
The proposal referred to in the above report of the Environmental Protection Authority may be implemented. The implementation of that proposal is subject to the following conditions and procedures:
1 Proposal Implementation
1-1 The proponent shall implement the proposal as documented and described in schedule 1 of this statement subject to the conditions and procedures of this statement.
2 Proponent Nomination and Contact Details
2-1 The proponent for the time being nominated by the Minister for Environment under sections 38(6) or 38(7) of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 is responsible for the implementation of the proposal.
2-2 The proponent shall notify the Chief Executive Officer of the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority (CEO) of any change of the name and address of the proponent for the serving of notices or other correspondence within 30 days of such change.
3 Time Limit of Authorisation
3-1 The authorisation to implement the proposal provided for in this statement shall lapse and be void five years after the date of this statement if the proposal to which this statement relates is not substantially commenced.
3-2 The proponent shall provide the CEO with written evidence which demonstrates that the proposal has substantially commenced on or before the expiration of five years from the date of this statement.
4 Compliance Reporting
4-1 The proponent shall prepare and maintain a compliance assessment plan to the satisfaction of the CEO.
4-2 The proponent shall submit to the CEO the compliance assessment plan required by condition 4-1 at least six months prior to the first compliance report required by condition 4-6, or prior to implementation, whichever is sooner.
The compliance assessment plan shall indicate:
1. the frequency of compliance reporting;
2. the approach and timing of compliance assessments;
3. the retention of compliance assessments;
4. the method of reporting of potential non-compliances and corrective actions taken;
5. the table of contents of compliance assessment reports; and
6. public availability of compliance assessment reports.
4-3 The proponent shall assess compliance with conditions in accordance with the compliance assessment plan required by condition 4-1.
4-4 The proponent shall retain reports of all compliance assessments described in the compliance assessment plan required by condition 4-1 and shall make those reports available when requested by the CEO.
4-5 The proponent shall advise the CEO of any potential non-compliance within seven days of that non-compliance being known.
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4-6 The proponent shall submit to the CEO the first compliance assessment report fifteen months from the date of issue of this Statement addressing the twelve month period from the date of issue of this Statement and then annually from the date of submission of the first compliance assessment report.
The compliance assessment report shall:
1. be endorsed by the proponent’s Managing Director or a person delegated to sign on the Managing Director’s behalf;
2. include a statement as to whether the proponent has complied with the conditions;
3. identify all potential non-compliances and describe corrective and preventative actions taken;
4. be made publicly available in accordance with the approved compliance assessment plan; and
5. indicate any proposed changes to the compliance assessment plan required by condition 4-1.
5 Conservation of Significant Flora and Fauna
5-1 The proponent shall implement the proposal in accordance with the Significant Species Management Plan provided as Appendix C of Jimblebar Iron Ore Project Environmental Protection Statement (BHP Billiton, 2010) or subsequent revisions approved by the CEO. The objective of this Significant Species Management Plan is to minimise adverse impacts to conservation significant species and communities.
5-2 The proponent shall review and revise the Significant Species Management Plan required by condition 5-1, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation at intervals not exceeding five years, to ensure that the mitigation and management techniques remain valid and incorporate any relevant new research.
5-3 The proponent shall make the Significant Species Management Plan required by condition 5-1 publicly available in a manner approved by the CEO.
6 Weeds
6-1 The proponent shall ensure that:
1. no new species of weeds (including both declared weeds and environmental weeds) are introduced into the proposal area as a result of the implementation of the proposal;
2. the cover of weeds (including both declared weeds and environmental weeds) within the proposal area does not exceed that existing on comparable, nearby land, determined by condition 6-1 3 which has not been disturbed during implementation of the proposal; and
3. three reference sites on nearby land are chosen in consultation with the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority, on advice from the Department of Environment and Conservation and established within the proposal area and
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outside the impact area. The reference sites are to be monitored every two years to determine whether changes in weed cover and type are as a result of project implementation or broader regional changes.
7 Trapped Fauna
7-1 The proponent shall ensure that open trenches associated with construction of the excess water pipeline are cleared of trapped fauna by fauna-rescue personnel at least twice daily. Details of all fauna recovered shall be recorded, consistent with condition 7-5. The first daily clearing shall take place no later than three hours after sunrise and shall be repeated between the hours of 3:00 pm and 6:00 pm.
The open trenches shall also be cleared, and fauna details recorded, by fauna- rescue personnel no more than one hour prior to backfilling of trenches.
Note: “fauna-rescue personnel” means employees of the proponent whose responsibility it is to walk the open trench to recover and record fauna found within the trench.
7-2 The fauna-rescue personnel shall obtain the appropriate licenses as required for fauna rescue under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 and be trained in the following:
1. fauna identification, capture and handling (including specially protected fauna and venomous snakes likely to occur in the area);
2. identification of tracks, scats, burrows and nests of conservation-significant species;
3. fauna vouchering (of deceased animals);
4. assessing injured fauna for suitability for release, rehabilitation or euthanasia;
5. familiarity with the ecology of the species which may be encountered in order to be able to appropriately translocate fauna encountered; and
6. performing euthanasia.
7-3 Open trench lengths shall not exceed a length capable of being inspected and cleared by the fauna-clearing personnel within the required times as set out in condition 7-1.
7-4 Ramps providing egress points and/or fauna refuges providing suitable shelter from the sun and predators for trapped fauna are to be placed in the trench at intervals not exceeding 50 metres.
7-5 The proponent shall produce a report on fauna management within the excess water discharge pipeline trench at the completion of pipeline construction. The report shall include the following:
1. details of all fauna inspections;
2. the number and type of fauna cleared from trenches;
3. fauna mortalities; and
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4. all actions taken.
The report shall be provided to the CEO and the Department of Environment and Conservation no later than 21 days after the completion of pipeline installation, and shall be made publicly available in a manner approved by the CEO.
8 Ethel Gorge Aquifer Stygobiont Community Threatened Ecological Community (TEC)
8-1 The proponent shall monitor the Ethel Gorge Aquifer Stygobiont Community TEC from prior to implementation until 12 months after completion of discharge into the Ophthalmia Dam. This monitoring program shall be designed and carried out to the requirements of the CEO advice of the Department of Environment and Conservation and include:
1. Monitoring of groundwater levels and chemistry, including ionic balance;
2. Monitoring of stygofauna species richness; and
3. Interpretation of the results in relation to influences on stygofauna and their habitat.
8-2 The Proponent shall develop trigger levels for stygofauna species richness and groundwater chemistry for the approval of the CEO on advice of the Department of Environment and Conservation.
8-3 Should the results of monitoring show that trigger levels identified in condition 8-2 have been reached for the stygofauna species richness and/or water chemistry the proponent shall provide a report to the CEO within 21 days of the decline or change being identified which:
1. describes the decline or change;
2. provides information which allows determination of the likely root cause of the decline or change; and
3. if considered likely to be the result of activities undertaken in implementing the proposal, proposes the actions and associated timelines to remediate the decline or change to the requirement of the CEO on advice of the Department of Environment and Conservation.
8-4 The proponent shall, on approval by the CEO implement the actions identified in condition 8-3 3 until the CEO determines that the remedial actions may cease.
8-5 The proponent shall make the results of the monitoring program referred to in condition 8-1, the trigger levels referred to in condition 8-2, and the report referred to in condition 8-3 publicly available in a manner approved by the CEO.
9 Stratification and/or Algal Blooms in and Downstream of Ophthalmia Dam
9-1 The proponent shall ensure that the excess water discharge from the Jimblebar Iron Ore Project does not cause algal blooms or stratification in the Ophthalmia Dam as a result of increased salinity.
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9-2 The Water Management Plan will be updated to include the assessment methodology for the determination of stratification of the water column and/or algal blooms in Ophthalmia Dam as a result of the excess water discharge from the Jimblebar Iron Ore project. The plan shall:
1. be prepared in consultation with the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority on advice from the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Department of Water;
2. include a model predicting potential stratification impacts;
3. include a monitoring program to validate the predicted stratification; and
4. include details of monitoring frequency and the parameters to be monitored.
9-3 If after a period of 5 years of the implementation of the Water Management Plan, the results support that the excess water discharge has not had a detrimental impact on Ophthalmia Dam, the Water Management Plan will be reviewed in consultation with the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority on advice of the Department of the Environment and Conservation and the Department of Water.
9-4 The proponent shall commence the monitoring required by condition 9-2 prior to ground disturbing activities in order to collect baseline data.
9-5 The proponent shall submit annually the results of monitoring required by condition 9-2 to the CEO as part of the compliance assessment report required by condition 4-6.
9-6 In the event that monitoring required by condition 9-2 indicates that the requirements of condition 9-1 are not being met, and are attributable to the water discharge from the Jimblebar Iron Ore Project, the proponent shall:
1. report such findings to the CEO within 21 days of the stratification of the water column or occurrence of algal blooms being identified;
2. provide evidence which allows determination of the root cause of the occurrence of stratification or algal blooms; and
3. if determined to be a result of activities undertaken in implementing the proposal, state the actions and associated timelines proposed to be taken to remediate the stratification or algal blooms,
to the requirements of the CEO on advice of the Department of Environment and Conservation.
9-7 The proponent shall, on approval of the CEO implement the actions identified in condition 9-6 3 and continue to implement such actions until the CEO determines that the remedial actions may cease.
9-8 The proponent shall make the monitoring reports required by condition 9-2 publicly available in a manner approved by the CEO.
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10 Surface Water Diversions
10-1 The proponent shall implement the proposal in accordance with the Water Management Plan provided as Appendix B of Jimblebar Iron Ore Project Environmental Protection Statement (BHP Billiton, 2010) or subsequent revisions, approved by the CEO. The objective of this Water Management Plan is to minimise adverse impacts to the environment from water use and diversions.
10-2 The proponent shall review and revise the Water Management Plan required by condition 10-1, in consultation with the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Department of Water at intervals not exceeding five years, to ensure that the mitigation and management techniques remain valid and incorporate any relevant new research.
10-3 The proponent shall make the Water Management Plan required by condition 10-1 publicly available in a manner approved by the CEO.
11 Acid and Metalliferous Drainage
11-1 Prior to ground-disturbing activities the proponent shall provide a report with a detailed risk assessment, using national and international standards, for any potential Acid or Metalliferous Drainage (as defined in section 2.1 of the Managing Acid and Metalliferous Drainage, February 2007 developed by the Australian Government) within the area of the maximum disturbance boundary defined in Figure 2, to the satisfaction of the CEO to identify:
1. the extent of the acidity and metal contamination hazard associated from related mining activities at the area of the proposal; and
2. the potential environmental receptors that could be impacted on exposure to this hazard.
11-2 Prior to the mining of any material with the potential to generate Acid or Metalliferous Drainage, the proponent shall implement long-term prevention, monitoring, contingency and remediation strategies for the management of any potential Acid or Metalliferous Drainage to the satisfaction of the CEO on advice of the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Department of Mines and Petroleum.
11-3 The proponent shall undertake static and kinetic geochemical testing for potential Acid or Metalliferous Drainage as part of the long-term monitoring strategies required by condition 11-2 using national and international standards to the satisfaction of the CEO.
11-4 In the event that monitoring required by condition 11-2 indicates that the requirements of condition 11-1 are not being met, the proponent shall:
1. report such findings to the CEO within 21 days of the decline in water quality being identified;
2. provide evidence which allows determination of the root cause of the decline in water quality; and
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3. if determined to be a result of activities undertaken in implementing the proposal, state the actions and associated timelines proposed to be taken to remediate the water quality.
11-5 The proponent shall, on approval of the CEO, implement the actions identified in 11-4 3 and continue to implement such actions until the CEO determines that the remedial actions may cease.
11-6 The proponent shall make the monitoring reports required by condition 11-2 publicly available in a manner approved by the CEO.
11-7 The proponent shall report the results and assessment of efficacy of the long-term prevention, monitoring, contingency and remediation strategies required by condition 11-2 as part of the compliance assessment report required by condition 4- 6 to the CEO.
Note: The national and international standards are the Managing Acid and Metalliferous Drainage, February 2007 developed by the Australian Government, Department of Industry Tourism and Resources, the Global Acid and Metalliferous Drainage (GARD) Guide, December 2008, developed by the International Network for Acid Prevention (INAP) and the Australian and New Zealand Environment Conservation Council and Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand 2000, Australian Water Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Waters and its updates.
12 Rehabilitation
12-1 The proponent shall undertake progressive rehabilitation over the life of the proposal to achieve the following outcomes:
1. The Overburden Storage Areas (OSAs) shall be non-polluting and shall be constructed so that their stability, surface drainage, resistance to erosion and ability to support local native vegetation are similar to undisturbed natural analogue landforms as demonstrated by Ecosystem Function Analysis or other methodology acceptable to the CEO;
2. OSAs and other areas disturbed through implementation of the proposal (excluding mine pits), shall be progressively rehabilitated with vegetation composed of native plant species of local provenance;
3. The percentage cover and species diversity of living self sustaining native vegetation in all rehabilitation areas shall be comparable to that of undisturbed natural analogue sites as demonstrated by Ecosystem Function Analysis or other methodology acceptable to the CEO; and
4. Weed management for the rehabilitation areas shall be carried out as per condition 6.
Note: The methodology for Ecosystem Function Analysis is set out in Tongway DJ and Hindley 2004 Landscape Function Analysis – Procedures for Monitoring and Assessing Landscapes, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation Sustainable Ecosystems, Canberra.
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12-2 The proponent shall provide rehabilitation completion criteria for the approval of the CEO on advice of the Department of Environment and Conservation within five years of implementation of the proposal.
12-3 Rehabilitation activities shall continue until such time as the requirements of conditions 12-1 and 12-2 are demonstrated by inspections and reports to be met, for a minimum of five years following mine completion to the satisfaction of the CEO, on advice of the Department of Mines and Petroleum.
13 Final Closure and Decommissioning Plan
13-1 At least five years prior to mine completion, the proponent shall prepare and submit a Final Closure and Decommissioning Plan to the requirements of the CEO, on advice of the Department of Environment and Conservation and Department of Mines and Petroleum.
13-2 The Final Closure and Decommissioning Plan shall be prepared consistent with:
1. ANZMEC/MCA 2000, Strategic Framework for Mine Closure Planning; and
2. Department of Industry Tourism and Resources 2006 Mine Closure and Completion (Leading Practice Sustainable Development Program for the Mining Industry), Commonwealth Government, Canberra.
13-3 The Final Closure and Decommissioning Plan shall provide detailed technical information on the following:
1. final closure of all areas disturbed through implementation of the proposal so that they are safe, stable and non-polluting;
2. decommissioning of all plant and equipment;
3. disposal of waste materials;
4. final rehabilitation of Overburden Storage Areas (OSAs); and other areas (outside the mine pit(s));
5. management and monitoring following mine completion;
6. inventory of all contaminated sites and proposed management;
7. a detailed review of the findings of the South Jimblebar Pit Infill and Mine Closure Evaluation, including an assessment of whether leaving the South Jimblebar pits open post-closure may result in significant post-closure impacts on the beneficial use of groundwater resources and/or other relevant environmental values in the project area and surrounds; and
8. If the results of the evaluation referred to in condition 13-3 7 indicates that the beneficial use and relevant environmental values may be significantly impacted, the Final Closure and Decommissioning Plan shall document how the South Jimblebar pits concerned will be rehabilitated and closed with backfilling to a least two metres above the premining water table.
13-4 The proponent shall monitor the quality of water in the Wheelarra Hill, South Jimblebar and Hashimoto pit voids for a period of 20 years following closure. This
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monitoring program shall be carried out to the requirements of the CEO on advice of the Department of Environment and Conservation.
13-5 The proponent shall develop trigger levels for pit lake water chemistry for approval by the CEO on advice of the Department of Environment and Conservation.
13-6 Should the results of monitoring show that trigger levels have been reached for the water quality the proponent shall provide a report to the CEO within 21 days of the results being identified that:
1. describes the water quality;
2. provides information which allows determination of the likely root cause of the exceedance of trigger levels; and
3. states the actions and associated timelines proposed to remediate water quality in the pit lake/s.
13-7 The proponent shall, on approval of the CEO, and on advice of the Department of Environment and Conservation implement the actions identified in condition 13-6 3 and continue to implement such actions until the CEO determines that the remedial actions may cease.
13-8 The proponent shall make the results of the monitoring program referred to in condition 13-4, the trigger levels referred to in condition 13-5, and the report referred to in condition 13-6 publicly available in a manner approved by the CEO.
13-9 The proponent shall close, decommission and rehabilitate the proposal in accordance with the Final Closure and Decommissioning Plan.
13-10 The proponent shall make the Final Closure and Decommissioning Plan required by condition 13-1 publicly available in a manner approved by the CEO.
Notes
1. Where a condition states “on advice of the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority”, the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority will provide that advice to the proponent.
2. The Office of the Environmental Protection Authority may seek advice from other agencies or organisations, as required.
3. The Minister for Environment will determine any dispute between the proponent and the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority over the fulfilment of the requirements of the conditions.
4. The proponent is required to apply for a Works Approval and Licence for this project under the provisions of Part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
HON BILL MARMION MLA MINISTER FOR ENVIRONMENT; WATER
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Schedule 1 The Proposal (Assessment No. 1847)
The proposal is to: • extend the existing Wheelarra Hill open pits; • develop the South Jimblebar and Hashimoto deposits; • extend the existing overland ore conveyor; • construct and operate two new primary crushing facilities; • upgrade the approved ore crushing, screening, transfer and train facilities to increase the ore processing capacity by 30 million tonnes per annum to 75 million tonnes per annum; • construct and operate a water pipeline to discharge excess water to Ophthalmia Dam; • upgrade the Jimblebar Borefield, and use water from mine dewatering to meet the raw and potable water demand for the project; • construct and operate mine service infrastructure, administration, workshop and storage areas; and • progressively construct haul roads and light vehicle access roads.
The locations of the various project components are shown in Figures 2, 3 and 4.
The main characteristics of the proposal are summarised in Table 1 below. A detailed description of the proposal is provided in section 3 of the project referral document, Jimblebar Iron Ore Project Environmental Protection Statement, prepared by BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd, Perth, Western Australia (July 2010).
Table 1: Summary of Key Proposal Characteristics
Element Description Life of mine • Mining and processing up to 2037. Ore processing rate • Up to 30 million tonnes per annum. Total production • Up to 450 million tonnes. Total overburden • Not more than 1,225 million tonnes. Overburden storage areas • Continued placement in existing approved out of pit Overburden Storage Areas (OSAs) at the Wheelarra Hill mine and placement in additional out of pit OSAs adjacent to the Wheelarra Hill, South Jimblebar and Hashimoto deposit pits; and • Infill dumping in mined out pits. Land disturbance area • Not more than 2,042 hectares within the 7,880 hectare project maximum disturbance boundary and not more than 14 hectares outside the maximum disturbance boundary for the pipeline. The maximum disturbance boundary is defined in Schedule 2.
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Table 1: Summary of Key Proposal Characteristics (cont’d)
Element Description Mine dewatering Mine dewatering from the following pits: • Wheelarra Hill (W1/2, W3 East and W5/6 pit extensions); • Hashimoto (H1 West, H1 East, H2, H3 and H4); and • South Jimblebar (JS West, JS Central and JS East). Water supply source • Continued groundwater abstraction from the Jimblebar borefield and dewatering operations to supply raw and potable water; and • Installation of new and/or replacement bores in the Jimblebar borefield as required. Water supply network • Construction of pipeline extensions and continued distribution through the existing water supply system; and • Construction of a 45 mega litre per day pipeline within existing disturbance corridors to convey excess dewatering discharge to the Ophthalmia Dam. Water demand • Up to 10.2 mega litres per day. Power supply • Construction and operation of a 132 kV overhead transmission power line to supply power from the Newman power station; and • Continued use of the existing 66 kV overhead transmission power line. Off-site transport of ore • Use of existing Wheelarra Hill mine rail loading facilities to transport ore to the Newman Hub or Port Hedland for blending prior to shipping.
Figures (attached) 1. Project location 2. Project overview at full development 3. Project location including pipeline 4. Planned infrastructure locations 5. Vegetation associations within the Jimblebar lease and surrounds 6. Predicted groundwater drawdown 7. Planned surface water flow paths
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NELSON PO 111T • FINUCAIIE ISLAND •
• CArTLE GORGE ), ,... ,,, 11 ~c,..1·1a'"'iJ:!11•1'!1-·
, ,
: ,, 4( ,, ,,~f I I -' I I ,, ' I, .: I I If MARILLANA CREEK IiANDI) . ,, ,, , ,_ I' MINING AREA C • , , , , , , , , ~ t Si:ifi •·1:rtrt1 ]., , , :u: -· . , \( '1) ---~) •MithiHBii )' ~ ., . < • JIMBLEBAR 401gp1g l NEWMAN
L
Figure 1: Project location
Page 13 of 21
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Figure 2: Project overview at full development
Page 14 of 21
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Figure 3: Project location including pipeline
Page 15 of 21
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0 !iOO 1000 2000 3000
.llalte; rHPM'ron. 7fXf! IJlldr-,,es . o,;m-, af MilM&ft.'11111mr, 1/!09 ...... r...... ,.._, ....
Figure 4: Planned infrastructure locations
Page 16 of 21
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Scr111..!Sh111 hs c::::::;;;;JIO I rnAm cad C>ah,dc:a Slcnoae Area " - lo c::::i s, a. c:::::::J I0g .. t,,;m,,~~~ bt\oiw -i.~ ~ , ~jucjf~~WtW! 1 lMU.lwol'lffw.o.~ \\ lic.uti,l,l,.,\\mrr1111J.&,w1t,II Pm~l',ojo Figure 5: Vegetation associations within the Jimblebar lease and surrounds Page 17 of 21 UGE/ro -...... ,I / \ ,' ~~ -....__ _ __,.,.., m:110 _,,'/ l• cl \ l kllolldlio Sail!#. r~iic Ho!#·6«lsam .wiilt 2fJJf. ,-1! -IJ/lft lia,, 1W'i &~,J A4\,ml f~ 11/(}P..J&»rrJwarr Ji111bleborIronOre fro[ed t'Mloo!!-~'lrm \ ; / / I 1 SYLYA'"ASTATION i • i& // . rim l /·,. ; ,· e '1J'Jr..;;-,--_,,.._____ ~, ! \ ...... _,... ______....___ : '\ .,.~ - --...---5»-- ___....__ .... ~ ,M,,(H ra \, \ ,,___ ·--~ ...- Figure 6: Predicted groundwater drawdown Page 18 of 21 lKllll (=:JAai..l'qa!PIJa l,crllll'qltlOSA•illlMm t=:J IIHl!iw l\llezkilllfo1Ma - (JMIIlhdarJBIJd (/tll;~~ lodftlfdhl --- r.,,t--~bdun 0 500 1000 Figure 7: Planned surface water flow paths Page 19 of 21 Schedule 2 Maximum Disturbance Boundary Coordinate Projection: GDA 94 MGA Zone 50 ID X Y 1 809856.207 7413009.051 2 809967.239 7413280.773 3 810331.656 7413242.942 4 811680.354 7413103.041 5 812804.880 7413078.872 6 813395.000 7413065.715 7 813759.184 7413054.145 8 815215.175 7413029.016 9 820873.026 7412908.214 10 830533.509 7412694.996 11 830526.754 7408670.103 12 811596.130 7409077.476 13 811623.768 7410379.722 14 811610.945 7410384.736 15 811566.408 7410404.156 16 811533.006 7410420.729 17 811509.334 7410433.536 18 811459.889 7410463.636 19 811410.252 7410498.771 20 811352.035 7410547.265 21 811279.756 7410621.348 22 811168.483 7410746.820 23 810954.276 7410988.673 24 810895.681 7411066.009 25 810855.652 7411131.621 26 810823.290 7411196.741 27 810808.539 7411231.937 28 810790.273 7411282.957 29 810767.440 7411368.791 30 810756.087 7411434.585 31 810748.948 7411524.372 32 810745.036 7411749.793 33 810735.409 7412337.688 34 810733.820 7412365.253 35 810731.208 7412372.911 36 810727.378 7412379.525 37 810718.671 7412387.705 38 810700.344 7412396.806 39 810468.402 7412506.643 Page 20 of 21 Maximum Disturbance Boundary Coordinate Projection: GDA 94 MGA Zone 50 (cont’d) ID X Y 40 810308.223 7412597.736 41 810050.721 7412747.171 42 809996.660 7412778.177 43 809906.477 7412812.897 44 809794.460 7412857.419 45 809967.239 7413280.773 46 809856.207 7413009.051 Page 21 of 21 Attachment 1 to Ministerial Statement 857 Change to proposal approved under section 45C of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 This Attachment replaces Schedule 1 and Schedule 2 of Ministerial Statement 857 Proposal: Jimblebar Iron Ore Project, 40 Kilometres East of Newman, Shire of East Pilbara Proponent: BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd Changes: Increase land disturbance from 2,042 hectares to 2,300 hectares and increase development envelope from 7,880 hectares to 8,183 hectares. Remove power supply as not a key proposal characteristic. Table 1: Summary of the Proposal Proposal Title Jimblebar Iron Ore Project, 40 Kilometres East of Newman, Hire of East Pilbara Short Description The proposal is to extend the existing Wheelarra Hill open pits, develop the South Jimblebar and Hashimoto deposits, and to increase the ore processing capacity by 30 million tonnes per annum (mtpa) to 75 mtpa. Open pit mining will occur above and below groundwater and will involve dewatering. Excess water will be discharged via a water pipeline into the Ophthalmia Dam. Table 2: Location and authorised extent of physical and operational elements Element Previously Authorised Extent Authorised Extent Life of Mine Mining and processing up to 2037 Mining and processing up to 2037 Ore processing Up to 30 Million tonnes per year Up to 30 Million tonnes per year rate Total production Up to 450 Million tonnes Up to 450 Million tonnes Total overburden Not more than 1,225 million tonnes Not more than 1,225 million tonnes Overburden Continued placement in existing Continued placement in existing storage areas approved out of pit Overburden approved out of pit Overburden Storage Areas (OSAs) at the Storage Areas (OSAs) at the Wheelarra Hill mine and Wheelarra Hill mine and placement in additional out of pit placement in additional out of pit OSAs adjacent to the Wheelarra OSAs adjacent to the Wheelarra Hill, South Jimblebar and Hill, South Jimblebar and Hashimoto deposit pits; and Hashimoto deposit pits; and Infill dumping in mined out pits. Infill dumping in mined out pits. Element Previously Authorised Extent Authorised Extent Land disturbance Not more than 2,042 hectares within Not more than 2,300 hectares within area the 7,880 hectare project maximum the 8,183 hectare development disturbance boundary and not more envelope as defined in Table 4 than 14 hectares outside the and not more than 14 hectares maximum disturbance boundary for outside the development envelope the pipeline. The maximum for the pipeline. disturbance boundary is defined in Schedule 2. The total 2,300 hectares disturbance allowed within the development envelope is divided as follows: Not more than 258 hectares within Area A (being 303 hectares) as defined in Table 5; and Not more than 2,042 hectares within Area B (being 7,880 hectares) as defined in Table 6. Mine dewatering Mine dewatering from the following Mine dewatering from the following pits: pits: Wheelarra Hill (W1/2, W3 East Wheelarra Hill (W1/2, W3 East and W5/6 pit extensions); and W5/6 pit extensions); Hashimotos (H1 West, H1 East, Hashimotos (H1 West, H1 East, H2, H3 and H4); and H2, H3 and H4); and South Jimblebar (JS West, JS South Jimblebar (JS West, JS Central and JS East). Central and JS East). Water supply Continued groundwater Continued groundwater source abstraction from the Jimblebar abstraction from the Jimblebar borefield and dewatering borefield and dewatering operations to supply raw and operations to supply raw and potable water; and potable water; and Installation of new and/or Installation of new and/or replacement bores in Jimblebar replacement bores in Jimblebar borefield as required. borefield as required. Water supply Construction of pipeline Construction of pipeline network extensions and continued extensions and continued distribution through the existing distribution through the existing water supply system; and water supply system; and Construction of a 45 mega litre Construction of a 45 mega litre per day pipeline within existing per day pipeline within existing disturbance corridors to disturbance corridors to convey excess dewatering convey excess dewatering discharge to the Ophthalmia Dam. discharge to the Ophthalmia Dam. Water demand Up to 10.2 mega litres per day Up to 10.2 mega litres per day Power supply Construction and operation of a Removed as not a key proposal 132 kV overhead transmission characteristic power line to supply power from the Newman power station; and Continued use of the existing 66 kV overhead transmission line. Element Previously Authorised Extent Authorised Extent Off-site transport Use of the existing Wheelarra Hill Use of the existing Wheelarra Hill of ore mine rail loading facilities to mine rail loading facilities to transport ore to Newman Hub or transport ore to Newman Hub or Port Hedland for blending prior to Port Hedland for blending prior to shipping. shipping. Note: Text in bold in Table 2 indicates a change to the proposal. Table 3: Definitions Term or Phrase Definition Maximum For the purpose of Condition 11-1, maximum disturbance boundary means Disturbance Area B as defined in Table 5. Boundary Table 4: Coordinates of Development Envelope (GDA94 MGA Zone 50) Coordinate No. Easting Northing 1 817033 7412990 2 817071 7413941 3 820332 7413811 4 820336 7412920 5 820802 7412910 6 820873 7412908 7 824683 7412824 8 830534 7412695 9 830531 7411478 10 830530 7410367 11 830530 7410363 12 830527 7408670 13 828629 7408711 14 824121 7408808 15 824079 7408809 16 819659 7408904 17 819608 7408905 18 815037 7409003 19 814991 7409004 20 811596 7409077 21 811621 7410266 22 811624 7410380 23 811611 7410385 24 811566 7410404 25 811533 7410421 26 811509 7410434 27 811460 7410464 28 811410 7410499 29 811352 7410547 30 811280 7410621 31 811168 7410747 32 810954 7410989 33 810896 7411066 Coordinate No. Easting Northing 34 810856 7411132 35 810823 7411197 36 810809 7411232 37 810790 7411283 38 810767 7411369 39 810756 7411435 40 810749 7411524 41 810745 7411750 42 810738 7412170 43 810737 7412229 44 810735 7412338 45 810734 7412365 46 810731 7412373 47 810727 7412380 48 810719 7412388 49 810700 7412397 50 810468 7412507 51 810404 7412543 52 810308 7412598 53 810051 7412747 54 809997 7412778 55 809906 7412813 56 809794 7412857 57 809856 7413009 58 809967 7413281 59 810332 7413243 60 811022 7413171 61 811680 7413103 62 812784 7413079 63 812805 7413079 64 813084 7413073 65 813395 7413066 66 813759 7413054 67 814667 7413038 68 815215 7413029 Note: Text in bold in Table 6 indicates coordinates of Area A. Table 5: Coordinates of Area A (GDA94 MGA Zone 50) Coordinate No. Easting Northing 1 820336 7412920 2 817033 7412990 3 817071 7413941 4 820332 7413811 Table 6: Coordinates of Area B (GDA94 MGA Zone 50) Coordinate No. Easting Northing 1 817033 7412990 2 817071 7413941 3 820332 7413811 4 830534 7412695 5 830531 7411478 6 830530 7410367 7 830530 7410363 8 830527 7408670 9 828629 7408711 10 824121 7408808 11 824079 7408809 12 819659 7408904 13 819608 7408905 14 815037 7409003 15 814991 7409004 16 811596 7409077 17 811621 7410266 18 811624 7410380 19 811611 7410385 20 811566 7410404 21 811533 7410421 22 811509 7410434 23 811460 7410464 24 811410 7410499 25 811352 7410547 26 811280 7410621 27 811168 7410747 28 810954 7410989 29 810896 7411066 30 810856 7411132 31 810823 7411197 32 810809 7411232 33 810790 7411283 34 810767 7411369 35 810756 7411435 36 810749 7411524 37 810745 7411750 38 810738 7412170 39 810737 7412229 40 810735 7412338 41 810734 7412365 42 810731 7412373 43 810727 7412380 44 810719 7412388 45 810700 7412397 46 810468 7412507 47 810404 7412543 Coordinate No. Easting Northing 48 810308 7412598 49 810051 7412747 50 809997 7412778 51 809906 7412813 52 809794 7412857 53 809856 7413009 54 809967 7413281 55 810332 7413243 56 811022 7413171 57 811680 7413103 58 812784 7413079 59 812805 7413079 60 813084 7413073 61 813395 7413066 62 813759 7413054 63 814667 7413038 64 815215 7413029 Figures (attached) Figure 1: Development Envelope Figure 2: Area A and Area B [Signed 22 October 2015] Dr Paul Vogel CHAIRMAN Environmental Protection Authority under delegated authority Approval date: LEGEND MS857 D Development Envelope _... __ ....,... ___ _ ---__ ....,...... ) :a.-,.ta...... =..- •: ..:::=::-..=.:.~ • ...... ,~..._...._,...... __...... _ ...... LOCAUTYMAP ...... -- -~ - 1.1 ______...,; .. ------IID·law t90JIID •M Figure 1: Development Envelope LEGEND 0 AreaA Cl Area B ... tiOtMCa_ DAB____ _ c»t'4WI ...... __Hl _,~All"»ti .... ,...... -...... _...... ,__,.~....,,_,,.,.....,, ...... _,,,...... -:5=---::=-=T.:a-.:==,...... __ LOCAUTYMAP MIMWi• _,,,. -~ · (J L1 _,..., ...... _.._.., -----11M--Jllll•M Figure 2: Area A and Area B .,, Western Australia Iron Ore bhpbilliton Eastern Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan Internal Document Number: 0102609 Version: 3.2 Contents 1. Introduction ...... 3 1.1. EPWRMP Scope ...... 3 1.2. EPWRMP Objective ...... 3 1.3. Water effects assessment and management methodology ...... 3 1.4. Operational water management context ...... 4 2. Eastern Pilbara mining operations ...... 5 2.1. Overview of the Eastern Pilbara mining hubs ...... 5 2.2. Hydrological change and mining operations ...... 6 3. Protect values – Environmental and community receptors ...... 7 3.1. Eastern Pilbara Biodiversity key receptors ...... 7 3.2. Eastern Pilbara Community receptors ...... 7 3.2.1. Eastern Pilbara Indigenous receptors ...... 7 3.2.2. Eastern Pilbara Potable drinking water ...... 7 4. Regional catchment management approach ...... 8 4.1. Hydrological change ...... 8 4.2. Methodology for monitoring hydrological change ...... 8 4.3. Setting thresholds for significant impact ...... 8 4.4. Scientific uncertainty - Early warning triggers, triggers and thresholds ...... 9 4.5. Eastern Pilbara Regional Monitoring ...... 9 4.6. Water management options ...... 9 4.7. Cumulative effects ...... 10 5. Monitor, review and take corrective action ...... 10 5.1. Monitor and review ...... 10 5.1.1. Monitoring and management zones ...... 10 5.1.2. Review of the plan and triggers ...... 10 5.1.3. Monitoring Programs ...... 11 5.2. Reporting ...... 11 6. Ethel Gorge Threatened Ecological Community ...... 11 6.1. Outcome-baseline environmental objective ...... 11 6.2. Adaptive management – Monitoring and management zones ...... 12 6.2.1. Adaptive management – Monitoring zone thresholds ...... 12 6.2.2. Adaptive management – Operational monitoring zone values ...... 13 6.3. Preventative management and corrective action controls ...... 14 7. Jimblebar Creek – Adaptive management ...... 16 7.1. Outcome-based environmental objectives ...... 16 7.2. Adaptive management –Thresholds and Monitoring ...... 16 7.3. Adaptive management – Management Approach ...... 17 8. Ophthalmia Dam ...... 18 8.1. Outcome-based environmental objectives ...... 18 8.2. Adaptive management –Thresholds and Monitoring ...... 18 8.3. Adaptive management – Management Approach ...... 19 9. Terminology ...... 20 Appendix A Condition Environmental Management Plan Statements ...... 22 Schedule 1 – Ministerial Statement 1021 – Orebody 31 ...... 23 Schedule 2 – Ministerial Statement 1021 – Orebody 31 ...... 24 Schedule 3 – Ministerial Statement 1037 – Eastern Ridge Revised Proposal ...... 25 Schedule 4 – Ministerial Statement 857 – Jimblebar ...... 26 1 Contents Appendix B Summary of existing operations ...... 27 Appendix C A description of the Receptors of importance ...... 30 Appendix D Stakeholder Consultation ...... 45 List of tables Table 1: Historical ranges from the primary Ethel Gorge aquifer ...... 11 Table 2: Investigate, Action and Mitigate thresholds established for the Ethel Gorge aquifer which supports the stygobiont community ...... 13 Table 3: Investigate, Action and Mitigate triggers established for the Ethel Gorge monitoring and management zones ... 13 Table 4: Ethel Gorge Management measures and controls ...... 15 Table 5: Thresholds established for the Jimblebar Creek which supports vegetation communities with riparian tree species ...... 16 Table 6: Verification of effectiveness of water management for the Jimblebar Creek which supports vegetation communities with riparian tree species ...... 17 Table 7: Measurements to determine thresholds for Ophthalmia Dam stratification ...... 19 Table 8: Adaptive management triggers and thresholds for stratification in Ophthalmia Dam ...... 19 Table 9: Index list for Ministerial Statement conditions addressed by this Plan ...... 22 Table 10: Summary of Whaleback Hub Groundwater Risks and Controls ...... 27 Table 11: Summary of Eastern Ridge Groundwater Risks and Controls ...... 28 Table 12: Summary of Orebody 31 Groundwater Risks and Controls ...... 29 Table 13: Summary of Ethel Gorge Stygobiont Community (TEC) Threats and Controls ...... 31 Table 14: Summarised data for tree species recorded from five 20m by 20m plots established along Jimblebar Creek at September 2014...... 38 Table 15: Summary of Jimblebar Creek Threats and Controls ...... 41 Table 16: Ophthalmia Dam bathymetric details ...... 42 Table 17: Summary of Ophthalmia Dam threats and controls ...... 44 List of figures Figure 1: EPWRMP Adaptive (staged and iterative) management approach ...... 4 Figure 2: Overview of the Pilbara Water Resource Management Strategy ...... 5 Figure 3: Eastern Pilbara management area ...... 6 Figure 4: Iteratively refined thresholds to reflect scientific knowledge for the Eastern Pilbara Receptors ...... 9 Figure 5: Feasible water management options to minimise potential impacts to receiving receptors resulting from BHP Billiton Iron Ore operations ...... 10 Figure 6: Adaptive management and monitoring zones for Ethel Gorge ...... 12 Figure 7: Ethel Gorge preventative management and corrective controls ...... 14 Figure 8: Ethel Gorge Ecohydrological Conceptualisation ...... 30 Figure 9: Generic Major Pilbara River Ecohydrological Conceptualisation ...... 33 Figure 10: Hydrological Conceptualisation of Reach 1 - discharge point to junction with Jimblebar Creek ...... 34 Figure 11: Hydrological Conceptualisation of Reaches 2 & 3 - Junction with Orebody 31 Creek to Discharge Limit on Jimblebar Creek ...... 35 Figure 12: Looking south up Jimblebar Creek (Reach 2), with sediments showing bank storage characteristics ...... 36 Figure 13: Main drainage channel of Jimblebar Creek ...... 37 Figure 14: Jimblebar Creek under discharge conditions (10ML/d), January 2016 ...... 40 Figure 15: Ophthalmia Dam footprint at different service levels ...... 42 2 Note to Reader: This document sets out the BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd (BHP Billiton Iron Ore) Eastern Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan (EPWRMP) and summaries the technical considerations, assumptions and risks that underlie the development and implementation of the Pilbara Water Resource Management Strategy. The EPWRMP considers the hydrological changes resulting from BHP Billiton Iron Ore mining, the receiving receptors (water resources, environment, social and third-party operations), the potential impacts and the required risk-based adaptive management to mitigate potential impacts to acceptable levels. The plan shall be reviewed and if necessary amended annually following the LOA, 5YR planning process and the Annual Aquifer Review (AAR). Document Amendment Record Version IVersion description IKey changes IDate IDocument Status 1.0 New document. Submitted New document. 11 March 2015 Draft with Orebody 31 Referral. 2.0 Revised document. Submitted Text throughout updated to reflect EAG 17, 12 January 2016 Draft with Eastern Ridge Revised particularly definitions of triggers and thresholds Proposal. 3.0 Revised document. Submitted Document revised to address Condition 7 of 21 July 2016 Final Draft to Office of the EPA for Ministerial Statement 1021, relating to the discharge approval to meet conditions 7 of surplus water to Jimblebar Creek. New and 8 of Ministerial Statement information in Section 7, Appendix A (Schedule 2), 1021. and Jimblebar Creek section of Appendix C. Ethel Gorge section of Appendix C updated with improved hydrological conceptualisation of Ethel Gorge Threatened Ecological Community habitat Appendix D – Stakeholder Consultation, table included. Document Amendment Record included. Response to comments from Department of Parks and Wildlife (received 23 March 2016). See Appendix D for details. Various minor updates. 3.1 Revised document to meet Document revised to address Condition 8 of 11 November Draft Version condition 8 of Ministerial Ministerial Statement 1037, relating to the 2016 Statement 1037. environmental outcome of maintaining the habitat of the Ethel Gorge Aquifer Stygobiont Community. New information in Appendix A (Schedule 3). 3.2 Revised document. Submitted Document revised to address Condition 9 of February 2017 Final Version to Office of the EPA for Ministerial Statement 857, relating to the risk of approval to meet condition 8 stratification in Ophthalmia Dam. New information of Ministerial Statement 1037 in Appendix A (Schedule 4) and Appendix C. and condition 9 of Ministerial Statement 857 Document Approval Record Version BHP Billiton BHP Billiton Date of BHP Billiton BHP Billiton Date of Date of EPA Reviewer Reviewer Role Review Approver Approver Approval Approval IName I I IName IRole I I 3.0 Tim Lawton Senior Water 15/7/2016 Jed Youngs Manager 15/7/16 5/8/16 Analyst Water Planning 3.1 Tim Lawton Senior Water 9/11/16 Jed Youngs Manager 18/11/16 Analyst Water Planning 3.2 Tim Lawton Senior Water 31/1/17 Jed Youngs Manager 2/2/16 Analyst Water Planning 2 1. Introduction This Eastern Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan (EPWRMP) establishes specific water resource and water dependent ecosystem management requirements for the Eastern Pilbara mining area which sits within the Upper Fortescue catchment. Based on current scientific understanding, two environmental receptors have been singled out as ‘key’ in this EPWRMP and requiring adaptive management to a level above and beyond the standard monitoring implemented through standard regulatory measures, such as Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) Part V Operating Licence requirements, and Groundwater Operating Strategies relevant to Section 5C licenses issued under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914. The two identified key environmental receptors are the Ethel Gorge Stygobiont Community and Jimblebar Creek. The EPWRMP provides a standardised and consistent risk based approach to regional water management for multiple BHP Billiton Iron Ore operations in the Eastern Pilbara. It sets out the overarching approach and incorporates the technical considerations, assumptions and adaptive management that underlie the broader BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pilbara Water Resource Management Strategy (PWRMS) (BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 2014). The EPWRMP directs the consistent development and considerations of the catchment, hub and site specific water resource management requirements for the Eastern Pilbara. The EPWRMP considers the hydrological changes resulting from BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd (BHP Billiton Iron Ore) mining, the receiving receptors (water resources, environment, social and third-party operations), external influence and factors, the potential impacts and the required risk-based adaptive management to mitigate potential impacts to acceptable levels. For the two identified key environmental receptors, Ethel Gorge Stygobiont Community and Jimblebar Creek, early warning triggers, and trigger values and threshold values and/or management measures, as applicable, have been developed in this EPWRMP. These early trigger and threshold values have been developed to meet current and future anticipated Ministerial Conditions and are also designed to meet the intent of the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) Environmental Assessment Guideline (EAG) No. 17 for the Preparation of Management Plans under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EPA, 2015). 1.1. EPWRMP Scope The scope of the EPWRMP considers the BHP Billiton Iron Ore Eastern Pilbara Hubs including Whaleback Hub, Eastern Ridge Hub and Jimblebar Hub operations (current and future) specific water management requirements and the receiving receptors for Eastern Pilbara. Long term deposits/mines are at a concept stage only and as such are not considered as part of this plan. 1.2. EPWRMP Objective The EPWRMP aims to provide a consistent method to identify the hydrological changes (groundwater and surface water quantity, levels and quality) resulting from BHP Billiton Iron Ore mining and closure activities, the receiving receptors (water resources, environment, social and third party operations), the potential impacts, and the required risk-based adaptive management to mitigate potential impacts to acceptable levels. Water Outcome-based Objective: To manage the range of potential hydrological changes (groundwater, surface water and/or soil moisture) resulting from BHP Billiton Iron Ore Eastern Pilbara Hub operations impacting on receiving receptors to an acceptable level. 1.3. Water effects assessment and management methodology The EPWRMP iteratively collates the key findings and knowledge of the eco-hydrogeology technical studies and changes of water affecting activities to inform the required adaptive management to enable achievement of outcome-based objectives. The adaptive management is risk based and is expected to proactively counteract, mitigate or manage potential impacts (both predicted and actual) to an acceptable level. The EPWRMP will be reviewed, and if necessary updated, annually following BHP Billiton Iron Ore internal planning process which is completed annually and reported externally through the Annual Aquifer Review (AAR) and the Groundwater Operating Strategy (GWOS). The EPWRMP shall also be reviewed as part of the assessment process for any new projects within the Eastern Pilbara mining area for which Hydrological Processes or Inland Waters Environmental Quality are potential key environmental factors. Review, including update of conceptual models, will also take place when significant technical knowledge becomes available, where there is an impact potential change and/or corrective action is required. As outlined in Figure 1, the EPWRMP considers the following aspects: hydrological changes (baseline, current and future conditions of groundwater, soil moisture and surface water) resulting from BHP Billiton Iron Ore groundwater abstraction and surface water diversion; receiving receptors (water resources, environment, social and third-party operations), identified value and hydrological dependency (groundwater, soil moisture and/or surface water); potential impacts (predicted and actual); and required risk-based adaptive management techniques that are feasible (tested and practicable) to mitigate potential impacts to acceptable levels during operations and closure. 3 Figure 1: EPWRMP Adaptive (staged and iterative) management approach 1. Protect Values Identify key environmental and community assets to be protected 6. Review & Adapt 2. Hydrological Baseline Review via CAP cycle & for new projects Determine baseline hydrological cond1t1on Report v,a AAR/AER cycle at catchment scale Update EPWRMP and thresholds & trigger values as required by review cycle 5. Implement & Monitor 3. Assess Change Implement management measures Assess hydrological change Monitoring auditing & compliance Assess impact on key receptors via Use Regional Monitoring Network technical studies & modelling Risk Assessment & management 4. Adaptive Management Evaluation & selection of adaptive management options Set triggers and thresholds for monitoring of change to hydrological cond1t1ons 1.4. Operational water management context Water management associated with mine operations involves the interrelationship between: water supply; dewatering (and depressurisation); surplus water management; wet weather; environmental impact (and mine closure) management; license and ministerial conditions; and potable water supply. These considerations cannot be viewed in isolation, together these interrelationships are managed by an Integrated Water Management System (based on the requirements of BHP Billiton’s “Our Requirements” documents [formerly Group Level Documents] and ISO 14001) and the catchment, hubs and site-specific water balances. The EPWRMP considers existing management objectives and findings from the eco-hydrogeological investigations, monitoring and literature to inform outcome-based objectives. The outcome-based objectives allow for management of predicted and actual impacts at key water receptors resulting from BHP Billiton Iron Ore operations in the catchment. The EPWRMP does not try to manage impacts on receiving receptors that are beyond BHP Billiton Iron Ore's operational impact, control or responsibility, such as impacts resulting from prolonged dry periods, climate variability or third-party operations. The Pilbara Water Resource Management Strategy is substantiated by the EPWRMP and will have other catchment scale plans, which provide a consistent approach to water management across the technical and operational groups of the business, as well as providing operational and approval flexibility as shown in Figure 2. 4 Figure 2: Overview of the Pilbara Water Resource Management Strategy Pilbara Water Resource Management Strategy Informed by Business Processes Enabling Enabling Business Technical Legislation, Policy, Process Consistency Guidance and Lead Practice. Internal BHPBIO Global Standards and planning process. I Informed by Technical Requirements Hydrological Env, Social and Mine Approval Process Conditions Closure Strategies 2. Eastern Pilbara mining operations This section summarises BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s operations within the Upper Fortescue catchment and the range of potential hydrological changes (groundwater, surface water and/or soil moisture) resulting from BHP Billiton Iron Ore mine operations. 2.1. Overview of the Eastern Pilbara mining hubs BHP Billiton Iron Ore currently has mining operations within the Upper Fortescue catchment specifically at the Whaleback Hub, Eastern Ridge Hub and the Jimblebar Hub (Refer Figure 3). Small potable water supplies services these hubs and associated mining camps. In addition to the mining operations, two potable water supply borefields are located within the region, namely the Ophthalmia and Homestead borefields. These two borefields supply Newman town water supply and are managed through the Source Water Protection Plan for Newman. For the purpose of this plan the Eastern Pilbara mining area currently consists of the following grouped deposits/mines: Whaleback Hub (current operations - Whaleback, OB29, OB30, OB35). Eastern Ridge Hub (current operations OB23, OB24, OB25 and OB32, with OB25W planned in the mid-term). Jimblebar Hub (current operations OB17/18, South Jimblebar and Wheelarra 1/2, 3, 4, 5/6 and Orebody 31). A summary of the range of potential hydrological changes (groundwater, surface water and/or soil moisture) resulting from BHP Billiton Iron Ore mine operations which are covered by the EPWRMP is presented in Appendix A. 5 Figure 3: Eastern Pilbara management area 770000 780000 790000 100000 110000 120000 2.2. Hydrological change and mining operations Mine dewatering and surface water diversions activities at Eastern Pilbara mines will continue and in some areas increase to support below the water table mining. The dewatering activities are predicted to generate a net surplus water scenario over the next 15 years which will continue to require management on a local and regional scale. A summary of the surplus water management approach is outlined in this plan (Appendix B). The potential regional drawdowns and impacts associated with this increase have been simulated by using regional numerical and analytical models calibrated with up to 40 years of data (including 25 years of dewatering), Managed Aquifer Recharge (via Ophthalmia Dam infiltration) and regional surface and groundwater monitoring results. The models accommodate for technical uncertainty, a range of mine planning options and the various existing and planned Eastern Pilbara Hubs water balance scenarios which consider dewatering activities and water supply borefields. 6 3. Protect values – Environmental and community receptors 3.1. Eastern Pilbara Biodiversity key receptors The Pilbara biodiversity baseline development (consisting of over 6000 biodiversity field studies covering 90% of BHP Billiton Iron Ore tenure) has identified the below Upper Fortescue catchment receptors for further investigation and assigning values for protection and monitoring. Cathedral Gorge Kalgan Pool Caramulla Creek Ophthalmia Dam Ethel Gorge Shovelanna Creek Ethel Gorge Aquifer Stygobiont Stuarts Pool Community (Ethel Gorge TEC) Warrawanda Creek Fortescue River Whaleback Creek Homestead Creek Trugallenden Pool Innawally Pool Groundwater Resource Jimblebar Creek Kalgan Creek The majority of the identified receptors outlined above can be managed through other regulatory frameworks and controls, such as EP Act Part V Operating Licence requirements, and Groundwater Operating Strategies relevant to Section 5C licenses issued under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 and are not identified as receptors of significance which require an adaptive management approach. The Ethel Gorge Stygobiont Community, a listed Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) in the upper Fortescue River, and Jimblebar Creek, adjacent to Orebody 31, are two environmental receptors which have been identified as important receptors of value by the Minister for Environment (the former a listed TEC) and the EPA, via Ministerial Statements issued to BHP Billiton Iron Ore (applicable to both). A description of the important receptors of value in the Eastern Pilbara is presented in Appendix C. At this point in time, these two receptors form the basis of this plan and adaptive management objectives and preventative and mitigating controls will be set to manage the risk of hydrological change and potential impact to these receptors. The above listed receptors will be reviewed regularly to determine whether the value or impact potential requires updating based on new understanding (via the adaptive management process). The potential hydrological change, key considerations and adaptive management of these two key receptors are discussed further in Sections 6 - 8. 3.2. Eastern Pilbara Community receptors 3.2.1. Eastern Pilbara Indigenous receptors Community (Indigenous) receiving receptors in the Pilbara Region have been formally identified and their values have been defined and in some instances outlined in individual traditional owner agreements. These receptors are considered via the BHP Billiton Iron Ore Project Environment and Aboriginal Heritage Review (PEAHR) process which is subject to confidential agreements. Interaction between BHP Billiton Iron Ore and traditional owners continues to expand on the understanding of the values of the social receptors and will continue to be inputs into the adaptive management approach, as required. 3.2.2. Eastern Pilbara Potable drinking water The Newman Township drinking water is subject to a Department of Water (DoW) Priority 1 classification as a public drinking water source area (PDWSA). The water resources receptors are considered and managed via the BHP Billiton Iron Ore Business Level Document (BLD) Drinking Water Management Standard (BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 2016a) and reporting and governance associated with the Newman Drinking Water Source Protection Plan (SPP). The SPP represents the DoW and BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s approach to management and protection of potable water sources in and around the Newman Township and includes the Ophthalmia potable borefield and the Homestead potable borefield. The management of potential impacts to the source water is consistent with the intent of the PWRMS and for the purpose of this document, the potable drinking water source protection objectives can be achieved through the below objectives, thresholds and management triggers for Ethel Gorge (see Section 6). The Homestead potable borefield will ultimately become a separate and standalone receptor of value once mining related stresses and threats increase and the risk management requires mitigating or preventative controls over and above the controls outlined in the SPP. 7 4. Regional catchment management approach The EPWRMP applies an adaptive management approach to manage the range of potential hydrological changes resulting from BHP Billiton Iron Ore operations and potential impacts on a receiving receptor. This approach can accommodate the uncertainty associated with predicting dewatering volumes and the resulting area of influence whilst maintaining the value of the receiving receptor which may be impacted by changes in hydrological processes or by water quality. This is done through a combination of 1) preventative water management controls, such as surplus water returned to the aquifer, 2) allowing for the application of precautionary principles to be considered as the scientific knowledge evolves through baseline assessments and the monitoring of predicted and actual outcomes and 3) utilising practicable and feasible water mitigation controls to mitigate and offset impacts. This approach provides a systematic and iterative process for decision-making and establishing management objectives, particularly where uncertainly exists, to achieve the desired outcome as per Figure 1. 4.1. Hydrological change There are a range of water affecting activities in the Upper Fortescue catchment which may result in changes to hydrological processes. These include: 1. Local drawdown of the groundwater levels, resulting from abstraction of water to facilitate below water table mining; 2. Regional drawdown of the groundwater levels, that is drawdown that extends beyond the immediate vicinity of the deposit or site, resulting abstraction of water to facilitate from below water table mining 3. Changes in groundwater water quality resulting from mining, abstraction or re-injection; and 4. Changes in surface water flows or water quality resulting from surface water management, including discharge of surplus water, or diversion A high level assessment of the range of water-affecting activities, potential change in hydrological environment and controls in place for each operational mining hub is presented in Appendix B. 4.2. Methodology for monitoring hydrological change Adaptive management for the key receptors allows for three stages of response: investigation, action and mitigation. The approach ensures that any change and/or response observed is characterised and understood prior to implementing corrective action. The three stages are described under the following hierarchy: 1. Investigation Stage – undertakes investigation to evaluate and characterise the change identified (aligns with ‘early warning trigger’ values used in this Plan). The investigation results may establish a revised investigation program (including further monitoring) and management options are proposed, should the trigger values be reached. 2. Action Stage – prepares and implements water management options to avoid potential impact to a receiving receptor (aligns with the ‘trigger values’, as defined by the EPA (EAG 17; EPA, 2015). The trigger values are considered to be precautionary and conservative to ensure there is sufficient time available to prevent impact. If trigger levels are reached the proponent will initiate an assessment to investigate whether there is a potential for the unpredicted trend to impose a negative impact on the environment, and if so, recommend further adaptive management options, including potential corrective actions. 3. Mitigation Stage – corrective action is immediately required to prevent unacceptable impact or reverse the trends (aligns with ‘threshold values’, as defined by the EPA (EAG 17; EPA, 2015)). Corrective actions to be identified in Action Stage. 4.3. Setting thresholds for significant impact Early warning triggers are defined to provide the point at which further investigation of the change in the environment is considered and management options are proposed, should the trigger values be reached. It is noted that pro-active management may result in action being taken at this stage. Trigger values are defined to provide the point at which water management options must be considered and implemented to avoid potential impact to a receiving receptor; the trigger is intended to operate sufficiently early to allow water management options to be put in place well before the threshold value for the receiving receptor is reached. Threshold values are defined to provide the point at which corrective actions must be implemented in order to prevent unacceptable environmental impact or reverse the negative trends. Triggers and thresholds have been set to assess whether a hydrological change has resulted in an impact to a receiving receptor as a result of BHP Billiton Iron Ore operations. Two receptors have been identified as having the potential to be impacted by changes in hydrological processes associated with the implementation of additional discharge or abstraction volumes, these being the Ethel Gorge TEC and Jimblebar Creek. A description of the receptors of value is presented in Appendix C. 8 4.4. Scientific uncertainty - Early warning triggers, triggers and thresholds To achieve the outcome-based objectives, early warning triggers, triggers and thresholds will be used to monitor and verify predicted and actual impacts from BHP Billiton Iron Ore operations. These thresholds will be considered in the context of natural variance and influences from third parties and will be established where the operations area of influence has potential to impact key receptors. Initially, early warning triggers, triggers and thresholds will be conservative and precautionary to allow for the uncertainty present in the early stages of management. Key areas of uncertainty include the hydrologic function of the catchment, resilience and susceptibility of receptors to water changes and long term changes to mining activities. Over time conceptual understanding moves from catchment scale monitoring and investigations to specific investigations that address key local uncertainties and monitoring to verify assumptions. As the scientific understanding improves the level of uncertainty decreases and thresholds will be iteratively refined to reflect current knowledge, as shown in Figure 4. This approach accommodates the persistence of hydrological and ecological uncertainty during operations and ultimately post closure. The approach also recognises that variation in mine plans and mine development rates are likely to remain. Figure 4: Iteratively refined thresholds to reflect scientific knowledge for the Eastern Pilbara Receptors Highly Consetvative & Precautionary Scientific High Scientific Confidence Low Scientific Confidence Understanding Increases Site,Speciftc Catchment Scale Informed Thresholds 4.5. Eastern Pilbara Regional Monitoring BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s regional monitoring network includes data collection from various hydrological systems, including: Groundwater aquifers water levels and quality, within the operational mining hubs and a regional groundwater monitoring network. Surface water drainage features and creeks flow volumes, including flows into Ophthalmia Dam and flood monitoring. Ophthalmia Dam monitoring, via surface buoys, providing live dam water levels and water quality data. Water supply Borefield water levels and quality. Surplus water volumes and quality, prior to discharge into the environment. Weather and climatic conditions. The Regional Monitoring Network has been installed as an operational and catchment scale monitoring program that collects important information for compliance monitoring and reporting and to improve the capacity to estimate receptor response to changing hydrological conditions and natural climatic variations and stresses. The Regional Monitoring Network is consistent with, and complimentary of, aspects of other regulatory reporting requirements such as water quality parameters, for example, under EP Act Operating Licenses through the BHP Billiton Iron Ore Annual Environmental Report, as well as Annual and Triennial Aquifer Reviews. 4.6. Water management options The water management options outlined in Figure 5 consider feasible options and controls (preventative and mitigating) to counteract hydrological changes resulting from BHP Billiton Iron Ore operations and the potential impacts to receiving receptors during BHP Billiton Iron Ore operations and closure. This enables an innovative flexibility with regards to water management and takes into account optimising of mine dewatering, storage and use. This approach is consistent with the DoW guidance (Water and Mining Guidelines, 2013) and considers prioritisation of transferring water for reuse, minimising the dewatering drawdown footprint, and offsetting the impacts to receiving receptors to an acceptable level. 9 Figure 5: Feasible water management options to minimise potential impacts to receiving receptors resulting from BHP Billiton Iron Ore operations TRANSFER STORAGE TREATMENT DISCHARGE Shon term pipeline Tanks, Turkey Desalination/RO Managed Aquifer Community project Nests, Ponds Recharge (MAR) Long pipeline Managed Aquifer Sediment Basins Infiltration Ponds 3rd Pany Supply Recharge {MAR) Infiltration Dam and Irrigation of Trees Agriculture Ponds Surface water capture In-pit Storage Creek Discharge In-pit Storage Short term Note: Options shown in bold are confirmed and currently in place. Options shown in regular are currently under evaluation or a future possible alternative under suitable water balance and sustainability scenarios. 4.7. Cumulative effects Hydrological conditions can be impacted by more than one mining operation, depending on the surface water and groundwater hydrological interconnectivity at the catchment scale. The Eastern Pilbara is a unique environment as BHP Billiton Iron Ore is the only mining operation mining in the catchment. As such, BHP Billiton Iron Ore has data in the catchment and can undertake cumulative impact assessments for its operations as new developments come online. Regional Monitoring Network and catchment scale eco-hydrological studies are undertaken to provide baseline assessments and predictive models, which will be updated iteratively to inform cumulative impact assessments and inform adaptive management. 5. Monitor, review and take corrective action The specific monitoring and corrective actions for the key Eastern Pilbara receptors are detailed in Section 6 for Ethel Gorge TEC and in Section 7 for Jimblebar Creek and in Section 8 for Ophthalmia Dam. This plan outlines the specific monitoring requirements, triggers and preventative and corrective actions. Below is a summary of the monitoring and corrective action process. 5.1. Monitor and review 5.1.1. Monitoring and management zones Monitoring facilities will characterise groundwater, soil water, surface water and where necessary ecological health and abundance. When relevant, monitoring zones will be established that represent the risk, the receptor location and surrounding pathways (laterally and vertically through the aquifers) to allow the predicted and actual BHP Billiton Iron Ore impacts to be monitored. The monitoring frequency and parameters will depend upon the risk characteristic, the location of the monitoring facility and extent of technical uncertainty. Management zones or facilities will allow preventative and mitigating controls to be implemented. Details are provided for receptor-specific management approaches in Sections 6 and 7. 5.1.2. Review of the plan and triggers The EPWRMP is underpinned by current scientific understanding. The early warning triggers, triggers, thresholds and outcome-based objectives also reflect current scientific understanding and will require iterative updating as uncertainty is addressed and actual results are compared against observed results. The predicted footprint of water-effecting activities and the regional water balance is based on a midterm mine plan (5 year plan) and it is recognised that the extent of dewatering and surface water interception may change with further mine development planning. Mine Planning and hydrological modelling will also be iteratively updated to reflect predicted and actual changes. The plan shall be reviewed, and if necessary amended, annually following the BHP Billiton Iron Ore internal planning process. Monitoring is reported externally through the Annual Aquifer Review (AAR) as per the Groundwater Operating Strategy (GWOS).The EPWRMP shall also be reviewed as part of the assessment process for any new projects within the Eastern Pilbara mining area for which Hydrological Processes or Inland Waters Environmental Quality are potential key environmental factors. 10 Triggers and Thresholds will be reviewed when either: a new project within the Eastern Pilbara mining area is proposed for which Hydrological Processes or Inland Waters Environmental Quality is a key environmental factor; the level of scientific knowledge relating to a key environmental or social receptor produces results which justify a change in the current triggers and thresholds; or when monitoring results justify a change in the current triggers and thresholds. Reviewing results on an iterative basis will lead to an increased scientific understanding of the ecological resilience, adaptability and hydrological dependency, and also the hydrological environment and change resulting from BHP Billiton operations. 5.1.3. Monitoring Programs DER Licenses discharges to the environment under Part V of the EP Act by issuing Licence to Operate. These licenses have discharge limits and monitoring requirements of water discharged into the environment from BHP Billiton Iron Ore operations. Additionally, the regional monitoring network is consistent with, and complimentary of, aspects of other regulatory monitoring requirements, under EP Act Operating Licenses and Groundwater Licenses. Given these approvals manage the water source inputs, this Plan does not address these further. 5.2. Reporting Reporting of monitoring results shall be provided to Office of the Environmental Protection Authority (OEPA) and the DoW via the Annual Environmental Report (AER) and the AAR, respectively on an annual basis. 6. Ethel Gorge Threatened Ecological Community The Ethel Gorge Aquifer Stygobiont Community has been identified by Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) now Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) as a TEC due to high biodiversity values and conservation significance. The community comprises 53 recorded species of stygofauna which include locally endemic and undescribed species (EPA, 1998). The Ethel Gorge TEC has a strong groundwater hydrological dependency provided by shallow saturated pore spaces in which stygofauna live. The Ethel Gorge TEC is hosted in shallow alluvial aquifers (notably calcrete) and their habitat is maintained by saturation of these aquifers. Ophthalmia Dam operates as a Managed Aquifer Recharge system, which maintains groundwater levels in and around the area. The Ethel Gorge TEC is located approximately 10 km north-east Newman, however the buffer extends out further. The highest concentration of stygofauna records is adjacent to the Eastern Ridge mining hub, near Ethel Gorge (Figure 3). Surplus water from the Eastern Ridge, Whaleback, Jimblebar and Ore body 31 mining hubs has approval under Ministerial Statements and relevant DER Licenses to be discharged into Ophthalmia Dam. The discharge of this water has the potential to change the water levels and quality within the downstream habitat of the stygofauna community. A detailed description of the hydrological and ecological characteristics of the Ethel Gorge TEC in Appendix C. 6.1. Outcome-baseline environmental objective The water management objectives have been set as monitoring triggers and corrective action thresholds for the Ethel Gorge TEC based on changes in water levels and water quality as salinity. The trigger and threshold values have been established to manage the potential impacts to the Stygofauna community habitat and are set to maintain hydrological conditions (water levels and salinity) in the Ethel Gorge aquifer within acceptable historical ranges (see Appendix C for basis for nominating these as the trigger aspects). These hydrological conditions are the basis of a healthy habitat, and therefore the continuing presence of the stygobiont community, as such these are the key aspects to be monitored. The hydrological values based on historical ranges for the primary Ethel gorge aquifer are as per Table 1 below. Table 1: Historical ranges from the primary Ethel Gorge aquifer Trigger Aspect Measure Acceptable range Groundwater level annual variance +/- 6 m1. Hydrological Historical variance in water quality (as TDS) <2,500 mg/L Notes: 1. Interpreted as the Ethel Gorge statistically significant aquifer response and change to water level in the Ethel Gorge primary habitat Monitoring Zone – Figure 6). It is recognised that a localised water level responses greater than the above values may result from localised bore abstraction and these localised responses will not bias the overall values. These triggers and thresholds are considered precautionary and will seek to transition during subsequent iterations of the EPWMP towards ecological thresholds which may represent the aquifer thickness and variability, and stygofauna abundance, resilience and adaptability. 11 6.2. Adaptive management – Monitoring and management zones The adaptive management monitoring zones for Ethel Gorge are detailed below in Figure 6. Five monitoring zones within and surrounding the primary Ethel Gorge receptor, including an early warning zone, have been established. The management zone overlies the monitoring zones and Ophthalmia Dam. Ophthalmia Dam and the adjoining infiltration ponds and basins are the mechanism for managing impact on the Ethel Gorge TEC, described further in section 6.2.2. More specifically the monitoring and management zones are: 1. An early warning monitoring zone located immediately in front of Ophthalmia Dam to identify a measurable change in water levels and quality above predetermined acceptable ranges within the groundwater system resulting from infiltration through Ophthalmia Dam. 2. The Ethel Gorge primary habitat monitoring zone to reflect the primary Ethel Gorge habitat and supporting aquifer. 3. Two Creek monitoring zones to reflect the two neighbouring groundwater systems which converge into the Ethel Gorge System, namely Homestead Creek and Shovelanna Creek aquifers. The neighbouring monitoring zones identify and characterise natural variance in salinity originating to the east and the hydrological stresses and pathway located between Ethel Gorge and the neighbouring operations. 4. A Dam monitoring zone which measures water level, outflow and water quality, and 5. The Ophthalmia Dam and infiltration and recharge ponds as an active Management Zone located within the Ethel Gorge receptor and early warning management zone. Figure 6: Adaptive management and monitoring zones for Ethel Gorge I ETHEL GORGE CREEK MONITORING PRIMARY HABITAT ZONE 1 MONITORING ZONE Monitoring of Monitoring of the Shovelanna Creek Pnmary Ethel Gorge Area to capture natural receptor variance 1n water Monitoring changes quality (higher TDS) to water levels and quahty as TDS Upper and lower I EARLY WARNING monitoring thresholds MONITORING ZONE set as a natural variance range using Monitor the groundwater a predetermined contour levels and quality emerging from the dam Determines the CREEK MONITORING management response ZONE2 to prevent the potential down gradient impacts Monitonng Homestead Creek mon1tonng to capture potential effects from 0B25 dewatenng and alterations to natural recharge MANAGEMENT ZONE Ophthalm1a Dam release and storage Recharge pond discharge Infiltration Pond discharge Aquifer pumping 0km 4km 6.2.1. Adaptive management – Monitoring zone thresholds Adaptive management (early warning triggers, triggers and thresholds) are based on historical hydrological conditions in the Ethel Gorge aquifer being 1) water level and salinity ranges and 2) the rate of water level change. Adaptive management for Ethel Gorge allows for three stages of response, including an investigation, action and mitigation stage. The approach ensures that any change and/or response observed is characterised and understood prior to implementing corrective action. 12 Three stages are described under the following hierarchy: 1. Investigation Stage - evaluate and characterise the change identified. The investigation results may establish a revised investigation, action threshold or timeline for action and mitigation. 2. Action Stage – prepares for mitigating activity (aligns with the ‘trigger values’, as defined by the EPA (EAG 17; EPA, 2015). The Action values are considered to be precautionary and conservative to ensure there is sufficient time available to prevent impact. If trigger levels are reached the proponent will initiate an assessment to investigate whether there is a potential for the unpredicted trend to impose a negative impact on the environment, and if so, recommend adaptive management options, including potential corrective actions. 3. Mitigation Stage – response or corrective action is immediately required to prevent impact or reverse the trends (aligns with ‘threshold values’, as defined by the EPA (EAG 17; EPA, 2015)). Corrective actions to be identified in Action Stage. Thresholds for the Ethel Gorge primary habitat monitoring zone are presented in Table 2. Table 2: Investigate, Action and Mitigate thresholds established for the Ethel Gorge aquifer which supports the stygobiont community Monitoring and Management Values Receptor Aspect Investigate Action Mitigate (early warning trigger) (trigger) (threshold) Ethel Gorge Primary habitat Water Quality (as >2500 mg/L. 3000 mg/L or to be 4000 mg/L or to be monitoring zone TDS) determined by determined by Action investigation Stage stage Change in Water Aquifer water levels Water levels change >6m1 Determined by Level change 5m1 or at a rate or at a rate >4m/year. investigation trigger. 4m/year. Notes - 1. Interpreted as the statistically significant aquifer response and change to water level in the Ethel Gorge primary habitat monitoring zone – Figure 6). Water level responses greater than the above thresholds may result from localised bore abstraction and these localised responses shall not bias the overall thresholds. A detailed monitoring program for the Ethel Gorge primary habitat management zone is provided in the Ophthalmia Borefield Groundwater Operating Strategy, provided to the DoW in accordance with the Licence to Take Water GWL65219(9) conditions for abstraction from this aquifer. 6.2.2. Adaptive management – Operational monitoring zone values Operational triggers have also been established (see Table 3) to support the management of the broader hydrological system and the range of potential changes to hydrological conditions in the primary Ethel Gorge receptor. These triggers are not formal Ethel Gorge management thresholds but are set as operational response triggers to aid in the outcome objectives. Table 3: Investigate, Action and Mitigate triggers established for the Ethel Gorge monitoring and management zones Monitoring and Monitoring and Management Stage Location Management Zone Investigate Action Mitigate Monitoring Zone – Shovelanna Creek Water Quality - TDS statistically Shovelanna Creek Aquifer significant increase of 20% from long - - term seasonal average. Monitoring Zone – Homestead Creek Water Levels – change +/- 6m1. or at Homestead Creek Aquifer a rate of >4m per year. - - Water Quality – TDS statistically significant increase of 20% from an interpreted seasonal baseline. - - Monitoring Zone – Ophthalmia Dam and Water Quality - Dam water TDS Dam water TDS exceeds - Ophthalmia Dam outflow values exceeds 4000 mg/L. 5000 mg/L Monitoring Zone – Early Management Zone – Water Quality - TDS statistically TDS statistically significant - Warning north of Dam significant increase by 20% from the increases by 50% from interpreted seasonal baseline. interpreted seasonal baseline. Notes - 1. Interpreted as the statistically significant aquifer response and change to water level in the Ethel Gorge primary habitat (Monitoring Zone 1 – Figure 6). It is recognised that a localised water level responses greater than the above thresholds may result from localised bore abstraction and these localised responses will not bias the overall thresholds. 2. Interpreted as depth to groundwater below ground surface in the vicinity of the riparian creek zone. A detailed monitoring program for the Ethel Gorge monitoring and management zones is provided in the Ophthalmia Borefield GWOS, provided to the DoW in accordance with the Licence to Take Water GWL65219(9) conditions for abstraction from this aquifer. 13 6.3. Preventative management and corrective action controls The range of specific water management options which are currently being used as the primary controls for mitigating water impacts to Ethel Gorge TEC are outlined in Figure 7. Ophthalmia Dam Storage and infiltration - Surplus dewater is discharged and stored into Ophthalmia Dam. Ophthalmia Dam is designed to retard the flow of some surface water from the Fortescue River and enable passive infiltration into the shallow alluvial aquifer which supports Ethel Gorge Stygofauna and the Newman drinking water supply. The controlled release of the dam water via three outlets directs water into the Fortescue River and the down gradient infiltration basins, returning water back into the environment when required and as a preventative control to mitigate the effects of increased salinity or inundation of the rail line. Recharge ponds - The ponds located within Ethel Gorge receive discharge water from OB23 and OB25 mine dewatering and enable passive but relatively quick infiltration into the underlying alluvial aquifer through the shallow and permeable calcrete formations. The facility mitigates impacts from changes to water level in Ethel Gorge from mining below the water at Eastern Ridge mining operations. Infiltration Basins – Controlled release of Ophthalmia Dam water into the infiltration basins located immediately in front of the dam. The ponds induce vertical leakage and support water levels and water quality (low salinity) in the Ethel Gorge alluvial aquifer. The basins have historically been effective as a “fast response” tool to increase water levels and lower salinity. Ophthalmia Borefield – Ophthalmia borefield located within Ethel Gorge supports some of the Newman water supply. Controlled abstraction from this facility can control the water levels within the primary Ethel Gorge aquifer. The option of using the borefield enables the mitigating control on elevated water levels in the Ethel Gorge aquifer whilst delivering a protected drinking water supply. Fortescue seasonal release – Ophthalmia Dam has been designed to allow for the controlled release of water into the upper Fortescue tributaries, including Shovelanna creek via the eastern dam wall valve. The temporary release of dam water immediately following a wet season (typically December through March) would allow for additional storage capacity during the dry period, particularly when dewatering volumes are predicted to be greater than outflows. Three months of controlled release into the upper Fortescue following the wet season is considered appropriate and unlikely to develop permanent or ponding water downstream in the Fortescue River. The seasonal release is unlikely to have an impact on riparian vegetation. Figure 7: Ethel Gorge preventative management and corrective controls RECHARGE PONDS OPHTHALMIA BOREFIELD 3 ponds to infiltrate surplus dewatenng Pumping around Previous ,nfiltralion 12MUd capacity- Located centrally within 10 to 16 MUd each the receptor Installed into calcrete Has the capacity to pump up to 16MUd Water sent to water treatment plant INFILTRATION BASINS Basin located ,n the truncated OPHTHALMIA DAM Fortescue River Filled through natural Infiltrates water runoff and dewatering discharged from discharge the Dam Telemetry exists Historically accepted 4 overflow values allow 30MUd controlled discharge Infiltration esbmates 30 to 70 MUd Ol 14 The application of the management measures and controls are shown in Table 4. These water management options will be used as both operational water management techniques and as preventative or mitigating controls which are carried out as part of adaptive management or mitigation techniques to prevent impact. The application, timeframes and success factors of the control will be determined following investigations and action trigger stages are reviewed. Table 4: Ethel Gorge Management measures and controls Management measure or control Process Limitations Capture and release of higher salinity water Store surplus watering in Ophthalmia Dam Requires a rain event which overtops in Ophthalmia Dam during rain events. during dry seasons (April to November) the Dam. and practice controlled release of water Requires a buffer in Dam for fresh into Fortescue River during the wet runoff to sufficiently dilute the Dam seasons, with preference to occur in surplus prior to discharge. conjunction with natural flow events – (November to March). Capture and infiltrate fresh water through the Capture fresh rainfall runoff into Requires dewatering surplus to be Dam floor to mitigate increased aquifer Ophthalmia Dam during wet seasons and discharged elsewhere. salinity down gradient. periodically release into the infiltration ponds. Discharge dewatering water into the Dam Dilute dewatering surplus water in the Dam Requires a buffer in Dam for fresh and mix with captured fresh runoff to dilute with fresh runoff. Followed by either runoff to sufficiently dilute the Dam before controlled release. passive infiltration or controlled release surplus prior to discharge. downstream into the River or infiltration ponds. Store and infiltrate dewatering water into the Infiltrate surplus dewatering water through Requires dewatering water salinity to aquifer directly through recharge ponds. the 3 recharge ponds into the Ethel Gorge be below Ethel Gorge aquifer aquifer. threshold salinity. Maintain sufficient buffer in the Ethel Gorge Control upper water levels through the Abstraction rates limited by potable aquifer to accommodate the infiltration of operation of Ophthalmia Borefield to lower infrastructure and demand. fresh runoff. levels and encourage fresh (low salinity) infiltration during rain events. 15 7. Jimblebar Creek – Adaptive management Jimblebar Creek is a major ephemeral tributary in the upper portion of the Fortescue River catchment, which drains into the Fortescue Marsh around 80km north of Orebody 31 (Figure 3). The Jimblebar Creek has two main branches (the east and west branch) which merge in close proximity to the Jimblebar Iron Ore Mine and flow through a narrow gorge in the Hashimoto ridgeline. The creek then flows approximately 3km east of Orebody 31 before dispersing into a wide, flat floodplain, forming smaller drainage channels or flowing overland before merging with the Upper Fortescue River approximately 40km to the north of Orebody 31 and onto the Fortescue Marsh. Baseline surveys have been completed and a hydrological trial is underway and the results have informed this section. Further details of the results of these studies and the assessment of potential impacts to the riparian vegetation of Jimblebar Creek resulting from the discharge of surplus water during natural no-flow conditions are discussed in Appendix C. In this section Jimblebar Creek refers to the part of the Jimblebar Creek which is downstream from the Orebody 31 surplus water discharge point (Figure 13). 7.1. Outcome-based environmental objectives The following has helped inform defining environmental objectives for the Jimblebar Creek environment, which monitor for changes to the environment that may result from surplus water discharge. Ministerial Statement 1021 – Orebody 31 – Condition 7-1 states that: The proponent shall manage the discharge of surplus mine dewater from the Orebody 31 Iron Ore Mine in a manner that minimises impacts to the riparian vegetation along Jimblebar Creek Key Characteristic – Surplus dewater management: Dewater discharge to extend no further than 16 km from the discharge point and remain in the main drainage channel of Jimblebar Creek under natural no-flow conditions. 7.2. Adaptive management –Thresholds and Monitoring The EPA has set the following thresholds on Jimblebar Creek discharge in key characteristics of Ministerial Statement 1021. These are: Wetting front: Dewater discharge to extend no further than 16 km from the discharge point under natural no-flow conditions. Main drainage channel: Dewater discharge to remain in the main drainage channel of Jimblebar Creek under natural no-flow conditions. Additionally BHP Billiton Iron Ore will monitor water quality of discharged water, as it pertains to vegetation health. Thresholds for the Jimblebar Creek are presented in Table 5. Table 5: Thresholds established for the Jimblebar Creek which supports vegetation communities with riparian tree species Aspect Objective / Requirement Measure Monitoring Wetting front Dewater discharge to Threshold: 16 km* Measuring device to record water presence at extend no further than 16 16km location following commencement of a km from discharge point discharge of surplus mine water to the under natural no-flow Jimblebar creek under natural no-flow conditions* conditions discharge event Main drainage channel Dewater discharge to Threshold: Dewater discharge Review of photography (i.e. aerial / drone / on remain in the main to remain in the main drainage ground) following commencement of a # drainage channel of channel of Jimblebar Creek discharge of surplus mine water to the Jimblebar Creek under under natural no-flow Jimblebar creek under natural no-flow natural no-flow conditions* conditions conditions* Water Quality Minimise impacts to - pH of between 6.0 and 9.0; Measure (spot sample) at discharge point riparian vegetation along - Total Dissolved Solids (TDS) monthly during a discharge event. Jimblebar Creek to be less than 3,000 mg/L *Threshold set via key characteristic; does not necessarily mean that unacceptable environmental impact occurs if flow extends beyond limit set # see Figure 13 for limits of main drainage channel of Jimblebar Creek 16 Riparian vegetation health will be monitored in order to verify the effectiveness of water management objectives on vegetation health. Thresholds for the Jimblebar Creek are presented in Table 6. In general there are two potential impacts to riparian vegetation from hydrological processes, drawdown of the groundwater table, which impacts tree species which are groundwater dependent, and waterlogging, which impacts riparian species which need ‘air’ in the root zone. The baseline environmental survey identified two species of trees which can access and use groundwater, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus victrix (Onshore, 2015). The health of these species is not expected to be negatively impacted by the addition of surplus water to the Jimblebar Creek. The baseline environmental survey also recorded Acacia citrinoviridis (Onshore, 2015), which has the potential to be impacted by ongoing saturation of the root zone. Table 6: Verification of effectiveness of water management for the Jimblebar Creek which supports vegetation communities with riparian tree species Measure Monitoring Aspect Objective / Requirement Vegetation Health Minimise impacts to riparian An average decline in the condition On-ground monitoring of indicator tree vegetation along Jimblebar score of 0.5* or more for the species* within Jimblebar Creek 6-months Creek population of the indicator tree post dewater discharge occurring under species^ within Jimblebar Creek. natural no-flow conditions. * Based on monitoring condition score (1-5) (Onshore, 2015). ^ Species: Acacia citrinoviridis (Onshore, 2015). Details of species water dependency provided in Appendix C 7.3. Adaptive management – Management Approach BHP Billiton Iron Ore has established the following management principle for release of surplus water into Jimblebar Creek: Management Principle At least three months of no discharge outside of natural flow conditions within Jimblebar Creek This has been established on the advice of flora experts (information presented in Appendix C) that the main risk to riparian vegetation is ongoing saturation of their root-zone. This management principle has been established in order to minimize the risk of this occurring and therefore minimise the risk of impacts to the riparian vegetation along Jimblebar Creek. The adaptive management hierarchy for Jimblebar Creek focuses on investigation, action and mitigation of potential environmental impacts and exceedances of management targets. The approach ensures that any change and/or response observed is characterised and understood prior to implementing corrective action. Three stages are described under the following hierarchy: 1. Investigation Stage – undertake an investigation to evaluate and characterise the change identified. The investigation results may inform future surplus water discharge programs (timing, volume, rate of discharge etc.) and management options proposed, should the threshold values be reached. Unacceptable environmental harm may potentially result from multiple or ongoing exceedance of the threshold values. However, one off exceedances or non-continuous events are not expected to lead to environmental harm. The Investigation stage will identify when there is the potential for environmental harm and report this to the EPA, in accordance with the requirements of Condition 7-4 of Ministerial Statement 1021. 2. Action Stage – prepares and implements water management options to avoid potential impact to a receiving receptor or exceedance of threshold values. If are reached the proponent will initiate an assessment to investigate whether there is a potential for the unpredicted trend to impose a negative impact on the environment, and if so, recommend further adaptive management options, including potential corrective actions. 3. Mitigation Stage – corrective action is immediately required to prevent unacceptable impact or reverse the trends. Corrective actions to be identified in Action Stage. Exceeding a threshold value will activate the Adaptive Management hierarchy. 17 8. Ophthalmia Dam Ophthalmia Dam forms a large water body located 12km east of Newman and is used primarily to retain and infiltrate runoff following large rain events. The Dam is also used as a recreational facility and is accessed by the local community. Since 2009 surplus water from dewatering operations at Eastern Ridge has been sent to the dam as well as to the associated infiltration basins and ponds nearby. BHP Billiton plans to send additional surplus water to the dam from the Jimblebar and Orebody 31 operations to the east. This additional water will be managed under the existing dam operating procedures and may be retained in the dam, sent to recharge ponds and basins and potentially discharged downstream following large rain events. Water quality in the dam shows a wide range under natural conditions and is controlled by inflow from surface water catchments as well as evaporation and infiltration processes. The addition of surplus water from mines has influenced the dissolved salt load but to date this has been offset by surface water inflow following rain events. In large water bodies, stratification can occur in the water column leading to development of separate layers with different temperatures, densities and oxygen levels. In some cases this can lead to oxygen depletion in lower layers creating conditions that release nutrients which in turn can lead to development of algal blooms. Changes in salinity can increase the likelihood of stratification. In 2013, several buoys were installed in the dam capable of continuous monitoring at multiple depths in the water column. Data from these buoys has shown that the dam does stratify but that stratification is weak and short lived, typically occurring following small streamflow events. Modelling of the dam has shown that dam geometry and wind driven mixing is sufficient to prevent prolonged stratification. Details of the monitoring program and findings to date are included in Appendix C. The dam was observed to stratify naturally during baseline monitoring and low dissolved oxygen (DO) levels were also observed in the lower levels. Stratification and low DO levels typically occurred following small surface water inflow events where the inflow wasn’t sufficient to fully mix the reservoir. The longest stratification event during the baseline occurred between January and April 2016 when a series of rain events regularly added fresh water to the reservoir. Density stratification was observed in the temperature and salinity recordings (although the dam was predominantly fresh) and low DO levels were observed at all depths in the water column. No algal blooms were recorded during this period. The key risk from stratification events is the development of potentially toxic blue-green algae blooms that may come in contact with people or livestock. To address this risk, BHP Billiton Iron Ore have developed and implemented a management plan Protection of Human Health Posed by Any Recreational Use of Ophthalmia Dam (BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 2016b), which details monitoring and management requirements to deal with the occurrence of blue-green algae in the dam. This management plan was developed in accordance with the National Health and Medical Research Councils Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water (2008). As part of this process, the dam was assessed for susceptibility of blue-green algae blooms and was rated as Low susceptibility. This rating was a result of infrequent thermal stratification and lack of algae blooms observed during the assessment period (December 2013 to February 2015). In addition no toxic cyanobacteria were found during monthly sampling in the assessment period. 8.1. Outcome-based environmental objectives Dam stratification and the potential for subsequent algal blooms was identified as a management requirement in Ministerial Statement 857 for Jimblebar. Specifically condition 9 requires that: “The proponent shall ensure that the excess water discharge from the Jimblebar Iron Ore Project does not cause algal blooms or stratification in the Ophthalmia Dam as a result of increased salinity.” 8.2. Adaptive management –Thresholds and Monitoring The drivers of dam stratification are complex and vary seasonally driven by surface water inputs. Key indicators of stratification are differences in total dissolved solids (TDS), temperature and dissolved oxygen between different levels in the water column. Measurements of these three parameters are continuously monitored at three locations in the dam, via the installed buoys. Blue-green algae populations in dam water samples will be used as the primary measure as per the monitoring program described in Protection of Human Health Posed by Any Recreational Use of Ophthalmia Dam. Measurement of physical parameters that identify conditions favorable for blue-green algae bloom will be used as internal indicators to trigger physical inspections and further sampling. 18 Table 7: Measurements to determine thresholds for Ophthalmia Dam stratification Aspect Objective / Requirement Measure Monitoring Presence of algal blooms As a result of BHP Billiton Cell count of M.aeruginosa or Monitoring program as per Protection of in dam activity, algal blooms biovolume of total Human Health Posed by Any Recreational Use containing known toxic cyanobacteria where known of Ophthalmia Dam including: cyanobacteria do not toxin producers are not present Quarterly water sampling impact dam. Monthly visual inspections 8.3. Adaptive management – Management Approach The adaptive management hierarchy for water quality in Ophthalmia Dam focuses on investigation, action and mitigation of potential environmental impacts and exceedances of management targets. The approach ensures that any change and/or response observed is characterised and understood prior to implementing corrective action. In addition to the TDS thresholds for the dam described in table 3, three stages are described under the following hierarchy to manage the risk of algal blooms: Table 8: Adaptive management triggers and thresholds for stratification in Ophthalmia Dam Monitoring and Management Values Receptor Aspect Investigate Action Mitigate (early warning trigger) (trigger) (threshold) Ophthalmia Dam water Biochemical Sampling ≥5000 cells/mL ≥ 10μg/L total To be determined by body M.aeruginosa microcystins or ≥50 000 Action stage cells/mL M.aeruginosa 1. Investigation Stage – undertake an investigation to evaluate and characterise the change identified including the influence of natural processes. Stratification following dam filling is considered to be part of the natural process within the dam and investigation results may establish revised thresholds or timeline for action and mitigation. The investigation results may inform future surplus water discharge programs (timing, volume, rate of discharge etc.) and management options proposed, should the threshold values be reached. Unacceptable environmental harm may potentially result from multiple or ongoing exceedance of the threshold values. However, one off exceedances or non-continuous events are not expected to lead to environmental harm. 2. Action Stage – Carry out actions and notifications as detailed in Protection of Human Health Posed by Any Recreational Use of Ophthalmia Dam. Prepare and implements water management options to avoid potential impact to a receiving receptor or exceedance of threshold values. If reached the proponent will initiate an assessment to investigate whether there is a potential for the unpredicted trend to impose a negative impact on the environment, and if so, recommend further adaptive management options, including potential corrective actions. 3. Mitigation Stage – corrective action is immediately required to prevent unacceptable impact or reverse the trends. Corrective actions to be identified in Action Stage. Exceeding a threshold value will activate the Adaptive Management hierarchy. 19 9. Terminology adaptive management n. planning, organising, leading and controlling an operation in a manner that changes iteratively as new knowledge comes to light. Baseline Conditions n. the hydrological conditions that prevailed before BHP Billiton Iron Ore mining operations commenced, including natural variation. cumulative impacts n. detrimental effects on a receiving receptor from more than one source; for example, two or more BHPBIO mining operations within one water catchment or a combination of BHP Billiton Iron Ore and third-party operations within one water catchment. Current Conditions n. the hydrological conditions that prevail now that BHP Billiton Iron Ore has begun mining operations, including natural variation. early warning trigger n. the point at which water management options must be considered and implemented to avoid potential impact to a receiving receptor; the trigger should operate sufficiently early to allow water management options to be put in place well before the threshold value for the receiving receptor is reached. Future Conditions n. the hydrological conditions that prevail post BHP Billiton Iron Ore operations including transitioning towards mine closure, mine closure final land form and relinquishment. hub area (hub) n. a geographical location within which more than one BHP Billiton Iron Ore mine is operating in sufficient proximity to other BHP Billiton Iron Ore mines to, for example, allow sharing of resources or potentially increase detrimental effects. Hubs are based on tenements rather than on water catchments. hydrological dependencies n. the numerous factors, such as scale, time, interconnectivity, recharge sources, topography and land use, that determine the hydrological characteristics and receiving receptors dependencies on surface water and groundwater. outcome-based objectives n. a covenant setting out the result that will be met to ensure potential impacts on receiving receptors have been mitigated to acceptable levels. receiving receptors n. the water resources, environmental, social and third-party operations that scientific study has shown have the potential to be detrimentally affected by a BHP Billiton Iron Ore mining operation. Environmental receiving receptors potentially include such things as flora and fauna, biodiversity. Social receiving receptors potentially include Indigenous cultural heritage sites and domestic or industrial water bore users. Third-party operations potentially include other mining operations in the vicinity of the BHP Billiton Iron Ore mining operation. significant hydrological impact n. a detrimental change in hydrological condition causing an effect on a receiving receptor that inhibits its ability to continue to function, such as a lowering of the groundwater level outside the natural variation of Baseline Conditions. third party n. a party other than BHP Billiton Iron Ore living or doing business within the area of interest. third-party operations n. mining activities other than those of BHP Billiton Iron Ore occurring within the area of interest. trigger n. a scientifically informed value, informed by baseline studies, to the amount of hydrological change that a receiving receptor can accommodate before reaching the point at which impact may occur. threshold n. a scientifically informed value, informed by baseline studies, to the amount of hydrological change that a receiving receptor can accommodate before reaching the point at which unacceptable impact may occur. transparency n. operating with openness, communication, and accountability in such a way that it is easy for others to see what actions are performed and for all observers to have the ability to see what is wrong, to see what the problems are, or to see potential trouble. water management area n. a geographical extent within which all surface water drains to the same point, such as a river, or at which the drained surface water percolates into the groundwater. Water management areas are based on water catchments and are divided one from the other by a ridge, hill or mountain. water management option n. a mitigation activity that is tested and practicable (i.e., known to produce the desired outcome and feasible both technically and economically). 20 10. References BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 2014. Pilbara Water Resource Management Strategy. Internal document number 0092277. Perth, Western Australia BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 2016a. Drinking Water Management Standard. Internal document number 0129186. Perth, Western Australia BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 2016b. Protection of Human Health Posed by Any Recreational Use of Ophthalmia Dam. Internal document number 0123434. Perth, Western Australia Environment Protection Authority, 2015. Environmental Assessment Guideline for Preparation of Management Plans under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. Perth, Western Australia National Health and Medical Research Councils Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water (2008). NHMRC, 2008. Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water 21 Appendix A Condition Environmental Management Plan Statements Table 9: Index list for Ministerial Statement conditions addressed by this Plan Ministerial Condition Type of Environmental Version/ Title Schedule Statement No. Condition Factor Date Ministerial Orebody 31 Iron Ore Condition 8 Management Inland Waters Schedule 1 Final Statement Mine Project action Environmental November No. 1021 Quality 2016 Ministerial Orebody 31 Iron Ore Condition 7 Management Flora and Schedule 2 Final Statement Mine Project action Vegetation November No. 1021 2016 Ministerial Eastern Ridge Condition 8 Management Subterranean Schedule 3 Final Statement Revised Proposal action Fauna – Ethel November No. 1037 Gorge Aquifer 2016 Stygobiont community Ministerial Jimblebar Iron Ore Condition 9 Management Inland Waters Schedule 4 Final Statement Project action Environmental January No. 857 Quality 2017 22 Schedule 1 – Ministerial Statement 1021 – Orebody 31 Purpose of this Condition EMP: The Eastern Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan is submitted to fulfil the requirements of Condition 8 of Ministerial Statement 1021. Condition objective: The proponent shall manage the discharge of surplus mine dewater from the Orebody 31 Iron Ore Mine in a manner that minimises impacts to the Ethel Gorge Threatened Ecological Community. Rationale for management actions/targets: Ethel Gorge Aquifer Stygobiont Community – Ethel Gorge Aquifer Stygobiont Community has the potential to be impacted from changes in water quality through discharge into Ophthalmia Dam. Monitoring of the community will be undertaken in order to validate our predicted impacts. Condition Key Impact Management Targets Management Action Monitoring Adaptive Management Reporting Requirements The proponent shall manage the discharge of surplus mine Groundwater The groundwater level, as Monitoring of groundwater levels within Annual Adaptive management for Ethel Gorge allows for three stages of response, Annual Aquifer Review dewater from the Orebody 31 Iron Ore Mine in a manner that level measured within the the Ethel Gorge Primary Habitat groundwater including an investigation, action and mitigation stage. The approach ensures (AAR) minimises impacts to the Ethel Gorge Threatened Ecological primary Ethel Gorge Monitoring Zone during operations (i.e. reporting that any change and/or response observed is characterised and understood Community, through the implementation of conditions 8-2 to 8- habitat groundwater active dewatering) will be undertaken prior to implementing corrective action. Report to the OEPA CEO 7. monitoring zone, has not annually. within 30 days of a changed more than 6m or Three stages are described under the following hierarchy: management target being 8-2 Prior to discharge of surplus mine dewater, the proponent at a rate >4m/year. exceeded, in accordance 1. Investigation Stage – undertake an investigation to evaluate and shall prepare a Plan in consultation with the Department of with the requirements of Parks and Wildlife and the Department of Water to the Note: Targets are based characterise the change identified (aligns with ‘early warning trigger’ condition 8-4. satisfaction of the CEO, to demonstrate that condition 8-1 has on trigger levels, not values used in this Plan). The investigation results may establish a been met. The Plan shall include: threshold levels. Threshold revised investigation program (including further monitoring) and (1) descriptions of reference sites, including physical attributes, levels to be determined by management options are proposed, should the trigger values be reached. geographic locations and details of the baseline condition of investigation at Action 2. Action Stage – prepares and implements water management options to what is to be monitored; rationale for the location of the sites; Stage. avoid potential impact to a receiving receptor (aligns with the ‘trigger (2) descriptions of biological and physical environmental values’, as defined by the EPA (EAG 17; EPA, 2015). The trigger values indicators to be monitored (3) monitoring methodologies that will be implemented to are considered to be precautionary and conservative to ensure there is measure the physical and biological indicators; sufficient time available to prevent impact. If trigger levels are reached the (4) criteria that will trigger the implementation of management proponent will initiate an assessment to investigate whether there is a actions; and Groundwater Groundwater quality target Monitoring of groundwater quality annual Annual potential for the unpredicted trend to impose a negative impact on the (5) trigger management actions to be implemented in the event quality as measured within the within the Ethel Gorge Primary Habitat groundwater environment, and if so, recommend further adaptive management that the trigger criteria required by condition 8-2(4) have been primary Ethel Gorge Monitoring Zone during operations (i.e. reporting options, including potential corrective actions. reached. habitat groundwater active dewatering) will be undertaken monitoring zone is not annually. 3. Mitigation Stage – corrective action is immediately required to prevent 8-4 In the event that the monitoring specified in the Plan greater than 3,000 mg/L unacceptable impact or reverse the trends (aligns with ‘threshold values’, indicates that the trigger criteria specified in the Plan has been TDS or to be determined as defined by the EPA (EAG 17; EPA, 2015)). Corrective actions to be exceeded, the proponent shall: by investigation Stage. identified in Action Stage. (1) immediately implement the trigger management actions specified in the Plan and continue implementation of those Note: Targets are based actions until the trigger criteria are not exceeded or until the on trigger levels, not CEO has confirmed by notice in writing that it has been threshold levels. Threshold demonstrated that the objective in condition 8-1 is being and levels to be determined by will continue to be met and implementation of the trigger investigation at Action management actions is no longer required; Stage. (2) investigate to determine the likely cause of the trigger criteria being exceeded and to identify any additional trigger management actions required to prevent the trigger criteria being exceeded in the future; and (3) provide a report to the CEO within 30 days of an event, referred to in condition 8-4, occurring. The report shall include: (a) details of trigger management actions implemented; and (b) the findings of the investigation required by condition 8- 4(2). 23 Schedule 2 – Ministerial Statement 1021 – Orebody 31 Purpose of this Condition EMP: The Eastern Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan is submitted to fulfil the requirements of Condition 7 of Ministerial Statement 1021. Condition objective: The proponent shall manage the discharge of surplus mine dewater from the Orebody 31 Iron Ore Mine in a manner that minimises impacts to the riparian vegetation along Jimblebar Creek. Rationale for management actions/targets: Jimblebar Creek Riparian Vegetation – Jimblebar Creek riparian vegetation has the potential to be negatively impacted from the discharge of surplus water into Jimblebar Creek. Monitoring of the community will be undertaken in order to validate our predicted impacts. Reporting Condition Key Impact Management Targets Management Action Monitoring Adaptive Management Requirements The proponent shall manage the discharge of surplus mine dewater from the Orebody 31 Wetting front No more than 16 km At least three months of Measuring device (i.e. flow Adaptive management hierarchy for Jimblebar Creek Annual Aquifer Review Iron Ore Mine in a manner that minimises impacts to the riparian vegetation along from discharge point no discharge outside of meter) to record water focuses on investigation, action and mitigation of potential (AAR) Jimblebar Creek, through the implementation of conditions 7-2 to 7-7. during no-flow natural flow conditions presence at 16km location environmental impacts and exceedances of management conditions within Jimblebar Creek. following commencement of targets. The approach ensures that any change and/or Report to the OEPA 7-2 Prior to discharge of surplus mine dewater, the proponent shall prepare a Plan in a discharge of surplus mine response observed is characterised and understood prior CEO within 30 days of consultation with the Department of Water to the satisfaction of the CEO, to demonstrate Exceedance of water to the Jimblebar to implementing corrective action. a management target that condition 7-1 has been met. The Plan shall include: Management Target will creek during natural no-flow being exceeded, in (1) descriptions of reference sites, including physical attributes, geographic locations and activate the Adaptive conditions Three stages are described under the following hierarchy: accordance with the details of the baseline condition of what is to be monitored; rationale for the location of the Management hierarchy requirements of sites; Main drainage Dewater discharge to (investigation, action and Review of photography (i.e. 1. Investigation Stage – undertake an investigation to condition 8-4. (2) descriptions of biological and physical environmental indicators to be monitored line remain in the main mitigation). aerial / drone / on ground) evaluate and characterise the change identified. The (3) monitoring methodologies that will be implemented to measure the physical and drainage channel of following commencement of investigation results may inform future surplus water biological indicators; Jimblebar Creek under discharge of surplus mine discharge programs (timing, volume, rate of (4) criteria that will trigger the implementation of management actions; and natural no-flow water to the Jimblebar discharge etc) and management options are (5) trigger management actions to be implemented in the event that the trigger criteria conditions creek outside of natural no- proposed, should the trigger values be reached. required by condition 7-2(4) have been reached. flow conditions. 2. Action Stage – prepares and implements water 7-4 In the event that the monitoring specified in the Plan indicates that the trigger criteria management options to avoid potential impact to a specified in the Plan has been exceeded, the proponent shall: receiving receptor or exceedance of management (1) immediately implement the trigger management actions specified in the Plan and Water quality Water quality of key Measure (spot sample) at targets. If are reached the proponent will initiate an continue implementation of those actions until the trigger criteria are not exceeded or until parameters is to be discharge point once per assessment to investigate whether there is a potential the CEO has confirmed by notice in writing that it has been demonstrated that the - pH of between 6.0 month during a discharge for the unpredicted trend to impose a negative impact objective in condition 7-1 is being and will continue to be met and implementation of the and 9.0; event. on the environment, and if so, recommend further - Total Dissolved Solids trigger management actions is no longer required; adaptive management options, including potential (TDS) to be less than (2) investigate to determine the likely cause of the trigger criteria being exceeded and to corrective actions. identify any additional trigger management actions required to prevent the trigger criteria 3,000 mg/L being exceeded in the future; and 3. Mitigation Stage – corrective action is immediately (3) provide a report to the CEO within 30 days of an event, referred to in condition 7-4, required to prevent unacceptable impact or reverse occurring. The report shall include: the trends. Corrective actions to be identified in (a) details of trigger management actions implemented; and Action Stage. (b) the findings of the investigation required by condition 7-4(2). 24 Schedule 3 – Ministerial Statement 1037 – Eastern Ridge Revised Proposal Purpose of this Condition EMP: The Eastern Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan is submitted to fulfil the requirements of Condition 8 of Ministerial Statement 1037. Condition objective: The proponent shall manage mine dewatering and surplus water discharge from the Eastern Ridge mining operations in a manner that minimises impacts to the habitat of Ethel Gorge Aquifer Stygobiont Community through the implementation of the Plan. The Proponent shall implement the Plan, or any subsequent revisions as approved to the satisfaction of the CEO. Rationale for management actions/targets: Ethel Gorge Aquifer Stygobiont Community – Ethel Gorge Aquifer Stygobiont Community has the potential to be impacted from groundwater drawdown and from changes in water quality through discharge into Ophthalmia Dam. Monitoring of the community will be undertaken in order to validate our predicted impacts. Reporting Condition Key Impact Management Targets Management Action Monitoring Adaptive Management Requirements 8-1: The proponent shall shall prepare and submit a Condition Environmental Management Groundwater The groundwater level, as Monitoring of groundwater levels Annual Adaptive management for Ethel Gorge allows for Annual Aquifer Plan/s to demonstrate that the following environmental outcome will be met: maintain the level measured within the primary within the Ethel Gorge Primary groundwater three stages of response, including an investigation, Review (AAR) habitat of the Ethel Gorge Aquifer Stygobiont Community Ethel Gorge habitat Habitat Monitoring Zone during reporting action and mitigation stage. The approach ensures groundwater monitoring zone, operations (i.e. active that any change and/or response observed is Report to the OEPA 8-2: The Condition Environmental Management Plan/s shall: has not changed more than dewatering) will be undertaken characterised and understood prior to implementing CEO within 21 days (1) specify the environmental outcome to be achieved, as specified in condition 8-1; 6m or at a rate >4m/year. annually. corrective action. of a management (2) specify trigger criteria that must provide an early warning that the threshold criteria target being identified in condition 8-2(3) may not be met; Note: Targets are based on Three stages are described under the following exceeded, in (3) specify threshold criteria to demonstrate compliance with the environmental outcome trigger levels, not threshold hierarchy: accordance with the specified in condition 8-1. Exceedance of the threshold criteria represents non-compliance levels. Threshold levels to be requirements of with these conditions; (4) specify monitoring to determine if trigger criteria and threshold determined by investigation at 1. Investigation Stage – undertake an condition 8-5. criteria are exceeded; Action Stage. investigation to evaluate and characterise (5) specify trigger level actions to be implemented in the event that trigger criteria have been the change identified (aligns with ‘early exceeded; warning trigger’ values used in this Plan). (6) specify threshold contingency actions to be implemented in the event that threshold Groundwater Groundwater quality target as Monitoring of groundwater Annual The investigation results may establish a criteria are exceeded; and Page 7 of 12 quality measured within the primary quality annual within the Ethel groundwater revised investigation program (including (7) provide the format and timing for the reporting of monitoring results against trigger criteria Ethel Gorge habitat Gorge Primary Habitat reporting further monitoring) and management options and threshold criteria to demonstrate that condition 8-1 has been met over the reporting groundwater monitoring zone Monitoring Zone during are proposed, should the trigger values be period in the Compliance Assessment Report required by condition 3. is not greater than 3000 mg/L operations (i.e. active reached. TDS or to be determined by dewatering) will be undertaken 8-3: The Condition Environmental Management Plan/s required by condition 8-1 shall include investigation Stage. annually. 2. Action Stage – prepares and implements provisions required by condition 8-2, to address potential impacts on conservation significant water management options to avoid potential stygofauna including from, but not limited to, changes to groundwater levels and quality. Note: Targets are based on impact to a receiving receptor (aligns with the trigger levels, not threshold ‘trigger values’, as defined by the EPA (EAG 8-5 In the event that monitoring indicates exceedance of threshold criteria specified in the levels. Threshold levels to be 17; EPA, 2015). The trigger values are Condition Environmental Management Plan/s, the proponent shall: determined by investigation at considered to be precautionary and (1) report the exceedance in writing to the CEO within 7 days of the exceedance being Action Stage. conservative to ensure there is sufficient time identified; available to prevent impact. If trigger levels (2) implement the threshold contingency actions specified in the Condition Environmental are reached the proponent will initiate an Management Plan/s within 24 hours and continue implementation of those actions until the assessment to investigate whether there is a CEO has confirmed by notice in writing that it has been demonstrated that the threshold potential for the unpredicted trend to impose criteria are being met and the implementation of the threshold contingency actions is no longer required; a negative impact on the environment, and if (3) investigate to determine the cause of the threshold criteria being exceeded; so, recommend further adaptive (4) investigate to provide information for the CEO to determine potential environmental harm management options, including potential or alteration of the environment that occurred due to threshold criteria being exceeded; and corrective actions. (5) provide a report to the CEO within 21 days of the exceedance being reported as required 3. Mitigation Stage – corrective action is by condition 8-5(1). The report shall include: immediately required to prevent (a) details of threshold contingency actions implemented; unacceptable impact or reverse the trends (b) the effectiveness of the threshold contingency actions implemented, against the threshold criteria; (aligns with ‘threshold values’, as defined by (c) the findings of the investigations required by condition 8-5(3) and 8-5(4); the EPA (EAG 17; EPA, 2015)). Corrective (d) measures to prevent the threshold criteria being exceeded in the future; Page 8 of 12 actions to be identified in Action Stage. (e) measures to prevent, control or abate the environmental harm which may have occurred; and (f) justification of the threshold remaining, or being adjusted based on better understanding, demonstrating that outcomes will continue to be met. 25 Schedule 4 – Ministerial Statement 857 – Jimblebar Purpose of this Condition EMP: The Eastern Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan is submitted to fulfil the requirements of Condition 9 of Ministerial Statement 857. Condition objective: The proponent shall ensure that the excess water discharge from the Jimblebar Iron Ore Project does not cause algal blooms or stratification in the Ophthalmia Dam as a result of increased salinity. The Water Management Plan will be updated to include the assessment methodology for the determination of stratification of the water column and/or algal blooms in Ophthalmia Dam as a result of the excess water discharge from the Jimblebar Iron Ore project. Rationale for management actions/targets: Ophthalmia Dam water quality – Water quality in Ophthalmia Dam has the potential to be impacted from receiving surplus water from adjacent mine through changes in water quality potentially increasing the likelihood of stratification.. Monitoring of dam water quality and algae populations will be undertaken in order to validate our predicted impacts. Reporting Condition Key Impact Management Targets Management Action Monitoring Adaptive Management Requirements 9-1 The proponent shall ensure that the excess water discharge from the Jimblebar Iron Ore Biochemical Biochemical monitoring results Monitoring of biochemical Annual Adaptive management for Ophthalmia Dam allows Annual Aquifer Project does not cause algal blooms or stratification in the Ophthalmia Dam as a result of Impacts from Ophthalmia Dam are not indicators within Ophthalmia groundwater for three stages of response, including an Review (AAR) increased salinity. greater than ≥ 10μg/L total Dam will be undertaken reporting investigation, action and mitigation stage. The microcystins or ≥50 000 regularly during surplus approach ensures that any change and/or response Report to the OEPA 9-2 The Water Management Plan will be updated to include the assessment methodology for cells/mL M.aeruginosa or to be discharge operations in observed is characterised and understood prior to CEO within 21 days the determination of stratification of the water column and/or algal blooms in Ophthalmia Dam determined by investigation accordance with BHP Billiton implementing corrective action. within 21 days of as a result of the excess water discharge from the Jimblebar Iron Ore project. The plan shall: Stage. Iron Ore management plan the stratification of 1. be prepared in consultation with the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority on Protection of Human Health Three stages are described under the following the water column or advice from the Department of Environment and Conservation and the Department of Water; Note: Targets are based on Posed by Any Recreational Use hierarchy: occurrence of algal 2. include a model predicting potential stratification impacts; trigger levels, not threshold of Ophthalmia Dam blooms being 3. include a monitoring program to validate the predicted stratification; and levels. Threshold levels to be 1. Investigation Stage – undertake an identified as 4. include details of monitoring frequency and the parameters to be monitored. determined by investigation at investigation to evaluate and characterise required by Action Stage. the change identified (aligns with ‘early condition 9-6.1 9-4 The proponent shall commence the monitoring required by condition 9-2 prior to ground warning trigger’ values used in this Plan). disturbing activities in order to collect baseline data. The investigation results may establish a Annual Compliance revised investigation program (including Assessment Report 9-5 The proponent shall submit annually the results of monitoring required by condition 9-2 to further monitoring) and management for MS 857 the CEO as part of the compliance assessment report required by condition 4-6. options are proposed, should the trigger (included in the values be reached. AER) 9-6 In the event that monitoring required by condition 9-2 indicates that the requirements of condition 9-1 are not being met, and are attributable to the water discharge from the 2. Action Stage – prepares and implements Jimblebar Iron Ore Project, the proponent shall: water management options to avoid potential 1. report such findings to the CEO within 21 days of the stratification of the water column or impact to a receiving receptor (aligns with the occurrence of algal blooms being identified; ‘trigger values’, as defined by the EPA (EAG 2. provide evidence which allows determination of the root cause of the occurrence of 17; EPA, 2015). The trigger values are stratification or algal blooms; and considered to be precautionary and 3. if determined to be a result of activities undertaken in implementing the proposal, state the conservative to ensure there is sufficient time actions and associated timelines proposed to be taken to remediate the stratification or algal available to prevent impact. If trigger levels blooms, to the requirements of the CEO on advice of the Department of Environment and are reached the proponent will initiate an Conservation. assessment to investigate whether there is a potential for the unpredicted trend to impose a negative impact on the environment, and if so, recommend further adaptive management options, including potential corrective actions. 3. Mitigation Stage – corrective action is immediately required to prevent unacceptable impact or reverse the trends (aligns with ‘threshold values’, as defined by the EPA (EAG 17; EPA, 2015)). Corrective actions to be identified in Action Stage. 26 Appendix B Summary of existing operations Whaleback Hub The Whaleback operations have historically fluctuated between a water surplus and deficit. Currently Whaleback water supplies are sourced from Eastern Ridge surplus water from dewatering operations at OB23 and OB25. In the near future OB29 will commence dewatering and the Whaleback Hub will once again become a water balance positive hub whereby excess water will be used onsite for dust suppression and processing, and the remaining surplus will then be transferred to Ophthalmia Dam for storage and infiltration. The main Whaleback pit is 315m below water table and active dewatering is achieved through in pit pumping bores. Mining of Orebodies 29 and 35 below water table will commence in FY2016. Approval from the EPA has been granted for the below water table mining of these Orebodies and for disposal of surplus dewater into Ophthalmia Dam. Table 10: Summary of Whaleback Hub Groundwater Risks and Controls Operations / Pathway Receptor Threat Controls Activity I I I I Mining below Drawdown (local) Priority 1 - Newman Modelling shows that mining Abstraction rates controlled via water table Drinking Water operations at Whaleback Hub 5C Licence, Groundwater Source Protection do not potable drinking water Operating Strategy. Area sources. Drinking Water Quality Management Plan Source Protection Plans PEAHR Mining below Drawdown (regional) Ethel Gorge Modelling shows that mining N/a water table operations at Whaleback Hub do not extend to the Ethel Gorge TEC buffer (Ref, 2013). Mining below Water Discharge Potential threat to the Ministerial Statement 963 allows water table receiving environment of discharge of up to 8GL/year to Ophthalmia Dam Ophthalmia Dam from OB29/30/35 BWT mining. Discharge locations, volumes and quality are controlled under DER Licence 4503/1975/14. Surface water Water Discharge - Whaleback Creek Quality of water from Water of low pH is directed to management / Quality Whaleback Hub operations the on-site ARD Facility. diversion impacts the environment of Discharge locations, volumes Whaleback Creek. and quality are controlled under DER Licence 4503/1975/14. Monitoring of creek water quality is required. No further action required. Eastern Ridge Hub BHP Billiton Iron Ore Eastern Ridge and Whaleback water management and supply activities are connected. BHP Billiton Iron Ore operates three deposits as part of the Eastern Ridge Hub, OB23, OB25 and OB24, with Orebody 32 recently approved to mine above the water table. Of these, OB23 is approaching closure and is not actively being mined. OB25 pit 1 and pit 3 is being actively mined below water table. OB24 has been approved for below water table mining which is scheduled within the next 5 years. Eastern Ridge mines are net water positive. Surplus water from Eastern Ridge Hub operations is managed in accordance with this Plan. Surplus water is preferentially used in surrounding operations or discharged to Ophthalmia Dam and the surrounding infiltration ponds. BHP Billiton Iron Ore has a Licence to Operate which approves discharge of surplus dewatering water into Ophthalmia Dam. Importantly, the Dam and surrounding ponds serve as both a discharge point for surplus water management and also as a mitigating control on impact by increasing recharge to the underlying aquifer and Ethel Gorge Stygobiont Community. The Eastern Ridge operations are directly adjacent to the Ethel Gorge Stygobiont Community, a listed threatened ecological community (TEC) and are located within the TEC buffer. Approval applications address the potential for impact to the Ethel Gorge TEC. 27 Table 11: Summary of Eastern Ridge Groundwater Risks and Controls Operations / Pathway Receptor Threat Assessment Controls Activity I I I I I Mining below Drawdown Ethel Gorge Local groundwater Abstraction rates controlled via water table (local) drawdown impacts 5C Licence, Groundwater (OB23, 24, health of Ethel Gorge Operating Licence. OB25 and TEC. Ministerial Statement 712 – OB25 West) requiring monitoring of the Ethel Gorge TEC (to be updated following Revised Proposal). Note: Water levels of Ethel Gorge Primary Habitat Zone have been maintained via Ophthalmia Dam acting as an MAR scheme, which maintains groundwater levels. Homestead Local groundwater Ministerial Statement 712. Creek drawdown impacts Monitoring required. Remedial tree health quality of action plan in place should a decline groundwater in tree health be observed. dependant vegetation. Mining below Drawdown Ethel Gorge Regional groundwater Monitoring and As for local drawdown. water table (regional) drawdown impacts modelling shows that (OB23, 24, health of Ethel Gorge mining operations at OB25 and TEC. Eastern Ridge Hub OB25 West) have not resulted in impact to groundwater levels within the area of the Ethel Gorge TEC (Ophthalmia TAR, 2014). Mining below Surplus Potential threat to the Ministerial Statement 712 allows water table Water receiving environment discharge of up to 13.87GL/year (OB23, 24, Discharge of Ophthalmia Dam to Ophthalmia Dam from OB25 and Eastern Ridge (OB25) mining OB25 West) operations. Note: this is currently being amended via a Revised Proposal. Discharge locations, volumes and quality are controlled under DER Licence 6942/1997/12. Surface water Water Homestead Quality of water from Discharge locations, volumes management Discharge Creek Eastern Ridge Hub and quality are controlled under operations has the DER Licence 6942/1997/13. potential to impact the Monitoring of creek water quality is environment of required. Homestead Creek. No further action required. Jimblebar Hub The Wheelarra Hill (Jimblebar) Mine Site involves open pit mining of iron ore from the Wheelarra Hill and Hashimoto deposits and the South Jimblebar deposits. Mine dewatering associated with below watertable mining at the following pits: Wheelarra Hill; South Jimblebar; and Hashimoto. Active dewatering and operational water supply pumping is only occurring in the vicinity of the South Jimblebar operations. Abstracted groundwater is used for mining operational activities and camp and potable supplies. A hydrodynamic trial has been operating for 2 years to understand the groundwater system and surplus water management options locally and furthermore to test multiple water management concepts which meet sustainability objectives and which may be applicable and transferable elsewhere in the Pilbara. As part of the hydrodynamic trial, surplus water is discharged to Copper Creek, a western tributary of Jimblebar Creek, and into Managed Aquifer Recharge boreholes. The Trial was undertaken to investigate the potential impacts of groundwater discharge to the creek and reinjection capability. Creek discharge is controlled to prevent the wetting front from extending to within 500 m of Innawally Pool. Orebodies 18 and 31 Mine dewatering commenced in late 2015 to support mining below the water table in Orebody 17 and Orebody 18, situated 6km to the northwest of the existing Jimblebar operations. BHP Billiton Iron Ore has begun development of 28 Orebody 31, located 6km to the east of Orebody 17/18 in the Shovelanna Mining Area. The water balance for the OB18 area is currently water balance negative and process water is sourced from standalone water supply production bores. In the midterm from 2018 onwards, dewatering from the proposed Orebody 31 mine is expected to generate a period of net surplus water and some sub regional groundwater drawdown. Table 12: Summary of Orebody 31 Groundwater Risks and Controls Operations / Pathway Receptor Threat Assessment Controls Activity I I I I I Mining below Drawdown Groundwater Local groundwater No GDVs have been N/a water table (local) Dependant drawdown impact tree mapped within the (Orebody 31) Vegetation health quality of groundwater (GDV) groundwater drawdown zone, as dependant vegetation. such no impact is expected to GDV health. Mining below Drawdown Ethel Gorge Predicted modelling N/a water table (regional) (conservative) shows (Orebody 31) that drawdown resulting from mining operations at Orebody 18 Hub, including Orebody 31, will extend slightly into the Ethel Gorge TEC buffer, with drawdown predicted to be less than 2m at this location. Assessments have determined this is unlikely to have any impact on the conservation value of the TEC (Bennelongia 2014b). Mining below Surplus Ophthalmia Potential threat to the Risk of algal blooms Ministerial Statement 1021 water table Water Dam receiving environment as a result of allows discharge of surplus (Orebody 31, Discharge of Ophthalmia Dam stratification is water to Ophthalmia Dam from Jimblebar) considered low due to Orebody 31 mining operations. shape and behaviour Ministerial Statement 857 of reservoir. requires that risk of stratification and algal blooms in dam are adequately managed. Discharge locations, volumes and quality are controlled under DER Licence 5415. Jimblebar Potential threat to the Ministerial Statement 1021 Creek receiving environment allows discharge of surplus of Jimblebar Creek. water to Jimblebar Creek from Orebody 31 mining operations (dewater discharge to extend no more than 16km from the discharge point and to remain in main drainage channel of Jimblebar Creek under natural no-flow conditions). Discharge locations, volumes and quality will be controlled under DER Licence 5415. Quality of water from Discharge locations, volumes Orebody 31 and quality will be controlled operations impacts under DER Licence 5415. the environment of Monitoring of quality of water being Jimblebar Creek. discharged to the Creek is required. 29 Appendix C A description of the Receptors of importance Ethel Gorge Threatened Ecological Community Hydrological baseline conditions Ethel Gorge is an important feature of the Eastern Pilbara hydrological system, as the surface and groundwater flows from the upstream catchment area, converge at Ethel Gorge. From a landscape context, the Ethel Gorge area can be characterised as a receiving environment, comprising channels, flood plains and calcretes of the river and calcrete land systems dissected by ridges of bedrock. The Ethel Gorge area has groundwater levels of less than 10m below ground level (mbgl) which gives rise to potential interactions between the groundwater and terrestrial environments (through surface water connection and vegetation). An ecohydrological conceptualization, demonstrating the water flows and interactions with the stygofauna core habitat and other environmental factors is shown in Figure 8. Figure 8: Ethel Gorge Ecohydrological Conceptualisation raioralf Fortescue River Major Channel and Floodplain River floodplain Main channel River floodplain Woodland access groundwntor, 'MIich con1noutot treu Bttd toad movcmont ,n ftood:r. m101rn1sa a higher propof'bOO or lOCal v.gelation wMer use !ti areas vegeldoon Mtabhan1'1*'l an Chanr\@IA. with tugh LA! ctoser I.O th• main Chonnol Evapotransplralloo Wore, supply or grounclwe:ter GfOundw.UPt' CXPf0$".IOl1 63Ml/day ,n potmanent pools SUPS)O(tl pump,ng aqual.lC ecosystem 10 MUday Eucalyptvs cumafdfMn$)$ Rod'largo fNm nwr ftow:i; Hummocl( Grass EUC8typlus vicrn') FortesCIA R1vlf upstrolm of Ophthalmi. Ollm 14 MlJda) trAMplr.ttlOI\ Homc11cad Croctk {downstream of H.11ne borol) 8 MUct.ay &nd mlrwtt.1)tlan Foti.eseu. Rivef floodpt,in below Ophthalm14 Oam 3 MUday J St)lg,otauna habltal In zone ot fluctuating walenable UPQG< e11uvlel equ1fe, peroolabon Coorw graVOI Jackts and Cilleroto a - .. -.. - Stygofaona do not uililso tho ...... ___ Con~ned g-at;,:;;;;, - - - • confined e,..oowaier~ lem recharge t5 minimal -1 MU~y ------.. . Source: BHP Billiton Iron Ore (2015) SEA Hydrology – Ecohydrological Change Assessment, Appendix 7 of the BHP Billiton Iron Ore Strategic Environmental Assessment Ophthalmia Dam, some 5km upstream of Ethel Gorge, was designed as a MAR facility and has an important influence on the hydrological condition downstream in Ethel Gorge. Recharge to the shallow groundwater system occurs as seepage from Ophthalmia Dam and associated infiltration structures as well as direct infiltration from channel flow events. The hydraulic behavior of the Gorge groundwater system has been dominated by Ophthalmia Dam since it’s commissioning in 1981. The Dam was designed to increase groundwater recharge and hydraulic loading on the alluvial aquifer to offset drawdown from the Ophthalmia Borefield. The Dam impounds and retards flood waters in the Fortescue River to allow larger volumes of infiltration over a prolonged period. As such, groundwater levels in the aquifer have been sustained at much higher levels since the dam was constructed than would otherwise have been the case. Groundwater levels are reflective of the significant recharge events following relatively wet periods during the summer months. The range in water levels maintains a substantial saturated thickness in the upper alluvial aquifer (including the calcretes) and provides a consistent habitat for stygofauna. The area of the Ethel Gorge TEC coincides with both areas of shallow groundwater and the deposit of subsurface calcretes. Significant receptor values Ecological understanding The Ethel Gorge Aquifer Stygobiont Community (53 species of stygofauna) has been identified by Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) now Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) as a Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) due to high biodiversity values and conservation significance. The stygofauna include locally endemic and undescribed species (EPA, 1998). The Ethel Gorge TEC has a high species richness and diversity of stygofauna communities. The Ethel Gorge TEC hosts five stygofauna species declared as Specially Protected (Threatened) fauna 30 under the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (EPA, 1998). The Ethel Gorge TEC is hosted in shallow alluvial aquifers (notably calcrete) and their habitat is maintained by saturation of these aquifers. Hydrological Dependency The Ethel Gorge TEC has a strong groundwater hydrological dependency provided by shallow saturated pore spaces in which stygofauna live. There are two main threatening process to stygofauna associated with mining developments in the Ethel Gorge area. Groundwater drawdown has the potential to decrease the available habitat for stygofauna. The area has experienced substantial changes in groundwater levels historically, in connection with groundwater abstraction, dewatering activities, recharge through the Dam, and climatic variation. However, to date, no measurable impacts on the stygofauna community have been observed during the monitoring period (BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 2014d). Secondly, the stygofauna community may be impacted by changes to groundwater quality associated with abstraction and/or discharge of excess dewatering water into Ophthalmia Dam. Historical monitoring suggests that groundwater salinity has increased in parts of the aquifer and decreased in others; however, no measureable impacts on the stygofauna community have been observed (BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 2014d). An increase in groundwater salinity is likely to be within the tolerance thresholds of the stygofauna community. Available scientific knowledge suggests that many stygofauna species can tolerate a variable salinity regime (Halse et. al., 2014). However, less resilient species may be vulnerable to salinity increases beyond the range of natural variability. Progressive technical studies are required to address these uncertainties within the framework of BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s adaptive management approach. Assessment of potential impacts Potential impacts The BHP Billiton Iron Ore mining activities which have the potential to change the hydrological condition of the Ethel Gorge TEC environment have been identified as: mine dewatering, groundwater extraction, mine pit salinisation and surplus water discharge. A precautionary approach which considers historical ranges rather than species tolerance and adaptability has been adopted for this receptor. Within 10km of Ethel Gorge are BHP Billiton Iron Ore mining operations at Eastern Ridge, the mineralized Banded Iron Formation (BIF) aquifer is dewatered at these mines to provide access to the ore. Operational dewatering results in localised water table drawdown and reduced through-flow in sections of the aquifer south east of pits (groundwater levels in some monitoring bores fall at 5m per year, although recover to pre-mining levels following flow events in the catchment). Additionally the Whaleback, Eastern Ridge, Jimblebar and Orebody 31 mining operations have approval to discharge surplus water into Ophthalmia Dam. Table 13 summarises the threats from current operations and controls in place under existing approvals to manage the potential impacts to Ethel Gorge from BHP Billiton Iron Ore existing operations. Table 13: Summary of Ethel Gorge Stygobiont Community (TEC) Threats and Controls Aspect ISite/s IOperations / Activities IThreat IControl Drawdown Eastern Ridge Mining below water table close Orebody 25 is mining below Managed under Ministerial (local) Operations to Ethel Gorge TEC water table, dewatering is Statements 478 and 712 (Orebody 23, 24, 25 required to undertake these (Eastern Ridge Revised and 25 West) operations, which may result in Proposal pending) some localised groundwater drawdown. Abstraction rates are controlled via 5C Licences (OB25 Pit 1) GWL158381(5), (OB25 Pit 3) GWL160437(5), (OB23) GWL74556(9) Water Eastern Ridge The total volume of approved Increased dewatering volumes Managed under Ministerial Discharge - operations discharges in accordance with have the potential to raise Statements 478 (Orebody 23), Volume (Orebody 23, 24, 25 Ministerial Statements. groundwater levels in Ethel 712 (Orebody 25; Eastern Ridge and 25 West) Gorge aquifer resulting in the Revised Proposal pending), 857 Currently, limited surplus water inundation of the vegetation (Jimblebar) and 1021 (Orebody Orebody 29, 30 & is being discharged into rooting zone in the Fortescue 31) 35 operations Ophthalmia Dam, as the River system. 31 Aspect ISite/s IOperations / Activities IThreat IControl Water Orebody 31 majority of Eastern Ridge There is the potential that Eastern Ridge operations are Discharge - operations surplus water is directed to disposal of surplus water into managed under DER Licences: Quality Not yet Mount Whaleback for Ophthalmia Dam will increase L6942/1997/12 commenced: operational use and below water the TDS of the Dam and aquifer Jimblebar table mining / dewatering at which is the habitat of the Ethel Orebody 29/30/35. Orebody 31 operations (to Orebodies 29/30/35, Orebody Gorge stygobiont community. Project has not sought a DER Ophthalmia) 31 and Jimblebar discharge to Licence to discharge the full Ophthalmia Dam has not yet volume approved. commenced. No significant physical changes to the environment of the Ethel Gorge TEC are proposed. Relevant 5C licenses and DER Licence will be sought for new projects. Assessment of potential impacts on the Ethel Gorge TEC The potential impacts to ecological communities in the vicinity of the Ethel Gorge TEC resulting from BHP Billiton Iron Ore Eastern Pilbara Hubs are predicted to be insignificant owing to: Drawdown is localised and most of the aquifer is unaffected. To date, potential significant environmental impacts have been counteracted as a result of the Ophthalmia Dam MAR, which has artificially sustained the hydrological baseline conditions. Intermittent recharge events during cyclones and rainfall. Based on the hydrological assessment it is known that hydrological changes at Ophthalmia Dam could result in changes at Ethel Gorge. To date, potential significant environmental impacts have been counteracted as a result of the Ophthalmia Dam MAR, which has artificially sustained the hydrological baseline condition at Ethel Gorge. Improving Understanding – Ethel Gorge TEC The following have been identified as aspects that BHP Billiton Iron Ore is going to improve understanding: Monitoring of water levels within each of the Dam Monitoring and Management Zones . As the management zones are new, baseline water levels in each zone will need to be monitored and established, based on both historical knowledge and ongoing monitoring programs Understanding of the tolerances of the stygofauna community, to changes in salinity and potentially other hydrochemistry changes 32 Jimblebar Creek – Adaptive management Hydrological baseline conditions Jimblebar Creek is a major ephemeral tributary of the Fortescue River, joining it about 40km to the north of Orebody 31, and discharging into the Fortescue Marsh around 80km north. The Creek is situated 40 km east of Newman, 6 km north of the Jimblebar Iron Ore Mine and in close proximity to the east of Orebody 31 (Figure 3 and 13). Jimblebar Creek is a major lowland channel system, which has associated floodplains. The main creek channel is a high- energy flow environments subjected to bed load movement and reworking and supporting large flow volumes in flood events. Their distribution may be modified during cyclonic floods. Channel beds and banks accept and store water during flow events. Large flows are transmitted downgradient. Soil water in the floodplains is replenished during flooding breakouts. The channels support transient, persistent and permanent riverine pools. A generic ecohydrological conceptualization, demonstrating the water flows and interactions within a major river system, such as the Jimblebar Creek, is shown in Figure 9. Depth to groundwater can vary from shallow (less than 5 m) to deep (greater than 20 m). Shallow groundwater is often present beneath channels that may be connected with pools on occasions, such as Innawally Pool (Figure 3). The water table is opportunistically accessed by vegetation. Evaporative discharge of shallow groundwater may occur. Figure 9: Generic Major Pilbara River Ecohydrological Conceptualisation I 1 • ralnfJ!I R-~onl>On\s and llocdpla,ns, uses deal> sol Persslct>1 o, pem--~ pools ""'Y occu, r, CNmol ~ ~ byeuf8C8 0I ...... ,,.. aca,aualad ltantlood"V'n.nl•bOn ,_,..,..,,. ~ and grc,unct,ato< ifll)Utl. ~ g,ounc,w,atc, IS ~blo IO otwc:,toc)hybc vogct:,c.o, H,gn w.-:-~ ~b,gl, k,al are, ...,.x an(lvegel:l:IQn lntannt:Enl no..... Beel lo;iJ rn""""10nl clunng loOds -·-tation "~~ - ncMo,•ls lnfi11-.1«1lnloO-ct,a"""'oci:,nclunngflow"'*-o ~eel rochllr!JO i,ounc!Wa!!!< discnarge 11111 .-.-.pocr...,,..obOn muy oc:cur .-. acme •tuutons ,I c--may occur , , I .. . ------~ -. --- ·-------Source: MWH (2015) Development of Pilbara Landscape Ecohydrological Units. Published in Appendix 7 of the BHP Billiton Iron Ore Strategic Environmental Assessment Significant site-specific investigation has been undertaken in the vicinity of Orebody 31 Creek and Jimblebar Creek, much of it has been non-intrusive in nature – given that the overlying tenure is held by Rio Tinto. A number of sources of data have been drawn upon to inform the creek system conceptualisation outlined here: Airborne EM transect was flown along Orebody 31 and Jimblebar Creek alignments; A desktop study of all available DTM, airborne geophysical and regional geological data; Ground-based geophysical surveys using ERI (Electrical Resistivity Imaging) and NMR (Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) techniques; o Five geophysical survey sections were completed, with two surveys on Orebody 31 creek, and a further three surveys on Jimblebar Creek o This work particularly informed the creek alluvial geometry and permeability distributions As part of the Orebody 31 hydrodynamic trial, a creek discharge trial has been ongoing – the associated mutli- faceted data set generated, particularly from the period September 2015 to January 2016 when the wetting front and discharge rate achieved equilibrium, has been utilised; and 33 A series of drone fly-over video captures of the creek line at various times during the hydrodynamic trial to confirm the location and distribution of the wetting front and low flow channel dynamics was also reviewed to inform and validate aspects of this hydrological conceptualisation. For the purposes of further detailing the hydrological characterization of the Orebody 31 and Jimblebar Creek systems within the approved discharge zone – the creek has been designated into three reaches with differences in terms of hydrological setting and/or data availability to inform the conceptualisation: Reach 1: Orebody 31 Creek – from discharge point to junction with Jimblebar Creek; Reach 2: Jimblebar Creek – from junction with Orebody 31 Creek to Road Crossing on Jimblebar Creek; and Reach 3: Jimblebar Creek – from Road Crossing to Discharge Limit (16km). Reach 1 - Orebody 31 Creek The Orebody 31 creek drainage line from the discharge point to junction with Jimblebar Creek is approximately 4.35 km in length and has an overall channel width that averages approximately 200m. This overall channel represents the available bank storage and riparian zone. Within this channel a low flow channel which averages approximately 5m in width. This length of creek averages 50mm/day of infiltration plus evaporation on the surface area of the low flow channel and evapotranspiration within the riparian zone. There is no vertical infiltration into deeper system, or neighboring palaeochannels. Figure 10: Hydrological Conceptualisation of Reach 1 - discharge point to junction with Jimblebar Creek Evapotranspiration The modern Orebody 31 creek drainage line is narrow and steep-sided, incised into the recent silty sands of the surrounding alluvial system. As can be seen in Figure 10 above, the upper sandy alluvials are ~5m deep, with the modern creek invert incised 3-4m deep into the surrounding plain, with the average low-flow channel width of .~5m. Low flow events are contained within this channel, and water infiltrated into the shallow alluvials through the bottom and banks of the creek system. The sandy alluvials in the banks of the creek system have the ability to accept significant volumes, given the likely permeability and storage characteristics of these silty sands. Beneath the recent sandy alluvials is a laterally continuous silty clay unit, which is generally expected to limit vertical infiltration beyond the upper alluvial system given its low permeability. This is also likely to limit the degree of connection between any perched creek aquifer from the deeper regional groundwater system. There are exceptions to the low permeability clay horizon, with the geophysical surveys picking up discrete incised palaeo-drainage channels, with distinctly higher permeability sands associated with a higher energy deposition environment with a drainage channel. 34 Reaches 2 & 3 - Jimblebar Creek Jimblebar Creek from junction with Orebody 31 Creek to Road Crossing on Jimblebar Creek is approximately 3.9 km in length and has an overall channel width that averages approximately 300m. This overall channel represents the available bank storage and riparian zone. Within this channel are several low flow channels, however a preferential low flow channel was observed during the hydrodynamic trial (and associated drone fly-overs), which averaged approximately 10m in width. This reach averages 50mm/day of infiltration plus evaporation on the surface area of the low flow channel and evapotranspiration within the riparian zone. There is assumed to be limited vertical infiltration into deeper alluvial system. Similarly, Jimblebar Creek from the Road Crossing to Discharge Limit (16km) is approximately 7.8 km in length and has very similar characteristics to Reach 2. The differentiation is because the hydrodynamic trial wetting front did not reach this section of creek. However, the low flow channel dynamics were still able to be observed via aerial photography after a natural creek flow event. This reach averages 40mm/day of infiltration, plus evaporation on the surface area of the low flow channel and evapotranspiration within the riparian zone. There is assumed to be limited vertical infiltration into deeper alluvial system. Figure 11: Hydrological Conceptualisation of Reaches 2 & 3 - Junction with Orebody 31 Creek to Discharge Limit on Jimblebar Creek Evapotranspiration Evaporation The modern Jimblebar Creek drainage system is braided, with multiple channels defined within its banks. The low flow channel tends to meander within the banks of the creek system. As can be seen in Figure 11 above, the upper sandy alluvials are 5-6m deep, with the modern creek invert incised 1-2 m into the surrounding plain, with the average low-flow channel width of ~10m. Low flow events are contained within this channel, and water infiltrated into the shallow alluvials through the bottom and banks of the creek system. The sandy alluvials in the banks of the creek system have the ability to accept significant volumes, given the likely permeability and storage characteristics of these silty sands – Figure 12 below illustrates this characteristic during the hydrodynamic trial. The drone footage clearly depicts the main low flow channel (the central channel from top to bottom of photo), as well as other ponded water areas associated with low points in the sandy creek beds, where infiltrated discharge is daylighting from the creek bed. This can be particularly noted on the right of image, just downstream of the gum-trees (red circles), where typical deeper washouts occur in the creek morphology. You can also note an upper fringe of semi-saturated sands related to capillary action upwards from the fully saturated sands beneath. 35 Figure 12: Looking south up Jimblebar Creek (Reach 2), with sediments showing bank storage characteristics Beneath the recent sandy alluvials is a laterally continuous silty clay unit, which is generally expected to limit vertical infiltration beyond the upper alluvial system given its low permeability. This is also likely to limit the degree of connection between any perched creek aquifer from the deeper regional groundwater system. Defining Jimblebar Creek Main Drainage Channel The following factors have been considered in defining the main channel of the Jimblebar Creek: the modern Jimblebar Creek drainage system is braided, with multiple channels defined within its banks, the preferred low-flow channel may change over time, such as following cyclonic events in the catchment the whole channel has an important function in providing bank storage, consistency with the surplus water Key Characteristic in Ministerial Statement 1021 of: “Dewater discharge to extend no further than 16 km from the discharge point and remain in the main drainage channel of Jimblebar Creek under natural no-flow conditions” Analysis has showed that surplus water discharge flows are not expected to extend beyond the low-flow channels of the creek. The main channel has been defined using the following inputs: aerial photography 2m contours of the channel and surrounding area 250km hydrographic GIS layer Vegetation community mapping of communities contain key riparian tree species, Acacia citrinoviridis, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus victrix (from Jimblebar Creek Riparian Flora and Vegetation Baseline Survey (Onshore, 2015)); Review by in-house technical experts Figure 13 shows the definition of the main drainage channel of Jimblebar Creek, from the discharge point to 16 km downstream. 36 Figure 13: Main drainage channel of Jimblebar Creek 820000 825000 Jimblebar Creek - 16km from discharge point ...g0 . E 0 0 0 0 0 0 E E 0 0 0 0 0 0 ~ . ~ .! .! Reach 1 - Orebody 31 Creek (drainage line) 820000 825000 LEGEND Eastern Pllbara -*i:>831 0831 ..lmbleber water Resource Management Plan: -.Oscha'ge Pc,nt Oeol< Man - Dr..,ogo N Jimblebar Creek ChMnel Sult 1 :55,920 Ploult: S.Piektrd FI GURE 13 OS • MAP GRID & DATUM ll..-,nd. Kilometer, A GOA94.l0NE 50 t-::,..- -,, N-,m-,----'------j 37 Protect values – Ecological values of the Jimblebar Creek BHP Billiton has undertaken the following studies in order to develop the information below: Jimblebar Creek Riparian Flora and Vegetation Baseline Survey (Onshore, 2015); Riparian Vegetation Health Assessment (Onshore, 2016); Ecological understanding The baseline flora and vegetation survey completed in September 2014 by Onshore Environmental (2015) recorded a total number of 167 plant taxa (including varieties and subspecies) from 39 families and 97 genera. Species representation was greatest among the Poaceae (34 taxa), Fabaceae (31 taxa), and Malvaceae (16 taxa) families, with the most species genera including Acacia (15 taxa), Senna (8 taxa), Eragrostis (5 taxa) and Eremophila (5 taxa). The total flora did not include any plant taxa gazetted as Threatened Flora pursuant to subsection (2) of section 23F of the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WC Act), or listed under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). The Priority 2 flora taxon Ipomoea racemigera was recorded from one location on a sandy bank along the main river channel, and three plant taxa were determined to represent range extensions based on the current known distribution of the total flora; Chamaecrista symonii (the nearest record is approximately 200 km north-east of the study area), Eragrostis speciosa (the nearest record is from the western Fortescue Marsh approximately 100 km to the north-west), and Halgania erecta (the nearest record occurs approximately 60 km east south-east of the study area). The total flora also included three introduced (weed) species; *Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel Grass), *Cenchrus setiger (Birdwood Grass) and *Bidens bipinnata (Beggartick). *Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel Grass) was well represented on levee banks along Jimblebar Creek where it formed tussock grassland. The other two weeds were less common. A total of 19 vegetation associations were described and mapped along Jimblebar Creek. The vegetation associations have been classified into seven broad floristic formations on the basis of the dominant vegetation stratum. None of the vegetation associations had any affiliation with Federal or State listed Threatened Ecological Communities or State listed Priority Ecological Communities. Vegetation condition ranged from excellent (432 ha or 35 percent) and very good (131 ha or 11 percent), to good (664 ha or 54 percent). Vegetation associations along the main drainage channel of Jimblebar Creek were rated as good and very good, with fringing sand plain vegetation associations rated as excellent. There was evidence of grazing by domestic cattle and camels. The potential impact on flora and vegetation resulting from surface discharge of surplus water from the proposed Orebody 31 Mine situated adjacent to Jimblebar Creek, will be assessed by establishing five permanent monitoring sites along the length of Jimblebar Creek, at increasing distances downstream from the proposed discharge point. Monitoring of the five transects and plots will allow identification of changes in vegetation health that may potentially occur as a result of discharge activities from the proposed Orebody 31 Mine. Separate monitoring procedures were used to quantitative assess plant biodiversity parameters (20 m by 1 m transects) and tree health (20 m by 20 m plots). Three tree species are dominant along Jimblebar Creek; Acacia citrinoviridis, Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus victrix. These trees were assessed within five 20 m by 20m plots in September 2014 (Table 12). Tree density ranged from 175 to 425 trees per hectare, averaging 320 trees per hectare. Acacia citrinoviridis was present at all five sites, while Eucalyptus victrix was present at three sites and Eucalyptus camaldulensis was recorded from two sites. The largest trees in terms of both height and stem circumference were Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Tree health was predominantly rated as healthy (score 5) with the exceptions being two Eucalyptus camaldulensis trees (scores of 3 and 4 reflecting occasional dead leaves or tips of branches stressed or dying), and scattered Acacia citrinoviridis trees (scores of 3 and 4). All Eucalyptus victrix trees were given the highest score of 5 reflecting good health. Table 14: Summarised data for tree species recorded from five 20m by 20m plots established along Jimblebar Creek at September 2014. Site Species Number Mean Tree Mean Condition Mean Stem Circumference Trees Height (m) Score at Breast Height (cm) M1 Acacia citrinoviridis 3 4.00 5.00 17.33 M2 Acacia citrinoviridis 12 3.67 5.00 11.50 M3 Acacia citrinoviridis 14 2.11 4.71 7.64 M4 Acacia citrinoviridis 4 6.50 4.75 15.25 M5 Acacia citrinoviridis 8 3.50 5.00 18.88 M3 Eucalyptus camaldulensis 2 14.50 5.00 125.00 M4 Eucalyptus camaldulensis 3 14.33 5.00 107.67 M5 Eucalyptus camaldulensis 2 9.00 3.50 57.50 M1 Eucalyptus victrix 14 6.18 5.00 35.29 M2 Eucalyptus victrix 2 8.00 5.00 56.00 At September 2014 a total number of 29 plant taxa were recorded along the five 20m by 1 m belt transects assessed, including 28 natives and one introduced weed species, *Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel Grass). Species richness for individual 38 transects ranged from three to 18 taxa and averaged 10 taxa. Mean plant density averaged 1.29 plants m-2 (1,270 per ha equivalent) and mean ground cover was 46 percent. In September 2014 vegetation was healthier at the two northern-most plots (M1 and M2) where there was ‘no evidence of stress’ (score 5). The middle two plots (M3 and M4) had the ‘odd plant showing signs of stress’ (score 4) with the plot situated furthest downstream (M5) recording the lowest vegetation health rating with ‘one or two stressed plants, usually under severe stress, near death’ (score 3). Hydrological dependency Vegetation along the 20 km stretch extending downstream of the Orebody 31 project area supports three dominant tree species with varying hydrological dependency, Eucalyptus camaldulensis, Eucalyptus victrix and Acacia citrinoviridis. Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Eucalyptus victrix both have the ability to function as facultative phreatophytes1 or vadophytes2. Eucalyptus camaldulensis is restricted to the channel and banks of major drainage lines in the Pilbara and may be dependent on shallow groundwater for survival, although the root system is known to penetrate up to 21 m below ground level. Within the Jimblebar Creek, Eucalyptus camaldulensis was restricted to the main drainage channel and fringing levee banks. Eucalyptus victrix typically occurs along major drainage lines with Eucalyptus camaldulensis, but extends onto adjacent floodplains where reliance on soil borne water is much greater. Eucalyptus victrix is relatively drought tolerant but may be susceptible to decline where groundwater is limited during extended dry periods (Muir Environmental 1995). Within the Jimblebar Creek, Eucalyptus victrix occurs along the main drainage channel and fringing levee banks with Eucalyptus camaldulensis, but also extends into medium drainage lines in association with Acacia citrinoviridis (noting that Eucalyptus camaldulensis is absent along medium drainage lines). Acacia citrinoviridis occurs on banks and floodplains fringing major creek lines and some minor drainage lines distributed between the Gascoyne River and Fortescue River. It is known to have a moderately fast growth rate, long life span (>40 years), good coppicing ability and a propensity to root sucker (Doran and Turnbull 1997). While there is no specific literature addressing hydrological dependency, Acacia citrinoviridis is known to occasionally grow on mesas in the Robe Valley and elsewhere in the west Pilbara, confirming that it is not groundwater dependent. However, Acacia citrinoviridis is always found at a water gaining position in the landscape, and hence relies on soil water recharge via surface runoff following rainfall events. In this respect it functions in a similar manner to the Mulga complex which has a lateral root system adapted to absorb water from a shallow soil layer. The density and height of Mulga stands is strongly influenced by soil moisture regimes, which are controlled by local landforms, surface water flow, and soil moisture holding capacity (Fox 1988). Within the Jimblebar Creek, Acacia citrinoviridis was recorded as a dominant along the main drainage channel and fringing levee banks, on medium drainage lines, and on floodplains adjacent to Jimblebar Creek. Key considerations Hydrological change A hydrodynamic trial has been underway at Orebody 31 since September 2015, part of which has been a discharge trial into Orebody 31 creek, and observation of the progress and nature of the wetting front as it extends down gradient within Orebody 31 creek, and onward into the Jimblebar Creek system. Under discharge conditions, the Orebody 31 creek low flow channel areas contain permanent water, with ongoing infiltration into the shallow sandy alluvials beneath and beside the low flow channel – potentially to the width of the riparian zone associated with the creek-line. In the Orebody 31 creek reach, at a discharge rate of 10ML/d, the typical hydrological conditions are shown in Figure 13 below. 1 Facultative phreatophytes intermittently utilise groundwater, i.e. during periods of extended drought 2 Vadophytes utilise soil moisture 39 Figure 13: Orebody 31 creek under discharge conditions (10ML/d), January 2016 Within the Jimblebar Creek system, the low flow channel meanders within the broader Jimblebar Creek system, and is broader and shallower in surface water expression when compared to the Orebody 31 creek reach. Infiltration into the sandy alluvials of the broader creek system surrounding the low flow channel will also occur. Figure 14 shows the typical hydrological conditions within Jimblebar Creek at a discharge rate of 10ML/d. Upon cessation of discharge, the wetting front will retreat (ceasing flow), although some creek low points maintaining pools for a period of time after this. Ongoing infiltration, evaporation and evapotranspiration will result in the creek completely drying out over time. Figure 14: Jimblebar Creek under discharge conditions (10ML/d), January 2016 40 Assessment of potential impacts on the Jimblebar Creek Surface water discharge into Jimblebar Creek will create a wetting front that extends downstream along the main drainage channel for a distance determined by the volume and duration of the input. There are a number of potential impacts, the majority of which will be exacerbated closer to the point of discharge. Potential impacts include: Localised areas along the drainage channel that become inundated for extended periods will experience changes to the composition and/or density of riverine vegetation due to the increased and prolonged availability of water to vegetation; Areas where soil moisture is elevated but do not become inundated may experience an increase in the diversity of annual plant taxa; Extended periods of elevated soil moisture trigger seed germination and seedling establishment for hard seeded plant species such as Acacia and Senna; Areas with elevated soil moisture are more susceptible to colonisation by introduced weed species; Deep rooted tree species such as Eucalyptus victrix and Eucalyptus camaldulensis show increased productivity in response to the higher sustained soil moisture levels, and a potentially shallower groundwater resource; Shallow rooted tree species such as Acacia citrinoviridis and Acacia aptaneura will also show higher productivity as a response to the elevated soil moisture in the upper soil profile; Extended periods of inundation can result in tree decline or death where the root zone becomes waterlogged for extended periods resulting in an anaerobic environment3; and Continuous discharge of surface water poses a risk to soils becoming waterlogged, reducing stability of the soil profile, and undermining the stability of tree roots. Trees become particularly vulnerable when exposed to additional surface flows following large summer rainfall events. Potential impacts The BHP Billiton Iron Ore mining activities which have the potential to change the hydrological condition of the Jimblebar Creek environment have been identified as surplus water discharge. Table 15: Summary of Jimblebar Creek Threats and Controls Aspect ISites IOperations / Activity IThreat IControls Surplus Water Orebody 31 The total volume of approved Water volume - There is Ministerial Statement 1021 Discharge discharges in accordance with the potential that disposal allows discharge of surplus Ministerial Statement 1021. of surplus water into water to Jimblebar Creek from Jimblebar Creek will Orebody 31 mining operations impact vegetation health (dewater discharge to extend of the environment of no more than 16km from the Jimblebar Creek. discharge point and to remain in main drainage channel of Jimblebar Creek under natural no-flow conditions). Discharge locations, volumes and quality will be controlled under DER Licence 5415. Water Quality - There is Discharge locations, volumes the potential that disposal and quality will be controlled of surplus water into under DER Licence 5415. Jimblebar Creek will Monitoring of quality of water being impact vegetation health discharged to the Creek is of the environment of expected to be required Jimblebar Creek. Improving Understanding – Jimblebar Creek The following have been identified as aspects that BHP Billiton Iron Ore is going to improve understanding: Monitoring of wetting front during full operational discharge (16km is based on modelling results) 3 The majority of tree require a period of seasonal drying of the soil profile to prevent decline or death. 41 Ophthalmia Dam Stratification – Adaptive management Hydrological baseline conditions Ophthalmia dam is located in the Fortescue river valley, east of Eastern Ridge Mining operation. The dam is located at the confluence of several creeks that drain the Upper Fortescue catchment. These creeks merge into the Fortescue River before passing through the Ophthalmia range at Ethel Gorge. Constructed in 1980, the dam consists of a series of embankments and levees that capture flow from the Fortescue River and Warrawandu Creek and has a total catchment of 4310 km2. Originally required to support water supply borefield for Newman, the dam was designed to retain seasonal river flow and infiltrate the water into the underlying aquifer via infiltration ponds and basins located downstream of the dam walls. Water from the dam can also be released downstream into Shovelanna Creek and Fortescue River via outlets in the wall. Dam storage at various overflow levels is presented in Table 16 and a map of the Dam footprint is presented in Figure 15. Table 16: Ophthalmia Dam bathymetric details Spillways Reduced Level Volume (GL) Area (km2) Base 509.0 0.0369 0.1511 Service 513.5 25.3326 14.7594 Auxiliary 515.5 67.6034 28.2088 Fuse Plug 516.3 92.3958 34.0461 Figure 15: Ophthalmia Dam footprint at different service levels 0.5 1 Kilometres The dam is relatively shallow with about 7.5m between empty and full supply levels and up to 34km2 footprint at maximum supply level. At low water levels the dam separates into 3 distinct pools within the channels of the Fortescue River and Warrawanda Creek. Due to the size of the catchment, relatively small rainfall events can increase water levels and since being installed the dam has overtopped the service spillway approximately every 2.5 years. Since 2009 surplus mine water from Eastern Ridge mining operations have been sent to the dam. Since October 2016 surplus water OB31 operations have been sent to the dam and surplus from Jimblebar operations are planned to be sent to the dam in late 2017. 42 Baseline Monitoring In 2013 three buoys were installed in the dam to gather water chemistry data. The buoys had multi-depth instrumentation that measured at 0.5, 1.0, 2.0 and 3.0 metres below the dam surface. Data from these buoys have provided a baseline data set that shows how the dam chemistry responds to inflows and evaporation. Data from the buoys currently covers 3 seasons with each year showing a unique filling and recession profile based on rainfall patterns. Modelling work undertaken in 2013 (PB, 2012) shows stratification in the dam is likely to be driven by low wind speeds, low light penetration or increased salinity. Under baseline conditions (2013-2017), the dam was observed to behave in different modes associated with different water levels: Full – following large inflows during wet season the dam had low salinity, lower temperature and low dissolved oxygen. Minor density stratification was observed with low dissolved oxygen throughout the water column for a period up to 2 months. Mid-capacity – following filling, the water column mixed and had low salinity. Minor temperature stratification and low levels of dissolved oxygen (<2mg/L) were observed for short periods, up to 2 weeks. Low levels – salinity and temperature increased throughout the water column. Due to shallow water depths, no stratification is observed, dissolved oxygen levels vary inversely with water temperature The data shows short-term differences in salinity and temperature between upper and lower sensors occurred throughout the period but typically extended for less than 2 weeks. The short duration and weak intensity of density stratification is considered to be a function of wind driven mixing, whereby regular winds on the surface of the dam are sufficient to mix the water column. Records from nearby weather stations confirm that wind speeds in the area are often above 3 m/s which was identified as a critical mixing threshold for Ophthalmia Dam (PB, 2012). The geometry of the dam is also considered to play a part in preventing significant stratification, being relatively shallow and having a large surface area exposed to wind and gas exchange. At low dam levels (below 3m depth) stratification was rare due to the shallow depth of water. Significant receptor values Ophthalmia Dam is used as a recreational facility with a picnic area located in the northern shore and other locations that are readily accessible however swimming is discouraged by signage. The dam is located within a public drinking water source area (PDWSA) and is classified as a Priority 1 area based on the risk to the drinking water source for the Newman Township. Water levels in the dam are actively managed as part of a managed aquifer recharge (MAR) scheme to return water to the nearby Ethel Gorge aquifer. Water levels are also managed to provide flood protection for the rail crossing downstream. Assessment of Potential Impacts With the addition of dewatering surplus water from Jimblebar and OB31 the potential for stratification is considered to increase in some scenarios. Increased salinity within the dam can increase density stratification which is driven by temperature fluctuations in the water column. Stratification can lead to anoxic conditions in lower layers of the water column leading to nutrient release from sediments in the base of the dam. This can create favorable conditions for organisms such as blue-green algae which can in turn have human and environmental health consequences. Monthly sampling of the dam during the period of December 2013 through February 2014 detected no cyanobacteria and overall the dam has been evaluated as a having low susceptibility to cyanobacteria contamination as per the assessment framework in National Health and Medical Research Councils Guidelines for Managing Risks in Recreational Water (2008) . The upstream catchment is considered to provide a low nutrient load which is a key risk factor for development of cyanobacteria blooms. Hydrological change With the addition of surplus water from mining operations changes to water level and dissolved salt level in the dam are likely. Modelling of various discharge and climate scenarios has shown that under the proposed surplus discharge program, dam levels are likely to be higher compared to dry climate baseline conditions but will be comparable with wet weather sequences. Dissolved salt levels in the dam are also likely to be higher although this will be regulated by surface water inflows. During dry climate sequences, dam salinity could increase above historic maxima and this will be managed by preferential recharge of low salinity water to the aquifer where practical. Modelling of the dam and data from the buoys has shown that dissolved oxygen levels are typically at their lowest following large streamflow events. Following these events the dam has low DO levels throughout the water column for up to 2 months followed by mixing and re-oxygenation of the water column. We have considered the changes resulting from the extra surplus water as per development scenario described in Appendix B, which includes up to 60GL/a water from both the Jimblebar and OB31 operations. The risk of blue-green algae blooms in the dam is considered low because the catchment has a low nutrient load and is unlikely to support algal 43 blooms. Regular mixing of the dam and seasonal flushing from wet season rainfall events also reduce the risk of algal blooms. Table 17: Summary of Ophthalmia Dam threats and controls Aspect ISite/s IOperations / Activities IThreat IControl Stratification Eastern Ridge Discharge of surplus water into Mine dewatering surplus causes Managed under Ministerial Risk operations Ophthalmia Dam changes to dam chemistry Statements 857 (Jimblebar) (Orebody 23, 24, 25 resulting in increased and 25 West) stratification duration and/or intensity. Orebody 29, 30 & 35 operations Orebody 31 operations Jimblebar operations Algal Bloom Eastern Ridge Discharge of surplus water into Dam stratification results in Managed under Ministerial operations Ophthalmia Dam increased frequency or duration Statements 857 (Jimblebar) (Orebody 23, 24, 25 of algal blooms. Addressed in BHP Billiton Iron and 25 West) Ore Management Plan: Orebody 29, 30 & Protection of Human Health 35 operations Posed by Any Recreational Use of Ophthalmia Dam Orebody 31 operations Jimblebar operations Assessment of potential impacts on Ophthalmia Dam The potential impacts to water quality in Ophthalmia dam resulting from BHP Billiton Iron Ore Eastern Pilbara Hubs are predicted to be insignificant owing to: The dam shows a tendency for weak stratification that is short lived due to dam geometry and wind driven mixing. To date, no significant algal blooms have been observed which is indicative of a low risk of algal blooms for the dam and a relatively weak stratification processes. Intermittent freshening and mixing events during cyclones and rainfall. Based on the hydrological assessment there is potential for hydrological changes at Ophthalmia Dam to result in increased stratification and potential algal blooms. Modelling indicates that this risk is low and unlikely to increase significantly under the proposed discharge regime. Physical, chemical and biological monitoring will continue in order to test assumptions and inform future modelling work. Improving Understanding – Ophthalmia Dam The following have been identified as aspects that BHP Billiton Iron Ore is going to improve understanding: Continued monitoring of water quality and biological parameters following discharge of surplus water from OB31 and Jimblebar dewatering operations. . Update and improvement of existing hydrological models for the dam based on additional monitoring data. Improve understanding key volume and salinity thresholds for stratification based on observed data and updated models. 44 Appendix D Stakeholder Consultation Date & Description of Version Stakeholder Topics / Issues Raised BHP Billiton Iron Ore Response I IConsultation I I Version 3 Department of 23 March 2016 The plan should provide greater context to justify using two parameters The Ethel Gorge section of Appendix C has been updated to provide Parks and Email / telephone as trigger and threshold measures in identifying change in hydrological improved description of the hydrological conceptualisation of conditions in the Ethel Gorge aquifer. Wildlife consultation Ophthalmia Dam, which formed the basis for indicators. Some minor text changes in Section 6.1 to provide further clarity It is unclear if monitoring of hydrological parameters is occurring prior to Discharges into the Dam are managed and monitored in accordance the water being discharged/entering Ethel gorge. with Department of Environmental Regulation (DER) Licences to Operate. Further clarification of the role of these Licences has been included in the text. The monitoring program should be expanded to include hydrological BHP Billiton Iron Ore acknowledges that the Plan to date has focused parameters at the source/s (i.e. mine sites, natural sources) prior to the on the proposed monitoring within the actual Dam itself. water entering Ethel Gorge. BHP Billiton Iron Ore has an extensive monitoring program within the The inclusion of early (i.e. source) monitoring may facilitate early region, in both adjacent operations and in the surrounding intervention and adaptive management of identified change/s to environment. Sections 4.5 and 5.1 have been updated to address how hydrological conditions (quality and quantity) of water (both mining and these broader programs are being used to monitor and manage natural) prior to the water being discharged/entering Ethel gorge. Ophthalmia Dam and the associated Ethel Gorge TEC habitat. The Plan includes early warning monitoring zone, and associated triggers and thresholds. Source monitoring is undertaken in accordance with DER Licence requirements. Version 3.2 Department of 7/2/2016 Consultation with DER and Department of Health(DoH) recommended for DoH have provided in principal agreement for thresholds during Water Updated Plan sent to trigger levels and thresholds for algal blooms. consultation on Protection of Human Health Posed by Any DoW via email Recreational Use of Ophthalmia Dam. DER will review EPWRMP as part of an upcoming submission. 45 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation Licence Environmental Protection Act 1986, Part V Licensee: BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd Licence: L5415/1988/9 Registered office: Level 1, City Square Brookfield Place 125 St Georges Terrace PERTH WA 6000 ACN: 008 700 981 Premises address: Wheelarra Hill (Jimblebar) Iron Ore Mine Tenements L52/109, L52/163, I126948, AM70/266 and ML244SA NEWMAN WA 6753 as depicted in Schedule 1 Issue date: Thursday, 5 November 2015 Commencement date: Tuesday, 17 November 2015 Expiry date: Saturday, 16 November 2030 Prescribed premises category Schedule 1 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987 Category production or Approved Premises Category Category description design capacity production or design number capacity 5 Processing or beneficiation of 50,000 tonnes or more per year 75 million tonnes per annual metallic or non-metallic ore period 6 Mine dewatering 50,000 tonnes or more per year 23.5 gigalitres per annual period (5.11 gigalitres reinjected, 2.19 gigalitres discharged to Jimblebar Creek and Copper Creek, and 16.2 gigalitres discharged to Ophthalmia Dam) 54 Sewage facility 100 cubic metres or more per 120 cubic metres per day day 64 Class II putrescible landfill site 20 tonnes or more per year 1,580 tonnes per annual period 73 Bulk storage of chemicals, etc 1,000 cubic metres in 4,000 cubic metres in aggregate aggregate Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 1 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation Conditions Subject to this Licence and the conditions set out in the attached pages. Date signed: 13 October 2016 ...... Alana Kidd Manager Licensing – Resource Industries Officer delegated under section 20 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 2 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation Contents Licence 1 Contents 3 Introduction 3 Licence conditions 8 1 General 8 2 Emissions 14 3 Monitoring 16 4 Information 19 Schedule 1: Maps 22 Schedule 2: Reporting & notification forms 24 Introduction This Introduction is not part of the Licence conditions. DER’s industry licensing role The Department of Environment Regulation (DER) is a government department for the state of Western Australia in the portfolio of the Minister for Environment. DER’s purpose is to advise on and implement strategies for a healthy environment for the benefit of all current and future Western Australians. DER has responsibilities under Part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (the Act) for the licensing of prescribed premises. Through this process DER regulates to prevent, control and abate pollution and environmental harm to conserve and protect the environment. DER also monitors and audits compliance with works approvals and licence conditions, takes enforcement action as appropriate and develops and implements licensing and industry regulation policy. Licence requirements This licence is issued under Part V of the Act. Conditions contained within the licence relate to the prevention, reduction or control of emissions and discharges to the environment and to the monitoring and reporting of them. Where other statutory instruments impose obligations on the Premises/Licensee the intention is not to replicate them in the licence conditions. You should therefore ensure that you are aware of all your statutory obligations under the Act and any other statutory instrument. Legislation can be accessed through the State Law Publisher website using the following link: http://www.slp.wa.gov.au/legislation/statutes.nsf/default.html For your Premises relevant statutory instruments include but are not limited to obligations under the: Environmental Protection (Unauthorised Discharges) Regulations 2004 – these Regulations make it an offence to discharge certain materials such as contaminated stormwater into the environment other than in the circumstances set out in the Regulations. Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2004 - these Regulations place obligations on you if you produce, accept, transport or dispose of controlled waste. Environmental Protection (Noise) Regulations 1997 – these Regulations require noise emissions from the Premises to comply with the assigned noise levels set out in the Regulations. You must comply with your licence. Non-compliance with your licence is an offence and strict penalties exist for those who do not comply. Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 3 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation Licence holders are also reminded of the requirements of section 53 of the Act which places restrictions on making certain changes to prescribed premises unless the changes are in accordance with a works approval, licence, closure notice or environmental protection notice. Licence fees If you have a licence that is issued for more than one year, you are required to pay an annual licence fee prior to the anniversary date of issue of your licence. Non payment of annual licence fees will result in your licence ceasing to have effect meaning that it will no longer be valid and you will need to apply for a new licence for your Premises. Operating without a licence is an offence under the Act. Ministerial conditions If your Premises has been assessed under Part IV of the Act you may have had conditions imposed by the Minister for Environment. You are required to comply with any conditions imposed by the Minister. Premises description and Licence summary BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd (BHP Billiton Iron Ore) operates the Wheelarra Hill (Jimblebar) Iron Ore Mine. Jimblebar is situated predominantly within mining lease AM70/266. BHP Billiton Iron Ore (Jimblebar) Pty Ltd is the holder of the mining lease, pursuant to the Iron Ore (McCamey’s Monster) Authorisation Agreement Act 1972, except in an area that is subject to ownership by the Wheelarra Hill Joint Venture. The split between the partners of AM70/266 is as follows: BHP Billiton Iron Ore (Jimblebar) Pty Ltd 51%; Maanshan Iron and Steel Company Limited 10%; Shagang (Australia) Pty Ltd 10%; Tangshan Iron and Steel Company Limited 10%; Wugang (Australia) Pty Ltd 10%; Itochu Minerals and Energy Australia Pty Ltd 4.8%; and Mitsui Iron Ore Corporation 4.2%. Jimblebar was opened in March 1989 and is located approximately 40 kilometres (km) east of Newman in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The closest neighbouring property is Sylvania Pastoral Station, which is located approximately 18 km south of the project site and is the closest residence. BHP Billiton Iron Ore operates crushing, screening and train loading infrastructure at Jimblebar. Iron Ore is sent by rail approximately 450 km to Port Hedland for ship loading and export overseas. Mine dewatering is required to facilitate the mining of ore below the water table. Abstracted water is preferentially used as a water supply for the mining operations. Water in excess of site demand is currently disposed of via reinjection or discharged to Ophthalmia Dam and/or Jimblebar and Copper Creeks. In January 2011 a works approval (W4655/2010/1) was granted for the construction of new ore handling infrastructure to increase the capacity of the mine from 15 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) to 45 Mtpa of iron ore. The expansion involved the construction of new process infrastructure including a primary crusher, conveyor systems, a coarse ore stockpile, a new ore handling plant, a product stockyard, a train load out facility and a rail loop. Ancillary infrastructure included a landfill, wastewater treatment plants (WWTPs), bulk chemical storage facilities and associated infrastructure. On 21 April 2016 Licence L5415/1988/9 was amended to approve the construction and subsequent operation of the Orebody 31 dewatering infrastructure and discharge point to Ophthalmia Dam. The prescribed premises boundary was extended to include Orebody 31, dewatering pipelines and discharge point, and the Category 6 approved production capacity was increased. The Orebody 31 deposit will sustain production at Jimblebar as the Orebody 18 deposit is depleted. Orebody 31 is located approximately 10 km from Jimblebar and is being developed and managed by the Jimblebar operation. The proposal to develop Orebody 31, including the abstraction and discharge Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 4 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation of groundwater, was the subject of an Assessment on Proponent Information by the Environmental Protection Authority. Ministerial Statement 1021, for the development of the Orebody 31 deposit, was granted on the 12 March 2015. The existing infrastructure at Orebody 18 will be utilised to process ore from the Orebody 31 deposit. Orebody 31 will have significant dewatering requirements as 70% of the orebody is located below the water table. Water abstracted from dewatering activities will be preferentially used as a water supply and will support Orebody 31 mining activities. Surplus water management for Orebody 31 has two aspects. The first is ongoing discharge of up to 16.2 gigalitres per annum (GLpa) to Ophthalmia Dam and the second is short-term contingency discharge to a tributary of Jimblebar Creek during emergency events or during major storm events when stormwater management is required. The feasibility of creek discharge has been assessed under a hydrodynamic trial, which involved up to 2.5 GLpa of surplus water being discharged to Jimblebar Creek for a period of 18 months. The Licensee sought a 5C Licence amendment under the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914, for approval to commence this hydrodynamic trial. Baseline riparian vegetation and hydrological condition surveys have been undertaken for the area. During the trial, changes to the baseline conditions and potential impacts to the riparian vegetation and surrounding land use were evaluated to determine whether creek discharge is feasible in the long term. DER approval was not required under Part V of the EP Act as the proposed activities were outside of an already prescribed premise and water was not being abstracted for the purpose of mining. Construction requirements relating to the Orebody 18 MAR Project outstanding works were included in the Licence when it was amended on 21 April 2016. These works were originally approved under Works Approval W5808/2015/1. Compliance documentation has been submitted for one of two reinjection bores. Following the submission of compliance documentation for the outstanding works, the Licensee is authorised to operate the MAR project without having to apply for a further amendment, if there is no variation to the original proposal. This amended Licence is the result of an amendment sought by the Licensee to allow the ongoing contingency discharge of mine dewater to a tributary of Jimblebar Creek, amend the Orebody 18 and South Jimblebar MAR programs, update conditions relating to sewage monitoring and update the prescribed premises address. The licences and works approvals issued for the Premises since 2000 are: Instrument log Instrument Issued Description L5415/1988/1 17/11/2000 First licence noted in the Industry Licensing System. L5415/1988/2 17/11/2001 Licence reissue. L5415/1988/3 17/11/2002 Licence reissue. L5415/1988/4 17/11/2003 Licence reissue. L5415/1988/5 17/11/2004 Licence reissue. L5415/1988/6 17/11/2006 Licence reissue. L5415/1988/7 17/11/2007 Licence reissue. W4722/2010/1 2/09/2010 Works approval for a new landfill and bioremediation facility. L5415/1988/8 17/11/2010 Licence reissue. W4655/2010/1 13/01/2011 Works approval granted for construction of new ore handling infrastructure to increase the capacity of the mine from 15 Mtpa to 45 Mtpa of iron ore. The expansion involves the construction of new process infrastructure including a primary crusher, conveyor systems, a coarse ore stockpile, a new ore handling plant, a product stockyard, a train load out facility and a rail loop. Additional supporting infrastructure includes WWTPs, bulk Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 5 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation chemical storage facilities and associated infrastructure. W5224/2012/1 7/11/2012 Works approval granted for the Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) Project that involves the abstraction of groundwater for the purposes of mining followed by reinjection of this water into injection bores. There are two stages: Stage 3a: Injection of approximately 2 ML/day into one of two existing production bores over a period of two to six months. The bores will be retrofitted with headworks appropriate for injection, monitoring and purging. Stage 3a of the trial will guide the planning and design of Stage 3b. Stage 3b: Injection of approximately 10 ML/day into various combinations of existing retrofitted production bores and new purpose built injection bores. W5277/2012/1 6/12/2012 Works approval granted for three movable crushers at the premises to supplement ore production through crushing and screening of existing waste stockpile material. L5415/1988/8 30/05/2013 Licence amendment to: Add in a category 54 WWTP with the capacity to treat a maximum of 102.5 cubic metres per day (m3/day) Another WWTP onsite processes 8 m3/day (total capacity of both plants is 110.5 m3/day); Remove conditions (conditions 4, 5 and 6 of the previous licence) relating to the Enviroburner as it no longer present onsite. This was picked up during the inspection conducted by Inspection and Compliance Branch in 2012; Rename sampling locations for the hydrodynamic trial; Implement operation of Stage 3a of the hydrodynamic trial; and Include category 73 for two 1.4 megalitre (ML) vertical cylindrical diesel storage tanks and associated infrastructure. L5415/1988/8 23/01/2014 Licence amendment to: Increase category 5 from 15 Mtpa to 51 Mtpa – addition of 6 Mtpa constructed under W5277/2012/1 and 30 Mtpa constructed under W4655/2010/1; Implement operation of Stage 3b of the hydrodynamic trial – injection of approximately 2 ML/day into one existing production bore (JBGW0076P); Include groundwater monitoring bores associated with Stage 3b; and Rename bores associated with Stages 2 and 3a of the hydrodynamic trial. L5415/1988/8 11/06/2015 Licence amendment to: Realign the prescribed premises boundary to include Orebody 18 operations (licensed under L8044/1987/2) and the ANSF; Approve the disposal of wastewater from the ANSF to the Jimblebar Bioremediation Facility Include a third re-injection bore as part of the Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) trial; and Amend the groundwater monitoring requirements. L5415/1988/9 5/11/2015 Licence renewal and update to template version 2.9 L5415/1988/9 21/04/2016 Licence amendment to: Assess the construction and operation of the Orebody Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 6 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation 31 dewatering discharge point to Ophthalmia Dam and discharge of up to 16.2 GLpa; Increase category 6 to include Orebody 18 and Orebody 31 (total 23.5 GLpa discharged via reinjection and discharge to Jimblebar and Copper Creeks and Ophthalmia Dam); Realign the prescribed premises boundary to include the Orebody 31 deposit; Consolidate discharge monitoring locations, amend creekline surface water monitoring, including Orebody 18 MAR monitoring requirements and remove requirement to monitor riparian vegetation; and Remove conditions which duplicate regulation under Part IV of the EP Act. L5415/1988/9 13/10/2016 Licence amendment to: Include an additional discharge point to a tributary of Jimblebar Creek; Amend the Orebody 18 and South Jimblebar MAR programs; Update conditions relating to sewage monitoring; Update the prescribed premises address; and Remove conditions that are not valid, enforceable and/or risk based Severance It is the intent of these Licence conditions that they shall operate so that, if a condition or a part of a condition is beyond the power of this Licence to impose, or is otherwise ultra vires or invalid, that condition or part of a condition shall be severed and the remainder of these conditions shall nevertheless be valid to the extent that they are within the power of this Licence to impose and are not otherwise ultra vires or invalid. END OF INTRODUCTION Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 7 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation Licence conditions 1 General 1.1 Interpretation 1.1.1 In the Licence, definitions from the Environmental Protection Act 1986 apply unless the contrary intention appears. 1.1.2 For the purposes of this Licence, unless the contrary intention appears: ‘Act’ means the Environmental Protection Act 1986; ‘Annual Audit Compliance Report’ means a report in a format approved by the CEO as presented by the Licensee or as specified by the CEO from time to time and published on the Department’s website; ‘annual period’ means the inclusive period from 1 July until 30 June in the following year; ‘AS/NZS 5667.1’ means the Australian Standard AS/NZS 5667.1 Water Quality – Sampling – Guidance of the Design of sampling programs, sampling techniques and the preservation and handling of samples; ‘AS/NZS 5667.10’ means the Australian Standard AS/NZS 5667.10 Water Quality – Sampling – Guidance on sampling of waste waters; ‘AS/NZS 5667.11’ means the Australian Standard AS/NZS 5667.11 Water Quality – Sampling – Guidance on sampling of groundwaters; ‘averaging period’ means the time over which a limit is measured or a monitoring result is obtained; ‘CEO’ means Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Environment Regulation; ‘CEO’ for the purpose of notification means; Chief Executive Officer Department Division 3 Part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 Locked Bag 33 Cloisters Square PERTH WA 6850 Email: [email protected]; ‘cfu/100mL’ means colony forming units per 100 millilitres; ‘Clean Fill’ has the meaning defined in Landfill Definitions; ‘controlled waste’ has the definition in Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2004; ‘EC’ means Electrical Conductivity; ‘Department’ means the department established under section 35 of the Public Sector Management Act 1994 and designated as responsible for the administration of Division 3 Part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986; Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 8 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation ‘freeboard’ means the distance between the maximum water surface elevations and the top of retaining banks or structures at their lowest point; ‘GL/a’ means gigalitres per annum; ‘HDPE’ mean high density polyethylene; ‘Inert Waste Type 1’ has the meaning defined in Landfill Definitions; ‘Inert Waste Type 2’ has the meaning defined in Landfill Definitions; ‘kL’ means kilolitres; ‘Landfill Definitions’ means the document titled “Landfill Waste Classification and Waste Definitions 1996” published by the Chief Executive Officer of the Department of Environment as amended from time to time; ‘Landfill Waste Classification and Waste Definitions 1996 (As amended December 2009)’ means the document entitled ‘Landfill Waste Classification and Waste Definitions 1996 (As amended December 2009) published by the Chief Executive Officer and as amended from time to time; ‘Licence’ means this Licence numbered L5415/1988/9 and issued under the Act; ‘Licensee’ means the person or organisation named as Licensee on page 1 of the Licence; ‘L/s’ means litres per second; ‘MAR’ means managed aquifer recharge; ‘mbgl’ means metres below ground level; ‘m3’ means cubic metres; ‘m3/day’ means cubic metres per day; ‘mg/L’ means milligrams per litre; ‘µS/cm’ means micro Siemens per centimetre; ‘NATA’ means the National Association of Testing Authorities, Australia; ‘NATA accredited’ means in relation to the analysis of a sample that the laboratory is NATA accredited for the specified analysis at the time of the analysis; ‘Premises’ means the area defined in the Premises Map in Schedule 1 and listed as the Premises address on page 1 of the Licence; ‘Putrescible Waste’ has the meaning defined in Landfill Definitions; ‘quarterly’ means the 4 inclusive periods from 1 April to 30 June, 1 July to 30 September, 1 October to 31 December and in the following year, 1 January to 31 March; ‘Schedule 1’ means Schedule 1 of this Licence unless otherwise stated; ‘Schedule 2’ means Schedule 2 of this Licence unless otherwise stated; Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 9 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation ‘spot sample’ means a discrete sample representative at the time and place at which the sample is taken; ‘t/a’ means tonnes per annum; and ‘WWTP’ means wastewater treatment plant. 1.1.3 Any reference to an Australian or other standard in the Licence means the relevant parts of the standard in force from time to time during the term of this Licence. 1.1.4 Any reference to a guideline or code of practice in the Licence means the version of that guideline or code of practice in force from time to time, and shall include any amendments or replacements to that guideline or code of practice made during the term of this Licence. 1.2 Premises operation 1.2.1 The Licensee shall only accept waste on to the Premises if: (a) it is of a type listed in Table 1.2.1; (b) the quantity accepted is below any quantity limit listed in Table 1.2.1; and (c) it meets any specification listed in Table 1.2.1. Table 1.2.1: Waste acceptance Waste type Quantity limit Specification 1 Inert Waste Type 1 1,580 tonnes per None specified annual period Inert Waste Type 2 None specified Putrescible Waste None specified Clean Fill None specified Sewage 120 m3/day2 Accepted through sewer inflow(s) only Note 1: Additional requirements for the acceptance of controlled waste (including asbestos and tyres) are set out in the Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2004. Note 2: Quantity limit measured as volume of treated wastewater discharged to designated irrigation areas. 1.2.2 The Licensee shall ensure that where waste does not comply with condition 1.2.1 it is removed from the Premises by the delivery vehicle or, where that is not possible, stored in a segregated storage area or container and removed to an appropriately authorised facility as soon as practicable. 1.2.3 The Licensee shall ensure that wastes accepted onto the Premises are only subjected to the process(es) set out in Table 1.2.2 and in accordance with any process limits described in that Table. Table 1.2.2: Waste processing Waste type Process(es) Process limits1 2 Inert Waste Type 1 All waste types Disposal of waste by landfilling shall only take place within the landfill areas shown on the Premises Map Receipt, handling and in Schedule 1 Putrescible Waste disposal of waste by landfilling The separation distance between the base of the landfill and the highest groundwater level shall not Clean Fill be less than 2 m Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 10 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation Tyres and conveyor belts shall only be landfilled in overburden storage areas located within the Inert Waste Type 2 prescribed premises boundary shown in Schedule 1. Biological, physical and 3 Sewage 120 m /day chemical treatment Note 1: Additional requirements for the acceptance and landfilling of controlled waste (including asbestos and tyres) are set out in the Environmental Protection (Controlled Waste) Regulations 2004. Note 2: Additional requirements for the burial of tyres are set out in Part 6 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. 1.2.4 The Licensee shall manage the landfilling activities to ensure: (a) waste is levelled and compacted as soon as practicable after it is discharged; (b) waste is placed and compacted to ensure all faces are stable and capable of retaining restoration material; and (c) restoration of a cell or phase takes place within 6 months after disposal in that cell or phase has been completed. 1.2.5 The Licensee shall ensure that cover is applied and maintained on landfilled wastes in accordance with Table 1.2.3 and that sufficient stockpiles of cover are maintained on site at all times. Table 1.2.3: Cover requirements 1 Waste Type Material Depth Timescales Sufficient to ensure the Inert Waste Type 1 Inert and waste is completely Weekly or as soon as practicable after incombustible covered and that no deposit and prior to compaction material Putrescible Waste waste is exposed Inert Waste Type 2 As soon as practical following the (Tyres and Soil 500 mm achievement of final waste levels in the conveyor belts area(s) in which tyres are deposited. only) Note 1: Additional requirements for the covering of tyres are set out in Part 6 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987. 1.2.6 The Licensee shall prevent unauthorised access to the landfill. 1.2.7 The Licensee shall ensure that wind-blown waste is contained within the boundary of the Premises and that wind-blown waste is returned to the tipping area on at least a monthly basis. 1.2.8 The Licensee shall manage the wastewater treatment ponds in a manner such that: (a) stormwater runoff resulting from site drainage shall be prevented from entering the wastewater treatment ponds or causing erosion of the outer pond embankments; (b) overtopping of the ponds shall not occur, except as a result of an extreme rainfall event; and (c) vegetation and debris (emergent or otherwise) is prevented from growing or accumulating in the pond wastewaters or on the inner pond embankments. 1.2.9 The Licensee shall ensure that waste material is only stored and/or treated within vessels or compounds listed in Table 1.2.4 and identified in Schedule 1 in accordance with the requirements specified within Table 1.2.4. Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 11 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation Table 1.2.4: Containment Infrastructure Storage vessel or compound Material Requirements Evaporation pond 1 102 m3/day of effluent 1.5 mm HDPE lined evaporation pond from the Hub WWTP to achieve a permeability of <10-9 m/s; and minimum vertical freeboard of 300 mm Evaporation pond 2 5 m3/day of effluent 1.5 mm HDPE lined evaporation pond from the Primary to achieve a permeability of <10-9 m/s; Crusher WWTP and minimum vertical freeboard of 300 mm Orebody 18 and Jimblebar Hydrocarbon 1.5 mm HDPE lined cells to achieve a bioremediation treatment cells contaminated soil and permeability of <10-9 m/s; nutrient rich any contaminated runoff from the wastewater from the treatment cells is contained; Ammonium Nitrate a maximum of 400,000 litres of Facility nutrient rich wastewater per annum may be discharged into the cells; and the discharge of nutrient rich wastewater is managed to ensure pooling is minimised 1.2.10 The Licensee shall ensure the limits specified in Table 1.2.5 are not exceeded. Table 1.2.5 Production or design capacity limits Category1 Category description1 Premises production or design capacity limit Processing or beneficiation of 5 75,000,000 tonnes of ore per annual period metallic or non-metallic ore South Jimblebar and Orebody 18 5.11 gigalitres per annual period reinjection South Jimblebar 2.19 gigalitres per annual period to Jimblebar and 6 Mine dewatering Copper Creeks Orebody 31 16.2 gigalitres per annual period to Ophthalmia Dam2 and tributary of Jimblebar Creek 73 Bulk storage of chemicals, etc 4,000 cubic metres in aggregate Note 1: Environmental Protection Regulations 1987, Schedule 1. Note 2: Limit applicable upon submission of compliance documentation required under condition 4.3.1 1.2.11 The Licensee shall construct the Orebody 18 MAR Project and the Orebody 31 mine dewatering infrastructure and discharge point to Ophthalmia Dam, in accordance with the documentation detailed in Table 1.2.6. Table 1.2.6: Construction Requirements1 Document Parts Date of Project description Document Works Approval Application Form All 2 February 2015 Orebody 18 MAR Project Orebody 18 Managed Aquifer All, including 2 February Recharge Project, Supporting Drawings and 2015 Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 12 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation Documentation for Works Approval, Appendices February 2015, BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd. Email correspondence: Works All, including 26 March 2015 Approval W5808 – Orebody 18 – attachments MAR trial, from Chris Hopkins BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 26 March 2015. Email correspondence: Works All, including 13 April 2015 Approval W5808 – Orebody 18 – attachments MAR trial, from Chris Hopkins BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 13 April 2015. Email correspondence: Works All, including 28 April 2015 Approval W5808 – Orebody 18 – attachments MAR trial, from Chris Hopkins BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 28 April 2015. Application form: works All, including 15 February approval/licence – Amendment Appendices 2016 Supporting Documentation – DER All, including 11 August Licence Amendment Wheelarra Hill Appendices 2016 (Jimblebar) L5415/1988/9 Orebody 31 dewatering Email correspondence: Jimblebar All, including 21 March 2016 and discharge to Licence Amendment, from Mark attachments Ophthalmia Dam Alchin BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd, 21 March 2016 Application form: Works All 22 February approval/licence 2016 Supporting documentation – DER All, including December Licence Amendment Wheelarra Hill drawings and 2016 (Jimblebar) L5415/1988/9 appendices Note 1: Where the details and commitments of the documents listed in condition 1.3.11 are inconsistent with any other condition of this Licence, the conditions of this Licence shall prevail. 1.2.12 The Licensee shall commission each Orebody 18 MAR Project reinjection bore for a period not exceeding 7 months, in accordance with Appendix 1 – “Compliance Report Project Characteristics and Commitments Confirmation of Orebody 18 Managed Aquifer Recharge Project”, Supporting Documentation for Works Approval, February 2015, BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd. 1.2.13 The Licensee shall operate the Orebody 18 MAR Project in accordance with the conditions of this Licence, following submission of the compliance document and commissioning report required under condition 4.3.1. 1.2.14 The Licensee shall operate the Orebody 31 mine dewatering infrastructure and discharge of surplus mine dewatering water to Ophthalmia Dam, in accordance with the conditions of this Licence, following submission of the compliance document required under condition 4.3.1. Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 13 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation 2 Emissions 2.1 General 2.1.1 The Licensee shall record and investigate the exceedance of any descriptive or numerical limit specified in any part of section 2 of this Licence. 2.2 Point source emissions to surface water 2.2.1 The Licensee shall ensure that where waste is emitted to surface water from the emission points in Table 2.2.1 and identified on the map of emission points in Schedule 1 it is done so in accordance with the conditions of this licence. Table 2.2.1: Emission points to surface water Emission point reference on Map Description Source including of emission points abatement Discharge Points Discharge to creek line Water from dewatering JBDMDW001 South Jimblebar JBDMDW002 Ophthalmia Dam Discharge Point Discharge to Ophthalmia Dam Water from dewatering of Orebody 31 FNJV0150 – Orebody 31 Creek Contingency discharge to creek line discharge (tributary of Jimblebar Creek) during high rainfall, maintenance and/or emergency events 2.3 Point source emissions to groundwater 2.3.1 The Licensee shall ensure that where waste is emitted to groundwater from the emission points in Table 2.3.1 and identified on the map of emission points in Schedule 1 it is done so in accordance with the conditions of this licence. Table 2.3.1: Emission points to groundwater Emission point reference on Map Description Source including of emission points abatement Jimblebar reinjection bores Direct injection below ground Water from dewatering JBGW0069P JBGW0076P JBGW0003P Orebody 18 reinjection bores HMG0056P HMG0054P 2.4 Emissions to land 2.4.1 The Licensee shall ensure that where waste is emitted to land from the emission points in Table 2.4.1 and identified on the map of emission points in Schedule 1 it is done so in accordance with the conditions of this licence. Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 14 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation Table 2.4.1: Emissions to land Emission point Description Source including abatement reference and location on Map of emission points L2 Unlined evaporation pond Treated wastewater from the Wheelarra oily WWTP lined pond 2.4.2 The Licensee shall not cause or allow emissions to land greater than the limits listed in Table 2.4.2. Table 2.4.2: Emission limits to land Emission point Parameter Limit Averaging period reference (including units) L2 Total Recoverable 15 mg/L Spot sample Hydrocarbons Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 15 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation 3 Monitoring 3.1 General monitoring 3.1.1 The Licensee shall ensure that: (a) all water samples are collected and preserved in accordance with AS/NZS 5667.1; (b) all wastewater sampling is conducted in accordance with AS/NZS 5667.10; (c) all groundwater sampling is conducted in accordance with AS/NZS 5667.11; and (d) all laboratory samples are submitted to and tested by a laboratory with current NATA accreditation for the parameters being measured. 3.1.2 The Licensee shall ensure that: (a) monthly monitoring is undertaken at least 15 days apart; and (b) quarterly monitoring is undertaken at least 45 days apart. 3.1.3 The Licensee shall ensure that all monitoring equipment used on the Premises to comply with the conditions of this Licence is calibrated in accordance with the manufacturer’s specifications. 3.1.4 The Licensee shall, where the requirements for calibration cannot be practicably met, or a discrepancy exists in the interpretation of the requirements, bring these issues to the attention of the CEO accompanied with a report comprising details of any modifications to the methods. 3.2 Monitoring of point source emissions to surface water 3.2.1 The Licensee shall undertake the monitoring in Table 3.2.1 according to the specifications in that table. Table 3.2.1: Monitoring of point source emissions to surface water Emission point Parameter Units Frequency reference South Jimblebar Flow rate L/s Monthly (when JBDMDW001 discharging) JBDMDW002 Cumulative volume k/L Orebody 31 FNJV0150 (Creek discharge points) South Jimblebar pH1 pH units Quarterly (when JBDMDEW001 Total Dissolved Solids, Total Suspended mg/L discharging) (Main pipeline Solids, Al, As, B, Ba, CaCO3, Cd, Ca, Cl, Cr, sample point) Cu, F, Fe, Pb, Mg, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, NO3, K, Se, SiO2, Na, SO4, Zn Orebody 31 FNJV0150 Ophthalmia Dam Quarterly (when Flow rate L/s Discharge Point discharging) Cumulative flow rate k/L Note 1: pH in-field non NATA accredited analysis permitted Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 16 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation 3.3 Monitoring of point source emissions to groundwater 3.3.1 The Licensee shall undertake the monitoring in Table 3.3.1 according to the specifications in that table. Table 3.3.1: Monitoring of point source emissions to groundwater Emission point Parameter Units Frequency reference Jimblebar Water Level mbgl JBGW0076P JBGW0003P JBGW0069P Cumulative Volume kL Monthly (when reinjecting) Orebody 18 HMG0054P Flow rate L/s HMG0056P Jimblebar Electrical Conductivity µS/cm JBDMDEW001 (Main pipeline sample point) Quarterly (when Orebody 18 1 reinjecting) pH , Total Dissolved Solids, Total mg/L HMG0054P Suspended Solids, Al, As, B, Ba, CaCO3, HMG0056P Cd, Ca, Cl, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, Pb, Mg, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, NO3, K, Se, SiO2, Na, SO4, Zn, HCO3, Alkalinity Note 1: pH in-field non NATA accredited analysis permitted 3.4 Monitoring of emissions to land 3.4.1 The Licensee shall undertake the monitoring in Table 3.4.1 according to the specifications in that table. Table 3.4.1: Monitoring of emissions to land Emission Parameter Units Frequency point reference Total Recoverable Hydrocarbons mg/L Quarterly L2 Flow rate L/s pH1 pH units Note 1: pH in-field non NATA accredited analysis permitted 3.5 Ambient environmental quality monitoring 3.5.1 The Licensee shall undertake the monitoring in Tables 3.5.1 and 3.5.2 according to the specifications in those tables. Table 3.5.1: Monitoring of ambient groundwater quality Monitoring point Parameter Units Averaging period Frequency reference and location JBGW0073M Standing water level mbgl Spot sample Monthly HSJ0169M JBGW0080M Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 17 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation JBGW0117M JBGW0009P JBGW0435RM HMG0109M HMG0115M HMG0119M HMG0121M HSJ0169M Electrical Conductivity µS/cm Spot sample Quarterly JBGW0080M pH1 pH JBGW0009P units JBGW0115M Total Dissolved Solids mg/L HMG0109M HMG0115M HMG0119M HMG0121M HSJ0169M Total Suspended Solids, Al, As, mg/L Spot sample Quarterly JBGW0115M B, Ba, CaCO3, Cd, Ca, Cl, Cr, Cu, JBGW0009P F, Fe, Pb, Mg, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, NO3, K, Se, SiO2, Na, SO4, Zn HMG0109M HMG0115M HMG0119M HMG0121M Note 1: pH in-field non NATA accredited analysis permitted Table 3.5.2: Monitoring of creek line sites Monitoring point reference Parameter Units Averaging Frequency and location period Monitoring Sites pH1 pH units Spot sample Quarterly Total Dissolved mg/L when flowing Copper Creek downstream Solids, Total (JBSW003) Suspended Solids, Al, As, B, Ba, CaCO3, Cd, Jimblebar Creek upstream Ca, Cl, Cr, Cu, F, Fe, (JBSW004) Pb, Mg, Mn, Hg, Mo, Ni, NO3, K, Se, SiO2, Jimblebar Creek downstream Na, SO4, Zn (JBSW005) Copper Creek upstream (JBSW006) Copper Creek upstream (JBSW007) Innawally Pool (JBSW008) Note 1: pH in-field non NATA accredited analysis permitted Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 18 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation 3.6 Process monitoring 3.6.1 The Licensee shall undertake the monitoring in Table 3.6.1 according to the specifications in that table. Table 3.6.1: Process monitoring Monitoring point Process Parameter Limit Averaging Frequency reference description period Treated wastewater Total 15 mg/L Spot sample Quarterly L1 – Jimblebar from the Jimblebar Recoverable Oily Wastewater oily WWTP used for Hydrocarbons Treatment Plant dust suppression 4 Information 4.1 Records 4.1.1 All information and records required by the Licence shall: (a) be legible; (b) if amended, be amended in such a way that the original and subsequent amendments remain legible or are capable of retrieval; (c) except for records listed in 4.1.1(d) be retained for at least 6 years from the date the records were made or until the expiry of the Licence or any subsequent licence; and (d) for those following records, be retained until the expiry of the Licence and any subsequent licence: (i) off-site environmental effects; or (ii) matters which affect the condition of the land or waters. 4.1.2 The Licensee must submit to the CEO by 1 October each year an Annual Audit Compliance Report indicating the extent to which the Licensee has complied with the conditions in this Licence for the Annual Period. 4.1.3 The Licensee shall implement a complaints management system that as a minimum records the number and details of complaints received concerning the environmental impact of the activities undertaken at the Premises and any action taken in response to the complaint. 4.2 Reporting 4.2.1 The Licensee shall submit to the CEO an Annual Environmental Report by the 1 October each year. The report shall contain the information listed in Table 4.2.1 in the format or form specified in that table. Table 4.2.1: Annual Environmental Report Condition or Parameter Format or form1 table (if relevant) - Summary of any failure or malfunction of any pollution None specified control equipment and any environmental incidents that have occurred during the annual period and any action taken Table 1.2.1 Waste acceptance None specified Table 1.2.2 Location of tyre disposal sites and number of tyres None specified disposed at each site during the annual period Table 1.2.5 Production or design capacity data and limit exceedances None specified Table 2.2.1 Volume of water discharged via each emission point None specified Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 19 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation Table 2.3.1 Volume of water reinjected via each emission point None specified Table 2.4.2 and Limit exceedances along with a summary on the corrective None specified 3.6.1 actions for any exceedances of these limits Table 3.2.1 Surface water emission monitoring results and a None specified comparison of results against established trigger values. Details of investigations conducted, including outcomes, environmental impacts and remedial actions, in relation to trigger exceedances and a discussion of any trends identified Table 3.3.1 Point source emissions to groundwater monitoring results None specified and a comparison of results against established trigger values. Details of investigations conducted, including outcomes, environmental impacts and remedial actions, in relation to trigger exceedances and a discussion of any trends identified Table 3.4.1 Emissions to land monitoring results None specified Table 3.5.1 Ambient groundwater monitoring results and a comparison None specified of results against established trigger values. Details of investigations conducted, including outcomes, environmental impacts and remedial actions, in relation to trigger exceedances and a discussion of any trends identified Table 3.5.2 Creek line monitoring results and a comparison of results None specified against established trigger values. Details of investigations conducted, including outcomes, environmental impacts and remedial actions, in relation to trigger exceedances and a discussion of any trends identified Table 3.6.1 Process monitoring results from emission point L2 (water None specified reused for dust suppression) 4.1.2 Compliance None specified 4.1.3 Complaints summary None specified Note 1: Forms are in Schedule 2. 4.2.2 The Licensee shall ensure that the Annual Environmental Report also contains an assessment of the information contained within the report against previous monitoring results and Licence limits. 4.3 Notification 4.3.1 The Licensee shall ensure that the parameters listed in Table 4.3.1 are notified to the CEO in accordance with the notification requirements of the table. Table 4.3.1: Notification requirements Condition or Parameter Notification Format table requirement1 or form2 (if relevant) 1.2.11 The Licensee shall submit a compliance Within 7 days of the None document to the CEO, following construction of completion of specified the Orebody 18 MAR Project reinjection bores. construction The compliance document shall: a) certify that the works were constructed in accordance with the documents specified in Table 1.2.6; and b) be signed by a person authorised to represent the Licensee and contain the printed name and position of that Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 20 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation person within the company 1.2.11 The Licensee shall submit a compliance Within 7 days of the None document to the CEO, following construction of completion of specified the Orebody 31 dewatering infrastructure and construction Ophthalmia Dam discharge point. The compliance document shall: c) certify that the works were constructed in accordance with the documents specified in Table 1.2.6; and d) be signed by a person authorised to represent the Licensee and contain the printed name and position of that person within the company 1.2.12 The Licensee shall submit to the CEO a Within one month of None commissioning report for the Orebody 18 the completion of specified Managed Aquifer Recharge Project. The commissioning. report shall include: (a) a summary of the monitoring results recorded during commissioning; (b) a list of any original monitoring reports submitted to the Licensee from third parties for the commissioning period; (c) a summary of the environmental performance of the Managed Aquifer Recharge Project as installed, against the design specifications set out in Table 1.2.6; and (d) where they have not been met, measures proposed to meet the design specification, together with timescales for implementing the proposed measures. - Breach of any limit specified in the Licence Part A: As soon as N1 practicable but no later than 5pm of the next usual working day. Part B: As soon as practicable 3.1.4 Calibration report As soon as None practicable. specified Copies of original monitoring reports submitted Within 14 days of the As to the Licensee by third parties CEOs request received by the Licensee from third parties Note 1: Notification requirement in the licence shall not negate the requirement to comply with s72 of the Act. Note 2: Forms are in Schedule 2. Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 21 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation Schedule 1: Maps Premises map and location of containment infrastructure, emission points to land and monitoring locations The Premises is shown in the map below. The yellow line depicts the Premises boundary. The location of the containment infrastructure, emission points and monitoring locations defined in Tables 1.2.4, 2.2.1, 2.3.1, 2.4.1, 3.4.1 and 3.6.1 are shown below. Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 22 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ ~ < en en Cl) Q) 0 (1) -, (1) :::::J :::::J - o 3 - :::I - ~ ~c: m_ 3 ::::, 3 OG) ;::i...... - ... ::, ::s- £ol Q) Cl) CD 0 e. 0 (0 (0 o 3.> Cl= "O co Map of emission points and monitoring locations The locations of the emission points and monitoring locations defined in Tables 3.2.1, 3.3.1 and 3.5.1 are shown below. , ,-, 'lf I Uett1ott Pio,,_ NOO IOU'\4""' w...- .. l4of'!Wft0 J•OMOC' ~rtmtt ,~ T'1t a.,npllo Pl'9~ C,.•k-lM CtM\OIMn.lQII ~MM "'"""'""""' • • e . I - ' ,. I 4 a t ut i nts < i '1' rLli • 3 Po ...._. nng "°"'" 2 o , 94 ~ -- ..,_....,,.... ~~~ cx». • Monrt 1 r Alffl ...... ~~ _ - bo 05 l8 - o mb 1 J .,.,,... N :Mt:OM ... 01N Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 23 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 Schedule 2: Reporting & notification forms These forms are provided for the proponent to report monitoring and other data required by the Licence. They can be requested in an electronic format. Licence: L5415/1988/9 Licensee: BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd Form: N1 Date of breach: Notification of detection of the breach of a limit These pages outline the information that the operator must provide. Units of measurement used in information supplied under Part A and B requirements shall be appropriate to the circumstances of the emission. Where appropriate, a comparison should be made of actual emissions and authorised emission limits. Part A Licence Number Name of operator Location of Premises Time and date of the detection Notification requirements for the breach of a limit Emission point reference/ source Parameter(s) Limit Measured value Date and time of monitoring Measures taken, or intended to be taken, to stop the emission Part B - to be submitted as soon as practicable Any more accurate information on the matters for notification under Part A. Measures taken, or intended to be taken, to prevent a recurrence of the incident. Measures taken, or intended to be taken, to rectify, limit or prevent any pollution of the environment which has been or may be caused by the emission. The dates of any previous N1 notifications for the Premises in the preceding 24 months. Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 24 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 Name Post Signature on behalf of BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd Date Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 25 of 25 Licence: L5415/1988/9 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0672 v2.9 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation Partial Decision Document Environmental Protection Act 1986, Part V Proponent: BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd Licence: L5415/1988/9 Registered office: Level 1, City Square Brookfield Place 125 St Georges Terrace PERTH WA 6000 ACN: 008 700 981 Premises address: Wheelarra Hill (Jimblebar) Iron Ore Mine Tenements L52/109, L52/163, I126948, AM70/266 and ML244SA NEWMAN WA 6753 Issue date: Thursday, 5 November 2015 Commencement date: Tuesday, 17 November 2015 Expiry date: Saturday, 16 November 2030 Decision Based on the assessment detailed in this document the Department of Environment Regulation (DER), has decided to issue an amended licence. DER considers that in reaching this decision, it has taken into account all relevant considerations and the Licence and its conditions will ensure that an appropriate level of environmental protection is provided. Decision Document prepared by: Haley Brunel Licensing Officer Decision Document authorised by: Alana Kidd Manager Licensing – (Resource Industries) Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 1 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation Contents Partial Decision Document 1 Contents 2 1 Purpose of this Document 2 2 Administrative summary 2 3 Executive summary of proposal and assessment 3 4 Decision table 4 5 Advertisement and consultation table 14 6 Risk Assessment 15 1 Purpose of this Document This decision document explains how DER has assessed and determined the application and provides a record of DER’s decision-making process and how relevant factors have been taken into account. Stakeholders should note that this document is limited to DER’s assessment and decision making under Part V of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. Other approvals may be required for the proposal, and it is the proponent’s responsibility to ensure they have all relevant approvals for their Premises. 2 Administrative summary Administrative details Works Approval D Application type New Licence D Licence amendment [g] Works Approval amendment D Assessed design Category number(s) capacity 75 million tonnes per 5 annual period Activities that cause the premises to become 23.5 gigalitres per annual 6 prescribed premises period 54 120 cubic metres per day 1,580 tonnes per annual 64 period 4,000 cubic metres in 73 aggregate Application verified Date: N/A Application fee paid Date: N/A Yes No N/A Works Approval has been complied with Compliance Certificate received YesD NoD N/A Commercial-in-confidence claim YesD No Commercial-in-confidence claim outcome N/A Is the proposal a Major Resource Project? Yes NoD Was the proposal referred to the Environmental Yes NoD Referral decision No: 978, 1558, Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 2 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Environment Regulation Protection Authority (EPA) under Part IV of the 1796, 1847, 2047 Environmental Protection Act 1986? Managed under Part V D Assessed under Part IV [8J Ministerial statement No: 439, 683, 809, 857, 1021 Is the proposal subject to Ministerial Conditions? Yes[8J NoD EPA Report No: 840, 1168, 1335, 1371, 1559 Does the proposal involve a discharge of waste Yes[8J NoD into a designated area (as defined in section 57 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986)? Department of Water consulted Yes [8J No D Is the Premises within an Environmental Protection Policy (EPP) Area YesD No[8J If Yes include details of which EPP(s) here. Is the Premises subject to any EPP requirements? YesD No[8J If Yes, include details here, eg Site is subject to SO2 requirements of Kwinana EPP. 3 Executive summary of proposal and assessment BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd (BHP Billiton) operates the Wheelarra Hill (Jimblebar) Iron Ore Mine, approximately 40 kilometres (km) east of Newman in the Pilbara region of Western Australia. The closest sensitive receptor is Sylvania Pastoral Station, which is located approximately 18 km south of the project site and is the closest residence. BHP Billiton Iron Ore operates crushing, screening and train loading infrastructure at Jimblebar. Iron Ore is sent by rail approximately 450 km to Port Hedland for ship loading and export overseas. Mine dewatering is required to facilitate the mining of ore below the water table. Abstracted water is preferentially used as a water supply for the mining operations. Water in excess of site demand is currently disposed of via reinjection or discharged to Ophthalmia Dam and/or Jimblebar and Copper Creeks. The Licensee has applied to amend Licence L5415/1988/9 to include an additional surface water discharge point to allow for the contingency discharge of surplus mine dewater from Orebody 31 to a tributary of Jimblebar Creek. The emission point is to provide options for surplus water disposal when reuse or recycle options are not available; and during high rainfall, emergency or maintenance events. The category 6 approved production capacity remains unchanged. At the time of this amendment, the Orebody 18 and South Jimblebar Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) monitoring requirements, premises address and sewage monitoring requirements have also been updated; and DER has also implemented changes to ensure that conditions are valid, enforceable and/or risk-based. Accordingly, conditions considered not to be valid, enforceable and/or risk based have been removed from the Licence. DER has also considered whether the risk profile of emissions and discharges from the premises has significantly changed since the previous Licence was granted. No significant changes have occurred. DER’s assessment and decision making with respect to the changes to the Licence are described in Table 4 of this document. Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 3 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 Government of Western Australia ~ ~ Department of Environment Regulation 4 Decision table All applications are assessed in line with the Environmental Protection Act 1986, the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987 and DER’s Operational Procedure on Assessing Emissions and Discharges from Prescribed Premises. Where other references have been used in making the decision they are detailed in the decision document. DECISION TABLE Works Condition Justification (including risk description & decision methodology where Reference documents Approval / number relevant) Licence W = Works Approval section L= Licence General Definitions In accordance with recent administrative changes implemented within the Guidance Statement Setting conditions Department, the definition of CEO has been updated and definitions for conditions (DER, October ‘Annual Audit Compliance Report’ and ‘Department’ included in the Licence. 2015) Conditions 1.1.5, Guidance Statement Setting conditions (DER, October 2015) states that 1.2.1 and 1.2.2 conditions imposed on Licences must be valid, enforceable and/or risk based. (removed) Noting the requirements of this Guidance Statement, conditions 1.1.5, 1.2.1 and 1.2.2 have been removed from the Licence, explained further below. Previous condition 1.1.5 specified: “The Licensee shall operate and maintain all pollution control and monitoring equipment to the manufacturer’s specifications or any relevant and effective internal management system.” This condition is not enforceable as it is not clear or certain in that the pollution control equipment and monitoring equipment required to be operated and maintained is not specified. The requirements to achieve compliance are not clear. Previous condition 1.2.1 specified: “The Licensee shall immediately recover, or remove and dispose of spills of environmentally hazardous materials outside an engineered containment Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 4 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 Government of Western Australia ~ ~ Department of Environment Regulation DECISION TABLE Works Condition Justification (including risk description & decision methodology where Reference documents Approval / number relevant) Licence W = Works Approval section L= Licence system.” This condition is not valid as it inconsistently regulates activities below prescribed category thresholds. DER has assessed the risk associated with spills of environmentally hazardous materials to determine if specific regulatory controls are required on the Licence. Emission description Emission: Spills of environmentally hazardous materials, including hydrocarbons, detergents and glues/paints, outside of engineered containment systems. Impact: Soil contamination, impacts to groundwater and surface water quality, ecosystem disruption, depending on nature and volume of material released to the environment. Controls: The Licensee has developed the Jimblebar Hub Water Management Plan to satisfy condition 6 of Ministerial Statement (MS) 683, and conditions 9- 2 and 10-1 of MS 857. Under this plan, the Licensee outlines management measures to minimise potential impacts on surface water resources, including removing spills and leaks outside of low permeability compounds for appropriate disposal. Regional groundwater table is typically at least 50 metres below the surface. Groundwater at this depth is unlikely to be impacted by minor spills of environmentally hazardous materials outside of containment areas. Creek systems in the project area are ephemeral, flowing after rainfall events. Impacts to surface water from runoff of contaminated water are unlikely if spills Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 5 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 Government of Western Australia ~ ~ Department of Environment Regulation DECISION TABLE Works Condition Justification (including risk description & decision methodology where Reference documents Approval / number relevant) Licence W = Works Approval section L= Licence are attended to quickly. It is the responsibility of the Licensee to ensure compliance with other legislative requirements, including Australian Standard 1940-2004 – The storage and handling of flammable and combustible liquids, which specifies that clean up action needs to be initiated immediately following a leak or spill. Risk Assessment Consequence: Insignificant Likelihood: Unlikely Risk rating: Low Regulatory Controls: The risk associated with spills outside of engineered containment systems is low, therefore no further regulatory controls are being applied to the Licence at this time. The general provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 with respect to the causing of pollution and environmental harm apply, as does subsidiary legislation including the Environmental Protection (Unauthorised Discharges) Regulations 2004. Residual Risk: Consequence: Insignificant Likelihood: Unlikely Risk rating: Low Previous condition 1.2.2 specified: “The Licensee shall: (a) implement all practical measures to prevent stormwater run-of Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 6 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 Government of Western Australia ~ ~ Department of Environment Regulation DECISION TABLE Works Condition Justification (including risk description & decision methodology where Reference documents Approval / number relevant) Licence W = Works Approval section L= Licence becoming contaminated by the activities on the Premises; and (b) treat contaminated or potentially contaminated stormwater as necessary prior to being discharge from the Premises.1 Note 1: The Environmental Protection (Unauthorised Discharges) Regulations 2004 make it an offence to discharge certain materials into the environment” This condition is not enforceable as it is not sufficiently clear or certain what stormwater infrastructure is required to be constructed and maintained, or if any specific management actions are required. DER has assessed the risk associated with the discharge of potentially contaminated stormwater to determine if any further regulatory controls are required. Emission description Emission: Discharge of potentially contaminated stormwater from operational areas to the environment. Impact: Impacts to groundwater and surface water quality, ecosystem disruption. Controls: Under the Jimblebar Hub Water Management Plan the Licensee has described key water management aspects for the operations, including treating stormwater that collects in hydrocarbon storage areas to acceptable levels prior to discharge. The Licensee has measures in place to minimise potential impacts on surface water resources which are also outlined in the Jimblebar Hub Water Management Plan, including but not limited to: preventing uncontaminated stormwater from entering oily wastewater and wastewater treatment systems through grading and drainage designs; Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 7 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 Government of Western Australia ~ ~ Department of Environment Regulation DECISION TABLE Works Condition Justification (including risk description & decision methodology where Reference documents Approval / number relevant) Licence W = Works Approval section L= Licence treated contaminated or potentially contaminated runoff to achieve a TRH concentrations of less than 5 mg/L prior to discharge to the environment; installation of waste management structures at workshops, vehicle washdown bays, refuelling depots and laboratories. Structures may include protective bunding, skimmers, silt traps, fuel and oil traps, drains and sealed collection sumps. Stormwater directed away from landfill area; Appropriate storage of waste materials (lubricants, coolant, hydraulic fluids etc); and Sediment basins, vegetated buffer strips or other effective measures installed and maintained at all off-site stormwater discharge points. Regional groundwater table is typically at least 50 metres below the surface. Creek systems in the project area are ephemeral, flowing after rainfall events. Risk Assessment Consequence: Minor Likelihood: Rare Risk rating: Low Regulatory Controls: Appropriate stormwater management is implemented under the Jimblebar Hub Water Management Plan, required under MS 683 and 857. The site will be subject to DER compliance inspections; including an inspection of stormwater management infrastructure, and an evaluation of the effectiveness of procedures and infrastructure in place to manage stormwater. The general provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 with respect Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 8 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 Government of Western Australia ~ ~ Department of Environment Regulation DECISION TABLE Works Condition Justification (including risk description & decision methodology where Reference documents Approval / number relevant) Licence W = Works Approval section L= Licence to the causing of pollution and environmental harm apply, as does subsidiary legislation including the Environmental Protection (Unauthorised Discharges) Regulations 2004. Due to the low risk and management practices implemented on site, no further regulatory controls are required on the Licence at this time. Residual Risk: Consequence: Minor Likelihood: Rare Risk rating: Low Premises Condition 1.2.3 The tyre disposal requirements outlined in Table 1.2.2 have been removed as Application supporting operation (previously 1.3.3) these are duplicated requirements outlined in the Environmental Protection documentation Regulations 1987. Point source Condition 2.2.1 The Licensee is currently developing the Orebody 31 deposit at Jimblebar. An Orebody 31 Iron Ore Mine emissions to additional emission point to surface water is being included on the Licence to Project – Environmental surface water allow for the ongoing contingency discharge of surplus mine dewater from Referral Document, (BHP and monitoring Orebody 31 to a tributary of Jimblebar creek. DER’s assessment and decision Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd, making with respect to this point source emission to surface water is detailed March 2015) in Appendix A. Surplus Water Management Plan – Orebody 31, (Version 1, BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd) Eastern Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan (Version 3, BHP Billiton Iron Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 9 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 Government of Western Australia ~ ~ Department of Environment Regulation DECISION TABLE Works Condition Justification (including risk description & decision methodology where Reference documents Approval / number relevant) Licence W = Works Approval section L= Licence Ore Pty Ltd) Point source Condition 2.3.1 and Orebody 18 MAR Application supporting emissions to 3.3.1 The construction of two reinjection bores to manage surplus water at Orebody documentation groundwater 18 was approved under Works Approval W5808/2015/1. The construction and and monitoring operating requirements related to this MAR program were subsequently integrated into the Licence via a Licence amendment issued 21 April 2016. Injection bore HMG0056P has been converted from a production bore to a reinjection bore and is currently operational. The second production bore, HMG0055P, which was to be converted into reinjection bore, is not suitable as the bore column has failed and is now full with gravel which cannot be flushed. To maintain surplus water management at Orebody 18, the Licensee is substituting HMG0055P for the nearby HMG0054P. Bore HMG0054P is located 1 km west of HMG0055P and is screened in the same Tertiary alluvium and Paraburdoo Dolomite which is better suited for injection compared to the Tertiary alluvium and Marra Manda Iron Formation. The Licensee has advised that in combination with the commissioned reinjection bore HMG0056P, there will be enough capacity to manage small volumes of surplus water from Orebody 18; at a rate of 1 ML/day ranging to 3 ML/day during peak times. Condition 2.3.1 has been updated to replace injection bore HMG0055P with HMG0054P. Condition 3.3.1 specifies the monitoring requirements for point source emissions to surface water and has been updated to reflect the change to the reinjection bores at Orebody 18. Point source Condition 2.4.1 and Wheelarra Hill Workshop Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) General provisions of the emissions to 3.4.1 The Wheelarra Hill Workshop WWTP has a design capacity of 8 m3 per day. Environmental Protection Act land and The WWTP is a sequencing batch reactor type plant which operates the 1986 monitoring extended aeration mode of the activated sludge process. Treated wastewater Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 10 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 Government of Western Australia ~ ~ Department of Environment Regulation DECISION TABLE Works Condition Justification (including risk description & decision methodology where Reference documents Approval / number relevant) Licence W = Works Approval section L= Licence from this facility is discharged to an unlined evaporation pond, which also Environmental Protection receives treated water from the Wheelarra oily water separator. (Unauthorised Discharges) Regulations 2004 Under the Guidance Statement Licensing and works approval process (DER, September 2015), the Wheelarra Hill Workshop WWTP is considered a Guidance Statement secondary activity and therefore, not subject to licence conditions. Licensing and works approval process (DER, Monitoring results provided in the 2014-2015 Annual Environmental Report for September 2015) the WWTP indicates that the quality of water discharged to the unlined pond is unlikely to pose a risk to the receiving environment. Application supporting documentation Condition 2.4.1 has been updated to remove the reference to Wheelarra Hill Workshop WWTP. Condition 3.4.1 has been updated to remove the requirements to monitor parameters associated with the WWTP waste stream, being Biochemical Oxygen Demand, Total Suspended Solids, Total Nitrogen, Total Phosphorus and Faecal Coliforms. It is noted that the general provisions of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 with respect to the causing of pollution and environmental harm apply, as does relevant subsidiary legislation including the Environmental Protection (Unauthorised Discharges) Regulations 2004. Ambient Condition 3.5.1 South Jimblebar MAR Monitoring Program Application supporting environmental The Licensee currently operates a MAR and creek discharge program at documentation monitoring South Jimblebar to provide surplus water management options for the South Jimblebar mining area. The program is currently comprised of three operating reinjection bores, and two creek discharge locations to Jimblebar Creek (only one of which has been commissioned). A comprehensive monitoring network of seven monitoring bores provides oversight of potential mounding and hydraulic connectivity. Two of these bores, JBGW0020M and JBGW0064M, have been impacted by a progressing Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 11 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 Government of Western Australia ~ ~ Department of Environment Regulation DECISION TABLE Works Condition Justification (including risk description & decision methodology where Reference documents Approval / number relevant) Licence W = Works Approval section L= Licence waste dump making them no longer serviceable as monitoring bores. Condition 3.5.1 has been updated to remove monitoring bore JBGW0064M and replace it with JBGW0073M. The replacement bore is situated near reinjection bore JBGW0076P and has long-term records dating back to 2010. Monitoring results from the replacement bore demonstrate that it is appropriately located to identify changes to groundwater levels as a result of reinjection. Monitoring bore JBGW0020M was destroyed in May 2016 as part of a waste dump expansion, so has been replaced with monitoring bore HSJ0169M. The bore is to be located as close as possible to the original location of JBGW0020M. Historical records indicate that water levels in bore JBGW0020M responded primarily to dewatering and showed little response to reinjection. Orebody 18 MAR Monitoring Program The ambient groundwater monitoring requirements have been updated to include an additional monitoring bore to the west of the new injection bore HMG0054P; required to provide a cross sectional view of any mounding or mixing as result of reinjection. Condition 3.5.1 has been updated to include monitoring bore HMG0109M, which will complement the existing monitoring network. Information Condition 4.1.2 Condition 4.1.2 relating to the annual compliance report, has been updated to N/A reflect recent administrative changes implemented within the Department. Table 4.2.1 has also been updated to reflect the removal of the compliance report template from the Licence. The Licensee will be required to access the form on DER’s website. Condition 4.3.1 Notification requirements related to the submission of compliance documentation and a commissioning report for Orebody 18 are specified under Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 12 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 Government of Western Australia ~ ~ Department of Environment Regulation DECISION TABLE Works Condition Justification (including risk description & decision methodology where Reference documents Approval / number relevant) Licence W = Works Approval section L= Licence condition 4.3.1. These requirements will continue to apply to the works related to Orebody 18, including the replacement of the second reinjection bore. Licence - In accordance with DER’s Guidance Statement, Licence Duration, a duration Guidance Statement, duration period of 15 years has been previously specified for this Licence. Licence Duration (DER, November 2014) Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 13 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 Government of Western Australia ~ ~ Department of Environment Regulation 5 Advertisement and consultation table Date Event Comments received/Notes How comments were taken into consideration 15/09/2016 Proponent sent a copy of draft Table 1.2.1 – request that the specification Table 1.2.1 has been updated with a note instrument in Table 1.2.1 be updated to reflect that the that specifies that the quality limit for the quantity limit applies to the outflow, not the sewage treatment is measured at outflow. inflow. Table 3.2.1 – request that the frequency for Change accepted and Table 3.2.1 has been monitoring of FNJV0150 be changed from updated. ‘Quarterly’ to ‘Quarterly (when discharging)’, as it may not always be possible to collect a hydrochemistry sample from this discharge location. Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 14 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 Government of Western Australia ~ ~ Department of Environment Regulation 6 Risk Assessment Note: This matrix is taken from the DER Corporate Policy Statement No. 07 - Operational Risk Management Table 1: Emissions Risk Matrix Ukellhood Almost Certain Moderate High High Ukely Moderate Moderate High Possible Moderate Moderate High Unlikely Moderate Moderate Moderate High Rare Moderate High Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 15 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 Government of Western Australia ~ ~ Department of Environment Regulation Appendix A Point Source Emissions to Surface Water Orebody 31 – Jimblebar Creek tributary discharge Orebody 31 has significant dewatering requirements as 70% of the orebody is located below the water table. Water abstracted from dewatering activities is preferentially used as a water supply and supports Orebody 31 mining activities. Water demands are anticipated to range between 0.75 and 3.65 gigalitres per annum (GLpa) depending upon the production activities and climate. Surplus water management for Orebody 31 has two aspects. The first is ongoing discharge of up to 16.2 GLpa to Ophthalmia Dam and the second is short-term contingency discharge to a tributary of Jimblebar Creek during emergency or high rainfall events when stormwater management may be required. The construction and operation of the Ophthalmia Dam discharge point has been approved by DER under an amendment to Licence L5415/1988/9 issued 21 April 2016. On 9 September 2015 the Licensee commenced a hydrodynamic trial which involved up to 2.5 GLpa of groundwater being discharged to the tributary of Jimblebar Creek. The main objectives of the trial were to improve the understanding of the required orebody dewatering volumes and assess the capacity of Jimblebar creek to receive surplus mine dewater. DER approval was not required under Part V of the EP Act as the proposed activities were outside of an already prescribed premise and water was not being abstracted for the purpose of mining. The trial is nearing completion and the Licensee is now seeking to include the creek line emission point on the licence to allow for the ongoing contingency discharge of surplus mine dewater from Orebody 31. The development of Orebody 31, including the dewatering and discharge of surplus dewatering water to Ophthalmia Dam and Jimblebar Creek, was assessed by the EPA and approved under Ministerial Statement 1021 (MS1021) on 12 November 2015. Clearing associated with the project has been undertaken using Ministerial Statement 1021 and Native Vegetation Clearing Permits CPS 2296/3, CPS 2527/4, CPS 3012/2, CPS 3547/2 and CPS 6834/1 (currently under assessment by the Department of Mines and Petroleum). The surplus water discharged to Ophthalmia Dam will be managed in accordance with the Eastern Pilbara Surplus Water Management Plan (BHPBIO, version 3) and the Orebody 31 Surplus Water Management Plan (BHPBIO, version 1.0). The Eastern Pilbara Surplus Water Management Plan has been developed to meet conditions 7 and 8 of MS1021, and has been endorsed by the OEPA. The management of surplus water, as described in these plans is in accordance with the Department of Water Policy 20.09 Use of Mine Dewatering Surplus, which stipulates that mine dewatering volumes must first be used for mitigation of environmental impacts and fit-for-purpose onsite activities. Any dewatering volumes that remain after these requirements have been met constitute mine dewatering surplus with options for management as follows: 1. Transfer water to meet operational demands; 2. Reinjection back into an aquifer; and 3. Controlled release to the environment. DER’s assessment of the discharge of surplus mine dewater from Orebody 31 to Jimblebar Creek is detailed below. Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 16 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 Government of Western Australia ~ ~ Department of Environment Regulation Normal operation Emission description Emission: Contingency discharge of surplus mine dewater to a tributary of Jimblebar Creek during high rainfall, emergency or maintenance situations. Water discharged will be fresh to marginal, ranging in pH from 7.2 to 8.7 and salinity between 900 to 1800 µS/cm. The water quality is based on a compilation of water quality sampling from 15 existing production bores as well as ongoing water sampling from the three pumping bores as part of the Orebody 31 hydrodynamic trial. Laboratory results indicate no parameters are outside the site specific water quality thresholds. Impact: Potential impacts to riparian flora and vegetation from waterlogging of soils due to discharge occurring during natural no-flow conditions. The baseline environmental survey has identified Acacia citrinoviridis as a species which could potentially be impacted by ongoing saturation of the root zone. Potential impacts to downstream water quality. Jimblebar Creek is a major ephemeral tributary of the upper portion of the Fortescue River catchment, which drains into the Fortescue Marsh around 80 km north of Orebody 31. Creek bed erosion at emission point. Controls: The Licensee has developed the Eastern Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan (BHPBIO, version 3.0) to meet the requirements of conditions 7 of MS1021, which requires BHPBIO to manage the discharge of surplus mine dewater from Orebody 31 in a manner that minimises impacts to the riparian vegetation along Jimblebar Creek. Under this plan, the Licensee has established the following thresholds: dewater discharge extending no further than 16 km from the discharge point under natural no-flow conditions (also been specified under MS1021); mine dewater remaining in the main drainage channel of Jimblebar Creek under natural no- flow conditions; and undertaking monthly monitoring for pH and total dissolved solids (TDS) at the discharge point, with pH levels between 6 and 9 and TDS to be less than 3,000 mg/L. The adaptive management hierarchy for Jimblebar Creek focuses on investigation, action and mitigation of potential environmental impacts and exceedances of management thresholds. Exceeding one of the threshold values will activate the adaptive management hierarchy, as described below. 1. Investigation Stage Investigation is undertaken to evaluate and characterise the change identified. Results may inform future surplus water discharge programs (timing, volume, rate of discharge etc) and management options proposed, should the threshold values be reached. 2. Action Stage Prepares and implements water management options to avoid potential impact to a receiving receptor or exceedance of threshold values. If reached, the Licensee will initiate an assessment to investigate whether there is a potential for the unpredicted trend to impose a negative impact on the environment, and if so, recommend further adaptive management options, including potential corrective actions. Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 17 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 Government of Western Australia ~ ~ Department of Environment Regulation 3. Mitigation Stage Corrective action is immediately required to prevent unacceptable impact or reverse the trends. Corrective actions to be identified at the Action Stage. The Licensee will report to the OEPA within 30 days of a management threshold being exceeded, in accordance with the requirements of MS1021. The Licensee has also committed to at least three months of no discharge outside of natural flow conditions within Jimblebar Creek to minimise the risk to riparian vegetation from the ongoing saturation of their root zone. Riparian vegetation health will be monitored in order to verify the effectiveness of water management objectives on vegetation health. On-ground monitoring of indicator tree species within Jimblebar Creek will be undertaken 6 months after dewater discharge has occurred under natural no-flow conditions. Erosion control measures have been implemented to minimise scouring of the creek bed during discharge. The discharge point consists of a single outlet structure with perforations designed to distribute and dissipate energy as the flow discharges to the creek. Rip rap has been placed over and around the outlet structure to further encourage energy dissipation. Downstream impacts to water quality are unlikely due to the anticipated maximum extent of the wetting front (16 km) and anticipated water quality. A flow meter has been installed 500 m upstream of the discharge location. Risk Assessment Consequence: Moderate Likelihood: Rare Risk Rating: Moderate Regulatory Controls Ministerial approval for the development of the Orebody 31 Iron Ore Mine was issued under MS1021, published on 12 November 2015. The report and recommendations of the EPA (Report number 1559, EPA, September 2015) recommended the application of conditions relating to the management of potential impacts to the riparian vegetation along Jimblebar Creek. Condition 7 of approved Ministerial Statement 1021 requires the occupier to prepare a management plan, in consultation with the Department of Water, to manage impacts to riparian vegetation along Jimblebar Creek. Condition 2.2.1 of the Licence has been updated to authorise the contingency discharge of mine dewater from Orebody 31 to a tributary of Jimblebar Creek. Condition 3.2.1 has been updated to require flow and water quality monitoring during discharge events. To avoid regulatory duplication with Part IV of the EP Act, controls relating to vegetation health monitoring have not been applied to the operating Licence. Sufficient regulatory controls are applied via the Eastern Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan, which has been developed and implemented under condition 7 of MS1021, and endorsed by the OEPA. Residual Risk Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 18 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 Government of Western Australia ~ ~ Department of Environment Regulation Consequence: Moderate Likelihood: Rare Risk Rating: Moderate Abnormal or emergency Emission description Emission: Discharge of dewatering water to the environment as a result of pipeline rupture Impact: Impacts to soil and groundwater, vegetation impacted through inundation. Controls: The water quality from the Orebody 31 aquifer is fresh to marginal, ranging in pH from 7.2 to 8.7 and salinity between 900 to 1800 µS/cm. The water quality is based on a compilation of water quality sampling from 15 existing production bores as well as ongoing water sampling from the three pumping bores as part of the Orebody 31 hydrodynamic trial. Laboratory results to date indicate no parameters are outside the site specific water quality thresholds. Flowmeters will be located at the start and end of the main transfer pipeline to detect possible leaks between the transfer pump station and discharge point. The majority of the main transfer pipeline will be located adjacent to the main road into Jimblebar, making any leaks easily visible. Risk Assessment Consequence: Insignificant Likelihood: Unlikely Risk Rating: Low Regulatory Controls The risks associated with overtopping of water storage ponds and pipelines rupturing has been assessed as low. No specified conditions relating to the management of this infrastructure has been included in the Licence. Residual Risk Consequence: Insignificant Likelihood: Unlikely Risk Rating: Low Environmental Protection Act 1986 Page 19 of 19 Licence: L5415/1988/9 Amendment date: Thursday, 13 October 2016 File Number: DER2013/000900 IRLB_TI0669 v2.7 ~ ~ Government of Western Australia ~ Department of Mines and Petroleum Our Ref: A0374/201001 - CPS 3609/4 Enquiries: Adam Buck Tel: (08) 9222 3563 Fax: (08) 9222 3860 Email: [email protected] Mr Chris Hopkins Senior Environmental Advisor BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd PO Box 7122 Cloisters Square PERTH WA 6850 Dear Mr Hopkins Permit to Clear Native Vegetation under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd - Jimblebar to Orebody 18 Project (CPS 3609/4) (Amendment to CPS 3609/3) Please find enclosed your amended permit to clear native vegetation granted under s.51M of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. This authorisation gives you approval to clear, subject to certain terms, conditions or restrictions. A copy of your permit is now available for the public to view, as required by the regulations. Read your permit carefully. If you do not understand your permit, contact this Department immediately. There are penalties for failing to comply with the requirements of your permit. Please note the changes from the previous permit (CPS 3609/3), namely the increase in amount of clearing authorised and the clearing permit boundary. Compliance with the terms, conditions or restrictions of this permit does not absolve the Permit Holder from responsibility for compliance with the requirements of all Commonwealth and State legislation. If you have any queries regarding this decision, please do not hesitate to contact Adam Buck in the Department's Environment Division on (08) 9222 3563 or email [email protected]. Yours sincerely Marnie Leybourne DIRECTOR OPERATIONS ENVIRONMENT Officer with delegated authority under Section 20 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 29 October 2015 Encs Mineral House 100 Plain Street East Perth Western Australi a 6004 Telephone +61 8 9222 3333 Facsimile +61 8 9222 3862 www.dmp.wa. gov.au wa.gov.au ABN 69 410 335 356 GOVERNMENT OF WESTERN AUSTRALIA CLEARING PERMIT Granted under section 51E of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 Purpose Permit number: 3609/4 Permit Holder: BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd Duration of Permit: 8 May 2010 to 30 November 2025 The Permit Holder is authorised to clear native vegetation subject to the following conditions of this Permit. PART I - CLEARING AUTHORISED 1. Land on which clearing is to be done Iron Ore (Mount Newman) Agreement Act 1964, Mineral Lease 244SA (AML 70/244) Iron Ore (McCamey's Monste,) Agreement Authorisation Act 1972, Mining Lease 266SA (AM 70/266) Miscellaneous Licence 52/108 2. Purpose for which clearing may be done Clearing for the purposes of mineral production and associated infrastructure. 3. Area of Clearing The Permit Holder must not clear more than 110 hectares of native vegetation. All clearing must be within the area cross-hatched yellow on attached Plan 3609/4. 4. Clearing not authorised This permit does not authorise the Permit Holder to clear any native vegetation within the areas shaded red on attached Plan 3609/4. 5. Period in which clearing is authorised The Permit Holder shall not clear any native vegetation after 30 November 2020. 6. Application This Permit allows the Permit Holder to authorise persons, including employees, contractors and agents of the Permit Holder, to clear native vegetation for the purposes of this Permit subject to compliance with the conditions of this Permit and approval from the Permit Holder. PART II -MANAGEMENT CONDITIONS 7. Weed control When unde1taking any clearing or other activity authorised under this Permit, the Permit Holder must take the following steps to minimise the risk of the introduction and spread of weeds: (i) clean emth-moving machinery of soil and vegetation prior to entering and leaving the area to be cleared; (ii) ensure that no weed-affected soil, mulch, fill or other material is brought into the area to be cleared; and (iii) restrict the movement of machines and other vehicles to the limits of the areas to be cleared. Clearing Permit CPS 3609/4 Page I of 3 8. Retain and spread vegetative material and topsoil The Permit Holder shall: (a) retain the vegetative material and topsoil removed by clearing authorised under this Permit and stockpile the vegetative material and topsoil in an area that has already been cleared. (b) within 12 months following clearing authorised under this permit, revegetate and rehabilitate the areas that are no longer required for the purpose for which they were cleared under this Permit by: (i) re-shaping the surface of the land so that it is consistent with the smTOunding 5 metres of uncleared land; (ii) ripping the ground on the contour to remove soil compaction; and (iii) laying the vegetative material and topsoil retained under Condition 8(a). ( c) within 4 years of laying the vegetative material and topsoil on the cleared area in accordance with Condition 8(b) of this Permit: (i) engage an environmental specialist to determine the species composition, structure and density of the area revegetated and rehabilitated; and (ii) where, in the opinion of an environmental specialist, the composition, structure and density determined under Condition 8(c)(i) of this Permit will not result in a similar species composition, structure and density to that of pre-clearing vegetation types in that area, revegetate the area by deliberately planting and/or direct seeding native vegetation that will result in a similar species composition, structure and density of native vegetation to pre-clearing vegetation types in that area and ensuring only local provenance seeds and propagating material are used. PART ill- RECORD KEEPING AND REPORTING 9. Records to be kept The Permit Holder must maintain the following records for activities done pursuant to this Permit: (a) In relation to the clearing of native vegetation authorised under this Permit, (i) the location where the clearing occmTed, recorded using a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit set to Geocentric Datum Australia 1994 (GDA94), expressing the geographical coordinates in Eastings and N011hings or decimal degrees; (ii) the date that the area was cleared; (iii) the size of the area cleared (in hectares); and (iv) purpose for which clearing was undertaken. (b) In relation to the revegetation and rehabilitation of areas pursuant to Condition 8 of this Permit: (i) the location of any areas revegetated and rehabilitated, recorded using a Global Positioning System (GPS) unit set to Geocentric Datum Australia 1994 (GDA94), expressing the geographical coordinates in Eastings and Northings or decimal degrees; (ii) a description of the revegetation and rehabilitation activities unde11aken; and (iii) the size of the area revegetated and rehabilitated (in hectares). 10. Reporting (a) The Permit Holder shall provide a report to the Director Operations, Environment, Department of Mines and Petroleum by I October each year for the life of this permit, demonstrating adherence to all conditions of this permit, and setting out the records required under Condition 9 of this permit in relation to clearing canied out between I July and 30 June of the previous financial year. (b) Prior to 30 November 2025, the Permit Holder must provide to the Director Operations, Environment, Department of Mines and Petroleum a written report ofrecords required under Condition 9 of this Pe1mit where these records have not already been provided under Condition I 0(a) of this Permit. Clearing Permit CPS 3609/4 Page 2 of3 Definitions The following meanings are given to terms used in this Permit: direct seeding means a method of re-establishing vegetation through the establishment of a seed bed and the introduction of seeds of the desired plant species; environmental specialist means a person who holds a tertiary qualification in environmental science or equivalent, and has experience relevant to the type of environmental advice that an environmental specialist is required to provide under this Permit, or who is approved by the CEO as a suitable environmental specialist; fill means material used to increase the ground level, or fill a hollow; local provenance means native vegetation seeds and propagating material from natural sources within 200 kilometres of the area cleared; mulch means the use of organic matter, wood chips or rocks to slow the movement of water across the soil surface and to reduce evaporation; planting means the re-establishment of vegetation by creating favourable soil conditions and planting seedlings of the desired species; regenerate/eel/ion means revegetation that can be established from in situ seed banks contained either within the topsoil or seed-bearing mulch; rehabilitate/ed/ion means actively managing an area containing native vegetation in order to improve the ecological function of that area; revegetate/edlion means the re-establishment of a cover of local provenance native vegetation in an area using methods such as regeneration, direct seeding and/or planting, so that the species composition, structure and density is similar to pre-clearing vegetation types in that area; weed/s means any plant - (a) that is a declared pest under section 22 of the Biosecurity and Agriculture Management Act 2007; or (b) published in a Department of Parks and Wildlife Regional Weed Summary, regardless of ranking; or ( c) not indigenous to the area concerned. Marnie Leybourne DIRECTOR OPERATIO NS ENVIRONMENT DEPARTMENT OF MINES AND PETROLEUM Officer with delegated authority under Section 20 of the Environmental Protection Act I 986 29 October 2015 Clea rin g Permit CPS 3609/4 Page 3 of3 PLAN 3609/4 LEGEND D Mining Tenements 0 1 Km Clearing Instruments D Areas Approved to Clear Scale 1:30, 000 (Appoximate when reproduced at A4) • Areas subjecl lo conditions Geocentric Datum Australia 1994 Note: the data in this map have not been projected. This may result in geometric distortion or measurement inaccuracies . (YJ '. -~} ~ .... Date ~~)_\~ r MARNIE LEYBOURNE Officer with delegated authority under Section 20 of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 Information derived from this map should be confirmed Ylith the data custodian ackno,v!eged by the agency acronym In the legend. WAC,-,~2002: File No: RF2084 Page I ofl !~ Govemment of Western Australia J.,_Oepartment of Water Instrument No. GWL158795(8) -l~--· LICENCE TO TAKE WATER Granted by the Minister under section SC of the Rights in Water and Irrigation Act 1914 Licensee(s) BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty. Ltd. Description of Water Pilbara Annual Water 6205000 kL Resource Hamersley - Fractured Rock Entitlement Location of Water Source AM70/266 · Jimblebar Operation Authorised Activities Taking of water for Location of Activity Dust suppression for earthworks AM70/266, AML70/244, G52/8, Crown Lease GE I - and construction purposes 126948 Earthwork and construction pwposes General campsite purposes Mineral ore processing and other mining purposes Potable Water Supply purposes Reinjection of groundwater Duration of Licence From 14 July 2016 to 13 July 2026 This Licence is subject to the following terms, conditions and restrictions: The licensee shall comply with the commitments of GWL Operating Strategy for Jimblebar (Nwnber 0019543, version 3, dated July 2016) as prepared by BHP Billiton and approved by the Department of Water on 13th July 2016, including any modifications to the commitments as approved during the term of the licence. 2 The licensee must instaH an approved meter to each water draw-point through which ,vater is taken under this licence. 3 The meter(s) must be installed in accordance with the provisions of the document entitled "Guidelines for Water Meter Installation 2009" before any water is taken under this licence. 4 Every I year(s) the licensee shall provide to the Department of Water a Groundwater Monitoring Summary for the preceding water year. The first report is due 30/09/2017. 5 Every 3 year(s) the licensee shall provide to the Department of Water a Groundwater Monitoring Review. The first report is due 30/09/2016. A Groundwater Monitoring Summary need not be submitted in a year in which a Groundwater Monitoring Review is due. End of terms, conditions and restrictions This Licence is granted subject to the Rights in Water and Irrigation Regulations 2000 174266 179266 184266 189266 194266 199266 204266 209266 214266 219266 PORT HEDLAND 7432277 Legend 7432277 Jimblebar_licence_boundary Proposed and Exisitng Pipelines Exisitng Pipelines New Pipeline Sensitive Receptor Ethel Gorge TEC Boundary Ethel Gorge TEC - Buffer 7427277 7427277 Fortescue River 7422277 7422277 NEWMAN Warrawandu Village Jimblebar Creek 7417277 7417277 Innawally Pool 7412277 7412277 Ophthalmia Dam ENVIRONMENTAL APPROVALS BHPBILLITON IRON ORE 7407277 7407277 JIMBLEBAR PIPELINE SENSITIVE RECEPTORS WITHIN 5KM ± 0 2.5 5 7.5 10 SCALE (A3): 1:120,000 DATUM: GDA94/MGA 50 Kilometers Prepared: Chris Hopkins Revision: FINAL FIGURE 3 Centre: Perth Date: 13 March 2017 Dwg: STJIM_029WA_003_RevA_0 174266 179266 184266 189266 194266 199266 204266 209266 214266 219266 7402277 Western Australia Iron Ore resourcing the future Jimblebar L5415/1988/9 Licence Amendment Supporting Documentation – Jimblebar Surplus Mine Dewatering to Ophthalmia Dam (Including Information relating to Attachments 6, 9 and 10) March 2017 Contents 1. Introduction ...... 2 2. Project Description ...... 6 3. Existing Environment ...... 7 4. Environmental Management ...... 9 5. Environmental Impact Assessment ...... 11 6. Cost of Works ...... 12 7. Heritage ...... 13 8. Community Consultation ...... 13 9. Conclusion ...... 13 10. References ...... 14 List of Tables Table 1: Project Characteristics and Commitments ...... 2 Table 2: Prescribed Premises Categories under Schedule 1 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987, for Licence Number L5415/1988/9 ...... 4 Table 3: Summary of Project Details ...... 6 Table 4: Vegetation Associations within the boundaries of the Proposed Pipe Works ...... 9 Table 5: Calculation of Application Fee ...... 12 List of Figures Figure 1: See Licence Amendment Application Attachment 2 – Premises Map Figure 2: See Licence Amendment Application Attachment 3A – Project Facilities Figure 3: See the Licence Amendment Application Attachment 7 – Sensitive Receptors with 5km Appendices Appendix 1: Compliance Report Project Characteristics and Commitments Confirmation i 1. Introduction 1.1. Background BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pty Ltd (BHP Billiton Iron Ore) currently operates a number of Iron Ore mines and associated rail and port infrastructure within the Pilbara region of Western Australia (WA). Current mining operations include the: Newman Joint Venture (NJV) hub located approximately two kilometres (km) west of Newman Township and consists of Mount Whaleback, and Orebodies 29, 30 and 35 Mining Area C located approximately 90 km north west of Newman Township; Wheelarra Hill (Jimblebar) Mine, Orebody 18 and Orebody 31 are located approximately 35 km east of Newman Township; Easter Ridge hub located approximately 5 km east of Newman Township and consists of Orebodies 23, 24, 25 and 32; and Yandi Mine located approximately 100 km north west of Newman Township. Ore from the NJV hub, Mining Area C, Eastern Ridge, Wheelarra Hill (Jimblebar) and Yandi mining operations is transported to Port Hedland via the BHP Billiton Iron Ore Newman to Port Hedland Mainline (and associated spur lines). Ore is then shipped out through Port Hedland at the BHP Billiton Iron Ore facilities at Nelson Point and Finucane Island. On the 21 April 2016 the boundary of the Jimblebar / Orebody 18 prescribed premises was expanded to include Orebody 31 and its associated 16.2 gigalitres per annum (GL/a) discharge to Ophthalmia Dam. BHP Billiton Iron Ore is seeking a works approval to construct approximately 8.8 km of new pipeline to connect the Jimblebar Mining Operations to the existing Orebody 31 to Ophthalmia Dam Pipeline to allow for the disposal of an additional 6.935 GL/a (average of 19 megalitres per day [ML/day]) of surplus mine dewatering from Jimblebar to Ophthalmia Dam. The Project is located between 15 km (Ophthalmia Dam) to 30 km (Jimblebar Mining Operations) to the east of the town of Newman in the Pilbara region of WA (Figure 1 [Attachment 2]). 1.2. Purpose of this Document BHP Billiton Iron Ore is seeking a Works Approval to construct approximately 8.8 km of new pipeline to connect the Jimblebar Mining Operations to the existing Orebody 31 to Ophthalmia Dam Pipeline to allow for the disposal of an additional 6.935 GL/a of surplus mine dewatering to Ophthalmia Dam. This supporting document has been prepared to provide supplementary information to the “Application for a Works Approval” for the proposed Project as required under Section 53 of the Environmental Protection Act, 1986 (EP Act). BHP Billiton Iron Ore commits to undertake the Project in accordance with the details set out in Table 1. BHP Billiton Iron Ore will confirm compliance with the Project (as detailed in Table 1) in the compliance document using the template provided (Appendix 1). If a change to the Project as outlined in this document is required BHP Billiton Iron Ore will communicate the change to the DER and detail the change in the Compliance Report. 1.3. Premises 1.3.1. Location The proposed new pipeline will be constructed from the Jimblebar mining operations and connect into the existing Ophthalmia Dam Pipeline approximately 30 km east of Newman in the Pilbara Region of Western Australia (Figure 1 [Attachment 2]). 1.3.2. Tenement Details The proposed new pipeline will be situated within Mineral Lease 244SA and Mining Lease M266SA. 1.3.3. Local Government The Project is located within the Shire of East Pilbara. Page | 2 Table 1: Project Characteristics and Commitments Infrastructure Characteristics Managed Aquifer Category 6 Recharge System Maximum production / Total System Capacity (Jimblebar to the OB31 to Ophthalmia Dam pipeline) is 6.935 GL/a design capacity: (average of 19 ML/day) based 8.8 km of 630DN pipeline. Proposed maximum 6.935 GL/a (average of 19 ML/day) from the Jimblebar Mining Operations. discharge: Location of all Jimblebar Hub Prescribed Premises Licence. infrastructure Map References: associated with the Figure 1 (Attachment 2): STOB31_029WA_001_RevB_0 Works Approval: Figure 2 (Attachment 3A): STOB31_029WA_002_RevB_0 Figure 3 (Attachment 7): STOB31_029WA_003_RevB_0 BHP Billiton Iron Ore Shapefile 1 Doc Reference: http://io1doc/webtop/drl/objectId/0903c41a82e73f2a Tenure: The following infrastructure will be constructed on the tenements below: Mineral Lease ML244SA Dewatering Pipeline from Jimblebar to the existing Orebody 31 to Ophthalmia Dam Pipeline. Mining Lease M266SA Water transfer pipeline within the Jimblebar Mining Operations. Commissioning and No Commissioning period is required for the licence. Compliance Report: BHP Billiton Iron Ore will confirm compliance with the Project (as detailed in Table 1) in the compliance document using the template provided (Appendix 1). Licence: This Project will be operated under the existing Environmental Operating Licence L5415. Relevant Environmental The following environmental factors associated with the proposed infrastructure are Factors: considered to require specific management measures as detailed below: 1. Groundwater; 2. Surface water and drainage; 3. Flora and vegetation; 4. Terrestrial fauna; and 5. Subterranean fauna. Project phase to which the Application Commitments Section Commitment Applies1 Clearing associated with the project will be undertaken using Ministerial All Phases 1.5.1 Statement 857 and Native Vegetation Clearing Permit CPS 3609/4 (Licence 5.3.2 Application Attachment 4D). BHP Billiton Iron Ore will undertake the construction of the Project in accordance Construction Phase 2 with the requirements detailed in this works approval application except: a) where such departure is minor in nature and does not materially change or affect the infrastructure; or b) where such departure improves the functionality of the infrastructure and does not increase risks to public health, public amenity or the environment; and is in accordance with all other conditions of this Licence. The pipeline will be constructed to ensure that the natural surface flow will be Construction Phase 3.4 maintained. 5.2.2 5.4.2 All ground disturbance activities will meet the requirements of the Project All Phases 4 Environment Aboriginal Heritage Review (PEAHR) system. The management actions detailed in the Eastern Pilbara Water Resource All Phases 5.1.2 Management Plan v3.2 (BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 2017) (Licence Application 5.5.2 Attachment 4B) will be implemented to manage any potential impacts associated with the disposal of surplus water from Jimblebar mining operations to the Dam. Weed management will be in accordance with the BHP Billiton Iron Ore Weed All Phases 5.3.1 Management Procedure. 5.3.2 1 Please note that these commitments only apply to the Pre-construction, Construction and Commissioning phases of the project. Commitments related to the Operation and Decommissioning of the infrastructure will be detailed in subsequent license application(s) to the Department of Environment Regulation (DER). 3 1.4. Proponent This works approval application has been submitted by BHP Billiton Iron Ore on behalf of the owners being BHP Iron Ore (Jimblebar) Pty Ltd and Newman Joint Venture. BHP Iron Ore (Jimblebar) Pty Ltd is the holder of the mining lease M266SA pursuant to the Iron Ore (McCamey’s Monster) Authorisation Agreement Act 1972, except in an area that is subject to ownership by the Wheelarra Hill Joint Venture. The split between the partners of M266SA is as follows: BHP Billiton Iron Ore (Jimblebar) Pty Ltd 51% Maanshan Iron and Steel Company Limited 10% Shagang (Australia) Pty Ltd 10% Tangshan Iron and Steel Company Limited 10% Wugang (Australia) Pty Ltd 10% Itochu Minerals and Energy Australia Pty Ltd 4.8% Mitsui Iron Ore Corporation 4.2% The Newman Joint Venture is the owner of Mineral Lease 244SA, The Joint Ventures and their interests are: BHP Billiton Minerals Pty Ltd 85% Mitsui – Itochu Iron Pty Ltd 10% Itochu Minerals and Energy of Australia Pty Ltd 5% The key contact for this proposal is: Chris Hopkins Environmental Specialist BHP Billiton Iron Ore Phone: 0429 157 241 Email: [email protected] Level 39, 125 St Georges Terrace Perth WA 6000 Australia 1.5. Approvals Background 1.5.1. Existing Approvals Ministerial Statement 857 (MS 857) (Licence Application Attachment 4A) approves the disposal of up to 45 ML/d of surplus mine dewatering from Jimblebar Mining Operations to Ophthalmia Dam. The requirements of Condition 8 (Management of the Ethel Gorge Threatened Ecological Community) and Condition 9 (Stratification and/or Algal Blooms in and Downstream of Ophthalmia Dam) of MS 857 are addressed in and managed by the Eastern Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan (BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 2017) (Licence Application Attachment 4B). The proposed new pipeline lies within the prescribed premises boundary of Department of Environment Regulation (DER) licence L5415/1988/9 (Licence Application Attachment 4C). Following construction of the pipeline BHP Billiton is proposing to amend this licence to include discharge of up to 16.2 GL/year of surplus mine dewatering to Ophthalmia Dam from the Jimblebar mining operations. Clearing associated with the project will be undertaken using Ministerial Statement 857 and Native Vegetation Clearing Permit CPS 3609/4 (Licence Application Attachment 4D). Table 2: Prescribed Premises Categories under Schedule 1 of the Environmental Protection Regulations 1987, for Licence Number L5415/1988/9 Category Category description Category production or design Approved Premises production or number capacity design capacity 5 Processing or beneficiation of 50,000 tonnes or more per year 75 million tonnes per annual period metallic or non-metallic ore 6 Mine dewatering 50,000 tonnes or more per year 23.5 gigalitres per annual period (5.11 gigalitres reinjected, 2.19 gigalitres discharged to Jimblebar Creek and Copper Creek, and 16.2 gigalitres discharged to Ophthalmia Dam) 54 Sewage facility 100 cubic metres or more per 120 cubic metres per day day 64 Class II putrescible landfill site 20 tonnes or more per year 1,580 tonnes per annual period 73 Bulk storage of chemicals, etc 1,000 cubic metres in aggregate 4,000 cubic metres in aggregate 4 1.5.2. Associated Approvals Groundwater abstraction at the Jimblebar mining operations is undertaken in accordance with Att 4E Groundwater Well Licence (GWL) 158795(8) (Attachment 4E). Any other approvals will be sought as required. 5 2. Project Description The Jimblebar mining operations are located approximately 30 km east of Newman in the Pilbara region of WA (Figure 1 [Attachment 2])) and are currently operated in accordance with Ministerial Statements 683, 809 and 857. Ministerial Statement 857 approves the construction of pipeline to dispose of up to 45 ML/day (16.425 GL/a) of surplus mine dewatering to Ophthalmia Dam. BHP Billiton is proposing to construct approximately 8.8 km of new pipeline from the Jimblebar Mining Operations to the existing Orebody 31 to Ophthalmia Dam Pipeline (Figure 2 [Attachment 3A]) to facilitate the disposal of up to 6.935 GL/a (average of 19 ML/day). No changes are required to the existing Orebody 31 to Ophthalmia Dam pipeline (other than the tie in) or the Ophthalmia Dam Discharge Point. Following completion of the construction works a licence amendment will be submitted to increase Category 6 of the Jimblebar Hub Prescribed Premises Licence L5415/1988/9 by 6.935 GL/a. BHP Billiton Iron Ore will undertake the construction of the Project in accordance with the requirements detailed in this works approval application except: a) where such departure is minor in nature and does not materially change or affect the infrastructure; or b) where such departure improves the functionality of the infrastructure and does not increase risks to public health, public amenity or the environment; and is in accordance with all other conditions of this Licence. Table 3: Summary of Project Details Prescribed Project Design Description of Expected discharge to Discharge premises component capacity system environment location category Category 6 Pipeline from Pipelines with Pipelines: Discharge: Ophthalmia Dam Jimblebar the capacity to ±8,800m of To Ophthalmia Dam at existing mining discharge up to ±630DN the existing approved approved operations 6.935 GL/year discharge point for discharge point existing (approximately L5415/1998/9 for L5415/1998/9 Orebody 31 to 19 ML/day) (Figure 1 Ophthalmia Source: [Attachment 2]) Dam Pipeline Water supply from basement rock aquifers Volume: Maximum 6.935 GL/year 6 3. Existing Environment 3.1. Climate Newman Aero meteorological site (007176) is the closest Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) station to Jimblebar. Average annual rainfall at Newman Aero is 327.7 mm (BOM, 2017a). This is mainly derived from tropical storms and cyclones during summer, producing sporadic, heavy rains over the area. Mean monthly rainfall varies from 4.0 mm in September to 72.1 mm in February (BoM, 2017a). Daily rainfall is highly variable; the highest maximum daily rainfall ranges from 19.8 mm in October, to 214 mm in December (BoM, 2017a). The mean maximum temperature in summer months (October to March) is 35.1°C to 39.1°C, and mean maximum temperature in winter (April to September) is between 22.8°C and 31.8°C (BoM, 2017a). Wittenoom meteorological site (005026) is the closest station to Jimblebar that records daily evaporation. Wittenoom is located approximately 190 km northwest of Jimblebar. Mean daily evaporation at Wittenoom throughout the year is 8.6 mm/day (BoM, 2017b), which equates to 3.1 metres per year. Evaporation greatly exceeds rainfall in the region throughout the year and on a month-by-month basis (BOM, 2017b). 3.2. Soils and Landform The route of the proposed new pipeline is located within the Boolgeeda, Divide, Jamindie and McKay Land systems as mapped by van Vreeswyk et al. (2004): The Boolgeeda Land system is described as: “Stony lower slopes, level stony plains and narrow sub- parallel drainage floors, relief up to 20 m. A common system in shallow valleys below hill systems such as Newman and Rocklea.” The Divide Land system is described as: “Level to gently undulating sandplains and occasional small dunes.” The Jamindie Land system is described as: “Level to gently undulating hardpan wash plains with mantles of ironstone grit and pebbles, minor stony plains, low rises and occasional low ridges with relief up to 30 m.” The McKay Land system is described as: “Hills, ridges, plateaux remnants and minor breakaways of sedimentary and meta sedimentary rocks, relief up to 100 m.” Soils of the Pilbara region have been defined and mapped at a scale of 1:2,000,000 by Bettenay et al. (1967). Two soil units occur within the proposed footprint for the proposed MAR scheme: Fa13 and BE6. Soil Unit Fa13 is described as: “Ranges of banded jaspilite and chert along with shales, dolomites, and iron ore formations; some areas of ferruginous duricrust as well as occasional narrow winding valley plains and steeply dissected pediments. This unit is largely associated with the Hamersley and Ophthalmia Ranges. The soils are frequently stony and shallow and there are extensive areas without soil cover: chief soils are shallow stony earthy loams (Um5.51) along with some (Uc5.11) soils on the steeper slopes. Associated are (Dr2.33, Dr2.32) soils on the limited areas of dissected pediments, while (Um5.52) and (Uf6.71) soils occur on the valley plains.” Soil Unit BE6 is described as: "Extensive flat and gently sloping plains, which sometimes have a surface cover of gravels and on which redbrown hardpan frequently outcrops: chief soils are shallow earthy loams (Um5.3), with associated (Gn) soils of units My5O and Mz23 of Sheet 6. As mapped, there are inclusions of units Oc47 and BB9." 3.3. Regional Groundwater The route of the proposed new pipeline and the associated abstraction bores are located within the following regional aquifers: 1. Hamersley – Fractured Rock Aquifer: The Precambrian rocks of the Hamersley Basin are principally volcanics, shales and iron formations. Groundwater is contained within fractures within these rocks. The groundwater level may be deep below the surface, and is generally fresh. The main use of this aquifer is for mining and mine dewatering from iron ore mines. Bores have also been drilled for road and railway construction. There will be increasing dewatering from the fractured rocks around iron ore mines as the pits become deeper (DoW, 2015a). Discharge activities occur at the licenced Ophthalmia Dam Discharge Point which overlays this aquifer and is in a P1 public drinking water source area. 3.4. Regional Surface water A number of unnamed perennial watercourses flow across the Project Area. The pipeline will be constructed to ensure that the natural surface flow will be maintained. Discharge activities will occur at the licenced Ophthalmia Dam Discharge Point. 7 3.5. Ethel Gorge and Ophthalmia Dam Ethel Gorge (the Gorge) is downstream (north) of the confluence of Homestead, Shovelanna and Warrawanda Creeks within the Fortescue River catchment. The Gorge is formed where the Fortescue River flows through the Ophthalmia Range in a northerly direction. Surface and groundwater flows from the entire upstream catchment area are focused into the Gorge resulting in relatively shallow groundwater levels, typically less than 10m below ground level (mbgl). The area hosts the Ethel Gorge Stygobiont Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) (Figure 3 [Attachment 7]) (RPS Aquaterra, 2015). The Gorge groundwater system occurs in valley sediments bounded by low permeability basement rocks. It consists of a highly permeable alluvial aquifer comprising an upper unit of sandy-alluvium and calcrete (upper alluvial aquifer) and a lower unit of gravelly-alluvium (deep aquifer). The two units are separated by a low permeability clay sequence (RPS Aquaterra, 2015). The Gorge groundwater system has been dominated by Ophthalmia Dam since it was commissioned in 1981. The Dam was designed to substantially increase groundwater recharge and loading on the alluvial aquifer to offset drawdown from the Ophthalmia Borefield. The Dam is a Managed Aquifer Recharge (MAR) scheme which impounds and retards flood waters in the Fortescue River to allow larger volumes of infiltration over a prolonged period. Groundwater levels in the aquifer have been sustained at much higher levels since the dam was constructed than would otherwise have been the case (RPS Aquaterra, 2015). 3.6. Flora and Vegetation No significant flora species listed under the EPBC Act, the Wildlife Conservation Act, 1950 (WC Act) or listed as Priority Flora species by the Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPaW) have been identified within the area of the proposed new pipeline. All disturbance associated with the project will be conducted in accordance with MS 857 and approved Native Vegetation Clearing Permit (NVCP) CPS 3609/4. Onshore Environmental (2014) identified three broad floristic communities with 10 vegetation associations within the areas where new pipeline is to be constructed (Table 4). None of these vegetation associations represent or are associated with a Threatened Ecological Community (TEC) listed under the Environmental Protection Biodiversity Act, 1999 (EPBC Act) or an Environmentally Sensitive Area under the EP Act or a PEC listed by DPaW. 3.7. Vertebrate Fauna Biologic (2014) identified five habitat types within the area of the proposed new pipeline: Drainage Area, Mulga, Sandy Plain, Stony Plain and Hill Crest/ Slope. No significant fauna species have been identified within the area of the proposed new pipeline. 8 Table 4: Vegetation Associations within the boundaries of the Proposed Pipe Works Broad Floristic Vegetation Vegetation Association Description Community Association Code Acacia High FP ApaAa High Open Shrubland of Acacia paranerua and Acacia aptaneura over Open Shrubland Erfr TsTp Open Shrubland of Eremophila fraseri over Very Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia sp. Shovelanna Hill (S. van Leeuwen 3835) and Triodia pungens on red clay loam on floodplains and stony plains. SP AaAp High Open Shrubland of Acacia aptaneura and Acacia paraneura over ArcAri TbTp Scattered Tussock Grasses of Aristida contorta and Aristida inaequiglumis and Scattered Hummock Grasses of Triodia basedowii and Triodia pungens on red clay loam on flats and stony plains. Acacia Low FP AaAprAci Low Woodland of Acacia aptaneura, Acacia pruinocarpa and Acacia Woodland RheAa citrinoviridis over Open Shrubland of Rhagodia eremaea and Acacia CcChfArin aptaneura over Open Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris, Chrysopogon fallax and Aristida ingrata on red loam on floodplains. FP ApAaApr Low Woodland of Acacia paraneura, Acacia aptaneura and Acacia AsyErffPto pruinocarpa over Open Shrubland of Acacia synchronicia, Eremophila CcAriArc forrestii subsp. forrestii and Ptilotus obovatus over Open Tussock Grassland of *Cenchrus ciliaris, Aristida inaequiglumis and Aristida contorta on red brown loam on floodplains. Triodia FP Tb AaApr Hummock Grassland of Triodia basedowii with Low Open Woodland of Hummock Erff Acacia aptaneura and Acacia pruinocarpa over Open Shrubland of Grassland Eremophila forrestii subsp. forrestii on red sandy loam on floodplains. FP Tp EtEg Hummock Grassland of Triodia pungens with Very Open Mallee of AbAancPl Eucalyptus trivalva and Eucalyptus gamophylla over Shrubland of Acacia bivenosa, Acacia ancistrocarpa and Petalostylis labicheoides on red brown loam on uninsised drainage tracts on floodplain. HC TsTp Hummock Grassland of Triodia sp. Shovelanna Hill (S. van Leeuwen 3835) EkkEg and Trioidia pungens with Very Open Mallee of Eucalyptus kingsmillii subsp. kingsmillii and Eucalyptus gamophylla on red sandy loam on hill crests and upper hill slopes. HS Ts Hummock Grassland of Triodia sp. Shovelanna Hill (S. van Leeuwen 3835) on red brown sandy loam on hill slopes. HS TsTwTp Hummock Grassland of Triodia sp. Shovelanna Hill (S. van Leeuwen EllCh AhiAaa 3835), Triodia wiseana and Triodia pungens with Low Open Woodland of Eucalyptus leucophloia subsp. leucophloia and Corymbia hamersleyana over Low Open Shrubland of Acacia hilliana and Acacia adoxa var. adoxa on red brown sandy loam on hill slopes. SA Tb ChEg Hummock Grassland of Triodia basedowii with Low Open Woodland of ScpBeKep Corymbia hamersleyana and Eucalyptus gamophylla over Low Open Shrubland of Scaevola parvifolia, Bonamia erecta and Kennedia prorepens on red loamy sand on sand plains. 9 4. Environmental Management 4.1. Corporate Level Plans and Procedures The management of the environmental aspects of BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s operations for the Project are managed under the company’s AS/NZS ISO 14001:2004 certified Environmental Management System (EMS). The EMS describes the organisational structure, responsibilities, practices, processes and resources for implementing and maintaining environmental objectives at all BHP Billiton Iron Ore sites. Additionally, operational controls for environmental management for the Project are guided by BHP Billiton’s Charter values. The Charter Values outline a commitment to develop, implement and maintain management systems for sustainable development that drive continual improvement and set and achieve targets that promote efficient use of resources. In order to give effect to the Charter Values, a series of Group Level Documents have been developed. BHP Billiton Iron Ore has also developed a Sustainable Development Policy for its operations. The Sustainable Development Policy outlines a commitment to setting objective and targets to achieve sustainable outcomes and to continually improve our performance. To support these documents BHP Billiton Iron Ore has an internal Project Environmental and Aboriginal Heritage Review (PEAHR) system. The purpose of the system is to manage implementation of environmental, Aboriginal heritage, land tenure and legal commitments prior to and during land disturbance. All ground disturbance activities will meet the requirements of the PEAHR system. All personnel carrying out works associated with clearing activities are required to comply with BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s Sustainable Development Policy, Ministerial Statement 1021; and relevant legislative and licensing requirements. 10 5. Environmental Impact Assessment BHP Billiton Iron Ore has assessed the potential emissions and discharges associated with the construction of the new pipeline and the increased discharge to the Ophthalmia Dam licenced discharge point. These potential impacts have been assessed and classified according to various environmental receptors and end points as discussed in the following Sections. 5.1. Groundwater 5.1.1. Potential Impacts The following potential groundwater impacts are associated with the Project: Potential changes to salinity of the aquifers underlying Ophthalmia dam; Discharge to Ophthalmia Dam may result in a very minor increase in the salinity of the Dam water. Any increases in salinity resulting from surplus water discharge to Ophthalmia Dam are anticipated to remain within existing known ranges and will be masked by natural (seasonal) variations (BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 2017). A change in the salinity of the Dam has the potential to impact of the salinity of the underlying aquifer. 5.1.2. Management strategies Although impacts on the aquifers are anticipated to be negligible, specific management strategies will be implemented to minimise impacts during construction and operation of the discharge point at Ophthalmia Dam. These management actions are detailed in the Eastern Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan (BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 2017) (Licence Application Attachment 4B), and will be implemented to manage any potential impacts associated with the disposal of surplus water from Jimblebar mining operations to the Dam. 5.2. Surface Water and Drainage 5.2.1. Potential Impacts The proposed pipeline will intersect a number of minor drainage lines. Construction of the pipeline has the potential to impact on stream flows by blocking or diverting the natural stream flows. 5.2.2. Management Strategies The following specific management strategy will be implemented to minimise impacts on surface water resources during construction and operation of the pipeline: The pipeline will be constructed to ensure that the natural surface flow will be maintained. 5.3. Flora and Vegetation 5.3.1. Potential Impacts The following potential flora and vegetation impacts are associated with the Project: Loss of vegetation due to clearing for construction the new pipeline; and Spread of weed species during clearing. Potential direct impacts on flora and vegetation may be associated with the construction of the pipeline. Pipelines will comprise surface laid polyethylene pipelines located along the existing roads and tracks where possible. If not possible, pipelines will be laid on uncleared ground thereby minimising the need for clearing of vegetation. Existing weeds or new weeds could be spread around the project area if suitable weed hygiene is not undertaken. Weed management will be in accordance with the BHP Billiton Iron Ore Weed Management Procedure. 5.3.2. Management Strategies Specific management strategies will be implemented to minimise impacts on flora and vegetation during construction and operation of the discharge system. These include: Clearing will be minimised and be conducted in accordance with the Jimblebar Ministerial Statement 857 and NVCP CPS 3609/4 and BHP Billiton Iron ore’s PEAHR process; and Weed management will be conducted in accordance with the BHP Billiton Iron Ore Weed Management Procedure. 11 5.4. Terrestrial Fauna 5.4.1. Potential Impacts The following potential terrestrial fauna impacts are associated with the Project: Loss of habitat due to clearing pipeline construction; and Barriers to movement due to construction of pipelines. 5.4.2. Management Strategies The following specific management strategy will be implemented to minimise impacts on terrestrial fauna during construction and operation of the dewater discharge pipeline: Clearing will be minimised and be conducted in accordance with the Jimblebar Ministerial Statement 857 and NVCP CPS 3609/4 and BHP Billiton Iron Ore’s PEAHR process; and The pipeline will be constructed to ensure that the natural surface flow will be maintained. 5.5. Subterranean Fauna 5.5.1. Potential Impacts The following potential subterranean fauna impact is associated with the Project: Potential impact on the Ethel Gorge TEC as a result of an increase in aquifer salinity Discharge to Ophthalmia Dam may result in a very minor increase in water levels within Ophthalmia Dam and a very minor increase in the salinity of the dam water. Any increases in salinity resulting from surplus water discharge to Ophthalmia Dam are anticipated to remain within existing known ranges and will be masked by natural (seasonal) variations (BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 2017). 5.5.2. Management Strategies Although impacts on the receiving environment is anticipated to be negligible, specific management strategies will be implemented to minimise impacts on subterranean fauna during construction and operation of the discharge point at Ophthalmia Dam. These management actions are detailed in the Eastern Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan (BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 2017) (Licence Application Attachment 4B) will be implemented to manage any potential impacts associated with the disposal of surplus water from Jimblebar mining operations to the Dam. 5.6. Dust and noise emissions Site preparation works including earthworks and vehicle movement will generate a minor amount of dust and noise emissions in the local area. The closest dust and noise receptors to the proposed pipeline will be the inhabitants of Warrawandu Village (Figure 1 [Attachment 2]), located more than 12 km to the west. No impacts on sensitive receptors are expected due to the nature of construction / installation works proposed and the distance to these receptors. Activities will be restricted to the construction and installation of the pipe works. These construction and installation activities will result in minor and temporary increases in dust and noise generation. No overall increase in dust and noise emissions at the site are anticipated during the operational phase. 6. Cost of Works A breakdown of the estimated cost of the works and the associated works approval application fee has been provided (Table 5). Table 5: Calculation of Application Fee Preliminaries $1,200,000.00 Scope of Supply $4,600,000.00 Scope of Works $2,100,000.00 Total Cost of Works $7,900,000.00 Total Application Fee2 $10,431.00 2 Calculated online: www.der.wa.gov.au 12 7. Heritage The Land Access Unit is the internal group within BHP Billiton Iron Ore that manages Aboriginal heritage matters. The Land Access Unit is responsible for ensuring that BHP Billiton Iron Ore complies with the Aboriginal Heritage Act, 1972, and all other state and federal heritage legislation. All land disturbance activities are subject to ethnographic and archaeological surveys as part of an internal PEAHR. The PEAHR process ensures that all heritage sites in the vicinity of the project area are identified and avoided where practicable. The Project area falls within the Nyiyaparli Native Title Claim (WC 05/6). Archaeological and ethnographic surveys of the Project area have been undertaken by BHP Billiton Iron Ore. Heritage sites have been mapped should any heritage site need to be disturbed as part of the project BHP Billiton Iron Ore will obtain the relevant Section 18 approval. 8. Community Consultation BHP Billiton Iron Ore will continue to consult with the Department of Water, Department of Environment Regulation, and representatives of the Nyiyaparli Native Title Claim (WC 05/6) and will submit annual reports regarding the operation of the Ophthalmia Dam discharge point as part of the existing annual environmental reporting commitments. 9. Conclusion This document is provided in support of the works approval application to allow the construction of a new pipeline that ties in to the existing Orebody 31 to Ophthalmia Dam pipeline to allow the disposal of 6.325 GL /a of surplus mine dewater to the dam from the Jimblebar Mining Operations.. The proposed discharge will be managed in accordance with the Eastern Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan (BHP Billiton Iron Ore, 2017) (Licence Application Attachment 4B). Assessment of the hydrogeological impacts associated with the discharge indicates there will be minimal impacts to the Ethel Gorge groundwater system and the associated Ethel Gorge Stygobiont TEC. Based on these results, the impact assessment and proposed project management measures and commitments (Table 1) (Section 5), it is not anticipated that there will be any significant environmental impacts resulting from the Project. 13 10. References Bettenay, E., Churchward, H.M. and McArthur, W.M. (1967) Atlas of Australian Soils, Sheet 6, Meekatharra- Hamersley Range area, CSIRO. Biologic (2014) Consolidation of Regional Fauna Habitat Mapping BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pilbara Tenure. Unpublished Report for BHP Billiton Iron Ore. BHP Billiton Iron Ore (2017) Eastern Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan. BHP Billiton internal Management Plan. BHP Billiton Iron Ore (2010) BHP Billiton Iron Ore Weed Control and Management Procedure. SPR-IEN-LAND- 003. BoM (Bureau of Meteorology) (2017a) Climate statistics for Australian locations – Newman Aero. Website: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_007176_All.shtml Accessed: 20 March 2017. BoM (Bureau of Meteorology) (2017b) Climate statistics for Australian locations – Wittenoom. Website: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/averages/tables/cw_005026_All.shtml Accessed: 20 March 2017. Department of Water (2015a) Hydrogeological Atlas: Hamersley – Fractured Rock. http://www.water.wa.gov.au/idelve/hydroatlas/ioiQuery.jsp?ts=1421024384008&d=hydroatlas&bb=116.27104 62,-23.570724506092837,119.38272319999999,- 21.29263989390716&k=NONE&w=1034&h=757&z=1003199.8498259148&x=118.62436478220502&y=- 23.254741832011604&i=782&j=652 Accessed 12 January 15. Onshore Environmental (2014) Consolidation of Regional Vegetation Mapping BHP Billiton Iron Ore Pilbara Tenure. Unpublished Report for BHP Billiton Iron Ore. RPS Aquaterra (2015) Regional Numerical Modelling of Orebody 31: Summary Report. van Vreeswyk, A.M.E., Payne, A.L., Leighton, K.A. and Hennig, P. (2004) An Inventory and Condition Survey of the Pilbara Region, Western Australia. Technical Bulletin No. 92, Department of Agriculture, Perth. 14 Figure 1: See Licence Amendment Application Attachment 2 – Premises Map 15 Figure 2: See Licence Amendment Application Attachment 3A – Project Facilities 16 Figure 3: See the Licence Amendment Application Attachment 7 – Sensitive Receptors with 5km 17 Appendix 1: Compliance Report Project Characteristics and Commitments Confirmation Infrastructure Characteristics Constructed as Described Managed Aquifer Recharge System Category 6 Maximum production / design Total System Capacity (Jimblebar to the OB31 to 4.95cm capacity: Ophthalmia Dam pipeline) is 6.935 GL/a (average of 19 ML/day) based 8.8 km of 630DN pipeline. Proposed maximum discharge: 6.935 GL/a (average of 19 ML/day) from the Jimblebar Mining Operations. Location of all infrastructure Jimblebar Hub Prescribed Premises Licence. associated with the Licence Map References: Amendment: Figure 1 (Attachment 2): STOB31_029WA_001_RevB_0 Figure 2 (Attachment 3A): STOB31_029WA_002_RevB_0 Figure 3 (Attachment 7): STOB31_029WA_003_RevB_0 BHP Billiton Iron Ore Shapefile 1 Doc Reference: http://io1doc/webtop/drl/objectId/0903c41a82e73f2a Tenure: The following infrastructure will be constructed on the tenements below: Mineral Lease ML244SA Dewatering Pipeline from Jimblebar to the existing Orebody 31 to Ophthalmia Dam Pipeline. Mining Lease M266SA Water transfer pipeline within the Jimblebar Mining Operations. Commissioning and Compliance No Commissioning period is required for the licence. Report: BHP Billiton Iron Ore will confirm compliance with the Project (as detailed in Table 1) in the compliance document using the template provided (Appendix 1). Licence: This Project will be operated under the existing Environmental Operating Licence L5415. Relevant Environmental Factors: The following environmental factors associated with the proposed infrastructure are considered to require specific management measures as detailed below: 1. Groundwater; 2. Surface water and drainage; 3. Flora and vegetation; 4. Terrestrial fauna; and 5. Subterranean fauna. Project phase to which the Section Commitment Met Application Commitments Commitment Applies3 Clearing associated with the project will be undertaken All Phases 1.5.1 using Ministerial Statement 857 and Native Vegetation 5.3.2 Clearing Permits CPS 3609/4 (Licence Application Attachment 4D). BHP Billiton Iron Ore will undertake the construction of Construction Phase 2 the Project in accordance with the requirements detailed in this works approval application except: a) where such departure is minor in nature and does not materially change or affect the infrastructure; or b) where such departure improves the functionality of the infrastructure and does not increase risks to public health, public amenity or the environment; and is in accordance with all other conditions of this Licence. 3 Please note that these commitments only apply to the Pre-construction, Construction and Commissioning phases of the project. Commitments related to the Operation and Decommissioning of the infrastructure will be detailed in subsequent license application(s) to the Department of Environment Regulation (DER). Page | 18 Project phase to which the Section Commitment Met Application Commitments Commitment Applies The pipeline will be constructed to ensure that the Construction Phase 3.4 natural surface flow will be maintained. 5.2.2 5.4.2 All ground disturbance activities will meet the All Phases 4 requirements of the PEAHR system. The management actions detailed in the Eastern All Phases 5.1.2 Pilbara Water Resource Management Plan (BHP 5.5.2 Billiton Iron Ore, 2017) (Licence Application Attachment 4B) will be implemented to manage any potential impacts associated with the disposal of surplus water from Jimblebar mining operations to the Dam. Weed management will be in accordance with the BHP All Phases 5.3.1 Billiton Iron Ore Weed Management Procedure. 5.3.2 19