Wodgina Lithium Project | Revised Mining Proposal RegID 71172
Two soil-landform associations were identified in the vicinity of the power station: drainage lines, and low hills. The low hills soil-landform association comprises the majority of the area surrounding the current and proposed power stations (85.5%). Four soil-landform associations were previously identified within the TSF3 expansion area: ridge/plateau, midslope, scree slope, and drainage line.
2.7. Tailings The physical and geochemical properties of the tailings material in TSF3 were characterised by MBS in 2017 (Appendix J). A composite sample was prepared from four locations within TSF3 and analysed for mineralogy, elemental composition and leachate analysis, as well as particle size distribution. A further two samples underwent environmental and geophysical testing including particle size analysis. In summary, the tailings are geochemically benign and can be characterised as: NAF (not acid forming), with an extremely low risk oxidised tailings generating acidic or saline seepage having very low concentrations of environmentally significant elements including arsenic, cadmium, copper, chromium, nickel, lead and zinc having significant geochemical enrichment in rare elements including beryllium, caesium, lithium, rubidium and tantalum – these elements are often present in pegmatite lithologies having concentrations of environmentally significant metals and metalloids in water leachates were very low being comprised mainly of silt (0.002 to 0.02mm) and fine to medium sand (0.02 to 2mm) sized particles.
2.8. Vegetation and flora Beard (1975) mapped the vegetation of the Pilbara at a scale of 1:1,000,000. The vegetation is typically open and frequently dominated by spinifex, wattles and occasional eucalypts. Finer-scale vegetation mapping by Mattiske Consulting (2000) identified the occurrence of 18 vegetation types (communities) within or in the vicinity of the Wodgina mine site (Figure 9) (Table 5). Vegetation was described as variable as the site covers a wide range of environments from the rugged hill slopes near the mine to extended flats. The majority of the 18 vegetation communities recorded are widespread and dominated by Hummock Grasslands of Triodia wiseana, Triodia brizoides, Triodia angusta and Triodia pungens (Mattiske Consulting 2000). Vegetation surrounding Wodgina Creek is characterised by Eucalyptus Woodland consisting of trees 5-6 m tall, surrounded by Hummock Grasslands present along the creek margins. A patchy understorey of Acacia Shrubland follows the upstream tributaries of the larger creek lines (Dames and Moore, 1989). In a regional context the vegetation communities in the narrow gullies and the watercourses support the largest range of species and, therefore, have greater conservation value (Mattiske Consulting, 2000). Previous searches of the DER Threatened Ecological Communities (TEC) and Priority Ecological Community (PEC) database indicate there are no threatened or priority ecological communities within a 20 km buffer of the Wodgina mine site (GAMW, 2012). The vegetation communities at Wodgina vary in the diversity of species that they support and, in general, the narrow gullies and valley floors support a larger variety of taxa (Mattiske Consulting, 2000). The combined results of the DER significant flora search, a search of the EPBC protected matters register and surveys carried out by Mattiske Consulting (2000)and Outback Ecology (2009)indicate that 14 species of priority flora have previously been found within or in the vicinity of the Wodgina mine site (Table 6).
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673000 674000 0 0 0 0
0 3b 0 8 3h 3h 8 5 5
6 Legend 6 7 1a 3h 7 Disturbance (Proposed) 4b Tenements 3a M 45/50-I CODE, Legend ± 3h 1a-Open woodland of Eucalyptus victrix over Melaleuca linophylla, 3a 3h Tephrosia rosea, Cajanus cinereus and Triodia pungens on major flow lines. 3b 3a 2a-Tall Shrubland of Acacia pyrifolia, Acacia tumida over Triodia pungens Power 4b and Tephrosia rosea along broader flow lines. Station 3h 2b-Tall Open Shrubland of Acacia acradenia over Triodia pungens and 3b Triodia wiseana in minor flow lines and adjacent embankments. 3b 4b 3a-Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia brizoides with emergent Acacia acradenia and Acacia inaequilatera on mixed calcrete soils. 2a 3e3b-Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia3 waiseana with some Triodia pungens, Triodia brizoides with emergent Eucalyptus leucophloia and 3a mixed3 Ahcacia species on low undulating hills. 3h 3d-Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia pungens and Triodia wiseana 1a with emergent Grevillea pyramidalis on low spurs. 3e-Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia wiseana and Triodia pungens Beneficiation with Acacia inaequilatera on lower flats. Plant 3h-Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia3 phungens and Triodia angusta 4b with emergent Acacia humilis (ms) on water logged flats. 4a-Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia pungens, Triodia wiseana and Eriachne muc3roanata with emergent Acacia and Eucalyptus species on the uppers slopes of the more elevated ranges. 3b
0 3b 3b 0 0 0
4b-Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia wiseana with the occasional I 0 0
-
7 2a 7
emergent Acacia and Eucalyptus species on the rocky outcrops on the 5 5 5
6
6 slopes and upper ridges of the more elevated ranges. 6
3 7 7
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5 Crushing 5 6 3b 6 7 Laydown 4b 7 3a Stockpiles
3b 3b 3a M 45/353 3b 3b Embankment 2b Wall 2b 4b 4b Closure Spillway 4b TSF3 Expansion 4b 3a 2b
4b 2b M 45/383-I 4b 2a M 45/888 1a
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: Scale: 1:15,000 n o i MGA94 (Zone 50) t Author: D. Temple-Smith a t Vegetation Communities e CAD Ref: a2459_TSF3_F009
g Drawn: CAD Resources ~ www.cadresources.com.au e
V Date: February 2018 Rev: A A4 Tel: (08) 9246 3242 ~ Fax (08) 9246 3202 9 Wodgina Lithium Project | Revised Mining Proposal RegID 71172
TABLE 5: VEGETATION COMMUNITIES
Code Description Eucalyptus Woodlands 1a Open woodland of Eucalyptus victrix over Melaleuca linophylla, Tephrosia rosea, Cajanus cinereus and Triodia pungens on major flow lines. 1b Open woodland of Eucalyptus victrix over Melaleuca linophylla, Cyperus vaginatus and Typha domingensis on major flow-line. 1c Open woodland of Eucalyptus victrix over Melaleuca lasiandra, Melaleuca argentea, Acacia lysiphloia and Cyperus vaginatus on major flow-lines. This community supports the Priority species (Acacia aphanoclada). 1d Open woodland of Eucalyptus victrix over Heteropogon contortus, Themeda triandra on major flow-lines. Acacia Shrublands 2a Tall Shrubland of Acacia pyrifolia, Acacia tumida over Triodia pungens and Tephrosia rosea along broader flow-lines. This community is widespread in the local context and supports a very high range of plant species and is therefore significant for maintaining biodiversity at a species level. 2b Tall Open Shrubland of Acacia acradenia over Triodia pungens and Triodia wiseana in minor flow-lines and adjacent embankments. This community occurs regularly through the project area and is unlikely to be influenced by the proposal. Hummock Grasslands 3a Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia brizoides with emergent Acacia acradenia and Acacia inaequilatera on mixed calcrete soils. This community occurs in localized pockets. 3b Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia wiseana with some Triodia pungens, Triodia brizoides with emergent Eucalyptus leucophloia and mixed Acacia species on low undulating hills. 3c Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia pungens and Triodia wiseana with emergent Acacia tenuissima on low spurs. This community is common in a regional context. 3d Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia pungens and Triodia wiseana with emergent Grevillea pyramidalis on low spurs. This community is common in a regional context. 3e Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia wiseana and Triodia pungens with Acacia inaequilatera on lower flats. Euphorbia drummondii subsp. Pilbara (B.G. Thornton 3503) (PN) (P2) was recorded in this vegetation community, which occurs in several locations. 3f Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia wiseana, Triodia pungens. Triodia lanigera with mixed emergent Acacia and Corymbia species on the broad flats. 3g Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia pungens with emergent Acacia inaequilatera and Acacia spondylophylla on low rises. This community is common in a regional context. 3h Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia pungens and Triodia angusta with emergent Acacia humilis on water- logged flats. 3i Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia schinzii and Triodia pungens with emergent Acacia ancistrocarpa on broad flats. This community is common in a regional context. 3j Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia wiseana with emergent low shrubs of Acacia and Senna species on the rocky outcrops of the low rises. This community is common in a regional context. Hummock Grasslands 4a Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia pungens, Triodia wiseana and Eriachne mucronata with emergent Acacia and Eucalyptus species on the upper slopes of the more elevated ranges. 4b Open Hummock Grassland of Triodia wiseana with the occasional emergent Acacia and Eucalyptus species on the rocky outcrops and upper ridges of the more elevated ranges.
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Wodgina Lithium Project | Revised Mining Proposal RegID 71172
TABLE 6: SIGNIFICANT FLORA SPECIES - WODGINA
Conservation Status Information Source
EPBC WC Act DBCA Mattiske Outback Flora EPBC Species Name Act Status Priority Consulting Ecology Base Search 2000 2009 Search
Acacia aphanoclada None None Priority 1 X
Acacia leeuweniana None None Priority 1 X
Acacia levata None None Priority 3 X
Acacia sp. Marble Bar None None Priority 1 X
Euphorbia clementii None None Priority 2 X
Euphorbia None None Priority 3 X inappendiculata
Gomphrena leptophylla None None Priority 3 X
Goodenia nuda None None Priority 4 X
Gymnanthera None None Priority 3 X cunninghamii
No declared rare flora species have been found in previous surveys. Many of the priority flora species are associated with rocky outcrops, hills and cliffs (GAMW, 2012).
2.9. Fauna The Pilbara region is characterised by high fauna diversity and endemism, having overlapping biogeographic elements from the Kimberly and South-West, as well as contributions from adjacent desert and Murchison regions. Special fauna values of relevance to the broader Wodgina area include persisting populations of significant species, species-rich, refugial ecosystems associated with gorges, waterfalls and ridge tops (McKenzie, et al., 2009). There has been a large terrestrial vertebrate fauna survey effort of the Wodgina area over many years by Atlas Iron and others. Surveys have varied from Level 1 reconnaissance to detailed pitfall trapping and targeted surveys for Northern Quoll, Ghost Bats and Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bats over multiple seasons. Two Short Range Endemic (SRE) surveys were conducted prior to commencement of Atlas Iron’s Wodgina DSO project. A recent review of previous fauna studies by Rapallo in 2017 (Appendix K) found that four threatened species, three Priority listed species and one migratory species are likely to occur or have been recorded at Wodgina. A further two threatened species, three Priority listed species and seven migratory species may occur at Wodgina. These species are listed in Table 7 (threatened species), Table 8 (priority species) and Table 9. Of particular relevance to the Proposal are the fauna survey of the TSF expansion area by Turpin and Bamford in 2008 (Appendix L), the Atlas Iron Wodgina DSO fauna survey by Outback Ecology in 2009 (Appendix M) and the Atlas Iron Hercules vertebrate fauna survey by Outback Ecology in 2012 (Appendix N). A summary of these surveys is provided below.
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Wodgina Lithium Project | Revised Mining Proposal RegID 71172
TABLE 7: THREATENED FAUNA SPECIES OF THE WODGINA AREA
TABLE 8: PRIORITY FAUNA SPECIES OF THE WODGINA AREA
It should be noted that the survey of the TSF expansion area by Turpin and Bamford was reviewed and updated in 2017 to reflect changes in the conservation status of relevant species since 2008. This update is included with the original report at Appendix L.
Turpin and Bamford (2008) - TSF3 expansion fauna survey This survey comprised a desktop study and reconnaissance survey (site inspection) of the proposed TSF3 expansion area. At that time, it was proposed to raise the height of TSF3 to the 275m RL contour, including the southward expansion of the TSF into the adjacent valley. The fauna survey also included the proposed TSF4 area to the north of TSF3. The vertebrate fauna assemblage of the area is typical of the Pilbara, with most species being widespread. Some species may have restricted or habitat limited distributions and some species that were expected to occur have declined in the region (Appendix L). The locations of species recorded during the field survey are shown in Figure 10.
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Wodgina Lithium Project | Revised Mining Proposal RegID 71172
TABLE 9: MIGRATORY FAUNA SPECIES OF THE WODGINA AREA
A total of 23 conservation significant species are likely to occur or utilise habitat either within or adjacent to the Proposal (Appendix L). Of these 23 species, 14 are listed under legislation (CS1), 2 species are listed as priority species by the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA) (CS2), and 7 species are of local significance because they have restricted distributions (CS3). Table 10 lists these species and their conservation status as documented in 2008 and revised in 2017. The key changes are: The Grey Falcon is an additional CS1 species recognised in 2017 as it has been upgraded from a DBCA priority species to Schedule 3 of the Wildlife Conservation Act 1950 (WA). Habitat for this species is restricted to drainage lines, which will not be disturbed by the Proposal. The Northern Brush-tail Possum is an additional CS1 species recognised in 2017, but it is unlikely to occur in the Proposal area. The Bush Stone-curlew has been listed as CS3 as it is declined over about 50% of its range and is vulnerable to roadkill, feral fauna and habitat degradation. Other changes are a result of changes to the terminology used for the schedules in the WC Act rather than any real changes in conservation status (e.g. Schedule 1 in the 2008 version of the Act is equivalent to Schedules 1 to 3 in the 2017 version of the same Act). Migratory birds have since been listed in the WC Act to reflect international agreements and for consistency with the EPBC Act. Some migratory species (Rainbow Bee-eater, Eastern Great Egret) have been de-listed as migratory under the EPBC Act, but remain migratory under the WC Act.
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672000 673000 674000 675000
Legend
Disturbance (Proposed) Significant Species - Hercules/Wodgina DSO Broad Fauna Habitat Scree Slope ") Significant Fauna Habitat - Bamford 2008 ") Ghost Bat Disturbance Spinifex Stony Plain ± Significant Species - Bamford 2008 !( Northern Quoll Drainage Line Stony Plain
") Northern Quoll *# Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat Ironstone Ridge Top
*
*# Rainbow Bee-eater # Rainbow Bee-eater Rocky Foothills * #
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") Rocky outcrop !(^_ *# Cave") ") ^_ ")") Refer to Inset 7655000 ") Cave 7655000 !( Topsoil !( !( Stockpile !( *# ")!(*#
#
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672000 673000 674000 675000
Figure: 0 200 400 m Wodgina Lithium Scale: 1:20,000 MGA94 (Zone 50) Author: D. Temple-Smith Vertebrate Fauna CAD Ref: a2459_TSF3_F010 Drawn: CAD Resources ~ www.cadresources.com.au Date: February 2018 Rev: A A4 Tel: (08) 9246 3242 ~ Fax (08) 9246 3202 10 Wodgina Lithium Project | Revised Mining Proposal RegID 71172
TABLE 10: UPDATED CONSERVATION STATUS OF SIGNIFICANT FAUNA SPECIES (TSF3 EXPANSION AREA)
CONSERVATION STATUS
EPBC Act WC Act DBCA Priority Implication of any change in Likely to Occur in COMMON NAME LATIN NAME CS3 (CS1) (CS1) (CS2) CS level Disturbance area
2008 2017 2008 2017 2008 2017 2008 2017
AMPHIBIANS
Glandular Toadlet Uperoleia No change May occur glandulosa seasonally, + + associated with rock pools
REPTILES
Olive Python Liasis olivaceus Terminology change only Yes – associated (Pilbara subsp.) barroni VUL VUL S1 S3 with rocky ridges and waterholes
BIRDS
Peregrine Falcon Falco peregrinus S4 S7 Terminology change only Yes - rocky ridges
Grey Falcon Falco hypoleucos Uplisted from CS2 to CS1; Yes – woodland Project will not disturb along drainage lines S3 P4 None drainage lines so unlikely to impact species
Australian Bustard Ardeotis australis Delisted Yes- open areas P4 None Recorded Nearby
Bush Stone-curlew Burhinus grallarius Delisted from Priority but Yes- Acacia P4 None + proposed as a CS3 species Woodland,, (local significance). Creeklines
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Wodgina Lithium Project | Revised Mining Proposal RegID 71172
CONSERVATION STATUS
EPBC Act WC Act DBCA Priority Implication of any change in Likely to Occur in COMMON NAME LATIN NAME CS3 (CS1) (CS1) (CS2) CS level Disturbance area
2008 2017 2008 2017 2008 2017 2008 2017 Recorded Nearby
Fork-tailed Swift Apus pacificus No real change – now Yes- seasonal MIG MIG S5 included as migratory species under WA Act
Rainbow Bee-eater Merops ornatus No real change – now RECORDED MIG None S5 included as migratory species under WA Act
Marsh Sandpiper Tringa stagnatalis No real change – now No – tailings dam MIG MIG S5 included as migratory species under WA Act
Common Tringa nebularia No real change – now No – tailings dam Greenshank MIG MIG S5 included as migratory species under WA Act
Wood Sandpiper Tringa glareola No real change – now No – tailings dam MIG MIG S5 included as migratory species under WA Act
Common Sandpiper Tringa hypoleucos No real change – now No – tailings dam MIG MIG S5 included as migratory species under WA Act
Oriental Pratincole Glareola No real change – now No – tailings dam maldivarum MIG MIG S5 included as migratory species under WA Act
Great Egret, White Ardea modesta No real change – now No but may occur MIG None S5 Egret included as migratory nearby
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Wodgina Lithium Project | Revised Mining Proposal RegID 71172
CONSERVATION STATUS
EPBC Act WC Act DBCA Priority Implication of any change in Likely to Occur in COMMON NAME LATIN NAME CS3 (CS1) (CS1) (CS2) CS level Disturbance area
2008 2017 2008 2017 2008 2017 2008 2017 species under WA Act
Oriental Plover Charadrius veredus No real change – now No MIG MIG S5 included as migratory species under WA Act
Grey Honeyeater Conopophila whitei + + No change RECORDED
Striated Grass-wren Amytornis striatus + + No change RECORDED
Rufous-crowned Stipiturus ruficeps No change Yes + + Emu-wren
MAMMALS
Northern Quoll Dasyurus hallucatus END END S1 S2 Terminology change only RECORDED
Long-tailed Dunnart Sminthopsis No change Yes –rocky hills P4 P4 longicaudata
Ngadji/Western Pseudomys No change RECORDED Pebble-mound chapmani P4 P4 Mouse
Rothschild’s Rock- Petrogale No change RECORDED + + Wallaby rothschildi
Northern Brush-tail Trichosurus Listed on WA Act due to No Possum vulpecula restricted range and decline. arnhemensis S3 + + Impact unlikely as not expected in project area
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Wodgina Lithium Project | Revised Mining Proposal RegID 71172
Outback Ecology (2009) – Wodgina DSO Fauna In 2009 OES were commissioned by Atlas Iron to undertake a Level 2 vertebrate fauna survey and targeted assessment of the Wodgina DSO project study area. The targeted survey included: a desktop assessment of aerial imagery to determine the extent of rocky ridge, gully and cave habitat suitable for Northern Quoll, Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat and the Ghost Bat aerial assessment by helicopter to refine the results of the desktop assessment on-ground habitat assessment within the study area and in selected habitat within the surrounding region. The survey identified eight broad habitat types, namely: Ridge, Hill Crest, Scree Slope, Minor Drainage Line, Gully, Open Mixed Shrubland, Low Stony Rise and Minor Gorge. Six conservation significant fauna species were recorded in the study area, comprising the Northern Quoll, Pilbara leaf-nosed Bat, Western Pebble-mound Mouse, Ghost Bat, Long-tailed Dunnart and Rainbow Bee- eater (Figure 10). A further three fauna species of conservation significance were not recorded during the field survey but may occur in the study area: Pilbara Olive Python, Bush-stone curlew and the Australian Bustard.
Outback Ecology (2012) – Hercules Project Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna Baseline Survey In 2011 OES were commissioned by Atlas Iron to undertake a baseline terrestrial vertebrate fauna survey of the Hercules project study area. In addition to systematic, targeted and opportunistic field sampling, the survey also summarised vertebrate fauna recorded from relevant surveys conducted in the surrounding area from 1991 to 2011. The survey identified five broad fauna habitat types, namely: Rocky Ridge, Spinifex Stony Plain, Scree Slope, Drainage Line, and Rocky Foothills. These habitat types are show in Figure 10. The fauna habitats within the study area are represented throughout the Pilbara bioregion, noting that Rocky Ridge habitat can be less common in the landscape and very in terms of its suitability for species of conservation significance, such as the Northern Quoll. A total of six vertebrate species listed under the EPBC Act and/or the WC Act and/or the DBCA priority list were recorded (Figure 10). These were the Northern Quoll, Pilbara Leaf-nosed Bat, Western Pebble-mound Mouse, Ghost Bat, Australian Reed-warbler and the Rainbow Bee-eater. A further 23 species of conservation significance were not recorded during the field survey, but may occur within the study area.
2.10. Social environment
2.10.1. Heritage Archaeological evidence shows that the Pilbara region has been inhabited for at least 30,000 years. More than 30 distinct socio-linguistic groups occupied the region, living off and managing the natural resources according to their law. Each of these groups had their own language, spiritual beliefs and social organisation. Most had members fitting into one of four skin groups: Kariyarra (or Karrimarra), Burunga, Banaka or Balyirri. The Kariyarra people traditionally lived in the area from Port Hedland west to the Sherlock River and south to the Yule River. The Kariyarra country is bounded by Ngarla country to the north, Njamal to the east and Ngarluma to the southwest. Aboriginal culture, including its intricate social organisation and strong spiritual relationship with the land, remains strong in the region. Following European settlement in the 1860s, free Aboriginal labour was used to develop the pastoralist industry in the region. The increasing economic activity in the Pilbara had a significant impact on the
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