ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW DOCUMENT Version 3
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YALYALUP Mineral Sands Project ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW DOCUMENT Version 3 Date: 20 May 2020 EPA ASSESSMENT NO: 2141 Document Ref: DMS-YAL-ERD-002-V3 Doral Mineral Sands Pty Ltd ABN 18 096 342 451 ACN 096 342 451 Lot 7 Harris Road, Picton WA 6229 Tel:+61 8 9725 5444 Fax:+61 8 9725 4557 Email: [email protected] Website: www.doral.com.au INVITATION TO MAKE A SUBMISSION The Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) invites people to make a submission on environmental review of this proposal. Doral Mineral Sands Pty Ltd proposes to develop, mine, rehabilitate and decommission the Yalyalup Mineral Sands Mine. The Proposal includes the development of mine pits and associated infrastructure, wet concentration processing plant, solar evaporation ponds, groundwater abstraction and water management infrastructure and process water dam. The life of mine is expected to be 4 to 5 years. The Environmental Review Document (ERD) has been prepared in accordance with the EPA’s Procedures Manual (Part IV Divisions 1 and 2). The ERD is the report by the proponent on their environmental review which describes this proposal and its likely effects on the environment. The ERD is available for a public review period of [4] weeks from 15 June 2020 closing on 12 July 2020. Information on the proposal from the public may assist the EPA to prepare an assessment report in which it will make recommendations on the proposal to the Minister for Environment. Why write a submission? The EPA seeks information that will inform the EPA’s consideration of the likely effect of the proposal, if implemented, on the environment. This may include relevant new information that is not in the ERD, such as alternative courses of action or approaches. In preparing its assessment report for the Minister for Environment, the EPA will consider the information in submissions, the proponent’s responses and other relevant information. Submissions will be treated as public documents unless provided and received in confidence, subject to the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 1992. Why not join a group? It may be worthwhile joining a group or other groups interested in making a submission on similar issues. Joint submissions may help to reduce the workload for an individual or group. If you form a small group (up to 10 people) please indicate all the names of the participants. If your group is larger, please indicate how many people your submission represents. Developing a submission You may agree or disagree with, or comment on, the information in the ERD. When making comments on specific elements in the ERD: • Clearly state your point of view and give reasons for your conclusions. • Reference the source of your information, where applicable. • Suggest alternatives to improve the outcomes on the environment. What to include in your submission Include the following in your submission to make it easier for the EPA to consider your submission: • Your contact details – name and address. • Date of your submission. • Whether you want your contact details to be confidential. • Summary of your submission, if your submission is long. • List points so that issues are clear, preferably by environmental factor. • Refer each point to the page, section and if possible, paragraph of the ERD. • Attach any reference material, if applicable. Make sure your information is accurate. The closing date for submissions is: 12 July 2020 The EPA prefers submissions to be made electronically via the EPA’s Consultation Hub at https://consultation.epa.wa.gov.au. Alternatively, submissions can be: • Posted to: Chairman, Environmental Protection Authority, Locked Bag 33, Cloisters Square WA 6850, or • Delivered to the Environmental Protection Authority, Level 4, The Atrium, 168 St Georges Terrace, Perth 6000. If you have any questions on how to make a submission, please contact the EPA Services at the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation on 6364 7000. SCOPING CHECKLIST TASK REQUIRED WORK SECTION NO. EPA Factor 1: Flora and Vegetation 1 Undertake flora and vegetation surveys in accordance with Technical Appendix 4 Guidance – Flora and Vegetation Surveys for Environmental Impact Assessment (EPA, 2016d) in areas that are likely to be directly or indirectly impacted as a result of the Proposal. 2 Undertake a detailed review of soil information from existing exploration 4.2.3 drilling/assay data, depth to groundwater, proposed dewatering extents, Appendix 4 and specific water dependency of flora species/ecosystems within the area predicted to be impacted by the Proposal (i.e. dewatering). 3 Describe the existing flora and vegetation within areas potentially directly 4.2.3 or indirectly affected by the proposal including regional context. This will Appendix 4 include work to relocate or confirm the absence of previous records of significant flora. 4 Assess the cumulative direct and indirect impacts (such as direct clearing, 4.2.3 drawdown of groundwater dependent ecosystems, weeds, fragmentation 4.2.5 of vegetation, altered fire regime and dust) associated with the proposal to flora and vegetation by conducting quantitative analysis. This will Figures 4-1 to 4-7 include: • A summary of the known regional distribution of vegetation units. • The total area (in ha) of each vegetation unit within areas potentially directly or indirectly affected by the Proposal. • The area (in ha) of each vegetation unit to be impacted (directly or indirectly) in a ‘worst case’ scenario. • Maps illustrating the known recorded locations of conservation significant species. • Identification of vegetation units which may be Threatened or Priority Ecological Communities (TECs/PECs). This will include consultation with DBCA to determine whether any vegetation units potentially directly or indirectly affected by the Proposal are representative of State listed TECs/PECs. • Identification of any significant flora species within areas potentially directly or indirectly affected by the Proposal. • For each conservation significant species/community, including MNES, within areas potentially directly or indirectly affected by the Proposal, provide where possible: TASK REQUIRED WORK SECTION NO. • Baseline information on their distribution (including know occurrences), ecology and habitat preferences at the Site level; • Information on the conservation value of each habitat type from a local and regional perspective; • If a population of a conservation significant species is present on the site, its size and the importance of that population from a local and regional perspective; • Map of weed and phytophthora dieback occurrences in areas likely to be directly or indirectly impacted by the proposal. 5 Provide figures and tables showing the predicted extent of loss of 4.2.5 vegetation and significant flora species from both direct and indirect Figures 4-1 to 4-7 impacts. 6 Provide discussion of the proposed management, monitoring and 4.2.6 mitigation methods to be implemented to demonstrate that the design of Appendix 4E (GDE) the proposal has addressed the mitigation hierarchy to avoid and minimise impacts to flora and vegetation. Appendix 5 (ASS) Appendix 7E (GWOS) 7 Provide details of the inherent and residual impacts to flora and 4.2.7 vegetation before and after applying the mitigation hierarchy and identify Section 6 whether the residual impacts are significant by applying the Significant residual Impact Model in the WA Environmental Offsets Guideline (Government of Western Australia, 2014). 8 Quantify any significant residual impacts by completing the Offset Section 6 Template, spatially defining the area of ‘good’ to ‘excellent’ native Appendix 11 vegetation that will be disturbed as a result of the Proposal and propose an appropriate offsets package that demonstrates application of the WA Environmental Offsets Policy (Government of Western Australia, 2011) and Guideline (Government of Western Australia, 2014). 9 Prepare a Mine Closure Plan consistent with Guidelines for Preparing Mine Appendix 3 Closure Plans (DMP and EPA, 2015) which considers the proposed rehabilitation methodologies to achieve successful progressive rehabilitation of all disturbed areas by mining to the agreed end landuse. 10 Provide a statement of how the proponent considers the EPA’s objective 4.2.7 for this factor has been addressed. EPA Factor 2: Terrestrial Fauna 11 Conduct a desktop study and Level 1 Fauna Survey in accordance with Appendix 6A Technical Guidance – Terrestrial Fauna Surveys (EPA, 2016g) and Technical TASK REQUIRED WORK SECTION NO. Guidance – Sampling Methods for Terrestrial Vertebrate Fauna (EPA, 2016h) for Terrestrial Fauna within the Development Envelope. In addition, the desktop assessment and Level 1 survey will include consideration of fauna values associated with the creek system immediately to the west of the Development Envelope. 12 Conduct a targeted Western Ringtail Possum assessment in areas 4.3.3 containing suitable habitat within the Development Envelope in Appendix 6A accordance with relevant EPA and Commonwealth guidance. 13 Conduct a targeted Black Cockatoo assessment in areas containing 4.3.3 suitable habitat within the Development Envelope in accordance with Appendix 6A and 6B relevant EPA and Commonwealth guidance. 14 Describe the terrestrial fauna including conservation significant and 4.3.3 migratory species that occur or likely to occur within the Development Envelope. 15 Conduct targeted surveys for any other significant species, communities or Appendix 6A habitats identified by the desktop study and