PARKER RANGE IRON ORE PROJECT MS 892 AND EPBC 2010/5435 SIGINIFICANT FLORA MONITORING AND MANAGEMENT PLAN
Revision Issue Date Prepared By Approved By Signature Number
0 5/05/2020 S. Findlay, G. Wells L. Purves
1 11/5/2020 N. Smith L. Purves
2 4/6/2020 S. Findlay L. Purves
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DECLARATION OF ACCURACY
I declare that:
1. To the best of my knowledge, all the information contained in, or accompanying this Significant Flora Monitoring and Management Plan1 is complete, current and correct.
2. I am duly authorised to sign this declaration on behalf of the approval holder.
3. I am aware that:
a. Section 490 of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth) (EPBC Act) makes it an offence for an approval holder to provide information in response to an approval condition where the person is reckless as to whether the information is false or misleading.
b. Section 491 of the EPBC Act makes it an offence for a person to provide information or documents to specified persons who are known by the person to be performing a duty or carrying out a function under the EPBC Act or the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Regulations 2000 (Cth) where the person knows the information or document is false or misleading.
c. The above offences are punishable on conviction by imprisonment, a fine or both.
Signed
Full name (please print)
Timothy Berryman
Organisation (please print)
Mineral Resources Limited
Date 04 / 06 / 2020
1 Parker Range Iron Ore Project MS 892 and EPBC 2010/5435 Significant Flora Monitoring and Management Plan, Revision 2.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS Summary ...... vii 1. Context, scope and rationale ...... 1 1.1 Project description ...... 1 1.2 Key Environmental Factor: Flora and vegetation ...... 5 1.3 Condition requirements ...... 6 1.4 Rationale and approach ...... 8 1.5 Environmental Impact Assessment findings ...... 8 1.6 Additional surveys to meet condition requirements ...... 10 1.6.1 Seed collection of Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan and L. sp. Parker Range ...... 10 1.6.2 Targeted survey for Isopogon robustus ...... 12 1.6.3 Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range (P1) ...... 14 1.7 Baseline significant flora health survey ...... 16 1.7.1 Isopogon robustus ...... 16 1.7.2 Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan ...... 16 1.8 Baseline significant flora health survey results ...... 17 1.9 Key assumptions and uncertainties ...... 20 1.10 Management approach ...... 20 1.11 Rationale for choice of provisions ...... 22 1.11.1 Trigger criteria ...... 22 1.11.2 Threshold criteria ...... 23 2. SFMMP provisions ...... 23 2.1 Provisions table ...... 23 2.2 Significant flora health monitoring program ...... 28 2.2.1 Baseline monitoring parameters and methods ...... 28 2.3 Reporting ...... 28 3. Adaptive management and review of the SFMMP ...... 29 3.1 Contingency responses ...... 29 4. Stakeholder consultation ...... 31 5. References ...... 33
TABLES TABLE 1: PURPOSE OF THE SFMMP ...... VII TABLE 2: MAIN CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PROJECT ...... 2 TABLE 3: KEY ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS, ACTIVITIES, VALUES AND ASSOCIATED IMPACTS ...... 6 TABLE 4: MS892 CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE SFMMP ...... 6
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TABLE 5: EPBC 2010/5435 CONDITIONS RELATING TO THE SFMMP ...... 8 TABLE 6: IMPACT TO THE SIGNIFICANT FLORA, LEPIDOSPERMA SP. MT CAUDAN, LEPIDOSPERMA SP. PARKER RANGE AND CHAMELAUCIUM SP. PARKER RANGE AS A RESULT OF CLEARING REQUIRED FOR THE PROJECT ...... 9 TABLE 7: SUMMARY OF ADDITIONAL PLANTS LOCATED WITHIN MONITORING POPULATIONS OF ISOPOGON ROBUSTUS ...... 12 TABLE 8: SUMMARY OF DATA FROM CHAMELAUCIUM SP. PARKER RANGE POPULATION SEARCHES ...... 14 TABLE 9: SIGNIFICANT FLORA HEALTH MONITORING PARAMETERS AND METHODS ...... 16 TABLE 10: DUST DEPOSITION SCALE...... 17 TABLE 11: ISOPOGON ROBUSTUS PLANT HEALTH SCALE (CASSON ET AL. 2009)...... 17 TABLE 12: LEPIDOSPERMA SP. MT CAUDAN PLANT HEALTH SCALE ...... 17 TABLE 13: SUMMARY OF DATA FROM ISOPOGON ROBUSTUS REFERENCE AND IMPACT MONITORING QUADRATS SURVEYED IN SPRING 2019 ...... 18 TABLE 14: SUMMARY OF DATA FROM LEPIDOSPERMA SP. MT CAUDAN REFERENCE AND IMPACT MONITORING QUADRATS SURVEYED IN SPRING 2019 ...... 18 TABLE 15: MANAGEMENT ACTIONS TO MINIMISE POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO SIGNIFICANT FLORA ...... 20 TABLE 16: FLORA AND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT-BASED PROVISIONS TO MEET LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF CONDITION 7 OF MS 892 AND EPBC 2010/5435 ...... 24 TABLE 17: FLORA AND VEGETATION OUTCOME-BASED PROVISIONS TO MEET LEGAL REQUIREMENTS OF CONDITION 7 OF MS 892 AND EPBC 2010/5435 ...... 26 TABLE 18: CONTINGENCY RESPONSES FOR POTENTIAL IMPACTS TO SIGNIFICANT FLORA RESULTING FROM PROJECT ACTIVITIES ...... 30 TABLE 19: STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION ...... 31
FIGURES FIGURE 1: PARKER RANGE IRON ORE PROJECT LOCATION ...... 3 FIGURE 2: PARKER RANGE IRON ORE PROJECT APPROVED PROJECT AREA...... 4 FIGURE 3: SEED ASSESSMENT LOCATIONS FOR LEPIDOSPERMA SP. MT CAUDAN AND LEPIDOSPERMA SP. PARKER RANGE ...... 11 FIGURE 4: ISOPOGON ROBUSTUS RECORDS AND POTENTIAL HABITAT ...... 13 FIGURE 5: CHAMELAUCIUM SP. PARKER RANGE POPULATION LOCATIONS AND QUADRAT LOCATIONS ..... 15 FIGURE 6: LEPIDOSPERMA SP. MOUNT CAUDAN AND ISOPOGON ROBUSTUS QUADRAT LOCATIONS ...... 19
APPENDICES APPENDIX 1: PHOENIX (2020) BASELINE HEALTH ASSESSMENT OF VEGETATION AND WEED MONITORING REPORT ...... 34 APPENDIX 2: PHOENIX (2020) MEMO REPORT OF TARGETED ISOPOGON ROBUSTUS SURVEY OUTCOMES FOR THE PARKER RANGE IRON ORE PROJECT...... 35
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Glossary of Terms
Term Definition Score of plant health for individual plants utilising the Plant health Casson et al. (2009) health scale for Isopogon robustus and a derived scale for Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan A direct count of plants present in the quadrat for each Abundance species
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Summary This Significant Flora Monitoring and Management Plan (SFMMP) is prepared for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project (the Project) in accordance with Ministerial Statement No. 892, Condition 7 under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) and EPBC 2010/5435, Condition 2 under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). Table 1 presents the environmental objective that must be met through implementation of this SFMMP.
Table 1: Purpose of the SFMMP
Title of Project Parker Range Iron Ore Project
Proponent Mineral Resources Ltd
Ministerial Statement 892 (EP Act) number 2010/5435 (EPBC Act)
Purpose of this SFMMP To fulfil the requirements of MS892 Condition 7 and EPBC 2010/5435 Condition 2
EPA’s environmental Flora and Vegetation objective for the key To protect flora and vegetation so that biological diversity and ecological integrity are environmental factor maintained
Objective To ensure there are no direct or indirect impacts to the Threatened flora species Isopogon robustus and that indirect impacts to the Priority 1 flora Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan do not result in a loss of health and abundance outside the project footprint
This SFMMP is designed to be adaptive and will be updated over the life of the Project (approximately six years) as required. This plan remains a working document with consultation with relevant departments as required.
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1. CONTEXT, SCOPE AND RATIONALE
1.1 Project description The Project is located approximately 15 km south-east of Marvel Loch and 45 km south-east of Southern Cross in the Goldfields region of Western Australia (Figure 1). The Project comprises open mine pits to extract approximately 30 million tonnes of iron ore and associated mining infrastructure. The Project was assessed under the bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and the Government of Western Australia. State approval of the Project was granted under Part IV of the EP Act by the Minister for the Environment on 12 April 2012 (Ministerial Statement (MS) No.892). Federal approval of the Project was granted under the EPBC Act on 3 November 2011 (EPBC 2010/5435). The proposed mine requires disturbance of approximately 418.1 hectares (ha) of native vegetation. Dewatering below the watertable will also be required. The main characteristics of the Project are summarised in Table 2. The main characteristics of the Project, as outlined in MS 892, are summarised in Table 2; the approved project area is shown in Figure 2. An upper haul road near Moorine Rock and rail siding (~4.1 ha), located 47 km from the mine site, was also approved under MS 892 and EPBC 2010/5435 but is not currently proposed for development as an alternative haul road alignment is under consideration. The scope of this SFMMP is therefore currently limited to the mine site. In the event that Mineral Resources Limited (MRL) intend to develop the upper haul road and Moorine Rock rail siding, this SFMMP will be updated to incorporate conditions relating to significant flora for this additional area.
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Table 2: Main characteristics of the Project
Element Description (MS 892) General Project life 7 to 10 years Location See Figure 1 Development envelope 929 ha1 Vegetation clearing Native vegetation clearing of up to 418.1 ha1 comprising of: Mine area – 414 ha Upper haul road (near Moorine Rock) – 4.1 ha Rehabilitation Approximately 333 ha Mining Mining method Open cut Pit Up to 4 km long, 0.4 km wide and 135 m deep Waste rock landform Up to 2 km long, 0.5 km wide and 45 m high Tailings storage facility Up to 0.8 Mm³ capacity, 400 m wide, 400 m long and 11 m high with five lifts Water supply Source: In pit and perimeter dewatering bores located along the open pit Maximum annual requirement: Mobile dry plant operations up to 321 ML/a Fixed wet plant operations up to 506 ML/a Surplus dewater No requirement for surplus dewater management. management
1 Hydrogeological model to be updated based on empirical rate of aquifer drawdown to validate and monitor dewatering impacts.
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Figure 1: Parker Range Iron Ore Project location
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Figure 2: Parker Range Iron Ore Project approved project area
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1.2 Key Environmental Factor: Flora and vegetation The EPA’s objective for protection of flora and vegetation is to “To protect flora and vegetation so that biological diversity and ecological integrity are maintained (EPA 2016)”. In the context of this objective, ecological integrity is the composition, structure, function and processes of ecosystems, and the natural range of variation of these elements. As determined by the Environmental Protection Authority (EPA), ‘Flora and vegetation’ is considered a Key Environmental Factor for the Project for the following reasons (EPA 2011): The Project has potential to cause direct impacts to vegetation and flora through clearing of native vegetation within the development envelope. The Project has potential to cause indirect impacts reducing vegetation health including edge effects such as: o dust deposition on vegetation preventing photosynthesis and plant respiration o competition from increased weeds. The Project will impact nine Priority flora (Table 3). The Project has potential to cause indirect impacts to populations of the Threatened species Isopogon robustus and the Priority flora Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan. Isopogon robustus is listed as Critically Endangered under the EPBC Act and the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 (BC Act). Under both acts, Critically Endangered species are Threatened species to be facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild in the immediate future, as determined in accordance with criteria set out prescribed criteria or ministerial guidelines. Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan is a Priority 1 species by the Department of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). Priority 1 taxa are known from one or a few locations (generally five or less) which are potentially at risk, with all occurrences either very small or on lands not managed for conservation (DBCA 2019). The key environmental factor, risk activities, botanical values and potential associated impacts are summarised in Table 3.
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Table 3: Key Environmental factors, activities, values and associated impacts
Key environmental Activities Values Impacts factor Flora and Clearing of Vegetation health Direct impacts vegetation native Threatened and Priority flora, with clearing of native vegetation indicator species of concern: vegetation within the Mining activities Isopogon robustus (T) development envelope Product haulage Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range clearing of populations of Vehicle (P1) Priority flora movement Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range Indirect impacts: (P1) potential increased spread Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan (P1) of introduced weeds Acacia concolorans (P2) dust Baeckea grandibracteata subsp. habitat fragmentation Parker Range (P3) altered fire regime Hakea pendens (P3) altered surface water flow Cryptandra crispula (P3) Rinzia torquata (P3) Banksia shanklandiorum (P4)
1.3 Condition requirements This SFMMP is submitted in accordance with MS 892, Condition 7 and EPBC 2010/5435, Condition 2. The relevant conditions are outlined in Table 4 and 5 below. Note, in this report, CEO refers to the CEO of the Department of Water and Environment Regulation (DWER).
Table 4: MS892 conditions relating to the SFMMP
Condition SFMMP Condition number section 7-1 The proponent shall ensure that there is no loss of plants of the Declared Rare Flora Section species Isopogon robustus due to ground disturbing activities 2.1 7-2 The proponent shall ensure the long-term maintenance of genetic diversity of the Section Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range and of Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan species within the 1.5 Parker Range region through the following actions: Prior to ground disturbing activities required for the implementation and operation of the proposal, the proponent shall collect seed and plant material of the Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range and sp. Mt Caudan populations that will be cleared as a result of this proposal. The seed and plant material will be vested in an appropriate facility which can ensure long-term viability of seed storage and protection of identified mother stock of genetic significance for storage and approved restoration works to the satisfaction of the CEO on advice of the DBCA (formerly Department of Environment and Conservation; DEC). The proponent shall undertake genetic analysis including: Spatial analysis of population genetic structure; Genetic analysis of the mating system; and Genetic analysis of realized dispersal, to the satisfaction of the CEO to determine the relative genetic diversity of the populations of Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range and populations of Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan using the seed and plant material collected in accordance with condition 7-2-1.
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Condition SFMMP Condition number section The proponent shall develop a rehabilitation and research program within six months of ground disturbing activities for Priority flora species with particular focus on the species Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range to the satisfaction of the CEO on advice of the DBCA. This program shall: a) include a time or timeframe for commencement and completion of the rehabilitation and research program; b) focus on shallow soil analysis, water use efficiency, restoration practices, transplantation trials and seed trials; c) be undertaken in consultation with the DBCA; and d) be based on the nature of the impact on genetic diversity determined in condition 7-2-2. 7-3 Prior to ground disturbing activities required for the implementation and operation of Section the proposal the proponent shall undertake a targeted survey of Chamelaucium sp. 2.2 Parker Range to the satisfaction of the CEO on the advice of the DBCA to determine the local and regional impact to this species. 7-4 The proponent shall provide a copy of the survey report required in condition 7-3 to the Section CEO and the DBCA within three months of completion. 2.2 7-5 The proponent shall ensure that due to ground disturbing activities: Section there are no indirect impacts to the Declared Rare Flora Isopogon robustus; and 2.2 that indirect impacts to Priority 1 flora Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan do not result in a loss of health and abundance outside the project footprint. 7-6 To verify the requirements of 7-5 are met the proponent shall undertake monitoring in Section accordance with condition 7-7 of the health and abundance of declared rare flora 2.1 - 2.2 Isopogon robustus and Priority 1 flora Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan at reference and potential impact sites. 7-7 To meet the requirements under condition 7-6 the proponent shall prepare a monitoring Section plan prior to ground disturbing activities for the approval of the CEO on advice of the 2.1 DBCA. The monitoring plan shall include: and 2.2 1. the provision of baseline data; 2. identification of baseline and control sites; 3. definition of monitoring frequency, timing, intensity and replication; 4. definition of health and abundance; 5. identification of what and how parameters will be used to measure decline or rate of decline in health or abundance; and 6. definition of trigger levels and management responses. 7-8 Should the potential impact sites show a decline in health or abundance as determined Section by condition 7-7 compared to the reference sites the proponent shall provide a report to 2.1 the CEO within 21 days of the decline being identified which: 1. describes the decline; and 2. provides information which allows determination of the likely root cause of the decline. 7-9 If the decline in health or abundance identified in conditions 7-7 and 7-8 is determined Section by the CEO to be caused by activities undertaken in implementing the proposal the 2.1 proponent shall, implement the actions identified in condition 7-7-6 and continue to implement such actions until the CEO determines that the remedial actions may cease.
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Table 5: EPBC 2010/5435 Conditions relating to the SFMMP
Condition Condition MMP section number 1 Prior to commencement of operations the person taking the action must complete Section 1.5 baseline flora surveys to determine the extent of Isopogon robustus within 350 metres of the location of the action. The surveys must be undertaken by a qualified botanist and results submitted to the Department prior to the commencement of operations. 2 In order to protect the Isopogon robustus from impacts associated with the Project, This SFMMP prior to commencement, the person taking the action must submit for the Minister’s approval an Isopogon robustus Monitoring Plan. This plan must include: (a) the desired outcomes/objectives of implementing the plan; Section 2.2 (b) a summary of the results of completed baseline flora surveys; Section 1.7, 1.7 Appendix 1 (c) details of parameters that will be used to measure the health and abundance of Section 2.2 Isopogon robustus within 350 metres of the location of the action and to detect any decline and determine its rate; (d) specifications of proposed trigger levels and the management measures and their Section 1.10, timing and responsibilities to mitigate and avoid adverse impacts to the Isopogon 1.11, 2.1, 2.2 robustus, including the management and reduction of known threats to the species (such as invasive species), and (e) measures to monitor and manage dust parameters. Section 1.10, 2.2 The person taking the action must not commence unless the Isopogon robustus Monitoring Plan has been approved in writing by the Minister. The approved Isopogon robustus Monitoring Plan must be implemented.
1.4 Rationale and approach The objective of this SFMMP is to identify management and monitoring measures to ensure the Project does not result in any direct or indirect impacts on the significant flora Isopogon robustus and any direct or indirect impacts on Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan within a 350 m buffer of the project area.
1.5 Environmental Impact Assessment findings Parker Range is part of the Wheatbelt greenstone belt which is known habitat for a number of conservation significant, restricted, rare and endemic flora species.
Significant flora occurring within the project area that require further assessment and/or monitoring in accordance with MS892 conditions include:
Isopogon robustus is endemic to Western Australia, known from only two populations in the Parker Range region. It occurs in very open shrubland, growing in grey, skeletal sandy loam over laterite on a decomposing laterite shelf. This species is often associated with Callitris columellaris and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan (N. Gibson & M. Lyons 2018) (P1). Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan is endemic to Western Australia and is known from only twelve populations in the Parker Range region. It occurs on grey, skeletal sandy loam over laterite soils of laterite ridges and decomposing laterite. This species is often associated with Callitris columellaris and Isopogon robustus (T).
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Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range is a priority 1 species, endemic to Western Australia. Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range is known from five populations within the Parker Range region. No description is available for Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range. Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range was listed as Priority 1 in March 2011, seven populations occur within the Parker Range region (Cazaly Resources Limited 2010; EPA 2011). No description is available for Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range. Targeted searches for the significant flora; Isopogon robustus, Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan, Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range and Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range within the project area and surrounding Parker Range Priority Ecological Community (PEC) were undertaken by Botanica Consulting in 2010 and 2011 (Botanica Consulting 2010, 2012). Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range was originally only known to occur within the proposed mine area. As a result of further targeted surveys (Botanica Consulting 2010), a number of other populations of this species and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan were located outside of the project area. Additional targeted searches for Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range and Isopogon robustus were undertaken by Phoenix Environmental Sciences in 2019 and 2020, respectively. Information was also obtained on the habitat and vegetation associations for Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range (see section 1.6). Clearing for the Project will directly impact populations of Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range, Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan and Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range (Table 6; EPA 2011).
Table 6: Impact to the significant flora, Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan, Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range and Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range as a result of clearing required for the Project
Species No. of Total number of % Total number of % Regional context plants plants and Impact plants and Impact impacted populations in at populations in at local development Project local area level envelope Level (within 10 km (within of project area) 10 km) Chamelaucium 3,039 plants 3,039 plants 3.7% 81,341 plants 3.7% 7 populations in total sp. Parker (extrapolated) within 20 km of project 1 population Range (B.H. area. 7 populations Smith 1255) (P1) Lepidosperma 3,629 10,355 plants 35% 77,152 plants 4.7% Parker Range Endemic. sp. Mt Caudan (extrapolate (based on All 12 populations 4 populations (N Gibson & M d) extrapolated within Parker Range Lyons 2081) no. and actual region. 2 (P1) counts) populations 12 populations Lepidosperma 219 plants 219 plants 100 % 416 plants 52% 13 populations in total sp. Parker with 8 populations 1 population 1 population 5 populations Range (N located outside the Gibson & M local area which Lyons 2094) include an additional (P1) 13,576 plants and an equivalent 1.6% regional impact.
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1.6 Additional surveys to meet condition requirements
1.6.1 Seed collection of Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan and L. sp. Parker Range To meet condition 7-2 of MS 892 (Table 4) a survey was conducted in November 2019 to ascertain seed set in Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan and L. sp. Parker Range. Seed, where available, was collected from populations located within the project area which are likely to be removed during mining operations (Figure 3). Inflorescences of Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan and L. sp. Parker Range were assessed in the field at two locations for each species, utilising a hand lens to determine the presence of seed.
Inflorescences were harvested from 10 or more individuals (where possible) and placed in paper bags for transportation to the laboratory. An herbarium specimen was collected from each population. Inflorescences were examined by Dr Grant Wells under a dissection microscope to determine seed presence, quality and quantity.
Results
At one Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range population, less than 10 plants were observed to possess inflorescences at the time of the assessment. More than 10 plants possessed inflorescences at the other L. sp. Parker Range populations and at both L. sp. Mt Caudan populations. Initial field assessment indicated a lack of seed present in the inflorescences of both species. Achenes present appeared to be largely unfilled containing neither an embryo nor endosperm. Examination under dissection microscope confirmed the field assessment with no viable seed located within any of the inflorescences harvested. All achenes were empty husks containing neither embryo nor endosperm.
Conclusion
No viable seed was present on extant inflorescences at the time of the assessment and subsequently no seed for long-term storage or restorative works.
As seed collection has been unsuccessful and germination remains difficult for many Lepidosperma species (and is unknown for Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan), propagation through division from plant collections is likely the best viable option to meet condition 7-2 of MS 892 (Table 4). Techniques for the successful propagation of other Lepidosperma species have been demonstrated by both Kings Park Science and confirmed independently by specialist nurseries and involve separating collected clumps (e.g. Lepidosperma gibsonii). MRL would identify additional resources to store division material and include infrastructure, resource and time demands as well as implications for genetic selection and diversity (plants with better survival under nursery conditions may be preferentially selected). In terms of numbers, collection and establishment of genotypes numbering in the (low) hundreds is feasible and demonstrated, larger numbers may be possible but with diminishing returns in terms of required effort.
A field collection program would be undertaken guided by knowledge of propagation of other rare Lepidosperma species. MRL would look to engage Kings Park Science as they have previously informed and undertaken collection of other Lepidosperma species including collecting 250 genotypes of Lepidosperma gibsonii. For this species, collections were made at several times but established best when soils were moist and plant tissues were fresh and growing (i.e. mid-winter). Material would then be stored and transported in cool and moist conditions to Kings Park Science (dependent on Kings Park’s capacity to store plant material) or an accredited nursery, to minimise risks with maintaining plants over long time periods and provide reliable sources of plant material for restoration programs. Finally, storage of live plant material could be undertaken at multiple sites (accredited nurseries) to minimise risks with maintaining plants over a longer time period and provide reliable sources of plant material for restoration programs.
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Figure 3: Seed assessment locations for Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan and Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range
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1.6.2 Targeted survey for Isopogon robustus To meet EPBC 2010/5435 Condition 1 a targeted search for Isopogon robustus within a 350m buffer of the project was conducted in May 2020.
A desktop study was conducted to identify areas of potential I. robustus habitat within the survey area using aerial imagery that appeared to match known populations. The desktop study identified 65 areas of potential habitat. All areas identified during the desktop review as potential suitable habitat (i.e. granite outcrops and ridges) were investigated. Broad coverage was employed elsewhere throughout the survey area to search for suitable habitat, subject to accessibility and likelihood of potential habitat. Areas determined to be suitable habitat were foot searched for presence of the species, and a site description undertaken. Areas determined to be unsuitable during ground inspection were briefly searched, however, a site description was completed confirming unsuitability.
Inspection of the 65 potential habitat areas identified during the desktop study confirmed no new populations of I. robustus. The majority of potential habitat areas contained granitic outcrops, breakaways, or gravel, with only a small number of sites containing multiple elements of suitable habitat. This confirms that the desktop study sufficiently identified potential habitat areas within the survey area for investigation (Figure 4).
Previous surveys identified three populations of Isopogon robustus (Botanica Consulting 2011a). Thorough searches were conducted in the vicinity of the known populations within the survey area to determine a population boundary and if any additional plants occurred within these populations (Phoenix 2020b).
155 additional plants were found after traversing the surrounding area of the known populations, each new plant was marked by a GPS point and a population boundary determined. Due to these additional plants, the boundary of the existing populations was increased (Table 7; (Phoenix 2020c)).
Table 7: Summary of additional plants located within monitoring populations of Isopogon robustus
No. of additional plants located per Population Total plants per population population IQ2 101 116 IQ3 3 56 IQ5 41 64
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Figure 4: Isopogon robustus records and potential habitat
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1.6.3 Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range (P1) To satisfy the requirements of Condition 7-3 and 7-4, targeted surveys of populations of Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range (P1) were required to determine current population sizes, area of known occupancy and area of suitable habitat. This data was to be used to determine, impacts to the known population size and proportionate removal of known area of occupancy. Previous surveys identified six populations of Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range, one within the project area and an additional five populations outside of the project area (Botanica Consulting 2012). Baseline field surveys (2019) relocated all six populations of Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range plants recorded previously and a seventh population within the development envelope. The total estimates from this survey are 81,341 individual plants covering an area of ca.56 ha. Three populations (2, 6 and 7) occur within the 250 m buffer zone Figure 5). The area covered by these populations was recorded to be ca.14 ha representing 25% of the estimated total ca.56 ha currently recorded for Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range. However, the full extent of population 7 was not recorded and subsequently this proportion would be reduced if the full area of this population were to be ascertained. Populations 2 and 6 had a combined total of 3,831 plants which represent 4.7% of the total 81,341 plants estimated to occur in the six populations fully surveyed. Again, this proportion would be reduced if the number of plants at population 7 were to be ascertained (Table 8).
Table 8: Summary of data from Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range population searches
Counted1 or estimated no. of plants Ave count per Population Coordinates Area (ha) 2 Botanica 25m quadrats 2019 Consulting (2012) 1 -31.60024, 119.51851 2.65 18 416 19,080 2 -31.59991, 119.52657 1.17 N/A 1,071 7791 3 -31.61297, 119.51647 12.54 11 2,000 18,392* 4 -31.63305, 119.52061 14.21 18 7,000 34,140* 5 -31.68461, 119.46742 11.06 4 4,000 5,898* 6 -31.61690, 119.55382 12.77 N/A 3,039 3,0521 7 -31.62468, 119.53991 1.642 N/A N/A NA Total 56.04 17,526 81,341 1 Totals for populations 2 and 6 represent actual counts of plants, all other populations are estimated from extrapolation of counts in quadrats. 2 Survey of this population is incomplete; the area of occupancy is assumed to be larger than so far recorded. * Values were divided by 3 to account for large bare areas with no Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range.
Vegetation descriptions for Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range from the current survey comprised:
Population 4 – Low Eucalyptus capillosa woodland over low Allocasuarina corniculata, Hakea francisiana and Melaleuca cordata shrubland Population 5 – Low Eucalyptus capillosa woodland, over mid open Allocasuarina spinosissima, Callitris preissii and Hakea francisiana shrubland over low Melaleuca cordata, Beaufortia orbifolia and Verticordia eriocephala shrubland Population 7 – Mid Eucalyptus burracoppinensis woodland over tall open Allocasuarina acutivalvis, A. corniculata and Banksia laevigata shrubland over mid Beaufortia interstans, Isopogon scabriusculus subsp. stenophyllus and Melaleuca cordata shrubland.
The majority of plants at the remaining populations occurred in areas subject to a high level of disturbance and alteration to the natural vegetation of the locations. Habitat types included slopes of low hills and undulating plain in yellow to whitish yellow sand to sandy loam soils with laterite gravel.
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Figure 5: Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range population locations and quadrat locations
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1.7 Baseline significant flora health survey A baseline significant flora health survey conducted in spring 2019 (Appendix 1; Phoenix 2020b) has informed this management plan, providing measurable parameters that will be used to monitor significant flora in the vicinity of the project area for potential impacts from Project activities. Botanica Consulting (2011b) undertook extensive flora and vegetation surveys for the Project between 2007 and 2010, within and surrounding the project area, in accordance with relevant EPA Guidance at that time (EPA 2004). These included intensive significant species searches within the project area and surrounding Parker Range Priority Ecological Community, which encompasses the project area and 350 m buffer. These surveys established the known populations of Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma Mt Caudan for the Project. The baseline survey conducted by Botanica in 2011 (Botanica Consulting 2011b) selected quadrat locations in consultation with the then DEC, now DBCA; these quadrats were used for the current significant flora baseline survey (Phoenix 2020b; Figure 6).
1.7.1 Isopogon robustus For the baseline monitoring of Isopogon robustus, a total of seven quadrats were surveyed: six impact quadrats outside of the 350 m buffer; and one reference quadrat located 1 km south-east of the project area (Figure 6). Within the Isopogon robustus quadrats a count of all plants in the quadrat was conducted. Each of the plants present in the quadrat was tagged with an aluminium tag, assigned a number and its GPS location was recorded. Additional metrics recorded for each monitoring quadrat are described in Table 9 below.
1.7.2 Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan For the monitoring of Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan, a total of five quadrats were surveyed: three impact quadrats outside of the 250 m buffer; and two reference quadrats, 9 km and 1.5 km north of the project area (Figure 6). A count of all plants in the quadrat was conducted. Twenty plants were selected, tagged with an aluminium tag and assigned a number. A GPS location for each plant was recorded. Additional metrics recorded for each monitoring quadrat are described in Table 9 below.
Table 9: Significant flora health monitoring parameters and methods
Monitoring Method parameter The height (m) of each plant tagged in the quadrat, site photos will be utilised to compare height Height between monitoring periods to assist in determining changes The width (m) at the widest cross section of the canopy of each plant tagged in the quadrat, site Width photos will be utilised to compare width between monitoring periods to assist in determining changes Visual assessment of the plants flower condition: none, bud, flowering or finished flowering Flower This information is gathered to inform the phenological state of the species, i.e. reproducing or condition vegetative and to record whether the plants are reproducing. A lack of flowering during the recorded reproductive season following good seasonal rains may indicate reduced vigour of plants Dust Visual assessment of the level of dust deposition evident on each plant (Table 10) deposition Plant Visual assessment of plant health for individual plants (Table 11 and Table 12) health
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Table 10: Dust deposition scale
Dust Description Rating 0 No evidence of dust deposition 1 Evidence of dust deposition (minor discolouration indicating fine dust particles on surface of leaves) 2 Minor, dust build up visible on surface of some leaves 3 Moderate, dust build up with more than 50% of leaves covered 4 Heavy, dust build up covers entire surface of all leaves
Table 11: Isopogon robustus plant health scale (Casson et al. 2009)
Health Description rating 0 Healthy, no dead leaves 1 Occasional dead leaves 2 Epicormic shoots (therefore stressed) 3 Tips of branches stressed or dying 4 Entire or whole branches dying or dead (NB some lower branches excluded from this assessment) 5 More than half tree dead 6 Tree dead
Table 12: Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan plant health scale
Health Description rating 0 No dead leaves 1 Occasional leaf tip dieback 2 More than half leaves with leaf tip dieback 3 Occasional completely dead leaves, more than 50% leaves with leaf tip dieback 4 More than half of leaves completely dead 5 Plant dead
1.8 Baseline significant flora health survey results The baseline survey determined the current status of Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan vegetation health for the Project, in accordance with condition 7.6 and 7.7 of MS 892 (Phoenix 2020a). Results of the baseline health monitoring identified substantial differences in the species abundance and health of plants within and across impact and reference quadrats for Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan (Appendix 1; (Phoenix 2020a). A summary of the results for the spring 2019 monitoring are provided in Table 13 and Table 14 below.
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Table 13: Summary of data from Isopogon robustus reference and impact monitoring quadrats surveyed in spring 2019
Plant heath Abundance Mean dust Quadrat Botanica Consulting rating Mean Min Max 2019 (2011a) R1 0 1.9 4 6 10 9 IQ1 0 3.2 1 4 9 12 IQ2 0 2.7 1 5 4 15 IQ3 0 2.6 0 5 38 53 IQ4 0 1.9 0 4 24 36 IQ5 0 2.5 0 6 23 23 IQ6 0 2.8 1 5 27 35
Table 14: Summary of data from Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan reference and impact monitoring quadrats surveyed in spring 2019
Plant heath Abundance Mean dust Quadrat Botanica Consulting rating Mean Min Max 2019 (2011a) R1 0 3.9 3 4 117 150 R2 0 3.9 3 5 107 111 R31 NA NA NA NA NA NA IQ1 0 2.2 1 3 77 136 IQ2 0 3.7 3 5 77 77 IQ3 0 3.1 2 4 89 89
1 Quadrat to be installed and monitored in recently identified population (Figure 6) in replacement of R1 that occurs adjacent a proposed haul road
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Figure 6: Lepidosperma sp. Mount Caudan and Isopogon robustus quadrat locations
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1.9 Key assumptions and uncertainties Key assumptions: Conditional approval of the Project assumes that surveys have adequately characterised the environmental values of the development envelope. Flora surveys were completed in compliance with Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) and Department of the Environment and Energy (DoEE) requirements at the time. Monitoring quadrats are adequate to identify impacts to Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range vegetation health The current baseline significant vegetation health survey has adequately determined the current health status of Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range populations. Dust deposition on plant foliage will impact on the health of Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range plants Key uncertainties: Likely responses of individual species to an increase in foliar dust load. To address this uncertainty plant health will be monitored over time and results from impact quadrats will be compared to reference quadrats. This will identify any adverse impacts to plant health and any correlations with dust build up on plant foliage.
1.10 Management approach The Project will have a small footprint over a 6-year life of mine with priority use of existing disturbed areas and progressive rehabilitation, including rehabilitation of historic exploration disturbance. Management and mitigation measures have been designed for the proposed 6-year life of mine, and as such, may require adaptive solutions in subsequent revisions. MRL will manage potential impacts on vegetation, through implementing the impact mitigation hierarchy: avoid, minimise and offset. Management actions specific to minimisation of impacts are provided in Table 15.
Table 15: Management actions to minimise potential impacts to significant flora
Potential impacts Management actions to minimise impacts Performance indicator Timing
Direct impacts:
Clearing of Limit vegetation clearing to the Disturbance footprint Prior to populations of minimum necessary for the modified to avoid botanical disturbance Threatened or construction and operation of the values (identified in baseline activities Priority flora Project. surveys and targeted
searches) Identify and demarcate significant 100% compliance with Site
vegetation and flora populations Disturbance Permit and (identified in baseline surveys and Land Clearing Procedure targeted searches) prior to disturbance. Clearly demarcate areas to be cleared 100% compliance with Site
to avoid over-clearing. Disturbance Permit and Land Clearing Procedure
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Indirect impacts: Increased spread Implement weed hygiene procedures Compliance with weed All phases of weeds for mining machinery and vehicles hygiene procedures
entering the project area. A Weed including completion of a
Hygiene Certificate will be required weed hygiene certificate for
when there is a medium to high risk, all vehicles/machinery
including: where there is a medium to
high risk of weed o movement of equipment that has establishment/ infestation been operating in borrow pits or
in topsoil stockpiling or recovery
operations.
o light vehicles and drill rigs
operating in an area with known
weed occurrences.
o any off-road earthmoving or
heavy equipment moving from
one mine site to another. Identify the extent and distribution of Annual weed monitoring to Weed monitoring weed infestations occurring within the identify the presence of new to occur during project area through annual weed weed species and the extent spring, within 6-8 monitoring described in the of weed cover weeks of winter Vegetation health and weed rainfall events
monitoring and management plan). Reporting of weed Undertake regular inspections of weed management in AER monitoring quadrats and areas
susceptible to weed infestation (i.e. cleared areas and tracks, previously recorded weed locations). Undertake suitable control methods Control activities for identified weed species that are to be conducted recommended in the Department of within one month Primary Industries and Regional of detection of Development and DBCA guidelines, weeds including the Declared Plant Control Handbook (DPIRD 2020). Separately store topsoil from areas of known weed occurrence from other topsoil stockpiles.
Dust Restrict vehicle speeds to 40 km/hr Compliance with vehicle All phases along gravel/unsealed roads. speed restrictions
Manage dust prone areas through
water sprays and progressive rehabilitation. Monitor dust levels in consultation Dust deposition readings at Monthly during all with DWER – installation and impact sites comparable to phases of operation of monitoring stations to those at reference sites operation measure dust deposition at each and/or below 20 g/ m2 significant flora monitoring quadrat. /month (Sa)
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1.11 Rationale for choice of provisions The provisions within the SFMMP have been informed by results of the spring 2019 baseline survey (Phoenix 2020) and the characteristics of the Project. Land clearing to establish the mine will unavoidably result in losses of vegetation and some priority flora. Once land clearing has been undertaken, mining and related activities will be undertaken in close proximity to uncleared vegetation. Management-based actions will be implemented to prevent direct impacts on Isopogon robustus due to clearing and the indirect impacts on Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan due to dust, the introduction or spread of weeds and other potential risks, e.g. increased fire frequency. The management actions focus on all key project activities identified as potentially having an adverse impact on the significant flora, as well as addressing specific conditions in MS 892. They also incorporate proponent commitments for the Project outlined in the Project PER (Cazaly Resources Limited 2010). Outcome-based actions have been identified to address potential impacts to the abundance and health of the significant flora, Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range. The capacity to quantitatively monitor floristic parameters allows for outcome-based monitoring to establish whether proportionate trigger values, are met to initiate corrective actions to remediate impacts from the Project. Floristic parameters that will be quantitatively assessed in the proposed monitoring program comprise: the height and width of each tagged plant in the quadrat the abundance of plants in the quadrat dust deposition on plant foliage All DRF and Priority flora (Table 3) identified in the surveys conducted for the Project are expected to be dust sensitive. The PER (Cazaly Resources 2011) states that dust impacts are expected to be confined to 250 m of the Project area. Populations of Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan are outside of the predicted zone of indirect dust impact (250 m buffer zone); as such will not be adversely impacted by predicted dust deposition rates. The PER states that a minimum buffer zone of 350 m will be maintained between impact area of disturbance and the Isopogon robustus populations (Cazaly Resources 2011). The environmental criteria proposed to be used for trigger and threshold criteria are relevant measures of dust deposition and significant flora health and abundance.
1.11.1 Trigger criteria Dust deposition was selected as a trigger criterion as it was identified by the EPA as a potential impact to significant flora health. Trigger and threshold levels for dust have been developed based on consultation with Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE) (via email) and results from the Yilgarn operations at Koolyanobbing Range F deposit located within 90 km of the Project (Mineral Resources 2019). Over four years of monthly dust deposition has been measured using monitoring gauges located at sites surrounding the mining operation. Dust monitoring gauges within 50 m of mining operations recorded peak dust levels of 96 g/ m2 /month during early stages of mining. At dust monitoring sites between 50 – 100 m from mining operations peak dust levels recorded were 22 g/ m2 /month (Mineral Resources 2019). Dust will be measured monthly using dust deposition gauges AS_NZS_3580.10.1 (Standards Australia 2016) within each significant flora monitoring site (impact and reference). Dust monitoring stations will be installed to measure dust deposition (monthly) within each significant flora monitoring quadrat (Figure 6). Significant flora monitoring sites for the Project are located over 200 m from mining operations and so dust values will potentially be much lower than those recorded within 50 m of operations at the Koolyanobbing mine site. To be conservative, the dust trigger value currently proposed is 20 g/ m2/month (Sa), this value is lower than peak dust levels reached at Koolyanobbing mine site. This trigger value will be revised and reassessed as necessary dependant on dust deposition values at reference sites and significant flora health values recorded for monitoring sites.
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Trigger criterion 1: a dust deposition reading of 20 g/m2/month (Sa) after commencement of mining. This trigger will act as an early warning sign to assess vegetation health outside of the yearly monitoring periods and will instigate investigation into whether elevated dust deposition is due to mining activities and subsequent review of control dust measures, where elevated levels are detected.
Trigger criterion 2: a 10% (or greater) decline in significant flora abundance or mean health within impact sites compared to baseline monitoring values and reference sites, correlated with a dust deposition reading of 20 g/m2/month (Sa) after commencement of mining. This trigger will identify early declines (if any) in significant flora abundance or mean health due to increased dust deposition from mining activities and instigate contingency responses and increased monitoring.
1.11.2 Threshold criteria The threshold criteria are intended to detect any significant negative effects on significant flora health outside the project area that have occurred as a result of mining activities associated with the Project. The threshold criterion is a sustained 10% (or greater) decline in abundance or mean health in impact monitoring sites over three months, compared to baseline monitoring values and reference sites, correlated with increased leaf surface dust and/or a dust deposition reading at any time of 20 g/m2/month (Sa) over three consecutive months. This will instigate contingency responses, reporting to the CEO of DWER and corrective actions. Significant flora health condition is expected to naturally fluctuate, therefore a sustained (over 3 months) trigger level of 10% (or greater) decline in abundance or mean health has been chosen and if this value is reached, management actions will be implemented (Table 18).
2. SFMMP PROVISIONS This section identifies the management-based and outcome-based provisions that MRL will implement to ensure protection of the significant flora, with a focus on Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range.
2.1 Provisions table The management-based provisions are outline in Table 16 and the outcome-based provisions are outlined in Table 17.
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Table 16: Flora and vegetation management-based provisions to meet legal requirements of Condition 7 of MS 892 and EPBC 2010/5435
EPA factor and objective: Flora and vegetation. To protect flora and vegetation so that biological diversity and ecological integrity are maintained. Outcome/s: 1. To ensure that there is no direct impact to the Threatened flora Isopogon robustus due to ground disturbing or operational activities and 2. To ensure there is no indirect impacts to the Threatened flora Isopogon robustus and the Priority 1 flora Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan due to ground disturbing or operational activities. Key environmental values: Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan Key impacts and risks: Clearing of Priority flora, dust, introduction and spread of weeds, altered fire regimes. MANAGEMENT-BASED PROVISIONS Management actions Responsible Management targets Timing Records/reports personnel Condition 7-1 The proponent shall ensure that there is no loss of plants of the Declared Rare Flora species Isopogon robustus due to ground disturbing activities
Limiting vegetation clearing to the minimum necessary for Development footprint Prior to ground Site disturbance permit Environmental the construction and operation of the Project modified to avoid botanical disturbance forms Advisor values where possible Identifying and tagging significant vegetation and priority Incident report in flora groups prior to disturbance. Demarcation of clearing areas event of over clearing and/or clearing of any Clear demarcation of areas to be cleared to avoid over- Clearing restricted to areas After ground Isopogon robustus clearing. demarcated by site disturbance plants disturbance permit Environmental compliance reports (ECR) Compliance assessment reports (CAR) Annual Environmental Reports (AER) Condition 7-5 The proponent shall ensure that due to ground disturbing activities: o there are no indirect impacts to the Declared Rare Flora Isopogon robustus; and o that indirect impacts to Priority 1 flora Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan do not result in a loss of health and abundance outside the project footprint.
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Weed control actions: Implementing weed hygiene procedures for mining Compliance with weed hygiene Spring (within 6-8 Vehicle hygiene Environmental machinery entering the project area and management procedures weeks following inspection Advisor rainfall events) documentation (Weed Identify the extent and distribution of weed infestations Annual monitoring indicates Hygiene Certificate) occurring within the project area o no new weed species identified and Undertaking regular inspections of areas susceptible to weed Annual significant flora
infestation o no increase in weed health monitoring report Undertaking suitable control methods for identified weed cover ECR species CAR
Separately storing topsoil from areas of known weed AER occurrence from other topsoil stockpiles
Dust control actions: Compliance with vehicle speed Monthly, during all Annual significant flora Environmental Reduce vehicle speeds along gravel/unsealed roads restrictions phases of operations health monitoring Advisor report Minimise vegetation clearing Monthly monitoring indicates a Manage dust prone areas using water sprays and progressive dust deposition reading below ECR rehabilitation. 20g/m2 /month (Sa) CAR AER Monitoring dust levels in consultation with DWER Installation and operation of monitoring stations to measure dust deposition (monthly) at each significant flora monitoring quadrat
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Table 17: Flora and vegetation outcome-based provisions to meet legal requirements of Condition 7 of MS 892 and EPBC 2010/5435
EPA factor and objective: Flora and vegetation. To protect flora and vegetation so that biological diversity and ecological integrity are maintained. Outcome/s: To ensure that there is no indirect impact to the health of the Threatened flora Isopogon robustus and the Priority 1 flora Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan, due to ground disturbing or operational activities. Key environmental values: Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan Key impacts and risks: Clearing of Priority flora, dust, introduction and spread of weeds, altered fire regimes. OUTCOME-BASED PROVISIONS Environmental criteria Performance Responsible Management actions Monitoring Reporting indicator personnel Condition 7-6 The proponent shall undertake monitoring of the health and abundance of declared rare flora Isopogon robustus and Priority 1 flora Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan at reference and potential impact sites. Trigger criteria Trigger level actions Monthly, Monthly dust 1. A dust deposition reading Undertake an investigation to determine whether dust Dust deposition Environmental during all monitoring of 20 g/m2 /month (Sa)4 readings at the impact sites are comparable to the those at readings higher at Advisor phases of report after commencement of the reference sites. impact sites in operations mining For areas and activities identified as the main sources of dust comparison to emissions reference sites
o re-examine dust control measures and implement
an increase in dust control treatments.
Adjust locations and/or timing of mining activities should
conditions at scheduled mining locations and/or times be
unfavourable in terms of wind and weather conditions.
2. A 10% (or greater) Implement contingency responses within 24 hours of the Change in Annual Annual Environmental decline in significant flora exceedance being identified (see section 3.1). abundance or monitoring significant Advisor abundance or mean mean health at (Spring, flora health Increase significant flora monitoring frequency to monthly health in impact sites impact site in within 6-8 and weed at impact sites where trigger criterion was exceeded with no compared to baseline comparison to weeks monitoring comparable observation in the reference sites. monitoring values and reference sites following reporting reference sites, If after the two consecutive monitoring events, a threshold rainfall ECR correlated with a dust exceedance has not been identified, resume standard events) CAR deposition reading of 20 monitoring frequency. OR AER g/m2 /month (Sa)4 after monthly Issue Date: 4/06/2020 242-EN-PLN-0020_0 Page 26 Printed copies of this document are not controlled. Please ensure that this is the latest available version before use.
commencement of Re-examine applied monitoring parameters to confirm they monitoring mining are operating within management levels and implement in the changes where necessary advent monitoring indicates potential impact
Threshold criteria Threshold level actions A sustained 10% (or greater) Implement contingency responses within 24 hours of the Dust deposition Monthly Annual Environmental decline in abundance or mean exceedance being identified (see section 3.1). readings higher at monitoring significant Manager health in impact monitoring sites Report the threshold exceedance to the CEO of DWER impact sites in in the flora health over three months, compared to within 7 days of the exceedance being identified. comparison to advent and weed baseline monitoring values and reference sites monitoring monitoring Provide evidence to the satisfaction of the CEO of DWER reference sites, correlated with an indicates reporting which allows determination of the cause of the increase in leaf surface dust potential exceedance within 21 days of the exceedance being Change in ECR and/or a monthly dust deposition impact identified. abundance or CAR reading at any time of 20 g/m2 AER Implement corrective actions, as appropriate to prevent mean health at /month (Sa) over three impact site in Report of consecutive months. recurrence and compensate for irreversible impacts to Isopogon robustus. comparison to exceedance of reference sites threshold Continue to implement remedial actions until approval to criteria to CEO cease has been given by the CEO of DWER. Report the of DWER above to DAWE through annual compliance reporting.
Receipt of
approval to cease remedial activities from CEO of DWER
4 Sa = mass deposition rate of ash, in grams per square metre per month
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2.2 Significant flora health monitoring program A significant flora health monitoring program is required to measure the effectiveness of the management actions outlined above. The outcomes of the monitoring program will inform whether the environmental objective is being achieved and when management actions will have to be reviewed and revised. This baseline significant flora monitoring program is designed in accordance with MS 892, Condition 7 (see Section 1.3), specifically Condition 7-6. The monitoring required under condition 7-6 is to commence prior to ground disturbing activities for the approval of the CEO on advice of the DBCA. The monitoring plan shall include: 1. the provision of baseline data; 2. identification of baseline and control sites; 3. definition of monitoring frequency, timing, intensity and replication; 4. definition of health and abundance; 5. identification of what and how parameters will be used to measure decline or rate of decline in health or abundance; and 6. definition of trigger levels and management responses.
2.2.1 Baseline monitoring parameters and methods Annual monitoring of all sites sampled in the baseline significant flora monitoring survey (Appendix 1; Phoenix 2020a) will be undertaken in spring. A set of monitoring parameters and methods have been selected to align with the conditions of MS 892 and EPBC 2010/5435 and are consistent with the baseline survey. Monitoring parameters and methods are described in section 1.7, Table 9.
Health monitoring
Due to the significant differences observed in the average health of Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan, within and across monitoring sites (section 1.6), to monitor for changes to health over time, the proportional change in metrics within each quadrat will be determined and then compared between quadrats.
Declines in abundance or health scores (including changes in range, i.e. min and max health scores) identified in impact quadrats will be compared with those of reference quadrats to assess whether declines are a result of climatic conditions (i.e. drought, cyclones) or impacts from the development and/or operations of the mine. Should any decline in an impact quadrat not be reflected in reference quadrats, investigations will be conducted to determine the cause of the decline. Data may be correlated to changes in the dust deposition levels to indicate whether the change may be related to mine site operations. In addition, site photos and field notes will be reviewed to detect other possible causes for the change.
2.3 Reporting MRL is required to report against its compliance with this SFMMP in an annual compliance assessment report (CAR), prepared in accordance with condition 4-6 of MS 892. The CAR is required to be submitted to the CEO of the DWER within three months following each 12-month reporting period (12 April–11 April of the following year). In accordance with condition 7-8 of MS 892, if the potential impact sites show a decline in health or abundance as determined by condition 7-7 compared to the reference sites the proponent shall provide a report to the CEO within 21 days of the decline being identified which:
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1. describes the decline; and 2. provides information which allows determination of the likely root cause of the decline and appropriate corrective and/or compensatory actions to be taken. In accordance with EPBC 2010/5435 condition 10, MRL is required to report in an annual compliance report its compliance against condition 2 (Table 5), including compliance with implementation of the Isopogon robustus monitoring plan. The annual compliance report is required to be published on MRL’s website within three months of every 12-month anniversary of the commencement of the Project.
3. ADAPTIVE MANAGEMENT AND REVIEW OF THE SFMMP Adaptive management practices that will be implemented for the significant flora plant health monitoring and management program include: Evaluation of the monitoring program: a) if monitoring results indicate that management objectives are not being achieved; b) if new information is discovered during construction, operations or closure; c) where any significant changes to project design or operation have occurred; and d) where it has been longer than 12 months since the last revision. Evaluation of the monitoring program, data and comparison to baseline data and reference sites on an annual basis to verify whether any responses are due to project activities. Evaluation of assumptions and uncertainties of the significant flora plant health management and monitoring program. Review and implementation of contingency responses in the event that management targets indicate these are required. Review of data and information gathered over the review period that has increased understanding of site environment in the context of the regional ecosystem. Review of management actions as the project matures and new management measures and technologies become available that may be more effective for significant flora plant health management. Assessment of changes which are outside the control of the Project and the management measures identified (i.e. a new project within the area or region; regional change affecting significant flora plant health management). Review of the SFMMP will be undertaken annually and updated, if required, based on review outcomes.
3.1 Contingency responses Contingency responses are identified below for potential key impacts to significant flora plant health (Table 18). This list is not exhaustive and additional contingency responses may be identified following investigation into any detected impacts to significant flora plant health.
Direct impact – loss of significant flora Any works being undertaken directly or indirectly leading to the loss of significant flora species will be temporarily ceased (where possible) or modified to prevent further risk/loss of significant flora. An investigation will be undertaken to identify the cause of unauthorised clearing and corrective actions to prevent any further unauthorised clearing of significant flora.
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Corrective actions will be implemented. Notification of loss of significant flora will be provided to relevant State and Federal regulatory bodies. If the loss of significant flora is due to onsite activities, the loss will be recorded and the relevant authorities notified (CEO, DBCA, DAWE). Indirect impact – reduction in significant flora health Any works being undertaken directly (or indirectly) leading to the reduction in significant flora health will be temporarily halted. An investigation of work practices will be undertaken to identify corrective actions to reduce risk of further reduction in significant flora health. Corrective actions will be implemented. Monitoring indicates an adverse impact to significant flora Contingency responses, in the event monitoring indicates an adverse impact to significant flora, are to be identified through an investigation into the cause of the decline, in consultation with DBCA.
Table 18: Contingency responses for potential impacts to significant flora resulting from Project activities
Potential impacts Contingency responses
Increased weed species Investigate cause and/or cover of weeds Review and reinforce hygiene requirements to all site personnel Stop work with potentially weed affected materials and remove from site Undertake weed control, with the aim of eradicating the new infestation
Ensure that seed set of weeds does not occur Clean down affected vehicles or machinery and disposal of contaminated material Continue targeted weed monitoring in the weed affected area to confirm the success of implemented actions
Dust build up on vegetation Investigate cause foliage Ensure dust control measures are being implemented and are appropriate. Reduce vehicle speeds to 20 km/hr along gravel/unsealed roads adjacent to sites where dust build up on significant vegetation has been detected Increase monitoring of dust levels in consultation with DWER Manage dust prone areas through dust suppression and progressive rehabilitation. Any works being undertaken directly or indirectly leading to the increase in dust production will be temporarily ceased (where possible) or modified to prevent further risk of significant flora health Consider spraying dust covered vegetation with water truck to remove dust (note this should occur no more than monthly during October – April) in consultation with DWER
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4. STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION Stakeholder consultation will be undertaken with DBCA as the SFMMP is implemented and it is therefore likely that revisions will be made to the SFMMP if further guidance is provided by these stakeholders.
Table 19: Stakeholder consultation
Stakeholder Date Type of Persons Summary consultation involved EPA 06/07/2012 Memo Kim Taylow, Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range (B.H. Smith 1255) services report Jim Williams was identified by Matt Barrett on the 21st December 2010 As the determination of this species as a distinct entity and listing as a Priority 1 Flora species by the DEC in December 2011 a second targeted search (during optimal flowering period) was conducted in order to count the total number of plants of this species per each population and identify any additional populations within a 20 km radius of the project area. The results of the survey revealed there are six populations of the Priority 1 flora species Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range (B.H. Smith 1255) within the Parker Range area EPA 12/11/2019 Email Jessica Allen, Parameters being measured for vegetation health services response Les Purves should be clarified: definition of health and abundance identification of what and how parameters will be used to measure decline or rate of decline in health or abundance definition of management responses required should a 25% (or greater) decline in health or abundance be recorded. There is a lack of information on what data will be collected for weeds Utilise a health scale that does not use flowering as an indicator of health DWER 13/11/2019 Email Grant Wells In order to comply with the changes in monitoring response values indicated in the EPA response below I am suggesting the following changes to the monitoring programs: Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan monitoring Change plant health scale to Casson et al. 2009, this scale has seven levels and does not include flowering as an indicator of health Record a plant health measure for each Isopogon robustus plant in the quadrat and derive a mean value for plant health, rather than a single value for all plants in the plot. Each plant to be tagged with a permanent tag (there on a truck on the way up) to allow for repeat measures each year Record a plant health measure (will need to modify the Casson et al. 2009 scale for this but not difficult) for up to 20 Lepidosperma sp. Mt
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Caudan plants per quadrat and derive a mean value for plant health. Each plant to be tagged with a permanent tag to allow for repeat measures each year Vegetation Health monitoring Record the number of species per quadrat (species richness) Record cover of native species and cover of introduced/weed species Identify the dominant (greatest cover value) species in each stratum (i.e. upper, mid and lower canopy) Record cover value for each dominant species in each stratum Permanently mark and record a health value (Casson et al 2009 or modified Casson et al 2009) for up to 10 plants of dominant species in each stratum DWER 15/11/2019 Email Kelly Freeman Casson et al. (2009) report could be used to develop response a more appropriate scale to measure native vegetation health. Given there are many parameters that could be utilised in the Casson et al. (2009) report. The other aspects of the proposed vegetation health/weeds and targeted species monitoring appear more useful as monitoring design. However as stated below, the parameters measured have to provide some guidance for attribution of impact otherwise monitoring will not provide information for compliance or trigger actions to prevent unacceptable impact.
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5. REFERENCES
Botanica Consulting. 2010. Flora and vegetation of the Parker Range region, Western Australia. Botanica Consulting, Boulder, WA. Unpublished report prepared for Cazaly Resources Ltd. Botanica Consulting. 2011a. Isopogon robustus Monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project: Mt Caudan Deposit. Botanica Consulting, Boulder, WA. Unpublished report prepared for Cazaly Resources Ltd. Botanica Consulting. 2011b. Vegetation and Weed Monitoring Program of the Parker Range Iron Ore Project: Mt Caudan Deposit. Tenements M77/741, M77/742, M77/764, P77/3685, P77/3770, L77/220, L77/228 and L77/229. Botanica Consulting, Boulder, WA. Unpublished report prepared for Cazaly Resources Ltd. Botanica Consulting. 2012. Targeted search of the Priority 1 Flora species Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range (B.H. Smith 1255). Botanica Consulting, Boulder, WA. Letter report to the Environmental Protection Authority for Cazaly Resources Ltd. Casson, N., Downes, S. & Harris, A. 2009. Native vegetation condition assessment and monitoring manual for Western Australia. Australian Government and Department of Environment and Conservation. Unpublished report prepared for the Native Vegetation Integrity Project. Cazaly Resources. 2011. Parker Range Iron Ore project Mt Caudan deposit: Public environmental review, response to public submissions. Cazaly Resources Limited, West Perth, WA. Cazaly Resources Limited. 2010. Parker Range Iron Ore Project - Mt Caudan Deposit, Environmental Impact Assessment (Public Environmental Review). Keith Lindbeck & Associates, Bullcreek. Unpubished report prepared for Cazaly Resources Limited by Keith Lindbeck & Associates. DBCA. 2019. Conservation codes for Western Australian flora and fauna. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions, Kensington, WA. Available at: https://www.dpaw.wa.gov.au/plants- and-animals/threatened-species-and-communities DPIRD. 2020. Declared plant control handbook. Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development, Kensington, WA. Available at: https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/herbicides/declared- plant-control-handbook EPA. 2011. Cazaly Iron Pty Ltd Parker Range (Mount Caudan) Iron Ore Project. Report and recommendations of the Environmental Protection Authority. Report 1410. Environmental Protection Authority, Perth, WA. EPA. 2016. Environmental Factor Guideline: Terrestrial fauna. Environmental Protection Authority, Perth, WA. Available at: http://www.epa.wa.gov.au/sites/default/files/Policies_and_Guidance/Guideline- Terrestrial-Fauna-131216_3.pdf Mineral Resources. 2019. YILGARN OPERATIONS KOOLYANOBBING RANGE F DEPOSIT FLORA AND VEGETATION MANAGEMENT PLAN. Mineral Resources ltd, Perth, Western Australia. Phoenix. 2020a. Baseline health assessment of vegetation and weed monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project. Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd, Balcatta, WA. Unpublished report prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd. Phoenix. 2020b. Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project. Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd, Balcatta, WA. Unpublished report prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd. Phoenix. 2020c. Memo report of targeted Isopogon robustussurvey outcomes for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project. Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd., Osborne Park, WA. Unpublished report prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd. Standards Australia. 2016. Methods for sampling and analysis of ambient air.
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Appendix 1: Phoenix (2020) Baseline health assessment of vegetation and weed monitoring report
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Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project
Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
February 2020
Final Report
Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project. Final Report Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
Version history
Authors Reviewer/s Version Version Date Submitted to number submitted
S. Findlay, G. K. Crews Draft for client 0.1 24-Jan-20 N. Smith, L. Wells comments Purves
S. Findlay, G. K. Crews Final, client 1.0 10-Feb-20 N. Smith, L. Wells comments Purves addressed
©Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 2020 The use of this report is solely for the Client for the purpose in which it was prepared. Phoenix Environmental Sciences accepts no responsibility for use beyond this purpose. All rights are reserved, and no part of this report may be reproduced or copied in any form without the written permission of Phoenix Environmental Sciences or the Client.
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 1/511 Wanneroo Rd BALCATTA WA 6021 P: 08 6323 5410 E: [email protected] Project code: 1299-PR-MRL-BOT
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd i Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ...... IV 1. INTRODUCTION ...... 1 1.1 State approval requirements ...... 1 1.2 Federal approval requirements ...... 3 1.3 Proponent commitments ...... 3 1.5 Previous surveys ...... 6 1.6 Requirement for the current baseline assessment...... 9 1.7 Purpose and scope of this report ...... 9 2. METHODS ...... 11 2.1 Literature review ...... 11 2.2 Field survey ...... 11 2.2.1 Isopogon robustus ...... 11 2.2.2 Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan ...... 12 2.2.3 Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range ...... 13 3. RESULTS ...... 16 3.1 Literature review ...... 16 3.1.1 Plant health scales ...... 16 3.1.2 Weather ...... 16 3.2 Significant flora health monitoring ...... 18 3.2.1 Isopogon robustus ...... 18 3.2.2 Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan ...... 19 3.3 Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range targeted searches ...... 20 4. DISCUSSION ...... 21 4.1.1 Significant flora health monitoring ...... 21 4.1.2 Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range targeted searches ...... 23 5. REFERENCES ...... 25
List of Figures Figure 1-1 Parker Range Iron Ore Project location ...... 4 Figure 1-2 Parker Range Iron Ore approved project area and new development envelope ...... 5 Figure 1-3 Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan and Isopogon robustus quadrat locations ...... 7 Figure 1-4 Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range population and quadrat locations ...... 8 Figure 2-1 Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range plants in highly disturbed areas ...... 15 Figure 3-1 Annual climate and weather data for Southern Cross (no. 012320) (BoM 2017) and mean monthly data for the 12 months preceding the field survey ...... 17
List of Tables Table 1-1 Vegetation health rating scale ...... 6 Table 2-1 Isopogon robustus plant health scale (Casson et al. 2009) ...... 12 Table 2-2 Dust deposition scale ...... 12 Table 2-3 Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan plant health scale ...... 13
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd ii Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
Table 3-1 Summary of data from Isopogon robustus reference and impact monitoring quadrats surveyed in spring 2019 ...... 18 Table 3-2 Summary of data from Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan reference and impact monitoring quadrats surveyed in spring 2019 ...... 19 Table 3-3 Summary of data from Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range population searches ...... 20
Appendices Appendix 1 Site locations Appendix 2 Raw data from Isopogon robustus monitoring quadrats Appendix 3 Raw data from Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan monitoring quadrats Appendix 4 Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range quadrat counts for Spring 2019 Appendix 5 Raw data from Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range relevé surveys
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd iii Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Mineral Resources Limited (MRL) are proceeding to implement the Parker Range Iron Ore Project (the Project), located approximately 45 km south-east of Southern Cross.. The Project was approved under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC 2010/5435) on 3 November 2011 via a bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and WA. The Project was approved under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) on 12 April 2012, subject to conditions and procedures outlined in the ministerial statement (MS) 892. A condition of the state approval, Condition 7 – Conservation Significant Flora, must be met prior to ground disturbing activities. Condition 7 requires development of a monitoring plan to detect impacts on significant flora from the mine construction and operation. Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd (Phoenix) was commissioned by MRL to undertake baseline surveys to assess plant health of Isopogon robustus (Threatened) and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan (Priority 1). Following review of previous baseline surveys and advice from Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on the outcomes and methodology to meet the conditions of MS 892, the parameters to be measured for the baseline surveys were revised. The EPA advice required: • amendments to the health scale to not include flowering as a measure of health • identification of what and how parameters will be used to measure decline in health and abundance • definition of plant health and abundance • clarification as to how any observed decline in health or abundance may be attributable to mining operations. To satisfy the requirements of Condition 7-3 and 7-4, targeted surveys of populations of Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range (P1) were required to determine current population sizes, area of known occupancy and area of suitable habitat. This data was to be used to determine, impacts to the known population size and proportionate removal of known area of occupancy. A literature review preceded the field survey to identify alternative vegetation health scales. In addition, previous reports were reviewed to determine plant numbers expected to be present in each impact monitoring quadrat and estimates of plant numbers in Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range populations. Field work to assess the health of significant flora Isopogon robustus (Threatened) and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan (Priority 1) involved sampling of twelve 20 m x 20 m quadrats at the Project. For the monitoring of Isopogon robustus a total of seven quadrats were sampled; six impact monitoring quadrats outside of the 250 m buffer and one reference quadrat. For Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan, a total of five quadrats were sampled; three impact monitoring quadrats and two reference quadrats. Within the Isopogon robustus quadrats each plant was tagged with an aluminium tag, assigned a number and its GPS location recorded. Within the Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan quadrats, the total number of individual plants was recorded and 20 of these were selected, tagged with an aluminium tag and their GPS location recorded. Additionally, the following metrics were recorded within all quadrats: • the height and width of each tagged plant in the quadrat • flower condition • the health of each plant
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd iv Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
• the level of dust deposition evident on each plant. Health was assessed by separate scales for Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan. The scale of dust deposition on plant foliage has been included for both significant species to provide an indication of whether mine construction and/or operations may be impacting the health of these plants. Substantial differences were identified in the species abundance and health of plants within and across impact monitoring and reference quadrats for both significant species. Therefore, to monitor for changes to health over time, the proportional change in metrics within each quadrat will be determined and then compared between quadrats. Declines in abundance or health scores identified in impact monitoring quadrats will be compared with those of reference quadrats to assess whether declines are a result of climatic conditions (i.e. drought, cyclones) or impacts from the development and/or operations of the mine. Should any decline in a impact monitoring quadrat not be reflected in reference sites then investigations will be conducted to determine the cause of the decline. Data may be correlated to changes in the dust deposition scale to indicate whether the change may be related to mine site operations. In addition, site photos and field notes will be reviewed to detect other possible causes for the change. Targeted searches were undertaken of the six known populations of Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range previously recorded within the Parker Range area. The boundary of population 6 had been recorded in a previous survey. The location of all remaining populations was identified by a single GPS location. A search was conducted of population 6 within and outside of the recorded boundary to determine whether the population had grown and all plants sighted were counted. For the other populations, a search was conducted of the population locations to locate plants. Once plants were located the surrounding area was searched by foot in a series of parallel meandering transects to define the boundary of each population. During the targeted searches for the species a seventh population was found. The population was discovered late in the field survey and subsequently there was insufficient time to complete a full survey and establish the population size. Population 2 was largely confined to a small gravel pit. A thorough search of this area was conducted, and all individual plants were counted. Populations 1, 3, 4 and 5 were too large and/or dense to count all individuals in the field time available and so an estimated total was determined. Within the population boundary four 5x5m quadrats (non-permanent) were used to obtain a count of plants within a 25m² square area. The number of plants per 25m² square area were averaged and this value was then extrapolated for the total area of the population. Population estimates from this survey were substantially higher than previous estimates. As the former survey provided no data on population area for the majority of populations it is possible that plants were recorded over a different range resulting in the large disparity in population sizes. However, population 1 occupied a small restricted area and yet the population estimate was orders of magnitude higher in this survey than the earlier count of the species at this location. Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range is a disturbance opportunist with plants most abundant in recently disturbed sites. A large number of small juvenile plants and seedlings were observed during the current survey and it appears as though population numbers have increased since the time of the previous survey in response to multiple disturbances. Two populations of Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range occur within the development envelope of the Project. The combined areas of these two populations was recorded to be ca.14 ha representing 25% of the estimated total ca.56 ha currently recorded for Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range. The populations had a combined total of 3,831 plants which represent 4.7% of the total 81,341 plants estimated to occur in the six populations fully surveyed. An estimated 9,750 ha of suitable habitat for this species has been mapped for the Parker Range PEC.
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd v Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
1. INTRODUCTION
Mineral Resources Limited (MRL) are proceeding to commence the Parker Range Iron Ore Project (the Project). The Project was approved under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC 2010/5435; DSEWPaC 2011) on 3 November 2011 via a bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and WA. The Project was approved under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) on 12 April 2012, subject to conditions and procedures outlined in ministerial statement (MS) 892 (Minister for Environment; Water 2012). The Project is located 55 km southeast of Southern Cross, in the Goldfields region of Western Australia (Figure 1-1). The approved Project area under MS 892 and EPBC 2010/5435 is 472.95 ha (Figure 1-1) excluding the upper haul road (4.1 ha). MRL are seeking a minor amendment to the approved project area (referred to in this report as the development envelope), which is 421.82 ha (Figure 1-1). This report adopts the revised development envelope in place of the approved project area. Condition 7 of MS 892 and conditions 1 and 2 of EPBC 2010/5435 relate to the management of conservation significant flora, as outlined below.
1.1 STATE APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
Condition 7-7 of MS 892 requires development of a monitoring plan to detect impacts on significant flora from the mine construction and operation, including the provision of baseline data, prior to ground disturbing activities (Minister for Environment; Water 2012). In addition, condition 7-3 of MS 892 requires a targeted survey of Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range prior to ground disturbing activities in order to determine impacts on the species. Full details of Condition 7 as stated in Minister for Environment; Water (2012) are provided below. 7 Conservation Significant Flora Clearing 7-1 The proponent shall ensure that there is no loss of plants of the Declared Rare Flora (now listed as Threatened) species Isopogon robustus due to ground disturbing activities. 7-2 The proponent shall ensure the long-term maintenance of genetic diversity of the Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range and of Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan species within the Parker Range region through the following actions: 1. Prior to ground disturbing activities required for the implementation and operation of the proposal, the proponent shall collect seed and plant material of the Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan populations that will be cleared as a result of this proposal. The seed and plant material will be vested in an appropriate facility which can ensure long-term viability of seed storage and protection of identified mother stock of genetic significance for storage and approved restoration works to the satisfaction of the CEO on advice of the DEC. 2. The proponent shall undertake genetic analysis including: a. Spatial analysis of population genetic structure; b. Genetic analysis of the mating system; and c. Genetic analysis of realized dispersal,
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 1 Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
to the satisfaction of the CEO to determine the relative genetic diversity of the populations of Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range and populations of Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan using the seed and plant material collected in accordance with condition 7-2-1. 3. The proponent shall develop a rehabilitation and research program within six months of ground disturbing activities for Priority flora species with particular focus on the species Lepidosperma sp. Parker Range to the satisfaction of the CEO on advice of the DEC. This program shall: a. include a time or timeframe for commencement and completion of the rehabilitation and research program; b. focus on shallow soil analysis, water use efficiency, restoration practices, transplantation trials and seed trials; c. be undertaken in consultation with the DEC; and d. be based on the nature of the impact on genetic diversity determined in condition 7-2-2. 7-3 Prior to ground disturbing activities required for the implementation and operation of the proposal the proponent shall undertake a targeted survey of Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range to the satisfaction of the CEO on the advice of the DEC to determine the local and regional impact to this species. 7-4 The proponent shall provide a copy of the survey report required in condition 7-3 to the CEO and the DEC within three months of completion. Indirect impacts 7-5 The proponent shall ensure that due to ground disturbing activities: • there are no indirect impacts to the Declared Rare Flora Isopogon robustus; and • that indirect impacts to Priority 1 flora Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan do not result in a loss of health and abundance outside the project footprint. 7-6 To verify the requirements of 7-5 are met the proponent shall undertake monitoring in accordance with condition 7-7 of the health and abundance of declared rare flora Isopogon robustus and Priority 1 flora Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan at reference and potential impact sites. 7-7 To meet the requirements under condition 7-6 the proponent shall prepare a monitoring plan prior to ground disturbing activities for the approval of the CEO on advice of the DEC. The monitoring plan shall include: 1. the provision of baseline data; 2. identification of baseline and control sites; 3. definition of monitoring frequency, timing, intensity and replication; 4. definition of health and abundance; 5. identification of what and how parameters will be used to measure decline or rate of decline in health or abundance; and 6. definition of trigger levels and management responses. 7-8 Should the potential impact sites show a decline in health or abundance as determined by condition 7-7 compared to the reference sites the proponent shall provide a report to the CEO within 21 days of the decline being identified which: 1. describes the decline; and
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 2 Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
2. provides information which allows determination of the likely root cause of the decline. 7-9 If the decline in health or abundance identified in conditions 7-7 and 7-8 is determined by the CEO to be caused by activities undertaken in implementing the proposal the proponent shall, implement the actions identified in condition 7-7-6 and continue to implement such actions until the CEO determines that the remedial actions may cease.
1.2 FEDERAL APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS
EPBC 2010/5435 includes the following conditions relating to the Threatened flora Isopogon robustus: 1. Prior to commencement of operations the person undertaking the action must ensure that baseline flora surveys are conducted in order to investigate the local population of Isopogon robustus within a 350 m buffer around the project area. The surveys must by undertaken by a qualified botanist and results submitted to the department. 2. In order to protect the Isopogon robustus from impacts associated with the Project, within 12 months of commencement of operations, the person must obtain the Minster’s approval of an Isopogon robustus Monitoring Plan. This plan must include: a) the desired outcomes/objectives of implementing the plan; b) results of completed baseline surveys; c) details of parameters that will be used to measure decline or rate of decline in health or abundance; d) definition of proposed trigger levels and management responses; and e) the timing, responsibilities and management measures to mitigate and avoid adverse impacts to Isopogon robustus, including the management and reduction of identified threats to the species (such as exotic species), and measures to monitor and manage relevant dust parameters.
1.3 PROPONENT COMMITMENTS
Indirect impacts to vegetation health identified in the Public Environmental Review (PER) for the approved project (KLA 2010) included impacts from dust deposition. The considered potential impact zone from dust was determined to be up to 250 m from mining and processing areas and 125 m from haul roads. Subsequently, monitoring within and outside of a 250 m buffer area (Figure 1-3) to determine impacts to vegetation and plant health was a proposed environmental management action in the PER. In addition a commitment to maintain a buffer zone of a minimum 350 m (Figure 1-3) between the impact area of disturbance and the Isopogon robustus populations was provided in the PER for the approved project (KLA 2010).
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Mineral Resources Ltd Parker Range Iron Ore Project Approved project area (MS 892) Figure 1-2 Project No 1299 New development envelope Parker Range Iron Ore Date 19-Feb-20 Western Drawn by AJ ° Project approved project Map author GW Australia area and new development KALGOORLIE-BOULDER 0 5 10 ! PERTH Kilometres envelope
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1.5 PREVIOUS SURVEYS
Baseline surveys to assess significant flora plant health, Isopogon robustus (Threatened) (Botanica Consulting 2011a) and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan (Priority 1) (Botanica Consulting 2011b) were previously undertaken for the Project in 2011. For the monitoring of Isopogon robustus a total of seven 20 m x 20 m quadrats were installed (Figure 1-3): • six impact monitoring quadrats outside of the 250 m buffer • one reference quadrat, 1 km south-east of the development envelope. For the monitoring of Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan, a total of five 20 m x 20 m quadrats were installed (Figure 1-3): • three impact monitoring quadrats outside of the 250 m buffer • two reference quadrats, 9 km and 1.5 km north of the development envelope The location of the monitoring quadrats was determined by placing them in selected existing populations of the species. Analogue sites were selected in conjunction with the Department of Environment and Conservation (DEC) (Botanica Consulting 2011a, b), now the Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions (DBCA). The previous baseline assessment recorded the abundance (total number of plants present) and the overall health of all plants within the quadrat according to the scale provided in Table 1-1. Table 1-1 Vegetation health rating scale
Health Health Definition Rating Description
5 Excellent Plants are highly vigorous (healthy, strong and growing well), leaves are lush (very green and healthy). Plants are in flower and producing fruit. New growth is present. 4 Very Good Plants are moderately vigorous, leaves are lush. Plants have no flowers/dry
3 Good Plants are not vigorous, leaves are not lush. Plants have no flowers and no fruit. No new growth is present flowers and no fruit. New growth is present.
2 Poor Plants are not vigorous, leaves are not lush. Plants have no flowers and no fruit. No new growth is present flowers and no fruit. New growth is present.
1 Dead Plants are dead
To satisfy the requirements of Condition 7-3 and 7-4 targeted surveys to locate populations of Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range (P1) and to determine populations sizes were conducted (Botanica Consulting 2012). The surveys identified six populations (Figure 1-4) one of which occurred completely in the development envelope for the Project. This population comprised 3,039 plants estimated to represent 17.6% of the known populations of Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range.
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Approved project area (MS 892) New development envelope Population boundary !( Quadrat
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Client: MRL Project: Parker Range Iron Ore Project (Mine)
Author: AJ Date: 19-Feb-20
Coordinate System: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 Projection: Transverse Mercator Datum: GDA 1994
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CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community s i h T Document Path: P:\GIS\Projects\ParkerRange_MRL\1299-PR-MRL-BOT\Mapping\MapDocuments\Figures\1299_1-4_Chamelaucium.mxd Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
1.6 REQUIREMENT FOR THE CURRENT BASELINE ASSESSMENT
Advice from EPA services (Jessica Allen pers. com. via email to Les Purves of MRL 12 November 2019) on the outcomes and methodology of the previous survey (Botanica Consulting 2011a) and its capacity to meet the conditions of MS 892 was as follows: “The 2011 monitoring program developed for Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan is basic in that two variables were recorded (number of individuals and “health”) from the three impact quadrats and two reference quadrats. The same data is recorded for Isopogon robustus from six impact quadrats and one reference quadrat. It may be difficult to attribute any change by confining variables to the basic requirements. An analysis of the potential cause of changes to health or abundance that could result from operations may provide more useful data to monitor and attribute any changes. A 1-5 scale is not suitable to measure a 10% change in species health, given that it is a 5-point scale which represents a broad 20% change. Additionally, the health scale is excessively responsive to seasonal variables, for example the monitoring program for Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan states that the health of the species overall is rated at 3 as flower heads had dried out after flowering. Had the monitoring taken place two months earlier, the health may have been a higher rating.” Following submission of a report on the outcomes of the surveys for Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range (Botanica Consulting 2012), the Office of the Environmental Protection Authority (OEPA) requested that additional information regarding regional and local impacts be incorporated into a revised report. The DEC (now DBCA) specifically requested the targeted survey report include “information on the number of Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range individuals to be impacted against the total number of individuals known, the number and proportion of Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range populations to be impacted against the total number of populations known, the amount of suitable Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range habitat to be impacted against the total amount of suitable habitat and the area of occupancy to be impacted against the total area of occupancy known”. Botanica Consulting (2012) did not provide data pertaining to the area of the populations surveyed or description of habitats for the species. In addition, the surveys were conducted in 2011 and therefore the current status/size of the populations was unknown. Subsequently it was determined that all known populations required resurvey to provide the information requested by OEPA and DBCA.
1.7 PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THIS REPORT
The purpose of this report is to provide the baseline data to inform a significant flora monitoring and management plan for the Project that will be prepared to meet condition 7-7 of MS 892 and condition 2 of EPBC 2010/5435. It is also intended to address condition 7-3 of MS 892 regarding targeted survey requirements for Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range. The scope of work in relation to conditions of MS 892 and EPBC 2010/5435 was as follows: • undertake targeted searches for Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan within the Project tenements (mine area) and a baseline monitoring survey of all known and new locations of each species. Baseline survey for Isopogon robustus to include 350 m buffer of the development envelope (Figure 1-3) in accordance with condition 1 of EPBC 2010/5435; baseline survey for Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan to include a 250 m buffer of the development envelope (Figure 1-3) • undertake a targeted survey of Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range within an area of 20 km of the Project to determine the local and regional impact to this species (MS 892). The previous surveys conducted (Botanica Consulting 2010a, b, c, 2011a, b, 2012) provided targeted searches of each of the significant flora and an initial baseline assessment of health for Isopogon
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 9 Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan. The scope of works for the current assessment of Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan was to provide an additional baseline health survey within the established monitoring quadrats that: • provided an alternative health measure that does not include flowering • demonstrated how the health measure and other metrics may be used to assess the 10% trigger value • provided a measure to link potential impacts on plants from the mining operations. Required works for Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range included resurvey of all known populations within 20 km of the development envelope to determine: • current population size • area of known occupancy • area of suitable habitat • impacts to the known population size • proportion removal of known area of occupancy.
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2. METHODS
2.1 LITERATURE REVIEW
Prior to conducting the field survey, a literature review was undertaken to identify an alternative vegetation health scale. In addition, previous survey reports were reviewed (Botanica Consulting 2011a, b, 2012) to determine plant numbers expected to be present in each monitoring quadrat and estimates of plant numbers in Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range populations. The Bureau of Meteorology website (BoM 2019) was interrogated to identify the closest active weather station to the Project to provide long term monthly rainfall and temperature averages for comparison to monthly totals and averages just prior to the field surveys.
2.2 FIELD SURVEY
The field surveys were conducted by Dr Grant Wells and Shenade Findlay from 13-23 November 2019. As the previous monitoring quadrats for Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan had been selected in consultation with the DBCA (then DEC) (Botanica Consulting 2011a, b), the quadrats were revisited. This was also undertaken to provide baseline data from two monitoring periods. A single GPS location had been recorded for each of the monitoring plots (Botanica Consulting 2011a, b) requiring some searching for quadrat marker posts in denser vegetation during the current survey. To facilitate locating marker posts for future surveys a GPS location for each post was recorded during the current field survey. In addition, some of the previous plots had no or just two permanent marker posts. In these instances, steel fence droppers were used to mark out new quadrats. All recorded populations of Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range (Botanica Consulting 2012; DBCA 2019) were revisited and surveys conducted to determine area of occupancy and population size.
2.2.1 Isopogon robustus
A count of all plants in the quadrat was conducted. Each of the plants present in the quadrat were tagged with an aluminium tag and assigned a number. A GPS location for each plant was recorded. The following metrics were recorded: • the height and width of each plant present in the quadrat • flower condition • the health of each plant (Table 2-1) • the level of dust deposition evident on each plant (Table 2-2).
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Table 2-1 Isopogon robustus plant health scale (Casson et al. 2009)
Health Description rating
0 Healthy, no dead leaves
1 Occasional dead leaves
2 Epicormic shoots (therefore stressed)
3 Tips of branches stressed or dying
4 Entire or whole branches dying or dead (NB some lower branches excluded from this assessment)
5 More than half tree dead
6 Tree dead
Table 2-2 Dust deposition scale
Dust Description Rating
0 No evidence of dust deposition
1 Evidence of dust deposition (minor discolouration indicating fine dust particles on surface of leaves)
2 Minor, dust build up visible on surface of some leaves
3 Moderate, dust build up with more than 50% of leaves covered
4 Heavy, dust build up covers entire surface of all leaves
2.2.2 Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan
A count of all plants in the quadrat was conducted. Twenty plants were selected, tagged with an aluminium tag and assigned a number. A GPS location for each plant was recorded. The following metrics were recorded for each plant tagged: • the height and width of each plant present in the quadrat • flower condition • the level of dust deposition evident on each plant (Table 2-2) • the health of each plant (Table 2-3).
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Table 2-3 Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan plant health scale
Health Description rating
0 No dead leaves
1 Occasional leaf tip dieback
2 More than half leaves with leaf tip dieback
3 Occasional completely dead leaves, more than 50% leaves with leaf tip dieback
4 More than half of leaves completely dead
5 Plant dead
2.2.3 Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range
Six populations of the Priority 1 species Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range were previously recorded within the Parker Range area (Botanica Consulting 2012). During targeted searches for the species, a seventh populations was identified. The boundary of population 6 was previously recorded (Botanica Consulting 2012). This boundary was placed onto an electronic tablet utilising GISPro software. In the field the searchers location within the boundary of the population could then be visualised to ensure the full extent of the previously recorded population was traversed. A count of all individuals observed was made. Searches were also conducted outside of the recorded boundary to determine whether the population had grown to extend outside of this area. No population boundaries were available for any other population. The location of all remaining populations was identified by a single GPS location. A search was conducted at each population location record to locate plants. Once plants were located the surrounding area was searched by foot in a series of parallel meandering transects. Where plants were intercepted along the transect a GPS location was recorded. Transects were continued until no plants were sighted after progressing several hundred metres following which the search moved approximately 50 m perpendicular to the transect and then the search proceeded back in the direction of the recorded plants. This transect was continued until the search passed the point of the initial plant locations and had progressed for several hundred metres without further detection of plants. This process was repeated to define the boundary of the population. Following definition of the population boundary it was evident that population 2 was largely confined to a small gravel pit. Subsequently, a thorough search of this area was conducted and all individual plants were counted. Populations 1, 3, 4 and 5 (Figure 1-3) were too large and/or dense to count all individuals in the field time available and so an estimated total was determined. Within the defined population boundary, four 5x5m quadrats (non-permanent) were used to obtain a count of plants within a 25 m² square area. The number of plants per 25 m² square area were averaged and this value was then extrapolated for the total area of the population (Appendix 4). For population 1, this was the final population estimate as plants appeared relatively evenly spread throughout the defined population area. For populations 3, 4 and 5, the figure extrapolated for the population area was reduced by a third to provide a more conservative estimate as it was apparent during searches to define the population boundaries that large sections of the defined population area did not contain plants.
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Population 7 was discovered late in the field survey and as a result there was inadequate time to completely traverse the area to define the population boundary and establish an estimate of population size. The plants of populations 1, 2, 3 and 6 were located primarily in highly disturbed areas including gravel borrow pits, exploration tracks and pads, areas disturbed from roadworks and areas disturbed during construction of the emu proof fence (Figure 2-1). Subsequently, relevé surveys were conducted within populations 5, 4 and 7 to provide descriptions of suitable habitat for the species (Appendix 5).
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Road and track edges on boundary of gravel borrow pit at population 6
Count quadrat in area cleared for roadwork and recently burnt at population 1
Gravel pit at population 2
Figure 2-1 Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range plants in highly disturbed areas
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3. RESULTS
3.1 LITERATURE REVIEW
3.1.1 Plant health scales
Review of Casson et al. (2009) identified the health scale could be applied to Isopogon robustus in the current survey. However, Casson et al. (2009) contained no health scale for grasses/sedges/caespitose forbs and the scale used for the Isopogon robustus shrubs was not appropriate for Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan. An online search for a plant health scale applicable to caespitose plants failed to provide such a scale. Subsequently a scale to record plant health for Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan was derived based on the premise of gradual evidence of death of plant components in a similar fashion to the Casson et al. (2009) scale.
3.1.2 Weather
The nearest Bureau of Meteorology (BoM) weather station with comprehensive data collection and historic climate data is located at Southern Cross (No. 012320, Latitude: 31.25⁰S Longitude: 119.34⁰E) approximately 45 km northwest of the development envelope. Southern Cross records the highest maximum mean monthly temperature in January (36.2°C), and the lowest minimum mean in July (3.8°C) (BoM 2019) (Figure 3-1). The average annual rainfall is 306.0 mm with January, March and July recording the highest monthly averages (31.3 mm, 36.1 mm and 35.1 mm respectively). Daily mean temperatures and rainfall for Southern Cross in the 12 months preceding the survey (November 2018–October 2019) were only slightly variable to annual long-term averages (Figure 3-1). Mean maximum temperatures were approximately average to slightly above average while mean minimum temperatures were mostly equal to average. Rainfall was variable against long term annual averages with total annual rainfall (226.4 mm) lower than the average annual rainfall (306.0 mm). The three months prior to the survey in November 2019 experienced below average rainfall (BoM 2019).
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40 70
35 60
30 50 25 40
20 C) ° 30 15 20 10
10 Rainfall (mm)
Temperature( 5
0 0
Mean rainfall (mm) for years 1996 to 2019 Total monthly rainfall from November 2018 to October 2019 Mean maximum temperature (Degrees C) for years 1996 to 2019 Mean minimum temperature (Degrees C) for years 1996 to 2019 Mean daily max temperature from November 2018 to October 2019 Mean daily min temperature from November 2018 to October 2019 Figure 3-1 Annual climate and weather data for Southern Cross (no. 012320) (BoM 2017) and mean monthly data for the 12 months preceding the field survey
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3.2 SIGNIFICANT FLORA HEALTH MONITORING
3.2.1 Isopogon robustus
Health ratings for individual Isopogon robustus plants varied within and across each quadrat (Appendix 2). The reference quadrat had a mean health score of 1.9, the impact monitoring quadrats had a mean ranging from 1.9 to 3.2. No signs of dust build up were recorded for plants within the impact monitoring and reference quadrats, with all dust ratings recorded as 0. The abundance of Isopogon robustus within the reference quadrat was 9. The impact monitoring quadrats ranged in abundance from 12 to 53 plants per quadrat. An increase in abundance from 2011 to 2019 was recorded for five impact monitoring quadrats (IQ1, IQ2, IQ3, IQ4 and IQ6). A lower abundance was recorded for the reference quadrat in 2019. A summary of the results for the spring 2019 Isopogon robustus monitoring is provided in Table 3-1. Table 3-1 Summary of data from Isopogon robustus reference and impact monitoring quadrats surveyed in spring 2019
Abundance Mean plant health Mean dust rating Botanica Consulting Current survey (2011a) 2019 RQ1 1.9 0 10 9 IQ1 3.2 0 9 12 IQ2 2.7 0 4 15 IQ3 2.6 0 38 53 IQ4 1.9 0 24 36 IQ5 2.5 0 23 23 IQ6 2.8 0 27 35
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3.2.2 Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan
Health ratings for individual Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan plants varied within and across each quadrat (Appendix 3). Analogue quadrats had a mean health score of 3.9 and impact monitoring quadrats had a mean health score ranging from 2.2 to 3.7. No signs of dust build up were recorded for plants within the impact monitoring and reference quadrats, with all dust ratings recorded as 0. Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan abundance in quadrats RQ1, RQ2 and IQ1 has increased since the previous survey in 2011. Abundance for quadrats IQ2 and IQ3 remained the same as previously recorded in 2011. A summary of the results is provided in Table 3-2. Table 3-2 Summary of data from Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan reference and impact monitoring quadrats surveyed in spring 2019
Abundance Mean plant health Mean dust rating Botanica Consulting 2019 (2011a) RQ1 3.9 0 117 150 RQ2 3.9 0 107 111 IQ1 2.2 0 77 136 IQ2 3.7 0 77 77 IQ3 3.1 0 89 89
A new population of Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan was discovered during the field survey. Confirmation of the population was only determined post-field when specimens taken could be verified as the species at the state herbarium.
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3.3 CHAMELAUCIUM SP. PARKER RANGE TARGETED SEARCHES
Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range plants were relocated at all six populations recorded previously and a seventh population was discovered during the field survey (Figure 1-4). Population estimates from the current survey ranged from 779 (population 2) to 34,140 (population 4) (Table 3-3). With the exception of population 2, population sizes from the current survey were all higher than for the previous survey and frequently orders of magnitude higher. Area size for each population ranged from 1.1 ha (population 2) to 14.2 ha (population 4). Table 3-3 Summary of data from Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range population searches
Counted1 or estimated no. of Ave count plants 2 Population Coordinates Area (ha) per 25m Botanica quadrats Consulting 2019 (2012)
1 -31.60024, 119.51851 2.65 18 416 19,080
2 -31.59991, 119.52657 1.17 N/A 1,071 779
3 -31.61297, 119.51647 12.54 11 2,000 18,392*
4 -31.63305, 119.52061 14.21 18 7,000 34,140*
5 -31.68461, 119.46742 11.06 4 4,000 5,898*
6 -31.61690, 119.55382 12.77 N/A 3,039 3,052
7 -31.62468, 119.53991 1.642 N/A N/A NA
Total 56.04 17,526 81,341 1 – Totals for populations 2 and 6 represent actual counts of plants, all other populations are estimated from extrapolation of counts in quadrats. 2 – Survey of this population is incomplete; the area of occupancy is assumed to be larger than so far recorded. *– Values were divided by 3 to account for large bare areas with no Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range.
Vegetation descriptions for Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range from the current survey comprised: • Population 4 – Low Eucalyptus capillosa woodland over low Allocasuarina corniculata, Hakea francisiana and Melaleuca cordata shrubland • Population 5 – Low Eucalyptus capillosa woodland, over mid open Allocasuarina spinosissima, Callitris pressii and Hakea francisiana shrubland over low Melaleuca cordata, Beaufortia orbifolia and Verticordia eriocephala shrubland • Population 7 – Mid Eucalyptus burracoppinensis woodland over tall open Allocasuarina acutivalvis, A. corniculata and Banksia laevigata shrubland over mid Beaufortia interstans, Isopogon scabriusculus subsp. stenophyllus and Melaleuca cordata shrubland. Habitat types included slopes of low hills and undulating plain in yellow to whitish yellow sand to sandy loam soils with laterite gravel.
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4. DISCUSSION
4.1.1 Significant flora health monitoring
This significant flora plant health monitoring survey provides baseline measurable parameters that will be used to inform the significant flora monitoring and management plan (SFMMP). The SFMMP will provide further detail on management actions should monitoring determine impacts of 10%, or greater, that would trigger investigation into potential causes of impact and mitigation actions should impacts be determined to be attributable to mining operations. Monitoring of Isopogon robustus and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan within the established quadrats will be conducted to identify potential impacts from mining operations. Amendments to the monitoring methods and parameters from the previous baseline assessment (Botanica Consulting 2011c) have been undertaken to address advice from EPA services (Jessica Allen pers. com. via email to Les Purves of MRL 12 November 2019) on the outcomes and methodology of the previous survey capacity to meet the conditions of Ministerial Statement 892 and included: • use of the (Casson et al. 2009) plant health scale to monitor Isopogon robustus which does not include flowering as a measure of plant health • derivation of a plant health scale to monitor Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan that does not include flowering as a measure of health • monitoring of the health of all Isopogon robustus plants in the quadrat to generate a mean value of plant health that may be compared between monitoring seasons, as well as impact monitoring and reference quadrats. This replaces the single measure of plant health for the entire quadrat provided in the prior survey (Botanica Consulting 2011a) • monitoring of the health of 20 Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan plants in the quadrat to generate a mean value of plant health that may be compared between monitoring seasons and impact monitoring and reference quadrats. This replaces the single measure of plant health for the entire quadrat provided in the prior survey • a scale of dust deposition on plant foliage has been included for both significant species to provide an indication of whether mine construction and/or operations may be impacting the health of these plants (Botanica Consulting 2011b). Height and width measures were taken for each Isopogon robustus individual in each quadrat and for the 20 Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan individuals tagged to be monitored for plant health. These measures were taken primarily to assist in relocating individuals if necessary, i.e. should plant tags become displaced, but may also be used to assess plant growth which may be compared between quadrats. Any apparent restriction in plant growth associated with an observed build-up of dust on the plant foliage may provide an early indication of potential impacts from dust deposition. The high number of Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan plants in each quadrat would require a loss of a number of plants to result in a 10% decline in numbers and trigger investigation into the cause of the decline. It should be noted however, that both reference quadrats had the highest number of plants and subsequently would require a greater number of plant deaths with respect to the impact monitoring quadrats to result in a 10% change. Conversely, the reference quadrat for Isopogon robustus had the lowest number of individuals (9) and a solitary death in this quadrat would result in a greater than 10% change in abundance. A greater number of plant deaths may occur in the impact monitoring quadrats, for example five plant deaths at quadrat IMQ3 would not result in a 10% decrease in plant abundance and therefore not trigger investigation into the cause of the decline.
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Subsequently, there are limitations in using changes in total plant abundance as an indicator of impacts on the health of the population and any noted change in plant numbers should be considered with changes to mean plant health of remaining individuals, build-up of dust on plant foliage and other environmental factors/conditions e.g. fire, prolonged drought in determining whether a decline is attributable to mining construction/operations.
4.1.1.1 Isopogon robustus plant health
Mean plant health in the reference community was equivalent to one impact monitoring quadrat (IQ4). Mean health of plants in all other impact monitoring quadrats indicated there were a greater number of plants exhibiting dead foliage and or branches and subsequently poorer health ratings. Future monitoring should consider that the baseline survey has identified that plant health in the reference community exceeds that of the majority of impact monitoring quadrats. Therefore, to monitor for changes to vegetation health over time, the proportional change in metrics within each quadrat will need to be determined and then compared between quadrats. For example, any increase or decrease in mean plant health within a quadrat will be determined by dividing the mean health recorded in the current monitoring period to that of the previous monitoring period and to the baseline data obtained from the current survey to provide a proportion (percentage) of change. This value would then be compared between monitoring quadrats and the reference quadrat to determine whether there is a similar trend across quadrats or whether it is restricted to one or a few quadrats. Should any change be recorded, this may be correlated to changes in the dust deposition scale to indicate whether the change may be related to mine site operations. Site photos and field notes would also be reviewed to detect other possible causes for the change. The current survey identified an increase in abundance of Isopogon robustus plants within each impact monitoring quadrat and a decrease (one plant) in the reference quadrat since the previous survey in 2011. Differences in abundance for quadrats 1, 3, 5 and 6 appeared to be the result of new recruitment with seedlings and juvenile plants (height less than 1 m) recorded. However, for the reference quadrat and quadrat 2, only two of the corners of the quadrat were marked with a steel dropper and no corners were marked with droppers at quadrat 4. Subsequently, differences in plant numbers may arise from the installation of the quadrat in a different location to the previous quadrat.
4.1.1.2 Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan plant health
No published plant health scale for caespitose plant species was identified during the literature review and subsequently a plant health scale was derived for Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan. Future monitoring of Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan plant health should consider that the baseline assessment has identified that mean health in the reference quadrats was poorer than that of all impact monitoring quadrats. Monitoring of proportional change in health between quadrats as described above for Isopogon robustus and correlation with dust deposition values will be used to monitor for any decline in plant health and assist in determining the cause of the decline. By utilizing the mean value for plants in the quadrat rather than assigning a solitary value for the entire quadrat, as was done previously (Botanica Consulting 2011b), a change in the health rating of several (minimum of eight plants) plants would be required to result in a 10% decrease for the quadrat. All plants across all quadrats showed signs of stress, with no plants allocated a health rating of 0 (no dead leaves). This could be a result of the below average rainfall in the three months preceding the survey. Plant abundance for the current survey showed an increase since the previous survey (2011) within three quadrats. Significant increases were observed within the reference quadrats, with 33 more
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 22 Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd individuals in AQ1 and 59 more individuals in AQ2. The increase in AQ2 has likely arisen from new recruitment within the population since the time of the previous survey. Not all corners of the quadrat were marked at the other two quadrats that showed an increase in abundance and subsequently the differences in plant abundance may be partially the result of surveying a different area.
4.1.2 Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range targeted searches
This survey identified very large population numbers for the Priority 1 species Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range within the Parker Range area. The total estimates from this survey are 81,341 individual plants covering an area of ca.56 ha. In addition, during targeted searches of the previously recorded six populations of the Priority 1 species Chamelaucium sp. (Botanica Consulting 2012), a new population (population 7) was found within the 250 m buffer of the development envelope. Population 7 was discovered late in the field survey and as a result there was inadequate time to completely traverse the area to define the population boundary and establish an estimate of population size. The total number of plants and total area of occupancy are therefore assumed to be higher than the values calculated. Population estimates from this survey were substantially higher than previous estimates (Botanica Consulting 2012). As the former survey provided no data on population area for the majority of populations, it is possible that plants at each location were detected over a different range, i.e. plants recorded over a greater extent in the current survey. Subsequently, population estimates were greater for this survey as they considered a larger population area. However, population 1 was recorded in the current survey in a small restricted area and yet the population estimate was orders of magnitude higher than the earlier count of the species at this location. There was strong evidence of recent disturbance at population 1 including impacts from partial clearing, presumably from roadworks, as well as recent fire. Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range is an apparent disturbance opportunist, with plants most abundant in recently disturbed sites across the majority of populations. Population 1 during the current survey comprised a large number of small juvenile plants and seedlings and it appears as though population numbers have increased since the time of the previous survey in response to these disturbances. Similarly, plant numbers at population 4 were highest in recent fire scars where small juvenile plants and seedlings were plentiful and numbers lower and plants more mature in older fire scars. The abundance of seedlings recorded in the recent fire scars may account for the considerable difference in population estimates for this population between the two surveys. The lack of data pertaining to population area from the initial survey (Botanica Consulting 2012) precludes a more accurate assessment in changes in population numbers between that survey and the current survey. However, anecdotal evidence from population 1 combined with the species preference for disturbed habitats indicates the potential for numbers of extant plants of Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range to fluctuate substantially at any given population in response to disturbance. Only one population (population 6) occurs within the approved development envelope (Figure 1-4). The area covered by this population was recorded to be ca.12.77 ha representing 23% of the estimated total ca.56 ha currently recorded for Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range. Population 6 contains a total of 3,052 plants which represent 3.7% of the total 81,341 plants estimated to occur in the six populations fully surveyed. In the current survey Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range was recorded in low Eucalyptus mallee woodlands over mid to tall shrublands of Allocasuarina, Melaleuca, Hakea and Banksia shrublands and in disturbed sites surrounded by similar vegetation. Population 6 occurred in areas mapped by Botanica Consulting (2010a) as Allocasuarina shrubland and laterite ridge vegetation and population
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2 in mallee heath vegetation. The habitat recorded in the current survey resemble both the mallee heath and Allocasuarina shrublands. The Allocasuarina shrubland and mallee heath vegetation were allocated to a broader vegetation type, type 4 recorded for the Parker Range PEC (KLA 2010). A total of 9,750 ha of type 4 has been mapped for the Parker Range PEC. This indicates that almost 10,000 ha of suitable habitat for Chamelaucium sp. Parke Range occurs within the Parker Range PEC and it is likely that further suitable habitat occurs beyond the PEC.
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5. REFERENCES
BoM. 2017. Climate statistics for Australian locations. Commonwealth of Australia, Bureau of Meterology. Available at: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/ BoM. 2019. Climate statistics for Australian locations. Commonwealth of Australia, Bureau of Meterology. Available at: http://www.bom.gov.au/climate/data/ Botanica Consulting. 2010a. Flora and vegetation of the Parker Range region, Western Australia. Botanica Consulting, Boulder, WA. Unpublished report prepared for Cazaly Resources Ltd. Botanica Consulting. 2010b. Parker Range Mt Caudan Mining Proposal: Flora and vegetation survey. Draft 1. Tenements M77/741, M7/742, M77/764, E77/1396, P77/2739 & P77/3686. Botanica Consulting, Boulder, WA. Draft report. Upublished report prepared for Cazaly Resources Ltd. Botanica Consulting. 2010c. Parker Range Mt Caudan Mining Proposal: Flora and vegetetation impact assessment. Draft 1. Tenements M77/741, M77/742, M77/764, E77/1396, P77/2739 & P77/3686. Botanica Consulting, Boulder. Unpublished report prepared for Cazaly Resources Ltd. Botanica Consulting. 2011a. Isopogon robustus Monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project: Mt Caudan Deposit. Botanica Consulting, Boulder, WA. Unpublished report prepared for Cazaly Resources Ltd. Botanica Consulting. 2011b. Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan (N. Gibson & M. Lyons 2081) P1 Monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project: Mt Caudan Deposit. Botanica Consulting, Boulder. Unpublished report prepared for Cazaly Resources Ltd. Botanica Consulting. 2011c. Vegetation and Weed Monitoring Program of the Parker Range Iron Ore Project: Mt Caudan Deposit. Tenements M77/741, M77/742, M77/764, P77/3685, P77/3770, L77/220, L77/228 and L77/229. Botanica Consulting, Boulder, WA. Unpublished report prepared for Cazaly Resources Ltd. Botanica Consulting. 2012. Targeted search of the Priority 1 Flora species Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range (B.H. Smith 1255). Botanica Consulting, Boulder, WA. Letter report to the Environmental Protection Authority for Cazaly Resources Ltd. Casson, N., Downes, S. & Harris, A. 2009. Native vegetation condition assessment and monitoring manual for Western Australia. Australian Government and Department of Environment and Conservation. Unpublished report prepared for the Native Vegetation Integrity Project. DBCA. 2019. Florabase. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions. Available at: https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/ DSEWPaC. 2011. Parker Range Iron Ore Project - Mount Caudan Deposit - EPBC No. 2010/5435. Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities, Canberra, ACT. KLA. 2010. Parker Range Iron Ore project Mt Caudan deposit: Public environmental review. Keith Lindbeck & Associates Environmental Management Consultants, Winthrop, WA. Unpublished report prepared for Cazaly Resources Ltd. Minister for Environment; Water. 2012. Ministerial Statement No. 892: Parker Range (Mt Caudan) Iron Ore Project. Government of Western Australia, Perth, WA.
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 25 Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
Appendix 1 Site locations
Site Location Coordinates Isopogon robustus RQ1 -31.640554, 119.560051 IQ1 -31.640291, 119.539487 IQ2 -31.640081, 119.554474 IQ3 -31.639117, 119.544532 IQ4 -31.63381, 119.560684 IQ5 -31.644489, 119.554825 IQ6 -31.639333, 119.558728 Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan RQ1 -31.312370, 119.322479 RQ2 -31.352478, 119.314331 IQ1 -31.640291, 119.539487 IQ2 -31.640081, 119.554474 IQ3 -31.639117, 119.544532
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
Appendix 2 Raw data from Isopogon robustus monitoring quadrats
Plant no. Health rating Height (m) Width (m) Flower condition Dust rating R1 1 1 1.8 0.8 Dry 0.0 2 1 1.9 1.0 Dry 0.0 3 1 1.8 1.0 Dry 0.0 4 1 1.8 0.8 Dry 0.0 5 1 1.5 0.6 Dry 0.0 6 1 1.7 0.6 Dry 0.0 7 1 1.2 0.5 Dry 0.0 8 4 0.8 0.8 None 0.0 9 6 - - - - IQ1 1 4 0.7 0.5 Dry 0.0 2 4 1.0 0.4 Dry 0.0 3 3 1.0 0.6 Dry 0.0 4 4 1.3 0.5 Dry 0.0 5 3 1.5 1.2 Dry 0.0 6 3 1.2 0.8 Dry 0.0 7 3 1.5 1.3 Dry 0.0 8 3 2.0 1.5 Dry 0.0 9 3 2.3 3.0 Dry 0.0 10 4 2.5 2.3 Dry 0.0 11 3 1.5 1.3 Dry 0.0 12 1 1.2 1.0 Dry 0.0 IQ2 1 1 2.0 1.8 Dry 0.0 2 1 0.5 0.4 None 0.0 3 4 1.8 0.5 Dry 0.0 4 4 1.9 1.2 Dry 0.0 5 4 1.9 1.4 Dry 0.0 6 1 1.0 0.4 dry 0.0 7 1 0.5 0.4 None 0.0 8 4 0.5 0.6 None 0.0 9 4 0.5 0.4 None 0.0 10 1 1.4 2.1 Dry 0.0 11 1 2.5 1.6 Dry 0.0
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
12 1 1.4 1.2 dry 0.0 Plant No. Health rating Height (m) Width (m) Flower condition Dust rating IQ3 cont. 13 5 1.2 1.1 Dry 0.0 14 4 0.4 1.0 dry 0.0 15 4 0.4 0.3 None 0.0 IQ3 1 1 0.3 0.2 None 0.0 2 3 1.3 1.1 Dry 0.0 3 3 0.8 0.4 Dry 0.0 4 3 1.0 0.7 Dry 0.0 5 3 1.5 2.0 Dry 0.0 6 3 2.1 1.5 Dry 0.0 7 3 1.2 1.0 Dry 0.0 8 3 1.2 0.6 Dry 0.0 9 4 1.1 0.5 Dry 0.0 10 4 0.6 0.5 Dry 0.0 11 3 0.7 0.4 Dry 0.0 12 4 1.3 0.4 Dry 0.0 13 3 1.3 1.3 Dry 0.0 14 3 1.3 0.5 Dry 0.0 15 4 1.9 1.3 Dry 0.0 16 4 1.8 1.3 Dry 0.0 17 1 0.5 0.2 None 0.0 18 0 0.8 0.2 Dry 0.0 19 3 2.2 1.3 Dry 0.0 20 4 1.7 1.5 Dry 0.0 21 4 2.2 2.0 Dry 0.0 22 4 2.5 1.5 Dry 0.0 23 4 2.5 1.3 Dry 0.0 24 3 2.0 0.8 Dry 0.0 25 3 1.8 0.8 Dry 0.0 26 1 1.8 0.5 None 0.0 27 1 1.5 0.4 None 0.0 28 4 1.4 0.8 None 0.0 29 3 2.1 0.7 Dry 0.0 30 3 1.5 1.1 Dry 0.0 31 4 1.9 1.1 Dry 0.0 32 1 1.0 0.5 Dry 0.0
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
33 1 0.4 0.2 Dry 0.0 Plant no. Health rating Height (m) Width (m) Flower condition Dust rating IQ3 cont. 34 1 1.8 1.2 Dry 0.0 35 3 2.0 1.5 Dry 0.0 36 1 2.5 1.5 Dry 0.0 37 3 1.7 1.0 Dry 0.0 38 4 1.1 0.4 Dry 0.0 39 1 1.4 0.6 Dry 0.0 40 1 1.5 0.5 None 0.0 41 3 1.5 0.7 Dry 0.0 42 1 1.5 0.4 None 0.0 43 1 1.0 0.2 Dry 0.0 44 1 2.2 0.7 Dry 0.0 45 1 2.0 0.3 None 0.0 46 3 1.4 0.4 Dry 0.0 47 3 2.2 1.0 Dry 0.0 48 3 2.2 1.5 Dry 0.0 49 1 1.3 0.5 Dry 0.0 50 3 1.1 0.5 Dry 0.0 51 5 1.7 0.4 None 0.0 52 1 2.1 0.5 Dry 0.0 53 1 2.0 1.3 Dry 0.0 IQ4 1 1 0.4 0.3 Dry 0.0 2 0 0.4 0.3 Dry 0.0 3 1 0.5 0.4 Dry 0.0 4 1 1.1 1.2 Dry 0.0 5 3 0.5 0.2 Dry 0.0 6 1 0.4 0.5 Dry 0.0 7 3 0.8 0.5 Dry 0.0 8 3 1.3 1.2 Dry 0.0 9 3 1.2 1.0 Dry 0.0 10 1 0.4 0.3 Dry 0.0 11 1 0.4 0.2 Dry 0.0 12 3 1.0 1.0 Dry 0.0 13 1 0.2 0 15 Dry 0.0 14 3 0.3 0.2 Dry 0.0 15 1 0.2 0.2 Dry 0.0
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
16 1 0.3 0.2 Dry 0.0 Plant no. Health rating Height (m) Width (m) Flower condition Dust rating IQ4 cont. 17 3 0.4 0.2 Dry 0.0 18 1 0.2 0.2 Dry 0.0 19 1 1.1 1.2 Dry 0.0 20 1 0.5 0.4 None 0.0 21 3 0.4 0.5 Dry 0.0 22 4 0.5 1.0 Dry 0.0 23 1 0.4 0.1 Dry 0.0 24 0 0.2 0.1 Dry 0.0 25 3 1.3 1.2 Dry 0.0 26 1 0.2 0.1 None 0.0 27 3 0.4 0.3 Dry 0.0 28 3 0.5 0.4 Dry 0.0 29 3 1.1 1.5 Dry 0.0 30 1 0.3 0.2 Dry 0.0 31 3 0.5 0.4 Dry 0.0 32 1 1.0 0.7 Dry 0.0 33 3 1.5 2.0 Dry 0.0 34 1 0.2 0.1 Dry 0.0 35 1 0.3 0.2 Dry 9.0 36 3 0.8 0.9 Dry 0.0 IQ5 1 4 1.4 1.4 Dry 0.0 2 1 0.9 0.5 Dry 0.0 3 1 0.7 0.3 Dry 0.0 4 4 0.5 0.7 Dry 0.0 5 3 1.1 1.8 Dry 0.0 6 1 0.9 0.7 Dry 0.0 7 5 0.6 0.7 Dry 0.0 8 4 2.0 1.5 Dry 0.0 9 5 0.6 0.5 Dry 0.0 10 3 1.0 1.4 Dry 0.0 11 3 1.0 0.5 Dry 0.0 12 3 0.5 0.6 Dry 0.0 13 1 0.3 0.2 None 0.0 14 1 1.0 0.2 Dry 0.0 15 3 1.1 1.0 Dry 0.0
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
16 1 0.3 0.1 None 0.0 Plant no. Health rating Height (m) Width (m) Flower condition Dust rating IQ5 cont. 17 1 0.4 0.2 None 0.0 18 0 0.4 0.2 Dry 0.0 19 0 0.2 0.1 None 0.0 20 4 0.5 0.7 Dry 0.0 21 3 1.1 2.0 Dry 0.0 22 1 0.2 0.1 None 0.0
23 Dead IQ6 1 4 1.4 0.8 Dry 0.0 2 1 0.4 0.3 Dry 0.0 3 4 0.7 0.5 None 0.0 4 1 0.6 0.2 None 0.0 5 1 0.2 0.2 none 0.0 6 1 0.2 0.1 None 0.0 7 4 1.1 0.5 None 0.0 8 1 1.5 1.5 None 0.0 9 4 1.2 1.0 None 0.0 10 4 2.1 3.0 Dry 0.0 11 4 1.1 1.0 None 0.0 12 1 0.1 0.1 none 0.0 13 4 0.7 0.8 none 0.0 14 1 0.2 0.1 None 0.0 15 1 0.1 0.0 None 0.0 16 4 0.4 0.2 None 0.0 17 1 0.2 0.1 None 0.0 18 4 0.2 0.2 None 0.0 19 4 0.2 0.3 None 0.0 20 4 0.4 0.0 None 0.0 21 5 1.0 0.6 None 0.0 22 4 1.5 2.0 None 0.0 23 4 1.0 0.8 None 0.0 24 4 1.1 0.8 None 0.0 25 1 0.7 0.4 None 0.0 26 1 0.3 0.1 None 0.0 27 1 0.6 0.4 None 0.0 28 1 0.4 0.3 None 0.0
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
29 5 0.8 0.6 None 0.0 Plant No. Health rating Height (m) Width (m) Flower condition Dust rating IQ6 cont. 26 1 0.3 0.1 None 0.0 27 1 0.6 0.4 None 0.0 28 1 0.4 0.3 None 0.0 29 5 0.8 0.6 None 0.0 30 5 1.1 1.0 None 0.0 31 4 0.8 0.3 None 0.0 32 1 2.3 2.0 Dry 0.0 33 4 1.1 1.0 Dry 0.0 34 4 0.2 0.2 None 0.0 35 1 0.1 0.1 None 0.0
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
Appendix 3 Raw data from Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan monitoring quadrats
Plant no. Health Height (m) Width (m) Flowers Dust R1 1 3 0.40 0.30 Dry 0 2 4 0.30 0.25 Dry 0 3 3 0.30 0.50 Dry 0 4 3 0.30 0.40 none 0 5 4 0.30 0.20 None 0 6 4 0.40 0.40 Dry 0 7 4 0.25 0.20 Dry 0 8 4 0.30 0.15 None 0 9 4 0.40 0.40 Dry 0 10 4 0.40 0.30 Dry 0 11 4 0.40 0.30 Dry 0 12 4 0.30 0.20 Dry 0 13 4 0.40 0.20 Dry 0 14 4 0.40 0.30 None 0 15 4 0.50 0.40 Dry 0 16 4 0.20 0.20 Dry 0 17 4 0.30 0.20 Dry 0 18 4 0.30 0.20 Dry 0 19 4 0.40 0.40 Dry 0 20 4 0.20 0.20 Dry 0 Total = 150 R2 1 4 0.40 0.60 Dry 0 2 4 0.30 0.50 Dry 0 3 4 0.30 0.50 Dry 0 4 3 0.15 0.10 None 0 5 4 0.40 0.30 Dry 0 6 4 0.30 0.20 Dry 0 7 5 0.20 0.15 Dry 0 8 3 0.30 0.40 Dry 0 9 4 0.20 0.15 Dry 0 10 3 0.20 0.15 Dry 0 11 4 0.15 0.20 Dry 0 12 5 0.15 0.15 Dry 0 13 3 0.30 0.15 Dry 0
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
Plant No. Health Height (m) Width (m) Flowers Dust R2 cont.
14 4 0.20 0.20 Dry 0 15 4 0.20 0.20 Dry 0 16 5 0.30 0.30 Dry 0 17 4 0.15 0.10 None 0 18 4 0.15 0.10 Dry 0 19 4 0.40 0.30 Dry 0 20 4 0.30 0.10 Dry 0 Total = 111 IQ1 1 1 0.20 0.40 None 0 2 2 0.20 0.50 Dry 0 3 2 0.15 0.20 Dry 0 4 2 0.15 0.10 Dry 0 5 1 0.20 0.40 Dry 0 6 2 0.20 0.40 None 0 7 3 0.30 0.20 Dry 0 8 2 0.50 0.40 Dry 0 9 2 0.40 0.30 Dry 0 10 3 0.30 0.30 Dry 0 11 3 0.30 0.20 None 0 12 3 0.20 0.50 Dry 0 13 2 0.20 0.30 Dry 0 14 2 0.30 0.50 Dry 0 15 3 0.30 0.50 Dry 0 16 3 0.30 0.40 Dry 0 17 2 0.15 0.20 Dry 0 18 2 0.20 0.15 Dry 0 19 2 0.15 0.15 None 0 20 2 0.20 0.20 Dry 0 Total = 136
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
Plant No. Health Height (m) Width (m) Flowers Dust IQ2 cont. 1 4 0.15 0.30 Dry 0 2 4 0.15 0.15 Dry 0 3 3 0.15 0.10 None 0 4 4 0.18 0.20 Dry 0 5 3 0.20 0.20 Dry 0 6 4 0.18 0.20 Dry 0 7 4 0.10 0.15 None 0 8 4 0.12 0 20 None 0 9 4 0.20 0.15 Dry 0 10 4 0.20 0.30 Dry 0 11 4 0.18 0.20 Dry 0 12 3 0.10 0.10 Dry 0 13 4 0.20 0.50 Dry 0 14 3 0.30 0.20 Dry 0 15 4 0.20 0.30 Dry 0 16 3 0.20 0.15 Dry 0 17 3 0.30 0.40 Dry 0 18 4 0.30 0.15 Dry 0 19 3 0.08 0.10 None 0 20 5 0.07 0.05 None 0 Total = 77 IQ3 1 3 0.20 0.40 Dry 0 2 3 0.15 0.20 Dry 0 3 3 0.20 0.20 Dry 0 4 3 0.30 0.60 Dry 0 5 2 0.40 0.60 Dry 0 6 2 0.30 0.20 Dry 0 7 3 0.30 0.20 None 0 8 2 0.20 0.20 None 0 9 4 0.30 0.40 Dry 0 10 3 0.20 0.30 Dry 0 11 4 0.20 0.30 dry 0 12 4 0.20 0.30 None 0 13 3 0.15 0.15 Dry 0 14 3 0.20 0.30 Dry 0 15 3 0.20 0.30 Dry 0
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
Plant No. Health Height (m) Width (m) Flowers Dust IQ3 cont. 16 4 0.20 0.20 Dry 0 17 4 0.20 0.30 None 0 18 2 0.30 0.30 Dry 0 19 3 0.15 0.10 None 0 20 4 0.15 0.20 Dry 0 Total = 89
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
Appendix 4 Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range quadrat counts for spring 2019
Quadrat no. Count/ 25 m2 Population 1 1 13 2 23 3 20 4 17 Average 18 Population 3 1 25 2 0 3 5 4 15 Average 11 Population 4 1 12 2 0 3 40 4 20 Average 18 Population 5 1 0 2 1 3 16 4 0 Average 4
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd Baseline monitoring and management plans - flora, Parker Range Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
Appendix 5 Raw data from Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range relevé surveys
Site details Site: Cspr1a Type: Relevé (unbound) Date(s): 14 November 2019 Permanent: No Observer(s): Grant Wells Position: -31.685127, 119.468105 (North-west) Vegetation Physical features Total vegetation cover (%): Topography: undulating plain Tree/shrub cover >2 m (%): Soil colour: yellow, Shrub cover <2 m (%): Soil: sand, laterite, Grass cover (%): Rock type: ferrous – ironstone; Herb cover (%): Fire age: not evident Vegetation condition: Very Good, EPA (2016) Disturbance exploration (drill pads and access tracks), Land system: Vegetation description Low Eucalyptus capillosa woodland, over mid open Allocasuarina spinosissima, and type: Callitris pressii and Hakea francissiana shrubland over low Melaleuca chordata, beaufortia orbifolia and Verticordia eriocephala shrubland
Species Cover Height Weed Conservation status (%) (m) Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range (B.H. Smith 1255) 00.50 P1 (DBCA list) Allocasuarina spinosissima Beaufortia orbifolia Callitris preissii Grevillea huegelii Hakea francisiana Verticordia eriocephala Verticordia pritzelii Eucalyptus capillosa
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd Baseline monitoring and management plans - flora, Parker Range Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
Site details Site: CsPRnewpop Type: Relevé (unbounded) Date(s): 21 November 2019 Permanent: No Observer(s): Grant Wells Position: -31.624138, 119.539616 (North-west) Vegetation Physical features Total vegetation cover (%): Topography: hill slope Tree/shrub cover >2 m (%): Soil colour: yellow, whitish, Shrub cover <2 m (%): Soil: sand, sandy loam, Grass cover (%): Rock type: ferrous – ironstone; Herb cover (%): Fire age: >5 years Vegetation condition: Very Good, EPA (2016) Disturbance historic clearing, vehicle tracks, Land system: Vegetation description Mid Eucalyptus burracoppinensis woodland over tall open Allocasuarina and type: acutivalvis, A. corniculata and Banksia laevigata shrubland over mid Beufortia interstans, Isopogon scabriusculus subsp. stenophyllus and Melaleuca cordata shrubland.
Species Cover Height Weed Conservation status (%) (m) Allocasuarina acutivalvis Allocasuarina corniculata Banksia laevigata Banksia shanklandiorum P4 (DBCA list) Beaufortia interstans Callitris preissii Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range (B.H. Smith 1255) P1 (DBCA list) Drummondita hassellii Eucalyptus burracoppinensis Isopogon scabriusculus subsp. stenophyllus Melaleuca calyptroides Melaleuca cordata Petrophile merrallii
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd Baseline monitoring and management plans - flora, Parker Range Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
Site details Site: Csprpop4 Type: Relevé (unbounded) Date(s): 20 November 2019 Permanent: No Observer(s): Grant Wells Position: -31.6354, 119.520272 (North-west) Vegetation Physical features Total vegetation cover (%): 65 Topography: hill slope Tree/shrub cover >2 m (%): 1 Soil colour: yellow, whitish, Shrub cover <2 m (%): 65 Soil: sandy loam, Grass cover (%): 0 Rock type: ferrous – ironstone; Herb cover (%): 0 Fire age: 1 – 5 years Vegetation condition: Excellent, EPA (2016) Disturbance none Land system: Vegetation description Low Eucalyptus capillosa woodland over low Allocasuarina corniculata, Hakea and type: francisiana and Melaleuca cordata shrubland.
Species Cover Height Weed Conservation status (%) (m) Chamelaucium sp. Parker Range (B.H. Smith 1255) P1 (DBCA list) Verticordia eriocephala Allocasuarina corniculata Eucalyptus capillosa Grevillea obliquistigma Hakea francisiana Melaleuca cordata
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral Resources Ltd
Appendix 6: Quadrat site photos
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral resources Ltd
Appendix 6 Quadrat Site Photos Isopogon robustus RQ1
NW NE
SE SW
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 1 Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral resources Ltd Isopogon robustus IQ1
NW NE
SW SE
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 2 Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral resources Ltd
Isopogon robustus IQ2
NW NE
SW SE
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 3 Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral resources Ltd
Isopogon robustus IQ3
NW NE
SW SE
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 4 Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral resources Ltd
Isopogon robustus IQ4
NW NE
SW SE
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 5 Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral resources Ltd
Isopogon robustus IQ5
NW NE
SW SE
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 6 Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral resources Ltd
Isopogon robustus IQ6
NW NE
SW SE
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 7 Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral resources Ltd
Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan RQ1
NW NE
SW SE
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 8 Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral resources Ltd
Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan RQ2
NW NE
SE SW
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 9 Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral resources Ltd
Lepidosperma sp. Mount Caudan IQ1
NW NE
SW SE
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 10 Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral resources Ltd
Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan IQ2
NW NE
SW SE
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 11 Baseline significant flora plant health monitoring for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project Prepared for Mineral resources Ltd
Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan IQ3
NW NE
SW SE
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd 12
Appendix 2: Phoenix (2020) Memo report of targeted Isopogon robustus survey outcomes for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project.
Issue Date: 4/06/2020 242-EN-PLN-0020_0 Page 35 Printed copies of this document are not controlled. Please ensure that this is the latest available version before use.
Mineral Resources Limited 1 Sleat Road Applecross WA 6153 05 June 2020
Dear Mr Neil Smith Senior Environmental Advisor
RE: Memo report of targeted Isopogon robustus survey outcomes for the Parker Range Iron Ore Project.
Introduction and scope Mineral Resources Limited (MRL) are proceeding to implement the Parker Range Iron Ore Project (the Project; Figure 1). The Project was approved under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC 2010/5435) on 3 November 2011 via the bilateral agreement between the Commonwealth and Western Australia (WA). The Project was approved under Part IV of the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act) on 12 April 2012, subject to conditions and procedures outlined in Ministerial Statement MS 892 (Minister for Environment; Water 2012). EPBC 2010/5435 Condition 1 required a targeted search for Isopogon robustus within a 350m buffer of the project area prior to commencement of operations (Table 1).
Table 1 Condition 1 attached to approval of EPBC 2010/5435
Condition Description
1 Prior to commencement of operations the person taking the action must complete baseline flora surveys to determine the extent of Isopogon robustus within 350 metres of the location of the action. The surveys must be undertaken by a qualified botanist and results submitted to the Department prior to the commencement of operations.
Phoenix Environmental Sciences Pty Ltd (Phoenix) were engaged by MRL to undertake the following works: • Desktop review of geology, topography, vegetation datasets to identify suitable habitat within the survey area for Isopogon robustus.
• Targeted survey for I. robustus throughout the survey area.
• Installation of baseline monitoring quadrats for any new populations of I. robustus recorded, in accordance with the methods prescribed in Phoenix (2020).
The survey area was a 350 m buffer area around the approved project area and the development envelope (Figure 2). This report presents results from targeted field searches for I. robustus conducted in May 2020. 720000 770000
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Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community
Minara Resources Ltd Parker Range Iron Ore Project Approved project area (MS 892) Figure 1 Project No 1338 Parker Range Iron Ore Date 22-Apr-20 Western Drawn by AJ ° Map author GW Project location Australia KALGOORLIE-BOULDER 0 7 14
PERTH Kilometres
1:400,000 (at A4) GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 All information within this map is current as of 22-Apr-20. This product is subject to COPYRIGHT and is property of Phoenix Environmental Sciences (Phoenix). While Phoenix has taken care to ensure the accuracy of this product, Phoenix make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose. P:\GIS\Projects\ParkerRange_MRL\1299-PR-MRL-BOT\Mapping\MapDocuments\Figures\1299_1_Project_Location.mxd Methods A desktop study was conducted to identify areas of potential I. robustus habitat within the survey area using aerial imagery that appeared to match known populations. The desktop study identified 65 areas of potential habitat. Targeted searches for I. robustus (T) were conducted from the 22nd to the 29th of May 2020 throughout the survey area. All areas identified during the desktop review as potential suitable habitat (i.e. granite outcrops and ridges, Figure 1, Figure 3) were investigated. Broad coverage was employed elsewhere throughout the survey area to search for suitable habitat, subject to accessibility and likelihood of potential habitat. Areas determined to be suitable habitat were foot searched for presence of the species, and a site description undertaken. Areas determined to be unsuitable during ground inspection were briefly searched, however, a site description was completed confirming unsuitability. Thorough searches were conducted in the vicinity of the known populations within the survey area to determine a population boundary and if any additional plants occurred within these populations. Point locations were recorded for any new I. robutstus plants identified within known populations.
Results
Inspection of the 65 potential habitat areas identified during the desktop study confirmed no new populations of I. robustus. The majority of potential habitat areas contained granitic outcrops, breakaways, or gravel, with only a small number of sites containing multiple elements of suitable habitat. This confirms that the desktop study sufficiently identified potential habitat areas within the survey area for investigation.
Three previously identified populations of Isopogon robustus were revisited (IQ2, IQ3 and IQ5, Figure 2). 155 additional plants were found after traversing the surrounding area of these populations, each new plant was marked by a GPS point and a population boundary determined. Due to these additional plants, the boundary of the existing populations was increased. (Table 2, Figure 2).
Table 2 Summary of additional plants located within monitoring populations of Isopogon robustus
No. of additional plants located Population Total plants per population per population IQ2 101 116 IQ3 3 56 IQ5 41 64
Site photos and descriptions were recorded for areas of suitable habitat (Table 3). Conclusion
While suitable habitat was identified in the 350m buffer of the Project no additional populations of Isopogon robustus were identified.
Thorough searches conducted in the vicinity of the known populations occurring within the survey area confirmed an extension of each of the population boundaries to what had previously been mapped and additional individuals within each population.
Yours Sincerely,
Shenade findlay Botanist Phoenix Environmental Sciences 740000 745000
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(! 6495000 (! Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community
Minara Resources Ltd Parker Range Iron Ore Project Approved project area (MS 892) Figure 2 Project No 1338 Survey area Isopogon robustus Date 3/06/2020 Western Drawn by AJ ° Map author GW Potential habitat records and potential Australia " 0 0.75 1.5 ) Isopogon robustus monitoring quadrats habitat Kilometres *# Isopogon robustus records 1:40,000 (at A4) GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 !( All information within this map is current as of 3/06/2020. This product is subject to COPYRIGHT and is property of Phoenix Site descriptions Environmental Sciences (Phoenix). While Phoenix has taken care to ensure the accuracy of this product, Phoenix make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose. B:\Anna\Work\GIS\Projects\ParkerRange\1338\1338_2_IsopogonRecords.mxd Table 3 Summary of site descriptions for suitable I. robustus habitat throughout the survey area1 Isopogon Suitable robustus Topography Site description Photo habitat present Yes No Granite ridge Open Mallee woodland over tall sparse shrubland of Melaleuca pauperiflora, over low shrubland of Callitris columnellaris seedlings, Conostephium sp. and Westringia cephalantha.
Yes No Ironstone ridge Open Mallee woodland over mid open woodland of Callitris glaucifolia, Melaleuca hamata, Euryomyrtus maidenii, over low sparse shrubland of Cryptandra sp., Lepidosperma sp. Yes No Low granitic ridge Open Mallee woodland over low open shrubland of Gastrolobium sp., Allocasuarina acuminata, Euryomyrtus maidenii, Lepidosperma sp., Thryptomene kochii, Melaleuca cordata, Micromyrtus sp.
Yes No Ironstone ridge Mid sparse Mallee woodland, over low open shrubland of Allocasuarina acuminata, Melaleuca sp., Cryptandra sp. and Lepidosperma sp. Mt Caudan Yes No Small granitic outcrop Mid open Mallee of Eucalyptus ?capillosa, over tall open shrubland of Allocasuarina corniculata, Calothamnus ?quadrifidus, over low open shrubland of Grevillea ?paradoxa, Euryomyrtus maidenii, Phebalium tuberculosus, and Cryptandra sp.
Yes No Gentle granitic gravel Mid open Mallee woodland of Eucalyptus slope with some outcrop capillosa, over mid shrubland of Melaleuca uncinate, Allocasuarina acuminata, and Gastrolobium sp. Yes No Granite breakaway. Low to mid sparse Mallee woodland of Eucalyptus capillosa, over mid open shrubland of Allocasuarina eriochlamys, Melaleuca sp., Leptospermum erubescens, Grevillea paradoxa, Thryptomene kochiii, over scattered shrubs of Cryptandra sp. and Lepidosperma sp.
Yes No Granite breakaway Low open woodland of Eucalyptus sp., over mid open shrubland of Callitris glaucifolia, Hakea incrassata, Euryomyrtus maidenii, over Cryptandra recurva, and Lepidosperma sp. Yes No Granite gravel low hill Low open Mallee woodland of Eucalyptus? capillosa, over mid open shrubland of Acacia acuminata, Acacia cordata, and Thryptomene kochii.
Yes No Ironstone breakaway Low open Mallee woodland of Eucalyptus capillosa, over mid open shrubland of Acacia acuminata, Allocasuarina acuminata, Allocasuarina eriochlamys, over low open shrubland dominated by Hibbertia cryptandroides. Yes No Gentle long quartz hill Low open woodland of Eucalyptus sp., over slope low open shrubland of Melaleuca pauperiflora, Acacia concolorons, Scaevola spinescens. Area burnt appropriately 7.5 years ago.
1 Additional sites of less suitable, and not suitable habitat have not been included in this table, will be available upon request 740000 6500000 6495000
Service Layer Credits: Source: Esri, DigitalGlobe, GeoEye, Earthstar Geographics, CNES/Airbus DS, USDA, USGS, AeroGRID, IGN, and the GIS User Community
Minara Resources Ltd Parker Range Iron Ore Project Approved project area (MS 892) Figure 3 Project No 1338 Survey area Survey effort Date 3/06/2020 Western Drawn by AJ ° Map author GW Survey transect Australia 0 0.75 1.5
Kilometres
1:40,000 (at A4) GDA 1994 MGA Zone 50 All information within this map is current as of 3/06/2020. This product is subject to COPYRIGHT and is property of Phoenix Environmental Sciences (Phoenix). While Phoenix has taken care to ensure the accuracy of this product, Phoenix make no representations or warranties about its accuracy, completeness or suitability for any particular purpose. B:\Anna\Work\GIS\Projects\ParkerRange\1338\1338_3_SurveyEffort.mxd