Sibelco Australia Limited, Mole Creek Limestone Quarry
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Document Set ID: 1209289 Version: 1, Version Date: 04/07/2019 Document Set ID: 1209289 Version: 1, Version Date: 04/07/2019 Document Set ID: 1209289 Version: 1, Version Date: 04/07/2019 Document Set ID: 1209289 Version: 1, Version Date: 04/07/2019 Sibelco Australia Limited Mole Creek Limestone Mine Overburden Dump Extension Environmental Effects Report Sibelco Australia Limited Mole Creek Limestone Quarry Overburden Dump Extension Environmental Effects Report June 2019 Version 4 Document Set ID: 1209289 Version: 1, Version Date: 04/07/2019 Sibelco Australia Limited Mole Creek Limestone Mine Overburden Dump Extension Environmental Effects Report EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Sibelco Lime (Tasmania) Pty Ltd proposes to extend the existing overburden dump further east to accommodate the overburden that is predicted to be extracted over the life of the main open pit. The planned overburden dump extension will be on Sibelco owned land and the proposed development is compatible with existing zoning. The development will enable the continued operation of the mine into the future with the consequent benefits to the local economy in terms of employment and the provision of competitively priced Lime and Limestone products to the Tasmanian Mining, Agriculture and Water Treatment industries. Without extending the overburden dump as proposed, the mine life will be limited to approximately 4 years as removing overburden from the limestone is an integral part of the mining process. The proposed overburden dump will be an extension of the existing dump which is situated on both Crown Land and Sibelco owned land. There is no additional land clearing required on the Crown Land for the overburden dump extension. To build the proposed overburden dump an additional 5.9Ha of Sibelco owned land will be disturbed of which 3.2Ha of forested woodland will be cleared. Sibelco will offset the cleared land with 10.5Ha of similar vegetation adjacent to the proposed overburden dump extension, on Sibelco owned land. No development or mining will be permitted on the offset until the overburden dump is rehabilitated. North Barker Ecosystem Services conducted a Natural Value Assessment of the proposed overburden dump area and concluded that: The area to be affected by the proposal will impact on two native vegetation communities: DAS and DVG. The former is listed as threatened under the NCA but no constraint on its clearance is imposed under relevant legislation. No threatened flora will be impacted by the development. The impact to threatened fauna is limited to a negligible reduction in potential foraging habitat for Tasmanian devil, spotted-tail, Eastern quoll, and Eastern-barred bandicoot. There is also a burrow that may potentially be used by Eastern Quoll. The use of the burrow will require confirmation prior to clearing. The proposed overburden dump extension is in an isolated area and will be visible by one residence located ~900m away. A tree screen will be planted in the first year after approval to reduce the visual impact of the overburden dump. Previous noise monitoring indicates noise levels will be acceptable at the nearest residence. Further noise monitoring along with community consultation will be completed in the first year of operation of the overburden dump extension to ensure the neighbour’s amenity is not reduced. The proposed overburden dump will be extended to the east behind a large natural ridge. The overburden dump will be benched for stability with 15-metre-high benches and 7-metre-wide berms. The dump will be developed from the bottom bench up, allowing progressive rehabilitation activities such as compaction, topsoil application, seeding, drainage and ongoing monitoring. The location of the proposed extension of the overburden dump lies on a sandstone ridge and associated alluvial plain within 100m of the Mersey River. The potential impacts on issues such as water quality, karst, hydrology, air quality, noise, flora and fauna have been assessed and confirmed minimal with the implementation of appropriate management measures. Progressive rehabilitation activities will ensure a self-sufficient and sustainable environment before relinquishing the lease. A comprehensive monitoring and reporting program has been designed for this extension. The goal of this program is to identify and manage issues such as water quality, diffuse dust and overburden dump developments to reduce the potential of any adverse effects on the surrounding environment. The proposed development complies with the Rural zoning under the Meander Valley Planning Scheme and is consistent with the principles of sustainable development and objectives of the State's Resource Management and Planning System. Sibelco Lime (Tasmania) Pty Ltd has a proven record of successful management of the existing overburden dump associated with this mine and is committed to developing and operating the proposed overburden dump extension responsibly by achieving best practice environmental management. Document Set ID: 1209289 Version: 1, Version Date: 04/07/2019 Sibelco Australia Limited Mole Creek Limestone Mine Overburden Dump Extension Environmental Effects Report TABLE OF CONTENTS PART A – INFORMATION ON THE PROPONENT ...................................................................................... 1 PART B – INFORMATION ON THE PROPOSAL, SITE, AND AREA ........................................................ 2 1. Description of proposed activity ......................................................................................................... 2 2. Proposal area ............................................................................................................................................ 9 4. Rationale and alternatives .................................................................................................................... 13 5. Planning information ............................................................................................................................. 14 6. Existing activity ....................................................................................................................................... 16 PART C – POTENTIAL ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS ................................................................................. 19 1. Flora and fauna ....................................................................................................................................... 19 2. Aquatic environment and stormwater ............................................................................................. 22 3. Significant areas ...................................................................................................................................... 26 4. Air emissions........................................................................................................................................... 26 5. Liquid effluent ......................................................................................................................................... 27 6. Solid Wastes ........................................................................................................................................... 27 7. Noise emissions ..................................................................................................................................... 27 8. Off-site impacts ...................................................................................................................................... 28 9. Hazardous substances .......................................................................................................................... 28 10. Site contamination ................................................................................................................................. 28 11. Heritage .................................................................................................................................................... 29 12. Sites of high public interest ................................................................................................................. 31 13. Monitoring ............................................................................................................................................... 32 14. Rehabilitation .......................................................................................................................................... 36 PART D – MANAGEMENT COMMITMENTS ................................................................................................. 37 PART E – PUBLIC AND STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION .................................................................... 39 REFERENCES ............................................................................................................................................................. 40 APPENDIX 1 – PLANS ........................................................................................................................................... 41 APPENDIX 2 – NATURAL VALUES ASSESSMENT ........................................................................................ 42 APPENDIX 3 – MOLE CREEK SURFACE WATER MANAGEMENT PLAN ............................................ 43 APPENDIX 4 – UNANTICIPATED DISCOVERY PLAN ............................................................................... 44 APPENDIX 5 – EUROPEAN HERITAGE ..........................................................................................................