SUPPORTING R E P O R T A

Geology

R E P O R T

Beverley Uranium Mine EL 3251 Geology Study Part 1

Prepared for Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd Level 3 45 Grenfell Street Adelaide, SA 5001 29 November 2006

42656422/05002

Project Manager: ………………………………….. URS Pty Ltd Sally Modystach 25 North Terrace, Hackney Associate Environmental 5069 Australia Consultant Tel: 61 8 8366 1000 Fax: 61 8 8366 1001 Project Director: ………………………………….. Jerome Argue Senior Principal Civil Engineer

Author: ………………………………….. Date: 29 November 2006 John Slade Reference: 42656422.05002 Geological Engineer Status: Draft B

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Contents

Executive Summary ------ES-1

1 Introduction------1-1

1.1 Purpose of this Report 1-1 1.2 Literature Reviewed 1-3 1.3 June 1998 Environmental Impact Statement 1-3

2 Regional Geology------2-1

2.1 Regional Geology 2-1 2.2 Structure and Faulting 2-5 2.3 Mineralisation 2-6

3 Geology of the Beverley Deposit ------3-1

3.1 Geological Units 3-1 3.1.1 Namba Formation 3-1 3.1.2 Willawortina Formation 3-6

4 Geological Properties of the Beverley Deposit------4-1

4.1 Geochemical Environment 4-1 4.2 Uranium Resources 4-1 4.3 Physiography 4-2 4.4 Soils 4-5 4.5 Geotechnical Characteristics of Sediments 4-5 4.6 Surficial Geology 4-6 4.7 Seismicity 4-7 4.8 Terrain Classification and Mapping 4-9 4.9 Terrain Characteristic in Relation to Development 4-14

5 Geological Comparison of Existing Mine and the EL 3251 Study Area ------5-1

5.1 Geology and Mineralisation 5-1 5.2 Seismicity 5-1 5.3 Soils and Terrain 5-2

6 References------6-1

7 Limitations ------7-1

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Tables

Table 2.1 Abbreviated Regional Stratigraphy Table 3.1 Stratigraphic Nomenclature of the Beverley Uranium Deposit Table 4.1 Composition of Beverley Mineralisation Table 4.2 Beverley Resource Summary Table 4.3 Terrain Pattern Descriptors Table 4.4 Terrain Unit Descriptors Table 4.5 Soil Surface Cover Materials

Figures

Figure 1.1 Study Area Figure 2.1 Regional Geology Figure 2.2 Water Well and Regional Geological Section A- A’ Locations Figure 2.3 Regional Geological Section A-A’ Figure 3.1 Beverley Deposit Stratigraphic Cross-section Locations. Figure 3.2 Beverley Deposit Stratigraphic Cross-Sections Figure 3.3 Alpha Mudstone Palaeosurface, South Westerly View Figure 4.1 Environmental Associations Figure 4.2 Seismicity Figure 4.3 Earthquake Hazard – Cornell-McGuire 6 Zones Figure 4.4 Terrain Pattern Map – Beverley Local Area Figure 4.5 Terrain Unit Map – Beverley Local Area

Appendices

Appendix 1 Seismicity Appendix 2 Terrain Patterns Associated with the Proposed Development

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URS was engaged by Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd (Heathgate Resources) to undertake a desk-top study of the regional geology and geology of the southern portion of the Beverley Mine Exploration Lease 3251 (EL 3251). This report is proposed to function as a ‘Technical Report’ to support any necessary environmental approval documentation required for a mineral lease within EL3251.

This report is based on documented information, and additional information from the progression of the exploration for resources for the , to the period ending February 2006.

It needs to be noted that exploration to date has been to the south and eastern sections of the study area. This exploration has been broad (i.e. large drill patterns of 200m x 200m) and therefore the definition of geological controls upon depositional environments, mineralization and structural settings are to within the accuracy of this exploration work.

A large part of the regional geological discussion in the June 1998 EIS statement remains valid for the study area within EL3251. Therefore, the regional geology discussion is consistent with sections of the June 1998 EIS which are of relevance to the study area. Principal amendments detailed in this report incorporate reference to the study area and updated figures to illustrate the regional geology in context with the study area and the existing Beverley Mine.

The report also details the further geological descriptions applicable to the study area, in particular, the recent discovery of additional mineral-bearing stratigraphy and the structural juxtaposition of the strataform mineralisation.

The report briefly summarises the geological controls as conceived by Heathgate Resources’ geologists as possibly influencing or controlling the mineralisation of the study area. Following further definition drilling of the ore resource, additional information on the parameters controlling the mineralization at the Beverley Mine could be incorporated into this report.

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1 Introduction 1.1 Purpose of this Report

URS Australia Pty Ltd has been commissioned by Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd (Heathgate Resources) to oversee priority environmental studies for the southern portion of Exploration Lease 3251 (EL 3251) at the Beverley Uranium Mine (refer to the ‘study area’ in Figure 1.1).

This report provides the details of a desk-top study of the geological characteristics of the study area and updates Section 6 ‘Existing Physical Environment– Regional Geology’ of the June 1998 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the current mine operation.

The report provides details of:

• The regional structural, lithological and depositional factors controlling the mineralisation of the Beverley Uranium Mine resource. This information is based on reports from Heathgate Resources and publicly available maps.

• A revised assessment of the seismic activity in the region, soil and terrain classifications and the geotechnical characteristics of the sediments contained within the study area of the Beverley resource.

• An updated discussion of the Beverley Mine regional geology. This discussion is sourced primarily from the June 1998 EIS with minor amendments to incorporate reference to the study area. It also includes updated figures to illustrate the regional geology in context of the study area and the current mine operation.

• Discussion of the particular geology of the study area, including the recent discovery of additional mineral-bearing stratigraphy and the geological controls as conceived by Heathgate Resources’ geologists as possibly influencing or controlling the mineralisation of the study area.

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Figure 1.1 – The Study Area

Source: Revised drawing from Heathgate Resources (1998)

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1.2 Literature Reviewed

To assist in the preparation of this report, the following documents have been provided by Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd:

1. Heathgate Resources, 1998, ‘Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd Beverley Uranium Mine Environmental Impact Statement – Main Report, June 1998.

2. Heathgate Resources, 1998, ‘Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd Beverley Uranium Mine Environmental Impact Statement – Response Document/Supplement, September 1998.

3. Heathgate Resources, 2004, ‘Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd, Deep South Tertiary Uranium Exploration EL2633 Paralana Progress report to end of July 2004’, Aug 2004.

4. Woodburn, 1996, ‘Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd Beverley Uranium Project Terrain Analysis and Assessment’, Woodburn Associates, Report No. AWA 1670, Dec 1996

5. Personal communications with Heathgate Resources employees on 1/3/06, 7/3/06 and 10/3/06,

1.3 June 1998 Environmental Impact Statement

In June 1998, a detailed EIS was undertaken by Heathgate Resources. The EIS assessed multiple areas that are relevant to the study area within EL 3251. These sections include:

• Regional Geology (June 1998, section 6.1)

• Geology of the Beverley Deposit (June 1998, section 6.21 to 6.2.2)

• Geochemical Environment (June 1998, section 6.2.5)

• Uranium Resources (June 1998, section 6.2.6)

• Geotechnical Characteristics of the Sediments (June 1998, section 6.2.7)

• Surficial Geology (June 1998, section 6.3)

• Seismicity (June 1998, section 6.4)

• Physiography (June 1998, section 6.5)

• Soils (June 1998, section 6.6.1)

• Terrain Classification and Mapping (June 1998, section 6.6.2)

• Terrain Classification in relation to development (June 1998, section 6.6.3)

Relevant components of the above sections that apply to the study area are detailed in Section 2.

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2 Regional Geology 2.1 Regional Geology

The Beverley Uranium Deposit lies in the western part of the Frome Embayment between and the . Tectonic adjustments between the two contrasting regions, the Frome Embayment and the Flinders Ranges, have taken place over a period of millions of years (Callen, 1975a). The regional geology of the Frome Embayment (Callen, 1975b) is illustrated in Figure 2.1. The stratigraphy of the region is summarised in Table 2.1.

The deposit occurs in uncemented, partly consolidated sediments of Tertiary age. These host sediments conformably overly marginal facies of the Cretaceous Great Artesian Basin (GAB) sediments. All these units rest unconformably on a basement of Cambrian and Proterozoic rocks.

The geology of the region surrounding Beverley and the eastern margin of the Flinders Ranges has been interpreted as part of the evaluation of the deposit. The source of the artesian groundwater in Camp Bore at Beverley is interpreted as from the GAB. South Australian Uranium Corporation (SAUC, 1982) had concluded that the aquifer at 283 m depth in Camp Bore was the Eyre Formation aquifer, possibly fed via faults from the GAB aquifer.

The current model interprets the structure of the western Frome Embayment region to be a shallowing basin margin that underwent faulting and uplift since Jurassic time. The Cadna-Owie Formation is consequently identified as the most likely artesian aquifer feeding the Four Mile Flowing Bore and this view is supported by interpretation of existing seismic data. For the geological section AA’ shown in Figure 2.2, the model is illustrated by Figure 2.3.

Whether or not the aquifer intersected in the flowing bore is Cadna-Owie Formation or Eyre Formation, the pressurised water source is separated from the Beverley mineralisation and from the base of any proposed mining activities by at least 100m of dense, highly plastic clay. The clay stratigraphically is comprised of the Bulldog Shale and the Lower Namba Formation, locally known as the Alpha Mudstone. A minor portion of the recharge of Camp Bore from the Flinders Ranges is consistent with this model.

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Table 2.1: Abbreviated Regional Stratigraphy

Source: Heathgate Resources (1998)

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Figure 2.1 – Regional Geology

Source: Cullen (1975b).

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Figure 2.2: Water Well and Regional Geological Section A- A’ Locations

Source: Revised drawing from Heathgate Resources (1998)

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Figure 2.3: Regional Geological Section A-A’

2.2 Structure and Faulting

Interpretation of seismic data has identified deep-seated, west-dipping faults that flatten with depth, but extend steeply to within 100m of surface. These faults extend well down into Proterozoic rocks (Mt Jacob Fault) and show west over east compression. The structural regime was established in the early Palaeozoic and was periodically re-activated.

The Beverley area is located upon a Proterozoic basement slice, that is bound to the north-west by the north-east trending Paralana Fault Zone, and to the south-west by the parallel, fully concealed Mt Jacob Fault.

The displacement of the Poontana structure at the base of the Willawortina Formation appears to have taken place during the last 25 million years. The Poontana Fault Zone, which runs approximately north- south through the Beverley Mine area (Section 3), appears to be steeply inclined to the west and has decreasing west side up displacement from south to north of 45 m to <5 m respectively. Recent drilling in the ‘Deep South’ region has recorded the Poontana Fault exists as two splays and has some 60km of throw associated with it in this region (Heathgate Resources, 2004)

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The Lower Beverley Unit is thinner or absent to the west and the base of the Willawortina Formation has considerable displacement. There are no diagnostic cross-section exposures of the Poontana Fault, but it has substantial magnitude south of the project area where it is detectable in geophysical magnetic data beneath Lake Frome.

Exploration undertaken in 2004 in the ‘Deep South’ involving a high resolution magnetic survey and broad spaced drilling area, was very useful in accurately locating the position of the Poontana fault within EL 3251. In addition, the ‘Russell Structural Trend’ was defined from the magnetic data and some degree of influence on the local topography. The Russell Structural Trend extends into the Beverley Mine Lease truncating the Beverley South mineralisation.

Further investigation is required to determine the exact extent and interaction of the ‘Russell Structural Trend’ with the existing mineralisation and if the structure is a geological structure or a trend of stratigraphically control sedimentation (Heathgate Resources, 2004). A current exploration hypothesis is the overall Beverley mineralisation is controlled by a series of parallel faults, creating a complex juxtaposition of stratigraphically controlled units bound by faults, in a horst and garbon type formation. The exact extent of faulting is yet to be defined.

Local drainage on the Alpha Mudstone palaeo-surface was influenced by the Poontana Fault Zone. Thickening of the BC and BS units from west to east suggests that growth of the fault occurred during sedimentation. Displacement of the base of the Willawortina Formation and the weak escarpment on the present land surface demonstrate that post-depositional movement has also occurred. Tilting of the palaeo-surface and overlying sequences is discussed in Section 3.

2.3 Mineralisation

Uranium mineralisation is distributed in tabular and lenticular forms within sand sheets, in part associated with upper or lower contacts, and to a minor extent, with adjacent finer sediment. Mineralisation is recognised in the Beverley Clay, Beverley Sands, and Alpha Mudstone. It is concentrated into three areas, designated North, Central and South Beverley. Minor mineralisation detected in the Beverley Clay at North Beverley and in the uppermost metres of the Alpha Mudstone (at all three locations) is not amenable to in situ leaching and has been excluded from the resource estimate.

Uranium mineralisation occurs at depths varying from about 83 m in North Beverley and at 150-170 m in South Beverley, averaging 107 m. The combined thickness of mineralised sand in the Beverley Sand can exceed 40 m, but it is typically 20 – 30 m.

The ore mineral is mainly fine-grained coffinite (uranium hydro-silicate) with some uraninite (uranium oxide) resembling that in other sedimentary uranium deposits. The ore consists of these uranium minerals disseminated through uncemented grey sand, composed dominantly of quartz, a little felspar and various clays with traces of gypsum and alunite.

The coffinite and uraninite are similar minerals, coffinite having a hydrosilicate radical substituting for an oxygen in the uraninite formula. Both minerals are commonly present in hydrogeochemically deposited

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uranium mineralisation of the “sandstone type”, which occur elsewhere in the Frome Embayment (Curtis et al., 1991).

A typical “sandstone type” uranium deposit is hosted by similar sedimentary rocks to the Beverley Sands and the mineralisation is directly related to the interface of oxygenated and reduced (oxygen deficient) ground water, which gives rise to what are termed “C-shaped roll fronts”, that migrate slowly through the aquifers. This geometry is not generally recognised at Beverley and the normal evidence of ground water oxidation processes appears to be subtle or absent. It is inferred that late secondary processes have remobilised uranium into the present geometry and the ground waters and host sediments have been re- reduced.

Radionuclide daughter elements have different geochemical behaviour. Separation from the uranium parent is not uncommon in “sandstone type” deposits, which also results in gamma radioactivity having a non-linear relationship with uranium grade.

The presumed origin for the uranium in the Beverley deposit is the basement Proterozoic rocks, which are known to host small, hydrothermal, ironstone breccia uranium deposits near (Coates et al 1969).

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3 Geology of the Beverley Deposit 3.1 Geological Units

Geological information specific to the project area consists of open hole drilling, cored intervals and downhole geophysical logs to 150m from the surface; Four Mile Flowing Bore (Camp Bore) of 302m depth; and limited seismic data.

The Beverley Uranium Deposit consists of mineralisation in three principal areas within the upper portion of the Namba Formation, which is overlain by the Willawortina Formation. These geological units comprise the:

• Willawortina Formation: uncemented inter-laminated clays, sands and gravels; and,

• Namba Formation: uncemented sand, clay and silt.

Stratigraphic cross-sections across the project area in Figure 3.1 and Figure 3.2 illustrate the distribution of these units.

Thin surficial beds of younger Quaternary sediments overlie the Willawortina Formation: these are also briefly described below.

3.1.1 Namba Formation

The Namba Formation (Topn) is regionally subdivided into two horizons, Upper and Lower (Callen and Tedford, 1976). Black clays predominate in the Lower Namba Unit (Alpha Mudstone), with fine-grained sand, silt and pale grey-green or olive clays in the Upper Namba Unit. Both are considered to be of shallow terrestrial lacustrine origin, and to have been deposited during a tectonically quiescent period. There are four units recognisable at the Beverley site.

Callen’s Upper Namba Unit at the Beverley site is informally subdivided on the basis of depositional and lithological differences into two sub-units (BC and BS) (Table 3.1). The BS unit is further subdivided into BU and BL. For the cross-section locations shown in Figure 3.1, the distribution of the Beverley sequence is illustrated in detail in the vicinity of the north, central and south ore areas in Figure 3.2.

Table 3.1: Stratigraphic Nomenclature of the Beverley Uranium Deposit

Source: Heathgate Resources (1998)

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Figure 3.1 Beverley Deposit Stratigraphic Cross-section Locations.

Source: revised drawing from Heathgate Resources (1998)

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Figure 3.2 Beverley Deposit Stratigraphic Cross-Sections

Source: Heathgate Resources (1998)

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Alpha Mudstone

The Alpha Mudstone (A) is a clay. It is usually very hard, very dark brown to black in colour with occasional bands of yellow ochre-brown oxidation. It contains black organic matter that is clearly recognisable as fragments and larger pieces of carbonised wood. Internally, it is either featureless or shows poor one to five mm laminations which are rarely flat or parallel. It is barely moist and of relatively low ductility, although immediately below fully saturated sands.

The continuity of the Alpha Mudstone clays has been demonstrated by past drilling on the western side of the Poontana Fault and drilling below the FLT site. The thickness of the Alpha Mudstone has been recorded as more than 85 m west of the Poontana Fault, more than 50 m at Central Beverley and more than 50 m at North Beverley.

Sandy horizons are present to the west of the Poontana Fault Zone and these may be equivalent to the sandy sequence called Western Sands, some 2 km to the west of the fault and horizontally separated from the channel sands by the Alpha Mudstone.

The top of the Alpha Mudstone is a palaeo-surface that has low relief except where it has been affected by faulting. The surface is undulating and has recognisable features that have been interpreted as drainage channels, oriented south to south easterly. Based on interpretation of drillhole data, the palaeo-surface model (Figure 3.3) shows three palaeochannels to the east of the Poontana Fault.

Beverley Sands

The Beverley Sands (BS) of the Upper Namba Formation are generally non-cohesive, mature, fine to medium-grained and quartzose, ranging from well sorted to silty. The sands are inter-laminated to inter- bedded with sandy clays, silt and clays at many degrees of scale. Some of the sands contain clay clasts and occasional blocks of organic material.

There are no documented occurrences of granule-cobble conglomerates. Rather, the sand is remarkably uniform and has a high to very high proportion of fine sand in some areas. The depositional environment of the Beverley Sands is interpreted to be fluvial, which includes channel, sand bar and floodplain facies with periods of erosion leading to many disconformities on underlying sand beds.

The term “Beverley Palaeochannel” has been used extensively in previous literature (eg as late as Heathgate Resources, 1997b). The term was created in recognition of a generalised distribution of medium-to-fine sands and silts following north-south trends. It carried the assumption of a north-south palaeo-drainage system, cutting across regional trends which are all generally west-east.

The Heathgate Resources studies, however, indicate that the host sediments are shelf-like, with a westerly boundary controlled by the Poontana Fault Zone and an unrecognised eastern boundary at least 2.5 km distant. This current deposition model does not require the assumption of a north-south paleo-drainage system, at odds with regional trends. Modelling of the underlying Alpha Mudstone palaeosurface (Figure 3.3) displays several depressions and channels, not necessarily linked, and with easterly to south easterly trend rather than a north-south orientation.

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Lower Beverley Unit

The Lower Beverley Unit (BL) is cradled by Alpha Mudstone palaeo-surface depressions (Figure 3.3). It has variable proportions of sand, silt and clay beds, which have been deposited in a series of intertwined cut-and-fill braided channel sequences. In the western mineralised areas the Lower Beverley Unit has a predominance of cleaner sand compared to higher silt levels in the east.

The Lower Beverley Unit pinches out to the west and against local areas of higher elevation in the east. The continuity of sand units beyond palaeo-depressions is restricted. It is present in the north and south extending for at least 2 km beyond the mineralised areas.

The overall complex cyclic cut-and-fill pattern (channel-in-channel) apparently developed as a result of periodic uplift. At a time of tectonic stability a nearly flat surface was generated with minor local drainage features.

Figure 3.3 Alpha Mudstone Palaeosurface, South Westerly View

Source: Heathgate Resources (1998)

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Upper Beverley unit

The Upper Beverley Unit (BU) is a sheeted upward-fining sequence with fewer inter-channel features. The sandy units are generally more irregular tending to be lenticular, or rather thin waferlike deposits, within a sequence dominated by finer sands, silts and clay.

The contact with the Lower Beverley Unit (BL) is not easily recognised in an individual drill hole profile, but some localised gullying below the relatively flat interface has been recognised. A braided stream environment with lowering of stream energy over time of deposition is indicated. The individual thick sand and clay beds are of limited lateral extent, although thin sand beds may be quite extensive as a result of flood deposition. The sandy horizons are less prevalent to the east.

Beverley Clay

The uppermost part of the Namba Formation at Beverley comprises a widespread, predominantly clayey sequence. The Beverley Clay unit (BC) caps the mineralised intervals and on-laps the Alpha Mudstone and the Beverley Sands to the west, becoming absent altogether in the far north-west (Figure 3.2). The Beverley Clay isolates the mineralised sands hydro-geologically from the overlying Willawortina Formation.

Lithologically the Beverley Clay is predominantly clay. Subordinate silt and sandy clay beds are recognised and a particular middle marker horizon is often present. The clay is grey and brown, hard, fissured when dry and highly plastic when moist.

3.1.2 Willawortina Formation

The Willawortina Formation (TpQaw, 0-150 m) of Late Miocene to Early Pleistocene age, is a wedge- shaped series of outwash alluvial fan deposits sourced from the Flinders Ranges to the north west of Beverley, thickest close to the source area but thinning away from it. These fan deposits are the result of relatively recent uplift in the Flinders Ranges. They comprise sheeted immature poorly sorted sands and conglomerates, nodular to massive carbonates and red and green mottled clays. Considerable variations in lithology can be anticipated at the scale of the Beverley deposit.

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4 Geological Properties of the Beverley Deposit 4.1 Geochemical Environment

Organic carbon ranges from less than 0.05% to 0.5% in grey sands, but up to 2% in a few samples. Sulphide (pyrite and marcasite) is generally not present other than in trace amounts, and is not readily visible. Exceptionally small 2mm thick laminae and small cemented sand masses have been observed.

X-ray diffraction analysis shows that kaolinite and montmorillonite are the predominant mineralogy of grey clays in the Beverley Sands. Black clays, clasts and the underlying Alpha Mudstone are rich in montmorillonite. Highly adsorbent clays including palygorskite and kaolinite occur in the sediments above the ore.

The ore minerals are fine grained and not readily visible, except where exceptional localised high grades up to several percent U 3O8 occur.

An average of nine analyses of selected ore samples (Table 4.1) indicates the nature and significance of elements associated with the uranium.

Table 4.1 Composition of Beverley Mineralisation

Source: Heathgate Resources (1998)

4.2 Uranium Resources

The Beverley Uranium Deposit was originally assessed for open pit mining in 1972-74. It was determined that, using a bulk density of 1.78 gm/cc (18 cu ft / short ton) and an in-situ leach (ISL) grade cutoff of

0.1% U3O8, that the ore body resource comprised 5,166,500t of ore at an average grade of 0.272 % U3O8 with an estimated contained uranium content of 14,100 U3O8.

In the early 1980s, when application of ISL was first considered, this base resource was reviewed. For

ISL production, estimates were determined to be 6 Mt of ore at 0.27% U3O8, containing 13,600 tonnes of

U3O8, of which 11,600 tonnes U3O8were considered recoverable.

Heathgate Resources has systematically recalculated resources of the Beverley deposit in conformance with current ISL mining practice. This new assessment takes account of parameters that directly affect the effectiveness of the ISL process, including porosity and permeability so far as is possible with the available historical dataset and the recently acquired core data.

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The current estimate was computer block-model based with rigid geological control. Defining parameters 3 were a cut-off limit of 0.03 % U3O8 at a minimum thickness of 0.5 m and dry bulk density of 1.8 t/m . Grade was allocated to individual resource blocks measuring 10 m x 10 m x 0.5 m. The substantial rock mass of lower grade, compared to the previous calculation, resulted in doubling the ore mass and a lowering of average grade to just over half that of the previous estimate. Table 4.2 lists the resource base in terms of relative porosity. The resource estimate does not qualify as an ore reserve under Australian Joint Ore Reserves Committee (JORC) rules.

The relatively substantial quantity of reliable data in and around the deposit provides a high degree of certainty of the general magnitude of the deposit. Complex disequilibrium relationships and shortcomings in sampling techniques for the purpose of ISL limit to some extent the degree of confidence that can be placed on the grade, quantity and exact location of potentially economic mineralisation (ore reserves). Accordingly, the in place resource has been discounted to a total of 16,300 tonnes (35,850,000 pounds) contained U3O8.

Table 4.2 Beverley Resource Summary

Source: Heathgate Resources (1998)

4.3 Physiography

The Beverley Retention Leases lie towards the western boundary of a broad, almost featureless plain approximately 45 km wide lying between the eastern margin of the Flinders Ranges and the large playa, Lake Frome. The Ranges rise abruptly on the western margin of the plain to about 600 m above sea level and visually dominate the landscape.

As all the major older streams rise in the Ranges, they physically have a major impact on the plain at times of high rainfall. Lake Frome, approximately 30 km to the east of the lease area, lies within a broad drainage basin with a level varying from +0.5 to –3 m relative to mean sea level. The streams from the Ranges carry high sediment loads that are deposited as recent alluvium on the plain and contributes detritus to fans along the western shore of the Lake.

Faulting and uplift, mainly of the western region of the plain has formed a more elevated surface that has been further altered by the action of the major streams. This uplifted area has been variously named the Balcanoona Environmental Association, Laut et al (1977) the Paralana High Plain, Callen (1981), the Piedmont Plain, Twidale (1967) and the High Plain by SAUC (1982) (Figure 4.1). It presents a more interesting landscape than the lower plain to the east, which slopes gently towards Lake Frome.

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The Balcanoona Environmental Association occupies an area of about 1900km 2 and the lower plain, named the Pootkamaunta Environmental Association by Laut et al (1977), about 2930 km². A broad dissection slope separates the two Associations with the boundary between them being towards the foot of the slope at about the 70 m contour. The term High Plain appears to be in general usage for the Balcanoona Environmental Association.

The Retention Leases straddle the boundary between the two plain surfaces lying within an area bounded by two major creek systems, Four Mile Creek to the north and Paralana or Hot Springs Creek to the south. Both of these creeks flow from fans in the footslopes of the Ranges to the south-east but then, within about 2 km, trend to the east and then to a more north-easterly direction as they cross the fault of the uplifted block. After this they trend easterly again towards Lake Frome. Part of the channel of Four Mile Creek lies on the northern edge of the Beverley Retention leases.

Close to the Ranges, the Four Mile and Paralana creeks are contained within broad drainage valleys incised into the High Plain. They are intensely braided with bed and banks containing large cobbles and boulders of quartzite and granite. As the bed slope decreases as they enter the lower plain the creeks fan out and the beds become sandier. Many of the stream channels then disappear into broad, wide and diffuse, easterly trending drainage depressions.

Between Four Mile and Paralana creeks two small creeks, Mulga Creek to the south and the unofficially named Jenny Creek to the north rise in the eastern margin of the uplifted section of the plain. Tributaries of these have contributed to the formation of an intense dendritic drainage system below the 100 m contour and the formation of a mild form of low relief "badlands" topography which characterises the dissection slopes. Tributaries of both of the creeks flow through the Retention Leases and have narrow beds containing thin layers of alluvium.

The surface of the High Plain from the coalescing fans at the footslopes of the Ranges forms a gentle easterly sloping plateau or piedmont plain with only a few diffuse drainage lines. West of the Retention Leases, the almost flat surface has a superimposed finely undulating surface of alternating gibber stone and soil, or gilgai patterning and this is typical for much of the plateau surface. Micro-topographical undulations are generally within 100 mm but can be up to 150 mm. The gibber dominates the surface, covering approximately 60% of the area. The gibber is rounded to sub-angular in shape, and has formed from a variety of strong rock types reflecting its origin as a lag deposit from the underlying Willawortina Formation.

The Retention Leases lie mainly within the eastern margin of the dissection zone of the High Plain. The upper elevations of the zone, between the 80 m and 100 m contour, have narrow to broadly rounded, gently sloping ridges and spurs with locally incised broad valleys. The lower slopes below the 80 m contour are very broad interfluves, often up to 300 m across. The surface is very similar to the upper plateau, with gilgai patterning. The surface shows evidence of sheet wash or surface flows of water, with the gibber often arranged in broad bands across the slope.

West of and below the 70 m contour, surface slopes rapidly decrease to 1% or less forming the Low Plains (SAUC 1982) of the Pootkamaunta Environmental Association (Laut et al 1977). This broad floodplain with low-angle fans emanating from all of the major streams and occasional dunes in the lower

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elevations extends to the western shore of Lake Frome. A noticeable feature of the Low Plains to the east of the Retention Leases is the large bare or scalded areas of ground containing little or no vegetation. Scalds can be up to 50 m across or greater and contain broadly scattered, fine gravel. Between the scalds, the land surface is often slightly lower and can exhibit the puffy, cracked appearance associated with shallow gilgai formation.

Figure 4.1 Environmental Associations

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4.4 Soils

The High Plains and the upper elevations of the Low Plains, with gibber/gilgai patterning, have brown cracking soils which often support a vegetation cover, generally of Mitchell grass. The stone gibber lies on or is slightly set in a generally bare, slightly elevated silty clay soil which can be almost completely covered by stone.

The soils in the slight depressions between the gibber exhibit in drier periods, a cracked, loose or "puffy" brown soil surface of very silty clay with only occasional gibber. The cracking, commonly referred to as crabhole formation, is extensive and extends to between 0.3 and about 0.7 m depth. The soil hollows act as a "sink" during periods of heavy rain when water is shed from the adjacent almost impermeable gibber covered areas. Initially water absorption into the cracked soils is rapid but reduces as the moisture reactive clays swell and close off the large voids.

The soils of the Low Plains are generally reddish brown, very silty and sandy clays grading to gravel at depth (1.5+m). Minor divisions occur between the soils of the drainage depressions, the floodplains and the soils of the gently undulating gilgai surface. In almost all cases, surface soils tend to be silty or sandy clays of medium to high plasticity, grading rapidly to clay. In addition to the gilgai patterning there are also extensive areas of scalding, where the silty or sandy horizon has been removed exposing the underlying almost impermeable clay surface. This often has a scattered lag deposit of fine gravel on the surface.

The soils of the High Plain and the dissection slopes are derived from the same parent material and are consequently similar. Profiles on the High Plain are duplex, crusty red-brown sandy and silty clays overlying heavier blocky brown clays. There is a pronounced gibber shelf/Gilgai patterning with the surface soils in the weak depressions being siltier than those of the gibber shelves. The soil depth is about 1.5 m.

On the dissection slopes, the surface horizon in many cases has been removed by erosion, resulting in a uniform clay profile for 1-1.5 m, with gravel at depth. The soils are covered by the gibber lag deposit. Much of the erosion appears to have been recent (ie. post-European settlement). Towards the eastern margin of this zone on the almost flat lower slopes, many areas still retain their surface soils of shallow (0-0.5 m) sandy or silty clay with some coarse sand.

In the streams, there are two main classes of alluvial soils, the very recent and reworked deposits of major stream channels and the finer alluvium of levees and adjacent flats. Stream deposits within the Retention Lease area are deep clean sands within the major channels and gravels and sands in the banks and bars.

4.5 Geotechnical Characteristics of Sediments

The Alpha Mudstone is comprised of hard, dark grey, black and brown clays of high plasticity with abundant slickensided surfaces, most of which are irregular in shape, but some planar. Very limited testing of these materials showed large variations of moisture content, density and strength.

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Beverley Sands comprise medium-to-fine-grained silts and sands but the Upper Unit is generally finer, possess a higher fines-content and contains 0.2 - 2.0 m thick clay seams of similar composition and consistency to the Beverley Clay.

Saturated moisture contents of mineralised sands range from 23.5% to 39.3% and average approximately 33%. Laboratory-based measurements of core samples give absolute porosity ranges from 30.0% to 44.4%. The probable in situ porosity of ore sands is likely to be less than these results, due to the effects of drilling, freezing and transport.

The hard, highly plastic clays of the Beverley Clay commonly have slickensided joint surfaces dipping at angles from 20° to 50. Laboratory tests indicate a large range in moisture-content (11- 59%) and wet density (1.65-2.5 t/m³).

The Willawortina Formation at Beverley consists of red-brown, clay-rich sands and gravels and sandy and gravelly clays, with lenses of sand and gravel. The sandy and gravelly materials tend to disintegrate when immersed in water but the more clay-rich materials have a lesser tendency to slake. Natural moisture-contents range between 11 and 18% and wet densities are in the range 1.91 to 1.95 t/m³ for the upper 40 m and 2.01 to 2.23 t/m³ in the lower parts.

4.6 Surficial Geology

Table 2.1 includes the regional stratigraphy of the main upper Quaternary sediments occurring within the Beverley area according to Gatehouse and Cowley (1994).

The oldest sediments influencing the land surface characteristics in and around the Retention Leases and within EL 3251 (Figure 1.1) are the relatively thick deposits of the Willawortina Formation. These comprise extremely to very poorly sorted brown, bouldery to pebbly, silty or sandy clays with some carbonate nodules. Close to the Flinders Ranges the sediments are coarser with cobbles and large boulders. This unit underlies the High Plains, west of the Poontana Fault, and crops out towards the base of some of the dissection slopes, particularly those associated with Paralana and Four Mile Creeks.

The Willawortina Formation is overlain both conformably and unconformably by the late Pleistocene Eurinilla Formation. This comprises mainly clayey fine to medium grained, poorly sorted orange brown sands, impregnated with gypsum at the base. The sands are inter-bedded with grey-green brown sandy and silty clays . Although mainly overlain by younger sediments in the Retention Lease area, some zones of gypseous gravels and sands on the dissection slopes of Four Mile Creek may indicate the presence of this particular sequence. Although not shown out cropping on Figure 2.1, the Eurinilla Formation is indicated as the parent material of the soils of the more elevated areas.

On the Low Plains, east of the Poontana Fault, there are extensive fluvial sediments forming very low angle fans and sheet deposits overlying the Eurinilla formation. These sediments of the Coonarbine Formation consist of a thin veneer of reddish brown sands and silty and clayey sands.

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Desert around the north of Lake Frome and westward towards the ranges. The dunes trend east to north east and range from about 4 to 6 m in height. They consist of bright red-brown quartz sands with some silt and clay fines content. They are mainly stable but show some loose sand on the northern faces.

The continuing erosion of the land surface into recent times has ensured that extensive deposits of alluvial materials still find their way into the creek system. Due to the turbulent flows following heavy rainstorms in the Ranges, large volumes of sediment containing all sizes up to large boulders continue to find their way down the creeks. A few kilometres from the Ranges the particle sizes are smaller and in the Retention Leases the gravels are mainly less than about 200 mm in Four Mile Creek. The beds of the smaller creeks in the same area consist mainly of sands, with fine gravels and occasionally some clayey bands.

Large areas of raised deposits form channel bar and braided river deposits within Four Mile and Paralana creeks where they flow through the High Plain. Below about the 80 m contour where these creeks are only slightly incised, the bed level is similar to that of the surrounding plain. The creeks are however contained within a broad flat sandy levee or bars of more gravelly deposits.

To the east of the dissection slopes between the High and Low Plains, below about the 70 m contour, the creeks fan out and form broad easterly trending drainage depressions which continue towards Lake Frome.

4.7 Seismicity

Seismic risk in South Australia has been assessed and is described in the Australian Standard Minimum design loads on structures Part 4: Earthquake loads (AS 1170.4-1993). The Beverley site is located in the north east of the seismically active zone which includes the Flinders and Mt Lofty Ranges, with Adelaide within the southern part (Figure 4.2).

The seismically active region corresponds geologically to the Proterozoic rocks of the Adelaide Geosyncline and the Mt Painter Block, which also underlie the area (Figure 2.3). Faulting is documented along the range front to the west of Beverley (Paralana Fault Zone) and along the subsidiary pre-range cliffs at Wooltana (Mt Jacob Fault). The Poontana Fault Zone, a subsidiary structure, lies immediately west of the site. The fault zones are possible places where nearby earthquakes may originate at great depth.

Historical records of earthquakes in South Australia were descriptive prior to the establishment of an adequate instrumented seismic monitoring network in 1967, including a seismic station at Arkaroola.

In the region about Beverley, the most significant nearest epicentre was that of Christmas Well, 15 km to the south east, on 5 November 1971. This tremor measured 3.8 on the Richter scale (Stewart et al., 1973). The Poontana Fault Zone has had no known seismic events.

Seismic risk at Beverley is the response of near-surface ground ductility to seismic energy, be it of local or distant generation with respect to engineered structures. Infrastructure at Beverley will be designed to

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withstand an acceleration coefficient of 0.09-1.0 in accordance with the requirements of AS 1170.4-1993. This level of risk and design compliance requirements is normal for Australia, as indicated in Appendix 1.

Seismic risk has been assessed by applying Cornell-McGuire and Seismic Moment hazard assessment (Love, 1996). These methods indicate that the project site has a 30-40 mm/sec velocity event risk of once in 500 years (Figure 4.3).

Figure 4.2 Seismicity

Source: AS 1170.4 (1993, figure 2.3(c) Acceleration Coefficient map of South Australia)

Direct structural damage inflicted by this velocity event is likely to be minor but secondary causal results may be determined by infrastructure design. The risk of serious disruption to Beverley project operations is very low. The low relief on the project area and the depth of the natural free-standing water table at 16 m AHD means infrastructure foundation conditions will be stable.

The confined aquifers in the ore zone are fully saturated and not likely to respond by liquefaction under the substantial confining pressure. Damage to wells, pumping equipment, pipelines and processing equipment would not be likely to be sustained other than in a Mercalli Level VII or higher earthquake (see Appendix 1), an unlikely occurrence given the 400 year to 1000 year recurrence interval.

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Figure 4.3 Earthquake Hazard – Cornell-McGuire 6 Zones

Source: Love (1996, figure 15). Much of the equipment has high flexibility, being manufactured from plastics. Brittle material failure is the main risk and bore hole grout damage may result in fracture permeability. Increased frequency of monitoring procedures and integrity testing would be implemented following any significant seismic event as a precautionary measure. The plant design standards, containment and accident handling procedures are considered adequate design for the envisaged level of seismic risk (Heathgate Resources, 1998).

4.8 Terrain Classification and Mapping

To minimise the impact of any built development it is important that the characteristics of the land surface are recognised and considered. This requires knowledge of the geology, landform, surface slope and shape, soil type and vegetation. The assembly of this data is most conveniently carried out in map form and, for planning and development, is often carried out at two levels:

• a regional level to show the distinctive landscape types commonly termed land systems or terrain patterns; and,

• a finer level which shows the individual physiographic features or terrain units which combine to form the patterns.

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The classification and referencing of the terrain patterns and terrain units for identification and assessment has been carried out along similar lines to that described by Renfrey (1975). It utilises a simple alpha-numeric system combining geology, landform, surface shape and slope and soil type.

Terrain Patterns

The basis for the terrain pattern nomenclature is the surface geological units described in Table 6.1. Ten terrain patterns have been recognised (Table 4.3) and these are mapped for the Beverley Mine area in Figure 4.5.

Table 4.3 Terrain Pattern Descriptors

Source: Woodburn Associates (1998)

Full descriptions of the terrain patterns including their occurrence, soil and rock materials and features affecting development are given in Woodburn Associates (1996). It should be noted that a change in geology will invariably result in a change of landform characteristics with a consequent change in terrain pattern. In most instances, the geological boundaries shown in Figure 2.1 have been accepted as mapped. However, changes have been made in some areas from the results of an extensive shallow surface drilling program and from landform anomalies observed from air photo interpretation.

Terrain Units

Mapping of the extent and distribution of individual terrain units is necessary for detailed planning, development, impact assessment and management of an area. Terrain units generally have a simple surface form, usually occur on a single parent material type and have, within reasonable limits, uniform soils or surficial materials. The terrain unit classification reference (Table 4.4) shows the divisions of slope range, slope form and soil type used in the numerical referencing of terrain units.

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Main Terrain Features

Terrain unit mapping has been carried out for the immediate area of the Beverley mine. For the Beverley area six groups of units or terrain features have been recognised. These groups of units are (Figure 4.6):

• the patterned gilgai and gibber areas;

• the broadly re-entrant drainage lines and gullies of the dissection slopes (units 56 and 93);

• the major streams (terrain patterns A1 and A2);

• the flat to very gently sloping or undulating plains with some gilgai (units 1(5-7) and 17);

• the broad drainage depressions (terrain patterns A3 and Q3); and,

• the dune fields and the isolated sand dune ridges (terrain pattern Qs).

Table 4.4 Terrain Unit Descriptors

Source: Woodburn Associates (1998)

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Figure 4.4 Terrain Pattern Map – Beverley Local Area.

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Figure 4.5 Terrain Unit Map – Beverley Local Area

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4.9 Terrain Characteristic in Relation to Development

To assess the impact of any proposed form of development on the existing land surface it is necessary to consider a number of characteristics. For mine development in arid and semi-arid environments it is recognised that loss of vegetation, surface soil disturbance, cutting and filling for buildings and roads and alterations to the drainage pattern are the major impacts most likely to occur at the time of construction.

The characteristics that determine how the landscape will react to these impacts are closely linked to the soil profile characteristics, the surface cover and local drainage. These soil characteristics and susceptibility to erosion, wind etc are described below.

For detailed planning and impact assessment in the Retention Leases, individual terrain unit assessments have been made and are shown in Appendix B of Woodburn Associates (1996). A summary of the more salient characteristics follows; further details are contained in Appendix 2 of this report.

Soil Surface Cover and Accessibility Characteristics

The materials covering or forming the upper surface layer of the land surface are of particular importance when considering the accessibility and stability of an area. Table 4.5 lists the materials occurring in the Retention Leases.

Table 4.5 Soil Surface Cover Materials

Source: Woodburn Associates (1998)

Susceptibility to Erosion

The stability of the land surface is a key factor in the assessment of the impact of mine development on local soil surface characteristics. Impact assessment can be made based on observations and measurements of the naturally occurring processes in the area and extrapolations made for other processes.

Most of the soils in the study area are susceptible to erosion by wind and/or by water and examples of natural and induced erosion can be seen in many areas. Twidale (1967), when describing this area thirty

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years ago, recognised that “There is in train an anthropogenic epicycle of erosion manifested in accelerated sheetwash and gullying” .

The stability of the soils is dependent on a number of features including the following:

• the percentage of silt and clay fines in the sandy soils;

• the presence of gravel on the surface;

• the presence of a surface skin over the silty sands, particularly in the inter-dune areas; and

• the type of vegetative cover.

The silt and clay fines in the sand soils can form very strong bonds, particularly when the percentage of clay fines is high, as in the clayey sands and sandy clays of the surface horizons of the soils of the Low Plains.

When the percentage of fines is low and consist mainly of silt, the bonds are much weaker and easily broken when dry. The bonds are formed as the soils dry and are broken by disturbance or re-wetting, when wind and water may easily erode the soils. This type of soil forms the surface of the gilgai depressions.

The quartz, quartzite and granite gibbers found on many of the flatter surfaces occur mainly on scald areas with little vegetation. In these areas much of the surface horizon of soil has been removed by deflation. The resulting sandy clay/clayey sand hardpan surface has a low permeability, sheds water at times of high rainfall but is quite resistant to water erosion.

In the inter-dune corridors of the dune fields a surface skin or crust a few millimetres thick often occurs on the sandy soils. This skin appears to be formed by a combination of cementing by the finer silt and clay particles and organic matter. Occasionally in more moist areas lichen may be present. The skin is easily broken when the soil is dry, revealing loosely bonded sands beneath. When intact it protects the sands from wind erosion.

Erosion occurs by either wind or water action. Generally, for wind erosion to occur quartz particle sizes must be less than about 3 mm. Water can move much larger particles and there is much evidence at the site of sheetwash in the gibber areas where stones can be up to 100 mm in diameter. In the creeks close to the ranges massive boulders can be transported during heavy rainstorms.

Wind Erosion

Observation of the dunes in the north-east and of thinner sand spreads on the Low Plains west of Lake Frome confirm that the dunes there are mostly stable with a good cover of established shrubs and trees. No measurements have been made of sand movement in the area. However, sand movement appears to be taking place mainly from the major creeks and streams to the dunes, via the broad drainage depressions linking the two terrain features.

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Dust Generation

Finer silt and clay sized particles are easily moved by winds from bare and disturbed surfaces. Most of the surface soils at the site contain these particles in the weakly bound soil mass. Many of the measures to be instigated during and after development will be concerned with the stabilisation of these soils, to ensure that wind erosion and the resulting dust do not occur.

Water Erosion

Erosion of the clay horizon exposed in gullies and channels takes place by a combination of shrinking and swelling followed by water erosion. On drying, the exposed clays form a granular to prismatic structure, which is easily eroded during the next wetting cycle. At times of intense rainfall, sheetwash occurs from the upper surfaces with water containing coarser sediment, flowing over the soils. This leads to the removal of the clay granules that collect in the drainage lines.

Observations of erosion of the margins and along old graded tracks on the High Plain indicate that when the eroded materials are washed into surface depressions, they aggregate and then support new vegetation. The erosion is not considered to be occurring rapidly, unlike some other gibber tableland areas in South Australia the clays have been found to be more dispersive.

Soil Strength and Reactivity

Generally throughout the whole of the Beverley area the soils are of relatively high strength. They are however susceptible to loss of strength when wet and some protection is required for shallow surface footings. This particularly applies in the soils with surface gilgai structures and weaker bands of calcareous and gypseous silt at depth.

The upper horizons of the clay soils at Beverley are of high plasticity and are of moderate to high reactivity to changes in moisture content. Due to their salinity characteristics, slow volume increase may occur with site development involving covering of the ground surface, which may lead, to an increase in average moisture levels. Leaching of salt may also occur from the constant application of lower salinity water. More detailed site investigations are planned to examine these properties prior to footing and pavement design.

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5 Geological Comparison of Existing Mine and the EL 3251 Study Area 5.1 Geology and Mineralisation

Recent drilling to the south of the Beverley Deposit confirms repeated stratigraphic units and the presence of mineralised sands deeper than currently mined at the Beverley Deposit. Mineralisation has been intersected at depth of 200 to 240m. This mineralization is contained with a coarse-grained thick sand sequences below the Alpha Mudstone unit (called the Deep Sands). It is unclear whether the Deep Sands are part of the Namba Formation or Eyre Formation. Exploration models indicate the Russell Structure is a primary control in the location of the mineralisation

Geochemical Environment

No further geochemical data was available at the time of this study.

Geotechnical Characteristics of the Sediments

No further geotechnical data was available at the time of this study.

Structure and Faulting

Since 1994 exploration has identified, to the south and east of the existing mine, additional structural trends. Further exploration is required to define these trends and the existence of structures in the structural trends.

5.2 Seismicity

A draft for a revised AS1170.4 – 1993 Minimum design loads on structures Part 4: Earthquake Loads by David Love, Senior Seismologist for PIRSA, has been sighted and the statements made in the June 1998 EIS remain valid for this report. At the time of preparation of the Public Environment Report (PER) or EIS, a check should be made on whether this draft Standard has been published.

In the ‘June 1998 response document/supplement’ the following two questions and responses were documented in regard to seismicity:

1. Earthquake destabilisation of the mine site was raised.

Seismic risk was addressed in detail in EIS Section 6.4 and EIS Appendix 3. The possibility of an earthquake destabilising the mine site has been quantified based on data from AGSO. The Beverley area has a similar seismic risk to Adelaide and appropriate design criteria are being enforced.

2. Major earthquakes may be accompanied by small movements along existing fault planes.

There are no faults in direct contact with mining solutions and movements of the order of a few

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millimetres along a distant fault, such as the Poontana Fault, are unlikely to alter the groundwater regime.

In regard to question 2, recent magnetic surveys have identified new fault systems in the region and have provided better definition of previously known fault systems. Further work is required to define the nature and extent of these structures and subsequently better define the risk of seismic activity upon the mining method.

5.3 Soils and Terrain

Soils

Similar climate, topography, basement rocks and geomorphologic processes are active in the study area as has previously been described for existing Mineral Leases.

Terrain Classification by Mapping

The terrain patterns of the study area are shown generally in Figure 4.5 and the discussion of terrain patterns in Section 4.8 also applies generally to the study area.

An additional field study is required to map the terrain units of the study area.

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6 References Callen, R.A. (1975a).- The stratigraphy, sedimentology, and uranium deposits of Tertiary rocks: Lake Frome area, South Australia. South Australia Department of Mines Report Book 75/103.

Callen, R.A. (1975b).- Geological map of the Frome sheet. Department of Mines and Energy, South Australia. 1:250,000 Mapping Series. No SH 54-10.

Callen, R.A. (1981).- Geology of the Beverley area, Tarkarooloo Basin. SA Department of Mines Open File 28/1/81.

Callen, R.A. and Tedford, R.H. (1976).- New late Cainozoic rock units and depositional environments, Lake Frome area, South Australia . Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 100: 125-168.

Coats, R.P., Horwitz, R.C., Crawford, A.R., Campana, B. and Thatcher, D. (1969).- Mount PainterProvince (geology). South Australia Geological Survey. Special Map 1:125 000.

Curtis, J.L., Brunt, D.A. and Binks, P.J. (1991).- Tertiary Palaeochannel uranium deposits of South Australia. pp 1631-1636 in Hughes, F.E. ( ed.) Geology of the Mineral Deposits of Australiaand Papua New Guinea.

Fatchen Environmental Pty Ltd (1998).- Beverley Uranium Project South Australia: vegetation. Consultant’s Report to Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd. Adelaide, April 1998.

Gatehouse, C.G. and Cowley, W.M., (1994).- SA_STRAT: Handbook Ver 1: A users guide to the South Australian stratigraphic names database and GIS search code and map symbol system. South Australian Department of Mines and Energy, Report Book Series No. 94/13.

Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd (1997b).- Beverley Uranium Project: Declaration of environmental factors in support of a proposal to undertake a field trial of uranium extraction by in situ leaching at Beverley, South Australia. Heathgate Resources, September 1997, Adelaide.

Heathgate Resources, 1998, Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd Beverley Uranium Mine Environmental Impact Statement – Main Report, June 1998.

Heathgate Resources, 1998, Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd Beverley Uranium Mine Environmental Impact Statement – Response Document/Supplement, September 1998.

Heathgate Resources, 2004, Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd, Deep South Tertiary Uranium Exploration EL2633 Paralana Progress report to end of July 2004, Aug 2004.

Woodburn, 1996, Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd Beverley Uranium Project Terrain Analysis and Assessment’, Woodburn Associates, Report No. AWA 1670, Dec 1996

Laut, P., Keig, G., Lazarides, M., Loffler, E., Margules, C., Scott, R. M. and Sullivan, M.E. (1977).- Environments of South Australia. CSIRO Division of Land Use Research, Canberra.

Love, D. (1996) Seismic hazard and micro-zonation of the Adelaide metropolitan area. South Australia. Department of Mines and Energy. Report Book 96/27 .

J:\JOBS\42213777\MINING PROPOSAL\SUPPORTING REPORTS\SUPPORTING REPORT A - GEOLOGY.DOC\24-AUG-07 6-1 References SECTION 6

Renfrey, G. (1975).- The Practical Application of Terrain Classification and Evaluation in Engineering Projects. Vol. 17, No. 3, Institution of Engineers Australia, Division.

Standards Association of Australia (1993). Minimum design loads on structures: Part 4 Earthquake loads.SAA 1170.4-1993

South Australian Uranium Corporation (SAUC) (1982).- Beverley Project: Draft environmental impact statement. South Australian Uranium Corporation, July 1982.

Stewart, I.C.F., Slade, A., and Sutton, D.J. (1973).- South Australian Seismicity 1967-1971. Journal of the Geological Society of Australia 19 (4), 441-452.

Twidale, C.R. (1967).- Hillslopes and Pediments in the Flinders Ranges, South Australia. In J.N. Jennings and J.A. Mabbutt (eds) Landform studies from Australia and New Guinea. Australian National University Press.

Woodburn Associates (1998) Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd, Beverley Uranium Project, Impacts and Amelioration of proposed Mine and Infrastructure on Terrain Features. Consultant’s Report to Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd, Adelaide.

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7 Limitations URS Australia Pty Ltd (URS) has prepared this report in accordance with the usual care and thoroughness of the consulting profession for the use of Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd. and only those third parties who have been authorised in writing by URS to rely on the report. It is based on generally accepted practices and standards at the time it was prepared. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the professional advice included in this report. It is prepared in accordance with the scope of work and for the purpose outlined in the Proposal dated 19/12/05.

The methodology adopted and sources of information used by URS are outlined in this report. URS has made no independent verification of this information beyond the agreed scope of works and URS assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions. No indications were found during our investigations that information contained in this report as provided to URS was false.

This report was prepared between 1/3/06 and 9/6/06 and is based on a desk top study of available publications and documents at the time of preparation. URS disclaims responsibility for any changes that may have occurred after this time.

This report should be read in full. No responsibility is accepted for use of any part of this report in any other context or for any other purpose or by third parties. This report does not purport to give legal advice. Legal advice can only be given by qualified legal practitioners.

Where conditions encountered at the site are subsequently found to differ significantly from those anticipated in this report, URS must be notified of any such findings and be provided with an opportunity to review the recommendations of this report.

Whilst to the best of our knowledge information contained in this report is accurate at the date of issue, subsurface conditions, including groundwater levels can change in a limited time. Therefore this document and the information contained herein should only be regarded as valid at the time of the investigation unless otherwise explicitly stated in this report.

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SEISMICITY

Design Compliances: Seismic risk at Beverley is the response of near-surface ground ductility to seismic energy with respect to engineered structures. Infrastructure at Beverley will be designed to withstand an acceleration coefficient of 0.09-0.10 in accordance with the requirements AS 1170.4-1993. This level of risk and design compliance requirements is normal for Australia. The following are acceleration coefficients applied for major centres in Australia.

Source: AS 1170.4 - 1993.

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Appendix 2 Terrain Patterns Associated with the Proposed Development

Modified Mercalli (MM) Scale of Earthquake Intensity

(Simplified after Love, 1966)

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Appendix 2 Terrain Patterns Associated with the Proposed Development

Terrain pattern and geotechnical information in the following is derived from Woodburn Associates (1996). Landcover information is taken from Fatchen Environmental (1998). This data is also covered in the Heathgate Resources EIS June 1998 Main Report Appendix 4.

1. Terrain Pattern A1

Geological Regime

Alluvium QHA 1

Geology

Quaternary-Recent fluviatile deposits comprising sands, gravels, cobbles and boulders.

Occurrence

In the study area as Four Mile, Pepegoona and Paralana Creeks. These have a large number of un- named tributaries flowing from the Flinders Ranges which coalesce within about 1km to form the major drainage system.

Landform

Level to gently sloping, generally dry, broad, drainage depressions, incised into the High Plain and containing more deeply incised braided stream channels. These drainage features contain the major streams which rise in the Flinders Ranges and discharge onto the broad, low plain west of Lake Frome.

Landcover

Fringing woodland Eucalyptus camaldulensis with Melaleuca spp. bordering channels, tall very open shrubland victoriae on interfluves.

Materials

Close to the Ranges coarser materials comprising boulders and cobbles predominate in a gravelly sandy matrix. Within about 10km from the Ranges at about the High/Low Plains boundary the creeks have become mainly sandy with cobbles and gravels in the banks.

Development Considerations

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Appendix 2 Terrain Patterns Associated with the Proposed Development

Floodprone areas subject to high volume flows accompanied by considerable sediment movement. Structures generally not practicable within the pattern except on high terraces. Access across should be with fords and all services completely suspended or trenched.

2. Terrain Pattern A2

Geological Regime

Alluvium Qha 1

Geology

Mainly recent fluviatile deposits comprising sands, gravels, and cobbles.

Occurrence

In the study area as Mulga Creek and Jenny Creek and other unnamed creeks and tributaries.

Landform

Moderately steeply sloping stream channels rising in the High Plains and dissection slopes discharging onto the low plains west of Lake Frome. In the lower elevations the creeks become broader, gently sloping to almost flat with occasional terraces and islands

Landcover

Varies from low woodland Melaleuca spp. to mixed tall shrubland of Eremophila, Senna, Acacia victoriae, and Santalum species.

Materials

On the High Plain and dissection slopes mainly sands and gravel in narrow drainage channels. Towards the boundary with the lower plains below about 70m the channels broaden and finer grained accumulations of sands and silts predominate. Channels become wider and deeper.

Development Considerations

Floodprone area. Structures should be avoided in the lower sections where high volume flows with scouring can occur. In the upper dissection slopes and on the High Plains access track crossings with culverts and pipes will be possible but precautions are necessary against scouring.

3. Terrain Pattern A3

Geological Regime

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Appendix 2 Terrain Patterns Associated with the Proposed Development

Alluvium Qra

Geology

Quaternary-Recent fluviatile deposits comprising finer grained materials including sands, silts and clays.

Occurrence

Eastward from the base of the dissection slopes at an elevation of about 80m in the south and about 60m in the north, where the creeks become wider with lower bed slopes as they enter the low plains. In many cases the creeks disappear in the eastern parts of the study area before entering Lake Frome.

Landform

Level to very gently sloping, broad diffuse drainage depressions. Some swamps and flats on the low plain west of Lake Frome.

Landcover

Tall very open shrubland of Acacia victoriae; low open to very open shrubland of aphylla, Rhagodia spinescens ; mixed with Mitchell grassland Astrebla pectinata.

Materials

Mainly fine to coarse-grained sands becoming siltier and even clayey fringing the eastern margins of the pattern.

Development Considerations

Floodprone for longer periods after heavy rainstorms in the Ranges and on the High Plain. Mainly low velocity but occasionally high volume flows. Broad areas which become impassible when flooded and likely to remain so for some time after floods have receded. Soils show appreciable loss of strength on saturation.

4. Terrain Pattern C1

Geological Regime

Alluvium Qec/Qpae/TpQaw

Geology

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Appendix 2 Terrain Patterns Associated with the Proposed Development

A sequence of late-Miocene to Late Pleistocene heavily preconsolidated sediments comprising shallow layers of the Coonarbine Formation (Qec) and the Eurinilla Formation (Qpae) which overlie a deep deposit of the Willawortina Formation (TpQaw). All of the sediments are interpreted as flood plain and stream deposits.

Occurrence

Known as the High Plain in the west of the study area with an elevation between about 110 and 150 metres. At lower elevations further to the north.

Landform

Discontinuous flat to very gently easterly sloping piedmont plain with rounded ridges and spurs on the margins forming the plateau surface east of the Flinders Ranges. Surface slopes increase towards the Ranges where there may be a surface veneer of outwash fan deposits.

Landcover

Mitchell grassland: tussock grassland of Astrebla pectinata.

Materials

A wedge-shaped deposit - thickest near the Flinders Ranges, consisting of poorly sorted gravely conglomerates, nodular to massive carbonates and red and green mottled clays. Near the surface gravely clays predominate with coarser cobbles and boulders close to the Ranges in the fan deposits.

Development Considerations

Surface soils have initially high then relatively low permeability as they become saturated during periods of heavy rain. Sheetwash ensues on sloping areas with some movement of coarser materials downslope. Sections of the pattern show distinctive patterning with gilgai and gibber strewn areas near the eastern dissection slopes. Relatively narrow crestal areas on eastern margin of pattern have good surface drainage and are not subjected to run off from higher elevations. When dry breakdown and dusting of surface occurs after relatively little traffic. Clays are preconsolidated by desiccation and have a moderate to high bearing capacity, of the order of 200 to 300kPa below gilgai level, but are reactive to changes in moisture content.

5. Terrain Pattern C2

Geological Regime

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Appendix 2 Terrain Patterns Associated with the Proposed Development

Alluvium Qec/Qpae/TpQaw

Geology

Mapped as Willawortina Formation. Late-Miocene to Early Pleistocene sediments interpreted as flood plain and stream deposits. However in places these deposits appear to be overlain by the younger, very similar sediments listed for Pattern C1.

Occurrence

Mainly to the north, west and south of the lease area in a broad band approximately 2 km wide between elevations 80 and 110 metres.

Landform

Gently to steeply sloping dissection slopes of the High Plains generally between elevations 80 and 110m but at higher elevations where the pattern occurs closer to the Ranges. The slopes are intensely dissected in the upper regions with a fine dendritic drainage pattern. Downslope, where drainage lines combine, there is a more gently rounded landform.

Landcover

Mitchell grassland or mixed chenopod shrubland/Mitchell grassland on less dissected slopes: Astrebla pectinata, Sclerolaena divaricata, and Sclerolaena longicuspis. The latter two prominent species are short-lived perennials. On steeper slopes with more dissection, open shrubland of Eremophila freelingii, with Ptilotus obovatus, Enneapogon avenaceus.

Materials

Brown silty, sandy and gravelly calcareous clays overlying dense clayey gravel with gypsum. On flatter areas and particularly towards footslopes, the surface shows intense patterning with gibber- strewn scalds and gilgai.

Development Considerations

Surface soils, particularly scalded, gibber-strewn areas have low permeability and show evidence of sheetwash. Large volumes of water move downslope during periods of heavy rain with sediment movement into drainage lines. Smaller channels have been mapped as occurring within the pattern and these can be crossed using pipes and culverts with appropriate precautions against scouring. Clays are heavily preconsolidated and of high bearing capacity with surface horizons of moderate to high reactivity to changes in moisture conten

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Appendix 2 Terrain Patterns Associated with the Proposed Development

Access tracks will need protection against scouring but may cause problems in adjacent areas due to diversion of surface run off.

6. Terrain Pattern C3

Geological Regime

Alluvium Qec/TpQaw

Geology

Willawortina Formation. Late-Miocene to Early Pleistocene sediments interpreted as flood plain and stream deposits. In part may be overlain by younger very similar sediments of the Coonarbine and Eurinilla Formations.

Occurrence

Below and east of terrain pattern C2 in the lease area. Generally below 80m elevation and disappearing into the lower plain sediments at about an elevation of 70 metres. The western boundary is a N-S trending fault line.

Landform

Gently sloping plain and broadly rounded footslopes and interfluves of the dissection slopes forming the lower eastern margin of the High Plains. Generally between 70 and 80m elevation and disappearing to the east into the low plains sloping towards Lake Frome.

Landcover

Mitchell grassland or mixed chenopod shrubland/Mitchell grassland. Astrebla pectinata, Sclerolaena divaricata.

Materials

Brown silty, sandy and gravelly calcareous clays overlying denser clayey gravels with gypsum. On the more sloping sections intense patterning with gibber strewn scalds and gilgai. On the more level sections the surface is mainly clayey with shallow gilgai.

Development Considerations

Surface soils are of low permeability and become saturated during heavy rains. Sheetwash from uphill areas may contain fine to coarse-grained sediment. When dry breakdown of the surface occurs with dusting after relatively little traffic. Clays are preconsolidated and of moderate to high bearing capacity below gilgai base but are reactive to changes in moisture content.

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Appendix 2 Terrain Patterns Associated with the Proposed Development

7. Terrain Pattern Q1

Geological Regime

Alluvium Qec

Geology

Coonarbine formation - Pleistocene to Holocene fluvatile sediments forming low angle fan and sheet deposits.

Occurrence

The low plains west of Lake Frome rising from about sea level at the Lake to approximately 70m at the boundary with the dissection slopes of the High Plain.

Landform

Flat to gently sloping and gently undulating plain.

Landcover

Variable. In study area, a range of Mitchell grassland of Astrebla pectinata, degraded areas with ephemeral or short-lived chenopod low open shrubland, primarily Sclerolaena divaricata with grasses Enneapogon spp.; some areas of low open shrubland of Maireana aphylla and/or Rhagodia spinescens near floodouts; scattered low tree groves, eg Hakea leucoptera, .

Materials

Reddish brown silty and clayey sand over brown silty clays of high plasticity with some calcareous earthy pockets below about 0.7m. Grading to brown to reddish brown sandy clays below about 1.5 metres. Poorly to moderately sorted sands, usually fine grained with some gypsum and gravel below about 3 metres.

Development Considerations

Variable surface cover and properties with extensive scalded areas that shed water rapidly into adjacent gilgais with open puffy structure and silty texture. Surface soils particularly in gilgais can lose strength when saturated making access difficult. All weather roads will require sheeting. Good bearing capacity of order of 200kPa below 0.5m or below base of gilgais. Clays are of moderate to high reactivity to changes in moisture content.

8. Terrain Pattern Q2

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Appendix 2 Terrain Patterns Associated with the Proposed Development

Geological Regime

Alluvium Qec

Geology

Coonarbine formation - Pleistocene to Holocene fluviatile sediments forming low angle fan and sheet deposits.

Occurrence

Within the low plains west of Lake Frome. The pattern normally commences as a floodout from the major creek system or at the termination of the smaller creeks where they disappear into the plains sediments.

Landform

Flat to very gently sloping, very broad depressional areas occasionally containing weakly incised meandering drainage lines and shallow canegrass swamps.

Landcover

Mixed Mitchell grass open tussock grassland ( Astrebla pectinata) and low open to very open shrubland ( Maireana aphylla) . Hakea leucoptera on incised channels. Very occasional canegrass areas (tall open grassland, Eragrostis australasica).

Materials

Generally a more shallow clay profile than pattern Q1 particularly close to the major drainage patterns with silty and sandy brown clays of medium plasticity overlying heavier brown clays of high plasticity with some carbonate. Becoming sandy and gravelly below about 1.5 to 2m with some gypsum.

Development Considerations

Surface consists of alternating scalded and gilgai areas and areas of clay plain of larger extent than in pattern Q1. The pattern is floodprone and receives surface runoff from adjacent more elevated patterns during periods of heavy rain. Surface soils have low CBR and will require sheeting for all weather traffic. Moderate to high bearing capacity below 0.5m and moderate to high reactivity to changes in moisture content.

9. Terrain Pattern Q3

Geological Regime

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Appendix 2 Terrain Patterns Associated with the Proposed Development

Alluvium Qec

Geology

Coonarbine formation - recent fluviatile sediments adjacent to major Creeks.

Occurrence

In the upper elevations of the low plains adjacent and generally on the eastern side of the major creeks.

Landform

Broad, flat to very gently sloping, slightly elevated plain adjacent to drainage.

Landcover

Low open to very open chenopod shrubland, Maireana aphylla and/or Rhagodia spinescens, with Mitchell grass Astrebla pectinata.

Materials

The sediments comprise a thin layer of more silty and clayey sands overlying the soils of the Q1 pattern.

Development Considerations

These areas are probably remnants of a slightly higher plain surface which has been eroded by the creek system. May be floodprone for very short periods close to the major creeks. Soils below 0.5 metre are strong and of moderate to high bearing capacity.

Clay soils of moderate to high reactivity to changes in moisture content.

10.Terrain Pattern Qs

Geological Regime

Aeolian Sands Qhez

Geology

Unnamed Sands

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Appendix 2 Terrain Patterns Associated with the Proposed Development

Occurrence

These modern windrift dunes and sand sheets form, to the east of Lake Frome, the Strzelecki Desert. They also occur within about 25 km to the west of the Lake where they cover about 15% of the land surface.

Landform

Flat to very gently sloping plain covered with broad sand sheets or a superimposed series of north-east to easterly trending sand ridges up to 6 metres high.

Landcover

On sand sheets and very low dunes: tall shrubland of mixed Dodonaea viscosa, Acacia ligulata, Senna artemisioides subspecies, Eremophila duttonii over a largely ephemeral grass understorey: Aristida contorta, Enneapogon avenaceus, E. cylindricus. Large dunes (distant from project area) not examined.

Materials

Red brown fine to medium grained sands with few fines in the sand ridges. Sand sheets are silty and slightly clayey fine to medium sands. The sands overlie the Coonarbine formation clayey sands and sandy clays.

Development Considerations

Dunes show little instability except in isolated areas of the northern, steeper faces. Clearing of vegetation will induce instability and should be avoided. Any tracks or service runs should follow interdune corridors and cross where ridges of only low elevation to avoid deep cuttings. Sands are of low density and low bearing capacity.

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SUPPORTING REPORT B

Hydrology

REPORT

Beverley Uranium Mine EL 3251- Hydrological Study Part 1

Prepared for Heathgate Resources Grenfell Street Adelaide SA 5000

23 November 2006

42656422 R001

Project Manager: ………………………………….. URS Australia Pty Ltd Sally Modystach 25 North Terrace, Hackney Associate Environmental Consultant South Australia 5069 Australia Tel: 61 8 8366 1000 Fax: 61 8 8366 1001 Project Director: ………………………………….. Jerome Argue Senior Principal Engineer

Author: ………………………………….. Date: 23 November 2006 Jerome Argue Reference: 42656422 Senior Principal Engineer Status: Final

\24-AUG-07

Contents

1 Introduction------1-1

2 Rainfall ------2-1

3 Catchment Analysis------3-1

3.1.1 Paralana Creek bifurcation 3-2

4 Streamflow records ------4-1

5 RORB Modelling------5-1

5.1 Input Parameters 5-1 5.1.1 Initial Loss/Continuing Loss 5-2 5.1.2 kc parameter 5-2 5.2 RORB Catchment Data 5-3 5.3 RORB model simulations 5-4 5.4 Adopted Flows 5-5

6 Hec-Ras Analysis ------6-1

6.1 Introduction 6-1 6.2 Cross-sectional information 6-1 6.3 HEC-RAS Modelling 6-2 6.4 HEC-RAS Results 6-2 6.5 Accuracy of Results 6-3 6.6 Comments on resultant flood risk 6-3

7 References------7-1

8 Limitations ------8-1

J:\JOBS\42213777\MINING PROPOSAL\SUPPORTING REPORT B - HYDROLOGY.DOC\24-AUG-07 i List of Tables, Figures, Plates & Appendices

Tables

3.1 Drainage System Areas 4.1 Peak Flow Estimates based on Regional Regression Equations 4.2 Peak Flow Estimates based on Gerney Method

5.1 Estimated kc Values 5.2 Calculated Flows using RORB 5.3 Comparison of Flow Estimates

Figures

Figure 1 – Location Plan, Beverley Mineral Lease and Surrounds Figure 2 – Paralana Creek RORB Sub-area and Flow Calculation Locations Plan Figure 3 – Mulga Creek RORB Sub-area and Flow Calculation Locations Plan Figure 4 – HEC-RAS Cross-section Plan Figure 5 – 10 Year ARI and 100 Year ARI Floodplain Map Figure 6 – 10 Year ARI Floodplain Map Figure 7 – 100 Year ARI Floodplain Map

Appendices

Appendix A – ARR IFD Rainfall Data Appendix B – RORB Input Files Appendix C – RORB Summary output files Appendix D – Summary HEC-RAS output tables

J:\JOBS\42213777\MINING PROPOSAL\SUPPORTING REPORT B - HYDROLOGY.DOC\24-AUG-07 ii Introduction SECTION 1

1 Introduction URS Australia Pty Ltd (URS) has been engaged by Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd (Heathgate) to investigate and report on the surface hydrology associated with the southern portion of EL 3251 surrounding the existing mine operation area.

In undertaking this investigation, URS has relied on both topographic information derived from satellite photographs, as well as ground-truthing of the site. As well as this, reference has been made to earlier work undertaken by consultants on Heathgate’s behalf, to ensure that the current study is broadly consistent with findings previously made on the site.

Our investigation has been confined to the southern portion of EL 3251, defined by the rectangular shape shown on Figure 1 in green hatching. A previous study (Tonkin 1998) investigated the two Creeks; 4- Mile Creek and Jenny Creek, in the northern part of the Lease. This study considers Mulga Creek, through the centre of the area, and Paralana Creek which is largely contained outside the Lease area, but which enters it for a short distance near the south-eastern corner.

A flood-routing model and backwater curve analysis model are established for the Creeks, defining extent of flooding during both a 1 in 10 year Average Recurrence Interval (ARI) and 1 in 100 year ARI event.

The study concludes that the extent of flooding during both ARI events is quite similar, with relatively low velocities associated with flood flows. It is proposed that a risk-based approach is appropriate in determining the location of facilities within floodplains, recognising both the risk of inundation as well as the consequences of inundation, given considerations of velocity of flow.

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2 Rainfall Beverley Mine is located in an arid region of South Australia, in the Northern Flinders Ranges. The area is characterised by low, but highly variable, average rainfall. Recording stations are widely scattered and the length of record is relatively short. Though further information has been gathered in the time since previous studies, Australian Rainfall and Runoff (ARR 1987) still defines the manner in which rainfall is estimated across Australia, based on analysis from these stations.

As a result of the mine’s establishment, a weather station has been constructed at the site, however the very short length of these records means that deriving meaningful data for event prediction is likely to be subject to large uncertainty. Tonkin (1998) utilised ARR rainfall estimation techniques and this is still considered appropriate for the current study.

Events of varying duration and recurrence interval were derived using the procedure outlined in ARR, for use in predictive modelling using the RORB flood routing model. This model is described in detail in Section 5 of this report, but essentially flow estimates are derived using inputs of catchment characteristics and rainfall information.

The present study assesses a range of recurrence interval events up to and including the 1 in 100 year flood, which is assumed to be generated by the critical 1 in 100 year rainfall event. In addition, areal reduction factors, described in ARR, have been applied, representing an assumed reduction in total rainfall falling over a larger area, as the rainfall data derived by ARR is assumed to occur as a point rainfall. Taken over large areas, it is demonstrable that total rainfall experienced in a catchment will reduce from the point estimates in proportion to area. Therefore a larger reduction will apply to larger catchments; a smaller reduction to smaller catchments.

In the analysis reported here, the areal reduction factor is applied to the total rainfall within the RORB model directly.

Rainfall information, for input into the RORB model, can be found in Appendix A, derived for the location of the mine site using the methodology outlined in ARR.

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3 Catchment Analysis Beverley Mine is located to the east of the Northern Flinders Ranges, approximately 550 km north of Adelaide and 35 km west of the northern end of Lake Frome.

A series of water courses, rising in the Ranges, flow is an easterly direction, eventually discharging into the Lake. Between the Ranges and the Lake, many small flow channels are cut into the topography, rising in the low foothills of the area, at about elevation 100 m AHD, then also flowing in an easterly direction toward Lake Frome. As these channels merge and join, increasing catchment areas contributing result in larger flows being experienced during major storm events.

The Beverley Mineral Lease is crossed by many such ephemeral streams, whose channels vary in size from shallow depressions at their source, to large, flat expanses of braided channels, flowing across the flat topography.

To the south, beyond the Lease boundary, Paralana Creek drains a significant catchment which rises in the Ranges. As it travels generally beyond the southern boundary, it branches at a point near the Paralana Outstation, with one branch flowing to the south-east, and a second to the north-east. This branch enters the Lease near the south-eastern corner, joining with Mulga Creek, prior to discharging across the eastern boundary of the Lease and flowing toward Lake Frome.

Within the Lease, Mulga Creek rises along the western boundary in a series of small channels spread from south to north across the Lease. These various branches gradually join together in a series of increasingly larger streams, which become wider as they reach the flatter land toward the eastern side of the Lease.

In general slopes of channels in the western part of the Mineral Lease are 10 % in grade, but as they travel east, these grades become flatter, being generally of 0.5 %. Correspondingly flow decreases in velocity, but increases in depth and spread of flood flows.

At the bifurcation of flow in Paralana Creek, two flow directions are created. It is difficult to determine the proportion of flow that will travel in each of the two directions. An estimate of the flow toward the north-east, which enters the Mineral Lease, has been made from consideration of the flow channel present within the Lease boundary (Figure 2).

Observations of channel form were made during a visit to the site conducted in March, 2006. At this time no flow was observed in any creeks, as rain had not been experienced in the area in the period either before or during this visit. A series of photos were taken of many of the channels throughout the Lease, and these were subsequently used to confirm channel characteristics, including roughness parameters used in the backwater curve analysis described later in this report.

Catchment areas were determined by topographical analysis of 1:250,000-scale plans of the area. However contour intervals were considered too large to provide sufficient accuracy for detailed catchment definition. To supplement this source, digital photos supplied by Heathgate of satellite images of the Lease and surrounding areas, with contour information determined by stereography, were used to correlate information and confirm assumptions.

Figure 1 shows the catchment areas of Paralana Creek and Mulga Creek on a regional scale.

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Each catchment was divided into a series of sub-areas, simplifying subsequent input into the hydrological model. These sub-areas are shown in Figures 2 and 3, corresponding to natural catchment draining into the various streamlines throughout the area of both the Mineral Lease, as well as the larger catchment area to the west, extending to the Northern Flinders Ranges.

In general, the two main drainage systems are called the Paralana Creek and Mulga Creek catchments, though each has many tributaries and smaller drainage lines that combine to form the larger system.

Analysing the two main systems, the following catchment areas are derived.

Drainage System Area

(km2)

Paralana (including both arms) 208 Mulga 47

Table 3.1 Drainage System Areas

3.1.1 Paralana Creek bifurcation

Paralana Creek is a complex drainage system which bifurcates to the south of the Mineral Lease, prior to crossing the southern boundary and joining with Mulga Creek. An estimate of the flow entering the Mineral Lease has been made considering channel section, bed grade and flow depth.

It is estimated that the capacity of flow within the channel entering the Mineral Lease is approximately 250 m3/sec, which corresponds to a bank-full plus 1 m overbank depth flow. Consequently it has been assumed that during a 1 in 100 year flood event, this quantum of flow joins together with the Mulga Creek catchment flow.

For a flow of lesser recurrence interval, such as a 1 in 10 year flow, it has been assumed that a lesser flow of 100 m3/sec, corresponding to the estimated bank-full flow, enters the Mineral Lease area from the south.

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4 Streamflow records Little information relating to streamflow records exists in the immediate vicinity of the Mineral Lease, which includes Four-Mile Creek, Jenny Creek, Paralana Creek and Mulga Creek.

However, as reported in Tonkin (1998), streamflow records of short duration do exist for some of the rivers and creeks in the Northern Flinders Ranges. Analysis of these in that earlier report provided some assistance in developing regional regression equations, but this was found to be of limited value.

However, application of the relations derived in Tonkin (1998) yield the following flow rates for the two catchments considered as part of this study.

Catchment 1 in 10 year ARI Flow Rate 1 in 100 year ARI Flow Rate

m3/sec m3/sec

Paralana Creek 201 491 Mulga Creek 48 112

Table 4.1 Peak Flow Estimates based on Regional Regression Equations

The method of developed by Gerney is still considered to of use in deriving flow estimates. This method, developed in 1962, relates flow to area through the following relation;

Q = 2.19 . c . A . (K + d . log (0.5 * (1 + Y)/(1+ 112 . √ A / (c . K)) 0.74

Where:

Q : Peak flow (m3/sec)

A : Catchment area (km2)

c : Parameter derived by Gerney based on rainfall intensity

d : Parameter derived by Gerney based on rainfall intensity

K : Coefficient related to catchment slope and imperviousness

Y : Recurrence interval (Years)

The method of Gerney was derived for an early Environmental Impact Statement (AMDEL, 1982) for the Beverley site, and is considered appropriate for flow estimation using parameters derived during that study. Parameter values adopted were as follows:

c : 10.0

d : 2.0

K : 0.95

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Based on application of the Gerney Method, a tabulation of flow rates for both Paralana Creek and Mulga Creeks, immediately upstream of their confluences, is given. Taken from the catchment analysis described in Section 3, it is noted that the areas of the two catchments are 208 and 47 km2 respectively.

Creek Peak Flow (m3/sec) for ARI

5 yr 10 yr 20 yr 50 yr 100 yr Paralana 193 246 303 382 442 Mulga 76 97 119 149 173

Table 4.2 : Peak Flow Estimates based on Gerney Method

Estimates for Paralana Creek are made assuming the whole of the catchment is contributing to flow. As is noted above, Paralana Creek is a braided creek system, with numerous channels interweaving across the floodplain. At a point south of the Mineral Lease, Paralana Creek bifurcates into two flow paths, one heading to the north-east, the other to the south-east.

These estimates using the Gerney Method will later be compared with estimates derived using RORB, to ultimately determine flows to be used in backwater curve analysis.

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5 RORB Modelling In addition to flow estimates derived using the Gerney Method and Regional Relationships, described above, application of the rainfall runoff routing model RORB Ver. 4 (RORB), has been made to estimate flow rates for various recurrence interval events.

RORB is a rainfall excess model, generating flow via application of rainfall excess over defined sub- catchment areas. Losses are abstracted from the rainfall hyetograph according to an input loss model, with on-going losses throughout the rain event also input as part of parameter selection.

Flows which are thus generated are routed along flow reaches, with application of a reach storage function of the form,

S = 3600 . Q m where:

S : Reach Storage

Q : Reach Flow

m : constant related to non-linearity of storage (typically taken to be 0.8)

As the computed flow passes along the drainage channel, additional inflow is added to the developed hydrograph, representing local inflow of each sub-area.

The catchment model can be established with any degree of complexity, with predicted outflow hydrographs able to be extracted at any point in the network.

A series of points have been identified in the current study, at which flow hydrographs were derived for subsequent use in predicting flood plains through the application of a backwater curve program.

5.1 Input Parameters

The application of RORB requires input of a number of parameters to generate runoff hydrographs. These parameters have been the subject of research over a long period, however specific application to catchments of the Northern Flinders Ranges is limited.

Summarising, RORB requires that a loss model be applied to the rainfall, generally consisting of an Initial Loss (IL), which is abstracted from the beginning of the rainfall event; and a Continuing Loss (CL), which is applied at a constant rate over the duration of the rain event.

In addition to this, parameter kc, which is a function of reach delay, and hence has a significant impact on the “peakiness” of the resulting flow hydrograph, must be determined for input.

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Parameter “m”, previously mentioned, is taken to be a constant 0.8 in most applications of the RORB model. Only for the most extreme events, such as the Probable Maximum Flood (PMF), would “m” be taken as 1.0, generating a linear relationship between reach storage S, and reach inflow, Q.

RORB can be executed in a number of different forms. It can be run, using known rainfall and runoff from a catchment, for calibration of the input parameters, such that the shape of the recorded hydrograph is matched as closely as possible. By varying parameters accordingly, the shape and peak flow of the output hydrograph can be matched to the actual recorded hydrograph, and parameter values determined.

These parameters, thus determined, can then be used to re-run the model for different rainfall inputs, such as the ARR-derived storms, to make estimation of generated flood flows.

5.1.1 Initial Loss/Continuing Loss

Work undertaken by Kemp (1989) proposes a Loss Model using the inputs:

Initial Loss : 20 mm

Continuing Loss : 7 mm/hr for use in the Northern Flinders Ranges. ARR (1997) provides limited guidance for selection of Loss Model parameters, suggesting a median initial loss of 15 mm ad a continuing loss of 4 mm/hr for the Arid Zone of South Australia, in which the Beverley Mineral Lease is located.

Calibration by Tonkin (1998) incorporating the results of Kemp, suggest that the following values be used for RORB analysis:

10 Year ARI : 12 mm Initial Loss, 5 mm/hr Continuing Loss

50 Year ARI : 18 mm Initial Loss, 5 mm/hr Continuing Loss

100 Year ARI : 20 mm Initial Loss, 5 mm/hr Continuing Loss

These values will be adopted for the present analysis.

5.1.2 kc parameter

Kemp (1993) investigated kc for a range of catchments across South Australia, dividing these into Arid and Humid (near-coastal) locations, determined by rainfall. A relationship was derived for catchments with average annual rainfall of less than 320 mm; applicable to the study area.

Arid catchments yielded the following relation for kc, based on area and rainfall:

2.79 0.71 kc = 7.06 . (RF/1000) . A where:

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kc : empirical coefficient applicable to the entire network

RF : average rainfall (mm/annum)

A : catchment area (km2)

A number of the analysed catchments were located in the vicinity of the Mineral Lease area, with catchment areas both greater and smaller than the Paralana Creek catchment. The Mulga Creek catchment area however, falls below any of the analysed catchments.

Tonkin (1998) undertook an analysis of kc, also with input from Kemp, as well as calibration results for Creek. A curve fitted to the results yielded the following relation for kc, subsequently applied in the Tonkin study (1998).

0.741 kc = 0.091 . A where kc and A have the same meaning as above.

In applying these two equations to the present study, it can be seen that there is little difference between the calculated kc values, as shown in the following Table.

2.79 0.71 0.741 Catchment kc=7.06.(RF/1000) .A kc=0.091.A Paralana Creek 4.6 4.79 Mulga Creek 1.6 1.6

Table 5.1 Estimated kc Values

Values consistent with the previous Tonkin report will be adopted for this study, as the difference between the two estimates is small.

5.2 RORB Catchment Data

As previously described, each of the two catchments; Paralana Creek and Mulga Creek; has been divided into sub-areas for input into the RORB model. Figures 2 and 3 detail the sub-area boundaries, areas and corresponding flow path lengths for subsequent establishment of the RORB model.

Though the two flow paths ultimately join, as least in part, near the eastern boundary Mineral Lease area, the two have been treated as separate for the purposes of determining catchment flows. This is a conservative approach in that it calculates the peak flow in each catchment, assuming different storm events occurring over the two catchments.

This reflects the fact that the nature of a storm cell producing the rainfall event could be a system moving from west to east, resulting in an event on the westerly Paralana Creek catchment commencing before an event on the Mulga Creek catchment. In relative terms, it is expected that the Paralana Creek catchment will have a longer duration event as its critical storm, due to its larger area and its greater length.

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For the peak flood flows in the two catchments to coincide therefore, a storm event would be required to commence on the larger Paralana Creek catchment and move easterly to then fall on the Mulga Creek catchment in a manner than caused the two peak flows to arrive at the junction of the two flow paths simultaneously. A conservative assumption is made here, that this does occur, so that peak flows in both Creek systems will be taken as input to the backwater curve modelling described in the next Section.

Areas and stream lengths are taken from the sub-area plans, and formulated into a RORB input file, which is then used to undertake the analysis of the catchment. Catchment files for both Paralana Creek and Mulga Creek can be found in Appendix B.

5.3 RORB model simulations

With the input of the catchment files described above, together with ARR-derived rainfall, the loss model and kc value, estimated flows for the catchment can be derived. As RORB produces a flow hydrograph at each point of interest, incorporating delay due to reach storage effects, a range of duration rainfall events must be simulated on the catchment, to determine which of the events is the critical event; i.e. which rain storm produces the peak flow within the catchment.

For the analysis undertaken for both the Paralana Creek and Mulga Creek catchments, events of duration 10 minutes to 72 hours have been simulated, allowing the peak flow event to be identified. In determining peak flows, each catchment has been simulated separately, using its specific kc value, though the loss model used in both catchments is identical.

As expected, the results show that shorter duration events are more critical in the Mulga Creek catchment (approximately the 2 hour event), with longer duration events are critical for the Paralana Creek catchment (approximately the 6 hour event at the confluence). Results are summarised in detail in Appendix C, but the following table shows the flow values estimated before applying the bifurcation in the Paralana Creek catchment, described in Section 3.1.1 above. The results reported for Mulga Creek are at a series of points which are identified on Figure 3.

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Flow Location 1 in 10 Year ARI Flow 1 in 100 Year ARI Flow

m3/sec m3/sec

Paralana Creek at confluence 165 384 Mulga Creek P8 55 118 P10 104 249 P12 106 255 M5 26 50 M7 59 121

Table 5.2 Calculated Flows using RORB

Application of the estimated split of flow at the bifurcation reduces the flow in Paralana Creek to 250 m3/sec and 100 m3/sec for the 1 in 100 year and 1 in 10 year ARI events respectively, and these flows have been algebraically added to the Mulga Creek flows to derive flows for use in the HEC-RAS analysis, described below.

It should be noted that the flow predictions made here are subject to a wide error band. When assessing the input information, particularly rainfall inputs to the RORB model, it is acknowledged that a high degree of uncertainty surrounds rainfall estimates, based on the small number of recording stations and the length of available record.

5.4 Adopted Flows

When comparing the estimates produced by the three methods discussed; Regional Regression equations; Gerney and RORB, it is apparent that the RORB flow estimates are straddled by the other methods. Tabulating the three methods, before application of bifurcation flow, so that all catchment areas are consistent, flows are as shown in Table 5.3 below.

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Catchment Regional Gerney RORB Regression m3/sec m3/sec m3/sec

Paralana Creek 10 year ARI 201 246 165 100 year ARI 491 442 384 Mulga Creek 10 year ARI 48 97 106 100 year ARI 112 173 255 Combined Flow downstream of confluence, allowing for bifurcation (S. 3.1.1) 10 year ARI 212 100 year ARI 510

Table 5.3 Comparison of Flow Estimates

It is apparent that a divergence in the flow estimates using the three methods. In general it is noted that RORB estimates are higher than the other methods for the Mulga Creek catchment, and lower for the Paralana Creek catchment.

When reviewing the background to the three methods, Regional Regression equations derived by Tonkin (1998) are based on a small sample of gauging stations and relatively few years of records at each station. The results appear to be too wide-spread to provide a useful basis for estimating flows in the two catchments of concern.

The Gerney method produces results that range between -32% and + 49% of the RORB flows, however for the 1 in 100 year ARI predictions, these differences reduce to -32% and +15% of the RORB flows.

Given that the RORB input parameters are based on analysis of a range of catchment sizes, into which the two catchments fit, these flows are proposed as the flows to be used for the backwater curve analysis.

It is noted that the Paralana Creek catchment is affected, in peak flow estimation, by the extended length of its channel to the east of the Flinders Ranges part of the catchment. This length has the effect, in the model, of introducing significant channel storage, relative to the peak flow, thus attenuating the peak flow with relatively less catchment area contributing to increasing the flow through the reach.

Analysis of the model shows that flow in fact is greater, during both the 10 year and 100 year ARI events, a points further to the west in the catchment, even with smaller catchment areas. This result highlights the attenuating effect of the channel storage, which acts to reduce the estimate of peak flow. However visual assessment of the creek channels on the flatter margins of the catchment, near the southern boundary of the Mineral Lease, suggest that this effect is likely, given the shallow bed grade, the width of channel and the extensive nature of overbank storage potential.

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6 Hec-Ras Analysis 6.1 Introduction

First-order estimation of flood plain extent within the Mulga Creek catchment has been undertaken using HEC-RAS, an industry standard, one-dimensional, backwater curve analysis package. The package uses step-wise solution of the energy equation to predict water surface profiles for a range of open-channel flow situations.

It is particularly applicable to the present study, given the detail of available input information and the extent of channel requiring modelling.

HEC-RAS requires, as input, data defining channel cross-sectional shape, roughness and flowrate, to enable it to predict water surface levels associated with the flow.

Preparation of a Digital Terrain Model (DTM), using satellite imagery, has enabled the definition of the landform, from which cross-sections can be taken. However it is the case that the degree of accuracy of contour information to closely define the flowpath channel is relatively coarse. As a consequence predicted water surface levels are sufficient for planning purposes, however it must be expected that actual events may vary significantly from these levels.

Provided account is taken to ensure that any construction within predicted floodplains is located beyond the channel of any flowpath, and is able to withstand expected velocities across the overbank area, floodplain maps derived from such an analysis will provide valuable information.

It is noted that flooding associated with Paralana Creek is largely contained to the area outside the Mineral Lease. However, to allow for the effect of additional flow occurring downstream of the confluence of Paralana Creek and Mulga Creek, and the consequent increase in predicted water surface that would occur in Mulga Creek as a result of greater water depth downstream of the confluence, the estimated flow in Paralana Creek has been assessed and incorporated into the HEC-RAS model.

6.2 Cross-sectional information

To undertake the HEC-RAS analysis, development of cross-sectional information along flowpaths of interest is necessary. Contour information, drawn from a DTM of the site, was used to identify cross- section locations, as well as to prepare the cross-sectional shape itself.

In conjunction with this, a visual inspection of much of the Mineral Lease area, and areas to the south, was undertaken, to confirm assumptions regarding channel roughness and form.

A series of digital photographs were obtained to allow office-based assessment of general roughness.

Cross-sections are generally located at points of major flow change, such as significant bends, and at relatively regular intervals along individual creek lines.

Figure 4 shows the location of all cross-sections taken.

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Once cross-sectional information is extracted from the DTM, a visual check is made of the resulting profiles, to determine any irregularities, prior to entering information into the HEC-RAS program. On the basis of the site inspection and review of photographs, a single roughness value of 0.05 has been selected to apply across the full cross-section, reflecting the stone-lined nature of the upper part of the catchment, and the winding and vegetated nature of the lower parts of the catchment.

Review of Figure 4 indicates that cross-sections have been taken along the full length of Mulga Creek main channel and tributaries, extending to the western boundary of the Mineral Lease. Paralana Creek has been analysed for the length contained within the Mineral Lease boundary, extending to the eastern boundary of the Lease, beyond the confluence of the two Creeks.

6.3 HEC-RAS Modelling

With the input of cross-sectional information, flow data has been entered to the model, which was simulated for both the 1 in 10 year ARI and the 1 in 100 year ARI events.

Flood plain maps have been prepared for both events; Figure 6 for the 1 in 10 year ARI event and Figure 7 for the 1 in 100 year ARI event. In addition, Figure 5 combines the two floodplain extents, to allow comparison of the additional extent of flooding associated with the 1 in 100 year ARI flood.

It is noted, by analysis of Figure 5, that the extents of flooding are quite similar, indicating that the increased flow depth associated with the larger flow, does not result in a significantly greater extent of flooding.

During simulation runs, it was observed that the HEC-RAS program identified, as a result of large energy changes at cross-sections, the need for additional cross-sections. Given the nature of the input information, it was decided to use the interpolation feature of the program, rather than extract further sections from the DTM. This approach is supported by the on-site assessment, where it was observed that changes in cross-section occurred gradually, rather than abruptly, which is reflected in the interpolation between two adjacent sections occurring as a gradual change from one section to the next.

This process was found to resolve the internal warnings.

6.4 HEC-RAS Results

Of interest is both the extent of flooding, as shown on the floodplain maps, and the velocity of flow occurring during a flood event.

Summary tables from the two HEC-RAS model runs are included in Appendix D for reference. These tables show the predicted water surface level at each cross-section, the analysed flowrate and the predicted average flow velocity.

It should be noted, with regard to velocity, that the average velocity represents an average taken over the full cross-section. It can be expected, particularly in the event of overbank flow, that the velocity in the

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channel proper will be higher than in the overbank flow. Therefore the velocities tabulated in Appendix D would be expected to be in excess of the velocity that would be experienced on the bank of the channel.

However, review of the predicted results shows that maximum average velocity is approximately 1.3 m/sec at one location, with the majority of velocities less than 1 m/sec for both the 1 in 10 year ARI and the 1 in 100 year ARI flood events.

6.5 Accuracy of Results

It has been noted that some uncertainty exists in the prediction of both flowrates used in the HEC-RAS modelling, as well as in the determination of cross-sectional information along flow paths. However, it is apparent from comparison of the predicted water surfaces for both the 1 in 10 year and the 1 in 100 year ARI events, that a significant increase in flow (more than 100%) results in only a small increase in predicted inundation area.

It can be expected that this principle will extend to flows in excess of the 1 in 100 year flood flow, due to the flat, wide nature of the overbank region. Significant increase in flow can be accommodated with small increase in water depth.

It should also be noted that the large increase in flow between the 1 in 10 year and the 1 in 100 year ARI events also produced only a small increase in average velocity. Again this principle can be expected to extend for flows in excess of the 1 in 100 year ARI flow.

6.6 Comments on resultant flood risk

In assessing the impact of predicted flood risk on potential operations within the floodplain, recognition must be made of the likelihood of a flood event occurring. For example, if activities are to be located within a floodplain for a period of 12 months only, such as URS understands is the case for piping and extraction equipment associated with the In-situ Leaching (ISL) process, a lower flood standard may be appropriate. Over a 12–month period, the probability of operations within the 100 year floodplain being inundated is 1%, while within a 1 in 10 year ARI floodplain it is 10%.

However operational facilities that are to remain in one place for a much longer period, for example 15 years, would be exposed to a higher level of probability of inundation if located within a floodplain. Within a 1 in 100 year floodplain, a facility with a 15 year life would have a probability of 14% of being inundated, which although still unlikely, is clearly higher.

Consideration of risk should also be tempered with consequence of inundation. As has been discussed, flow velocities within the floodplain, be it either the 1 in 10 year or 1 in 100 year ARI floodplain, are relatively low; generally 1 m/sec or less. Provided design of equipment was able to sustain flow of such a velocity, location of equipment within the 1 in 10 year floodplain for 12 month periods could be considered appropriate, with more long-term equipment located beyond the 1 in 10 year ARI floodplain.

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7 References

1 B. C. Tonkin and Associates (1998), Surface water hydrology study for the Beverley Mineral Lease Site in South Australia, June, 1998

2 Australian Rainfall and Runoff, The Institution of Engineers, Australia, 1987

3 Kemp, D. J. (1993), Generalised RORB Parameters for Southern , Central and , WATERCOMP, The Institute of Engineers, Melbourne, 1993

4 AMDEL (1982), South Australian Uranium Corporation – Beverley Uranium Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement, July, 1982

5 Laurenson and Mein (1990), RORB Version 4 – Runoff Routing Program User Manual, Monash University, 1990

6 Bureau of Meteorology (2006), South Australian Climate Data website

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8 Limitations URS Australia Pty Ltd (URS) has prepared this report in accordance with the usual care and thoroughness of the consulting profession for the use of Heathgate Resources P/L and only those third parties who have been authorised in writing by URS to rely on the report. It is based on generally accepted practices and standards at the time it was prepared. No other warranty, expressed or implied, is made as to the professional advice included in this report. It is prepared in accordance with the scope of work and for the purpose outlined in the Proposal dated December, 2005.

The methodology adopted and sources of information used by URS are outlined in this report. URS has made no independent verification of this information beyond the agreed scope of works and URS assumes no responsibility for any inaccuracies or omissions. No indications were found during our investigations that information contained in this report as provided to URS was false.

This report was prepared between March and May, 2006 and is based on the conditions encountered and information reviewed at the time of preparation. URS disclaims responsibility for any changes that may have occurred after this time.

This report should be read in full. No responsibility is accepted for use of any part of this report in any other context or for any other purpose or by third parties. This report does not purport to give legal advice. Legal advice can only be given by qualified legal practitioners.

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SUPPORTING REPORT C

Hydrogeology

FINAL REPORT

EL 3251 HYDROGEOLOGY STUDY BEVERLEY URANIUM MINE

OCTOBER 2007

FOR

URS Australia Pty Ltd

FLOW ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PTY LTD ACN 089 767 279

PO Box 3358 Norwood SA 5067 T: + 61 8 8333 0870 F: + 61 8 8431 4628 EL 3251 HYDROGEOLOGY STUDY BEVERLEY URANIUM MINE

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Flow Environmental Management was engaged by Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd to undertake a desktop study of the local and regional hydrogeology of the Beverley Mine Exploration Lease 3251 (EL3251). This ‘Technical Report’ report will act as a basis to support any environmental approval documentation required for an additional mining lease within EL3251 (the study area).

This report provides the details of a desktop study of the hydrogeological characteristics of the study area and updates the hydrogeological assessment of the June 1998 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the current mine operation. A large part of the regional geological discussion in the EIS remains valid for the study area. Therefore, the hydrogeological setting discussion is primarily sourced from the EIS but also includes revisions of the conceptual understanding and detailed evaluation of water level observations, which has been collected since the commencement of monitoring in 2001.

The Beverley uranium deposit is located within the western Frome Embayment region where groundwater occurs in several separate aquifer systems (from deepest to shallowest): x Mt Painter Complex and other fractured rock aquifers (Proterozoic); x Great Artesian Basin (GAB) aquifer - the Cadna-Owie Sandstones (Mesozoic); x Eyre Formation - blanket and palaeochannel sands which are not thought to be extensively developed at Beverley (Tertiary); x Namba Formation aquifers - Beverley and Alpha, Beta and Gamma Sands (Tertiary); and, x Willawortina Formation and younger aquifers - conglomerates and poorly sorted sands in clays, and those aquifers in the younger stream sediments, which have been incised into the Willawortina Formation (Tertiary and Quaternary). x Between and within each of these aquifers are aquitards.

New exploration drilling and re-interpretation of old drilling data have led to the recognition of a more complex pattern of channel sands than that outlined in the EIS.

In plan view, several new mineralised zones, referred to as “trends” have been described: x Northeast sands lying immediately to the east of the North Beverley Orezone and trending towards the east. This sand body has been tested for continuity with Beverley North and found to be essentially a separate sand lens surrounded by sits and clays. x Beverley East trend, which extends from the eastern side of the Central Beverley Orezone in a position, which approximately coincides with the projected Central Channel shown in EIS Figure 6.4. x Deep South area with two essentially north-south trending mineralised sands, including: 1. Russell trend, which lies to the east of a southerly extrapolation of the Beverley South Orezone (roughly coinciding with the South channel shown on EIS Figure 6.4); and 2. Poontanna trend, which lies approximately one km west of the Russell trend and over three km south of the current mine lease (ML) boundary.

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In vertical profile, drilling below the Alpha Mudstone (which lies below the Beverley Sand) has revealed a series of mineralised sequences of sand, separated by mudstones and grading laterally into silts/clays. These sands have been designated Alpha, Beta and Gamma sands and the intervening mudstones bear the name of the underlying sand zone. Thus the stratigraphic sequence, where fully developed consists from top downwards of: x Beverley Sand; x Alpha Mudstone; x Alpha Sand; x Beta Mudstone; x Beta Sand; x Gamma Mudstone; x Gamma Sand; x Delta Mudstone; x Delta Sand; x Lower Namba Carbonate; and x Eyre Formation.

Since the commencement of mining operations, a series of monitoring wells have been installed within and near the boundaries of the channel sand deposits, predominately within the current mining lease boundary. The majority of these wells intersect the Beverley Sand aquifer, providing a very good spatial distribution for understanding the water level responses in this aquifer. These wells are either screened within the sand body of the orezone or within low permeability silty-clay sediments at the margins of the channel sands, both laterally and vertically. A total of eight wells have been screened across the Alpha Sand aquifer. In addition, a number of wells intersect the overlying Willawortina Formation. Gauging information pertaining to these wells is available from 2001. Three wells have been installed within the southern portion of the EL3251. For two of these wells, gauging records since early 2005 are available for the assessment of temporal trends. Apart from these three wells, the hydrogeological setting for the study area is primarily sourced from the EIS.

Water levels measured in the Namba Formation, prior to the commencement of the 1997 round of groundwater pumping activities at Beverley (the method of mining), were approximately 60 m below ground level, at elevation levels of 17.74 m (+/-0.16 m) AHD. These levels may be taken to represent the undisturbed groundwater levels within the palaeochannel sands. The recorded levels within the aquifer infer a very low hydraulic gradient, indicative of a low potential for groundwater flow. More recent water level data observed at monitoring wells outside the boundaries of the orezones and the current mining lease area indicate static water levels, which are not considered to be influenced by mining activities. A detailed review of the temporal water level trends within the current mining lease area and near the mining zones has identified the following key findings: x Water levels of wells intersecting the low permeability sediments show a slow water level recovery back to pre-mine baseline levels following well development and routine groundwater sampling. This slow recovery process has been observed within the wells intersecting the low permeability silt-clay sediments of the aquitards within the different mineralised sand aquifers.

C:\Project\fem\fem0561- beverley\reporting\ConceptualModelRepOct07\Beverley CHM Oct07 Final.doc Page ii EL 3251 HYDROGEOLOGY STUDY BEVERLEY URANIUM MINE x Wells intersecting the Beverley sand aquifer respond rapidly to on-going mining activities. x Pumping tests and groundwater level observations have been used to determine the hydraulic connection between North, Central and South Orezones. Based on these observations, the North Beverley Orezone is considered to be poorly hydraulically connected with the Central Beverley Orezones but a higher degree of hydraulic connection exists between the South and Central Beverley Orezones. x Water level responses to mining correlate with the inferred geological boundaries of the channel sand deposits and can be used to confirm these boundaries.

The existing mine Environmental Monitoring Management Plan (EMMP) was based on the known extent of the Beverley Channel Sands at the time of the commencement of mining. As new mineralised zones have been discovered and developed, changes to the monitoring well layout have been progressively approved but not consolidated within the EMMP documentation on a regular basis. The Beverley mining leases currently operate under three sets of legislation, each requiring a planning document. The three documents currently submitted are: x EMMP; x Mining and Rehabilitation Plan; and x Radioactive Waste Monitoring Plan.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

1 INTRODUCTION ...... 8

2 OUTLINE OF HYDROGEOLOGY...... 10 2.1 Groundwater Monitoring Network ...... 12 2.1.1 Regional Groundwater Wells ...... 12 2.1.2 Groundwater Monitoring Wells at Beverley...... 12 2.2 Mr Painter Complex Hydrogeology ...... 15 2.3 Great Artesian Basin...... 15 2.4 Eyre Formation ...... 17 2.5 Namba Formation ...... 18 2.5.1 Lower Namba Formation (Alpha Mudstone Sequence) ...... 23 2.5.2 Upper Namba Formation (Beverley Sands and Beverley Clay) ...... 25 2.6 Willawortina Formation...... 30

3 BEVERLEY PALAEOCHANNELS ...... 37 3.1 Palaeochannels Geometry...... 37 3.2 Faulting Near the Beverley Palaeochannels ...... 40 3.3 The Beverley Palaeochannels ...... 40 3.4 Confining Beds for Mineralised Zones ...... 44 3.4.1 Beverley Clay and Alpha Mudstone Confinement...... 44 3.4.2 Intra-formational Confinement...... 45

4 REGIONAL AND DISTRICT GROUNDWATER QUALITY ...... 49 4.1 Regional Groundwater Quality Data Sources ...... 49 4.2 Groundwater Quality in the "Shallow" Aquifer of the Flinders Ranges and Plains...... 49 4.3 Groundwater Quality in the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) Aquifer ...... 52 4.4 Groundwater Quality in the Baseline Study Area...... 53 4.5 Groundwater Quality in Beverley Site Aquifers ...... 61 4.5.1 Willawortina Formation...... 61 4.5.2 Namba Formation ...... 63 4.6 Radionuclides in Potential Water Supplies...... 64

5 GROUNDWATER FLOW, INTERCHANGE AND DISCHARGE ...... 67 5.1 Regional Patterns ...... 67 5.2 Beverley Aquifers...... 69

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6 CONCEPTUAL MODEL OF THE BEVERLEY AQUIFER SYSTEM ...... 72

7 REFERENCES ...... 75

FIGURES

Figure 1: The Study Area

Figure 2: Location of Registered Groundwater Wells within Approximately 25 km Radius of the Study Area

Figure 3: Location of Beverley Mine Monitoring Wells

Figure 4: Location of GAB Bores

Figure 5: Cross Sections

Figure 6: Beverley Sand Baseline Water Levels

Figure 7: Alpha Mudstone Surface with Schematic Geological Cross Sections

Figure 8: Upper Namba Formation (Beverley Sand and Lateral Silt Equivalent Wells) Local Water Levels (m AHD) – June 2005

Figure 9: Upper Namba Formation (Beverley Sand) Local Water Levels (m AHD) – June 2005

Figure 10: Upper Namba Formation – Selected Hydrographs

Figure 11: Location of Water Wells

Figure 12: Willawortina Formation Regional Water Levels (in m AHD) – Pre-Mine

Figure 13: Willawortina Formation Local Water Levels (m AHD) – July 2006

Figure 14: Location of Poontana Fault Zone

Figure 15: Poontana Fault Zone

Figure 16: Water Level Trends of Wells Intersecting Low Permeability Sediments and Wells Intersecting The Beverley Sand Sediments

Figure 17: Regional Salinity Data for Hard Rock Aquifers

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Figure 18: Regional Salinity Data for the Willawortina Formation

Figure 19: Regional Variation in Groundwater Salinity with Depth, Willawortina Formation

Figure 20: Groundwater Salinity Distribution, Baseline Study Area

Figure 21: Groundwater pH Distribution, Baseline Study Area

Figure 22: Uranium in Baseline Study Area Shallow Aquifer Water Samples

Figure 23: Distribution of Uranium Concentrations in Baseline Study Area Shallow Aquifers

Figure 24: Distribution of Radium Concentrations in Baseline Study Area Shallow Aquifers

Figure 25: Distribution of Radon Concentrations in Baseline Study Area Shallow Aquifers

Figure 26: Willawortina Formation Local Electrical Conductivity Observations (mS/cm)

Figure 27: Beverley Formation Local Electrical Conductivity Observations (mS/cm), July 2006

Figure 28: Regional Groundwater Flows

Figure 29: Conceptual Model in Vicinity of Beverley Channels

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TABLES

Table 1: Summary of Groundwater Analytical Results...... 11

Table 2: Stock Wells and Springs ...... 32

Table 3: Aquifer Test Data, Willawortina Formation...... 34

Table 4: A Namba Formation Aquifer Hydrological Parameter Values ...... 42

Table 5: North East Pumping Test Results ...... 44

Table 6: Water Quality in GAB Bores...... 53

Table 7: Radionuclides in Surface Waters ...... 66

APPENDICES

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1 INTRODUCTION

Flow Environmental Management was engaged by Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd to undertake a desktop study of the local and regional hydrogeology of the Beverley Mine Exploration Lease 3251 (EL3251). The site is located on the arid plains between the North Flinders Ranges and Lake Frome, approximately 600 km north of Adelaide. This ‘Technical Report’ will act as a basis to support any environmental approval documentation required for an additional mining lease within EL3251 (the study area, Figure 1).

The report provides details of a desktop study of the hydrogeological characteristics of the study area and updates the hydrogeological assessment of the June 1998 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the current mine operation. A large part of the regional geological discussion in the EIS remains valid for the study area. Therefore, the hydrogeological setting discussion is primarily sourced from the EIS but also includes revisions of the conceptual understanding and detailed evaluation of water level observations, which have been collected since the commencement of monitoring in 2001.

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Figure 1: The Study Area

Source: URS (2007)

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2 OUTLINE OF HYDROGEOLOGY

Within the western Frome Embayment region, the major hydrogeological system in which the Beverley deposit is located, groundwater occurs in several separate aquifer systems (from deepest to shallowest):

x Mt Painter Complex and other fractured rock aquifers (Proterozoic);

x Great Artesian Basin (GAB) aquifer - the Cadna-Owie Sandstones (Mesozoic);

x Eyre Formation - blanket and palaeochannel sands which are not thought to be present at Beverley (Tertiary);

x Namba Formation aquifers- Beverley and Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta Sediments (Tertiary); and,

x Willawortina Formation and younger aquifers - conglomerates and poorly sorted sands in clays, and those aquifers in the younger stream sediments, which have been incised into the Willawortina Formation (Tertiary and Quaternary). These systems are considered as a single unit in this text.

Between and within each of the aquifers are aquitards. The complete stratigraphy is shown in Table 1.

In the following sections the aquifer sequence is described, with emphasis on those potentially affected by the proposed mining, the Namba Formation and Willawortina Formation aquifers.

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Table 1: Summary of Groundwater Analytical Results

Time Units * Symbol Unit Description Modern stream deposits. Intermittently reworked Qha1 Sands and Gravels Holocene sands, gravels and cobbles. Qhe2 Simpson Sand Modern dune system of the Strzelecki Desert. Late Pleistocene to Flat low-lying clayey sand plains. Qec Coonarbine Formation

Quaternary Holocene Medial to Late Flat low-lying clayey sand plains with lower part Qpae Eurinilla Formation Pleistocene cemented by gypcrete or calcrete. Sheeted gravels and clayey sands. Forms basic Late Miocene to Early TpQaw Willawortina Formation landscape of uplifted High Plain flanking the Flinders Pleistocene Ranges. Silcrete-Porcellanite-Greybilly, usually local cap Late Eocene to Tsi Undifferentiated Duricrusts rocks to other units in proximity to the Range Front. Palaeocene Multiple ages. Cainozoic Olive Grey swelling clay, dolomite nodules, and Namba Formation-Upper beds, greenish laminated silt and fine sand. Includes Beverley Sands. No exposures.

Tertiary Miocene Topn Olive Grey swelling clay, dolomite nodules, and beds, greenish laminated silt. Includes Alpha, Beta Namba Formation-Lower and Gamma Sands and associated Mudstones at Beverley. Localised dark sandy claystones. No exposures. Uncemented quartz sand, some clay beds, minor Palaeocene- to lignite. Often capped by Tsi. Exposed near ranges Taee Eyre Formation Eocene 25Km north of Beverley, concealed at depth to the east. Clay and silt, lesser sandy lenses. Local exposures in the western portion of the high plains. Concealed Kmb Bulldog Shale at depth to the east.

Knr: Quartz Sandstone, pebbly conglomerates, and Undifferentiated basal channel fill deposits. Local relict outliers in the

Mesozoic Knr Parabarana Sandstone Cretaceous ranges and low relief areas of the western portion of the High Plains.

Time (transgressive) equivalent of Knr. Sandstones, Knc Cadna-Owie Formation basal aquifer to Great Artesian Basin.

Palaeozoic Ordovician Undifferentiated eOdi British Empire Granite Granite, Freeling Heights area. Sandstones, siltstones, shales and limestones, lesser mafic volcanics. - Gammon Ranges Undifferentiated Pn Adelaide Geosyncline Units Neo - Proterozoic

Quartzite, pebble conglomerates, rhyolites:

Proterozoic porphyries and granites. schists and gneiss – Mt. Undifferentiated Pmp Mt. Painter Province Units Painter ~ Mt Neil (Range s due west of Beverley). –Proterozoic –Proterozoic Meso / Palaeo Meso /

* The time units of this table are oldest at the bottom and youngest at the top

Source: Mines and Energy South Australia (MESA), now Department of Primary Industries and Energy Resources SA.

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2.1 Groundwater Monitoring Network

2.1.1 Regional Groundwater Wells

Registered groundwater wells within approximately 25 km radius of the site are shown in Figure 2. The locations have been extracted from the PIRSA groundwater database. The figure also includes the recorded depth, well purpose and observed total dissolved solids. The majority of the registered wells have been drilled to depths less than 100 m below ground level. The current status of the wells is not known and some may have been abandoned.

2.1.2 Groundwater Monitoring Wells at Beverley

Since the commencement of mining operations, a series of monitoring wells have been installed within and near the boundaries of the channel sand deposits, predominately within the current mining lease boundary. Figure 3 shows the location of the groundwater monitoring wells, including the aquifer that the wells are monitoring.

The majority of these wells intersect the Beverley Sand aquifer, providing a very good spatial distribution for understanding the water level responses in this aquifer. These wells are either screened within the sand body of the orezone or within low permeability silty-clay sediments at the margins of the channel sands, both laterally and vertically. A total of eight wells have been screened across the Alpha Sand aquifer. In addition, a number of wells intersect the overlying Willawortina Formation. Gauging information pertaining to these wells is available from 2001.

Three wells (DSMW1, PRC1 and PRC2) have been installed within the southern portion of the EL3251 (Figure 3). For two of these wells, gauging records since early 2005 are available for the assessment of temporal trends. No gauging information is available for PRC1. PRC1 monitors the Beverley Sand aquifer, PRC2 the Beta Sand aquifer and DSMW1 the Willawortina Formation. For the area outside the current mine lease, apart from these monitoring wells, the hydrogeological setting for the study area is primarily sourced from the EIS.

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Figure 2: Location of Registered Groundwater Wells within Approximately 25 km Radius of the Study Area

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Figure 3: Location of Beverley Mine Monitoring Wells

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2.2 Mr Painter Complex Hydrogeology

The Mt Painter Complex and other crystalline rocks of the Flinders Ranges comprise fractured rock aquifers with the highest yields near to faults, where most springs occur (Ker 1966). Recharge is by limited direct infiltration from rainfall. Water quality is variable, from less than 1,000 mg/L to more than 10,000 mg/L Total Dissolved Solids (TDS). The water table in the fractured rock system, though variable, is the highest in the western Frome Embayment region. Discharge occurs into the numerous ephemeral creeks and along the range front at springs, such as Paralana Hot Springs. Discharge probably occurs also by under flow into the sedimentary aquifers of the Frome plains where these directly overlie or abut the fractured rocks.

2.3 Great Artesian Basin

The Lake Frome Embayment is identified as a discharge area for water from the GAB aquifer system. In the basin in general, pressure declines to the west and south, away from the recharge areas in and Queensland (Habermehl 1980, Callen 1981b). Discharge is from identifiable point sources (the mound springs) and from other dispersed leakages through the overlying Bulldog Shale, particularly where it thins towards the basin margin. Water lost from the GAB aquifer by diffuse upward vertical leakage enters aquifers higher in the sequence and is eventually lost to evaporation, which is the principal discharge mechanism of the Lake Frome region.

There are no mound springs close to the Beverley Project. The nearest mound springs are on the Lake Frome bed, and north of on the northern fringe of the Flinders Ranges (Boyd 1990). The water source of the nearer Paralana Hot Springs appears to be local recharge from the Flinders Ranges. The head in the GAB system is less than 100 m Australian Height Datum (AHD) to the west of Lake Frome and the potentiometric surface exhibits a broad depression, centred on Lake Frome, due to the influence of springs and flowing bores.

The Cadna-Owie Formation is the only GAB aquifer present in the area to the west of Lake Frome.

Seismic data and drilling appear to confirm the continuity of the Cadna-Owie Formation beneath the Beverley site and the Cadna-Owie Formation is thought to be the aquifer intersected in the Four-Mile Flowing Bore (“Camp Bore”) at Beverley. The aquifer exceeds 19 m thickness in Camp Bore and flowed at 5 L/s with a shut in head equivalent to approximately 90 mAHD and a temperature of 50 degrees celsius. It is regionally a moderate salinity groundwater source being approximately 2200 mg/L TDS at Camp Bore.

A new GAB water supply well (GAB 3, refer to Figure 4) was drilled in 1999 within the current mining lease. This well is used to provide feedwater to the RO Plant to provide

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potable water for the camp supply and in the plant as make-up water at a TDS of 2050 mg/L.

The Cadna-Owie Formation is capped regionally by the Bulldog Shale (Marree Subgroup). The Bulldog Shale may be absent or thin in the Camp Bore intersection, being replaced with the Lower Namba Formation, a major aquitard. The vertical separation between the GAB aquifer and the Beverley mineralised zone aquifer horizon exceeds 100 m at Camp Bore and 194m (including 116 m of Bulldog Shale) at the new water supply well.

Recent exploration drilling on the Poontana Trend has intersected a sequence of Cretaceous sediments, which have now been identified (palynology) as Bulldog Shale overlying Cadna-Owie Sands. These units can be seen in Figure 5 section E – E’ below about 145m in Drillhole PR106 which is located on the upthrow side of the Poontana Fault. Several exploration holes on the upthrown side of the fault have penetrated at least part of the Creatceous sequence. These holes include PR106, PR104, PR102, PR074, PR073, PR063, and PR072, PR071, PR051 and PR0070.

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Figure 4: Location of GAB Bores

2.4 Eyre Formation

The Eyre Formation is not thought to be well represented in the stratigraphic column at Beverley. However, regionally it comprises a blanket sand over the central and western Frome Embayment margins (Callen 1977, Waterhouse and Beal 1978). The Eyre

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Formation is the host aquifer for uranium deposits within palaeochannels in the southern portion of the Frome Embayment (eg. the Honeymoon Deposit).

Water in the Eyre Formation is generally of poor stock water quality or worse, and it is an aquifer of last resort where better quality water cannot be found in shallow aquifers near by. The salinity range of Eyre Formation water is 3,000 to 10,000 mg/L for wells 45 km to 85 km south of Beverley.

2.5 Namba Formation

Drilling by Heathgate has included the installation of several new observation wells in the Namba Formation. The location of these wells is shown in Figure 3. Hydrographs since the commencement of gauging are presented in Appendix 1.

Figure 5 presents a number of cross sections showing the surface elevation of the Namba Formation sediments.

Water levels measured in the Namba Formation, prior to the commencement of the 1997 round of pumping activities at Beverley, were approximately 60 m below ground level, at Elevation Levels of 17.74 m (+/-0.16 m) AHD.

The baseline water levels were measured in the Central area in March 1997 after the aquifers had lain undisturbed since the mid-1980s. A series of water levels recorded in the RM series of holes at the same time fall within the same range and includes holes RM1 from the North area to RM7 in the South area (Figure 6). These levels may be taken to represent the undisturbed water levels within the palaeochannel sands.

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Figure 5: Cross Sections

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2.5.1 Lower Namba Formation (Alpha Mudstone Sequence)

The Lower Namba Formation unit is widespread, comprises black clays and confines the Eyre Formation regionally and the Cadna-Owie Formation where Eyre Formation is absent. At Beverley, recent drilling penetrating the Lower Namba Formation has revealed a more complex sequence than previously described.

The surface topography of the Alpha mudstone is illustrated in Figure 7 together with several stylised cross sections showing the entrenched nature of the Beverley channels (Figure 5).

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Figure 6: Beverley Sand Baseline Water Levels

EK KEY RE

C 366000mE Bore Location

B3 Sand Water 17.86 Levels RM series (m AHD) ILE FOUR M

Existing Track

Drainage Line

RL Boundary

17.86 RL24

RL23 6660000mN

17.63

17.77

J E N 17.84 N Y

17.89

C R E E 17.59 K

RL22

RL21 6658000mN

17.58

17.65 0 250 500 metres  364000mE

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Figure 7: Alpha Mudstone Surface with Schematic Geological Cross Sections

In the vicinity of the Beverely Channel the Alpha Mudstone sequence contains several older lenticular sand zones, which have been designated Alpha, Beta and Gamma in order of increasing depth below the base of the Beverley Sand. These sands are believed to be associated with former strand lines of a proto Lake Frome and each sand is underlain by a similar dark clay layer (Figure 5). In Camp Bore the unit exceeds 100 m in thickness and in GAB3 within the existing mining lease, a thickness of 78m was intersected. The geological section shows the unit to thicken somewhat to the east from Camp Bore.

2.5.2 Upper Namba Formation (Beverley Sands and Beverley Clay)

Callen (1977) has identified the Upper Unit of the Namba Formation over a wide area of the Frome Embayment. Regionally it comprises clays and silts within subordinate thin, fine-grained sand beds. The Namba Formation is not generally considered to comprise a significant aquifer and accordingly, there is no regional quantitative assessment of its hydraulic properties. The sands of the Upper Unit, wherever they do occur, are capped by a clay (Callen 1975, 1977). The deposition of the clay capping concluded sedimentation in the Namba Formation.

At Beverley, there are three sub-units identifiable within Callen’s Upper Unit where there is a thickening in the palaeochannel. These comprise:

x Beverley Clay;

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x Beverley Silt;

x Beverley Sands up to three sand units with silty lateral equivalents separated by finer grained interbeds.

Figure 8 shows computer drawn water level contours for the Upper Namba Formation, which includes the wells intersecting both the Beverley sands and their lateral silty/clay equivalents. The potentiometric surface shown in Figure 8 suggests a spatial hydraulic gradient variation across the unit. The steep gradients reflect the extremely low hydraulic conductivity of the silts/clays intersected by the wells located along the margins of the channels (i.e. lateral confinement due to facies changes from sand to silt/clay within the same stratigraphic horizon). Exclusion of the wells intersecting the low permeability silts and clays outside the channel proper, shows a plateau-like area of elevated pressures within the channel with a very low hydraulic gradient, indicative of a low potential for groundwater flow as shown in Figure 9.

In the immediate vicinity of Beverley, water level fluctuations (Appendix 1) are variable with time associated with mining activities. Selected wells showing the water level fluctuations are presented as Figure 10. Compared to the baseline water levels, the observed water levels show a response to mining activity for the wells intersecting the Beverley sands. Water levels of wells intersecting the low permeability sediments show a slow water level recovery back to pre-mine baseline levels following well development and routine groundwater sampling. Water level data observed at monitoring wells outside the boundaries of the orezones and the current mining lease area indicate static water levels, which are not considered to be influenced by mining activities.

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Figure 8: Upper Namba Formation (Beverley Sand and Lateral Silt Equivalent Wells) Local Water Levels (m AHD) – June 2005

Note: Density correction not applied

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Figure 9: Upper Namba Formation (Beverley Sand) Local Water Levels (m AHD) – June 2005

Note: Density correction not applied

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Figure 10: Upper Namba Formation – Selected Hydrographs

Well Intersecting Beverley Sands – Outside Channel Sand Deposit

Well Intersecting Beverley Sands

Well Intersecting Beverley Silts/Clays

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2.6 Willawortina Formation

There are over twenty stock watering wells of relatively low yield within the area shown in Figure 11, which appear to be drawing water from the Willawortina Formation. For those within 15 km of the Beverley site, the reported static water level (SWL) varies from 4 to 40 m, with an average of 19 m (Table 2).

A reconstruction of the regional Willawortina Formation potentiometric surface is presented in Figure 12, which is derived from the water level observations of Ker (1966), which were reported in feet, and includes the undisturbed pre-mining water level observed at the Central FLT site (16.2 m) for comparison. The general gradient is towards the discharge area of Lake Frome to the southwest at approximately 0.5 m per km.

Stock bores are deliberately sited where the prospects of obtaining better quality water at shallow depths are improved, particularly along the banks of the incised creeks which cross the western Frome region from west to east. Consequently they may tap more recent creek channel deposits rather than the Willawortina Formation, in the strict sense, but these are considered to comprise the recharge sources for the Willawortina Formation, and will be considered as integral with it.

The Willawortina Formation at Beverley has been shown from cuttings logs, downhole geophysics and the observation well data to comprise a number of thin aquifers separated by clay layers. The Formation extends from the surface to a depth of approximately 100 m. The suggested geological environment would lead to the deposition of sheet-like over-bank deposits and immature alluvial channel fill. Such environments produce multi-layered, poorly interconnected aquifers in which the permeability, while variable, is usually low as a consequence of the poorly sorted nature of the aquifer sands.

Pre-mining results are included in Table 2. The piezometric data show the formation to be saturated below about 60 m depth. Airlifted yields range from 0.001 to 0.3 L/s, which are extremely low for material classified as an aquifer. Aquifer property data for the Willartina Formation are presented in Table 3.

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Figure 11: Location of Water Wells

BOX KEY BORE

Ore Outline

Retention Lease Boundary

Existing Tracks YAGDLIN E N DAM I NORTH

PEL POONTANA I Public Road P WELL

AS G NORTH Bore E POONTANA D

AI BORE

EL

PAPIKIN WELL PEPEGOONA AD MOUNT PAINTER BORE PA-

SANCTUARY EAL G K D EE I A CR G

E IL M SECTION PARALANA FOUR SOUTH HOT SPRINGS POONTANA BORE OLOGICAL NORTH A GE MULGA BORE NORTH MULGA

OLD PARALANA HS

MULGA CHRISTMAS CREEK WELL WELL RAM BORE EL 1944 BUXTON BORE

PARALANA OS CHRISTMAS BORE

CAMP 3 NORTH ARKAROOLA BORE MUNGAROONIE SANDRIDGE BORE BORE

JOHN BROWN WELL LAKE SOUTH BELL ARKAROOLA BORE URANDA WELL WOODNAMOKA HADLOW MULGA PARK WELL WELL BORE

CALDINA NEW BORE WOOLTANA HS NO. 12 BORE

ROBERTS WELL

MUNYALLINA COCKATOO DAM EWAROONA BORE BORE CALDINA WELL BROOKS BORE LAKE WOODLAWOODLANA FROME BORE BROOKS DAM

ACACIA PARK BORE 036 kilometres 

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Table 2: Stock Wells and Springs

WELL ID WELL NAME TOTAL DEPTH SWL TDS RADIONUCLIDES (Ker 1966) (Ker1966) (m) (m **) *(mg/L) U µg/L Ra Bq/L 23 Paralana Hot 1058 (n=5) 16 (n=4) 14 (n=7) Springs 25 Box Bore 49 14 758 (n=3) 34 Pepegoona Bore 75 21 1072 29 20 36 South Poontana 27 15 8080 Bore 37 Poontana Bore 516 46 Mulga Ck Well and 110 27 1010 96 26 Bore 47 North Mulga Bore 42 30 1495 34 40 49 Buxton Bore 2616 53 Mungaroonie Bore 37 24 799 69 99.5 54 Christmas Well 23 4 3084 81 34.3 and Bore 55 Sandridge Bore 26 18 2845 119 36.7 67 Mulga Park Bore 39 4 3850 121 Ram Bore 29 15 6504 13.5 0.05 133 On Wooltana 34 4758 Station 134 Nth Poontana Well 23 13 6661 136 Tea Tree Bore 2893 0.05 5.6 138 John Brown Bore 44 40 1515 20.5 4.8 Munyallina Creek 3.7 0.018

Note: Unspecified method of determination ** metres below ground level (n=5) etc: value shown is average from n analyses.

Source: Armstrong(1998)

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Figure 12: Willawortina Formation Regional Water Levels (in m AHD) – Pre-Mine 380000mE 390000mE 400000mE 7.9 15.5 KEY 6680000mN 20.0 15.0 10.0 Bore Site 12.5 14.6 Water Level (m AHD)

Track 22.25

20.4 18.9 14.6 6670000mN

20.0 19.2

12.3 15.0 13.4 4.9 15.1

10.0 6660000mN 16.2 10.0

5.0 10.6 8.8

20.0 25.0

12.5 6650000mN

10.0 15.0 7.6 13.7 15.8 9.0

5.0

16.5 6640000mN

4.6 9.8 LAKE FROME 3.0

11.6 4.6 8.3

0 3 6 370000mE kilometres 

Source: Armstrong(1998)

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Table 3: Aquifer Test Data, Willawortina Formation

BOREHOLE SCREEN (m) TEST AIRLIFT K (m/d) TDS (mg/L) SWL (m **) COMMENTS SOURCE (L/s) 37/04 84.5 - 90.5 Airlift 0.001 - 2,400* 65.56 No AGC (1981) connection to aquifer 38/07 80 - 86 Airlift 0.002 0.1 6,800 62.57 Insufficient AGC (1984) development Table A2(a) ? VSH1 Various79- Falling Head - 0.1 - 1.8 17,250 65.08(Av.) 5 zones AGC (1982) 100.5 tested VSHI drilled with Cable Tool Rig WC30 Falling Head- - - No C&H (Report connection to A79/1-2 May aquifer 1973, Fig 5) W143 Falling Head- - - No connection to aquifer W200 Falling Head- - - No connection to aquifer W201 Falling Head- - - No connection to aquifer WC35 - - - - No flow - well not completed H29C 94.6-101.6 Airlift - 14700 65.12 Impossible to analyze due to slow recovery and H34 90.0-93.0 Airlift 0.3 - 4090 56.27 interference from other H35 90.0-93.0 Airlift 0.04 - 4443 56.31 works H38 87.8-90.3 Airlift - 3585 NA H39 88.0-91.0 Airlift 0.015 - 3280 NA H42 89.0-92.0 Airlift 0.2 - 4170 55.75

Notes:

* This analysis may be incorrect, as its SO4-- value is anomalously low and the piezometer is reported not to be in communication with an aquifer.

** Metres below ground level NA Not available C&H Coffey and Hollingsworth

Source : Armstrong(1998)

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Drilling by Heathgate has included the installation of several new observation wells in the Willawortina Formation. The location of these wells is shown in Figure 3. Water level trends for the wells monitoring the Willawortina Formation are shown in Appendix 1. Figure 13 shows computer drawn water level contours for this aquifer (wells that have been screened above the Namba Formation have been considered to be representative of the Willawortina Formation). The inferred flow direction is towards the south-east with a steeper gradient at North Beverley compared to Central and South Beverley.

In the immediate vicinity of Beverley water level fluctuations (Appendix 1) are variable with time associated with recharge to the uppermost permeable zone. The highest fluctuations are typically observed along the major creeks to the north and south of the deposit.

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Figure 13: Willawortina Formation Local Water Levels (m AHD) – July 2006

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3 BEVERLEY PALAEOCHANNELS

3.1 Palaeochannels Geometry

Extensive exploratory drilling, carried out since the opening of the Beverley Uranium Mine has revealed a series of sand lenses, most of which appear to occupy depressions in the surface of the Alpha Mudstone and in similar positions with respect to the Beta and Gamma Mudstones lying deeper in the sequence. These “channels” are thought to be the expression of a series of fluvio-lacustrine sedimentary cycles within the region. Each cycle is interpreted at present to have been deposited during a single rise and fall of lake level in the proto-Lake Frome, in response to climatic fluctuations. Together they comprise the depositional system responsible for the sedimentary and facies architecture of the Beverley Region.

The nomenclature at the Beverley Mine has been extended in order to accommodate this new concept, and the stratigraphy now comprises the Beverley, Alpha, Beta, Gamma and Delta Sequences. The Alpha Sequence corresponds to the regionally distinctive horizon referred to by previous authors as the Alpha Mudstone (or Lower Member), occurring immediately beneath the main mineralised horizon at Beverley.

In addition to the originally described North, Central and South Beverley sand lenses that were originally thought to be separate bodies of sand but are now understood to be to some degree hydraulically interconnected, the following sand bodies have been delineated:

x Northeast Beverley – extending from close to MW013 to the current ML boundary where it is monitored by MW046 to MW050.

x Beverley East – extending from the east side of the Central Beverley sand body in a direction slightly east of southeast then swinging towards the south and again to the south east outside the current ML boundary. This sand body is identifiable as the Central Channel in the EIS (Figure 14).

x Deep South – two trends have been recognised beyond the southern ML boundary,

ƒ Russell trend aligned approximately with South Beverley; and

ƒ Poonatana Trend associated with the upthrown side of the Poontana Fault

Figure 5 shows the locations of a series of cross sections of the newly discovered sand bodies with section A - A’ showing the eastern edge of the Central Ore Zone, B – B’ and C – C’ illustrating the distribution of sands in Beverley East. The Beta Sand is well developed in section B – B’ and two of the drillholes have been extended into the Gamma Sand on section C – C’.

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Sections D – D’, E – E’ and F – F’ illustrate the sand distribution in the Deep South area. The full sequence from Beverley Sand down to Delta Mudstone is penetrated by one hole in section D – D’.

The whole sequence is seen in section E – E’ where, beneath the Gamma sequence is a calcareous unit named the Lower Namba Carbonate which overlies what has been tentatively identified as Cretaceous (undifferentiated). The considerable depth of sediments penetrated by this section necessitated the representation of each cyclic depositional sequence (Beverley, Alpha, Beta and Gamma) as a single unit, which include the upper mudstone and lower sand components.

Section F – F’ includes the Poontana Fault which has a vertical displacement of the order of 70 m at this locality.

All sections show the stratigraphy but do not attempt to describe the detailed facies changes, which are likely to play an important role in the control of fluid movement during ISL mining.

From the hydrogeological point of view the lateral limits of the "active" channels may be either:

x The steep sloping surface of the Alpha (or other) Mudstone where the channel is deeply incised;

x The facies change from active stream sediments dominated by sand to overbank sediments dominated by clays and silts; or,

x The lateral limits of the mineralised sand body where it abuts against older channel sediments in the channel-within-channel sequence.

From the observed hydraulic behaviour of the channel aquifers both during pumping tests and in response to mining to date, it appears that any of the above are effective lateral constraints which restrict groundwater flow normal to the channel axis.

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Figure 14: Location of Poontana Fault Zone

(refer to EIS for the Beverley Deposit Stratigraphic Cross Sections, Figure 6.5)

KEY

365000mE Resource Outlines Fault U/D

Drill Holes Tracks

Drill Hole Profiles Public Road

Alpha Mudstone Retention Palaeosurface Lease Boundary E Drainage Channels

A N

O

Z

A

T

L U T A EW F A LIN A C HA B NN 6660000mN EL

B C

C

C D E N T R A L D POONTANA C H A N N E L

S O U E T H

C 6655000mN H A E N

N

E

UD L

0 0.5 1 kilometres 

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3.2 Faulting Near the Beverley Palaeochannels

The position of the Poontana Fault zone is shown in Figure 5 and 14. The cross sections show the structure to be a high-angle fault. This faulting appears to have been active during channel deposition and displaces the Namba Formation down to the west by a combined total of up to 70 m, passing through a probable 100 m of Alpha Mudstone beneath the level of the channel sands.

Movement along a fault in highly clay-rich sediments such as the Alpha Mudstone leads to shearing and "smearing" of the clays on the fault surfaces resulting in an impermeable fault fill.

The persistence of the large pressure difference between the Cadna-Owie Formation (GAB) aquifer and the channel sands at Beverley confirms that faulting in the Alpha Mudstone does not offer a permeable connection. Any significant permeability in the fault zones would:

x Permit pressures to equilibrate between the two aquifers; and,

x Result in the water quality in the channel sands being close to that in the GAB aquifer.

Field observations of pressure and water quality indicate that neither of these situations has developed.

3.3 The Beverley Palaeochannels

The sands within the channel sequences at Beverley are highly permeable (Table 4). There is a directional contrast in permeability with values observed in pumping tests along the channel being higher by a factor of at least 1.5, than those across it. This reflects the depositional environment similar to that of a braided stream.

At the channel edges the sands pinch out against the channel bank or pass laterally into lower permeability facies.

Pumping tests conducted on partially penetrating wells show a small degree of hydraulic leakage. This is interpreted to be largely intra-formational within the Beverley Sands and to be due to some communication between lenses of sand which represents a series of channels-within-channels, frequently fringed by thin clay / silt units.

The underlying Alpha Mudstone and the capping clay above the channel sands are judged to be capable of providing a high degree of confinement for the Beverley Sands and each mudstone/sands sequence in the vertical section appears to have similar properties except where a younger sand has been deposited in an erosional feature directly on top of or alongside an older sand.

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Leakage through old exploration boreholes has been suggested as a possible breach of the integrity of the overlying clays. Leakage of this type was not noticed in any of the earlier pumping tests, which were designed to obtain data on the major aquifer properties within the ore zone. Additional pumping tests carried out in August and September 1997 were specifically designed to detect such leakage. These tests indicate that, in the Northern and Central areas of the deposit, the capping clay is intact despite the fact that the pumping wells and piezometers were located within a few metres of old exploration holes.

More recent testing has confirmed the overall “tightness” of the channel sand sequences.

A pumping test was carried out in April 2006 (Table 6) to assess the degree of connection between the North East sand lens, the Alpha Sand unit and the main North Beverley Orezone.

The North East lens was found to be very poorly connected to the main ore zone and the general response was typical of that of a fully bounded aquifer. There was found to be sufficient connection at the test site, between the Alpha Sand and the North east sand for the former to be regarded as being part of the Namba Aquifer sequence for purposes of water balance calculation.

Current experience of the behaviour of the aquifer system shows that whilst the drawdown response during pumping is rapid, recovery is extremely slow and typical of a system, which is almost completely sealed from outside sources of water. Any attempt at constructing a conceptual model of the present day flow system in its natural state must take into account the fact that the palaeochannel sediments are hydraulically almost completely isolated from seasonal and other changes occurring elsewhere in the system.

Groundwater quality at various sampling points over the Beverley Retention Leases show variations from 3,000 to 15,000 mg/L (ppm) TDS. There is currently no evidence to demonstrate the existence of vertical stratification at individual sites within the Beverley sand aquifer system. However, it is likely that semi-regional scale salinity zoning is present due to historic interaction between water in the channel and brines developed near the evaporative sink of Lake Frome.

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Table 4: A Namba Formation Aquifer Hydrological Parameter Values

HOLE NO. SCREENED BEVERLEY SAND THICKNESS FLOW RATE TRANSMISSIVITY HYDRAULIC STORATIVITY SOURCES INTERVAL (m) UNIT (m) (L/sec) (m2/d) CONDUCTIVITY(m/d) W340 133.8 - 141.1 3b na 6 89 transverse na 1.7 x 10-3 C&H (1973b) 37/P1 117.3 - 123.3 3b 2 3.1 145 longitudinal 13 - 24.1 0.1 - 1.3x10-3 “ 38/P1 105.0 - 108.0 3b 1.7 1.2/0.6 3.5 longitudinal 0.9 - 2.1 2 - 8x10-3 AGC (1981) 1.5 transverse “ WC31 115.8 - 123.1 3b 15 10 293 longitudinal 4.7 - 19.5 1.6x10-3 C&H (1973a) 70 transverse “ RM1 * 98.7 - 104.7 3a 2.3 0.15 0.09 0.04 AGC (1981, 1982) RM2 * 114.5 - 123.5 3b 2.75 0.19 2.07 0.75 “ RM3 * 120.0 - 132.0 3b 8 0.31 37 4.6 “ RM4 * 110.0 - 116.0 3b 1.2 0.02 2.5 2.1 “ RM5 * 122.0 - 128.0 3b 0.7 0.2 2.50 - 1.7 3.6 - 2.4 “ RM6 * 126.0 - 135.0 3b 2.7 0.3 3.3 1.2 “ RM7 * 132.0 - 138.0 3b 2.3 0.61 22.3-11.7 5.1 - 9.7 “ RM8 * 114.0 - 120.0 3a 1.3 0.03 0.14 0.1 “ RM9 * 132.0 - 138.0 0.01 ND ND “ RM10 * 132.0 - 138.0 3b 0.3 0.01 0.69 2.3 “ NORTH FLT 111.8 - 113.8 3a 2 10 50 5 4.8 x 10-4 Lisdon (1997) 117.7 - 122.4 3b 3.8 10 170 17 2.0 x 10-4 “ CENTRAL FLT 114.7 - 117.5 3a 1.85 10 90 9 5.0 x 10-5 “ 119.9 - 125.7 3b 4 10 180 18 4.0 x 10-4 “

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HOLE NO. SCREENED BEVERLEY SAND THICKNESS FLOW RATE TRANSMISSIVITY HYDRAULIC STORATIVITY SOURCES INTERVAL (m) UNIT (m) (L/sec) (m2/d) CONDUCTIVITY(m/d) H37c 114.7 – 125.7 3a&b 9 5 200 22 1.8 x 10-4 Lisdon (1999)

NOTES

RM series airlifted na = not available

C&H = Coffey and Hollingsworth

AGC = Australian Groundwater Consultants (1981, 1982)

Sources: Armstrong (1998)

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Table 5: North East Pumping Test Results

3.4 Confining Beds for Mineralised Zones

There are two degrees of vertical confinement of the mineralised zones:

x Beverley Clay and Alpha Mudstone, above and below the mineralised Beverley sands; and,

x Intra-formational clayey horizons within the Beverley Sands, which provide localised confinement.

as well as lateral confinement due to facies changes from sand to silt/clay within the same stratigraphic horizon.

3.4.1 Beverley Clay and Alpha Mudstone Confinement

The degree of confinement provided naturally by the Beverley Clay and Alpha, Beta and Gamma Mudstone units is very high. They are thick, highly plastic clays, which are continuous over areas much larger than the extent of the mineralisation. While logging of cores in these units’ records some fissured horizons corresponding to heavily over- consolidated weathered layers, the majority of the clay is massive. In the presence of free water the fissured clays would be expected to swell in the same manner as the Hindmarsh Clay of the Adelaide Metropolitan area.

The extremely low permeability of the Alpha and other underlying Mudstones, and therefore high degree of confinement afforded by it, is indicated by the very large vertical hydraulic gradient across the unit. The static head in the Cadna-Owie Formation at GAB#3 Bore is approximately 86 mAHD compared with 17.7 mAHD in the Upper Namba Formation in the Beverley Palaeochannel, a head difference of 68.3 m over a vertical distance of over 200 m.

If the Alpha Mudstone sequence were even moderately permeable, there would be prolific vertical flow into the channel sands from below. In such circumstances, the salinity of the water in the channel sands would be very close to that of the Cadna-Owie Formation, not up to 5 times more saline as it is towards the southern end of the mineralised channel.

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The Beverley clay layer has been perforated by prior drilling activities and the boreholes were not back-filled to modern standards. A series of pumping tests, some of which were designed to test whether communication can be observed between the Beverley Sands and the lowermost Willawortina Formation aquifer zone demonstrated that no such communication could be detected.

3.4.2 Intra-formational Confinement

Within the Beverley Sands are numerous clay, sandy clay or silty clay horizons, which range from thin laminae to thick beds. These have been noted in all geophysical logs and cores. Individually they have confining or semi-confining properties. Collectively, these layers provide a high degree of confinement. The closely spaced drilling has shown that these can be of limited lateral extent. They have nonetheless provided sufficient confinement to restrict the fluids to the zones within which they are circulated, during mining. Pressure differences are readily transmitted through these minor aquitards but they exhibit a sufficient permeability contrast with aquifer sands to contain the mining fluids, unless excessively high pressures (in excess of the fracture pressure) are used.

Although drilling has not intersected any high angle confining beds within the channels, the pumping test data indicate that such low permeability zones must be present at the edges of the mineralised sand zones in order to create the degree of lateral constraint observed in the pumping test data. These data indicate strip widths of 170 m at North Beverley and up to 275 m at Central. These values compare with total width of channel sand of 350 m at the North site and 500 m at the Central site. The hydraulic behaviour suggests therefore that the pumped aquifer extends over only approximately half of the full width of the sands although the calculated widths can only be regarded as approximate owing to the many complexities present in the tested aquifer geometry.

Operational experience has shown that monitor wells in the Central Beverley area responded slowly and in a much-muted mode, to fluctuations in pressure induced by mining in the North Beverley mining zone. Figure 15 shows the responses in North Beverley and Central/South Beverley with the latter areas responding slightly up to the commencement of mining in Central in October 2003 then directly responding to mining activity in Central Beverley. North Beverley responses in 2004/5/6 tend to be dominated by pressure fluctuations associated with operation of the disposal well. South Beverley monitor wells respond in a similar fashion to Central indicating a high degree of connection between Central and South although during pumping tests, a well defined change in slope of the distance-drawdown plot occurs between Central and South Beverley suggesting a change in hydraulic properties sufficient to influence flow between the two zones.

The lateral confining effect of facies change is illustrated in Figure 16 which shows the response of a monitor well CMW017, completed in silt adjacent to the Central Beverley Sand compared with a long term monitor well RM7 during mining activity at Central. Two points can be made:

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x The water level in the “silt” well has not recovered to “normal” Beverley (Namba) levels after drilling and

x Responses do not appear to be related to pressure fluctuations in the sands.

No pumping tests have been carried out in the Deep South area therefore the degree of confinement cannot be categorically defined. However, the similarity of lithologies and facies changes implies that a similar situation should prevail in this area as applies to the already developed parts of the Beverley Channel Sequence.

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SOUTH BEVERLEY OPERATIONAL Figure 15: Poontana Fault Zone

NORTH BEVERLEY OPERATIONAL

North Beverley North Beverley

Central Beverley

Central and South Beverley

South Beverley

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Figure 16: Water Level Trends of Wells Intersecting Low Permeability Sediments and Wells Intersecting The Beverley Sand Sediments

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4 REGIONAL AND DISTRICT GROUNDWATER QUALITY

4.1 Regional Groundwater Quality Data Sources

Data on regional groundwater quality, including recent sampling and analysis, is described in detail in Armstrong (1998). Currently available stock and domestic bores within an area extending 20 km to the north, east and west, and 30 km to the south, were sampled to provide baseline hydrochemical data for regional groundwater quality. The information obtained will certainly have an unavoidable bias towards the better end of the water quality scale since early bores which intersected water of unusable quality tended to be abandoned on completion and their salinity and location lost.

Water samples collected during the current phase were analysed for the standard suite of major ions, trace elements and radionuclides.

4.2 Groundwater Quality in the "Shallow" Aquifer of the Flinders Ranges and Plains

The range of salinity found in the fractured rock aquifers can be seen in Figure 17 showing the results for 36 samples from the regional historic database ranked in order of increasing salinity. The range, essentially from 600 to 3,000 mg/L, extends well into the stock water range. This is appropriate since many of the bores are used exclusively for stock watering.

Close to the Flinders Ranges the shallow aquifer is the outwash fan material of the Willawortina Formation, but, further to the east of Beverley the shallowest water intersections may be in Namba Formation or Recent alluvium.

The salinity range in the Willawortina Formation is shown in Figure 18 to extend from less than 1000 mg/L to more than 20000 mg/L indicating that fresh water, recharged by streambed infiltration during storm events, is subjected to evaporative concentration and may also be acquiring some additional salinity by mixing with saline waters near Lake Frome.

The plot of salinity versus depth for the Willawortina Formation waters (Figure 19) shows no correlation between the two parameters, which is ascribed to the fact that evaporative processes are acting on the shallower groundwaters leading to increase in salinity independent of depth.

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Figure 17: Regional Salinity Data for Hard Rock Aquifers

TDS (mg/L)

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0 INDIVIDUAL REGIONAL SAMPLES (RANKED IN ASCENDING ORDER)

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Figure 18: Regional Salinity Data for the Willawortina Formation

TDS (mg/L)

25,000

20,000

15,000

10,000

5,000

0 INDIVIDUAL REGIONAL SAMPLES (RANKED IN ASCENDING ORDER)

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Figure 19: Regional Variation in Groundwater Salinity with Depth, Willawortina Formation

DEPTH (m)

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0 0 5,000 10,000 15,000 20,000 25,000 SALINITY (mg/L)

4.3 Groundwater Quality in the Great Artesian Basin (GAB) Aquifer

Analytical data for five GAB bores is given in Table 6. Moolawatana Bore #2, and the two Cootabarlow bores are located to the east of the northern end of Lake Frome and Camp Bore (also known as 4 Mile Flowing Bore) lies just to the west of the Beverley Retention Leases boundary and GAB#3, completed in August 1999, is adjacent to the Plant on the Mining lease.

The thickness of Lower Namba Formation plus Bulldog Shale, between the Beverley Sands and the GAB aquifer in the recently drilled GAB#3 is 194 m.

The three eastern bores all have high levels of bicarbonate typical of GAB waters originating from the north and east whilst Camp Bore and GAB#3 have higher calcium and magnesium with less than half of the bicarbonate content of the eastern bores and lower pH. This is interpreted to be the result of recharge from the hard rock aquifers of the Flinders Ranges to the Cadna-Owie sandstones at the western margin of the sub-basin. The presence of radionuclides in Camp Bore water further supports a contribution to its make up from the Flinders Ranges.

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Table 6: Water Quality in GAB Bores

HOLE OR SAMPLE ID Moolawatana Cootabarlow Cootabarlow Camp Bore GAB # 3 Bore 2 Bore 1 Bore 3 (Near Plant) DEPTH (m) 437 437 419 312 Screen 336 to 360m pH (pH 8.1 7.3 7.2 Units) DISSOLVED (mg/L) 1655 1605 1671 2100 2050 SOLIDS

CATIONS CALCIUM (mg/L) 5 8.6 7.1 38.8 31.6 MAGNESIUM (mg/L) 2 2.9 4.3 12.9 12.3 SODIUM (mg/L) 670 663 690 745 773 POTASSIUM (mg/L) 6 28.5 25.2

ANIONS BICARBONATE (mg/L) 1128 1263 1333 569 648 SULPHATE (mg/L) 8 0 4.3 102 59.1 CHLORIDE (mg/L) 400 310 310 905 847

RADIONUCLIDES URANIUM (mg/L) 0.031 <0.0005(mg/L) RADIUM (Bq/L) 178.7 N.D RADON (Bq/L) 4.22 N.D

Source: Armstrong (1998)

4.4 Groundwater Quality in the Baseline Study Area

The distribution of salinity within the baseline study area is presented in Figure 20 illustrating the tendency for salinity to increase towards the east.

Many of the lower salinity waters are immature with bicarbonate present in a similar milli- equivalents/litre range as the other major ions, with the exception of sulphate. The more saline waters are of Na-Cl-HCO3 type indicating a moderate residence time.

The distribution of pH in the baseline study area database samples is given in Figure 21. All but one (Pepegoona Well and Spring pH 5.8) are slightly alkaline which is consistent with the generally high levels of bicarbonate.

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The range of uranium content exhibited by the "shallow aquifer" water samples in the regional database, which includes both Proterozoic rocks of the Flinders Ranges and the shallow aquifers of the foothills and plains is illustrated in Figure 22. It can be seen to extend from zero to in excess of 300 micrograms/L. The spatial distribution of these values is given in Figure 23, from which it can be seen that uranium concentration tends to increase towards the west reaching a maximum of 310 ug/L.

Radium (Figure 24) reaches a maximum value in this sample set of 178.7 Bq/L at Camp Bore (GAB) and elsewhere is less than 20 Bq/L with values to the west dropping to below 1 Bq/L. The high radium reported from Camp Bore in these past samples is not supported by current sampling for which the radium value is 0.44 Bq/L.

Radon distribution (Figure 25) shows one high value at Paralana Springs, which is well known as a radon anomaly.

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Figure 20: Groundwater Salinity Distribution, Baseline Study Area 370000mE 380000mE 360000mE 35 00 KEY 00 m E Water Sample Site

Salinity Level (489) (TDS mg/L) MT PAINTER SANCTUARY Yagdlin Bore (5400) 6670000mN Yagdlin Dam Pepegoona Well (410) & Spring (3000) North Poontana Bore (8700) Speculation Well & Spring (1900)

Pepegoona Bore (1450) 5000

5000 South Poontana Bore (8086) Paralana Hot Camp Bore 6660000mN Springs (1200) (2121) MT PAINTER North Mulga SANCTUARY Bore (1700) Black Spring (1200) 2500 Christmas Mulga Creek Bore North Ram Bore (880) (4700) (6300) Tea Tree Bore (3100)

Paralana House South Mulga 6650000mN Bore (2200) Dam (66) Christmas Bore South (2743) Camp 3 Arkaroola Bore (140) (1000) Mungaroonie Sandridge Wooltana Bore Bore 28 (830) Bore 41 (2724) Bore (4900) 27 (1300)

John Brown Bore (1517) Wooltana Bore 38 (950) 6640000mN

Pats. Tank Paddock Bore 37 (680)

Wooltana Homestead Well (1000)

Bore No. 1 (1500) Munyallina 2500 6630000mN Bore (1300)

Woodlawoodlana Bore (1200)

0 3.5 7 kilometres 

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Figure 21: Groundwater pH Distribution, Baseline Study Area

370000mE 380000mE 350000mE 360000mE

KEY

Sample Point

7.5 6670000mN 7.5 Baseline pH (pH units) 7.8 5.8 Tracks 7.5 7.1

ND No Data

7.2

7.1 6660000mN 7.5 7.5 7.8 NORTH MULGA

MT PAINTER SANCTUARY 7.3

7.9 7.2 7.4

7.8

7.0 6650000mN 7.3 7.2

7.1 7.7 7.5 ND 7.7 7.3

ND 6640000mN 7.2

7.4

7.6

7.5

7.6 6630000mN

7.4 LAKE FROME

0 3.5 7 kilometres 

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Figure 22: Uranium in Baseline Study Area Shallow Aquifer Water Samples

URANIUM (microgm/L)

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0 INDIVIDUAL REGIONAL SAMPLES (RANKED IN ASCENDING ORDER)

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Figure 23: Distribution of Uranium Concentrations in Baseline Study Area Shallow Aquifers 370000mE 380000mE 360000mE 350000mE

KEY

Sample Point 108 6670000mN

Contour 6 133 50 Uranium 58 34.33 (microgram/L) 0.9 50 Tracks 50 31.33 100

10 MT PAINTER SANCTUARY 0 190 6660000mN 7.63 150 0.77 50 50 34.33

44 150 100

50 85.33 250 310 81 50 50 100 150 0.08

3.1 6650000mN 0.35 101 100

13.5 0.55 17.5 69 119 20.5 100

20.5 6640000mN 12.5

11.6

50

11.2

8.4

6.5 6630000mN

18.5

0 3.5 7 kilometres 

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Figure 24: Distribution of Radium Concentrations in Baseline Study Area Shallow Aquifers 370000mE 380000mE 360000mE 350000mE

KEY

Sample Point 0.92 6670000mN

Baseline Radium ND 0.08 (Bq/L) 0.14 0.07 0 Tracks

ND No Data 14.67

0.14 6660000mN 19.27 178.7 16.43

0.08

0.36 12.14 0.78

0.73

ND 6650000mN 6.2 0.75

2.8 0.8 0.38 0.14 11.8 0.1

0.05 6640000mN 9.33

1.717

ND

0.23

0.14 6630000mN

0.06

0 3.5 7 kilometres 

Source: Armstrong (1998)

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Figure 25: Distribution of Radon Concentrations in Baseline Study Area Shallow Aquifers 370000mE 380000mE 360000mE 350000mE

KEY

Sample Point 10.2 6670000mN

4.55 Radon (Bq/L) 0.06 6.13 3.8 Tracks 0.56

18.1

64.1 MT PAINTER 6660000mN SANCTUARY 3495.5 4.22 6.84 NORTH MULGA

61.21

34.33 23.18 28.8

5.8

0.17 6650000mN 0.14 64.25

0.05 0.01 99.5 6.7 0.02 36.73

4.8 6640000mN 0.12

0.051

8.38

8.1

7.1 6630000mN

7.9

0 3.5 7 kilometres 

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4.5 Groundwater Quality in Beverley Site Aquifers

4.5.1 Willawortina Formation

Water quality immediately overlying the Beverley aquifer, within the Willawortina Formation, has been routinely sampled. Field parameters electrical conductivity (EC), pH and sulphate have been collected. Temporal water quality trends for regulatory compliance monitoring locations (located within the current mine lease), intersecting the Willawortina Formation, are shown in Appendix 2.

Figure 26 shows the local EC observations (and averages) at monitoring wells intersecting the Willawortina Formaltion. Spatially the water quality in the Willawortina Formation is variable, with average values of EC ranging from 3 mS/cm to 20 mS/cm, where it overlies the Beverley Deposit. Figure 26 shows a continuous trend from north to south of increasing salinity, similar to the trend observed for wells intersecting the Namba Formation but with some evidence for localised changes in conductivity possibly associated with recharge from surface drainage lines. Temporal EC trends (Appendix 2) suggest little variability of EC over time.

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Figure 26: Willawortina Formation Local Electrical Conductivity Observations (mS/cm)

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4.5.2 Namba Formation

Routine water sampling from the Namba Formation has been carried out with the collection of field parameters, electrical conductivity (EC), pH and sulphate. Temporal water quality trends for regulatory compliance monitoring locations (located within the current mine lease), intersecting the Namba Formation, are shown in Appendix 2. The wells sampled include samples collected from wells intersecting:

ƒThe Beverley sands;

ƒThe low permeability silt-clay sediments along the margins of the channel sands; and

ƒThe Alpha sediments.

Figure 27 shows the local EC observations at monitoring wells intersecting the Beverley Formation (at monitoring locations screening both the mineralised sands and surrounding low permeability silt-clay sediment) and Alpha Sediments. Figure 27 shows two groups of EC observations, with North Beverley having ECs generally less than 10 mS/cm and Central and South Beverley falling in the 10 to 20 mS/cm range. The data suggests a continuous trend from north to south of increasing EC in the channel sediments. The two wells intersecting the Alpha Sediments have recorded similar EC to near by Beverley locations. Temporal EC trends (Appendix 2) suggest little variability of EC over time.

There is currently no evidence that the Beverley Sands is stratified with respect to water quality at any specific site. The semi-regional scale distribution of salinity within the sand can possibly be accounted for on the basis of an historic interaction between water in the channel sands and brines associated with an evaporative sink near the site of the present day Lake Frome. This in turn has lead to the establishment of a saline plume maintained in position by the density contrast between brine and fresher channel water. An alternative interpretation of the salinity distribution requires historic flow within the channel sands, (although present day gradients indicate that the aquifers are stagnant), at a low rate and originating to the north and east. This infusion of fresher water could have originated as recharge to the Willawortina Formation leading to much higher water levels and some vertical leakage, or throughflow from basement. The flow rate must have been small and duration relatively short since the brackish to saline waters in the channel sands have not been totally displaced.

Uranium concentrations encountered in the water samples from within the Namba Formation are typically less than detection.

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Figure 27: Beverley Formation Local Electrical Conductivity Observations (mS/cm), July 2006

4.6 Radionuclides in Potential Water Supplies

Water resources within approximately 15 km of the Beverley deposit comprise supplies from the GAB at Camp Bore and GAB#3, the Willawortina Formation along the major creeks, and surface supplies, of which some are permanent. Some of these waters have significant levels of radionuclides. The radionuclide levels in regional stock bores, already listed in Table 2 exceed drinking water standards for uranium (0.02 mg/L) but are below the 0.5 Bq/L radium permissible under current National Health and Medical Research Council guidelines (NHMRC and Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand, 1996). Radionuclides in surface waters (Table 8) exceed drinking water standards for both uranium and radon. Levels of radionuclides are within

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acceptable limits for their present use as stock waters, with the notable exception of Paralana Hot Springs.

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Table 7: Radionuclides in Surface Waters

LOCALITY TDS (mg/L) U (ug /L) 226 Ra (Bq /L) 222 Rn (Bq /L) Black Spring 1,300 62 0.06 122 East Painter Creek ? 21 0.02 12 Four Mile Creek 1,500 197 0.06 17 Munyallina Creek 1,400 4 0.02 6 Pepegoona Well & Spring 2,700 16(Av 3) 0.14(Av 3) 12 Spring North of Paralana 4,100 253 0.07 Nd Stubbs Water Hole ? 14 0.03 Nd Terrapinna Water Hole 6,700 52(Av 3) 27(Av 3) 0.3(av 2) Unnamed Creek (4.5km North of 700 17 0.09 17 Four Mile Creek) Yagdlin Spring 2,200 233 0.06 Nd Yudnamutana Creek 800 253 0.02 6 AVERAGES (No. of samples) 102(11) 0.05(11) 23(8) Paralana Hot Springs Spring Water 15(Av 4)115 14(Av 7) 5,800(Av 2) Pool Water 115 14 1800 17 2081

Source: Armstrong (1998)

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5 GROUNDWATER FLOW, INTERCHANGE AND DISCHARGE

5.1 Regional Patterns

Figure 28 shows the original conceptual regional groundwater flow model. The highest heads, found to the west in the Flinders Ranges drives the hydraulic system. Springs at the range front, such as Paralana Hot Springs, discharge at approximately 100m AHD. These Proterozoic fractured rock aquifers recharge the sedimentary aquifers of the Frome Embayment, including the GAB aquifer. In addition, the Cadna-Owie Formation aquifer west of Lake Frome receives a component of recharge from the north, which cannot be depicted on the east-west section of Figure 28. Further to the east, near Lake Frome, the flow in the GAB is from the east and north and there are discharges of GAB waters at mound springs and flowing bores along the eastern edge of the lake and flowing bores further to the east. The location of the groundwater divide cannot be precisely determined from the sparse data for the GAB system. However, the conceptual modelling of Diaconu indicates that the lowest part of the piezometric surface is controlled by discharge from the flowing bores and springs on the eastern side of Lake Frome. Lake Frome is the regional groundwater sink with a minimum surface elevation of approximately 5 m below sea level.

Overlying aquifers may be recharged from the Cadna-Owie Formation via faults (where brittle lithologies are present on both sides of a fault plane) and slow seepage upwards from the pressurised GAB system, a process that is limited by the permeability and thickness of the aquitards and the driving head difference.

To the south and east of Beverley, where the Eyre Formation lies directly on Proterozoic rocks, it too would be recharged from these underlying fractured rocks, as well as receiving contributions from the Cadna-Owie Formation. The potentiometric surface in the Eyre Formation regionally declines towards Lake Frome, although no data exists west of the lake to demonstrate this in the Beverley region.

The other major source of recharge (available to the highest aquifer in the sequence) is direct infiltration from rainfall and streambed infiltration. In a semi-arid climate, streambed infiltration can be expected to be dominant. The Willawortina Formation aquifer (including in this discussion the post-Pleistocene stream bed deposits incised into it) is the source of good stock quality water where it is tapped along the banks of the creek channels. The potentiometric surface is closer to the surface in the numerous wells drilled into it than is the case in the interfluvial areas, such as at Beverley. The overall potentiometric pattern suggests a net movement of groundwater in the Willawortina Formation towards the east and Lake Frome. Locally, the flow is away from the influent creek beds and along the watercourses in the underlying sediments.

The Namba Formation, where it includes an aquifer locally at Beverley, lies beneath the Willawortina Formation and above the Cadna-Owie Formation (and above the Eyre

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Formation, if it is present). Recharge to the palaeochannel aquifers from above and below appears to be minimal within the lease area for the reasons given below.

During major rainfall events resulting in flow in the surface watercourses (eg. Four Mile Creek), infiltration through the streambed may give rise to a localised recharge mound in the uppermost permeable interval. This mound appears to dissipate with time but contributes to the resource of better quality water stored in the shallow aquifer (streambed sands and gravels/shallow Willawortina Formation beneath the drainage lines.

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Figure 28: Regional Groundwater Flows

Source: Prepared from J Higgins investigations by JLC Exploration Services June 2007

Please note that there is strong vertical exaggeration of about 30:1

5.2 Beverley Aquifers

The data at Beverley shows that there is a difference of up to 1.5 m in hydrostatic head between the Namba Formation and the deepest permeable zone in the Willawortina Formation at the Central FLT site, 0.5 m at the North FLT site and a negligible horizontal gradient within the channel sands. A similar situation exists throughout the channel as indicated by the results of a recent review of the water levels obtained after long periods of rest.

It is evident from water level monitoring during current FLT operations, that disturbances to the water balance in the channel take a long time to recover. Therefore, much of what were considered to be static water levels in earlier reports are now considered to have been subject to disturbance prior to measurement.

The water in the channel sands is considered to be close to stagnant under the present day natural hydrologic regime.

The Willawortina potentiometric surface over much of the Beverley area is up to 1.5 m higher than that of the Namba Formation aquifer. However, the Willawortina potentiometric surface failed to respond to up to 7 m of draw down in the upper Namba sands over 3 days of recent pumping tests. This indicates the extremely low permeability of the clay aquitard.

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In addition the hydraulic gradient in the channel sands is flat, indicating negligible horizontal flow. Response to recharge in an open hydraulic system is by flow from the recharge area to the discharge area thereby requiring a horizontal hydraulic gradient.

In a bounded hydraulic system, such as the Beverley channel aquifer, the response to recharge would be an increase in potentiometric level modifying the existing vertical hydraulic gradients. The response would cease when the head in the channel was equal to the head in the overlying aquifer.

The Namba sands at North Beverley have a lower potentiometric surface than both the Willawortina aquifer above and the GAB aquifer below; thus vertical hydraulic gradients would suggest that:

x Either the palaeochannel is a sink for both external aquifers, or,

x The aquitards above and below the channel are resisting vertical flow.

The persistence of relatively high salinities in the channel, compared with salinities above and below, plus the absence of vertical salinity variation in the channel sands supports the hypothesis that the aquitards are effective barriers to vertical flow and thus to vertical recharge.

At Central Beverley the Willawortina Formation heads are lower than channel aquifer heads therefore any vertical movement of water would be expected to be upwards both from the underlying artesian aquifer into the Namba and from the Namba into the Willawortina Formation. The persistent high salinity of the channel aquifer at the central FLT site compared with the overlying and underlying aquifers suggests that, like the north site, it is effectively isolated by the almost impermeable Alpha Mudstone and Beverley clay.

In addition, attempts at replicating channel water compositions by theoretical mixing of Willawortina and GAB waters in any proportions using numerically based water quality modelling software failed to produce a satisfactory match. This supports the concept that the channel water originated from other than simple mixing due to leakage from the vertically adjacent aquifers.

Discharge from the Namba Formation aquifer is believed to be virtually zero since:

x There is a zero hydraulic gradient;

x Vertical hydraulic gradients are directed towards the channel sands from above (small gradient) and below (very large gradient); and,

x The mineralised parts of the channel appear, from the recent pumping test results to be bounded to the north and south by low permeability potential flow paths and to the east and west by similar restrictions.

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Any discharge originating from the Willawortina Formation aquifers would be expected to be ultimately to the south east towards the evaporative sink at Lake Frome. This is supported by the distribution of salinity in the shallow aquifers.

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6 CONCEPTUAL MODEL OF THE BEVERLEY AQUIFER SYSTEM

Taking account of all hydrogeological information, including that obtained from current operations, a conceptual model has been developed for the immediate environs of the Beverley channel aquifers. The model is illustrated in Figure 29. The essential features of the conceptual model are:

x The Beverley channel aquifer system is effectively sealed within an envelope of fine- grained sediments and containing water with a rest level, when undisturbed for long periods, of 17.7m AHD;

x Alpha, Beta and Gamma sedimentary cycles have been included.

x Bulldog Shale (Cretaceous Shale/mudstone overlying the GAB aquifer)

x Internal facies changes, too small in scale to be shown in Figure 29 and thought to originate from the channel-in-channel nature of sedimentation, play a role in limiting the effective width of the ore bearing sands in the areas tested to date;

x There is no hydraulic gradient within the channel sands, therefore there is no lateral flow;

x Recharge to the Willawortina Formation occurs primarily along surface drainage lines during major rainfall events with lateral flow and discharge towards the regional sink of Lake Frome;

x The basal permeable zone in the Willawortina Formation is represented as a continuous aquifer in the model, but it may be a series of disconnected lenticular fine sands/silts;

x The Paralana Fault zone, where it displaces the Alpha Mudstone Sequence and Beverley Clay, is impermeable due to the high clay content of both lithologies. The head in the underlying artesian aquifer (GAB or Eyre Formation) is of the order of 90m AHD and vertical leakage through the Alpha Mudstone is negligible; and,

x The artesian aquifer may be receiving a contribution to its chemical composition from water originating in the fractured rock environment of the Flinders Ranges.

There is neither significant recharge to, nor discharge from, the channel sands under natural conditions. During mining, experience has shown that the only horizontal flow in the channel sands will be in response to pumping and, where a bleed stream is maintained, this horizontal flow will be towards the pumping centres.

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When in situ leaching is completed, the channel will return to the stagnant natural hydraulic regime by the slow recovery process which involves internal flow towards the areas of imposed draw down, with a very small component of horizontal flow from outside the boundaries of the pumped aquifers.

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Figure 29: Conceptual Model in Vicinity of Beverley Channels

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7 REFERENCES

Armstrong D (1998). Beverley Uranium Mine Environmental Impact Statement, Supporting Document, Beverley Water quality databases.

Australian Groundwater Consultants Pty Ltd (1981). Beverley Project Hydrogeological Program – field methods and data presentation. Company Report, June 1981 (unpub).

Australian Groundwater Consultants Pty Ltd (1982). Beverley Uranium Project: Hydrological evaluation for assessment of in situ leaching impact for SA Uranium Corporation. Beverley Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement Supporting Document No. 2. South Australian Uranium Corporation.

Australian Groundwater Consultants Pty Ltd (1984). Beverley Project supporting document No. 11. Geology and hydrogeology implications of ISL mining. Consultant’s report to South Australian Uranium Corporation, Adelaide.

Boyd, W E (1990). Mound Springs. in Tyler, M.J., Twidale, C.R., Davies, M. and Wells, C.B. (eds) Natural History of the North East Deserts. Royal Society of South Australia Inc, Adelaide

Callen, R.A. (1975). The stratigraphy, sedimentology, and uranium deposits of Tertiary rocks: Lake Frome area, South Australia. South Australia Department of Mines Report Book 75/103.

Callen, R.A. (1975). Geological map of the Frome sheet. Department of Mines and Energy, South Australia. 1:250,000 Mapping Series. No SH 54-10.

Callen, R.A. (1977). Late Cainozoic environments of part of north eastern South Australia. Geological Society of Australia Journal 24: 151-169.

Callen, R.A. (1981a). Geology of the Beverley area, Tarkarooloo Basin. SA Department of Mines Open File 28/1/81.

Callen, R.A. (1981b). FROME, South Australia, sheet SH54-10. South Australia Geological Survey. 1:250 000 Series - Explanatory Notes. Department of Mines and Energy, Adelaide.

Coffey and Hollingsworth Pty Ltd (1973a). Beverley Prospect, SML 564, Soil and groundwater investigation. Report on Stage 1 feasibility study. Company Report (unpublished) A79/1-2. Company Report (unpubl.)

Coffey and Hollingsworth Pty Ltd (1973b). Beverley Prospect, SML. 564, soil and groundwater investigation. Report on Stage 2 Feasibility Study. Report A79/2-1. Company Report (unpubl.)

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Habermehl, M.A. (1980). The Great Artesian Basin, Australia. BMR Journal of Australian Geology and Geophysics 5: 9-38.

Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd (1998). Beverley Uranium Mine. Environmental Impact Statement.

Ker, D.S. (1966). Hydrology of the Frome Embayment in South Australia. SA Department of Mines Investigation Report.

National Health and Medical Research Council and the Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New Zealand (1996). Australian drinking water guidelines 1996. NHMRC, Canberra.

Waterhouse, J.D. and Beal, J.C. (1978). An assessment of the hydrogeology of the southeastern Frome Embayment. SA Department of Mines Report 78/4.

.

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SUPPORTING REPORT D

Flora

SOUTHERN EL 3251

FLORA SURVEY

Prepared for Heathgate Resources Ltd

By F.J. Badman Badman Environmental

Adelaide October 2006

Badman Environmental 6 Griggs Drive Athelstone SA 5076 Tel/Fax: (08) 8365 7784 E-mail: [email protected] Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY A vegetation survey using the methods employed by the South Australian government in its vegetation surveys was carried out on a study area surrounding the Beverley Uranium Mine in March 2006. Seasonal conditions were very dry at the time of the survey and few ephemeral species were present. Twenty five permanent monitoring sites were set up in the new lease areas and these were allocated a local site number and an official Department for Environment and Heritage (DEH) photopoint number. Monitoring sites covered one hectare and a 100m x 4m Jessup Transect was also set up at each site. Data from these sites were examined by means of the multivariate analysis techniques of ordination and classification. These analyses resulted in the description of three main vegetation groups and these are similar to the main groups described for the mine area in the 1998 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) report (Heathgate Resources, 1998). These groups are the Mitchell Grass plains with Astrebla pectinata and Sclerolaena spp., the minor watercourses with Rhagodia spinescens and several tall shrubs or low trees, and the major creek lines with Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Melaleuca spp. Quantitative data from this survey were compared to other data collected during the routine annual monitoring events at Beverley, but were found in most cases to be incompatible because of different survey techniques. The only previous data that were found to be compatible are those from the one hectare quadrat at monitoring site BU15 and this site was found to fit in well with the Mitchell Grass plains group. No species listed under the EPBC Act are known to occur at Beverley or on the study area. One threatened species, Swainsona oligophylla, which is listed as rare under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1972, is known to occur at Beverley. Two previously reported species, Frankenia subteres and Swainsona murrayana, are now considered to be based on misidentifications. Most of the threatened species that are known to occur in the general area are restricted to the Flinders Ranges and are not known to exist on the plains. One proclaimed plant, Tribulus terrestris, has been recorded at Beverley. It is fairly common in the general area and is not recorded in all years. Nineteen alien plant species have been recorded at Beverley and a further 10 are known to occur in the general area. None of these occurrences can be directly attributed to exploration or mining activities. Two species have been recorded at the Four Mile Bore since the 1998 EIS survey: this bore and its wetland pre-date any exploration and mining activities and it is not known whether the presence of these species is connected to these activities.

Badman Environmental i Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

CONTENTS

Executive Summary...... i

Introduction...... 5 Project Overview ...... 5 Environmental Legislation ...... 5 Brief and Objectives ...... 5 Environmental Setting ...... 6 Previous Vegetation Studies...... 7 Threatened Species ...... 7 Threatened Ecological Communities...... 8 Naturalised ...... 8 Methods...... 10 Literature Review ...... 10 Field Survey...... 10 Data Analysis...... 14 Limitations of this Survey ...... 14 Results ...... 15 General...... 15 Seasonal Conditions ...... 15

General Health of the Vegetation ...... 15

Disturbance at Monitoring Sites ...... 16 One Hectare Quadrats...... 16 Vegetation Groups...... 16 Species Richness...... 20 Comparisons with Previous Surveys ...... 21 Jessup Transects ...... 26 Threatened Flora and Communities ...... 28 Threatened Species Recorded During the Field Survey...... 28 Threatened Species Known to Occur in the General Area...... 28 Notes on individual species ...... 29

Alien Flora ...... 32

Badman Environmental ii Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Proclaimed Species...... 33 Other Alien Species ...... 35 Calculating the Significant Environmental Benefit Ratio...... 39

Conclusions...... 41

References...... 42

Badman Environmental iii Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Location and description of new monitoring sites...... 12 Table 2: Abundance scoring system used in this survey ...... 14 Table 3: Cover values for Astrebla pectinata at Beverley Monitoring Sites...... 16 Table 4: Mean species richness for vegetation groups ...... 17 Table 5: Mean species richness at annual vegetation monitoring sites ...... 21 Table 6: Summary of Jessup Transect shrub counts for each vegetation group...... 26 Table 7: Summary of Jessup Transect shrub densities at each site...... 26 Table 8: Densities of the most common species in Jessup Transects...... 27 Table 9: Summary of likely occurrence of threatened plants in the survey area...... 29 Table 10: Alien species known, or likely, to occur in the Beverley area ...... 34 Table 11: SEB ratio scores under the proposed revised methodology ...... 40

LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: Location of Beverley Additional Lease Area Monitoring Sites...... 13 Figure 2: Ordination plot from the one hectare quadrat data...... 17 Figure 3: Dendrogram obtained from classification of the one hectare quadrat data. 19 Figure 4: Ordination plot of 1998-2005 2m x 5m quadrat data...... 22 Figure 5: Ordination plot of 2003-2005 Epic Pipeline survey data...... 23 Figure 6: Ordination plot of all Group 3 data ...... 24

Badman Environmental iv Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

INTRODUCTION

Project Overview

Environmental Legislation The key South Australian assessment documentation under the Mining Act is the Mining and Rehabilitation Plan (MARP). A report on the vegetation and flora of the project area provides information that is used when compiling the MARP. The South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972 (SA NPW Act) also applies here, particularly its Schedules covering threatened species, as does the Native Vegetation Act 1991 and its amendments. The Natural Resources Management Act 2004 has replaced many other Acts that were formerly relevant to various aspects of natural resource management in South Australia. The main item of Commonwealth legislation that is relevant to Environmental Studies relating to study area surrounding the Beverley Uranium Mine is the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation (EPBC) Act 1999. The Commonwealth Department of Environment and Heritage will determined that the project is a controlled action under the EPBC Act (controlling provisions: Nuclear Actions and Sections 18 and 18A listed threatened species and communities) and hence requires approval from the Commonwealth Minister for Environment and Heritage.

Brief and Objectives The purpose of this study was to provide information on the vegetation and flora within the proposed area for additional mineral leases adjacent to the existing operational mine at Beverley (see Figure 1 which shows the project area). This included a baseline survey and assessment of the vegetation communities and flora species within the area defined in Figure 1, including the two supplementary areas to the south of the main additional leases area. The survey design was planned so as to be compatible with other South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage biological surveys. A field survey was to be carried out using the methodology of the Biological Survey of South Australia, with permanent numbered vegetation monitoring sites that conform to the standards of the SA DEH Biological Survey. In addition, Jessup Transects were to be set up to gather quantitative data on shrub densities at each monitoring site. These sites would then form the basis of an ongoing monitoring programme. The location and extent of any threatened or significant species was to be recorded and assessed, as well as the distribution of any alien species.

Badman Environmental 5 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Environmental Setting The existing Beverley project is located within the Wooltana pastoral lease. Cattle grazing has traditionally been the primary land use and this activity dates back to 1856 on Paralana Station, with sheep grazing on Wooltana Station from the same year (Heathgate Resources 1998). The project is located on the edge of the Northern Flinders subregion of the Interim Biogeographic Regionalisation for Australia (IBRA) Flinders Lofty Block bioregion, but close to the edge of the subregion of the Stony Plains bioregion (Neagle 2003). The study area covered in this report (see Figure 1) is situated on a plain with Astrebla pectinata grassland and short-lived perennial forbs, particularly Sclerolaena spp. This plain is dissected by two large watercourses, Four Mile Creek and Paralana Creek, both of which support riparian woodland dominated by Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Melaleuca spp. Four Mile Creek crosses the northern part of the survey area and Paralana Creek cuts across parts of the southern end. Both creeks flow from the Flinders Ranges and drain into Lake Frome. Several smaller watercourses flow into these major creeks. The minor watercourses support shrubland or low woodland vegetation with Melaleuca glomerata, several Acacia, Eremophila and Senna species or sub-species and several small trees. Although the whole area has a history of heavy grazing (Heathgate Resources 1998), the northern part of the survey area is close to the Four Mile Bore stock watering point and this area has therefore been subject to heavier grazing than areas that are more distant from water. There is another stock watering point on the eastern side of the survey area and a now defunct watering point towards the south of the area. Past disturbance of the survey area has been mainly from grazing by domestic livestock and kangaroos, fence and track construction, and some limited off-road driving. The majority of the latter, prior to the current mining exploration activities, has been associated with stock mustering activities.

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Previous Vegetation Studies The 1998 Environmental Impact Statement (Heathgate Resources 1998) summarised the vegetation of the Beverley area as follows: “The region generally has not had the level of examination of other parts of the South Australian arid zone (Lange and Fatchen, 1990). The best current reference is the recent SA Department of Environment and Natural Resources’ biological survey of the North Olary Plains (Playfair and Robinson, 1997), which includes the proposed development site but does not extend to equivalent landscapes flanking the Flinders Ranges to the north- east and south-west. Summary indications of vegetation, which can however be linked to landform, are given by Laut et al. (1975). To some extent, the absence of regional mapping to the south west of the development site is compensated by generalised mapping in Greenwood et al. (1989), derived in part from recorded vegetation and landform traverses along the North Flinders Ranges from Fatchen (1986). Close and Williams (1982) undertook a biological survey in 1979 for the earlier mining proposals at Beverley. Additional vegetation survey was undertaken in 1996 as part of the current baseline studies, with some further reconnaissance since (Fatchen Environmental, 1998).” This summary is still accurate, although a DEH biological survey of the Flinders Ranges (Brandle 2001), which does not cover the present survey area, has been completed since this was written. The most recent survey work in the Beverley area has been concerned with monitoring the effects of the present mining operation (Fatchen 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002; Badman 2004a, 2004b, 2005b, 2006) and the rehabilitation of the Epic Gas Pipeline (Badman 2004c, 2005a). A list of all species known to occur in the Beverley area, including those from the March 2006 survey, is given in Appendix D. Earlier studies also included the series of low dunes between the Epic Gas pipeline and Paralana Creek. This area was not covered by the present survey other than the one site (BEVEXP25) that is situated in a supplementary exploration area on the south side of this creek and to the west of the main access road from the Moomba – Adelaide gas pipeline to the mine. The relationship of this site to other plains sites is discussed later in this report.

Threatened Species No species listed under the EPBC Act have been recorded at or near the Beverley Mine site. One threatened species is listed by Heathgate Resources (1998) for the Beverley area. This is Frankenia subteres, which is listed as rare under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1972. The presence of this species at Beverley is based on a 1979 herbarium collection (L.D. Williams 10931) and subsequent reports are based on apparently un-vouchered collections. In 2004, the identity of Frankenia at Beverley was questioned by the present author and three herbarium collections (F.J. Badman 11389, 11422 and 11423) were later determined to be of the common Frankenia

Badman Environmental 7 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey serpyllifolia. The Frankenia is currently being revised by Dr. Molly Whalen of Flinders University and the identity of many collections that have previously been placed in the threatened species category have been shown to be incorrect (DEH 2005). This includes the Williams collection from North Mulga, which is currently identified in the State Herbarium Database as “Frankenia sp.”. The South Australian Plant Mapper (Web Ref. 1) no longer shows any records of Frankenia subteres to the east of the Flinders Ranges in South Australia, although there is one record from New South Wales. The vulnerable Swainsona murrayana was also reported from Beverley by Fatchen Environmental (2002), but this was based on field identification of vegetative material and has never been confirmed by the collection of a voucher specimen. The report of this species at Beverley is now considered to be erroneous. There are no vouchered herbarium collections from anywhere near the Beverley Mine site, with the closest vouchered records being from Olary, Oodlawirra, Bagalowie and Black Rock Plain (Web Ref. 1), all well to the south of Beverley. Melaleuca dissitiflora is a species with a restricted distribution (Heathgate Resources 1998), but is present throughout the Northern Flinders Ranges and also in the far north-west of the state (Web Ref. 1). It does not have a conservation rating (Barker et al. 2005) and its presence in large creeks flowing out of these ranges is not surprising. The fact that it originates from the Flinders Ranges was thought to explain why it was not found in the minor watercourses in the study area (Heathgate Resources 1998), which begin on the plains rather than in the ranges. However, it was found in one minor watercourse, at Site BEVEXP07, during the March 2006 survey and this may represent a spread from the major creeks into the minor ones. It is far less common in all habitats in the Beverley area than Melaleuca glomerata. Eucalyptus gillii is also mentioned by Heathgate Resources (1998) as a species with a relatively restricted distribution that could be affected by the possible removal of borrow material from the base of the Flinders Ranges. This area was not covered as part of the present survey, but the same comments would still apply in the case of borrow material. It is not known to occur on the plains.

Threatened Ecological Communities The study area surveyed does not include all or part of any threatened vegetation community as listed by Davies (1982) or Neagle (1995).

Naturalised Plants Badman (2005) listed a cumulative total of 18 introduced plant species at the Beverley Mine site. This represented only nine percent of the total species list at that time. The number of aliens recorded at Beverley has now increased to 19 and alien species now represent only seven percent of the total list of 263 species (Appendix D). This is well below the 10% listed by Badman (1995, 1999) as being a typical percentage of naturalised plants on South Australian arid zone plant lists that have been collated over several years. It is also surprising given the ease of access for seeds of alien species from the Flinders Ranges. The incidence of naturalised plants in arid parts of South Australia is generally much lower than in higher rainfall areas to the south (Badman 1995, 1999). This is mainly

Badman Environmental 8 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey because the arid climate does not suit the mostly Mediterranean climate-adapted alien plant species that are found in northern parts of the State. Badman (1995) found that the alien flora of northern South Australia contained few long-lived perennials and that most of the naturalised plants in this area depend on cool-season rainfall. When summer-growing native perennial grasses are well established they can exclude the winter and spring growing alien species. This study at Olympic Dam found that a suite of alien plants that became established in wetter areas around the town and mine did not spread into the surrounding countryside, even during very wet years. This study also demonstrated two significant declines in the incidence of the most common alien species following years with well above average summer rainfall that allowed the establishment of perennial native grasses. Although Olympic Dam has different soil types and topography to the Beverley mine area, it has a similar climate and the effects of permanent water sources provided by the mine, e.g. sewage ponds and drains, is similar at both sites (Badman 2004b). The accommodation village at the Beverley mine has introduced far fewer alien species than the town of Roxby Downs because of the lack of domestic gardens and garden plants. The overall effect of additional operations outside the existing Beverley mine lease is therefore expected to have a lesser influence on the introduction of naturalised plants than did the Olympic Dam mine and the town of Roxby Downs.

Badman Environmental 9 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

METHODS

Literature Review The literature review was largely restricted to the original Beverley Uranium Mine EIS (Heathgate Resources 1998) and subsequent reports produced on behalf of Heathgate Resources by the consultants Fatchen Environmental and Badman Environmental. Other sources were examined in relation to the distribution of threatened flora in the general area (Web Ref. 1) and the distribution of alien species (Web Ref. 1, Badman 1995, 1999). A review of literature covering the regional context of the vegetation at Beverley, particularly the work of Playfair and Robinson (1997), was covered by Heathgate Resources (1998) and was not repeated here. Field Survey Vegetation survey work was conducted under a South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage Permit to Undertake Scientific Research No. G24191 7 held by Dr F.J. Badman, 6 Griggs Drive, Athelstone 5076, SA. All photopoints were marked with standard Biological Survey of South Australia numbered marker discs. Marker discs are located at the start of the Jessup Transect. Photopoint numbers 10969 to 10993 were used. These marker discs are also stamped “BEV EXP 01” to “BEV EXP 25” (Table 1). The location of these permanent monitoring sites together with the structural formation of the vegetation at each site is given in Table 1. The surveys of the Beverley mine expansion areas were carried out using the methodology of the Biological Survey of South Australia as described by Heard and Channon (1997), with a one hectare (100 m x 100 m) quadrat being used in this arid area rather than the 30 m x 30 m quadrat used in the agricultural areas of South Australia, as is standard practice by DEH. The survey is an official DEH biological survey, designated “Number 546”. A 100 m long Jessup Transect was also set up within the one hectare quadrat: this runs from the photopoint marker peg and was set up so as to divide the one hectare quadrat into two equal parts, extending for 50 m either side of the Jessup Transect. The 100 m long transect compensates for the natural “patchiness” (Stafford Smith and Morton 1990) of the vegetation in arid areas. Low shrubs are usually found in clusters, with large areas with no shrubs in between the clusters. Each transect usually passes through several shrub clusters, where these are present, and crosses several bare patches. Areas of suitable vegetation were chosen for sampling based on vegetation type and landform. Ease of access was also considered, although some sites were set up away from any tracks so as to get coverage of the whole survey area. Sites were set up in suitable locations in order to more evenly sample the additional mineral lease area and the two supplementary (control) areas. Transects were set up in a southerly direction from the photopoint peg wherever possible, so as to allow for photography at any time of the day.

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Information on each species within the quadrat was recorded on a standard biological survey data sheet, together with other information on the physical description of the site, date, observers and seasonal conditions. Examples of blank data sheets are presented in Appendix A. Data recorded for each species include its cover abundance, growth form and whether it forms part of the overstorey, understorey or is an emergent species. Voucher specimens were collected for each species and these are reported here in Appendix B. A complete list of species recorded during the survey, together with other species known to occur in the area, is presented in family order in Appendix C. Jessup Transects were devised by R.W. Jessup in the late 1940s (Jessup 1951). Initially he counted the number of shrubs over a fixed distance between his vehicle tracks, but the method has since been refined to sample a 100 m x 4 m quadrat and is widely used by the South Australian Department for Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation for monitoring the condition of pastoral leases (Lay 2005). This method records the number of plants belonging to each long-lived perennial species in a quadrat 100 m long x 4 m wide, two metres on either side of a tape run between two steel star droppers. The dropper with the photopoint disc is at the start of the quadrat. Data are recorded for 10 m blocks on either side of the tape starting on the left-hand side, with juvenile plants recorded separately from adults. Juvenile plants are defined as those <10 cm in height with no woody stem (Lay 2005). Searches for threatened species were carried out at all quadrats as part of the monitoring routine and opportunistically in other likely areas. All occurrences of Frankenia spp. were examined in detail and voucher collections made because the rare Frankenia subteres had previously been reported from the general area (see section on “Threatened Species and Communities).

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Table 1: Location and description of new monitoring sites Coordinates are AMG Zone 54. Datum is WGS84. Coordinates are for the two ends of the Jessup Transect: the photopoint disc is always at the (closest to) northern end of each transect. Discs are marked with both the official DEH photopoint number and the BEVEXP (BE) number. Photo- North End South End Site point Bear Structural Formation No. Disc -ing1 Easting Northing Easting Northing No. BE01 10969 360594 6661076 360551 6660988 193 Woodland BE02 10970 361307 6660876 361286 6660779 184 Woodland BE03 10971 361577 6660989 361528 6660900 200 Open woodland BE04 10972 365827 6661560 365916 6661511 113 Woodland BE05 10973 367324 6662853 367345 6662755 162 Open woodland BE06 10974 362800 6658699 362797 6658598 175 Low very open shrubland BE07 10975 361381 6657857 361437 6657767 136 Low open woodland BE08 10976 367084 6657382 367101 6657283 164 Very open tussock grassland BE09 10977 370302 6656084 370236 6656009 212 Open shrubland BE10 10978 363264 6655836 363238 6655739 193 Tall open shrubland BE11 10979 367283 6655862 367231 6655777 205 Low very open woodland BE12 10980 364253 6652353 364278 6652257 163 Very open shrubland BE13 10981 364980 6655527 364950 6655433 192 Tall very open shrubland BE14 10982 364963 6652449 364963 6652350 172 Low open shrubland BE15 10983 365677 6652738 365627 6652653 202 Low open shrubland BE16 10984 361221 6663134 361189 6663040 193 Low very open shrubland BE17 10985 362273 6663676 362246 6663579 183 Low very open shrubland BE18 10986 365752 6662067 365747 6661965 178 Low very open shrubland BE19 10987 370571 6662554 370559 6662452 180 Very open tussock grassland BE20 10988 367370 6662102 367366 6662003 178 Low open shrubland BE21 10989 360600 6659357 360590 6659257 178 Low very open shrubland BE22 10990 370525 6659668 370508 6659569 187 Low very open shrubland BE23 10991 364657 6652574 364650 6652474 177 Very open tussock grassland BE24 10992 358691 6655623 358690 6655524 173 Very open tussock grassland BE25 10993 368486 6650847 368472 6650749 180 Low very open shrubland

1 Bearing is the direction of the end post of the Jessup Transect from the post with the photopoint disc. The Jessup Transect always divides the 1 Ha quadrat into two equal rectangles.

Badman Environmental 12 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Figure 1: Location of Study Area Monitoring Sites

Badman Environmental 13 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Data Analysis The main data analysis tools used to analyse the Beverley Expansion area data were ordination and classification. Ordination of the site data was carried out using the PC-Ord computer software package (McCune and Mefford 1999) and classification using the PATN software package (Belbin 1992). Each species recorded in the field was entered on a standard Biological Survey data sheet (Appendix A) together with an abundance score. Scales used are a modified Braun-Blanquet system and these are given in Table 2. In practice, scores greater than 3 are rarely used in the South Australian arid zone and were not used during this survey.

Table 2: Abundance scoring system used in this survey Score used in Score Explanation analyses N Not many (1-10 plants and <5% cover) 1 T Sparsely present; cover small (<5%) 2 1 Plentiful but of small cover (<5%) 3 2 Any number of individuals covering 2-25% of area 4 3 Any number of individuals covering 25-50% of area 5 4 Any number of individuals covering 50-75% of area 6 5 Any number of individuals covering >75% of area 7

Field determinations of voucher specimens were confirmed by taxonomists at the State Herbarium of South Australia and identifications corrected on the data sheets where necessary. These data were then entered into Excel spreadsheets prior to carrying out the analyses. Classification and ordination were then carried out for the one hectare quadrat data. Species with less than two records were removed from the dataset, so as to give a more robust analysis and to minimise the effects of uncommon species.

Limitations of this Survey The dry seasonal conditions since 2001 meant that the cover of Astrebla pectinata is at its lowest since monitoring started at the mine site in 1998 (Fatchen 1998). Subsequent vegetation monitoring has recorded increases in the biomass of this species, peaking in 2001 (Fatchen 2001), with an overall decline since that time (Badman 2005). Very few annual or ephemeral species were recorded during the present survey. Those that were recorded were often identified from dead plants that remained in the ground. Species recorded during the survey are the core species of these vegetation associations and give a good indication of the basic composition of the various vegetation groups, but do not give an accurate indication of annuals and ephemerals that would be likely to occur following wetter seasonal conditions. In particular, there has not been a significant summer rainfall event since 2001 and there has been very limited growth and practically no recruitment of Astrebla pectinata during this period.

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RESULTS

General

Seasonal Conditions Seasonal conditions were very dry at the time of the March 2006 survey. Astrebla pectinata, which was the dominant species at many tableland sites in 1998 (Heathgate Resources 1998), was present only as butts or as dry leaf material. This is due to a continuation of dry conditions and reductions in plant biomass at the mine site since 2001 (Badman 2005). The effects of good winter rainfall in 2005, which resulted in the growth of some ephemeral species, did not persist once the hot weather of the summer of 2005-06 arrived.

General Health of the Vegetation Despite the dry seasonal conditions, most perennial vegetation was in fairly good condition at the time of the survey, although few of the shrub species were in a reproductive state. Most of the Eucalyptus camaldulensis trees along the major creek lines showed evidence of past leaf-loss, but there was a considerable amount of new leaf growth on almost all trees (see Figures 1-5 in Appendix E). Eucalyptus camaldulensis and the two Melaleuca spp. were in bud or had mature fruits. The foliage of both tall and low shrubs was generally in good condition, although many species were not flowering or in fruit. Annual and ephemeral species were generally dead and most were identified, often only to genus level, from dead material. The condition of Astrebla pectinata in March 2006 is of some concern. The lack of summer rainfall in recent years has resulted in a serious deterioration in the cover of this species (Badman 2005, Table 3). Many plants have now reached the stage where they are present only as root material exposed on the surface of the ground. Some (or many) of these may have passed the point from which they will regenerate from this root material. This has been the case for at least the last two years, with the situation becoming worse each year. A significant summer rainfall event of at least 100mm and possibly more will be required to return this species to its former dominance on the plains. The poor condition of this species has nothing to do with grazing or any mining or exploration related activities; from observation, the situation is the same across the whole of the plains between this part of the Flinders Ranges and Lake Frome. It is entirely due to lack of significant summer rainfall since 2000-2001. Heathgate Resources (1998) referred to the heavy past grazing regime across the whole of this area and indicated that past grazing was heavier in some areas than it is at present. This was suggested as the reason for the high proportion of Sclerolaena spp. in the grasslands, rather than there being pure stands of Astrebla pectinata. They also pointed to the resilient nature of Astrebla pectinata, but there is always the possibility that the effects of the “State and Transition Model” (Westoby et al. 1989) could result in a different vegetation community becoming dominant if the lack of summer rainfall continues.

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Table 3: Cover values for Astrebla pectinata at Beverley Monitoring Sites Source: Beverley Uranium Mine Annual Vegetation Monitoring Reports. Percentage cover values from tableland monitoring sites with Astrebla pectinata. Site No 1998 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 2005 Mean BU01 5.3 11.2 6.2 2.6 2.7 2.3 2.1 4.6 BU04 1.1 5.7 1.9 0.7 0.7 0.7 1.8 BU06 5.2 16.6 9.7 4.4 3.1 3.2 2.9 6.4 BU07 4.8 10.1 4.3 3.0 1.8 1.5 1.0 3.8 BU09 5.7 13.2 0.0 3.9 3.4 2.2 2.0 4.3 BU15 6.0 15.1 10.9 0.0 3.4 2.8 1.7 5.7 BU20 6.1 20.7 11.3 0.0 6.0 2.1 2.1 6.9 Mean 4.9 13.2 7.1 2.3 3.0 2.1 1.8 4.9

Disturbance at Monitoring Sites Permanent monitoring sites were placed in what were thought to be the three main vegetation types: major creek lines, minor watercourses and on the open plains. They were placed in areas where there was minimal previous disturbance caused by human influences. Where there was evidence of previous impacts, these were mainly restricted to the effects of domestic grazing and a few vehicle tracks. Sites were placed so as to be at least one kilometre away from stock watering points. Where possible, sites were placed on the south side of existing roads or tracks for ease of access and so that photographs could be taken at any time of the day without the problem of morning or evening shadows.

One Hectare Quadrats

Vegetation Groups An ordination plot of the one hectare quadrat data is shown in Figure 2 and a dendrogram derived from classification of these data in Figure 3. Three vegetation groups are identified in these figures, occurring at the Bray-Curtis 0.79 level of dissimilarity (Figure 3). These groups relate closely to landform: to major creek lines, minor watercourses and open plains (tablelands). This is similar to the vegetation groups defined by Heathgate Resources (1998), with the exception that the 1998 report also identifies a group with dense vegetation in localised run-on areas, which is included here with Group 2 vegetation, and chenopod shrubland on outwash and sandplain. The latter is represented only at Site BEVEXP25 and this is discussed below. A cut-off point on the dendrogram (Figure 3) at the Bray-Curtis 0.66 level of dissimilarity would have resulted in six vegetation groups. This is discussed briefly below under the three main group descriptions. The three-group option has been used because of the small number of sites that would have been present in some groups under the six-group option. Mean abundance scores for plant species recorded in each group in March 2006 are shown in Appendix C. Mean species richness for each group is shown in Table 4.

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BE10 6 BE07 BE12 BE13 BU15_5 BE21 2 BE11 BE08 BE18 BE23 BE06 BU15_4 BE24 BU15_3 BE15 BE14 BE16 Group 2 BE09 BE22 BE17 Sites along minor watercourses BU15_2 BE20 BE25

Axis 2 Axis -2 Group 3 Tableland sites BE03 -6 BE02 Group 1 BE01 BE04 Major creek line sites BE05 -10

-15 -5 5 Axis 1

Figure 2: Ordination plot from the one hectare quadrat data

Table 4: Mean species richness for vegetation groups Number of Sites Mean Species Group Number Range in Group Richness 1 5 26.4 19-40 2 11 27.0 (8)2 16-40 3 9 16.6 (17.2)3 9-21

Group 1 Group 1 contains the five sites along Four Mile Creek. Overstorey vegetation is dominated by Melaleuca glomerata and Eucalyptus camaldulensis, which occur mainly along the channel banks, with the shrubs Rhagodia spinescens and Enchylaena tomentosa and the grass Enteropogon ramosus dominant in the mid storey. The most common understorey species are Aristida nitida, Nicotiana velutina, Salsola kali, Schismus barbatus and Solanum ellipticum. Melaleuca

2 This low number was recorded at Site BEVEXP22, which is the atypical site on a sandplain. 3 The second number here is the mean species richness if the five earlier readings (2001-2005) from Monitoring Site BU15 are included.

Badman Environmental 17 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey dissitiflora also occurs here, but was not present at every one Hectare quadrat. Although not confirmed by sampling and analysis, sites along Paralana Creek would also be expected to also fit into this vegetation group. This is the only group where introduced species (Acetosa vesicaria, Schismus barbatus and Sisymbrium erysimoides) are amongst the ten most common species. This group has the highest incidence of introduced species of any vegetation group at Beverley. The higher incidence of introduced species in this group is due to the added water that flows down the creek from the Flinders Ranges and also to the ease of introduction of water-borne seeds from the more favourable habitats provided in the ranges. Heathgate Resources (1998) also listed several other grasses and Scaevola collaris as being present in this vegetation association, but these were absent at the time of the present survey. Group 1 would have remained unaltered at the 0.66 level of dissimilarity on the dendrogram in Figure 3.

Group 2 Group 2 contains all but one of the sites situated along minor watercourses, plus two of the plains sites. The plains sites are atypical in that they both contain significant numbers of low shrubs even though they are not associated with watercourses. These watercourses begin on the plain, rather than in the Flinders Ranges. The low shrub Rhagodia spinescens is the dominant species, although the tall shrubs or low trees Eremophila duttonii, Eremophila freelingii and Santalum lanceolatum are often common as an overstorey, or occur as emergent species. The low shrub Maireana aphylla is also common in this group. The most common understorey species are the sub-shrubs Enchylaena tomentosa, Ptilotus obovatus, Sclerolaena cuneata, Sclerolaena diacantha and Sclerolaena ventricosa and the grass Enteropogon ramosus. The herbs Atriplex angulata, Gnephosis arachnoidea and Salsola kali are common in the understorey. Introduced species are far less common here than in Group 1, almost certainly because of the lack of direct access of water-borne seeds from the Flinders Ranges. Sisymbrium erysimoides was the only alien species that was recorded regularly at sites in this group, although it was less common here than at Group 1 sites. None of the other introduced species listed above for Group 1 sites were recorded at any of the Group 2 sites. Group 2 would have been split into three groups at the 0.66 level of dissimilarity on the dendrogram in Figure 3: 1. The main group would have contained the first five sites from Group 2, which are all situated in the upper reaches of minor watercourses. These are the five most outlying sites in Group 2 of the dendrogram (Figure 3) and the ordination plot shown in Figure 2. 2. This group would have contained the remaining minor watercourse sites from Group 2 of the dendrogram and the ordination plot.

Badman Environmental 18 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

3. This group would have contained the two plains sites from Group 2 of the dendrogram and the ordination plot (BEVEXP20 and BEVEXP25).

Site BEV EXP25 is located to the south of Paralana Creek in sandier country than all other sites from the present survey. This is part of the area described as sandplain by Heathgate Resources (1998) and is similar to areas also described as sandplain along the Epic pipeline corridor to the south of Paralana Creek (Badman 2004c). It has vegetation dominated by the low shrub Rhagodia spinescens, which is sparsely, if at all, present at other plains sites. Astrebla pectinata was not present at this site, which was also the case at other low plains areas observed during the March 2006 survey. It was also the case in the chenopod shrublands on outwash and sandplain vegetation association described by Heathgate Resources (1998).

0.2710 0.4668 0.6626 0.8584 1.0542 1.2500 | | | | | | BE01 ( 1)______BE02 ( 2)___ | Group 1 BE03 ( 3)__|______|___ BE04 ( 4)______| BE05 ( 5)______|___|______BE06 ( 6)______| BE09 ( 9)______| | BE11 (11)______|______| | BE14 (14)______| | | BE15 (15)______|______|______|__ | BE07 ( 7)______| Group 2 BE10 (10)______| | | BE13 (13)_____|_____ | | | BE12 (12)______|_____|______|______| BE20 (20)______| | BE25 (25)______|______|______|______BE08 ( 8)_ | BE21 (21)|_____ | BE18 (18)_____|_____ | BE19 (19)____ | | BE24 (24)___|______|_____ | BE23 (23)______| | BU15e(30)______|__|______Group 3 | BE16 (16)___ | | BE17 (17)__|______| | BU15a(26)__ | | | BU15c(28)_|____ | | | BU15b(27)_____|__ | | | BU15d(29)______|______|______|______| BE22 (22)______|______| | | | | | | 0.2710 0.4668 0.6626 0.8584 1.0542 1.2500 Figure 3: Dendrogram obtained from classification of the one hectare quadrat data Sites from the March 2006 survey are prefixed “BE”; relevés from site BU15 are followed by “a” for year 2000 data, “b” for 2001 data, and so on.

Badman Environmental 19 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Group 3 Group 3 contains all but two of the plains sites. The two plains sites not included here (BEVEXP20, BEVEXP25) are in Group 2 because they contain large numbers of low shrubs that are more characteristic of minor watercourses than of plains in this area. The summer-growing grass Astrebla pectinata forms the overstorey in this group. It had the highest mean score of any species in this group in March 2006 despite the fact that the mean score was well below the abundance scores recorded during the early monitoring events at Beverley (Fatchen 1998, 2001 and see Table 3 above)) which were preceded by good summer rainfall. Low shrubs, where present, can only be classified as emergent species in this group. The most common plants in the understorey are, in descending order of recorded abundance, Sclerolaena divaricata, Sclerolaena ventricosa, Sclerolaena brachyptera, Salsola kali, Pimelea trichostachya, Neobassia proceriflora, Dissocarpus paradoxus, Dissocarpus biflorus and Euphorbia stevenii. No introduced species were recorded in this group in March 2006. Group 3 would have been split into two groups at the 0.66 level of dissimilarity on the dendrogram in Figure 3: 1. The first group would have contained all but one of the plains sites from the Figure 2 ordination plot. 2. This group would have contained one site, BEVEXP22, which is located on sandier soil than all other sites.

Because of the very low abundance of Astrebla pectinata at the time of the March 2006 survey, another ordination was carried out using an abundance score of 2 (5- 25% cover) for each site where this species was recorded. This was considered to be a realistic cover score based on data from Fatchen (2001) and Table 3 of this report. This change in cover value made very little difference to the ordination plot, with the combination of species present being more important than the abundance score of one particular species.

Species Richness Mean species richness and the range between all sites sampled during the March 2006 survey, are shown in Table 4. Species richness is highest at Group 1 sites and lowest at Group 3 sites. For comparison, species richness at all annual vegetation monitoring sites from 1998-2005 is shown in Table 5. Values in Table 5 are all lower than those in Table 4 because of the small size of the quadrats used in the annual vegetation monitoring. The values recorded in March 2006 at Group 2 and Group 3 sites, in a very dry season, are similar to those recorded in the best seasons in Table 5.

Badman Environmental 20 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Table 5: Mean species richness at annual vegetation monitoring sites Year Group 1 Sites Group 2 Sites Group 3 Sites 1998 - 19.0 14.5 2000 - 18.0 17.6 2001 - 10.5 9.8 2002 4.0 3.3 5.1 2003 5.3 9.3 9.0 2004 4.0 4.7 5.5 2005 13.7 16.3 17.5 All Years 6.8 11.6 11.3 There was no survey in 1999 and no data were collected from Group 1 sites from 1998-2001. Sample size was not the same in all years, with the majority of sites being in Group 3 vegetation. The mean for Group 1 sites is dragged down by the lack of data from the wetter years of 1998 and 2001.

Comparisons with Previous Surveys Previous survey reports have been based on qualitative assessment of the vegetation. They have produced similar groupings of the vegetation, although with some differences in species composition caused mainly be differing climatic conditions preceding the surveys. The only surveys in the Beverley area that have collected quantitative data are those associated with the mine itself. These commenced in 1998, although the methods used and data collected are not compatible with those used in the present survey. Data are collected from 2m x 5m quadrats for the annual mine vegetation surveys and while these data give a more accurate representation of the cover of each species, the species richness obtained by this method is far lower than that obtained from a one hectare quadrat. An ordination plot of all data collected from 1998 to 2005 is shown in Figure 4. There are no groups based on differences in vegetation composition, but two tails are evident which include all sites from two different years, with differences from the main group of relevés based entirely on rainfall in those particular years. The year 2001 was the last year with significant summer rainfall and 2005 had significant winter rainfall.

Badman Environmental 21 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

80

2005 Survey Data Axis 2

40

2001 Survey Data

0

0 40 80 Axis 1

Figure 4: Ordination plot of 1998-2005 2m x 5m quadrat data

Quantitative data were also collected from the Epic Pipeline corridor from 2003- 2005. These were given the same abundance scores that were used in the present survey, but data were collected from 50m x 2m quadrats. These were from paired sites on the rehabilitating pipeline corridor and from a control site 50 m from the corridor on undisturbed ground. These data are plotted with the March 2006 survey data in the ordination plot in Figure 5. They do not fit into the groupings derived from the March 2006 survey, although relevés are closest to the Group 3 sites, which is where most of them should be. Site 5 is on the bank of Paralana Creek and could have been expected to be closer to the Group 1 sites, although it includes only one creek bank and covers only one percent of the area of the one hectare sites.

Badman Environmental 22 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

BE02 80 BE05 Group 1 E05_R03 BE04 E05_C03 BE01 BE03 E04_C03 BE20 BE25 Group 3 60 BE15 E05_R04 BE09 BE07 BE14

E04_C09 BE10 BE13 BE06 BE22 Axis 2 40 BE11 BE12 E04_C06 E04_C01 BE08 Group 2 BE21 BE24 20 E05_C07 Ungrouped – Epic E05_C01 pipeline sites E05_R01 E05_R06 0 E05_C06

0 40 80 Axis 1

Figure 5: Ordination plot of 2003-2005 Epic Pipeline survey data The Epic Pipeline sites are prefixed E and the year of the survey, followed by R for Right of Way (rehabilitation sites) or C (control sites) and the year of the survey.

In 2001, a one hectare quadrat was established at monitoring site BU15 and has been surveyed in every subsequent year. It was not surveyed in March 2006, but this will be done as part of the annual spring vegetation monitoring programme. The existing five years of data were examined together with the March 2006 Group 3 data and an ordination plot of the results is shown in Figure 6. These data fit in well with the data from the current survey, although with some slight seasonal variation. They are closer to other Group 3 sites than the atypical site BE22, which is similar country to the Epic Pipeline sites E1 to E5. The BU15 data from 2001-2005 were also examined together with all data from the March 2006 survey and the results are shown in the ordination plot in Figure 2 and the dendrogram in Figure 3. All of these support the inclusion of this site in the March 2006 vegetation Group 3.

Badman Environmental 23 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

BU15_03 80 BU15_02 BU15_01 BU15_04

BE17 60 BE16 BE23

BU15_05 BE08 BE19 BE24

xis 2 xis 40 BE18 A BE21

20

BE22 0

0 40 80 Axis 1

Figure 6: Ordination plot of all Group 3 data Sites prefixed BE are from the March 2006 survey; other points are from the Beverley site BU15 and are followed by the year of the survey (2000-2005).

It was expected that the higher and lower areas of the plain would form separate vegetation groups, but this was not the case. It is not known whether this would be the case based on data collected following a significant summer rainfall event. Sites to the north of Four Mile Creek on the western side of the study area in particular contained very little Astrebla pectinata in March 2006 and were dominated by Sclerolaena spp. This is typical of the degradation assigned to previous overgrazing by domestic stock by Heathgate Resources (1998). While this is almost certainly a factor, the role of the recent lack of summer rainfall has almost certainly been at least partly responsible. Badman (2006a) reported that plant biomass in September 2005 was almost back to its 2001 levels, but the bulk of the biomass was made up of forbs, including mainly Sclerolaena spp., rather than Astrebla pectinata. Sites on sandier soils, such as BEVEXP22, fit into the lower plains category and could be placed in a group of their own. One noticeable difference between the vegetation of the plains as described by Heathgate Resources (1998) and the findings of the present survey was the complete lack of Sclerolaena bicornis in March 2006. This species was listed as being “frequent” in this habitat by Heathgate Resources (1998). Another puzzling finding of the present survey when compared to the original EIS survey (Heathgate Resources 1998) is the current domination of the low shrub Rhagodia spinescens in Group 2 sites, which are mainly located along minor watercourses. This species is not mentioned by Heathgate Resources (1998) in their description of vegetation associated with secondary drainage. Maireana aphylla is mentioned as the main low shrub, although in March 2006 this species was far less common than Rhagodia spinescens (see shrub counts in Table 8). Heathgate Resources (1998) mention Rhagodia spinescens only as an important component of

Badman Environmental 24 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey the vegetation of the uppermost portion of the floodplain of Four Mile Creek, where it was found to be present in March 2006 but at much lower densities than in the minor watercourses. There is no obvious reason for this apparent change in vegetation composition: Rhagodia spinescens is a long-lived shrub, with a lifespan exceeding the period between these two surveys. It is inconceivable that such a dominant and obvious species could have been overlooked during the 1998 survey. Eremophila latrobei was also reported from the higher plains areas (Heathgate Resources 1998), but this species was not recorded in March 20064, nor in any other survey at Beverley since 2003. This species was reported from the area by Close and Williams (1982) and two voucher numbers are listed in their report. However, an electronic search of herbarium records (Web Ref. 1) failed to these collections and there are no records of this species east of the Flinders Ranges. It is likely that the L.D. Williams collections were made in the ranges rather than on the plain.

4 The March 2006 survey used the standard DEH biological survey methodology, in which a voucher collection was made for every species encountered on the survey. The identity of these was then confirmed by taxonomists at the State Herbarium of South Australia.

Badman Environmental 25 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Jessup Transects A summary of data from the Jessup Transects is given in Table 6 and the summary results from each site are presented in Table 7. Table 8 shows the densities of the 10 overall most common species, overall and at each site.

Table 6: Summary of Jessup Transect shrub counts for each vegetation group Group Mean Shrub Numbers per 400m2 Quadrat Total shrub density Number Adults Juveniles Total per hectare 1 15.6 0.4 16.0 400 2 35.4 2.5 37.9 948 3 0.4 0.0 0.4 11 Mean 17.1 1.0 18.1 453

Table 7: Summary of Jessup Transect shrub densities at each site Units are number of plants per 400m2 quadrat Group Shrub Numbers Site Number Number Adults Juveniles Total BEVEXP01 1 26 2 28 BEVEXP02 1 1 0 1 BEVEXP03 1 12 0 12 BEVEXP04 1 4 0 4 BEVEXP05 1 35 0 35 BEVEXP06 2 16 0 16 BEVEXP07 2 28 0 28 BEVEXP08 3 0.0 0 0 BEVEXP09 2 42 1 43 BEVEXP10 2 55 0 55 BEVEXP11 2 69 4 73 BEVEXP12 2 74 10 84 BEVEXP13 2 28 5 33 BEVEXP14 2 12 0 12 BEVEXP15 2 18 7 25 BEVEXP16 3 0 0 0 BEVEXP17 3 0 0 0 BEVEXP18 3 1 0 1 BEVEXP19 3 0 0 0 BEVEXP20 2 27 1 28 BEVEXP21 3 0 0 0 BEVEXP22 3 3 0 3 BEVEXP23 3 0 0 0 BEVEXP24 3 0 0 0 BEVEXP25 2 20 0 20

Badman Environmental 26 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Table 8: Densities of the most common species in Jessup Transects Units are the number of plants per 400m2 quadrat Acacia coriacea freelingii freelingii Transect Rhagodia glomerata tomentosa Melaleuca Melaleuca Melaleuca spinescens dissitiflora dissitiflora Enchylaena Eremophila Eremophila Site Number Number Site tetragonophylla tetragonophylla Ptilotus obovatus Maireana aphylla shrubs per Jessup Jessup per shrubs Total all trees and all trees Total Eremophila duttonii Eremophila Senna artemisioides BEVEXP01 10 2 14 2 28 BEVEXP02 1 1 BEVEXP03 6 1 7 BEVEXP04 1 4 BEVEXP05 7 3 29 3 39 BEVEXP06 5 1 4 16 BEVEXP07 1 7 2 5 10 28 BEVEXP08 0 BEVEXP09 1 2 38 43 BEVEXP10 5 1 6 17 2 10 4 2 55 BEVEXP11 4 2 6 10 27 9 73 BEVEXP12 8 4 11 6 1 30 10 8 84 BEVEXP13 1 2 6 4 10 1 1 2 1 33 BEVEXP14 9 12 BEVEXP15 22 25 BEVEXP16 0 BEVEXP17 0 BEVEXP18 1 BEVEXP19 0 BEVEXP20 4 17 28 BEVEXP21 0 BEVEXP22 3 3 BEVEXP23 0 BEVEXP24 0 BEVEXP25 1 19 20 Total 14 30 23 36 30 2 61 77 148 15 500

Little can be said about these results, other than that the minor watercourse sites in Group 2 contain the largest numbers of shrubs and that very few shrubs are present at the Group 3 tableland sites. The two tableland sites that do have significant numbers of shrubs fall within Group 2 in both the classification and ordination. The greatest value of the Jessup Transects will be in allowing statistical analysis of changes in shrub numbers in future years.

Badman Environmental 27 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

THREATENED FLORA AND COMMUNITIES The author of this report has had extensive experience with threatened species in the north of South Australia, both during field surveys over more than 25 years and as part of two desktop study projects for the South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage during 2005 and 2006 (DEH 2005, in prep.). These projects have involved the preparation of Species Profiles and Threats (SPRAT) sheets for 110 threatened species in the South Australian Arid Lands. The subject of threatened flora at Beverley was covered by Fatchen (1998) and Badman (2005) and all relevant information from these reports is repeated herein. Additional information is included that came to light during the 2005 and 2006 SPRAT projects (DEH 2005, in prep.). Information on species that are known to occur in the general area is given below and is summarised in Table 9. Some of the species listed in Table 9 and discussed below are ephemerals and are likely to be present only in very wet years and probably only for a short time. Some of these species are known in the general district from only one or two records and the chances of finding them during a survey carried out under dry seasonal conditions, such as those present at the time of the 2003-2006 surveys, are practically non existent. No species listed under the Commonwealth Environmental Protection and Biological Conservation (EPBC) Act has been reliably recorded in the Beverley area. No threatened vegetation communities, as defined under Commonwealth legislation in the EPBC Act, or by Davies (1982) and Neagle (1995) for South Australia, are known to occur in the study area. Frankenia subteres, which is listed as Vulnerable under the EPBC Act, was reported from the area during an earlier vegetation survey (Close and Williams 1982) but this record is now thought to be based on an incorrect identification. This species is listed as rare in South Australia and is known from numerous herbarium collections to the west of the survey area, particularly in the Flinders Ranges and around Leigh Creek and Copley. There are no confirmed records from the Beverley area or from east of the Flinders Ranges (Web Ref. 1).

Threatened Species Recorded During the Field Survey No threatened species were recorded during the March 2006 field survey. There is only one record of a threatened species that is supported by a voucher collection from the Beverley Mine area. This is Swainsona oligophylla, which is listed as Rare under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1992.

Threatened Species Known to Occur in the General Area Threatened species that have been reliably recorded in the general vicinity of Beverley, i.e. within about 100km, are listed in Table 9. Only those species whose presence is supported by herbarium voucher collections are included in this list. Individual species are discussed below.

Badman Environmental 28 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Table 9: Summary of likely occurrence of threatened plants in the survey area Likelihood of occurring in this area is based on information from the South Australian Plant Mapper (Web Ref. 1). Threatened species ratings E Endangered (SA NPW Act) V Vulnerable under the SA NPW Act R Rare under the SA NPW Act Threatened species recorded within 100 km of the Beverley Mine site Species Family EPBC State Likelihood of Rating Rating occurrence Abutilon oxycarpum Malvaceae Not rated R Nil Anogramma leptophylla Adiantaceae Not rated R Nil Austrodanthonia tenuior Gramineae Not rated R Possible Cladium procerum Not rated R Unlikely Doodia caudata Blechnaceae Not rated E Nil Eremophila subfloccosa ssp. “glandulosa” Myoporaceae Not rated R Unlikely Logania saxatilis Loganiaceae Not rated R Unlikely Lythrum salicaria Lythraceae Not rated R Unlikely Orobanche cernua var. australiana Orobanchaceae Not rated R Possible Philotheca angustifolia Rutaceae Not rated R Unlikely Podolepis jaceoides Compositae Not rated R Unlikely Ranunculus sessiliflorus var. pilulifera Ranunculaceae Not rated V Unlikely Solanum eremophilum Solanaceae Not rated R Possible Swainsona leeana Leguminosae Not rated R Unlikely Swainsona oligophylla Leguminosae Not rated R Recorded 2005 Swainsona procumbens Leguminosae Not rated V Possible Swainsona viridis Leguminosae Not rated V Possible Zygophyllum hybridum Zygophyllaceae Not rated R Possible

Notes on individual species Swainsona oligophylla There are numerous records from the north and north-east of the state, with many from the Innamincka area, but no previous records from around Beverley (Web Ref. 1). There is also a record from the Epic Gas pipeline corridor near Erudina, well south of Beverley. This species was recorded in the one Hectare quadrat as monitoring site BU15 in September 2005 (collection number FJB 11752), but the determination of this collection has only just been confirmed by the State Herbarium of South Australia. This was the first and only record of any Swainsona sp. since monitoring of this one Hectare quadrat commenced in March 2001. This species was rare at this site (1-10 plants in a 100 x 100 m quadrat). Abutilon oxycarpum The subspecies that is rated as threatened, Abutilon oxycarpum ssp. incanum, occurs only in the western parts of the state (Barker et al. 2005). The subspecies that occurs in the Flinders Ranges and to the east is Abutilon oxycarpum ssp. oxycarpum, which does not have a conservation rating. Anogramma leptophylla (Annual Fern) This species occurs in the Gammon Ranges and at Mount Hack (Web Ref. 1). Its habitat is damp and shaded crevices in gorges, a habitat which does not occur in the Beverley area.

Badman Environmental 29 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Austrodanthonia tenuior (Short-awn Wallaby-grass, Purplish Wallaby-grass) There is a record from 30 km north-east of Wooltana, in rocky hills after floods (Web Ref. 1). It is possible that it could be found at Beverley, although the hills in this area are not as rugged as those to the north-east of Wooltana. Cladium procerum (Leafy Twig-rush) There is a herbarium voucher specimen from “The John Crossing” (Web Ref. 1), which is where Big John Creek crosses the Copley – Balcanoona Road just east of Nepabunna. There are no records from the plains so it is unlikely to be found at Beverley. Doodia caudata (Small Rasp-fern, Rasp Fern) There are herbarium voucher collections from Balcanoona Creek in the Gammon Ranges (Web Ref. 1), where it grows amongst rocks in a deep gorge (Jessop and Toelken 1986). This habitat does not occur in the Beverley area. Eremophila subfloccosa ssp. “glandulosa” ms (Green-flower Emubush) There are herbarium voucher collections from Balcanoona and South Tusk Hill (Web Ref. 1). This name is still in manuscript form and has yet to be formally published. It is unlikely that suitable habitat for this subspecies exists in the Beverley area. Logania saxatilis (Rock Logania, Large Logania) There are no records from the immediate Beverley area, but there are herbarium voucher collections from the Barytes Mine and from Mt Chambers Gorge (Web Ref. 1), which are the most northerly in South Australia. There is a very slight possibility that it could be found at Beverley, although the habitat in the Beverley area is probably not suitable because it lacks steep rocky hills. Lythrum salicaria (Purple Loosestrife) There is a single herbarium voucher collection from Moro Gorge (Web Ref. 1), which is the only record north of the River Murray. The likelihood of this species being found at Beverley is very remote. Orobanche cernua var. australiana (Australian Broomrape) There are several records from the general area, but none from the immediate vicinity of Beverley (Web Ref. 1). The closest herbarium voucher collections are from Big John Creek, 30 miles (50 km) south of Mt Hopeless, Murnpeowie and from Hamilton Creek near the junction of Salt Creek and Lake Callabonna. This species is parasitic on the roots of other species and usually occurs along small watercourses in northern South Australia. There is a possibility that it could be found in this area in a good season. Philotheca angustifolia There are numerous herbarium voucher collections of this species from the Flinders and Gammon Ranges, but none from the plains to the east (Web Ref. 1). The likelihood of it being found at Beverley is very remote. Podolepis jaceoides (Showy Copper-wire Daisy, Showy Podolepis) There are herbarium voucher collections from the Gammon Ranges National Park, Weetootla Gorge and Italowie Gorge (Web Ref. 1), often in mallee communities and in soils with a higher nutrient content (Jessop and Toelken 1986). There are no records from east of the ranges in this northern part of its range and the likelihood of it being found at Beverley is considered to be very remote.

Badman Environmental 30 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Ranunculus sessiliflorus var. pilulifera (Annual Buttercup, Small-flower Buttercup) The closest herbarium voucher collections to Beverley are from Moro Gorge, Mt John and Balcanoona Creek (Web Ref. 1). There are other records from further north, but this species is more common in southern parts of the state. The likelihood of it being found at Beverley is considered to be remote. Solanum eremophilum (Rare Nightshade) There is a herbarium voucher collection from Floods Creek (Web Ref. 1), which flows into Lake Frome to the east of Balcanoona. It is unlikely, but possible, that it could be found in the Beverley area. This is the only record in South Australia from north of the Port Pirie area. Swainsona leeana (Lee’s Swainson-pea) The only South Australian records are from Mt Freeling and Moro Gorge, to the north and south of Beverley (Web Ref. 1). The scarcity of records and the apparent preference for a hilly habitat, would suggest that it is very unlikely to be found in the Beverley area. Swainsona procumbens (Broughton Pea, Tatiara Pea) The closest herbarium voucher collection is from near Lake Frome, to the south-east of Beverley (Web Ref. 1). It is possible that this species could be found at Beverley in a good season, although there are only four records in this state from north of Port Augusta. Swainsona viridis (Creeping Darling Pea) There is a herbarium voucher collection from Paralana Homestead (Web Ref. 1), which is now part of Wooltana Station5. All other nearby records are from the Gammon Ranges, although there are records from further north and south. There are no records from the plains east of the Gammon Ranges so it is unlikely that it would be found at Beverley. Zygophyllum hybridum There are herbarium voucher collections from Mt Fitton, Benbonyathe Hill and Mt Clive, but no records from the plains to the east of the Gammon Ranges (Web Ref. 1). It is possible that it could be found in the Beverley area, although the lack of records from east of the ranges suggests that this is unlikely.

5 The original Paralana Homestead was on the eastern edge of the ranges, about three kilometres south of the Paralana Hot Springs.

Badman Environmental 31 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

ALIEN FLORA Alien species that are either known to exist in the Beverley area, or are considered likely to be found in the future, are listed in Table 10. This table also includes their status as listed by DWLBC (2005b). No species listed as “very aggressive” by DWLBC (2005b) are known or considered likely to occur in the Beverley area. The DWLBC definition of very aggressive is “highly invasive in either disturbed or intact native vegetation. Spreads rapidly producing very dense stands and a blanket cover. Potential to eliminate native understorey species. Very difficult to control”. All alien species recorded during the March 2006 survey were identified from dead standing plants, with no live alien plants seen during the survey. Badman (1995) studied the spread of alien species at the Olympic Dam mine site and concluded that two distinct suites of alien plants were present there: those that had been in the area for 50-100 years or more, and plants that had come in after the establishment of the mine and town of Roxby Downs. The latter were restricted to wet areas such as drains and sewage ponds and had not spread into the surrounding country after more than a decade which included two very wet years. These two suites are present at the Beverley Mine site, although the second suite is poorly represented because of the lack of on-site housing and domestic gardens. Solanum nigrum is the most obvious representative of this suite, although it was present in the district prior to any activities by Heathgate Resources. It has benefited from the availability of free water at drains on the mine lease (Badman 2004b). Polypogon monspeliensis and Spergularia marina (see comments under this species) also belong in this category, although the presence of both species is the result of a pastoral bore rather than the mine. A third suite of alien plants appears to be present at Beverley: species that have been introduced to the area, and will probably continue to be introduced, by the large creeks that flow down onto the plain from the Flinders Ranges. Heathgate Resources (1998) pointed to the fact that the majority of alien species were associated with drainage and the extra water subsidies that they provide. This was demonstrated by the higher incidence of introduced species at Group 1 sites compared to other vegetation groups during the March 2006 survey. There still do not appear to be any introductions of new species that are the direct result of the mine. Additional alien species that have been recorded since 1998 are all species that are already known from the Flinders Ranges. The two species present at Four Mile Bore, Polypogon monspeliensis and Spergularia marina, were first recorded in 2004, which was the first time the bore was surveyed by the present author (Badman 2004b). They were not reported by Heathgate Resources (1998). This bore predates any of the Heathgate Resources exploration and mining activities at this site, but it is not known whether these species were introduced by activities related to the mine, or whether they were overlooked during previous surveys. Badman (1999) considered that at least 10% of the flora of the Lake Eyre basin is made up of introduced taxa (aliens). The ratio for Beverley is now slightly above this figure at 11%. The status of the species listed in Table 10 is discussed briefly below.

Badman Environmental 32 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Proclaimed Species Only one proclaimed species has been recorded in the Beverley area: this is Tribulus terrestris. Five other proclaimed species have been recorded in the general area, particularly in the nearby Flinders Ranges, and could be found at Beverley sometime in the future. These are discussed below. Tribulus terrestris (Caltrop) This species has been recorded in Beverley Uranium Mine monitoring quadrats in some years and has been absent in others. This species is common following good rainfall in surrounding pastoral country. Asphodelus fistulosus (Onion Weed) This species had not yet been recorded in the Beverley area, but is common in the Flinders Ranges. It could be introduced to the area by water flow along Four Mile Creek or Paralana Creek. There is a nearby herbarium record from Frome Downs (Web Ref. 1). Echium plantagineum (Salvation Jane) This species had not yet been recorded in the Beverley area, but is common in the Flinders Ranges. It could be introduced to the area by water flow along Four Mile Creek or Paralana Creek. There are nearby herbarium records from Chambers Gorge and Martins Well (Web Ref. 1). Emex australis (Three-corner Jack) This species has yet to be recorded in the Beverley area, but is widely distributed in the Flinders Ranges. There is also a herbarium collection from Chambers Gorge (Web Ref. 1). It could be introduced to the Beverley area along one of the creeks from the ranges, or be brought in on vehicle tyres. Marrubium vulgare (Horehound) This species has yet to be recorded in the Beverley area, but is widely distributed in the Flinders Ranges. It could be introduced to the Beverley area along one of the creeks from the ranges, or by seeds in the coats of . Xanthium spinosum (Bathurst Burr) This species has yet to be recorded in the immediate Beverley area, but is widely distributed in the Flinders Ranges. It could be introduced to the Beverley area along one of the creeks from the ranges. There is a nearby record from North Mulga (Web Ref. 1) and it is most commonly associated with station dams in northern parts of South Australia.

Badman Environmental 33 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Table 10: Alien species known, or likely, to occur in the Beverley area DWLBC (2005b) Status: P: Proclaimed species. * Non-aggressive; generally only invade disturbed areas. Often widespread and abundant but not considered a serious threat to biodiversity unless present at very high densities. ** Aggressive; invasive in intact native vegetation with moderate potential to reduce native species diversity. Once present will persist and threaten native plant diversity. May produce dense stands, but can be controlled with sustained effort. (P): Species not listed as proclaimed species by DWLBC (2005b), but listed as such by Barker et al. (2005).

Family Species Common Name Known DWLBC to (2005b) occur Status Polygonaceae Acetosa vesicaria Ruby Dock Y Not listed Primulaceae Anagallis arvensis Scarlet Pimpernel Y ** Liliaceae Asphodelus fistulosus Onion Weed Not listed (P) Cruciferae Brassica tournefortii Long-fruited Wild-turnip ** Cruciferae Carrichtera annua Ward’s Weed * Gramineae Cenchrus ciliaris Buffel Grass Y ** Compositae Centaurea melitensis Maltese Cockspur Y ** Chenopodiaceae Chenopodium murale Nettle-leaf Goosefoot Y Not listed Cucurbitaceae Citrullus colocynthis Colocynth Not listed Cucurbitaceae Citrullus lanatus Bitter Melon * Cucurbitaceae Cucumis myriocarpus Paddy Melon Y * Gramineae Cynodon dactylon Couch-grass Y ** Solanaceae Datura leichhardtii Native Thorn-apple Y Not listed Boraginaceae Echium plantagineum Salvation Jane ** P Polygonaceae Emex australis Three-corner Jack ** P Geraniaceae Erodium cicutarium Common Storks Bill ** Boraginaceae Heliotropium curassavicum Smooth Heliotrope Y Not listed Compositae Lactuca serriola Prickly Lettuce Y ** Malvaceae Malva parviflora Mallow ** Labiatae Marrubium vulgare Horehound ** P Solanaceae Nicotiana glauca Tree Tobacco Not listed Gramineae Polypogon monspeliensis Annual Beard-grass Y Not listed Euphorbiaceae Ricinus communis Castor Oil Plant Y ** Labiatae Salvia verbenaca Wild Sage ** Gramineae Schismus barbatus Arabian Grass Y Not listed Cruciferae Sisymbrium erysimoides Hedge Mustard Y ** Cruciferae Sisymbrium irio London Rocket Y ** Solanaceae Solanum nigrum Black Nightshade Y ** Compositae Sonchus oleraceus Sow Thistle Y Not listed Caryophyllaceae Spergularia marina6 Salt Sand-spurry Y Not listed Zygophyllaceae Tribulus terrestris Caltrop Y ** P Compositae Xanthium spinosum Bathurst Burr * P

6 See comment under this species.

Badman Environmental 34 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Other Alien Species Acetosa vesicaria (Rosy Dock) This species was found to be common at Group 1 sites in March 2006 and was reported from the same area by Heathgate Resources (1998). One immature plant was found in the camp area in September 2004, but was not recorded in 2005. It is abundant in the Flinders Ranges and a continuing influx of seeds can be expected along major watercourses from the ranges. It has a broad distribution but scattered distribution to the east of the Flinders Ranges (Web Ref. 1). Anagallis arvensis (Blue Pimpernel) This species is common in the Flinders Ranges (Web Ref. 1) and was reported from the Four Mile Creek by Heathgate Resources (1998). It was also collected opportunistically in Paralana Creek in 2005. Further introductions to the Beverley area can be expected along the Four Mile and Paralana Creeks. Brassica tournefortii (Long-fruited Wild –turnip) This species was reported from Four Mile Creek and Jenny Creek by Heathgate Resources (1998). It was not recorded during the March 2006 survey. Because of its preference for sandy habitats it is unlikely to occur at Beverley other than in sandy areas such as occur along the Four Mile and Paralana Creeks. Seeds could be introduced to the area along either of these creeks. Carrichtera annua (Ward’s Weed) This species has a very broad distribution to the west and south of the Beverley area (Web Ref. 1), but has not yet been recorded at Beverley. Because this species has been so common in so many areas for over a Century, it is possible that it will not spread to Beverley under the present climatic conditions because either the soils or rainfall patterns do not suit it. Cenchrus ciliaris (Buffel Grass) This species was recorded during the 1979 biological survey (Close and Williams 1982), along Four Mile Creek (Heathgate Resources 1998) and along the banks of Paralana Creek during Epic Pipeline rehabilitation surveys (Badman 2005). This species has been widely planted for stock fodder by pastoralists in northern South Australia, but it is not known whether its occurrence in this area is accidental or deliberate. Centaurea melitensis (Malta Thistle) Recorded during the 1979 biological survey7 (Close and Williams 1982) and reported from Four Mile Creek (Heathgate Resources 1998) and again during the March 2006 survey. It is not common in this area, but there are numerous records from the Flinders Ranges (Web Ref. 1).

7 Williams listed Centaurea solstitialis, but this particular species is known in South Australia only from south of Port Augusta (Web Ref. 1) The widespread C. melitensis is the only member of this genus which is currently known from the botanical region containing the Beverley Mine.

Badman Environmental 35 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Chenopodium murale (Nettle-leaf Goosefoot) This species was recorded from watercourses during the 1979 biological survey (Close and Williams 1982), but has not been subsequently recorded in the Beverley area. It is most common at pastoral watering points and at sheep yards in northern South Australia and appears to benefit from the extra nutrients found at such places. Citrullus colocynthis (Colocynth) Not recorded during the 1979 biological survey (Close and Williams 1982), but reported by Heathgate Resources (1998). Citrullus lanatus (Bitter Melon) Not recorded during the 1979 biological survey (Close and Williams 1982), but it has since been recorded opportunistically as sparsely present in some watercourses, including the Four Mile Creek during the present survey. This perennial species is very common and widespread in northern South Australia (Web Ref. 1), particularly following late spring and summer rainfall. Cucumis myriocarpus (Paddy Melon) Recorded during the 1979 biological survey (Close and Williams 1982), it was also recorded along the drain at the main camp in 2005 (Badman 2006). Cynodon dactylon (Couch) Found in a drain just outside the main gate to the process plant in 2004 and 2005 and also at the Four Mile Bore in both years. Close and Williams (1982) also reported it from watercourses in the general area. This is a common species along drains and around water points throughout the surrounding pastoral country. Datura leichhardtii (Native Thorn-apple) One plant was found growing in a gully near the old camp site on the mine lease to the south of the Four Mile Bore in 2004 (Badman 2004b). Heathgate Resources (1998) reported a Datura sp. from Four Mile Creek, which was most likely referable to this species. There are numerous records from the Flinders Ranges (Web Ref. 1). Erodium cicutarium (Common Storks Bill) This widespread and common species has been recorded in the Flinders Ranges and at Frome Downs. It is probably only a matter of time before it is recorded in the Beverley area, although it will be found only following a significant rainfall event. Heliotropium curassavicum (Smooth Heliotrope) This species was recorded along Four Mile Creek during the 1979 biological survey (Close and Williams 1982) and there are other scattered records from the region (Web Ref. 1). It is common in good seasons in saline damp areas, including at the margins of salt lakes, but is unlikely to occur in large numbers on or near the Beverley mine lease because of lack of suitable habitat.

Badman Environmental 36 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Lactuca serriola (Prickly Lettuce) This species was recorded during the 1979 biological survey (Close and Williams 1982), although reference to this record was omitted by Heathgate Resources (1998). It has not subsequently been recorded in the Beverley area. There are several scattered records from northern South Australia (Web Ref. 1), where it occurs in some watercourses and other damp areas. Malva parviflora (Mallow) This species was recorded during the December 2003 annual vegetation survey (Badman 2004a) and during the June 2004 Epic pipeline vegetation survey (Badman 2004b). There are several scattered herbarium records from the region, including one from Mulga Bore, and it is widespread in the Flinders Ranges (Web Ref. 1) Nicotiana glauca (Tree Tobacco) This species occurs throughout the Flinders Ranges (Web Ref. 1), but has yet to be found on the plains to the east. Seeds could be introduced into the area along the large creeks emanating from the ranges, but this does not appear to have happened yet. However, there are records from north of Beverley, including from along the Strzelecki Track. Polypogon monspeliensis (Annual Beard-grass) This species was recorded in wet mud at the Four Mile Bore in 2004 and 2005 and in the drain from the camp kitchen in 2005 (Badman 2006). This is a common species at many bore drain swamps and in some other permanently wet areas in northern South Australia, but most commonly to the west of Lake Eyre. Ricinus communis (Castor Oil Plant) This species was recorded along Four Mile Creek during the 1979 biological survey (Close and Williams 1982), but has not subsequently been recorded in this area. There are scattered records from the Flinders Ranges and from areas to the north-west, although most herbarium collections are from south of the Beverley area (Web Ref. 1). Schismus barbatus (Arabian Grass) This species has been recorded in mine lease monitoring quadrats in good seasons and also along the Epic Pipeline in 2004 and 2005. It was found to be common at Group 1 sites in April 2006. Heathgate Resources (1998) reported it as occurring “throughout”. It is widespread in the general area (Web Ref. 1) and is common on surrounding pastoral country following cool-season rainfall. Sisymbrium erysimoides (Smooth Mustard) This species was recorded by Close and Williams (1982) and in the drain from the camp kitchen in 2004 and 2005. It was frequently recorded at both Group 1 and Group 2 sites in March 2006. This is a common and widespread species in wet, shaded habitats, particularly along watercourses, throughout the pastoral country (Web Ref. 1). Sisymbrium irio (London Rocket) Not recorded during the 1979 biological survey (Close and Williams 1982), but reported from the Four Mile Creek by Heathgate Resources (1998). The dead

Badman Environmental 37 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

material observed and collected along Four Mile Creek during the March 2006 survey did not appear to include this species. Solanum nigrum (Black Nightshade) This species was reported from Four Mile Creek by Heathgate Resources (1998). It was found at most places where water overflowed from the camp and process plant in September 2004, but was slightly less commonly in 2005 following a site environmental control campaign. It is found in similar habitats throughout much of the northern pastoral areas of South Australia, although there are few records from east of the northern Flinders Ranges (Web Ref. 1). Sonchus oleraceus (Common Sow-thistle) Heathgate Resources (1998) reported this species as occurring “throughout”. It was found in a drain just outside the main gate to the process plant and in the drain from the camp kitchen in 2004 and 2005. It was also found growing in the camp area and in and around the plant in 2005. This is a common species along drains and around water points throughout the pastoral country, although there are few herbarium records from east of the northern Flinders Ranges (Web Ref. 1). It was not recorded on the Additional Mineral Leases during the March 2006 survey, although it was opportunistically recorded at one place on the mine lease. Spergularia marina (Salt Sand-spurrey) This species was recorded in wet mud at the Four Mile Bore in 2004 and was common there in 2005. This species is restricted in northern South Australia to wet areas such as bore drains and tank overflows. However, Barker et al. (2006) no longer lists this species as being introduced. This genus is currently under revision and new species will probably be described, including one or more species that are considered to be native to Australia. At present there is no published key to aid in identification and all South Australian material for Spergularia is currently on loan for use in the revision. Two other alien species have been reported from the Beverley area (Close and Williams 1982), but are now considered to be the result of misidentifications. These are: Centaurium erythraea (Common Centaury) Reported from the 1979 biological survey (Close and Williams 1982), but not recorded during later monitoring events. This record is well to the east and north of the accepted range of this species (Barker et al. 2005). Mentha spicata (Spearmint) Reported from the 1979 biological survey (Close and Williams 1982), but not recorded during later monitoring events. This record is well to the north of the accepted range of this species (Barker et al. 2005, Web Ref. 1). Other species that could possibly turn up in the Beverley area include Avena barbata, Avena fatua, Bromus rubens, Chenopodium album and Salvia verbenaca. The first three are grasses that would have been expected to have already entered the area from the Flinders Ranges if they were going to do so, while the last is found throughout the southern Flinders Ranges, in southern parts of the state, and in sandy country further to the west.

Badman Environmental 38 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

CALCULATING THE SIGNIFICANT ENVIRONMENTAL BENEFIT RATIO The vegetation of the additional mineral leases is typical of the plains between the Flinders Ranges and Lake Frome. The vegetation of the plains on the Additional Mineral Leases (Group 3 sites) is also very similar to the vegetation of the present mine lease (Site BU15 in Figure 6). The vegetation of the minor watercourses on the Additional Mining Leases is also very similar to minor watercourses on the present mine lease (Badman 2006b). The report “Draft Guidelines for a Native Vegetation Significant Environmental Benefit Policy for the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Industry” (DWLBC 2005a) does not adequately address the condition of vegetation in arid areas such as the Beverley Mine site. The Guidelines place considerable emphasis on clearance of trees and the number and frequency of introduced species and are more appropriate where the native vegetation is remnant rather than intact but disturbed, as it is at Beverley. No trees have been cleared in the Beverley Mine site area, other than perhaps where a few may have been cleared during past fence construction, and practically no introduced species are present in dry years and only a few species in good seasons. Even during wet years, the alien species that are present are mostly winter-growing annuals rather than perennial species. Vegetation has been modified by domestic grazing, particularly in close proximity to the Four Mile Bore and other stock watering points, but this modification cannot be quantified. The temporary clearing of vegetation on the study area will have no impact on flora of listed conservation significance at the local, regional or state level. Vegetation clearance associated with the proposed development will affect only vegetation types that are common in the general area and over broader areas of the north of South Australia. Existing impacts on native vegetation are mainly those associated with domestic grazing and also grazing by kangaroos and these cannot be quantified without considerable extra monitoring, although Badman (2004b) demonstrated that the grazing effects of kangaroos inside the Beverley Mine Lease fence was equivalent to the grazing pressure of cattle outside the fence. Badman (2002) also found that total grazing pressure remains the same when domestic stock are removed from a mine lease because kangaroos and perhaps rabbits move in to take advantage of the extra vegetation provided by the removal of stock. When calculating the Significant Environmental Benefit (SEB) ratio (Table 1 in DWLBC 2005a), the study area should probably be treated as having an 8:1 ratio, although past grazing practices are not taken into consideration under these guidelines. These guidelines are largely based on the findings of work in southern parts of the state and place too much emphasis on the incidence of, and domination by, alien species. Arid zone areas can be heavily disturbed without the introduction of sufficient weed species to form a dominant part of the vegetation (Badman 1995). The study area has probably been cleared of 10-50% of their original vegetation, including much of the original understorey, by cattle grazing. Heathgate Resources (1998) also indicated modifications to the understorey caused by overgrazing which have resulted in what where once pure stands of Astrebla pectinata now including a significant component of Sclerolaena divaricata. These modifications would give

Badman Environmental 39 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey the area a 4:1 SEB ratio except that the vegetation is not dominated by weeds and contains only one very aggressive weed species (Sisymbrium erysimoides) as listed in Appendix 4 of DWLBC (2005a). Under the proposed revised methodology for determining SEB ratios (Table 2 in DWLBC (2005b) the vegetation impact scoring system would give a score of 12 (Table 11 below) out of a possible total of 36. This would give a ratio of 3:1, provided the above comments on weeds in arid zone vegetation communities are taken into account, or 13 with a 3.6:1 ratio if they are not.

Table 11: SEB ratio scores under the proposed revised methodology Criteria Proposed Score Rate of regeneration 2 Remnancy 1 Disturbance 1 (except that very few dead and no live weeds present) Surface water and drainage 1 effects Soil erosion 1 Wetland 0 Threatened species and 1 communities Biodiversity 2 Connectivity 2 Habitat 1 Total 12

Badman Environmental 40 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

CONCLUSIONS Seasonal conditions were very dry at the time of the survey and few ephemeral species were present. Analysis of data from 25 new one hectare monitoring sites, resulted in the description of three main vegetation groups and these are similar to the main groups described for the mine area in the 1998 Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) report (Heathgate Resources, 1998). These groups are the Mitchell Grass plains with Astrebla pectinata and Sclerolaena spp., the minor watercourses with Rhagodia spinescens and several tall shrubs or low trees, and the major creek lines with Eucalyptus camaldulensis and Melaleuca spp. Quantitative data from this survey did not compare well with other data collected during the routine annual monitoring events at Beverley because of different survey techniques. The only previous data that were found to be compatible are those from the one hectare quadrat at monitoring site BU15 and this site was found to fit in well with the Mitchell Grass plains group. No species listed under the EPBC Act are known to occur at Beverley or on the study area. One threatened species, Swainsona oligophylla, which is listed as rare under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1972, is known to occur at Beverley. Two previously reported species, Frankenia subteres and Swainsona murrayana, are now considered to be based on misidentifications. Most of the threatened species that are known to occur in the general area are restricted to the Flinders Ranges and are not known to exist on the plains. One proclaimed plant, Tribulus terrestris, has been recorded at Beverley. It is fairly common in the general area and is not recorded in all years. Nineteen alien plant species have now been recorded at Beverley and a further 10 are known to occur in the general area. None of these occurrences can be directly attributed to exploration or mining activities. Two species have been recorded at the Four Mile Bore since the 1998 EIS survey: this bore and its wetland pre-date any exploration and mining activities and it is not known whether the presence of these species is connected to these activities.

Badman Environmental 41 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

REFERENCES Badman, F.J. (1995). Changes in the Incidence of Alien Plant Species at Olympic Dam Between 1986 and 1994. Unpublished Qualifying Masters Thesis, Botany Department, University of Adelaide, Adelaide. Badman, F.J. (1999). The Lake Eyre South Study: Vegetation. In: W.J.H. Slaytor (Ed.) The Lake Eyre South Monograph Series Volume 2, pp. 1-225. Royal Geographical Society of South Australian Incorporated, Adelaide. Badman, F.J. (2002). A comparison of the effects of grazing and mining on vegetation in selected parts of northern South Australia. PhD Thesis, Department of Environmental Biology, University of Adelaide, Adelaide. Badman, F.J. (2004a). Beverley Uranium Mine Vegetation Monitoring Observations, December 2003. Report prepared for Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd, Adelaide. Badman, F.J. (2004b). Beverley Uranium Mine Vegetation Monitoring Observations, September 2004. Report prepared for Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd, Adelaide. Badman, F.J. (2004c). Beverley Uranium Mine Annual Rehabilitation Survey of the Beverley Gas Pipeline June 2004. Report prepared for Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd, Adelaide. Badman, F.J. (2005a). Beverley Uranium Mine Annual Rehabilitation Survey of the Beverley Gas Pipeline December 2004. Report prepared for Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd, Adelaide. Badman, F.J. (2006a). Beverley Uranium Mine Vegetation Monitoring Observations, September 2005. Report prepared for Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd, Adelaide. Badman, F.J. (2006b). An assessment of the significant environmental benefit values of the North east Creeklet at the Beverley Uranium Mine. Report prepared for Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd, Adelaide. Barker, W.R., Barker, R.M., Jessop, J.P. and Vonow, H.P. (Eds.) (2005). Census of South Australian Vascular Plants. 5th Edition. Journal of Adelaide Botanic Gardens, Supplement 1. Botanic Gardens of Adelaide and State Herbarium: Adelaide. Belbin, L. (1992). PATN: Pattern analysis package. CSIRO, Canberra. Brandle, R. (2001). A Biological Survey of the Flinders Ranges South Australia 1997-1999. Biodiversity Survey and Monitoring, National Parks and Wildlife, South Australia, Department for Environment and Heritage. Close, R.L. and Williams, L.D. (1982). Biological survey of the proposed Beverley Uranium development, December 1979. Beverley Project Draft Environmental Impact Statement Supporting Document No. 3. South Australian Uranium Corporation. Davies, R.J-P. (1982). The Conservation of Major Plant Associations in South Australia. Conservation Council of South Australia, Inc. Adelaide. DEH (2003). 2003 Review of the Status of Threatened Species in South Australia: Proposed Schedules under the South Australian National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Discussion Paper prepared by the National Parks and Wildlife Council in

Badman Environmental 42 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey partnership with the Department for Environment and Heritage, September 2003. Department for Environment and Heritage, Adelaide. DEH (2005). Unpublished regional SPRAT (Species Profiles and Threats) sheets held by the South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage. DEH (in prep.). Unpublished regional SPRAT (Species Profiles and Threats) sheets held by the South Australian Department for Environment and Heritage. DWLBC (2005a). Draft Guidelines for a Native Vegetation Significant Environmental Benefit Policy for the clearance of native vegetation associated with the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Industry. Guidelines prepared for the Native Vegetation Council by the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Government of South Australia, Adelaide. DWLBC (2005b). Draft Guidelines for a Native Vegetation Significant Environmental Benefit Policy for the clearance of native vegetation associated with the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Industry, For Consultation. Guidelines prepared for the Native Vegetation Council by the Department of Water, Land and Biodiversity Conservation, Government of South Australia, Adelaide. Fatchen, T.J. and Associates (1986). Flinders Ranges Pilot Conservation Study. Consultant’s report to SA Department of Environment and Planning. Kinhill Stearns, Adelaide. Fatchen Environmental Pty Ltd (1998). Beverley Uranium Project South Australia: Vegetation.. Consultant's report to Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd, Adelaide, April 1998. Fatchen Environmental Pty Ltd (2000). Beverley Uranium Mine biological monitoring, March 2000. Consultant's report to Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd. Fatchen Environmental Pty Ltd (2001). Beverley Uranium Mine biological monitoring, March 2001. Consultant's report to Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd. Fatchen Environmental Pty Ltd (2002). Beverley Uranium Mine biological monitoring, Oct-Nov 2002. Consultant's report to Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd. Fatchen, T.J. and Fatchen, D.H. (1998). Beverley Uranium Project South Australia: Vegetation. Fatchen Environmental Pty Ltd, Adelaide. Greenwood, G.N. Pitts, B. and Mitchell, L.A. (1989). Flinders Ranges Management Review Investigation Report, December 1989. Department of Environment and Planning, Adelaide. Heard, L. and Channon, B. (1997). Guide to a Native Vegetation Survey (Agricultural Region) Using the Biological Survey of South Australia Methodology. Geographic Analysis and Research Unit, Information and Data Analysis Branch, Department of Housing and Urban Development, Adelaide. Heathgate Resources (1998). Beverley Uranium Mine Environmental Impact Statement Main Report. Heathgate Resources, Adelaide Jessop, J.P. and Toelken, H.R. (Eds.) (1986). Flora of South Australia. Government Printer, Adelaide. Jessup, R.W. (1951). Soils, geology and vegetation of north western South Australia. Transactions of the Royal Society of South Australia 74: 189-273.

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Lang, P.J. and Kraehenbuehl, D.N. (2006). Plants of Particular Conservation Significance in South Australia's Agricultural Regions. August 2005 update of unpublished database. Department for Environment and Heritage. Lange, R.T. and Fatchen, T.J. (1990). Vegetation. In: Tyler, M.J. Twidale, C.R. Davies, M. and Wells, C.B. (Eds.) Natural History of the North East Deserts. Royal Society of South Australia, Adelaide. pp 133-147 Laut, P. Heyligers, P.C. Keig, G. Loffler, E. Margules, C. Scott, R.M. and Sullivan, M.E. 1977. Environments of South Australia. CSIRO, Canberra. Lay, B. (2005). Technical Manual for the Second Round of Pastoral Lease Assessments, Version 2. Department for Water Land and Biodiversity Conservation, South Australia. McCune, B. and Mefford, M.J. (1999). PC-Ord. Multivariate Analysis of Ecological Data, Version 4. MjM Software Design, Gleneden Beach, Oregon, USA. Neagle, N. (1995). An Update of the Conservation Status of the Major Plant Associations of South Australia. Native Vegetation Conservation Section, Department of Environment and Natural Resources, South Australia. Neagle, N. (2003). An Inventory of Biological Resources of the Rangelands of South Australia. Department for Environment and Heritage, South Australia. Playfair, R.M. and Robinson, A.C. (Eds.) (1997). A Biological Survey of the North Olary Plains South Australia. Natural Resources Group, Department for Environment and Natural Resources, South Australia. Stafford Smith, D.M. and Morton, S.R. 1990. A framework for the ecology of arid Australia. Journal of Arid Environments 18: 255-278. Web Reference 1. Plant Distribution Mapper, Australia’s Virtual Herbarium http://www.flora.sa.gov.au\. Westoby, M. Walker, B. and Noy-Meir, I. (1989). Range management on the basis of a model which does not seek to establish equilibrium. Journal of Arid Environments 17: 235-239.

Badman Environmental 44 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

APPENDIX A: EXAMPLES OF DATA SHEETS BS207: Arid Rivers Field Order BIOLOGICAL SURVEY of SA– Office use only SA Department for Environment and Heritage Patchid Team No.| Sequence No. VEGETATION PATCH/QUADRAT DATA Camp Site Quadrat / Patch DD MM YY

Site id: Date 1= Wet - rainfall prior to survey, annuals. Observer/s: Climatic Condition 2 = Dry - vegetation dry, few annuals present. Vegetation Condition 1 = virtually no cover, 2 = undisturbed natural, 3 = disturbed natural, 4 = degraded natural, 5 = highly degraded

LF = Life form; T Trees > 30m S Shrubs > 2m H Hummock Grass V Vines (twiners) M Trees 15-30m SA Shrubs 1.5-2m GT Grass > 0.5m MI Mistletoes LA Trees 5-15m SB Shrubs 1-1.5m GL Grass < 0.5m X Ferns LB Trees < 5m SC Shrubs 0.5-1m J Herbaceous spp. MO Mosses KT Mallee tree form (>3m) SD Shrubs 0-0.5m VT Sedges > 0.5m LI Lichens KS Mallee shrub form (<3m) P Mat plant (single plant) VL Sedges < 0.5m AD = Flag the dominant/codominant species for Overstorey (up to 3 spp), Emergents (up to 3 spp) and Understorey (up to 5 spp) (O/E/U). *Note: an emergent species is defined as a species that emerges above the dominant overstorey and has a cover abundance of less than 2.

LS = Life stages; enter code where relevant to >10% of CA : Cover Abundance scale adapted from Braun-Blanquet system. that species at site and if >10% of reproductive N = Not many (1-10 plants and <5%) $ organs are at that stage. Enter seedlings always. T = sparsely present; cover small (less than 5%) $ V = vegetative 1 = plentiful, but of small cover (less than 5%) R = regenerating 2 = any number of individuals covering 5-25% of area D = dead/dormant 3 = any number of individuals covering 25-50% of area B = budding 4 = any number of individuals covering 50-75% of area F = flowering 5 = covering more than 75% of area I = immature fruits M = mature fruits $ where large shrubs or trees are involved upgrade the category to X = recently shed reflect the cover rather than the number of individuals S = seedling

Species Previous Voucher No A D L F C A LS Comments Voucher No O / E / U 1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

11

12

13

14

15

Badman Environmental 45 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

VEGETATION ASSOCIATION DESCRIPTION (PLA)

ASSEMBLAGE INFORMATION (VEGETATION STRUCTURAL SUMMARY) : (From highest to lowest stratum): Life form height class LF / Canopy cover (d =70-100% / c =30-70% / i =10-30% / r =1-10%) (Muir 1977) From observations of site, not plant list. Strike out life forms not present as a +/- consistent/identifiable ‘layer’ in vegetation. T / ______KS / ______SD / ______VL / ______X / ______M / ______S / ______GT / ______P / ______MO / ______LA / ______SA / ______GL / ______J / ______LI / ______LB / ______SB / ______H / ______V / ______KT / ______SC / ______VT / ______MI / ______

SA STRUCTURAL FORMATION : (Overstorey structural category): Check that all dominants (O, E, U) are entered in AD column on plant list.

Record the vegetation structure, using the adapted Forward & Robinson table (below), based on the cover and average height of the overstorey at the site. Overstorey is the tallest stratum with a canopy cover of 5% or more (taller ‘layers’ of less than 5% are emergents), or the tallest layer where no layers attain 5% cover. If two different lifeforms are more or less codominant eg. a Mallee/Callitris mix, then use both combined to determine average height and cover, but select most prevalent or conspicuous to select a name. Canopy cover is based on projected foliage cover –refer to manual.

Life Form/Height Class Projective Foliage Cover of Tallest Stratum Dense (70-100%) Mid-dense (30-70%) Sparse (10-30%) Very sparse (<10%) Trees > 30m Tall closed forest Tall open forest Tall woodland Tall open woodland Trees 10-30m Closed forest Open forest Woodland Open woodland Trees 5-10m Low closed forest Low open forest Low woodland Low open woodland Trees <5m Very low closed forest Very low open forest Very low woodland Very low open woodland Mallee (>3m) Closed mallee Mallee Open mallee Very open mallee Low Mallee (<3m) Closed low mallee Low mallee Open low mallee Very open low mallee Shrubs > 2m Tall closed shrubland Tall shrubland Tall open shrubland Tall very open shrubland Shrubs 1-2m Closed shrubland Shrubland Open shrubland Very open shrubland Shrubs < 1m Low closed shrubland Low shrubland Low open shrubland Low very open shrubland Mat plants Closed mat plants Mat plants Open mat plants Very open mat plants Hummock grasses Closed Hummock grassland Hummock grassland Open hummock grassland Very open hummock grassland Tussock grasses Closed (tussock) grassland (Tussock) grassland Open (tussock) grassland Very open (tussock) grassland Sedges Closed sedgeland Sedgeland Open sedgeland Very open sedgeland Herbs Closed herbland Herbland Open herbland Very open herbland Ferns Closed fernland Fernland Open fernland Very open fernland

Upper Stratum Age Class (for dominant / codominant species) Circle if present; Slash if absent (Tree layer only) Comments seedling (<1m) SE ______

Sapling (juvenile) SA ______

Mature MA ______

Senescent SN ______

Hollows HO ______

OVERSTOREY MEASUREMENTS (OVE) (Dominant / co-dominant overstorey, including if shrubland; 10 estimates. Eyeball the site in cross-section to distinguish the stratum and to determine the overstorey height range. For overstorey, measure 10 individualsor discrete foliage clumps of any species that occur in the broad lifeform category that corresponds to the structural description completed above. Broad lifeform categories include trees, mallees and shrubs. Include all individuals regardless of height, except where there is a recognisable height gap corresponding to a separate lower stratum. In circumstances where two lifeforms are codominant include measurements for both.

Canopy Type % Estimate average canopy type for overstorey species measured. Overstorey Height (m)

VEGETATION COMMENTS (*VEG): Crown Depth (m) …………………………………………… Canopy Diameter (m) ……………………………………………

…………………………………………… Gap (m)

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SITE DATA SHEET SURVEY NO. SA Department for Environment and Heritage SITE DESCRIPTION PATCHID Office use only Observer(s) (3 initials)

Site ID Reserve Type (CP,NP,RP,GR) Reserve Code Sequence

Reserve Name Property Owner

Map Code Map Name Altitude m

Altitude Accuracy 1 = Surveyed height , 2 = Differential GPS , 3 = GPS , 4 = map contour

AMG Zone Easting Northing

Method 1 = map Datum 1 = WGS84 Reliability 1 =5-50m 2 = aerial photo digitised 2 = AGD84 2 =50-100m 3 = GPS 3 = AGD66 3 =100-250m 4 = differential GPS 4 = GDA94 4 =250-500m D =0-5m Is Photopoint location marked ? Y/N Marker 1 = Wooden peg 5 = Steel Star Dropper 2 = Plastic peg 6 = Galvanised Dropper 3 = Poly Dropper 7 = Cement Plate 4 = F/glass Post 0 = none Photopoint Disc Y/N No. Allocated Photopoint Direction degrees from magnetic north

 Ν Please mark location of photopoint and traplines Location Comments: (optional - include Parcel/Plan eg Lot/ Deposited.Plan, Sec/Hundred)

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PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION ALF=aluvial fan, ALP=aluvial plain, SAN=sandplain, FLO=floodplain, Landform Pattern PLA=plain, CON=consolidated dunefield, DUN=dunefield, PED=pediment, RIS=rises, PLT=plateau, LOW=low hills, HIL=hills, ESC=escarpment, MOU=mountains

303=hill footslope, 304=talus, 305=aclove, 306=ridge, 321=gully, 322=gorge,

Landform Element 330=cliff, 331=cliff footslope, 340=scarp, 350=pediment, 360=rock outcrop (on hill), 100=plain, 101=sandy plain, 102=stony plain, 103=clay 400=stream channel, 402=stream bank, 403=stream bar, 410=levee, 420=channel plain, 104=limestone plain, 110=playa/pan, 120=lunette, bench, 430=terrace, 451=floodout, 452=back plain,453=fan-alluvial, 455=scroll 140 =breakaway, 150=rock outcrop (on plain), complex, 460=estuary, 500=lake, 510=saltlake, 520=swamp, 521=perched swamp, 151=inselberg, 160=drainage depression, 200=dune, 530=terminal lake, 540=salt crust, 600=beach, 610=beach ridge, 620=fore dune, 201=dune crest, 202=dune slope, 203=dune footslope, 630=lagoon, 710=cone, 720=crater, 730=marr, 740=ashplain, 760=tumulus, 811=open 210=swale, 211=interdune corridor,212=intedune low, depression, 812=closed depression, 820=flat, 830=doline/sinkhole, 840=cave, 301=hill crest, 302=hill slope,

Site Slope degrees from horizontal Site Aspect (degrees from North) N =360, no slope=0 Outcrop Cover 9= none apparent, 1=<10%, 2=10-50%, 3=>50%

Outcrop Lithology 110=calcrete/limestone, 120=sandstone, 130=siltstone, 140=shale, 160=laterite (ironstone), 220=quartzite, 230=gneiss, 240=schist, 310=quartz, 330=granite, 777=not identified Other: (or subdominant)

Surface Strew Size 9 = none apparent, 1 = pebble (5 - 50mm), 2 = cobble (51 - 250mm), 3 = boulder (250mm)

Surface Strew Cover 9=nil, 1= <10%, 2=10-30%, 3=30-70%, 4=70-100%

Surface Strew Lithology 110=calcrete/limestone, 120=sandstone, 130=siltstone, 140=shale, 160=laterite (ironstone), 220=quartzite, 230=gneiss, 240=shist, 310=quartz, 330=granite, 777=not identified

Surface Strew Comment

Soil Texture Class S = sand, LS = loamy sand, CS = clayey sand, SL = sandy loam, L = loam, ZL = silty loam, SCL = sandy clay loam, CL = clay loam, CLS = clay loam, sandy, ZCL = silty clay loam, LC = light clay, LMC = light med clay, MC = med. clay, MHC = med. heavy clay HC = heavy clay, P =peat VISIT Observer(s) Date

Fire Scars Y/N Year of last fire (if known) Year certain ? Y/N

Photopoint - not taken Taken - BSM Standard Taken - other

Bare Earth Estimate (% cover) Litter Estimate Sighter distance

Vegetation Patch/Quadrat Dimensions (m) X Sighter Height

Climatic Conditions Vegetation Condition Camera Height (transfer from vegetation sheet) (transfer from vegetation sheet)

Structural Formation (transfer from vegetation sheet) Comments *PHY Physical *ERO Erosion *DIS Disturbance *VPR Vertebrates *SOI Soil *PPP Photopoint

Badman Environmental 48 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

APPENDIX B: VOUCHER NUMBERS All voucher collections have been deposited in the State Herbarium of South Australia. Collections marked “OPP” were collected opportunistically on the Mine Lease or along the Epic Gas pipeline corridor in September 2005 following good winter rainfall. All others were collected during the March 2006 survey. * indicates introduced species. F.J. Badman Collection Number Species 11979 Abutilon cryptopetalum 12030 Abutilon halophilum 12017 Abutilon leucopetalum 12059 Abutilon leucopetalum 12122 Abutilon leucopetalum 11783 Acacia aneura OPP 11784 Acacia aneura OPP 11785 Acacia aneura OPP 12054 Acacia aneura var. tenuis 12002 Acacia ligulata 12065 Acacia oswaldii 12005 Acacia tetragonophylla 12107 Acacia tetragonophylla 12001 Acacia victoriae 11991 Acetosa vesicaria 11762 Actinobole uliginosum OPP 12058 Alectryon oleifolius 12114 Amyema preissii 11769 Anagallis arvensis OPP 12098 Arabidella ?glaucescens 11778 Arabidella nasturtium OPP 11779 Arabidella trisecta OPP 12104 Aristida contorta 11780 Aristida nitidula OPP 11972 Aristida nitidula 12006 Aristida nitidula 11985 Astrebla pectinata 12029 Astrebla pectinata 12081 Astrebla pectinata 12008 Atriplex angulata 12038 Atriplex angulata 12096 Atriplex holocarpa 11754 Atriplex lindleyi OPP 12062 Atriplex vesicaria 11990 Boerhavia dominii 12018 Boerhavia dominii 11764 Brachyscome ciliaris OPP 12112 Brachyscome ciliaris var. lanuginosa 12043 Bulbine alata 12049 Calotis latiuscula 11982 Centaurea melitensis 12045 Chamaesyce drummondii 11763 Chenopodium cristatum OPP 11989 Citrullus colocynthis 11751 Convolvulus remotus OPP

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F.J. Badman Collection Number Species 12015 Convolvulus sp. 11976 Cymbopogon ambiguus 11980 Datura leichhardtii 12052 Daucus glochidiatus 11756 Dichanthium sericeum ssp. Sericeum OPP 11758 dentatifolius OPP 12105 Dichromochlamys dentatifolius 12016 Digitaria brownii 12019 Digitaria brownii 12084 Dissocarpus biflorus 12020 Dissocarpus paradoxus 11967 Einadia nutans 11786 Enchylaena tomentosa OPP 11966 Enchylaena tomentosa 11970 Enteropogon 12090 Eragrostis australasica 12088 Eragrostis dielsii 12035 Eragrostis setifolia 12094 Eremophila duttonii 12000 Eremophila freelingii 12028 Eremophila freelingii 12025 Eremophila longifolia 11749 Erodium carolinianum OPP 11765 Erodium carolinianum OPP 11977 Eucalyptus camaldulensis 11757 Euphorbia stevenii OPP 12040 Euphorbia stevenii 12047 Euphorbia stevenii 11996 Euphorbia tannensis ssp. eremophila 11781 Frankenia serpyllifolia OPP 12086 Frankenia serpyllifolia 11775 Glossocardia bidens OPP 12119 Glycine canescens 12022 Gnephosis eriocarpa 11755 Goodenia lunata OPP 12089 Hakea leucoptera 12111 Haloragis aspera 11770 Heliotropium asperrimum OPP 11776 Heliotropium cunninghamii OPP 12095 Hibiscus brachysiphonius 12057 Indigofera leucotricha 12011 Ixiochlamys sp? 12037 Ixiolaena leptolepis 12048 Lepidium phlebopetalum 11974 Lysiana exocarpi 12026 Lysiana exocarpi 12064 Maireana aphylla 12108 Maireana astrotricha 12124 Maireana campanulata 11760 Maireana coronata OPP 11768 Maireana coronata OPP 11771 Maireana coronata OPP

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F.J. Badman Collection Number Species 12069 Maireana georgei 12070 Maireana pyramidata 12085 Malacocera albolanata 12032 Malacocera tricornis 11986 Malvastrum americanum 12056 Melaleuca dissitiflora 11969 Melaleuca glomerata 12010 Melaleuca glomerata 12060 Melaleuca glomerata 12125 Minuria cunninghamii 12067 Mukia maderaspatana 11965 Neobassia proceriflora 12034 Neobassia proceriflora 11772 Nicotiana simulans OPP 11981 Nicotiana simulans 11782 Omphalolappula concave OPP 12012 Osteocarpum acropterum acropterum 12014 Phyllanthus lacunarius 12024 Pimelea microcephala 12036 Pimelea simplex 12106 Pimelea simplex ssp. simplex 12120 Pimelea simplex ssp. simplex 12027 Pittosporum angustifolium 12042 Plantago drummondii 12041 Plantago sp. 11984 Pluchea dentex 11773 Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum OPP 11999 Pterocaulon sphacelatum 12004 Ptilotus obovatus 11975 Rhagodia spinescens 12003 Rhagodia spinescens 12082 Rhodanthe floribunda 12097 Rhodanthe stricta 12055 Rhyncharrhena linearis 11992 Salsola kali 12063 Santalum lanceolatum 12117 Sarcostemma viminale ssp. australe 12066 Scaevola spinescens 12073 Scaevola spinescens 11766 Schismus barbatus OPP 11997 Schismus barbatus 12031 Sclerolaena brachyptera 11998 Sclerolaena cuneata 12009 Sclerolaena cuneata 12087 Sclerolaena decurrens 12079 Sclerolaena diacantha 12044 Sclerolaena intricata 12021 Sclerolaena lanicuspis 12074 Sclerolaena lanicuspis 12116 Sclerolaena lanicuspis 11964 Sclerolaena longicuspis 11748 Sclerolaena parallelicuspis OPP

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F.J. Badman Collection Number Species 11987 Sclerolaena parallelicuspis 12102 Sclerolaena parallelicuspis 12007 Sclerolaena ventricosa 12115 Sclerolaena ventricosa 12091 Senecio lanibracteus 12053 ?Senecio glossanthus 12099 Senecio sp. 12076 Senna artemisioides ssp. alicia 11995 Senna artemisioides ssp. artemisioides 12071 Senna artemisioides ssp. coriacea 12050 Senna artemisioides ssp. coriacea 12110 Senna artemisioides ssp. coriacea 12113 Senna artemisioides ssp. filifolia 12072 Senna artemisioides ssp. helmsii 12100 Senna artemisioides ssp. helmsii 12121 Senna artemisioides ssp. oligophylla 12109 Senna artemisioides ssp. petiolaris 12078 Senna artemisioides ssp. petiolaris 12075 Senna artemisioides ssp. sturtii 12080 Senna artemisioides ssp. sturtii 12101 Senna artemisioides ssp. sturtii 12033 Senna phyllodinea 12123 Senna phyllodinea 12051 Sida fibulifera 12118 Sida fibulifera 11971 Sida petrophila 12046 Sida sp. 12083 Sida trichopoda 11978 Sisymbrium erysimoides 12092 Solanum chenopodinum 11774 Solanum esuriale OPP 11973 Solanum quadriloculatum 12061 Solanum quadriloculatum 11968 Solanum sturtianum 12093 Sonchus oleraceus 11777 Spergularia marina OPP 11750 Stenopetalum lineare OPP 12103 Stenopetalum lineare 12039 Streptoglossa adscendens 11752 Swainsona oligophylla OPP 11759 Swainsona oligophylla OPP 11767 Swainsona oligophylla OPP 11761 Swainsona phacoides OPP 11983 Trachymene glaucifolia 12013 Tragus australianus 12126 Trianthema triquetra 11993 Trichanthodium skirrophorum 11994 Trichodesma zeylanicum 12068 Trichodesma zeylanicum 11988 Triodia irritans 12077 Tripogon loliiformis 12023 Zygophyllum ammophilum

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F.J. Badman Collection Number Species 11753 Zygophyllum prismatothecum OPP

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APPENDIX C: SPECIES IN EACH GROUP Species recorded in each vegetation group in March 2006. The number in each column is the average of the scores for each species in the group (See Table 2 for explanation of cover scores; these are the cover scores used in data analysis, not those assigned to each species on the field data sheet). * denotes introduced species.

Species Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Abutilon halophilum 0 0 0.3 Abutilon leucopetalum 0.6 0.8 0 Acacia aneura 0 0.2 0 Acacia ligulata 1.2 0 0 Acacia oswaldii 0 0.3 0 Acacia tetragonophylla 0.6 1.1 0 Acacia victoriae 0.4 1.2 0 *Acetosa vesicaria 2.0 0 0 Alectryon oleifolius ssp. canescens 0 0.5 0 Amyema preissii 0 0.1 0 Arabidella trisecta 0 0 0.2 Aristida contorta 0 0.1 0 Aristida nitidula 1.4 0 0 Astrebla pectinata 0.2 0.9 2.8 Atriplex angulata 0.4 1.5 1.3 Atriplex holocarpa 0 0 0.2 Atriplex vesicaria 0 0.5 0 Boerhavia dominii 0.8 0 0.2 Brachycome ciliaris var. lanuginosa 0 0 0.1 Bulbine alata 0 0 0.9 Calotis hispidula 0.2 0.5 0.7 *Centaurea melitensis 0.4 0 0 Chamaesyce drummondii 0 0 0.1 Cymbopogon ambiguus 0.4 0.2 0 *Datura leichhardtii 0.2 0 0 Daucus glochidiatus 0 0.4 0.9 Dichanthium sericeum 0.2 0 0 Digitaria sericeum ssp. sericeum 0.6 0 0 Dissocarpus biflorus 0 0 1.1 Dissocarpus paradoxus 0.4 0.4 1.3 Einadia nutans 0.4 0.5 0 Enchylaena tomentosa 2.2 1.5 0 Enteropogon sp. 2.6 1.5 0 Eragrostis australasica 0 0.3 0 Eragrostis dielsii var. dielsii 0 0 0.1 Eragrostis setifolia 0 0.5 0.6 Eremophila duttonii 0 1.1 0 Eremophila freelingii 0.4 1.7 0 Eremophila longifolia 0.6 0.4 0 Eucalyptus camaldulensis var. obtusa 2.4 0.4 0 Euphorbia stevenii 0 0.2 1.4 Euphorbia tannensis ssp. eremophila 0.6 0 0 Frankenia serpyllifolia 0 0 0.1 Glycine canescens. 0.2 0.1 0 Gnephosis arachnoidea 0.4 1.7 0.4

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Species Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Gnephosis eriocarpa 0.4 0 0.2 Hakea leucoptera ssp. leucoptera 0 0.4 0.1 Haloragis aspera 0 0.2 0 Hibiscus brachysiphonius 0 0 0.1 Indigofera leucotricha 0 0.1 0 Ixiolaena leptolepis 0.4 0 0.4 Lepidium phlebopetalum 0 0.2 0.8 Lysiana exocarpi ssp. exocarpi 1.4 0.7 0 Lysiana subfalcata 0.2 0.1 0 Maireana aphylla 0 1.6 0.4 Maireana astrotricha 0 0.1 0 Maireana georgei 0 0.6 0 Maireana pyramidata 0 0.2 0 Malacocera tricornis 0 0.4 0.1 Malvastrum americanum 0.4 0.9 0 Melaleuca dissitiflora 0.5 0.5 0 Melaleuca glomerata 4.2 0.8 0 Minuria cunninghamii 0 0.1 0 Mukia maderaspatana 0 0.5 0 Neobassia proceriflora 0.6 1.3 1.3 Nicotiana velutina 1.6 0.3 0 Osteocarpum acropterum 0.2 0 0.1 Phyllanthus lacunarius 0.2 0 0 Pimelea microcephala 0.2 0 0 Pimelea simplex 0 0 1.6 Pimelea trichostachya 0 0.5 0 Pittosporum angustifolium 0.2 0.3 0 Plantago drummondii 0 0 0.6 Pterocaulon sphacelatum 0.2 0.2 0 Ptilotus obovatus 0.4 1.5 0 Rhagodia spinescens 1.6 3.3 0 Rhodanthe floribunda 0 0.2 0.9 Rhodanthe 12039 0 0 0.2 Rhodanthe stricta 0 0 0.4 Rhyncharrhena linearis 0 0.2 0 Salsola kali 2.2 1.8 2.1 Santalum lanceolatum 0 1.9 0 Sarcostemma viminale ssp. australe 0 0.1 0 Scaevola spinescens 0 0.6 0 * Schismus barbatus 1.8 0 0 Sclerolaena constricta 0 0.5 0 Sclerolaena brachyptera 0 0.9 2.6 Sclerolaena cuneata 0.4 0.9 0 Sclerolaena decurrens 0 0 0.2 Sclerolaena diacantha 0.6 1.0 0 Sclerolaena divaricata 0.6 0.5 2.8 Sclerolaena holtiana 0 0.3 0 Sclerolaena intricata 0 0 0.9 Sclerolaena lanicuspis 0.4 0.7 0.2 Sclerolaena longicuspis 0.6 0.9 1.0 Sclerolaena parallelicuspis 0 0.2 0 Sclerolaena patenticuspis 0 0.2 0 Sclerolaena ventricosa 0.4 1.5 3.2 Senecio glossanthus 0 0 0.2

Badman Environmental 55 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Species Group 1 Group 2 Group 3 Senecio lanibracteus 0 0.2 0 Senna artemisioides ssp. alicia 0 0.2 0 Senna artemisioides ssp. artemisioides 0.2 0.1 0 Senna artemisioides ssp. coriacea 0 0.8 0.1 Senna artemisioides ssp. helmsii 0 0.7 0 Senna artemisioides ssp. oligophylla 0 0.2 0 Senna artemisioides ssp. petiolaris 0 0.9 0 Senna artemisioides ssp. sturtii 0 0.5 0 Senna phyllodinea 0 0 0.1 Sida fibulifera 0 0.1 0.2 Sida petrophila 0.6 0.3 0 Sida trichopoda 0 0.1 0.1 Sisymbrium erysimoides 2.2 0.9 0 Solanum chenopodinum 0.6 0.2 0 Solanum ellipticum 1.0 0.5 0 Solanum quadriloculatum 0.2 0.3 0 *Sonchus oleraceus 0 0.2 0 Stenopetalum lineare 0 0.5 0.2 Trachymene glaucifolia 0.6 0 0 Tragus australianus 0.2 0 0 Trianthema triquetra 0 0.2 0 Trichodesma zeylanicum 0.8 0.4 0 Triodia irritans 0.4 0 0 Tripogon loliiformis 0 0.7 0.2 Vittadinia eremaea 0 0.3 0.3 Zygophyllum sp. 0.6 0.5 0.8

Badman Environmental 56 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

APPENDIX D: SPECIES LIST Sources: Williams (1978), Heathgate Resources (1998), all Beverley Uranium Mine monitoring reports, March 2006 survey. A few species that are not recognised by Barker et al. (2005) and Lang and Kraehenbuehl (2006) from the Eastern botanical region or the adjacent Flinders Ranges botanical region have been omitted. (It is also suspected that a few other species from earlier surveys may have been recorded near the Flinders Ranges in the Flinders Ranges botanical region (Beverley is in the Eastern botanic region) but where these also occur in the Eastern region they have been left on the list.) †: Additional species recorded during the September 2005 (Badman 2005) and March 2006 surveys. follows Barker et al. (2005) and Lang and Kraehenbuehl (2006).

Family/Species/genus Common Name ACANTHACEAE Rostellularia adscendens var. Pink Tongues pogonanthera

AIZOACEAE Glinus lotoides Hairy Carpet-weed Gunniopsis quadrifida Sturt's Pigface Trianthema triquetra Red Spinach

AMARANTHACEAE Amaranthus grandiflorus Large-flower Amaranth Ptilotus exaltatus var. exaltatus Pink Mulla Mulla Ptilotus obovatus var. obovatus Silver Mulla Mulla

ASCLEPIADACEAE Cynanchum floribundum Desert Cynanchum Rhyncharrhena linearis8 Bush Bean † Sarcostemma viminale ssp. australe Caustic Bush

BORAGINACEAE Heliotropium asperrimum Rough Heliotrope Heliotropium cunninghamii9 Bushy Heliotrope † *Heliotropium curassavicum Smooth Heliotrope Omphalolappula concava Burr Stickseed † Trichodesma zeylanicum Camel Bush

CAMPANULACEAE Isotoma petraea Rock Isotome Wahlenbergia communis Tufted Bluebell

CAPPARACEAE mitchellii Native Orange

8 This appears to be a new record for the Eastern botanic region. It is not listed for this region by Barker et al. (2005) or Lang and Kraehenbuehl (2006). 9 This appears to be a new record for the Eastern botanic region. It is not listed for this region by Barker et al. (2005) or Lang and Kraehenbuehl (2006).

Badman Environmental 57 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Family/Species/genus Common Name

CARYOPHYLLACEAE Spergularia marina Salt Sand-spurrey

CASUARINACEAE Casuarina pauper Black Oak

CHENOPODIACEAE Atriplex angulata Fan Saltbush Atriplex holocarpa Pop Saltbush Atriplex lindleyi Baldoo † Atriplex lindleyi ssp. inflata Corky Saltbush Atriplex nummularia Old-man Saltbush Atriplex spongiosa Pop Saltbush Atriplex velutinella Sandhill Saltbush Atriplex vesicaria Bladder Saltbush Chenopodium cristatum Crested Goosefoot † Chenopodium desertorum Desert Goosefoot *Chenopodium murale Nettle-leaf Goosefoot Chenopodium pumilio Clammy Goosefoot Dissocarpus biflorus var. biflorus Two-horn Saltbush Dissocarpus paradoxus Ball Bindyi Einadia nutans Climbing Saltbush Enchylaena tomentosa var. tomentosa Ruby Saltbush Eriochiton sclerolaenoides Woolly-fruit Bluebush Maireana aphylla Cotton-bush Maireana astrotricha Low Bluebush Maireana brevifolia Short-leaf Bluebush Maireana campanulata Bell-fruit Bluebush Maireana ciliata Hairy Fissure-plant Maireana coronata Crown Fissure-plant † Maireana georgei Satiny Bluebush Maireana pyramidata Black Bluebush Malacocera albolanata Woolly Soft-horns † Malacocera tricornis Goat-head Soft-horns Neobassia proceriflora Desert Glasswort Osteocarpum acropterum var. acropterum Tuberculate Bonefruit Rhagodia spinescens Spiny Saltbush Salsola kali Buckbush Sclerolaena bicornis Goat-head Bindyi Sclerolaena brachyptera Short-wing Bindyi Sclerolaena cuneata Tangled Bindyi † Sclerolaena decurrens Green Bindyi Sclerolaena diacantha Grey Bindyi Sclerolaena divaricata Tangled Bindyi Sclerolaena intricata Tangled Bindyi Sclerolaena lanicuspis Spinach Bindyi Sclerolaena limbata Pearl Bindyi Sclerolaena longicuspis Long-spine Bindyi

Badman Environmental 58 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Family/Species/genus Common Name Sclerolaena obliquicuspis Oblique-spined Bindyi Sclerolaena parallelicuspis Western Bindyi † Sclerolaena patenticuspis Spear-fruit Bindyi Sclerolaena ventricosa Salt Bindyi

COMPOSITAE Actinobole uliginosum Flannel Cudweed † Brachyscome ciliaris var. lanuginosa Woolly Variable Daisy Brachyscome lineariloba Hard-head Daisy Calotis cymbacantha Showy Burr-daisy Calotis hispidula Hairy Burr-daisy Calotis latiuscula Leafy Burr-daisy † Calotis sp. Burr-daisy *Centaurea melitensis10 Malta Thistle *Centaurea solstitialis St Barnaby's Thistle Chrysocephalum apiculatum Common Everlasting Craspedia sp. Dichromochlamys dentatifolia † Flaveria australasica Yellow Twin-stem Glossocardia bidens11 Native Cobbler's-pegs † Gnephosis arachnoidea Spidery Button-flower Gnephosis eriocarpa Native Camomile † Isoetopsis graminifolia Grass Cushion Ixiochlamys sp. † *Lactuca serriola Prickly Lettuce Leiocarpa leptolepis Pale Plover-daisy Minuria cunninghamii Bush Minuria Minuria denticulata Woolly Minuria Minuria leptophylla Minnie Daisy Pluchea dentex Bowl Daisy † Pluchea rubelliflora Pseudognaphalium luteoalbum Jersey Cudweed Pterocaulon sphacelatum Apple-bush Rhodanthe floribunda White Everlasting Rhodanthe microglossa Clustered Everlasting Rhodanthe moschata Musk Daisy Rhodanthe pygmaea Pigmy Daisy Rhodanthe stricta Slender Everlasting Rhodanthe uniflora Woolly Daisy Senecio glossanthus Annual Groundsel † Senecio lanibracteus Inland Shrubby Groundsel † Senecio magnificus Showy Groundsel Senecio odoratus Scented Groundsel Senecio quadridentatus Cotton Groundsel

10 It is suspected that the Heathgate Resources (1998) reference to Centaurea solstitialis was actually a misidentification of this species, which has not been recorded in the Eastern botanic region (Barker et al. 2005, Lang and Kraehenbuehl (2006).. 11 This appears to be a new record for the Eastern botanic region. It is not listed for this region by Barker et al. (2005) or Lang and Kraehenbuehl (2006).

Badman Environmental 59 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Family/Species/genus Common Name *Sonchus oleraceus Common Sow-thistle Streptoglossa adscendens Desert Daisy † Trichanthodium skirrophorum Woolly Yellow-heads † Vittadinia eremaea Desert New Holland Daisy

CONVOLVULACEAE Convolvulus erubescens complex Convolvulus erubescens/remotus Native Bindweed

CRUCIFERAE Arabidella glaucescens † Arabidella nasturtium Yellow Cress † Arabidella trisecta Shrubby Cress Lepidium oxytrichum Green Peppercress Lepidium phlebopetalum Veined Peppercress Menkea australis Fairy Spectacles *Sisymbrium erysimoides Smooth Mustard Stenopetalum lineare Narrow Thread-petal †

CUCURBITACEAE *Citrullus colocynthis Colocynth † *Cucumis myriocarpus Paddy Melon Mukia maderaspatana Snake Vine

CYPERACEAE Cyperus gymnocaulos Spiny Flat-sedge Cyperus sp. Flat-sedge Schoenoplectus litoralis Shore Club-rush

EUPHORBIACEAE Chamaesyce drummondii Euphorbia australis Hairy Caustic Weed Euphorbia stevenii Bottletree Spurge Euphorbia tannensis ssp. eremophila Desert Spurge Phyllanthus lacunarius Lagoon Spurge *Ricinus communis Castor Oil Plant

FRANKENIACEAE Frankenia serpyllifolia Thyme Sea-heath

GENTIANACEAE *Centaurium erythraea Common Centaury

GERANIACEAE Erodium carolinianum Clammy Heron's-bill Erodium sp. Heron's-bill/Crowfoot

GOODENIACEAE Goodenia lunata Stiff Goodenia

Badman Environmental 60 Beverley Uranium Mine Southern EL 3251 Flora Survey

Family/Species/genus Common Name Goodenia sp. Goodenia Scaevola spinescens Spiny Fanflower

GRAMINEAE Aristida contorta Curly Wire-grass Aristida latifolia Feather-top Wire-grass Aristida nitidula Brush Three-awn Astrebla lappacea Curly Mitchell-grass Astrebla pectinata Barley Mitchell-grass Austrostipa sp. Spear-grass *Cenchrus ciliaris Buffel Grass Chloris pectinata Comb Windmill Grass Cymbopogon ambiguus Lemon-grass *Cynodon dactylon var. dactylon Couch Dactyloctenium radulans Button-grass Dichanthium sericeum ssp. sericeum Silky Blue-grass Digitaria ammophila Spider Grass Digitaria brownii Cotton Panic-grass Enneapogon avenaceus Common Bottle-washers Enneapogon caerulescens var. Blue Bottle-washers caerulescens Enneapogon polyphyllus Leafy Bottle-washers Enteropogon sp. Umbrella Grass Eragrostis australasica Cane-grass † Eragrostis dielsii var. dielsii Mulka Eragrostis eriopoda Woollybutt Eragrostis setifolia Bristly Love-grass Eragrostis xerophila Knotty-butt Neverfail Eulalia aurea Silky Brown-top Leptochloa digitata Umbrella Cane-grass Leptochloa fusca ssp. muelleri Brown Beetle-grass Panicum decompositum var. decompositum Native Millet *Schismus barbatus Arabian Grass Setaria constricta Knotty-butt Paspalidium Sporobolus actinocladus Ray Grass Themeda triandra Kangaroo Grass Tragus australianus Small Burr-grass Triodia irritans complex Spinifex Tripogon loliiformis Five-minute Grass Triraphis mollis Purple Plume Grass

HALORAGACEAE Haloragis aspera Rough Raspwort

LABIATAE Teucrium racemosum Grey Germander

LEGUMINOSAE Acacia aneura

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Family/Species/genus Common Name Acacia aneura var. tenuis Mulga † Acacia ligulata Umbrella Bush Acacia oswaldii Umbrella Wattle Acacia tetragonophylla Dead Finish Acacia victoriae ssp. victoriae Elegant Wattle Crotalaria eremaea ssp. eremaea Downy Loose-flowered Rattle-pod Cullen australasicum Tall Scurf-pea Cullen sp. Scurf-pea Glycine canescens Silky Glycine † Goodia medicaginea Western Golden-tip Indigofera leucotricha Silver Indigo † Isotropis wheeleri Wheeler's Lamb-poison Lotus cruentus Red-flower Lotus Senna artemisioides ssp. alicia Desert Senna † Senna artemisioides ssp. artemisioides Silver Senna † Senna artemisioides ssp. coriacea Broad-leaf Desert Senna Senna artemisioides ssp. filifolia Fine-leaf Desert Senna † Senna artemisioides ssp. helmsii Blunt-leaf Senna Senna artemisioides ssp. oligophylla Limestone Senna Senna artemisioides ssp. petiolaris Senna artemisioides ssp. sturtii Grey Senna Senna artemisioides ssp. zygophylla Twin-leaf Desert Senna Senna phyllodinea † Swainsona oligophylla (Rare status in South Australia) † Swainsona phacoides Dwarf Swainson-pea † Swainsona swainsonioides Downy Swainson-pea Templetonia egena Broombush Templetonia Trigonella suavissima Sweet Fenugreek

LILIACEAE Bulbine alata Winged Bulbine-lily

LORANTHACEAE Amyema preissii Wire-leaf Mistletoe Lysiana exocarpi ssp. exocarpi Harlequin Mistletoe

MALVACEAE Abutilon halophilum Plains Lantern-bush Abutilon leucopetalum Desert Lantern-bush Gossypium sturtianum var. sturtianum Sturt's Desert Rose Hibiscus brachysiphonius Low Hibiscus Hibiscus krichauffianus Velvet-leaf Hibiscus Malva behriana Australian Hollyhock Malvastrum americanum var. americanum Malvastrum Sida corrugata Corrugated Sida Sida fibulifera Pin Sida Sida intricata Twiggy Sida Sida petrophila Rock Sida Sida phaeotricha Hill Sida

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Family/Species/genus Common Name Sida trichopoda High Sida

MYOPORACEAE Eremophila duttonii Harlequin Emubush Eremophila freelingii Rock Emubush Eremophila latrobei ssp. glabra Crimson Emubush Eremophila longifolia Weeping Emubush Eremophila sturtii Turpentine Bush Myoporum montanum Native Myrtle

MYRTACEAE Eucalyptus camaldulensis var. obtusa Northern River Red Gum Eucalyptus gillii Curly Mallee Eucalyptus intertexta Gum-barked Coolibah Melaleuca dissitiflora Melaleuca glomerata Inland Paper-bark

NYCTAGINACEAE Boerhavia dominii Tar-vine Commicarpus australis Pink Gum-fruit

PITTOSPORACEAE Pittosporum angustifolium Native Apricot

PLANTAGINACEAE Plantago drummondii Dark Plantain

POLYGONACEAE *Acetosa vesicaria Rosy Dock Muehlenbeckia florulenta Lignum

PORTULACACEAE Portulaca oleracea Common Purslane

PRIMULACEAE *Anagallis arvensis Pimpernel

PROTEACEAE Hakea ednieana Flinders Ranges Corkwood Hakea leucoptera ssp. leucoptera Silver Needlewood

SANTALACEAE Santalum lanceolatum Plumbush

SAPINDACEAE Alectryon oleifolius ssp. canescens Bullock Bush Dodonaea viscosa ssp. angustissima Narrow-leaf Hop-bush

SOLANACEAE

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Family/Species/genus Common Name *Datura leichhardtii Native Thorn-apple Nicotiana simulans Native Tobacco † Nicotiana velutina Velvet Tobacco Solanum chenopodinum Goosefoot Potato-bush Solanum coactiliferum Tomato-bush Solanum ellipticum Velvet Potato-bush Solanum esuriale Quena † *Solanum nigrum Black Nightshade Solanum quadriloculatum Plains Nightshade Solanum sturtianum Sturt's Nightshade †

THYMELAEACEAE Pimelea microcephala ssp. microcephala Shrubby Riceflower Pimelea simplex ssp. simplex Desert Riceflower Pimelea trichostachya Spiked Riceflower

TYPHACEAE Typha domingensis Narrow-leaf Bulrush

UMBELLIFERAE Daucus glochidiatus Native Carrot Trachymene glaucifolia Blue Parsnip

ZYGOPHYLLACEAE *Tribulus terrestris Caltrop Zygophyllum ammophilum Sand Twinleaf Zygophyllum apiculatum Pointed Twinleaf Zygophyllum prismatothecum Square-fruit Twinleaf Zygophyllum sp. Twinleaf

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APPENDIX E: SITE PHOTOGRAPHS

Plate 1: Site BEVEXP01 (DEH Photopoint 10969). Group 1 site in Four Mile Creek.

Plate 2: Site BEVEXP02 (DEH Photopoint 10970). Group 1 site in Four Mile Creek.

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Plate 3: Site BEVEXP03 (DEH Photopoint 10971). Group 1 site in Four Mile Creek.

Plate 4: Site BEVEXP04 (DEH Photopoint 10972). Group 1 site in Four Mile Creek.

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Plate 5: Site BEVEXP05 (DEH Photopoint 10973). Group 1 site in Four Mile Creek.

Plate 6: Site BEVEXP06 (DEH Photopoint 10974): Group 2 minor watercourse site.

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Plate 7: Site BEVEXP07 (DEH Photopoint 10975): Group 2 minor watercourse site.

Plate 8: Site BEVEXP08 (DEH Photopoint 10976): Group 3 site on plain.

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Plate 9: Site BEVEXP09 (DEH Photopoint 10977): Group 2 site in minor watercourse.

Plate 10: Site BEVEXP10 (DEH Photopoint 10978): Group 2 site in minor watercourse.

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Plate 11: Site BEVEXP11 (DEH Photopoint 10979): Group 2 site in minor watercourse.

Plate 12: Site BEVEXP12 (DEH Photopoint 10980): Group 2 site in minor watercourse.

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Plate 13: Site BEVEXP13 (DEH Photopoint 10981): Group 2 site in minor watercourse.

Plate 14: Site BEVEXP14 (DEH Photopoint 10982): Group 2 site in minor watercourse.

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Plate 15: Site BEVEXP15 (DEH Photopoint 10983): Group 2 site in minor watercourse.

Plate 16: Site BEVEXP16 (DEH Photopoint 10984): Group 3 site on high plains.

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Plate 17: Site BEVEXP17 (DEH Photopoint 10985): Group 3 site on high plains.

Plate 18: Site BEVEXP18 (DEH Photopoint 10986): Group 3 site on high plains.

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Plate 19: Site BEVEXP19 (DEH Photopoint 10987): Group 3 site on high plains.

Plate 20: Site BEVEXP20 (DEH Photopoint 10988): Group 2 site on high plains.

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Plate 21: Site BEVEXP21 (DEH Photopoint 10989): Group 3 site on high plains.

Plate 22: Site BEVEXP22 (DEH Photopoint 10990): Group 3 site on sandy plain.

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Plate 23: Site BEVEXP23 (DEH Photopoint 10991): Group 3 site on low plain.

Plate 24: Site BEVEXP24 (DEH Photopoint 10992): Group 3 site on high plain.

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Plate 25: Site BEVEXP25 (DEH Photopoint 10993): Atypical Group 2 site on sandy plain.

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SUPPORTING REPORT E

Fauna

Southern EL 3251

Fauna Survey

Client: Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd

May 2006 Environmental and Biodiversity Services

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements ...... 1

Executive Summary...... 2

1. Introduction ...... 3

1.1 Site description ...... 3 1.2 Climate ...... 4 1.3 Land use...... 4

2. Methodology...... 7

2.1 Background research...... 7 2.2 Field survey ...... 7 2.3 Trapping sites ...... 7 2.4 Pitfall traps...... 7 2.5 Elliott traps...... 7 2.6 Cage traps ...... 8 2.7 Active searching...... 8 2.8 survey...... 8 2.9 Spotlighting...... 8 2.10 Anabat bat detector...... 8 2.11 Harp traps...... 9 2.12 Opportunistic observations...... 9 2.13 Weather conditions ...... 9

3. Fauna habitats within the project site...... 10

3.1 Sclerolaena spp. Herbland on high and low gibber plains ...... 10 3.2 Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland ...... 11 3.3 Eremophila spp. / Acacia spp. / Santalum lanceolatum Tall Shrubland ...... 11 3.4 Acacia victoriae Tall Shrubland over chenopods...... 11

4. Survey results ...... 12

4.1 Mammals ...... 12 4.2 and amphibians...... 13 4.3 ...... 14 4.4 Comparison between survey sites and habitats ...... 14 4.5 Comparison with previous fauna records ...... 15

5. Discussion ...... 16

5.1 General discussion ...... 16 5.2 Birds ...... 17 5.3 Mammals ...... 17 5.4 Reptiles and amphibians...... 18

6. Recommendations ...... 20

References ...... 21

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Appendix 1 ± Trapping sites for the Beverley Fauna Survey ...... 22

Appendix 2 ± Trapping effort for the Beverley Fauna Survey ...... 23

Appendix 3 ± Mammal species recorded during the Beverley Fauna Survey ...... 24

Appendix 4 ± species recorded during the Beverley Fauna Survey...... 25

Appendix 5 ± Bird species recorded during the Beverley Fauna Survey...... 26

Appendix 6 ± Fauna species previously recorded within or in the vicinity of the project area ...... 28

Appendix 7 - General site photographs ...... 32

Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey Environmental and Biodiversity Services

Acknowledgements

The survey team comprised of the following people:

x Dr Travis How (Environmental and Biodiversity Services) ± Survey Co- ordinator x Dr Leanne Pound (Environmental and Biodiversity Services) ± Field Assistant x Gavin Baird (Environmental and Biodiversity Services) ± Field Assistant x Loraine Jansen (Sub-consultant) ± Mammals x Graham Carpenter (Sub-consultant) ± Birds x John Morley (Volunteer)

We would like to thank the following people for their assistance and for information provided during the project:

x Mal Wedd (Environment Manager, Exploration & Development Group ± Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd) x Sue Carter (Senior Environmental Officer, Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd) x Sally Modystach (Project Co-ordinator ± URS Australia Pty Ltd) x Frank Badman (Badman Environmental ± Vegetation) x Mark Hutchinson (Reptiles ± South Australian Museum) x Lynne Kajar (Field Equipment ± Department for Environment and Heritage) x Matt McDowell (Biological Survey Co-ordinator ± South Australian Museum) x Terry Reardon (Bats ± South Australian Museum) x Carolyn Secombe (Reptiles ± South Australian Museum) x David Stemmer (Mammals ± South Australian Museum) x Cath Kemper (Mammals ± South Australian Museum)

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Executive Summary

A fauna survey was conducted in the southern half of the Exploration Lease 3251 (an area surrounding the existing Beverley Uranium Mine), north east of Arkaroola, South Australia in March 2006.

A total of nine sites representing four different habitat types were surveyed for fauna species following a standard biological survey methodology developed by the Department for Environment and Heritage (Owens 2000). The dominant habitat types within the project area were: x Sclerolaena spp. Herbland on high and low gibber plains (would be a Mitchell Grass (Astrebla pectinata) plain in better years) x Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland x Eremophila spp. / Acacia spp. / Santalum lanceolatum Tall Shrubland x Acacia victoriae Tall Shrubland over chenopods

Major findings of the survey were:

Mammals - A total of 147 observations of 20 mammal species were made, of which only four are considered to be introduced.

Reptiles - A total of 84 observations of 24 reptile species were made, all of which were native species. No amphibian species were observed however little suitable habitat was observed within the project area.

Birds - A total of 892 observations of 48 bird species were made, with only one of these an introduced species.

No species of conservation significance were observed during the survey. However, one notable capture was a Pseudomys hermannsburgensis (Sandy Inland Mouse). This record (voucher specimen lodged with the South Australian Museum) is a range extension for this species of over 80km.

Gunninah Environmental Consultants completed a fauna survey at the Beverley Mine site as part of the Environmental Impact Statement in 1998. A total of six sites were implemented and the survey was undertaken over a six night period. A similar list of fauna species was recorded compared to the current survey. The Gunninah 1998 survey recorded four reptile species, four mammal species and 20 bird species which were not recorded in the current survey. The current survey recorded three reptile species, two mammal species and ten bird species which were not recorded in the Gunninah 1998 survey. None of the additional species recorded by Gunninah in 1998 were of conservation significance.

The annual fauna monitoring at the Beverley Mine site, which re-surveys the trapping site put in by Gunninah Environmental Consultants, has recorded an additional two bird species and three reptile species which were not recorded by Gunninah or during the current fauna survey. None of the additional species are considered to be of conservation significance.

It is recommended that mining operation in the area be planned and undertaken such that the impact on the biological environment, including habitat for fauna species, is minimised. An appropriate monitoring program should be incorporated in the Mining and Rehabilitation Program.

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1. Introduction

This report documents a fauna survey undertaken in the southern half of the Exploration Lease 3251 in an adjacent to the existing Beverley Uranium Mine. The existing project site is approximately 600 km north of Adelaide and 30 km north east of Arkaroola. The field survey component of the project was undertaken in March 2006 and involved surveying nine sites within a 2.5 kilometre radius of the existing mine site, within the study area (see Figure 1).

The uranium mine at Beverley has been previously subject to fauna surveys and studies including a survey undertaken by Close and Williams (1979) of the original mine area followed by a survey by Gunninah Environmental Consultants (1998) also of the original mine area. Recently, regular fauna surveys have been undertaken at the site as part of the annual monitoring program (for example Carter 2004). The region around the Beverley Uranium Mine has been previously surveyed with surveys being undertaken by Medlin (2003) and Playfair and Robinson (1997).

The objectives of this fauna study were to:

x Undertake a review of existing data and previous reports for the study area and surrounding region;

x Undertake intensive field surveys to establish baseline data for the Beverley Uranium Mine Additional Mineral Leases area;

x Determine the presence or likely presence of fauna species or fauna habitat listed under State and Commonwealth legislation;

x Liaise with the relevant authorities (primarily the South Australian Museum and Department for Environment and Heritage) in relation to areas or species of concern;

x To prepare a report documenting the findings from the background research and field surveys. The report will also provide recommendations on avoiding or minimising possible and likely impacts on fauna species within and adjacent to the project area.

1.1 Site description

The existing Beverley Uranium Mine is located approximately 600 km north of Adelaide and 30 km north east of Arkaroola. The current project site comprises an area of approximately 10 km2 (Figure 1).

The study area is located within the Balcanoona Environmental Association (6.2.5) which is characterised by a mixed coverage of low chenopod shrubland, grassland, tall shrubland over grasses and ephemeral forbs, and fringing woodland (Laut et al. 1977).

One major ephemeral creek line (Four Mile Creek) occurs within the study area. Four Mile Creek is dominated by large River Red Gums (Eucalyptus camaldulensis)and Melaleuca (Melaleuca glomerata) and is characterised by dry sandy channels. The study area also contains a number of minor drainage lines. The minor drainage lines contain a mix of vegetation including Tall Shrublands and Open River Red Gum

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Woodlands. All drainage lines in the study area are ephemeral and would only flow after high volumes of rainfall are received. However, it is likely that at times the volume of water contained within the drainage lines would be very high.

1.2 Climate

The study area site is within an arid region typified by low and erratic rainfall events. The average rainfall for the nearby weather station at Arkaroola is 254 mm (30 year average 1960 - 1990). On average the majority of the rainfall falls between January and March each year with consistent but low rainfall in the other months. The average maximum temperatures range from 34.0oC in January down to 16.3oC in July. Regular days in excess of 40oC occur within the summer and early autumn months. The average minimum daily temperature ranges from 19.6oC in January to 3.2oC in July. The minimum temperature during the winter months regularly drops below 0oC.

1.3 Land use

The study area is located on a pastoral lease, Wooltana Station, with cattle currently being grazed within the project area. It appears that over-grazing by cattle, rabbits and possibly kangaroos has occurred in the past with evidence of erosion present. The vegetation communities within close proximity to watering points have been grazed particularly hard with large areas of bare ground existing within these locations.

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Figure 1 General location of Beverley Uranium Mine Additional Leases fauna survey site

Beverley Uranium Mine Fauna Survey Site

South Australia

Site Location

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Figure 2 Location of survey sites

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2. Methodology

2.1 Background research

Background research into the project area included undertaking a literature review and database searches. Previous fauna survey reports in the area (Gunninah Environmental Consultants 1998 (for the Beverley Uranium Mine EIS), Playfair and Robinson 1997, Carter 2004) were reviewed to determine the fauna species which have been previously recorded within the area and additional species which may occur in the area. The databases managed by the South Australian Museum and Department for Environment and Heritage were searched with an area 25 km x 25 km centred on the project site being searched.

The scientific and common names for fauna species used in this report follow Robinson et al (2000).

2.2 Field survey

A detailed field survey was undertaken over a seven day period between the 15th and 21st of March 2006. A range of survey techniques were utilised for the project, all of which were based on the standard biological survey methodology developed by the Department for Environment and Heritage (Owens 2000). Pitfall traps, Elliott traps, cage traps, harp traps, spotlighting, active searching and the use of an Anabat detector were all employed at selected sites within the survey area. Opportunistic sightings of fauna were also made, generally whilst travelling between trapping sites.

2.3 Trapping sites

Trapping sites were set up at nine locations across the project area (Figure 2 and Appendix 1). Different fauna habitat types were targeted by the survey to maximise the species observed. At each trapping site two trapping lines were installed as per the method for pastoral areas (Owens 2000). A trap line consisted of six pitfall traps, 15 Elliott traps and two cage traps. The trap lines were placed in the same habitat at each site and were generally between 100 and 200 m apart. Trap lines were open for four nights at each site. Further details on the methods used are detailed in the following sections. The trapping effort for each site is detailed in Appendix 2.

2.4 Pitfall traps

3LWIDOO WUDSSLQJ ZDV FRQGXFWHG IROORZLQJ WKH PHWKRG RXWOLQHG LQµGuidelines for 9HUWHEUDWH 6XUYH\V LQ6RXWK $XVWUDOLD¶ (Owens 2000). Briefly, six pitfall traps were installed for each trap line. Traps were placed 10 m apart with a 60 m long mesh fence installed to connect the traps. Surface spray was utilised for ant control at traps where ant activity was noticeably high. All pitfall traps were left open for four nights.

2.5 Elliott traps

Elliott traps were installed as detailed by Owens (2000). Fifteen traps were installed for each trap line, with a total of 30 traps used at each site. Elliott traps were placed 10m apart and baited using rolled oats and peanut butter. Generally, all Elliott trap lines ran parallel with the pitfall trap lines and the traps were placed on the ground.

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2.6 Cage traps

Cage traps were utilised as per the vertebrate survey guidelines (Owens 2000). At all sites two cage traps were installed at each trap line, with a total of four cage traps per trapping site. The cage traps were left open for a total of four nights per site and were baited with a rolled oats and peanut butter mixture.

2.7 Active searching

Active searching was undertaken at trapping sites to increase the number of species observed at each site. This was done by lifting rocks, rolling logs, digging burrows and peeling bark. Numerous species, particularly reptiles, were observed using this method. Active searching was undertaken within the trapping sites as well as at several sites which were not trapped but had good quality habitat present.

All of the trapping sites were searched for a minimum of one hour. A number of sites were searched for more than two hours in total. Appendix 2 details a summary of the active searching at each of the trap sites.

2.8 Bird survey

At each of the trapping sites, bird surveys were undertaken. This involved spending a minimum of one hour in the morning and one hour in the afternoon surveying for birds at each site. Observations of all bird species within the same habitat as the trapping site were made within this time.

2.9 Spotlighting

The spotlighting effort within the trapping sites was low due to cool evenings where no observations were made. However, opportunistic spotlighting from a vehicle was undertaken along tracks within the project area for more than seven hours.

The vehicle spotlighting was undertaken by slowly driving along dirt roads with handheld spotlights operating on both sides of the vehicle. Spotlighting was undertaken in the first couple of hours after sunset. The spotlighting at trapping sites and surrounding similar habitat was undertaken on foot using handheld spotlights.

2.10 Anabat bat detector

An Anabat detector was utilised on six nights. On five of the nights the Anabat detector was placed within trapping sites whilst on one night it was placed at the reed beds on an opportunistic basis. Appendix 2 details the sites where the Anabat detector was deployed.

The bat detector records the calls of bat species which can then be identified. A number of the calls are similar and therefore, some species cannot be separated by call identification only. Additionally, the bat detector will only give the presence of a species and not the abundance of a species. A high number of bat calls may be the result of a high number of bats calling a few times or a low number of bats calling a number of times.

The bat detector was set up late in the afternoon and picked up when the traps were checked the following morning. Therefore, the detector was recording from sunset to

Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey 8 Environmental and Biodiversity Services sunrise as a minimum (>12 hours). The files on the bat detector were downloaded onto a laptop each day to ensure the detector was working properly.

2.11 Harp traps

Harp traps were set up at three of the trapping sites. These were sites BEV00301, BEV00401 and BEV00501, all of which were within Four Mile Creek. The habitat within Four Mile Creek was considered more suitable for installing the harp traps increasing the likelihood of catching bats. The harp traps were also placed at two sites opportunistically, within the reed bed area and adjacent to the reed bed in Four Mile Creek.

Mist nets were not utilised as part of the survey due to a lack of suitable netting sites. Mist netting requires open water, such as dams, to be present to attract the bats. No dams with water were located within the study area.

2.12 Opportunistic observations

Opportunistic observations were made throughout the survey period. These observations were made of all fauna species observed outside of trapping sites. This included observations made whilst travelling between trapping sites. Additionally, several areas were searched which were not trapping sites as they were considered to contain good quality habitat. All observations within these areas were recorded as opportunistic records.

2.13 Weather conditions

The Fauna Survey was conducted between the 15th and 21st of March 2006. The maximum outside temperature gradually increased from 28.8oC on the 16th to 35.6oC on the 20th whilst the minimum outside temperature varied between 13.2oCand 17.2oC. The average maximum temperature across the survey period was 33.5oC whilst the average minimum temperature was 14.8oC. The weather during the survey period was fine with warm days and cool nights. There was only a slight cloud cover on the 21st whilst the remainder of the survey period was fine. There was a slight south easterly breeze present on most days of the survey period and no rain fall was recorded. The minimum and maximum temperatures recorded in the sun and shade at the Beverley Mine Exploration Camp during the fauna survey are presented in Table 1.

Table 1 Weather conditions during the Fauna Survey Date Temperature Comments Sun Shade Min Max Min Max 16/03/06 14oC 27.1oC Fine and sunny with a slight breeze 17/03/06 13.5oC 28.8oC 15.1oC 29.3oC Fine and sunny with a slight breeze 18/03/06 13.5oC 34.8oC 14.4oC 31.3oC Fine and sunny with a slight breeze 19/03/06 13.2oC 34.7oC 15.2oC 31.9oC Fine and sunny with a slight breeze 20/03/06 17.2oC 35.6oC18oC 32.3oC Fine and sunny with a slight breeze 21/03/06 16.5oC 18.1oC Fine and sunny with a slight breeze

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3. Fauna habitats within the project site

The project area consists of several habitat types, all of which have been heavily grazed. The different habitat types present within the project area provide habitat for a wide range of arid zone fauna species.

The dominant habitat types within the project area were:

x Sclerolaena spp. Herbland on high and low gibber plains (would be a Mitchell Grass (Astrebla pectinata) plain in better years)

x Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland

x Eremophila spp. / Acacia spp. / Santalum lanceolatum Tall Shrubland

x Acacia victoriae Tall Shrubland over chenopods

3.1 Sclerolaena spp. Herbland on high and low gibber plains

The Sclerolaena spp. Herbland was surveyed at sites BEV02201, BEV01001 and BEV01101. The gibber plains were the dominant vegetation community within the survey area. At the time of the survey they were dominated by Sclerolaena species, however, it is likely that if good summer rains occurred these plains would be dominated by Mitchell Grass (Astrebla pectinata).

The gibber habitats supported a lower diversity of plant species and little structural diversity was present. However, all of the survey areas within this habitat type contained cracking clays. The cracks in the clay provide excellent refuge for a range of fauna species including reptile species and small mammals.

Cracks in soil provide refuge for reptiles and small mammals.

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3.2 Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland

Sites BEV00301, BEV00401 and BEV00501 all contained the Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland. This vegetation community was found along Four Mile Creek where numerous channels in deep sandy soils lined with River Red Gums were observed. Patches of Melaleuca glomerata were also observed within this vegetation type with scattered grasses and the occasional Senna sp. or Eremophila sp.

The Eucalyptus camaldulensis Open Woodland contained valuable fauna habitat as the mature trees contained numerous hollows and excellent food resources for a range of species. The hollows would be relied upon for roosting and breeding by a number of bird and bat species with few other suitable hollows observed within the project area outside of the Eucalyptus camaldulensis Open Woodland areas.

3.3 Eremophila spp. / Acacia spp. / Santalum lanceolatum Tall Shrubland

The Eremophila spp. / Acacia spp. / Santalum lanceolatum Tall Shrubland was surveyed at sites BEV00801 and BEV01301. This vegetation type was observed within the minor creek lines which traversed the survey area. This community offers a range of habitat for fauna species including nesting, roosting and foraging resources. The larger shrubs also offer excellent shelter for the larger macropods during the day.

The majority of minor creek lines were narrow with a single channel lined with the tall shrubs. Scattered Eucalyptus camaldulensis were also be found along some of the minor creek lines, however, these were generally smaller trees compared to those along Four Mile Creek.

3.4 Acacia victoriae Tall Shrubland over chenopods

One site, BEV02001, contained a vegetation community of Acacia victoriae Tall Shrubland over chenopod shrubs. This vegetation community occurred adjacent to Four Mile Creek and was within the floodplain area of the creek. The understorey was dominated by chenopods, such as Rhagodia spinescens and Maireana aphylla. Scattered Eremophila spp. and Senna spp. also occurred within this vegetation type.

The Acacia victoriae Tall Shrubland offers good quality habitat for a range of fauna species. Due to the prickly nature of Acacia victoriae and Rhagodia spinescens,this vegetation offers excellent nesting and roosting opportunities for a range of bird species whilst the low shrubs provide cover for a range of reptiles.

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4. Survey results

4.1 Mammals

A total of 147 observations of 20 mammal species were made during the current fauna survey. Four of the mammal species are considered to be introduced and one species from the Canidae family was only identified to genus level. Appendix 3 summarises the survey data from the trapping sites and data collected opportunistically.

The record of the Canis sp. was made at site BEV00501 where two pitfall traps had been disturbed. Large dog footprints were observed in the sand and bite marks were made on the pits. The was not observed and therefore could not be identified to species level. The other introduced species observed during the survey were the Feral Cat, Rabbit and Cattle. It is also likely that foxes occur within the project site as they have been previously recorded in the area (Gunninah 1998).

The most common mammal species observed at trapping sites during the survey were the Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus), and the Rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus), with 24 and 14 individuals observed respectively. The most common species caught in either Elliot or Pitfall traps were the Fat-tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) and the Stripe-faced Dunnart (Sminthopsis macroura), with 12 and 10 individuals captured respectively.

The most common species caught in harp traps was the Southern Freetail-bat (small penis) (Mormopterus planiceps) with total of 19 individuals captured. The most common species observed opportunistically were the Red Kangaroo (Macropus rufus) DQGWKH*RXOG¶V:DWWOHG%DW Chalinolobus gouldii) each with seven individuals observed.

Two bat species, Vespadelus finlaysoni and Scotorepens balstoni, were only recorded using the Anabat detector. Both of these species were recorded opportunistically from the reed bed area. The identification of calls on the Anabat detector does not give any data on abundance. Therefore, in Appendix 3, only one individual per site was recorded and included in the discussions. It is likely that more than one individual of each species was present at each site.

a bc

The Eucalyptus camaldulensis in (a) was searched and found to contain a spout entrance to a potential roosting hollow for bats (b) with Mormopterus planiceps (small penis) caught in a harp trap set up next to the hollow (c).

Site BEV00401 (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland) recorded the highest number of species with ten species being recorded at the site. Site

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BEV01301 (Eremophila spp. / Acacia spp. / Santalum lanceolatum Tall Shrubland) recorded the second highest number of species with nine whilst ten species were recorded opportunistically.

4.2 Reptiles and amphibians

A total of 84 observations of 24 reptile species were made during the current fauna survey. No amphibian species were observed during the current survey. Two reptile species were only identified to genus level due to the observations made of diggings (Varanus sp.) and a piece of shed skin (Pseudonaja sp.) and therefore 22 species were positively identified. There were 72 individuals of 21 species recorded from the trapping sites whilst a total of 12 observations of six species were made opportunistically at the trapping sites. Appendix 4 summarises the survey data from the trapping sites and data collected opportunistically.

The most common reptile species observed at trapping sites during the survey was theTreeDtella(Gehyra variegata) with 25 individuals observed. The next most common reptile species observed DW WUDSSLQJ VLWHV ZDV WKH %\QRH¶V *HFNR (Heteronotia binoei) with eight individuals observed. The most common species caught in pitfall traps were the Tree Dtella (Gehyra variegata) and the Eastern Desert (Ctenotus regius), with 21 and five individuals captured respectively. The most common species observed opportunistically were the Tree Dtella (Gehyra variegata)andWKH %\QRH¶V *HFNR Heteronotia binoei) each with four individuals observed.

The trapping site, which recorded the highest species diversity, was BEV02001, capturing seven reptile species. Two further trapping sites, BEV00401 and BEV00501 recorded a total of six reptile species. None of the reptile species captured are considered to be of conservation significance. However, one species, Brachyurophis fasciolatus (Narrow-banded Shovel-nosed Snake), is particularly cryptic and rarely caught. This is a species of burrowing snake which feeds on other small reptiles and their eggs.

Brachyurophis fasciolatus (Narrow-banded Shovel-nosed Snake)

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4.3 Birds

A total of 892 observations of 48 bird species were made during the current fauna survey. Appendix 5 summarises the survey data from the trapping sites and data collected opportunistically. Only one introduced species, the House Sparrow, was recorded for the duration of the survey.

There were 831 individuals of 43 species recorded from the trapping sites whilst a total of 61 observations of 16 species were made opportunistically at the trapping sites.

The most common bird species observed at trapping sites during the survey was the Galah (Cacatua roseicapilla) with 380 individuals observed. The next most common bird species observed were the Tree Martin (Hirundo nigricans) and the White- winged Fairy-wren (Malurus leucopterus) with 49 and 46 individuals observed respectively.

Site BEV00501 (Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland) had the highest diversity of bird species present as well as the highest number of individuals recorded (23 species and 207 individuals). Another Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland site (BEV00301) was the next most diverse site with 21 bird species recorded and 164 individuals. The least diverse sites were BEV02201 (five species and 18 individuals) and BEV01001 (six species and nine individuals) both of which contained the Sclerolaena spp. Herbland on the gibber plains.

None of the 48 bird species identified during the survey are considered to be of conservation significance.

4.4 Comparison between survey sites and habitats

Four habitat types were surveyed during the current survey. The Sclerolaena spp. Herbland occurred at three sites (BEV01001, BEV01101 and BEV02201) whilst Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland also occurred at three sites (BEV00301, BEV00401 and BEV00501). The Eremophila spp. / Acacia spp. / Santalum lanceolatum Tall Shrubland was present at two sites whilst the Acacia victoriae Tall Shrubland was present at one site.

Table 2 summarises the number of species and individuals recorded for each fauna group within each habitat type. Overall, the greatest number of both species and individuals was recorded from the Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland habitat with 56 species and 522 individuals recorded. The Sclerolaena spp. Herbland was found to be the least diverse, with 25 species recorded and 185 individuals. A greater number of species was recorded from the Eremophila spp. / Acacia spp. / Santalum lanceolatum Tall Shrubland compared with the Sclerolaena spp. Herbland however fewer individual observations (138 records) were made. It must be noted that varying survey effort occurred in each of the different habitats with only the Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland and Sclerolaena spp. Herbland having three survey sites within them. This potentially influences any comparisons between habitats.

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Table 2 The number of species and individuals recorded within the different habitats surveyed

Habitat Site/s Fauna No. of No. of group species individuals Birds 12 140 BEV02201 Mammals 7 32 Sclerolaena spp. Herbland BEV01001 Reptiles 6 13 BEV01101 Total 25 185 Birds 32 440 BEV00301 Eucalyptus camaldulensis Mammals 14 53 BEV00401 Very Open Woodland Reptiles 10 29 BEV00501 Total 56 522 Birds 16 103 Eremophila spp. / Acacia BEV00801 Mammals 10 21 spp. / Santalum BEV01301 Reptiles 7 14 lanceolatum Tall Shrubland Total 33 138 Birds 18 148 Acacia victoriae Tall Mammals 7 16 BEV02001 Shrubland Reptiles 7 16 Total 32 180

4.5 Comparison with previous fauna records

A comparison between the current fauna survey and the two previous surveys completed by Gunninah Environmental Consultants in November/December 1996 and by Heathgate Resources (Annual Environmental Report in 2004) has been made. Table 3 presents fauna species recorded during these previous two surveys that were not recorded during the current survey. Both the Gunninah study and annual fauna survey were undertaken in spring.

Table 3 Comparison of species recorded between the current and previous surveys

Class Scientific Name Common Name Survey** Amphibia Neobatrachus centralis Trilling Frog H Australian Reed-Warbler (Clamorous G Aves Acrocephalus australis Reed-Warbler) Aves Aegotheles cristatus Australian Owlet-nightjar G Aves Cacatua sanguinea Little Corella G Aves Calamanthus campestris Rufous Fieldwren (Western Fieldwren) G Aves Chenonetta jubata Australian Wood Duck, (Maned Duck) G Aves Chrysococcyx basalis Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo H Aves Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike G Aves Cracticus torquatus Grey Butcherbird H Aves aurifrons Orange Chat G Aves Falco berigora Brown Falcon G Aves Falco longipennis Australian Hobby (Little Falcon) G Aves Geopelia placida Peaceful Dove G 1 Aves Lalage sueurii White-winged Triller G Aves Lichenostomus flavicollis Yellow-throated G Aves Melopsittacus undulatus Budgerigar G Aves Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater (Rainbow Bird) G Aves Milvus migrans Black Kite G Aves Pardalotus rubricatus Red-browed Pardalote G Aves Phaps chalcoptera Common Bronzewing G

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Class Scientific Name Common Name Survey** Aves Podargus strigoides Tawny Frogmouth G Aves Stiltia isabella Australian Pratincole G Aves Todiramphus pyrrhopygia Red-backed Kingfisher G Mammalia Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared Bat G Mammalia Planigale tenuirostris Narrow-nosed Planigale G Mammalia Vulpes vulpes* Fox G Reptilia Ctenotus orientalis Eastern Spotted Ctenotus G Reptilia Ctenotus pantherinus Leopard G Reptilia Demansia psammophis Yellow-faced Whipsnake G Reptilia Diplodactylus byrnei Pink-blotched Gecko H Reptilia Eremiascincus richardsonii Broad-banded Sandswimmer H Reptilia Pseudonaja nuchalis Western Brown Snake G Reptilia Strophurus intermedius Southern Spiny-tailed Gecko H * - indicates an introduced species ** - G = Gunninah Environmental Consultants survey (1996), H = Heathgate Resources survey (2004) 1 ± species now known as Lalage tricolor

The majority of species recorded during previous surveys that were not recorded during the current survey were birds, with 22 species observed. A total of three mammal species have been previously observed within the area and not observed during the current survey. This includes the introduced Vulpes vulpes (fox), Planigale tenuirostris (Narrow-nosed Planigale) and Nyctophilus geoffroyi (Lesser Long-eared Bat). Seven reptile species previously recorded, predominantly and geckos, were not recorded during the current survey. None of the species previously recorded within close proximity to the project site have formal conservation ratings.

Searches of the South Australian Museum and Department for Environment and Heritage databases found 88 birds, 24 mammals, 53 reptiles and three amphibians previously recorded within 25km of the project site. Of these, only 3 species are of conservation significance and include Neophema chrysostoma (Blue-winged Parrot), Ninox connivens (Barking Owl) and Pyrrholaemus brunneus (Redthroat). These three species are of state conservation significance and are discussed further below. A full list of species from these database searches is presented in Appendix 6. The records within the databases searched have been acquired over a number of years, however if an area has not been extensively surveyed in the past the records within the database may not be comprehensive for a given area. 5. Discussion

5.1 General discussion

The Beverley Uranium Mine Additional Mineral Leases fauna survey was conducted during autumn at the end of a period of hot dry weather. Warm days and cool nights were experienced over the duration of the survey with no rainfall recorded. Due to the time of year of the survey and the dry conditions experienced prior to the survey, it is likely that the number of fauna species observed and the numbers of individuals of each species observed would be lower than at other times of the year, particularly during spring. Observations of both species and numbers of animals are likely to be greater following periods of good rainfall followed by warm weather conditions, such as is possible during spring. The property was found to be currently grazed by cattle and as such there were areas, particularly around watering holes, where the degradation of both the vegetation present and the suitability of available habitat for fauna species within these areas was evident.

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5.2 Birds

No species of conservation significance were recorded during the current survey however three bird species of conservation significance have been previously recorded within the area. These species include Neophema chrysostoma (Blue- winged Parrot), which has a state conservation rating of vulnerable,andNinox connivens (Barking Owl) and Pyrrholaemus brunneus (Redthroat) which both have a state conservation rating of rare. The Barking Owl may possibly occur within the Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland along watercourses, particularly in wet years when prey (smaller birds and mammals) is abundant. The Blue-winged Parrot may be found in a variety of habitats including grasslands and woodlands, and may utilise hollows within the Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland for nesting. The preferred habitat for Redthroats is mallee and chenopod shrublands hence it is unlikely that this species occurs within the project site due to a lack of suitable habitat.

Additional bird species of conservation significance that may occur in the project area or nearby areas include Pedionomus torquatus (Plains-wanderer), Falco hypoleucus (Grey Falcon), Amytornis textilis (Thick-billed Grasswren) and Aphelocephala pectoralis (Chestnut-breasted Whiteface). The Plains-wanderer has a national and state conservation rating of vulnerable. A population of this species has recently been found on Mitchell Grass (Astrebla pectinata) plains with red soils south of Lake Frome. The intensive grazing history of the project site would probably preclude this species from similar habitat within the project site, except possibly in good years (G. Carpenter pers comm.). The Grey Falcon has a state conservation rating of vulnerable and may occasionally occur and breed in the Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland areas along watercourses, particularly in wet years when prey (smaller birds) is abundant. The Thick-billed Grasswren (state rating of vulnerable) and Chestnut-breasted Whiteface (state rating of rare) generally associate with chenopod shrublands (eg with Maireana astrotricha, M. sedifolia and M. pyramidata) which were absent from the project site hence these birds are unlikely to occur there.

5.3 Mammals

Three Leggadina forresti )RUUHVW¶V 0RXVH  ZHUH FDXJKWGXULQJ WKHVXUYH\ ZLWKall captures occurring within sites containing the gibber plains (BEV01001 and BEV02201). This species is known to occur within this habitat type and the result is not surprising. One notable capture was a Pseudomys hermannsburgensis (Sandy Inland Mouse) at site BEV02001. This record (voucher specimen lodged with the South Australian Museum) is a range extension for this species of over 80km (C. Kemper pers. comm.). The site where it was captured is not considered to be representative of its known habitat preference as the site did not contain large areas of sand. However, cracking soils at the site would have provided burrowing opportunities for the species which spends the day up to half a metre below the surface of the soil, emerging after sunset to feed (Strahan 1995).

Pseudomys bolami %RODP¶V0RXVH KDVEHHQFDXJKWDW%DOFDQRRQDDSSUR[LPDWHO\ 50 km to the south-west of the project site, and may possibly occur within the project site (L. Jansen pers comm.). This species was caught at Balcanoona within areas of tall shrubland dominated by species of Acacia, Senna, Eremophila and Dodonaea. Hence, Pseudomys bolami may occur within the project site within areas of tall shrubland such as found at sites BEV00801, BEV01301 and BEV02001.

Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey 17 Environmental and Biodiversity Services

One mammal species, Notomys fuscus (Dusky Hopping-mouse), which has a national conservation rating of endangered and a state conservation rating of vulnerable, may possibly occur within the project site (C. Kemper pers comm.). However, at the time of the survey there was little Mitchell Grass (Astrebla pectinata) present which would be the preferred habitat for this species within the project area. Hence, it was unlikely to have been present at the time of the survey.

Antechinomys laniger (Kultarr) has been previously caught nearby the project area and prefers the open, gibber type habitats (C. Kemper pers comm.). Therefore, it is considered possible that this species may occur within the project site due to the presence of suitable habitat within the project area. This nocturnal species is known to utilise deep cracks in the soil at the base of Acacia and Eremophila species and inhabits burrows initially established by other species such as trapdoor spiders, hopping-mice and goannas (Strahan 1995).

The previous survey undertaken by Gunninah (1998) recorded the presence of the Common Brushtail Possum (Trichosurus vulpecula) at the project site, with the record established from identification of hair found in a fox scat. If present within the project site this would be a significant find due to the declining numbers of this species. There nearest known population to the Beverley site is at Quorn several hundred kilometers away. This species has recently been recommended to be listed as rare under the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. The current survey found no evidence of this species, either from direct observation, scat observation or hearing calls, although areas that might be suitable, such as sites containing Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland, were searched by spotlighting and active searching during the day. Further evidence of this species would be beneficial to confirm that it is present within the project area.

The current survey recorded Vespadelus finlaysoni )LQOD\VRQ¶V &DYH %DW  DQG Scotorepens balstoni (Inland Broad-nosed Bat) from Anabat recordings only. Similarly, Gunninah (1998) recorded Mormopterus planiceps 2 (Southern Freetail-bat (long penis)) and Chalinolobus morio (Chocolate Wattled Bat) from probable call identification and Scotorepens greyii (Little Broad-nosed Bat) from a possible call identification. Whilst likely to be present within the survey site, captures of these species would be beneficial in confirming their presence.

5.4 Reptiles and amphibians

No species of conservation significance were found in the area or are likely to occur within the area, the current survey found a moderate diversity of reptile species considering the habitat type and quality and the time of year of the survey. The number of individuals per species is considered to be low particularly for species such as some of the Ctenotus species which should be found in high numbers throughout the area.

No amphibians were found but no suitable habitat was found within the project area. The reed beds were inspected and when out spotlighting time was spent listening for frogs at this site, but no calls were heard. More likely to find amphibians after good rains in spring when it is more likely that they will breed. The record within Gunninah (1998) for the Desert tree Frog (Litoria rubella) was made at a dam 2 km north of Four Mile Creek.

Other species considered likely to be present within the project area due to suitable available habitat include the legless lizards Delma australis (Barred Snake-lizard),

Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey 18 Environmental and Biodiversity Services

Delma butleri (Spinifex Snake-lizard) and Delma tincta (Black-necked Snake-lizard). Snakes likely to be present include Suta spectabilis (Mallee Black-headed Snake), Suta suta (Curl Snake) and Pseudonaja modesta (Five-ringed Snake) along with the lizards Cyclodomorphus melanops (Spinifex Slender Bluetongue) and Cyclogomorphus venustus (Saltbush Slender Bluetongue) (M. Hutchinson pers comm.). Some of these species have been previously recorded within the project area (Appendix 6).

5.5 Comparison with previous surveys

Several fauna surveys have been previously undertaken within close proximity to the current survey. These include the fauna survey undertaken by Gunninah Environmental Consultants in 1998 and the annual fauna monitoring undertaken by Heathgate Resources.

A similar suite of fauna species have been recorded on the previous surveys within close proximity to the current study area. The Gunninah 1998 survey recorded four reptile species, four mammal species and 20 bird species which were not recorded in the current survey. The current survey recorded three reptile species, two mammal species and ten bird species which were not recorded in the Gunninah 1998 survey.

The annual fauna monitoring at the Beverley Mine site, which re-surveys the trapping sites established by Gunninah Environmental Consultants, has recorded an additional two bird species and three reptile species which were not recorded by Gunninah or during the current fauna survey.

None of the additional fauna species are considered to be of conservation significance. It is considered that the current fauna survey, in conjunction with the previous surveys at the Beverley Mine site, give an excellent representation of the fauna species within the area.

Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey 19 Environmental and Biodiversity Services

6. Recommendations

The recommendations from the fauna survey include:

Planning phase

x A long-term monitoring program should be developed prior to works being undertaken within the area.

Operational phase

x Minimise impacts by works on the environment, particularly in areas identified as providing important habitat for fauna species. This includes areas of Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland areas along watercourses that contain valuable habitat for several fauna species such as roosting sites and hollows. The less diverse shrublands and gibber plains also provide important habitat for fauna species such as cracks in the soil. Plan to minimize vehicle damage to these areas by using predetermined routes only.

x Any fauna species likely to be directly impacted upon by the mining operations should be caught and relocated into suitable habitat outside of the disturbance area.

x Any trenches or holes associated within the mining operations which are left open should be regularly checked for fauna species.

x Any fauna species caught in trenches or holes associated with the mining operations should be caught and relocated into suitable habitat

x Implement the fauna monitoring program to assess any impacts of works on fauna species and their habitat within the project site.

x Undertake staff training sessions to promote the awareness of fauna species within the project area and their reliance on undisturbed habitat. Also reinforce the need to minimise impacts on these species through works undertaken on site.

Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey 20 Environmental and Biodiversity Services

References

&$53(17(5* 5(,'-  µ%LUG6SHFLes of Conservation Significance LQ 6RXWK $XVWUDOLD¶V $JULFXOWXUDO 5HJLRQV¶ 8QSXEOLVKHG GDWDEDVH Department of Environment & Heritage, SA).

&$63(5621.'+87&+,162101 52%,1621$&  µ$/LVW RI WKH 9HUWHEUDWHV RI 6RXWK $XVWUDOLD¶ 'HSDUWment for Environment and Heritage).

COGGER, H. G. (1975). 'Reptiles and Amphibians of Australia.' (A. H. & A. W. Reed, Sydney). (Fifth edition, 1994).

GUNNINAH ENVIRONMENTAL CONSULTANTS (1998). Beverley uranium project South Australia, Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd. Fauna Baseline Survey.

+286721 7   µ'UDJRQ /L]DUGV DQG *RDQQDV RI 6RXWK $XVWUDOLD¶ (Revised by Hutchinson, M. N, South Australian Museum). (Second edition, 1998).

LAUT, P., KEIG, G., LAZARIDES, M., LOFFLER, E., MURGULES, C., SCOTT, R0 68//,9$10(  µ(QYLURQPHQWVRI6RXWK$XVWUDOLD3URYLQFH )OLQGHUV5DQJHV¶&6,52'LYLVLRQRI/DQG8VH5HVHDUFK&DQEHUUD

3/$<)$,550 52%,1621$&  µ$%LRORJLFDO6XUYH\RIWKH1RUWK Olary Plains, South Australia, 1995-1997.¶ 1DWXUDO 5HVRXUFHV *URXS Department of Environment and Natural Resources, South Australia).

0(1.+25673 .1,*+7)  µ$)LHOG*XLGHWRWKH0DPPDOV RI $XVWUDOLD¶ 2[IRUG8QLYHUVLW\3UHVV$XVWUDOLD  6HFRQGHGLWLRQ 

OWENS, H. (2000)µ*XLGHOLQHVIRU9HUWHEUDWH6XUYH\VLQ6RXWK$XVWUDOLD8VLQJ WKH %LRORJLFDO 6XUYH\ 2I 6RXWK $XVWUDOLD¶ 1DWLRQDO 3DUNV :LOGOLIH 6RXWK Australia).

5($5'21 7  )/$9(/6   µ$*XLGHWR WKH %DWVRI 6RXWK$XVWUDOLD¶ (South Australian Museum).

R2%,1621$&&$63(5621.' +87&+,162101  µ$OLVWRI WKHYHUWHEUDWHVRI6RXWK$XVWUDOLD¶'HSDUWPHQWIRU(QYLURQPHQWDQG+HULWDJH

6,03621. '$<1  µ)LHOG*XLGHWRWKH%LUGVRI$XVWUDOLD± ABookof ,GHQWLILFDWLRQ¶ 3HQJXLQ%ooks Australia). (Third edition, 1993)

675$+$1 5   µ7KH 0DPPDOV RI $XVWUDOLD¶ $QJXV  5REHUWVRQ Publishers). (Second edition, 1995, Reed Books Australia)

75,**6 %   µ7UDFNV 6FDWV DQG 2WKHU 7UDFHV ± A Field Guide to $XVWUDOLDQ0DPPDOV¶ (Oxford University Press, Australia)

:,/6216 6:$1*  µ$&RPSOHWH*XLGHWR5HSWLOHVRI$XVWUDOLD¶ (Reed New Holland).

Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey 21 Environmental and Biodiversity Services

Appendix 1 ± Trapping sites for the Beverley Fauna Survey

Site Location Site Identification Line A Line B Vegetation Community Eucalyptus camaldulensis Open BEV00301 361330 6661006 361250 6661034 Forest Eucalyptus camaldulensis Open BEV00401 365875 6661342 365922 6661306 Forest Eucalyptus camaldulensis Open BEV00501 367489 6662815 367613 6662846 Forest BEV00801 367408 6657416 367324 6657448 Santalum / Maireana Open Shrubland Sclerolaena / Maireana Low Open BEV01001 364216 6655956 364179 6655954 Shrubland BEV01101 367656 6655808 367623 6655822 Sclerolaena Herbland Eucalyptus camaldulensis / Acacia BEV01301 364842 6655500 364792 6655545 tetragonophylla Open Forest BEV02001 367123 6662048 367056 6661989 Acacia victoriae Tall Open Shrubland BEV02201 368028 6660329 368027 6660257 Sclerolaena Herbland Locations are given using the WGS 84 datum

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Appendix 2 ± Trapping effort for the Beverley Fauna Survey

Site Elliott traps Pitfall traps Cage traps Harp traps Spotlight Day search Bat detector nights trap nights nights trap nights nights trap nights nights hours Hours/min nights BEV00301 4 120 4 48 4 16 6 1.5 2.25 1 BEV00401 4 120 4 48 4 16 3 1.5 1 BEV00501 4 120 4 48 4 16 3 1.5 3 1 BEV00801 4 120 4 48 4 16 1.5 BEV01001 4 120 4 48 4 16 0.75 2.25 BEV01101 4 120 4 48 4 16 3 1 BEV01301 4 120 4 48 4 16 3 1 BEV02001 4 120 4 48 4 16 2.25 BEV02201 4 120 4 48 4 16 1 1.5 TOTAL 36 1080 36 432 36 144 12 4.75 20.25 5

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Appendix 3 ± Mammal species recorded during the Beverley Fauna Survey

Species Name Common Name BEV00301 BEV00401 BEV00501 BEV00801 BEV01001 BEV01101 BEV01301 BEV02001 BEV02201 OPPORTUNE TOTAL Bos taurus* Cattle* 13318 Canis sp. 2 2 Chalinolobus gouldii Gould's Wattled Bat 1179 Felis catus* Cat* 1 1 Leggadina forresti Forrest's Mouse 123 Macropus fuliginosus Western Grey Kangaroo 1 1 Macropus robustus Euro 2 2 Macropus rufus Red Kangaroo 321314118731 Macropus sp. 111 3 Mormopterus planiceps 12 16 2 1 (small penis) Southern Freetail-bat 22 Mus musculus* House Mouse* 2 113 7 Oryctolagus cuniculus* Rabbit* 2112 17 216 Pseudomys 1 hermannsburgensis Sandy Inland Mouse 1 Scotorepens balstoni** Inland Broad-nosed Bat 1 1 Sminthopsis 1 2 612 crassicaudata Fat-tailed Dunnart 12 Sminthopsis macroura Stripe-faced Dunnart 21221210 Tadarida australis White-striped Freetail-bat 11 1 1 1 1 6 Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna 131 5 Vespadelus baverstocki Inland Forest Bat 41 49 Vespadelus finlaysoni** )LQOD\VRQ¶V&DYH%DW 1 1 TotalnumberofSpecies 81075449741020 Total Observations 15 15 23 9 5 14 13 16 13 27 147 * Denotes introduced species ** Species only identified from Anabat Detector

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Appendix 4 ± Reptile species recorded during the Beverley Fauna Survey OPPORTUNE TOTAL Species Name Common Name BEV00301 BEV00401 BEV00501 BEV00801 BEV01001 BEV01101 BEV01301 BEV02001 BEV02201 Brachyurophis fasciolatus Narrow-banded Shovel-nosed Snake 1 1 Cryptoblepharus 123 plagiocephalus "PIB" Desert Wall skink nuchalis Central Netted Dragon 112 Ctenotus leonhardii Common Desert Ctenotus 224 Ctenotus olympicus Saltbush Ctenotus 121 4 Ctenotus regius Eastern Desert Ctenotus 31 1 5 Ctenotus strauchii Short-legged Ctenotus 11 2 Diplodactylus tessellatus Tessellated Gecko 1 1 Gehyra variegata Tree Dtella 4132 38 425 Heteronotia binoei Bynoe's Gecko 31 48 Lerista labialis EasternTwo-toedSlider 3 3 Lerista punctatovittata Spotted Slider 4 4 Menetia greyii Dwarf Skink 112 Morethia boulengeri Common Snake-eye 1 1 Nephrurus levis Smooth Knob-tailed Gecko 1 1 Pogona vitticeps Central Bearded Dragon 1 1 Pseudonaja sp. 1 1 Rhynchoedura ornata Beaked Gecko 2 2 Strophurus ciliaris Northern Spiny-tailed Gecko 1 1 Tiliqua rugosa Sleepy Lizard 1111 4 Tympanocryptis intima Smooth-snouted Earless Dragon 3 3 Tympanocryptis 12 3 tetraporophora Eyrean Earless Dragon Varanus gouldii Gould's Goanna 1 1 Varanus sp. 11 2 TotalnumberofSpecies 3665234746 24 Total Observations 10 6 13 7 2 5 7 16 6 12 84 * Denotes introduced species

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Appendix 5 ± Bird species recorded during the Beverley Fauna Survey

Species Name Common Name BEV00301 BEV00401 BEV00501 BEV00801 BEV01001 BEV01101 BEV01301 BEV02001 BEV02201 OPPORTUNE TOTAL Acanthagenys rufogularis Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater 211 3 7 Acanthiza apicalis Inland Thornbill 2 2 Acanthiza uropygialis Chestnut-rumped Thornbill 42 2 8 Accipiter cirrhocephalus Collared Sparrowhawk 1 1 Anthus novaeseelandiae Richard's Pipit 2215 Aphelocephala leucopsis Southern Whiteface 246 Aquila audax Wedge-tailed Eagle 21312131 822 Artamus cinereus Black-faced Woodswallow 421 66 19 Ashbyia lovensis Gibberbird 123 Barnardius zonarius Australian Ringneck, (Ring-necked Parrot) 417 12 Cacatua roseicapilla Galah 108 20 85 100 20 47 380 Certhionyx variegatus Pied Honeyeater 15 15 Charadrius australis Inland Dotterel 11 1 12 Cheramoeca 1 leucosternus White-backed Swallow 1 Cinclosoma 22 5 3 cinnamomeum Cinnamon Quail-thrush 12 Colluricincla harmonica Grey Shrike-thrush 2 2 Corvus bennetti Little Crow 5 5 Corvus coronoides Australian Raven 426315131 26 Dromaius 144 1 13 novaehollandiae Emu 14 Egretta novaehollandiae White-faced Heron 1 1 Elanus axillaris Black-shouldered Kite 1 1 Epthianura tricolor 6 6 Eurostopodus argus Spotted Nightjar 1 1 Falco cenchroides Nankeen Kestrel 112 4 Geopelia cuneata Diamond Dove 1 1 Grallina cyanoleuca Magpie-lark 358

Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey 26 Environmental and Biodiversity Services OPPORTUNE TOTAL Species Name Common Name BEV00301 BEV00401 BEV00501 BEV00801 BEV01001 BEV01101 BEV01301 BEV02001 BEV02201 Gymnorhina tibicen Australian Magpie 24 2 22214 Haliastur sphenurus Whistling Kite 1 1 Hirundo nigricans Tree Martin 1424 2049 Lichenostomus 74 penicillatus White-plumed Honeyeater 11 Lichenostomus virescens Singing Honeyeater 4252 57 25 Malurus lamberti Variegated Fairy-wren 647 17 Malurus leucopterus White-winged Fairy-wren 42 733 46 Manorina flavigula Yellow-throated Miner 24 24 Megalurus gramineus Little Grassbird 1 1 Neophema elegans Elegant Parrot 1 1 Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon 4113 2 27 29 Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler 23 5 Pardalotus striatus Striated Pardalote 1 1 Passer domesticus* House Sparrow* 2 2 Petroica goodenovii Red-capped Robin 222 1 18 Pomatostomus ruficeps Chestnut-crowned Babbler 7815 Pomatostomus 6 1 superciliosus White-browned Babbler 7 Psephotus varius Mulga Parrot 4243 3 16 Psophodes cristatus Chirruping Wedgebill 47415 Rhipidura leucophrys Willie Wagtail 222 2 8 Taeniopygia guttata 21 1 22 Tyto alba Barn Owl 1 1 Total number of Species 21 17 23 11 6 7 13 18 5 16 48 Total Observations 164 69 207 42 9 113 61 148 18 61 892 * Denotes Introduced Species

Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey 27 Environmental and Biodiversity Services

Appendix 6 ± Fauna species previously recorded within or in the vicinity of the project area

Class Species Common Name SA Source** Amphibia Crinia riparia Streambank Froglet SAM Amphibia Limnodynastes tasmaniensis Spotted Grass Frog SAM Amphibia Litoria rubella Red Tree Frog DEH, SAM Aves Acanthagenys rufogularis Spiny-cheeked Honeyeater DEH Aves Acanthiza apicalis Inland Thornbill DEH Aves Acanthiza chrysorrhoa Yellow-rumped Thornbill DEH Aves Acanthiza sp. DEH Aves Acanthiza uropygialis Chestnut-rumped Thornbill DEH Aves Accipiter cirrhocephalus Collared Sparrowhawk DEH Australian Reed Warbler, Aves Acrocephalus australis (Clamorous Reed-Warbler) DEH Aves Acrocephalus stentoreus Clamorous Reedwarbler DEH Aves Aegotheles cristatus Australian Owlet-nightjar DEH Aves Anthus novaeseelandiae Richard's Pipit DEH Aves Aphelocephala leucopsis Southern Whiteface DEH Aves Aquila audax Wedge-tailed Eagle DEH Aves Artamus cinereus Black-faced Woodswallow DEH Aves Artamus cyanopterus Dusky Woodswallow DEH Aves Artamus personatus Masked Woodswallow DEH, SAM Aves Ashbyia lovensis Gibberbird DEH Australian Ringneck, (Ring- Aves Barnardius zonarius necked Parrot) DEH Aves Cacatua roseicapilla Galah DEH Aves Cacatua sanguinea Little Corella DEH Aves Calamanthus campestris Rufous Fieldwren DEH Aves Certhionyx variegatus Pied Honeyeater DEH, SAM Australian Wood Duck, (Maned Aves Chenonetta jubata Duck) DEH Aves Cheramoeca leucosternus White-backed Swallow DEH Aves Chrysococcyx basalis Horsfield's Bronze-cuckoo DEH Aves Cincloramphus cruralis Brown Songlark DEH Aves Cincloramphus mathewsi Rufous Songlark DEH Aves Cinclosoma cinnamomeum Cinnamon Quail-thrush DEH, SAM Aves Circus assimilis Spotted Harrier DEH Aves Colluricincla harmonica Grey Shrike-thrush DEH Aves Coracina novaehollandiae Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike DEH Aves Corvus bennetti Little Crow DEH Aves Corvus coronoides Australian Raven DEH Aves Corvus sp. DEH Aves Cracticus torquatus Grey Butcherbird DEH Aves Cuculus pallidus Pallid Cuckoo DEH Aves Dicaeum hirundinaceum Mistletoebird DEH Aves Dromaius novaehollandiae Emu DEH Aves Epthianura aurifrons Orange Chat DEH Aves Epthianura tricolor Crimson Chat DEH, SAM Aves Eurostopodus argus Spotted Nightjar DEH Aves Falco berigora Brown Falcon DEH, SAM Aves Falco cenchroides Nankeen Kestrel DEH Aves Falco longipennis Australian Hobby DEH Aves Geopelia cuneata Diamond Dove DEH Aves Geopelia placida Peaceful Dove DEH

Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey 28 Environmental and Biodiversity Services

Class Species Common Name SA Source** Aves Grallina cyanoleuca Magpie-lark DEH Aves Gymnorhina tibicen Australian Magpie DEH Aves Haliastur sphenurus Whistling Kite DEH Aves Hirundo neoxena Welcome Swallow DEH Aves Lalage tricolor White-winged Triller DEH Aves Lichenostomus penicillatus White-plumed Honeyeater DEH Aves Lichenostomus plumulus Grey-fronted Honeyeater) DEH Aves Lichenostomus virescens Singing Honeyeater DEH Aves Malurus lamberti Variegated Fairy-wren DEH Aves Malurus leucopterus White-winged Fairy-wren DEH Aves Manorina flavigula Yellow-throated Miner DEH Aves Megalurus gramineus Little Grassbird DEH Aves Melanodryas cucullata Hooded Robin DEH Aves Melithreptus brevirostris Brown-headed Honeyeater DEH Aves Melopsittacus undulatus Budgerigar DEH Aves Merops ornatus Rainbow Bee-eater DEH Aves Milvus migrans Black Kite DEH Aves Neophema chrysostoma Blue-winged Parrot V DEH Aves Neophema elegans Elegant Parrot DEH Aves Ninox connivens Barking Owl R SAM Aves Ninox novaeseelandiae Southern Boobook DEH Aves Nymphicus hollandicus Cockatiel DEH Aves Ocyphaps lophotes Crested Pigeon DEH Aves Pachycephala rufiventris Rufous Whistler DEH Aves Pardalotus rubricatus Red-browed Pardalote DEH Aves Pardalotus striatus Striated Pardalote DEH Aves *Passer domesticus House Sparrow DEH Aves Petrochelidon nigricans Tree Martin DEH Aves Petroica goodenovii Red-capped Robin DEH Aves Phaps chalcoptera Common Bronzewing DEH Aves Podargus strigoides Tawny Frogmouth DEH Aves Pomatostomus ruficeps Chestnut-crowned Babbler DEH Aves Pomatostomus superciliosus White-browed Babbler DEH Aves Psephotus varius Mulga Parrot DEH Aves Psophodes cristatus Chirruping Wedgebill DEH, SAM Aves Pyrrholaemus brunneus Redthroat R DEH Aves Rhipidura albiscapa Grey Fantail DEH Aves Rhipidura leucophrys Willie Wagtail DEH Aves Smicrornis brevirostris Weebill DEH Aves Stiltia isabella Australian Pratincole DEH, SAM Aves Taeniopygia guttata Zebra Finch DEH Aves Todiramphus pyrrhopygia Red-backed Kingfisher DEH Aves Turnix velox Little Button-quail DEH, SAM Mammalia *Bos taurus Cattle DEH Mammalia Canis lupus dingo Dingo DEH Mammalia *Capra hircus Goat DEH Mammalia Chalinolobus gouldii Gould's Wattled Bat DEH, SAM Mammalia *Felis catus Cat DEH Mammalia Leggadina forresti Forrest's Mouse DEH, SAM Mammalia Macropus fuliginosus Western Grey Kangaroo DEH Mammalia Macropus robustus Euro DEH Mammalia Macropus rufus Red Kangaroo DEH Mammalia Macropus sp. DEH

Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey 29 Environmental and Biodiversity Services

Class Species Common Name SA Source** Mammalia Mormopterus planiceps Southern Freetail-bats SAM Mormopterus spp. (3 species Mammalia complex) (NC) Southern Freetail-bats DEH Mammalia *Mus musculus House Mouse DEH, SAM Mammalia Nyctophilus geoffroyi Lesser Long-eared Bat DEH, SAM Mammalia *Oryctolagus cuniculus Rabbit DEH Mammalia Planigale tenuirostris Narrow-nosed Planigale DEH, SAM Mammalia Scotorepens balstoni Inland Broad-nosed Bat DEH, SAM Mammalia Scotorepens greyii Little Broad-nosed Bat SAM Mammalia Sminthopsis crassicaudata Fat-tailed Dunnart DEH, SAM Mammalia Sminthopsis macroura Stripe-faced Dunnart DEH, SAM Mammalia Tachyglossus aculeatus Short-beaked Echidna DEH Mammalia Vespadelus baverstocki Inland Forest Bat DEH, SAM Mammalia Vespadelus finlaysoni Finlayson's Cave Bat SAM Mammalia *Vulpes vulpes Fox DEH Reptilia Amphibolurus nobbi coggeri Nobbi Dragon SAM Cryptoblepharus cf Reptilia plagiocephalus (NC) Desert Wall skink DEH Cryptoblepharus Reptilia plagiocephalus Striped Wall Skink SAM Cryptoblepharus Reptilia plagiocephalus "PIB" Striped Wall Skink SAM Reptilia Ctenophorus decresii Tawny Dragon DEH, SAM Reptilia Ctenophorus nuchalis Central Netted Dragon SAM Reptilia Ctenophorus pictus Painted Dragon DEH, SAM Reptilia Ctenophorus sp. DEH Reptilia Ctenophorus vadnappa Red-barred Dragon DEH, SAM Reptilia Ctenotus leonhardii Common Desert Ctenotus DEH, SAM Reptilia Ctenotus olympicus Saltbush Ctenotus DEH, SAM Reptilia Ctenotus orientalis Eastern Spotted Ctenotus DEH, SAM Reptilia Ctenotus pantherinus Leopard Skink DEH, SAM Reptilia Ctenotus regius Eastern Desert Ctenotus DEH, SAM Reptilia Ctenotus robustus Eastern Striped Skink DEH, SAM Reptilia Ctenotus schomburgkii Sandplain Ctenotus DEH, SAM Reptilia Ctenotus sp. DEH Reptilia Ctenotus strauchii Short-legged Ctenotus DEH, SAM Reptilia Ctenotus strauchii varius Short-legged Ctenotus SAM Cyclodomorphus melanops Reptilia elongatus Spinifex Slender Bluetongue SAM Reptilia Delma butleri Spinifex Snake-lizard SAM Reptilia Delma sp. DEH Reptilia Delma tincta Black-necked Snake-lizard SAM Reptilia Demansia psammophis Yellow-faced Whipsnake SAM Reptilia Diplodactylus byrnei Pink-blotched Gecko DEH, SAM Reptilia Diplodactylus tessellatus Tessellated Gecko DEH, SAM Reptilia Egernia margaretae Masked Rock Skink DEH Reptilia Egernia striolata Eastern Tree Skink DEH, SAM Reptilia Gehyra 2n=44 Southern Rock Dtella DEH, SAM Reptilia Gehyra sp DEH, SAM Reptilia Gehyra variegata Tree Dtella DEH, SAM Reptilia Gehyra variegata complex Tree Dtella SAM Reptilia Heteronotia binoei Bynoe's Gecko DEH Reptilia Lerista labialis Eastern Two-toed Slider DEH, SAM Reptilia Lerista muelleri Dwarf Three-toed Slider DEH, SAM Reptilia Lerista punctatovittata Spotted Slider DEH, SAM

Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey 30 Environmental and Biodiversity Services

Class Species Common Name SA Source** Reptilia Menetia greyii Dwarf Skink DEH, SAM Reptilia Morethia adelaidensis Adelaide Snake-eye DEH, SAM Reptilia Morethia boulengeri Common Snake-eye DEH, SAM Reptilia Nephrurus levis Smooth Knob-tailed Gecko DEH, SAM Reptilia Pogona vitticeps Central Bearded Dragon DEH Reptilia Pseudechis australis Mulga Snake SAM Reptilia Pseudonaja modesta Five-ringed Snake DEH, SAM Reptilia Pseudonaja nuchalis Western Brown Snake DEH, SAM Reptilia Rhynchoedura ornata Beaked Gecko DEH, SAM Reptilia Simoselaps fasciolatus Narrow-banded Snake DEH, SAM Reptilia Strophurus ciliaris Northern Spiny-tailed Gecko DEH, SAM Reptilia Strophurus elderi Jewelled Gecko SAM Reptilia Suta suta Curl Snake SAM Reptilia Tiliqua rugosa Sleepy Lizard DEH Reptilia Tympanocryptis intima Smooth-snouted Earless Dragon DEH, SAM Tympanocryptis Reptilia tetraporophora Eyrean Earless Dragon DEH, SAM Reptilia Varanus gouldii Sand Goanna DEH * denotes introduced species ** SAM = South Australian Museum, DEH = Department for Environment and Heritage SA State Conservation Ratings; V = vulnerable, R = rare

Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey 31 Environmental and Biodiversity Services

Appendix 7 - General site photographs

Site BEV00301 - Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland

Site BEV00401 - Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland

Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey 32 Environmental and Biodiversity Services

Site BEV00501 - Eucalyptus camaldulensis Very Open Woodland

Site BEV01001 - Sclerolaena spp. Herbland

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Site BEV01101 - Sclerolaena spp. Herbland

Site BEV01301 - Eremophila spp. / Acacia spp. / Santalum lanceolatum Tall Shrubland

Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey 34 Environmental and Biodiversity Services

Site BEV02001 - Acacia victoriae Tall Shrubland

Site BEV02201 - Sclerolaena spp. Herbland

Southern EL 3251Fauna Survey 35

SUPPORTING R E P O R T F

Heritage

ABORIGINAL CULTURAL HERITAGE

A REPORT ON THE HEATHGATE RESOURCES PTY LTD MINERAL LEASE EXTENSION AREA APPLICATION (ML6036).

Bob Ellis PO Box 996 Mount Barker SA 5415

May 2006

Introduction

This report identifies and addresses the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage matters which arise from an application by Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd for an extension of the area of its current Mining Lease (ML6036). The lease was granted to the company in 1999 and is currently operated by Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd for in-situ leaching of uranium. The lease contains the Beverley Mine and Camp and an associated airstrip. The lease is located on Wooltana Station, on the broad plains between Lake Frome and the eastern extension of the Northern Flinders Ranges, South Australia. The pastoral lease was acquired by Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd in 2002. It is anticipated that the application for the extension of the Mining Lease will be made in 2006. The area of the proposed extension is shown in Appendix 1 of this report.

This report is not based on specially commissioned anthropological and archaeological surveys such as those previously undertaken by professional anthropologists and archaeologists to produce the reports informing the 1998 Environmental Impact Study for the original Lease application (Kinhill Pty Ltd (1997); Co-ordata Research (1997)). Rather, it relies upon information collated as a result of ten (10) separate Cultural Heritage inspections and reports which have been produced since 1999 and upon application of a methodology for continuing assessment of activities proposed by Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd (and its sister company Quasar Resources Pty Ltd) in the area of their leases and licences. Those inspections (Ellis B, 1999-2006, Fitzpatrick P, 2002) have arisen from the application of a Work Area Clearance methodology, adopted by the company in association with the Native Title applicants, to minimise potential deleterious impact upon Aboriginal cultural values at all stages of exploration and development within the leases and licences held by the companies. This methodology and the inspections it has generated have resulted in detailed and in most cases, on-foot investigation, of areas embraced by the Mining Lease and proposed extension area.

The Work Area Clearance methodology, implemented at the request of the Traditional Land Association (Aboriginal Corporation), (ATLA) is in the process of formal acceptance as result of the negotiation of a Work Area Clearance Agreement between the ATLA Native Title Management Committee, as the body representing the claimants associated with the Adnyamathanha No. 1 Native Title Application (SAD 6001/98) and Heathgate and Quasar Resources Pty Ltd. That agreement will ensure that the companies’ future exploration and mining activities will be conducted only following specially commissioned surveys and inspections of the proposed areas of activity, leading to the grant of appropriate approvals by Adnyamathanha researchers, nominated by named Native Title applicants. A separate agreement under Section 9B of the Mining Act (SA) 1971 is expected to be finalised with respect to any mining to be carried out within the extension area.

Work Area Clearance Methodology

The Work Area Clearance methodology was developed in the to permit Aboriginal traditional owners, in company with cultural heritage professionals or advisors, (but not those professionals or advisors alone), to assess activities proposed on Aboriginal land, without the necessity for them to divulge information on the cultural amenity of the area within which work is proposed (see Toyne and

2 Vachon, 1984, p. 111). In its more general application to non-Aboriginal land, the methodology relies upon the proponent of the proposed activities providing details of that work within the context of a specific, geographically defined area. Subsequently, expert Aboriginal custodians conduct a physical inspection of the area and assess the program of work in accordance with their knowledge of the cultural values of that area. Where that assessment is that the proposed work will not adversely impact upon the cultural values of the area, approval is given, subject to such conditions as may be necessary. Where the work is judged to threaten sites or cultural features, approval is withheld, without the necessity for details of those sites or values to be disclosed.

Under this arrangement, what is “cleared”, or approved, is the specific program of works as outlined by the proponent of those activities. The approval for those works does not necessarily imply that the area of impact lacks cultural values or that the area is free (or “clear”) of specific places of cultural significance. Rather, it is approved, or “clear” for the proponent to pursue the activity which has been proposed for assessment. Consequently, it is a requirement of the methodology that any variation on the approved program of work, or any future program of works proposed in that area, must be the subject of a further field inspection by knowledgeable Aboriginal custodians. This requirement has the added benefit of providing opportunity for research teams to monitor previously approved exploration activities and the rehabilitation works which follow.

The term “cultural heritage clearance” is occasionally encountered in discussion of cultural heritage field inspections carried out in accordance with this methodology. Use of that term is strictly avoided in this discussion since it implies that once inspected, future activity of any kind in a specific area has been approved, as a result of an agreement that the area is free (or “cleared”) of cultural heritage values or places. That is not the case with the assessments carried out in the extension area and is not an assumption which is justified by any Work Area Clearance assessment. For the Adnyamathanha at least, all areas of land within their traditional territories are imbued with cultural heritage values.

This methodology has been extensively applied in the context of assessing exploration work, particularly exploratory drilling, proposed by Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd (and its sister company Quasar Resources Pty Ltd) on their leases and licences. Nonetheless, some information on the cultural values of the area has been approved for general information. It is that information that is provided in this report, together with the conditions and agreed protective measures which have been developed to accompany approval for specific works in the area of the lease extension application.

The Draft Work Area Clearance Agreement currently under negotiation by the two parties provides for the periodical inspections of “work areas”, on tenements located on Wooltana Station, to be carried out by a team of eight Adnyamathanha researchers assisted by a cultural heritage specialist (or specialists) who is responsible for recording the details of any permissions granted by the research team and any conditions which may be attached to those approvals. The eight researchers are nominated on each occasion by four named Native Title applicants, Ms Geraldine Anderson, Mr Gordon Coulthard, Mr Vincent Coulthard and Mr Mark McKenzie who each nominate two delegates as researchers. Normally, this arrangement results in

3 male and female and older and younger researchers, of both moieties, being nominated to constitute the research group.

These four named applicants are recognised by ATLA as having a specific interest in the area of the mine and extension area. At the time of the grant of the original lease to Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd the four named applicants had separate Native Title Claims lodged over the lease area (SC 94/1 lodged by Mr Gordon Coulthard, SC 95/4 lodged by Mr Mark McKenzie, SC 97/1 lodged by Ms Geraldine Anderson and SC 97/2 lodged by Mr Vincent Coulthard and others). These claims have subsequently been amalgamated into the Adnyamathanha No. 1 (SAD 6001/98) and No. 2 (SAD 6002/98) claims. All of the previous named applicants are applicants under the amalgamated claim SAD 6001/98. The ability of those named applicants to nominate two delegates to undertake Work Area Surveys is consistent with the spirit of those earlier agreements.

At the time of the original grant of the Mining Lease ML6036 to Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd separate agreements were negotiated with the then Native Title applicants. As a result of one agreement (with the claimants associated with SC 97/2) an independent review of the EIS prepared by Heathgate Pty Ltd was undertaken and a further cultural heritage inspection was carried out by a team of Adnyamathanha researchers to complement the specifically commissioned expert reports prepared for the EIS (Ellis B, 1999).

The Archaeological Record

According to Dr Marjorie Sullivan (1980), occupation of the Flinders Ranges was most intense over the last 5,000 years during the time of the first apparent permanent and comprehensive occupation of the sand deserts of the Lake Eyre Basin, north of the area under discussion. As Sullivan notes however, evidence also suggests that the better watered areas of the Ranges sustained Aboriginal populations as early as 15,000 years BP as the climatic improvement that followed the last glacial maximum (17 – 15,000 years ago) prompted a more complete occupation of some parts of the Australian arid zone. The earliest dated evidence of occupation of the Frome Plains comes from a site on Balcoracana Creek where it enters Lake Frome. That dating evidence and the nature of the stone artefact assemblage indicate that this site and others around it were occupied between 9,500 and 5,000 years ago but that occupation after that time was not generally sustained.

As a consequence of the 1979 Beverley field survey Sullivan concluded that there was no evidence that any of the archaeological materials might be older than 5,000 years. A subsequent survey undertaken by Dr Philip Hughes (Kinhill, 1997) generally confirmed Sullivan’s investigations. Three sites recorded by Sullivan on Four Mile Creek and the main channel of Mulga Creek (Sites 2, 3 and 4) were relocated during the 1997 inspection while the two artefacts that provided the basis for the recording of Site 1 on a tributary of Mulga Creek could not be relocated. Hughes (Kinhill, 1997, p. 4-11) notes in his report that Sullivan’s Site 2 (a silcrete flake and a clear quartz flake on Mulga Creek) “was considered to have no archaeological importance”. Likewise, in 1997 Site 3 was assessed as being “completely disturbed by rabbit burrowing and the deposit is now considered to have no excavation potential” (p. 4-12)

4 In the 1997 report Dr Hughes employed terrain mapping as a framework for assessing the significance of the archaeological materials in the general area of the retention leases. The significance he sought to assess was primarily scientific. He identified six different terrain types. All but one, Terrain Pattern A1, which was focused on the banks of Four Mile Creek, were assessed as very low, extremely low, or of negligible archaeological sensitivity. Consequently, his recommendations included that no further archaeological field survey work in RL 21-24 was required for the granting of development consent, while in the area south of Four Mile Creek and around Mulga Creek he recommended cultural heritage management strategies be developed for these areas. As is discussed later, as a result of the application of the Work Area Clearance methodology, agreed arrangements have been developed for all the areas identified by Sullivan and Hughes which preclude drilling or development activity at this time, without specific inspection and approval, within 30 metres of the banks of Four Mile and Mulga Creeks (see appendices 3 and 4).

It appears that following presentation of Sullivan’s 1980 report, officers of the Aboriginal Heritage Section of the then South Australian Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation prepared site cards and nominations of places identified in her report for inclusion in the Heritage Sites Data Base maintained by the Department. In accordance with standard procedure, the author of this report sought advice from the SA Department of Aboriginal Affairs and Reconciliation (now part of the Department of Premier and Cabinet) on recorded sites and items within the area of the mine extension application prior to preparation of this report. The information provided from the data base on recorded sites 6837/5941, 6837/5942, 6837/5943, 6837/5944, 6837/5945 and 6837/5946 would appear to coincide with Sullivan’s Sites 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6 described in her report (see Appendix 2).

The decision to formally record these places on the data base would appear to be potentially troublesome. While all Aboriginal heritage places are protected under the provisions of the SA Aboriginal Heritage Act (1988), whether recorded or not, the inclusion of these places on the data base would tend to reify these localities and their relative importance in relation to the decisions of the Adnyamathanha survey teams constituted under the Work Area Clearance arrangements discussed above. The decision to include them in the register is curious furthermore, in relation to the level of importance ascribed to them by Sullivan and subsequently by Hughes. In 1997 Dr Hughes was unable to relocate Sullivan’s Site 1 (a flake and a core), Site 2 was considered to have “no archaeological importance”, Site 3 was judged damaged by rabbit burrowing and was considered to have no excavation potential.

The decision to include these places on the data base is also surprising given the comment in the EIS Response Document (Heathgate Resources, 1998, p. 7-5) which noted “The independent archaeological report indicated that no sites have been identified as requiring entry on the SA Register of Aboriginal Sites”. It is noted however, that it would appear to have been the anthropological report (Co-ordata, 1997, p. 2) which made this observation.

As has been noted above, as a result of agreements reached as a result of earlier Work Area Clearance surveys, all places recorded on the data base of Aboriginal sites are currently included within areas in which exploration and mining has been not been approved and will be the subject of further consideration as a result of the application

5 of the methodology. It would be worrisome however, if the entry of these places on the SA Register Data Base prevented Adnyamathanha survey teams from approving future work at, or near these localities, particularly if, as a consequence, other places judged more significant to them were placed at threat.

The Locality

The Wooltana Pastoral Lease area is located approximately 150 km east of Leigh Creek. The nearest permanent Adnyamathanha population centre is Nepabunna which is about 80 kilometres west of Beverley Mine. The Pastoral Lease was acquired by Heathgate Resources in 2002. The property neighbours Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park to the south, Arkaroola Sanctuary to the west and Moolawatana Station to the north. Vulkathunha–Gammon Ranges National Park is currently co- operatively managed, by a Board of Management which includes Adnyamathanha appointees, in accordance with a Draft Management Plan prepared in association with the Adnyamathanha Native Title claimants.

Wooltana Pastoral lease is bounded on the east by Lake Frome. Stock are agisted on the property by the lessee of Wertaloona Pastoral Lease. The area is primarily open gibber plain with occasional broad and branching, ephemeral watercourses. The vegetation on the non-granitic areas is primarily blue bush/salt bush with acacia scrub while the decayed granite sand supports little more than ephemeral grasses, particularly Mitchell Grass. The suite of vegetation which results from rain events, as well as particular perennials and trees, are socially and culturally significant to the Adnyamathanha. Special measures, particularly the relocation of drill targets, have been implemented for the protection of urti (Santalum acuminatum ) trees, as a result of Work Area Clearance surveys. Iga ( Capparis mitchelli ) trees have not been discovered within the mine lease or extension area. This species is particularly important as a result of its close association with Adnyamathanha identity. It is believed that the most easterly specimen of this tree, which is generally restricted in range to the eastern side of the Northern Flinders Ranges, is located on Wooltana Station, north-east of the area under review.

A notable feature of the vegetation of the area is the presence of Mitchell Grass (Astrebla pectinata ). The Adnyamathanha who called the grass vawangurru, prized the seed gathered from this source which was a major cultural feature of this area, accounting in particular for the discovery of numerous grindstones in the course of investigations in this locality. Sprigg (1984, p.56) records that the Jacob brothers who took up the lease of Wooltana in 1856, employed Adnyamathanha people to harvest the seed in the hope of producing flour from it. The attempt was not a success.

The floodout areas of major creek systems in this area were a favoured locality for the collection of yulpu ( Mukia maderaspatana ), a small green melon like a cucumber, which grew in considerable density in this area before overstocking in time of drought. Mundulka (“marshmallow”, species not identified), warrkandu ( a seed- bearing plant, unidentified) and ngunduku (Geranium spp.) also grew in considerable numbers in this area. These vegetable foods are considered to be the main reason for the discovery of numerous ilda (stone ovens) within the general area of the creek floodouts.

6 As a result of delayed rains, the area presently supports few annuals or grasses. Red Gums ( Eucalyptus camaldulensis ) in some creek beds are exhibiting signs of stress.

Pastoral History

The area has been used for pastoralism since about 1856 with occasional periods of abandonment as a consequence of drought. Previously, pastoral activity has centred on wool production although today, beef cattle are the predominant stock of choice.

Wooltana has historically hosted a large population of Adnyamathanha people many of whom resided near the present homestead as well as in more dispersed locations.

One of those residential areas known as Udna Muku, north of the homestead, is of particular importance as a consequence of the existence of numerous graves, including that of a highly respected and feared urngi (‘smart’ man), reputedly a significant rain-maker, who was known to contemporary Europeans as Left-hand Billy. Left-hand Billy is credited with having handed on responsibility for supervision of the vadnappa initiation ceremony to Mr Fred McKenzie and Mr Henry Wilton. This arrangement is detailed in a memorial erected at Nepabunna which also lists the names of initiates in the period 1920-48.

The historic camp site was previously associated with a permanent spring which crossed the track nearby. The spring has now disappeared since the opening of a calcrete quarry by Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd on MR 850 to supply material for the mine site and airstrip. In association with the Adnyamathanha researchers involved in cultural heritage surveys on the Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd tenements, the graves have now been fenced by Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd staff with star droppers and wire.

According to Adnyamathanha oral history, Wooltana was also the traditional estate of “TeaTree Jack”, also known by Europeans as “Goggle Eye” or :Goggle-eye Jack” and his brother “TeaTree Billy”. (Tea Tree Outstation lies roughly due south of Wooltana). TeaTree Jack’s wife, Susie (Noble), later married Albert Wilton (she already had four children). TeaTree Billy married Rachel (James). Both brothers were ngamana (“mother’s brother”) for Fred Johnson (Davis C and McKenzie P, 1985. p. 1A).

Many of the buildings at Wooltana Homestead were constructed by Adnyamathanha labourers. The old stone shearing shed was built of stone collected by Adnyamathanha people in the early 1900s and it was of concern to that community when the shed was razed and places associated with family occupation in the vicinity were bulldozed by the previous manager in 1999 prior to the purchase of the lease by Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd.

In accordance with normal professional practice, the area of the proposed mine extension was inspected to identify any post-European settlement-period items, or places of cultural significance. One site, a fencing camp which had been occupied by Mr Sam Coulthard and family and Mr Malcolm McKenzie and family during August 1946 at which time the families were involved in fencing a line approximately 23 miles long, was identified on the northern side of Four Mile Creek. That site is

7 currently included in a protective zone surrounding Four Mile Creek (see Appendices). Another historical camping location at Four Mile Bore is thought to be outside the extension area. It is also currently protected by a zone negotiated as part of a recent (February 2006) cultural heritage survey. The site of a protest camp, associated with opposition to the original grant of the mining lease to Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd has been recorded near Four Mile Bore. That site is also outside the proposed extension area.

Properties in this area have historically employed Adnyamathanha people as fencers, stockmen, boundary riders and in domestic duties, as well as contractors assisting in the transport of wool. Most of the Adnyamathanha Native Title applicants have themselves worked or resided on the property in various capacities. Mr Gordon Coulthard and his siblings have a long-term association with the property as a result of their father, the late Mr Sam Coulthard, being employed on the property as a fencer and stockman.

Following lodgement of his claim, Mr Gordon Coulthard engaged a consultant, Mr Stuart Phillpott, to undertake a biocultural resources assessment, in association with him, of areas on Wooltana Station in order to identify culturally important biological resources on the pastoral lease. The report of Mr Phillpott provides a valuable insight into those areas, none of which are affected by the present application for extension of the mine (Phillpott S., N.D.).

Cultural History

The Wooltana area was generally associated with and was occupied by the Yardliawarra of the Frome Plains at the time of European settlement. The Yardliawarra subsequently joined with and became subsumed into, the more numerous Adnyamathanha, early last century. The last full Yardliawarra man was Mr Barney Coffin who died at Port Augusta in 1978. His sister, Lily, married Tom Wilton and was the mother of Mr Artie Wilton, the last Adnyamathanha wilyaru (fully initiated) man. Mr Artie Wilton died 23-3-03. He visited the Beverley Mine site and surrounding area in September 2002 with the co-operation and assistance of Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd. The results of his visit are recorded in Fitzpatrick (2002).

The Yardliawarra were bounded to the north by the Arabunna, to the north-east by the Dieri, on the east by the Biladarpa and on the west by the Adnyamathanha. All these groups shared a common social organisation based on two named, matrilineal, exogamous moieties, Arraru and Matheri .

Associated with the two moieties were matrilineal social clans with territorial associations (“ yarta ” – “country”) known as Mukunha ( muku – “bone”). These clans were associated with particular animals and were also associated with people’s milanha (“wind”), also originally inherited from the mother. Thus a person of Arraru moiety was affiliated with vukarra (north wind) and a Matheri person with vardpa (south (east) wind). A further association determined by moiety affiliation was with two important food plants ( mai ). Thus a totemic association exists with urti (“Wild Peach”; Santalum acuminatum ) for Matheri moiety members and minara (“Bullock Bush”, Alectryon oleifolius spp. canescens ) and Arraru moiety members.

8

It is generally agreed that those living at Wooltana were “north-wind mob”. This derived from the association of that area of foothills and plains (yarta ) with ngarrurndula – mukunha (“water-dwelling frog totem”) – Arraru moiety. The plains area north of the mine extension area is yarta associated with miyaru-mukunha (“Long-haired rat totem”) – Matheri . While these associations did not preclude members of opposite moiety dwelling on the area, the society members generally acknowledged the pre-eminence of appropriate moiety members in decision-making about land matters.

The location of Beverley Mine and the proposed mine extension area is associated with several known and recorded Adnyamathanha traditions which today are referred to as murda (“law”), although the term ngutunha is probably more correct when referring to secular stories.

These traditions include the travels of two val(a)nappa (two men of opposite moiety, same generation and potentially brothers-in-law) who were responsible for the creation of Paralana Hot Springs. They travelled from Lake Callabonna along Paralana Creek in the vicinity of Beverley Mine. At various times they assumed the identity of snakes – the whip snake ( wiparu - Matheri moiety) and king brown snake (vulkarri - Arraru ).

A further tradition involves the travels of a kangaroo down the eastern side of the Ranges to Baratta Springs passing through Paralana Hot Springs and Moro Gorge.

In the Arkaroola area and at Parabarana ( Vara Varana ), associations exist with arkaru (var. arkura ) – (water serpents which may also take the form of two snakes).

North of the Mine Site and in the nearby ranges to the west, features are associated with the mundya (euro) and urdlu (red kangaroo) who are credited with having created the ranges and plains. The main elements of that story in the vicinity of the Beverley Mine are located to the north on Poontna Creek, although the travels of the euro may also involve Four Mile Creek.

An important wilyaru ancestral being travelled in this area from Lake Frome, along Four Mile Creek, to the Ranges. According to that story, details of which are restricted to initiated men, the ancestor ate nguri (gum from Acacia rivalis ) which cause him to vomit. An association between the uranium extracted from the mine and the vomit is generally credited by Adnyamathanha people today. The mine extension application will not directly impact features associated with these traditions although Four Mile Creek is considered to be indirectly important and consequently no approval has been given to this time for drilling within 30 metres of the banks of the creek.

Four Mile Creek is also associated with the travels of Aboriginal people from west of the area to a mudlu ceremony held during the 1890s near the Strzelecki track, north of the general area. Extensive campsites exist near Four Mile Well as a result of that important movement of people in historic time. This ceremony was almost certainly the molonga (mudlu-nga) referred to by German Moravian missionaries based at Kopperamanna and Killapaninna on the Cooper Creek.

9

Current Status of Extension Application Area

As noted above, the area of the planned mine extension has been the subject of at least ten Work Area Clearance inspections by teams of Adnyamathanha researchers. As a consequence of those inspection, maps have been produced by Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd, in association with the researchers, which detail areas where approval has not yet been granted for exploration or related activities (Appendices 2 and 3). While not shown on those maps, further clearance is required within 30 metres either side of Four Mile Creek along it entire length. Elsewhere, approvals may have been granted for specific activities, but those approvals may be subject to conditions imposed by the research teams which are specified in the reports of the inspections. Details of those imposed conditions are not provided in this report.

Approval for specific programs of exploration or mining may yet be granted in the excluded area in accordance with the methodology employed in this instance. As is explained above, the method used for assessment does not provide for a blanket approval of any form of activity within a specific area, nor does it preclude further consideration of proposals in areas currently designated as “exclusion” areas.

It is possible to explain in general terms the cultural heritage values or principles that inform the current “non-approved” areas. Team members have been reluctant to approve any physical intervention within 30 metres of the banks of Four Mile Creek or of other major watercourses. In some specific minor streams they have likewise refused permission for drilling in close proximity. There are two reasons for this reluctance. In the first case, most evidence of prehistoric or historic Aboriginal occupation in this area is associated with such watercourses (Kinhill, 1997). Further, as a consequence of the general association of significant traditions in this area with Four Mile Creek, Mr Artie Wilton, the last Adnyamathanha wilyaru man, expressed a desire to ensure that drilling and other physical activities should be precluded from the bed of that watercourse. In recognition of his wishes and the restricted information he possessed, the 30 m default zone has been established.

In the area east of the Beverley Mine (see appendix 3) a further exclusion area has been established along the shores of a presumed flood line. Inspection of this area confirmed the presence of numerous artefacts, predominantly grindstones and ilda (stone ovens employed in the preparation of vegetable foods).

A further moratorium on exploration activity was extended to an area on Jenny Creek immediately east of the current mine site. This area and another nearby, was identified by one of the team members, during an inspection conducted March 10 th - 12 th , 2005, as significant to women. Following a further inspection in February 2006, when team members failed to reach a consensus over the significance of the area, the moratorium was extended to permit a group of knowledgeable, older women to visit the area and resolve the status of the location. The visit, by five members of Yuratu Wimila (“Women’s court/meeting”) was undertaken on Friday 28 th April 2006. The women concluded that the area had no women’s cultural traditions associated with it (Ellis B, May 2006).

10 Conclusion

This survey of Adnyamathanha cultural heritage matters pertaining to the present ML 6036 and proposed mine extension application by Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd does not seek to provide an “expert” assessment of, or approval for, future activities likely to be undertaken within that tenements or future tenements. Rather, it is the intention of this report to outline a method which has been employed for continuing assessment of such activities by Adnyamathanha representatives who have been selected by named Native Title applicants. Those applicants are generally considered by their peers to be most closely associated with the Wooltana Pastoral Lease and knowledgeable about its cultural amenity. That is the preferred approach of the body representing the Native Title claimants for the area under review and the one that most closely replicates the traditional decision-making responsibilities which applied in this area.

Such an approach is recommended by this report as one most likely to ensure continuing protection for the cultural heritage values and places associated with the areas under consideration. It is also considered to have the benefit of promising opportunity for Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd to negotiate reasonable and speedy resolution of matters essential for future mine development within such tenements as they may be granted in this location.

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12 Ellis B. 2006 Report of an Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Inspection for Heathgate Resources Pty Ltd and Quasar Resources Pty Ltd of Four Mile, Beverley East and Deep South Prospects – Wooltana Station and Arkaroola Sanctuary, Northern Flinders Ranges, South Australia. February 2006. 38 pp.

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13 Phillpott S N.D. Biocultural Resource Assessment for Properties under Native Title Claim in the North Flinders Ranges – Wooltana, Wertaloona, Mulga View and – The Claimant’s Perspective. Remote Rural Resources 12 Redgrave Pl., Chapman ACT 2611.

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14 Appendix 1 – Boundaries of extension application area

15 Appendix 2 – Recorded Aboriginal Sites

Appendix 3 – Current exclusion zones (Yellow hatching) in east Beverley Area

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Appendix 4 – Current exclusion zones in Beverley South area.

17