ASHTON COAL PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT – DA 309-11-2001-i MODIFICATION 9 A P P Indicative Fan E Specifications N D I X 1 FläktWoods Fans (Aust.) Pty.Ltd. ASHTON COAL PROJECT ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT – DA 309-11-2001-i MODIFICATION 9 A P P E N Environmental Risk Assessment D I X 2 ACOL 5.5m. Diameter Shaft and Fans Installation Environmental Risk Assessment ACOL 5.5m. Diameter Shaft and Fans Installation Environmental Risk Assessment 1 PURPOSE & SCOPE The purpose of the risk assessment is to identify the risks, and the controls required to be put in place, to enable the installation of a 5.5m diameter upcast ventilation shaft, fans and associated infrastructure. The scope was limited to environmental and community risks, applicable to the built and natural environment (onsite and offsite), and including public safety (but not ACOL OHS risk or operational asset damage). 2 BACKGROUND ACOL proposes to construct a new 5.5 metre diameter upcast ventilation shaft and install associated extraction fans and ancillary surface infrastructure. This project enables the establishment of sufficient ventilation capacity for the ACOL to safely continue mining operations for a further 12 to 14 years. The proposed site for the planned new main ventilation shaft and fans is located on ACOL owned property, on the surface above the start of longwall block one. The total mine airflow quantity provided by the existing two main fans and backroad supplementary fan combination is estimated to be limited to a maximum of 190m3/s. However, expert consultation has confirmed a requirement to upgrade the mine’s ventilation system to provide between 290m3/s and 365m3/s total volumetric capacity, to safely meet future demands. To meet these future requirements, a 5.5 metre diameter circular ventilation shaft will be drilled using raise-bore methodology. The proposed shaft is to be constructed from the surface to the Upper Liddell seam, a depth of approximately 90 metres, using mechanized drilling and lining methodology. The 5.5m diameter ventilation shaft will be raise bored to the surface from existing mine workings inside the ULD seam, from a depth of approximately 90 metres. On completion, two new exhausting fans will be placed over the main ventilation shaft, each with an evasé (cone-shaped discharge plenum) fitted for noise reduction. The boring machine is set up on the surface and a pilot hole drilled to the level of the Upper Liddell seam. A reamer head is then attached to the end of a drill string and, with the rotational power provided to the drill rods by the raise bore machine, the machine then draws the reamer up along the line of the pilot hole. ACOL 5.5m. Diameter Shaft and Fans Installation Environmental Risk Assessment 3 ASSESSMENT STEPS The risk assessment was a team based methodology, making use of an existing ACOL / Wells Environmental Services template, which guided the following steps – 1. Identification of environmental ‘aspect’ categories (drawn from legislative requirements, existing permits and ‘typical’ mine-site operational Environmental Management areas; 2. Specification of possible ‘impacts’ (risks) applicable to each aspect (in the context of this project only); 3. Identification of the project stage(s) the impact applied to (typically ‘operations’, ‘construction’ or both); 4. Control measures intended to be applied; 5. Risk ranking in accordance with the ACOL risk matrix; and 6. Notation of actions to implement, improve or monitor risk controls, to ensure risks were (or would become after implementation) acceptable to ACOL. 4 KEY ASSUMPTIONS, LIMITATIONS & PARAMETERS The following key points underpinned the risk assessment – 1. ACOL has existing systems for the management of environmental risks, and also has the capacity and resources to make changes to these systems if this need was identified in the risk assessment; 2. Contractors and other project participants have obligations to conduct their own risk assessment(s) prior to commencing project work. ACOL 5.5m. Diameter Shaft and Fans Installation Environmental Risk Assessment 5 PARTICIPANTS The following personnel participated in the risk assessment – Person Company Specialisation Robert Holmes ACOL Contract Ventilation Officer John Gruhn ACOL Mining Engineer Phil Fletcher ACOL Mining Engineer Michael Moore ACOL Approvals management Cassandra Ferguson ACOL Environmental Management James Grebert ACOL Ventilation Officer Alan Wells Wells Environmental Services Project – assistance Neil Pennington Spectrum Acoustics Acoustics David Lowe SKM Traffic Management John-Paul King Pacific Environmental Associates Ecology Liz Wyatt Insite Archaeology Indigenous Archaeology Gabi Parke AECOM Visual amenity ACOL 5.5m. Diameter Shaft and Fans Installation Environmental Risk Assessment 6 RISK MATRIX Risk analysis (R) is undertaken by assessing the consequence severity level (C) of an impact against the predicted frequency or probability (P) of the event occurring. For example, an issue with a high probability and high consequence severity has a High Risk while a low probability and low consequence severity has low or negligible Risk. ACOL 5.5m. Diameter Shaft and Fans Installation Environmental Risk Assessment Risk Rating Hazard Applies to… C= Consequence Type Controls / Measures during P= Probability Issue (Environment and Construction and/or design and assessment R= Risk Rating Community) Operations (See Table above) C P R Aboriginal Heritage Impacts to known items of Aboriginal cultural Environmental Construction Only Avoidance of sites identified in previous environmental assessment. 3 D 17(M) heritage significance. Traffic management protocols – staying on tracks (and demarcation of tracks/sites (e.g. barrier tape). Archaeological inductions for all work crews (project specific) – emphasising ‘no-go’ zones. Implementation of AHIP #3436 Implementation of ACOL Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Management Plan - Permit to Disturb. Impacts to previously unknown Aboriginal Environmental Construction Only Surveillance during construction stage by Aboriginal representatives. 3 D 17(M) artefacts or similar from earthworks and/or Existing Management Plans for artefact discovery/preservation, traffic movements. heritage management. Permit to Disturb. Inability to upgrade tracks pending Aboriginal Environmental Cons truction & Consultation process. 2 C 18(M) heritage processes / salvage (delay risk) Operations Permit to Disturb. Studies if/as required. Acoustics Acoustic impacts from construction work. Environmental Construction Only Distance from residential properties and existing background noise. 2 D 21(L) Day time work only. Contingency – bunding if/as required. ACOL 5.5m. Diameter Shaft and Fans Installation Environmental Risk Assessment Risk Rating Hazard Applies to… C= Consequence Type Controls / Measures during P= Probability Issue (Environment and Construction and/or design and assessment R= Risk Rating Community) Operations (See Table above) C P R Acoustic impacts from vent fans during Environmental Operations Only Low density of residential receptors. 2 D 21(L) operation equipment. Use of acoustical screens where required. Noise monitoring. Design of fans to minimise noise (horizontal orientation etc.). Site cut in 3.5m. Air Quality Dust from construction work (civils & traffic). Environmental Construction Only Use of water truck on a needs basis. 1 D 24(L) No dust from drilling. Particulate emissions (dust & diesel). Environmental Operations Only Distance from residential properties & low density. 2 D 21(L) Low sulphur fuels. Diesel back-up generator for fans. Environmental Operations Only Fit-for Purpose equipment. 2 D 21(L) Entry-to-Site requirements. Maintenance regime. Community Community opposition to the Project (including Community Cons truction and Consultation with the local community through the Community 2 D 21(L) due to lack of knowledge / awareness / Operations Consultation Committee (CCC) & community newsletter. understanding). Active objection / protest / disruption (in Community Cons truction & On private land. 2 D 21(L) absence of damage / vandalism). Operations Located away from main roads. Community complaints arrangements. Not high profile location. Continued use of CCTV. Ecology ACOL 5.5m. Diameter Shaft and Fans Installation Environmental Risk Assessment Risk Rating Hazard Applies to… C= Consequence Type Controls / Measures during P= Probability Issue (Environment and Construction and/or design and assessment R= Risk Rating Community) Operations (See Table above) C P R Proposed areas of disturbance for vents and Environmental Cons truction & Previous Environmental Assessments on the area. 1 E 25(L) access roads etc. which may contain Operations No clearing of trees required. threatened flora & fauna. Areas are included in monitoring surveys for coming year. Impact assessment report being prepared for inclusion. Greenhouse Gas No net increase in emissions during Environmental Operations Only Potential for treatment of VAM gas. 1 D 24(L) operations. (Minor increase in construction). Ground Water Interaction with groundwater. Environmental Construction & Shaft location away from known aquifers. 2 D 21(L) Operations Ground Water Management Plan. Water licences to manage U/G water make. No use of chemicals in drilling / boring. Hydrocarbons Diesel (20k/l & 2k/l) & oils storage / use. Environment Construction & Daily inspection. 1 D 24(L) Operations Filling Procedure. Rapid-fill closed system. Spill kit onsite. FFP vessels, incl. self bunding pods. Environmental