In the matter of the Fingerboards Mineral Sand Project EES Inquiry and Advisory Committee Proponent: Kalbar Operations Pty Ltd Expert Witness Statement of John Sweeney Expert of Kalbar Operations Pty Ltd This page has been left intentionally blank Table of contents 1. Name and address ...................................................................................................................... 1 2. Qualifications and experience ..................................................................................................... 1 3. Scope .......................................................................................................................................... 1 4. Methodology ................................................................................................................................ 2 4.1. Impact assessment methodology...................................................................................... 2 4.2. Methodology for responding to submissions to the IAC ................................................... 6 5. Findings ....................................................................................................................................... 7 5.1. Additional work undertaken since preparation of the report ............................................. 7 5.1.1. Changes to the project description ....................................................................... 7 5.1.2. Additional information and assessment completed .............................................. 8 5.2. Summary of opinions ........................................................................................................ 9 5.2.1. Winter-fill extraction from Mitchell River ............................................................. 10 5.2.2. Fine tailings disposal to the TSF ........................................................................ 11 5.2.3. Tailings disposal to the mine void ...................................................................... 13 5.2.4. Process water ..................................................................................................... 14 5.2.5. Groundwater extraction from the Latrobe Group aquifer ................................... 14 5.2.6. Retention of mine contact water in water management dams ........................... 15 5.2.7. Release of mine contact water ........................................................................... 16 5.2.8. Landform changes .............................................................................................. 16 6. Response to submissions ......................................................................................................... 17 6.1. Water supply ................................................................................................................... 17 6.1.1. Water supply licensing requirements ................................................................. 17 6.1.2. Impacts associated with extraction from Mitchell River ..................................... 17 6.1.3. Groundwater extraction from the Latrobe Group aquifer ................................... 18 6.1.4. Impacts associated with loss of supply .............................................................. 18 6.2. Conceptualisation and groundwater flow ........................................................................ 19 6.3. Groundwater dependent ecosystems ............................................................................. 22 6.3.1. Identification of GDEs ......................................................................................... 22 6.3.2. Providence ponds and Perry River chain of pond systems ............................... 22 6.3.3. Honeysuckle Creek chain of ponds (onsite) ....................................................... 23 6.3.4. Impact of raised groundwater levels at GDEs .................................................... 23 6.4. Tailings storage facility .................................................................................................... 24 6.5. Seepage from the tailings disposal ................................................................................. 25 6.5.1. Seepage water quality impacts to groundwater ................................................. 25 6.5.2. Process water quality ......................................................................................... 26 6.5.3. Impacts from lateral movement of seepage ....................................................... 26 6.6. Dewatering the mine pit .................................................................................................. 27 6.7. Spring fed dams .............................................................................................................. 27 Coffey Services Australia Pty Ltd i 6.8. Groundwater users .......................................................................................................... 29 6.9. Woodglen ASR ................................................................................................................ 29 6.10. Geothermal resources ..................................................................................................... 30 6.11. Water management dams ............................................................................................... 30 6.12. Surface water quality impacts ......................................................................................... 31 6.13. Impacts to ephemeral stream biodiversity and downstream users ................................. 33 6.14. Traditional Owner cultural values of water ...................................................................... 33 6.15. Monitoring requirements ................................................................................................. 34 7. Declaration ................................................................................................................................ 35 Figures Figure 1: Hydrogeological conceptual model Figure 2: Possible locations of spring fed dams Annexure Annexure A - Curriculum vitae Annexure B - Instructions Coffey Services Australia Pty Ltd ii Fingerboards Mineral Sand Project EES Expert witness statement of John Sweeney 1. Name and address Mr John Sweeney Senior Associate Hydrogeologist Level 1, 436 Johnston Street, Abbotsford, VIC 3067 Australia 2. Qualifications and experience I am a hydrogeologist and environmental scientist with over 15 years’ experience in the field of environmental management and impact assessment with specialisations in: • Soil and groundwater contamination assessment • Mining hydrogeology • Water resource assessment • Groundwater remediation • Groundwater and surface water impact assessments My curriculum vitae is attached as Annexure A which provides further details of my qualifications and expertise. Qualifications I hold a Bachelor of Science (Hons) degree from the University of Melbourne. Affiliations I hold the following positions and professional affiliations: • Registered Professional Geoscientist (No. 10212): Hydrogeology, Environmental Geoscience • Victorian Branch Committee Member, Australian Institute of Geoscientists • Member, International Association of Hydrogeologists 3. Scope Role in preparation of the EES I am a co-author of the Groundwater and Surface Water Impact Assessment (Coffey, 2020), herein referred to as the GSWIA report. The GSWIA report was submitted as Appendix A006 of the Fingerboards mineral sands project (Project) environmental effects statement (EES). The GSWIA report was co-authored by former Coffey employee, Mr Michael Blackam. Mr Blackam is a Senior Principal Hydrogeologist and Hydrologist with over 20 years’ experience. He now holds a similar position with consulting firm CMW Geosciences Pty Ltd. The GSWIA report includes original work which Mr Blackam and I completed to inform the understanding of baseline environmental conditions and the potential project impacts, as well as the synthesis of technical investigations that were prepared by other specialists, in particular Water Coffey Services Australia Pty Ltd 1 Fingerboards Mineral Sand Project EES Expert witness statement of John Sweeney Technology Pty Ltd and EMM Consulting Pty Ltd. Work conducted by other specialists has been referenced in the GSWIA report and in my statement where relevant. I was not an author of other documents such as the EES chapters, the Draft Works Approval Application, or the Draft Work Plan. However, I provide my opinion in response to issues raised by submissions where they relate to aspects of the groundwater or surface water environment, and where they fall within my area of expertise. Other persons who assisted I have not been assisted by others in the preparation of this statement. Instructions In relation to the Fingerboards Mineral Sands Project (the project) EES, I have been instructed by White and Case Pty Ltd (White and Case), acting as legal advisors to Kalbar Operations Pty Ltd (Kalbar), to prepare this expert witness statement to assist the Inquiry and Advisory Committee (IAC) being held by Planning Panels Victoria. In summary, White and Case requested that I: 1. Prepare an expert witness statement in which I: o Set out my background and relevant experience; o Briefly describe and summarise the Groundwater and Surface Water Impact Assessment (GSWIA report) prepared in support of the EES, and my role in preparing it. In particular, detail whether there is anything in the GSWIA report that I disagree