Internal Report Our ref: PAM 11 07 51 279 PERMISSIONS MINING REPORT Access Arrangement Application Mining Permit 51279 Escarpment Mine Proposal, Buller Coal Limited 6 May 2013 2 TABLE OF CONTENTS GLOSSARY OF TERMS AND ABBREVIATIONS ............................................................................... 6 1 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ......................................................................................................... 8 2 PROPOSAL .......................................................................................................................... 12 3 SCOPE OF REPORT.............................................................................................................. 15 4 BACKGROUND.................................................................................................................... 15 5 INFORMATION SOURCES ................................................................................................... 17 6 COMMENTS FROM THE APPLICANT .................................................................................. 19 7 LOCATION AND LAND STATUS........................................................................................... 23 8 ESCARPMENT MINE PROPOSAL......................................................................................... 26 8.1 Infrastructure.................................................................................................................... 26 8.2 Mining method ................................................................................................................. 28 8.3 Mining equipment ............................................................................................................ 29 8.4 Water management.......................................................................................................... 31 8.5 Transport........................................................................................................................... 34 9 PROPOSED REHABILITATION.............................................................................................. 35 9.1 Information sources.......................................................................................................... 36 9.2 Proposed rehabilitation goal and strategies..................................................................... 38 9.3 Review of proposed rehabilitation and ecological outcomes and discussion.................. 41 9.4 Summary and discussion .................................................................................................. 52 10 BIODIVERSITY OFFSET PROPOSAL...................................................................................... 55 11 NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION VALUES....................................................... 55 11.1 Brunner Coal Measure Ecosystems and the natural values of the Denniston Plateau.... 55 11.2 Values within the proposed footprint .............................................................................. 56 12 POTENTIAL EFFECTS ON NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION VALUES ............... 59 12.1 Summary of potential effects on Natural Resources and Conservation Values............... 59 13 PLANT ECOLOGY ................................................................................................................ 61 13.1 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 61 13.2 Information sources.......................................................................................................... 63 13.3 Assessment of terrestrial Flora......................................................................................... 64 13.4 Recommended Areas for Protecti on ................................................................................ 71 3 13.5 Assessment of effects on terrestrial Flora........................................................................ 75 13.6 Mitigation for the effects on terrestrial Flora .................................................................. 77 14 TERRESTRIAL FAUNA.......................................................................................................... 81 14.1 Summary ........................................................................................................................... 81 14.2 Information sources.......................................................................................................... 82 14.3 Assessment of terrestrial Fauna values ............................................................................ 85 14.4 Assessment of effects on terrestrial Fauna ...................................................................... 92 14.5 Mitigation for effects on terrestrial Fauna ....................................................................... 94 15 FRESHWATER ................................................................................................................... 102 15.1 Summary ......................................................................................................................... 102 15.2 Information sources........................................................................................................ 102 15.3 Existing freshwater environment ................................................................................... 104 15.4 Assessment of effects on Freshwater Values ................................................................. 113 15.5 Mitigation for the effects on Freshwater Values............................................................ 116 16 ACID MINE DRAINAGE...................................................................................................... 118 16.1 Summary ......................................................................................................................... 118 16.2 Background to Acid Mine Drainage ................................................................................ 119 16.3 Management of Acid Mine Drainage.............................................................................. 121 16.4 Potential effects of Acid Mine Drainage ........................................................................ 122 16.5 Discussion........................................................................................................................ 131 17 GEOTECHNICAL ................................................................................................................ 133 17.1 Summary ......................................................................................................................... 133 18 ARCHAEOLOGY AND HISTORIC VALUES........................................................................... 136 18.1 Summary ......................................................................................................................... 136 18.2 Information sources........................................................................................................ 136 18.3 Historical sites within the proposed footprint................................................................ 137 18.4 Assessment of historical values ...................................................................................... 140 18.5 Assessment of effects on Historical Values and proposed mitigation ........................... 145 19 RECREATIONAL VALUES ................................................................................................... 147 19.1 Assessment of Recreational Values ................................................................................ 147 19.2 Assessment of effects on Recreational Values ............................................................... 148 19.3 Mitigation for Effects on Recreational Values................................................................ 149 4 20 CULTURAL VALUES........................................................................................................... 150 21 LANDSCAPE AND NATURAL CHARACTER......................................................................... 151 21.1 Summary ......................................................................................................................... 151 21.2 Information sources........................................................................................................ 152 21.3 Assessment of Landscape and Natural Character .......................................................... 154 21.4 Assessment of effects on Landscape and Natural Character ......................................... 155 21.5 Mitigation for effects on Landscape and Natural Character .......................................... 156 22 CONSERVATION MANAGEMENT CONTEXT ..................................................................... 156 22.1 Systematic Conservation Planning for Buller Coal Plateaux........................................... 156 22.2 Summary and discussion of systematic conservation planning ..................................... 160 22.3 Prioritisation of ecosystems and species management ................................................. 161 23 LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS UNDER THE CROWN MINERALS ACT (1991)........................... 162 23.1 Matters the Minister Shall Have Regard To.................................................................... 162 23.2 The Objectives of Any Act Under Which the Land is Administered ............................... 163 23.3 Purpose for Which the Land is Held by the Crown........................................................