WHITEHAVEN COAL LIMITED WERRIS CREEK COAL COMMUNITY CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE
64th Meeting of the Committee held at the Werris Creek Mine on
Wednesday, 14 February at 9:30AM
Meeting opened at 10.50 AM - after the Tour of the Mine completed.
Record of Attendance | |
Michael Smith OAM | Independent Chairperson |
Jane Bradford OAM | Independent Minute Taker |
Murray O'Keefe | Whitehaven Coal - Operations Manager |
Andrew Raal | Werris Creek Coal - Superintendent Close Mines |
Daryl Robinson | Whitehaven Coal - Environment & Mine Rehabilitation Manager |
Olivia Hulbert | Whitehaven Coal - Environmental Advisor |
APOLOGIES | |
Jacki Scott | Whitehaven Coal - Manager Community Partnerships & Investment |
Darren Swain | Whitehaven Coal - General Manager Community Engagement |
Olivia Hulbert | Whitehaven Coal - Environmental Advisor |
Very Late apologies | |
Mike Lomax | Community Representative |
Noel Taylor | Community Representative |
James O'Brien | Community Representative |
Non-Attendance | |
Nathan Skelly | Director of Infrastructure & Environmental Services - Liverpool Plains |
Shire Council | |
Lindsay Bridge | Community Representative |
- Acknowledgement of Country
The Chair acknowledged the Traditional Owners of the land on which the meeting is being held and recognised their continuing connection to the land, water and culture, paying respects to their Elders past, present and emerging. - Declaration of Pecuniary or Other Interests
The Chair advised that his meeting expenses are borne by the proponent. Other members - Nil - Minutes of the 63rd meeting held on the 8 November 2023 were approved and finalised when the Independent Chairperson, Mike Silver signed the Minutes on 4 December last.
- Matters Arising - Nil
- Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report - October to December 2023 Andrew Raal went through the Report with the following comments:
- Air Quality - Smoke and Dust from the Pilliga Bushfire caused slight elevation for a few days. This was reported and accepted by the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) as being due to an extraordinary event and not mine related.
- Werris Creek Mine deposited dust - "Cintra" averaged "4" which is within the 12-month average.
4.0 Blasting - Total of fifteen blasts - all within required levels.
5.1.1 Monitoring Data Results - 2023 Monitoring will be in the Annual Report - this will be published on the Whitehaven Coal web page.
- General Business
- Closure of Mine extended to April 2024 with completion by 30 June 2024.
- Reminder that the emergency or hot line number is 1800 942 836 - the message is converted to text and sent out to the relevant people.
- Next Meeting Date and Time - after discussion to meet twice a year - July and February. Wednesday, 10 July 2024 at 9:30AM at the Werris Creek Coal Mine board room.
- Meeting closed at 11:00AM
Meeting Minutes Approved:
Michael J Silver OAM | |
Independent Chairperson | Date: 26 March 2024 |
Environmental Monitoring Report | 1st October to 31st December 2023 |
WERRIS CREEK COAL PTY LTD
QUARTERLY ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING REPORT
October - December 2023
This Environmental Monitoring Report covers the period 1st October to 31st December 2023 for the Werris Creek Coal Mine Community Consultative Committee.
The report includes environmental monitoring results from the on-site Weather Station, Air Quality, Noise, Blasting, Surface Water, Groundwater and Discharge Water Quality together with any community complaints received and general details on site environmental matters.
Note: Elevated monitoring results above the relevant monitoring criteria are highlighted in yellow.
Werris Creek Coal | Page 1 of 15 |
Environmental Monitoring Report | 1st October to 31st December 2023 |
CONTENTS | ||
5.1.1 | Monitoring Data Results | 9 |
5.1.2 | Discussion - Compliance / Non-Compliance | 9 |
5.2 | SURFACE WATER | 10 |
5.2.1 | Monitoring Data Results | 10 |
5.2.2 | Discussion - Compliance / Non-Compliance | 10 |
5.3 | SURFACE WATER DISCHARGES | 10 |
5.3.1 | Monitoring Data Results | 10 |
5.3.2 | Discussion - Compliance / Non-Compliance | 10 |
5.4 | WATER COMPLAINTS | 10 |
6.0 | COMPLAINTS SUMMARY | 10 |
7.0 | GENERAL | 10 |
Werris Creek Coal | Page 2 of 15 |
Environmental Monitoring Report | 1st October to 31st December 2023 |
1.0 METEOROLOGY
1.1 WEATHER STATION
Werris Creek Coal (WCC) collects meteorological data from the onsite weather station located on the top level of the overburden emplacement. The following table summarises rainfall data for the last three months. The monthly rainfall during the reporting period was below the historical average for October 2023 but above November-December 2023. Directional wind data, presented in the wind-rose figures below, indicate the prevailing wind direction during the reporting period was predominantly from the south during October-November 2023 and from the north in December 2023.
Month | Rainfall (mm) | |||||
Onsite | Historical Average | 2023 Total | ||||
October 2023 | 37.8 | 64.3 | 381.0 | |||
November 2023 | 91.2 | 90.1 | 472.2 | |||
December 2023 | 108.0 | 84.6 | 580.2 |
OCTOBER 2023 | NOVEMBER 2023 |
DECEMBER 2023
Werris Creek Coal | Page 3 of 15 |
Environmental Monitoring Report | 1st October to 31st December 2023 |
- AIR QUALITY
- HVAS (PM10) and TEOM (PM10 & PM2.5)
WCC operates five High Volume Air Samplers (HVAS), four sites measuring particulate matter less than 10 microns (PM10) and one site measuring total suspended particulate (TSP) matter. HVAS sampling is scheduled every 6 days for a 24-hour run period in accordance with Environment Protection Authority (EPA) guidelines. Results are reported in micro grams per cubic metre (µg/m3) of air sampled. In addition, WCC operates a Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) monitor in Werris Creek measuring real time PM10 and PM2.5 (particulate matter less than 2.5 microns) dust levels. Dust monitoring locations are identified in Figure 1.
2.1.1 Monitoring Data Results
The average results for the last three months are provided in the table below.
24Hr | OCT | NOV | DEC | 2023 AVG | CRITERIA (µg/m3) | |||||||||||||||
MONITORING LOCATION | Maximum | 2023 | 2023 | 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
(µg/m3) | Annual | 24hr | ||||||||||||||||||
(µg/m3) | (µg/m3) | (µg/m3) | (µg/m3) | |||||||||||||||||
PM2.5 - TEOM92 "Werris Creek" | 44.1 | 4.1 | 4.0 | 8.2 | 4.6 | - | - | |||||||||||||
PM10 - TEOM92 "Werris Creek" | 52.7 | 12.8 | 8.6 | 14.9 | 10.4 | 30 | 50 | |||||||||||||
PM10 - HVP20 "Tonsley Park" | 56.6 | 18.7 | 13.0 | 21.1 | 14.0 | 30 | 50 | |||||||||||||
PM10 - HVP1 "Escott" | 43.2 | 9.7 | 7.1 | 15.0 | 7.7 | 30 | 50 | |||||||||||||
PM10 - HVP11 "Glenara" | 52.1 | 12.2 | 12.0 | 18.9 | 12.6 | 30 | 50 | |||||||||||||
PM10 - HVP98 "Kyooma" | 34.5 | 11.7 | 8.0 | 14.7 | 7.2 | 30 | 50 | |||||||||||||
TSP - HVT98 "Kyooma" | 58.8 | 20.1 | 16.6 | 29.7 | 15.8 | 90 | - | |||||||||||||
Yellow Bold- Elevated dust level.
2.1.2 Discussion - Compliance / Non-Compliance
All TSP, PM10 and PM2.5 dust results were within criteria during the period except for an elevated PM10 24hr average result of 52.7 ug/m3 that occurred on 9 December 2023 which was due to bush fires in the area. Incident was reported to the DPHI (Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure) and was accepted as an extraordinary event. Elevated PM10 results were also recorded for the 19/12/2023 HVAS run for sites HVP20 Tonsley Park and HVP98 Glenara result of Pilliga bushfire events. The exceedances were reported to the DPHI and accepted as extraordinary events.
2.2 WERRIS CREEK MINE DEPOSITED DUST
Deposited dust monitoring measures particulate matter greater than 30 microns in size that readily settles out of the air related to visual impact. Dust deposition is monitored at 18 locations around WCC. Sampling is scheduled monthly in accordance with EPA guidelines and results are reported as grams per square metre per month (g/m2.month). Dust monitoring locations are identified in Figure 1.
Werris Creek Coal | Page 4 of 15 |
Environmental Monitoring Report | 1st October to 31st December 2023 |
2.2.1 Monitoring Data Results
The results for the last three months are provided in the table below.
OCT 2023 | NOV 2023 | DEC 2023 | 2023 | Annual | |||||||||||||
MONITORING LOCATION | AVERAGE | Criteria | |||||||||||||||
(g/m2/month) | (g/m2/month) | (g/m2/month) | |||||||||||||||
(g/m2/month) | (g/m2/month) | ||||||||||||||||
DG1 "Escott" | 3.6 | 1.1 | 1.0 | 0.9 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||
DG2 "Cintra" | 1.8 | 6.5* | 3.3 | 4.3 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||
DG3 "Eurunderee" | 1.3 | 1.2 | 0.5 | 1.0 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||
DG5 "Railway View" | 0.7 | 1.5 | 2.1 | 1.5 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||
DG9 "Marengo" | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.5 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||
DG11 "Glenara" | 0.9 | 0.6 | 0.4 | 0.8 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||
DG14 "Greenslopes" | 0.5 | 0.8 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||
DG15 "Plain View" | 0.5 | 0.7 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||
DG17 "Woodlands" | 3.1 | 2.9 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||
DG20 "Tonsley Park" | 0.7 | 1.0 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||
DG22 "Mountain View" | 0.8 | 0.7 | 0.2 | 0.6 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||
DG24 "Hazeldene" | 0.9 | 1.1 | 0.5 | 1.1 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||
DG34 8 Kurrara St | 0.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.5 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||
DG62 Werris Creek South | 0.3 | 0.4 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||
DG92 Werris Creek Centre | 2.1 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.7 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||
DG98 "Kyooma" | 0.2 | 0.4 | 1.5 | 0.5 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||
DG101 "Westfall" | 1.1 | 1.4 | 1.8 | 1.6 | 4.0 | ||||||||||||
DG103 West Street | 0.5 | 2.0 | 1.1 | 1.4 | 4.0 |
- - sample contaminated with excessive organic matter (>50%) from non-mining source (i.e., bird droppings and insects); # - indicates sample is contaminated from a
Non-Werris Creek Coal dust source; Yellow Bold- Elevated dust level; NS - No Sample
2.2.2 Discussion - Compliance / Non-Compliance
All monthly dust deposition gauge results were below the annual criteria of 4.0 g/m2/month throughout the period.
2.3 AIR QUALITY COMPLAINTS
There were no dust complaints recorded during the period.
- NOISE
- OPERATIONAL NOISE
Monthly attended noise monitoring is undertaken representative of the following 16 properties from 13 monitoring points below. Attended noise monitoring was undertaken twice for either 60 minutes at privately owned properties or 15 minutes at properties with private agreements; representative of the day period and the evening/night period.
Werris Creek Coal | Page 5 of 15 |
Environmental Monitoring Report | 1st October to 31st December 2023 |
3.1.1 Monitoring Data Results
The WCC operation's noise level (not ambient noise) results for the last three months are outlined in the tables below. Noise monitoring locations are identified in Figure 2.
17th and 18th Tuesday-Wednesday, October 2023
Location | Day dB(A) Leq | Criteria dB(A) Leq | Evening/Night | Criteria dB(A) Leq | ||||||||||
15min | 15min | dB(A) Leq 15min | 15min | |||||||||||
A | "Rosehill" R5 | Inaudible | 35 | Inaudible# | 35 | |||||||||
B | West Quipolly (R7*, R8, R9* & R22*) | Inaudible | 40 | Inaudible# | 40 | |||||||||
C | Central Quipolly (R10*, R11*) | Inaudible | 40 | Inaudible# | 40 | |||||||||
D | "Hazeldene" R24 | Inaudible | 37 | Inaudible# | 37 | |||||||||
E | "Railway Cottage" R12 | Inaudible# | 38 | Inaudible# | 38 | |||||||||
F | "Talavera" R96 | 24# | 38 | Inaudible# | 37 | |||||||||
H | "Kyooma" R98 | Inaudible# | 35 | Inaudible# | 35 | |||||||||
I | Kurrara St, WC R57 | Inaudible | 35 | Inaudible# | 35 | |||||||||
J | Coronation Ave, WC | Inaudible# | 35 | Inaudible# | 35 | |||||||||
K | Alco Park (R21*) | 24 | 40 | Inaudible# | 40 | |||||||||
L | West St, WC (R103) | Inaudible | 35 | Inaudible# | 35 |
WC - Werris Creek; * - Private agreement in place with resident; Yellow Bold- Elevated noise; # Adverse weather with wind >3m/s, temperature inversions
>+12oC/100m or >2m/s and >0oC/100m; 1 - R22 criteria is 36 dB(A) Leq 15min while R9 is 37 dB(A) Leq 15min
NM- Denotes Not Measurable. If site only noise is noted as NM, this means some noise from the source of interest was audible at low-levels, but could not be quantified
7th Tuesday, November 2023
Location | Day dB(A) Leq 15min | Criteria dB(A) Leq | Evening/Night | Criteria dB(A) Leq | ||||||||||
15min | dB(A) Leq 15min | 15min | ||||||||||||
A | "Rosehill" R5 | Inaudible | 35 | Inaudible# | 35 | |||||||||
B | West Quipolly (R7*, R8, R9* & R22*) | Inaudible | 40 | Inaudible# | 40 | |||||||||
C | Central Quipolly (R10*, R11*) | Inaudible | 40 | Inaudible | 40 | |||||||||
D | "Hazeldene" R24 | Inaudible | 37 | Inaudible# | 37 | |||||||||
E | "Railway Cottage" R12 | Inaudible | 38 | Inaudible | 38 | |||||||||
F | "Talavera" R96 | Inaudible | 38 | Inaudible | 37 | |||||||||
H | "Kyooma" R98 | Inaudible | 35 | Inaudible | 35 | |||||||||
I | Kurrara St, WC R57 | Inaudible | 35 | 22# | 35 | |||||||||
J | Coronation Ave, WC | Inaudible# | 35 | Inaudible# | 35 | |||||||||
K | Alco Park (R21*) | Inaudible | 40 | 25# | 40 | |||||||||
L | West St, WC (R103) | Inaudible | 35 | 23# | 35 |
WC - Werris Creek; * - Private agreement in place with resident; Yellow Bold- Elevated noise; # Adverse weather with wind >3m/s, temperature inversions
>+12oC/100m or >2m/s and >0oC/100m; 1 - R22 criteria is 36 dB(A) Leq 15min while R9 is 37 dB(A) Leq 15min
NM- Denotes Not Measurable. If site only noise is noted as NM, this means some noise from the source of interest was audible at low-levels, but could not be quantified
18th and 19th Monday-Tuesday, December 2023
Location | Day dB(A) Leq | Criteria dB(A) Leq | Evening/Night dB(A) | Criteria dB(A) Leq | ||||||||||
15min | 15min | Leq 15min | 15min | |||||||||||
A | "Rosehill" R5 | Inaudible# | 35 | Inaudible# | 35 | |||||||||
B | West Quipolly (R7*, R8, R9* & R22*) | Inaudible# | 40 | Inaudible# | 40 | |||||||||
C | Central Quipolly (R10*, R11*) | Inaudible# | 40 | Inaudible# | 40 | |||||||||
D | "Hazeldene" R24 | Inaudible# | 37 | Inaudible# | 37 | |||||||||
E | "Railway Cottage" R12 | Inaudible# | 38 | Inaudible# | 38 | |||||||||
F | "Talavera" R96 | Inaudible# | 38 | Inaudible# | 37 | |||||||||
H | "Kyooma" R98 | Inaudible# | 35 | Inaudible# | 35 | |||||||||
I | Kurrara St, WC R57 | Inaudible# | 35 | 22# | 35 | |||||||||
J | Coronation Ave, WC | Inaudible# | 35 | Inaudible# | 35 | |||||||||
K | Alco Park (R21*) | Inaudible | 40 | 24# | 40 | |||||||||
L | West St, WC (R103) | Inaudible | 35 | 22# | 35 |
WC - Werris Creek; * - Private agreement in place with resident; Yellow Bold- Elevated noise; # Adverse weather with wind >3m/s, temperature inversions >+12oC/100m or >2m/s and >0oC/100m; 1 - R22 criteria is 36 dB(A) Leq 15min while R9 is 37 dB(A) Leq 15min
NM- Denotes Not Measurable. If site only noise is noted as NM, this means some noise from the source of interest was audible at low-levels, but could not be quantified
Werris Creek Coal | Page 6 of 15 |
Environmental Monitoring Report | 1st October to 31st December 2023 |
3.1.2 Discussion - Compliance / Non-Compliance
Noise from Werris Creek Coal Mine was inaudible at a high percentage of the monitoring sites during the quarter. Throughout the period, Werris Creek Coal Mine adjusted mining operations and shut down equipment at various times to reduce noise generation potential in response to noise levels measured at the real time noise monitors.
3.2 Noise complaints
There was one noise complaint recorded during the period.
4.0 BLASTING
During the reporting period there was a total of 5 blasts fired by WCC with monitoring of each blast undertaken at "Glenara", "Kyooma", "Werris Creek South" and "Werris Creek Mid". Compliance limits for blasting overpressure is 115dBL (and up to 120dBL for only 5% of blasts) and vibration is 5mm/s (and up to 10mm/s for only 5% of blasts). Blast monitoring locations are identified in Figure 3.
4.1 BLAST MONITORING
4.1.1 Monitoring Data Results
The summary tables of blasting results over the last three months are provided below.
OCTOBER 2023 | "Glenara" R11 | "Kyooma" R98 | Werris Creek South R62 | Werris Creek Mid R92 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
mm/s | dB(L) | mm/s | dB(L) | mm/s | dB(L) | mm/s | dB(L) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Monthly Average | 0.04 | 106.2 | 0.49 | 104.0 | 0.19 | 99.4 | 0.10 | 92.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monthly Maximum | 0.05 | 113.5 | 0.82 | 112.6 | 0.31 | 103.6 | 0.15 | 101.8 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Average | 0.09 | 98.9 | 0.76 | 99.8 | 0.44 | 99.5 | 0.25 | 97.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Criteria | 5 | 115 | 5 | 115 | 5 | 115 | 5 | 115 | ||||||||||||||||||||
% | Rolling 12-mo | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 1.82% | |||||||||||||||||||
>115dB(L) | Average | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
or 5mm/s | YTD | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 2.33% | |||||||||||||||||||
NOVEMBER 2023 | "Glenara" R11 | "Kyooma" R98 | Werris Creek South R62 | Werris Creek Mid R92 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
mm/s | dB(L) | mm/s | dB(L) | mm/s | dB(L) | mm/s | dB(L) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Monthly Average | 0.12 | 96.5 | 0.88 | 97.3 | 0.45 | 100.8 | 0.25 | 71.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monthly Maximum | 0.12 | 96.5 | 0.88 | 97.3 | 0.45 | 100.8 | 0.25 | 71.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Average | 0.09 | 98.7 | 0.77 | 99.5 | 0.44 | 99.6 | 0.25 | 95.6 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Criteria | 5 | 115 | 5 | 115 | 5 | 115 | 5 | 115 | ||||||||||||||||||||
% | Rolling 12-mo | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 2.04% | |||||||||||||||||||
Average | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
>115dB(L) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
or 5mm/s | YTD | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 2.27% | |||||||||||||||||||
DECEMBER 2023 | "Glenara" R11 | "Kyooma" R98 | Werris Creek South R62 | Werris Creek Mid R92 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
mm/s | dB(L) | mm/s | dB(L) | mm/s | dB(L) | mm/s | dB(L) | |||||||||||||||||||||
Monthly Average | 0.03 | 94.5 | 0.47 | 95.9 | 0.12 | 94.0 | 0.12 | 91.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Monthly Maximum | 0.03 | 94.5 | 0.47 | 95.9 | 0.12 | 94.0 | 0.12 | 91.5 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Annual Average | 0.09 | 98.3 | 0.75 | 99.2 | 0.41 | 99.1 | 0.24 | 95.3 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Criteria | 5 | 115 | 5 | 115 | 5 | 115 | 5 | 115 | ||||||||||||||||||||
% | Rolling 12-mo | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 2.22% | |||||||||||||||||||
>115dB(L) | Average | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
or 5mm/s | YTD | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | 2.22% | |||||||||||||||||||
Yellow- overpressure >115dB(L) or Werris Creek vibration >5.0mm/s.
Werris Creek Coal | Page 7 of 15 |
Environmental Monitoring Report | 1st October to 31st December 2023 |
4.1.2 Discussion - Compliance / Non-Compliance
All blasts over the period complied with maximum licence limits (120dB(L) and 10mm/s) as well as the 95th percentile limits (115dB(L) and 5mm/s).
4.2 BLAST COMPLAINTS
There were no blast complaints during the reporting period regarding vibration.
5.0 WATER
The groundwater monitoring program monitors groundwater levels bi-monthly and groundwater quality six monthly. Surface water monitoring is undertaken quarterly.
5.1 GROUND WATER
Groundwater monitoring is undertaken to identify if there are any impacts on groundwater quality and water levels as a result of the mining operations. WCC monitors approximately 38 groundwater wells/bores and piezometers in the key aquifers surrounding WCC including Werrie Basalt (next to WCC and further afield) and Quipolly Creek Alluvium. Groundwater level surveys were completed between 27-29 November 2023. Groundwater monitoring locations are identified in Figure 4.
Werris Creek Coal | Page 8 of 15 |
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Disclaimer
Whitehaven Coal Limited published this content on 05 April 2024 and is solely responsible for the information contained therein. Distributed by Public, unedited and unaltered, on 08 April 2024 03:57:06 UTC.
