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Ulan Complex Report Annual Review 2015

Annual Review 2015 Document Number: ULN SD REP 0004

Status: Approved

Version: 1.0

Effective: 21/03/2016

Review: N/A

Owner: Environment & Community Manager


Number:

Owner:

ULN SD REP 0004

Environment & Community Manager

Status:

Version:

Approved

1.0

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Review:

21/03/2016

N/A of 107

Uncontrolled unless viewed on the intranet

NAME OF MINE

ULAN COAL MINE

TITLES/MINING LEASES CCL741, MPL315, ML1341, ML1365, ML1366, ML1467, ML1468, ML1511, ML1554, ML1656, EL5573, EL7542

ULAN INTEGRATED MOP (2012-2017) Commenced date 26/09/2012

Completion date 31/10/2017

AR Commenced date 1/01/2015

Completion date 31/12/2015

NAME OF LEASEHOLDER ULAN COAL MINES LIMITED

NAME OF MINE OPERATOR ULAN COAL MINES LIMITED

REPORTING OFFICER Robyn Stoney – CEnvP 369

TITLE Environment & Community Manager

SIGNATURE

DATE 30 March 2016


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Table of Contents

1 Introduction ....................................................................................................................................... 9

1.1 Report Scope ................................................................................................................................. 9

1.2 Mine Ownership and Location .................................................................................................. 9

1.3 Current Operations .................................................................................................................... 10

1.4 Mine Contacts ............................................................................................................................. 10

2 Statement of Compliance .............................................................................................................. 14

2.1 Approvals Compliance ............................................................................................................. 14

2.1.1 Project Approval ................................................................................................. 14

2.1.2 Mining Leases & Exploration Licences ............................................................. 15

2.1.3 Water Licences ..................................................................................................... 17

2.1.4 Other Approvals ................................................................................................. 19

2.2 Changes to approvals in 2015 .................................................................................................. 19

2.2.1 Mine Plan Amendments ..................................................................................... 19

2.2.2 Environmental Protection Licence Variations ................................................. 20

2.2.3 Mining Operations Plan Amendments ............................................................. 20

2.2.4 Subsidence Management & Extraction Plan Approval .................................. 20

2.3 Independent Audit .................................................................................................................... 21

2.4 2014 Annual Review Feedback ................................................................................................ 23

3 Operations Summary ..................................................................................................................... 24

3.1 Exploration ................................................................................................................................. 24

3.2 Land Preparation ....................................................................................................................... 24

3.3 Mining activities ......................................................................................................................... 25

3.3.1 Ulan West Underground .................................................................................... 25

3.3.2 Ulan No.3 Underground .................................................................................... 25

3.3.3 Open Cut .............................................................................................................. 25

3.3.4 Saleable Production ............................................................................................ 25

3.3.5 Bobadeen Basalt Quarry ..................................................................................... 26

3.4 Coal Handling and Processing ................................................................................................. 26

3.4.1 Mining Waste....................................................................................................... 26

3.4.2 Coal Loaded and Rail Movements .................................................................... 27

4 Environmental Performance ......................................................................................................... 28

4.1 Operational Noise ...................................................................................................................... 28

4.2 Blasting ........................................................................................................................................ 28

4.3 Air Quality .................................................................................................................................. 29

4.4 Heritage ....................................................................................................................................... 34

4.4.1 Aboriginal Heritage ............................................................................................ 34

4.4.2 European and Natural Heritage ........................................................................ 35


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4.5 Biodiversity ................................................................................................................................. 36

4.5.1 Flora ...................................................................................................................... 39

4.5.2 Fauna .................................................................................................................... 40

4.5.3 Microbats .............................................................................................................. 41

4.5.4 Aquatic ................................................................................................................. 42

4.6 Salinity Offset Area .................................................................................................................... 42

4.7 Energy and Greenhouse Gas .................................................................................................... 44

5 Mine Subsidence ............................................................................................................................ 45

5.1 Ulan No.3 SMP LW23‐26 & W1 and W2‐W3 ......................................................................... 45

5.2 Ulan No.3 SMP/EP LW27‐29, W4‐W5 and North 1 ............................................................... 45

5.3 Ulan West SMP/EP LW1‐2 ........................................................................................................ 45

5.4 2015 Subsidence Performance .................................................................................................. 47

5.4.1 Summary from EoP report LW28 ...................................................................... 50

5.4.2 Summary Ulan West LW1‐2 Annual Report ................................................... 50

6 Water Management ........................................................................................................................ 53

6.1 Overview of Mine Water Management System ..................................................................... 53

6.2 Water Balance ............................................................................................................................. 53

6.2.1 Compliance with Water Extraction Licence ..................................................... 54

6.2.2 Water Discharge .................................................................................................. 54

6.3 Surface Water Monitoring Results........................................................................................... 55

6.3.1 SW Monitoring sites............................................................................................ 58

6.3.2 EPL Licensed Discharge Monitoring ................................................................ 64

6.4 Channel Stability Monitoring ................................................................................................... 67

6.5 Stream Health Monitoring ........................................................................................................ 70

6.6 Groundwater monitoring results ............................................................................................. 70

6.6.1 North Monitoring Network ............................................................................... 71

6.6.2 Observed and Predicted Groundwater Inflows and Levels .......................... 78

6.6.3 Private Water Bore Study ................................................................................... 79

6.6.4 The Drip Monitoring Program .......................................................................... 79

6.6.5 Baseflow Offsets .................................................................................................. 80

6.6.6 Bobadeen Monitoring Network ......................................................................... 80

7 Rehabilitation ................................................................................................................................. 84

7.1 Mine Rehabilitation Domains .................................................................................................. 84

7.2 Rehabilitation of Disturbed Land ............................................................................................ 84

7.3 2015 Rehabilitation Review ...................................................................................................... 87

7.4 BMP Revision ............................................................................................................................. 98

7.5 Rehabilitation Activities Planned for 2016 ............................................................................. 98

7.6 Offset Management Program ................................................................................................... 98


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7.6.1 Seed Collection Program .................................................................................... 98

7.6.2 Revegetation ........................................................................................................ 98

7.6.3 Offset Area Revegetation Walkover ................................................................. 99

7.6.4 Maintenance ......................................................................................................... 99

7.6.5 Fauna Habitat Augmentation .......................................................................... 102

7.6.6 Weed & Feral Animal Control Activities ....................................................... 103

7.6.7 Hollow bearing tree Assessment Vegetation Offsets .................................... 103

8 Other Environmental Management Areas ............................................................................... 105

9 Incidents and non‐compliances ................................................................................................. 105

10 Community .................................................................................................................................... 106

11 Activities for next reporting period .......................................................................................... 107


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FIGURES

Figure 1 Ulan Mine Complex Locality Plan ........................................................................................... 11

Figure 2 Approved Ulan Complex Operations ..................................................................................... 11

Figure 3 January 2015 Arial Photo ........................................................................................................... 13

Figure 4 UCML Mining Leases and Exploration Licences ................................................................... 16

Figure 5 Extension to Bobadeen East Offset Area ................................................................................. 22

Figure 6 Noise and Air Monitoring Network ........................................................................................ 29

Figure 7 2015 Flora Monitoring sites ....................................................................................................... 37

Figure 8 2015 Fauna Monitoring sites ..................................................................................................... 38

Figure 9: Numbers of Threatened Species Located from 2011 to 2015 ............................................... 41

Figure 10 Surface Water Monitoring Network ...................................................................................... 57

Figure 11 (SW01) Goulburn River Upstream Monitoring Results ...................................................... 59

Figure 12 (SW02) Goulburn River Downstream Monitoring Results ................................................. 60

Figure 13 (SW02) Goulburn River Downstream Flow .......................................................................... 60

Figure 14: Comparison 2015 to Historic Average pH Monitoring Results ........................................ 61

Figure 15: Comparison 2015 to Historic Average EC Monitoring Results ........................................ 62

Figure 16: Comparison 2015 to Historic Average TSS Monitoring Results ....................................... 62

Figure 17 Ulan West Creek Stability Monitoring .................................................................................. 68

Figure 18 Bobadeen Creek Stability Monitoring Assessment Scores ................................................. 68

Figure 19 Creek Stability Monitoring Locations ................................................................................... 69

Figure 20 Groundwater North Monitoring Network ........................................................................... 73

Figure 21 Hydraulic Heads in the Ulan Seam for December 2015 and

Drawdown in the Ulan Seam Over the 2015 Calendar Year ....................................................... 74

Figure 22 Hydraulic heads approximately in the quartzose facies of the Triassic Wollar Sandstone

for December 2015 and Drawdown in the Facies Over the 2015 Calendar Year ...................... 75


for December 2015 and Drawdown in the Facies Over the 2015 Calendar Year ...................... 76

Figure 24 Piper Plot NMN Water Chemistry ......................................................................................... 77

Figure 25 EC, pH, and Sulphate Vs Time at Selected Wollar Sandstone Piezometers ..................... 78

Figure 26 Comparison of Modelled and Calculated Groundwater Inflows to the Underground . 79

Figure 27 Bobadeen Measured Groundwater Levels ........................................................................... 81

Figure 28 Groundwater Bobadeen Piezometer Monitoring Network ............................................... 82

Figure 29 Comparison of Variations in Rainfall and Irrigation at Pivot 1 to Pivot 4

and Variations in EC at IMW06 ....................................................................................................... 83

Figure 30 Mine Rehabilitated Areas ........................................................................................................ 86

Figure 31: 2015 Offset Planting Areas ................................................................................................... 100

Figure 32: 2015 Land Preparation Tree Planting & Direct Seeding in Vegetation Offset Areas ... 101

Figure 33: Nest Box Installation ............................................................................................................. 102

Figure 34: Offset Area Dam Habitat Argumentation ......................................................................... 102

Figure 35: UCML Community Contributions ...................................................................................... 106

Figure 36 Complaints by Month ............................................................................................................ 107

Figure 37 Complaints by Type ............................................................................................................... 107


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TABLES

Table 1 Mine Contacts for UCML ............................................................................................................ 10

Table 2 Current Development Consents & Project Approvals ............................................................ 14

Table 3 Mining & Exploration Titles ....................................................................................................... 15

Table 4 Groundwater Licences held under Part 5 of Water Management Act 1912......................... 17

Table 5 Water Approvals held under Water Management Act 2000 .................................................. 18

Table 6 Other Approvals and Licences ................................................................................................... 19

Table 7 Actions from 2014 AR Review.................................................................................................... 23

Table 8 Summary of 2015 Exploration Drilling ..................................................................................... 24

Table 9 Summary of 2016 Exploration Drilling Forecast ...................................................................... 24

Table 10 2015 Cumulative Production .................................................................................................... 26

Table 11 Coal Loaded and Train Movements in 2015 ........................................................................... 27

Table 12 Summary Attended Noise Monitoring Results 2015............................................................. 28

Table 13 2015 Compliance Summary Air Quality Monitoring ............................................................ 30

Table 14 Assessment of Salinity Offset Completion Criteria ............................................................... 43

Table 15 PA08_0184 Subsidence Performance Measures ..................................................................... 47

Table 16: Actual versus predicted subsidence for LW28 ...................................................................... 50

Table 17: Actual versus predicted subsidence for LW1 and start LW2 .............................................. 51

Table 18 Water Balance Annual Calculation .......................................................................................... 54

Table 19 2015 Extraction/Discharge Volumes ........................................................................................ 55

Table 20 Adopted Trigger Values for Key Water Quality Parameters ............................................... 56

Table 21 EPL 394 Concentration Limits for Licensed Discharge Points ............................................. 56

Table 22 2015 Sampling result Summary ............................................................................................... 58

Table 23: EPL Licensed Discharge Monitoring Results ........................................................................ 66

Table 24 Site Rehabilitation Domains ..................................................................................................... 84

Table 25 Rehabilitation and Disturbance Summary ............................................................................. 85

Table 26 2015 Review of Rehabilitation Domains ................................................................................. 87

Table 27: Hollow Bearing Trees (HBT) and hollow estimations from Survey ................................ 104


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PLANS

Mine and Context

Surface Operations Land Preparation (Equivalent to MOP Plan 3B)

Surface Operations Proposed Mining Activities (Equivalent to MOP Plan 4B)

Surface Operations Proposed Rehabilitation (Equivalent to MOP Plan 5)

Rehabilitation Status Plan 2015

ATTACHMENTS

Attachment A – Attended Noise Monitoring

Attachment B – Air Quality Monitoring Results

Attachment C – Surface Water Monitoring Results

Attachment D – Groundwater Report

Attachment E – Ecological Reports

Attachment F – Water Balance

Attachment G – Creek Stability Report

Attachment H – Plans & Figures

Attachment I – Rehabilitation Status Review

Attachment J – Ulan West Annual Subsidence Report

ELECTRONIC COPY

The accompanying CD contains an electronic copy of the 2015 AR and Attachments. This report

is also available electronically online via the website: http://www.ulancoal.com.au


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1 Introduction

1.1 Report Scope This consolidated Annual Review1 (AR) was prepared to satisfy consent conditions and reporting

obligations as specified by NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DP&E). The

reporting period for this AR is from 01 January 2015 to 31 December 2015, with the AR due by 31

March 20162.

In accordance with Condition 3, Schedule 5 of PA08_0184, a copy of this report will be submitted

to:

NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DP&E);

NSW Department of Industry – Division of Resources and Energy (DRE);

NSW Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH);

NSW Office of Water (NOW);

Mid‐Western Regional Council (MWRC); and

Ulan Coal Mine Community Consultative Committee (the CCC).

This AR will be available for public viewing at www.ulancoal.com.au

1.2 Mine Ownership and Location Ulan Coal Mines Limited (UCML) is a joint venture between Glencore Coal Assets Australia Pty

Limited (Glencore) (90%) and Mitsubishi Development (10%).The Ulan No.3 underground mine,

the Ulan West underground mine, the Open Cut mine and land holdings including the Bobadeen

Irrigation Scheme, as a collective, are referred to within as the Ulan Complex. The approved

operations3 and major associated infrastructure at the Ulan Complex are shown in Figure 2.

The Ulan Complex is located approximately 1.5 kilometres from Ulan Village, within the Mid‐

Western Regional Council (MWRC) Local Government Area (LGA). The project area is located

approximately 38 kilometres north‐north‐east of Mudgee and 19 kilometres north‐east of

Gulgong in New South Wales (Figure 1). The UCML landholdings are comprised of

approximately 19,000 hectares, straddling the Great Dividing Range and are located at the

headwaters of the Goulburn and Talbragar River Catchments.

1 The AR was prepared in accordance with the DP&E Annual Review Guideline October 2015 and the AR reporting

requirements contained in Condition 3, Schedule 5 and Statement of Commitments in Appendix 9 of the PA08_0184.

2 In accordance with Condition 3, Schedule 5 of Project Approval 08_0184 (PA08_0184). 3 Approved operations as at the end of 2015


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1.3 Current Operations Approved mining operations under consent PA08_01844 consist of underground mining in the

Ulan No.3 and Ulan West areas as well as open cut mining (Figure 2). The PA08_0184 provides

for:

Twenty one years of mining operations;

Longwall mining of the Ulan No.3 Underground Mine (Ulan No.3);

Longwall mining of the Ulan West Underground Mine (Ulan West);

Open cut mining over a 239 hectare area;

Coal Handling and Preparation Plant (CHPP) and rail loadout facilities with total coal

production capacity of up to 20 million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) product coal; and

Surface facilities and ancillary activities to support the abovementioned operations.

UCML has sought a modification to the NSW Project Approval PA 08_0184 pursuant to Section

75W of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979, submitted 23 January 2015,

to provide for proposed changes to the conceptual Ulan West mine plan and associated

infrastructure. The Minister for Planning and Environment is the consent authority for the

modification application.

1.4 Mine Contacts Table 1 outlines the contact details for site personnel responsible for mining, coal preparation,

rehabilitation, environmental and community management at the end of the reporting period.

Table 1 Mine Contacts for UCML

Name Position Contact Details

Charlie Allan General Manager Work: 02 6372 5300

Email: [email protected]

Sam Wiseman Operations Manager – Ulan Surface

Operations

Work: 02 6372 5300


James Johnson Operations Manager – Ulan No.3

Underground Operations

Work: 02 6372 5300


David Ribaux Operations Manager – Ulan West

Underground Operations

Work: 02 6372 5300


Robyn Stoney Environment & Community Manager Work: 02 6372 5300


4 UCML was granted PA08_0184 under Part 3A of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 (EP&A Act) on 15

November 2010 for the Ulan Coal – Continued Operations Project. Prior to PA08_0184, UCML operated under four major

Development Consents, 18 modifications and 16 other minor development approvals.


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Figure 1 Ulan Mine Complex Locality Plan


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Figure 2 Approved Ulan Complex Operations


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Figure 3 January 2015 Arial Photo


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2 Statement of Compliance

2.1 Approvals Compliance

2.1.1 Project Approval Development consents and project approvals are provided in Table 2.

Table 2 Current Development Consents & Project Approvals

Approval

Modifications Description Approval

Authority

Approval

Date

Were all

conditions of

the approval

complied

with

DA 113‐

12‐985

DA 113‐12‐98 Stage 4 MLA 80 Application EIS

Extension of Underground Mining

Operations

DP&E December

1999

Modification

to

DA 113‐12‐98

Modification of Stage 4 Consent for

communication tower

DP&E June 2002

Modification

to

DA 113‐12‐98

Modification of Stage 4 Consent for

basalt quarry

DP&E June 2003

Modification

to

DA 113‐12‐98

Modification of DA 113‐12‐98 for the

installation of a reverse osmosis plant

adjacent to Rowans Dam

DP&E December

2008

Yes

PA

08_0184

PA 08_0184 Ulan Coal –Continued Operations Project DP&E November

2010

PA 08_0184

MOD 1

Longwall extraction of the North 1

mining area

Modify Ulan No. & Ulan West mine

plans

Concrete Batching Plant

DP&E December

2011

PA 08_0184

Court Orders

Land & Environment Court Judgement DP&E April 2012

PA 08_0184

MOD 2

Modify Ulan West mine plan LW1‐5

Remove restrictions on construction

blasts

Minor amendments to European and

natural heritage sites where blasting

measures are applicable

DP&E May 2012 Yes*

* Written correspondence from the DP&E for timeframe extensions to PA 08_0184 conditions 43 Long term security of

offset, 45 Conservation Bond, 46 Long term security of proposed conservation areas, 50 Ulan Road strategy, 8 Surrender

of consents.

5 The surrender of DA 113‐12‐98 will be provided in accordance with Schedule 2 Condition 9, within 3 months of the

completion of longwalls 26, West 2, and West 3, or as otherwise agreed by the Director‐General.


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2.1.2 Mining Leases & Exploration Licences Mining and exploration authorisations are issued in accordance with the Mining Act 1992 and

regulated by DRE. UCML’s Mining Tenure is detailed in Table 3 and displayed in Figure 4.

During the 2015 reporting period;

Table 3 Mining & Exploration Titles

Instrument Authority Date of

Grant

Duration of

Approval

Mine Area

Applicability

Were all conditions

of the approval

complied with

Consolidation Coal Lease

(CCL) 741

DRE 2/01/1990 15/05/2027 All operations Yes

Mining Purpose Lease

315

DRE 3/08/1993 03/08/2014*

3/08/2035^

No. 3 Underground

(Surface Lease)

Yes

Mining Lease 1341 DRE 25/01/1994 25/01/2015*

25/01/2036^

No. 3 Underground Yes

Mining Lease 1365 DRE 9/03/1995 24/01/2014*

9/12/2032^

No. 3 Underground

(Surface Lease)

Yes

Mining Lease 1366 DRE 9/03/1995 24/01/2014*

9/12/2032^

No. 3 Underground

(Surface Lease)

Yes

Mining Lease 1467 DRE 17/04/2000 16/04/2021 No. 3 Underground

(Surface Lease)

Yes

Mining Lease 1468 DRE 16/05/2000 15/05/2021 No. 3 Underground Yes


(Surface Lease)

Yes


(Surface Lease)

Yes


(Surface Lease)

Yes

Mining Lease 1697 DRE 22/05/2014 22/05/2035 Ulan Open Cut Yes

Mining Lease Application

(MLA 469)

DRE TBA Application

Pending

Ulan Open Cut NA


(MLA 470)

DRE TBA Application

Pending

Ulan Open Cut NA


(MLA 475)

DRE TBA Application

Pending

Ulan Open Cut NA


(MLA 507)

DRE TBA Application

Pending

Ulan Surface

Operations

NA

Exploration Licence 5573 DRE 12/03/2013 27/02/2017 No. 3 Underground Yes

Exploration Licence 7542 DRE 6/05/2010 06/05/2015** Ulan West Yes

Note: *Expiry date of Lease. ^Period of Lease renewal until. **Renewal application submitted


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Figure 4 UCML Mining Leases and Exploration Licences


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2.1.3 Water Licences Water licences dewatering bores, dams, monitoring bores and wells located on UCML land

holdings are listed in Tables 4 and 5.

Table 4 Groundwater Licences held under Part 5 of Water Management Act 1912

Licence No. Description Works Type Extraction

Limit (ML) Expiry Date

Were all

conditions of

the approval

complied with

20BL173821 Existing

Dewatering Bores6

Dewatering/

Water Supply 7060ML 27/10/2019

Yes7

80BL237200 Cavandah Flats Stock/Domestic Bore NA Perpetuity Yes

20BL168100 Monitoring Bores Monitoring Bore NA Perpetuity Yes

20BL172841

Bobadeen

Monitoring

Network

Monitoring Bore NA Perpetuity Yes

20BL172845

Goulburn River

Diversion

Monitoring

Network


20BL172846

Alluvium

Monitoring

Network


20BL172847

Hydrocarbon

Monitoring

Network


20BL172850 North Monitoring

Network Monitoring Bore NA Perpetuity Yes

20BL172851

Intermittent

Monitoring

Network


20BL168261 1977 Cope Rd Stock/Domestic Bore NA Perpetuity Yes

20BL173736 Wilpingjong Monitoring Bore NA Perpetuity Yes

6 Existing bores covered under this licence: PB1C ,Main North Pump, East 6, East 12 ‐ Bore 1 and 2, East 18, East 19 ‐ Bore

1, 2 and 3, East 20 ‐ Bore 1 and 2, Ritz, MG22 ‐ Bore 1, 2 and 3, MG23 ‐ Bore 1 and 2, 34CT, MG24, MG25, MG26 ‐ Bore 1

and 2, MG27 ‐ Bore 1 and 2, MG28 ‐ Bore 1 and 2, MG 29. 7 2015 water year 5289ML was extracted from groundwater within the Goulburn River sub‐catchment of the Hunter

Catchment under groundwater licence 20BL173872 (licenced extraction limit 7060 ML).


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Table 5 Water Approvals held under Water Management Act 2000

Licence No. Description Works Type

Extraction

Limit

(Shares)

Water Source Expiry Date

Were all

conditions

of the

approval

complied

with

WAL278878 Aquifer (General

Security)

Water Allocation

Licence 750

Sydney Basin

Murray Darling

Basin

Groundwater

Source

13/05/2018

Yes9

20FW213272 Levy License –

Goulburn River Levy License NA NA 11/01/2017 Yes

80WA706045 Cavandah Flat Stock/Domestic

Bore NA Stock/Domestic Perpetuity Yes

20WA20995310 Moolarben Creek

Dam/Pump Water Supply 600

Water Supply/

Upper Goulburn

River Water

source

29/06/2023 Yes


Security)

Water Allocation

Licence 704

Sydney Basin

Murray Darling

Basin

Groundwater

Source

Perpetuity Yes


security)

Water Allocation

Licence 0

Sydney Basin

Murray Darling

Basin

Groundwater

Source

Perpetuity Yes

8 ^Extraction of water allocated to Wallerawang Collieries Limited by WAL27887 will be undertaken by UCML, facilitated

under the NSW Office of Water ‘Application to change water access licence’ process.

9 2015 water year 5289ML was extracted from groundwater within the Goulburn River sub‐catchment of the Hunter

Catchment under groundwater licence 20BL173872 (licenced extraction limit 7060 ML). 2015 water year 654ML was

extracted from groundwater within the Sydney Basin of the Murray Darling Basin (MDB) Groundwater Source under

water access licence WAL37887 (extraction limit 750 ML). 10 Replaces 20SL012504 is nominated work for WAL19047. WAL19047 has entitlement of 600 shares in the Upper

Goulburn River Water source within the Water Sharing Plan for the Hunter Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources


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2.1.4 Other Approvals Table 6 Other Approvals and Licences

Licence/Approval Licence/

Approval No.

Authority Approval/Expires Were all

conditions of

the approval

complied

with

Environment Protection Licence

(EPL)

394 EPA Anniversary Date 18th

November

Yes11

Mining Operations Plan (MOP) 2012‐2017 v3 DRE

DP&E

End 2017 Yes

Ulan No.3 SMP approval LW West 2

and West 3

INT09/2211 DRE Expires 31/03/2018

Yes

Ulan No.3 SMP/EP approval North 1

and LW27‐29 & W4‐5

OUT11/23905

SO4/01722

DRE

DP&E

Approval (North 1)

30/12/2018

Approval (LW27‐29 &

W4‐W5) 31/05/2020

Yes

Ulan West SMP/EP approval Ulan

West LW1 and LW2

OUT14/10568

MCV13/607

DRE

DP&E

Approval 31/03/2021

Yes

Section 100 – East Pit tailings dam 07/3144 DRE Expires 01/05/2018 Yes

Section 100 – Barrier Pit 07/3144 DRE Expires 01/06/2016 Yes

Radiation Licence 5061101 EPA Expires 29/08/2016 Yes

Dangerous Goods Notification NDG023149 WorkCover

NSW

Expires 01/12/201512 Yes

EPBC Approval 2009/5252 Federal DE Expires Sept 2031 Yes

EPBC Referral (MOD 4) 2015/7511 Federal DE Application submitted NA

2.2 Changes to approvals in 2015

2.2.1 Mine Plan Amendments There were no modifications to PA08_0184 during the reporting period.

UCML have submitted application to modify PA08_0184 under the provisions of section 75W of

the EP&A Act 1979 to amend the mine plan for Ulan West. Subsequently, the proposed changes

were deemed to be a control action under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity

11 Annual Return with details of technical non‐conformance submitted to the EPA on 13 January 2016. Five HVAS

samples in 2015 failed to run for standard time. 12 Renewal application submitted


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Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act), Section 18: Listed Threatened Species and Communities. The

assessment process for both the s75W modification and the EPBC referral are currently ongoing.

Exploration activities within EL7542 have more accurately mapped the location of a geological

fault, to define the viable resource within the lease that can be efficiently accessed through a

change in the Ulan West mine plan. The proposal includes turning the main headings after LW5

and extension of longwall panels LW6 to LW12. Approximately 13 million additional tonnes of

coal would be produced and the mine life would be extended by approximately 2 years.

2.2.2 Environmental Protection Licence Variations

The following variations to EPL 394 were approved under Licence Variation No. 1527786 (28

January 2015):

L2.4 Water and/or Land Concentration Limits: remove reference to the limit for Point 18

(Downstream Goulburn River). This limit was associated with increased electrical

conductivity limits on discharge points 6 and 19 which expired 31 March 2014.

M2.3 Water and/or Land Monitoring Requirements: amend Point 6 & 19 Total Suspended

Solids (TSS) Sampling Method from ‘Probe’ to ‘grab sample collected weekly, providing

discharge occurs on the scheduled sample day’. UCML previously proposed to convert

the continuous turbidity (ntu) data to TSS, however the conversion is not considered

sufficiently accurate.

M7 Requirement to monitor volume or mass: amend Point 3 Sampling Method from

‘Flow meter and continuous logger’ to ‘v‐notch weir and continuous logger’. If Point 3

was to be used as a discharge point, the volume would be monitored by a v‐notch weir.

U1.1.2 stabilisation of clean water diversion dams in rehabilitation areas: amend

completion date to 30 December 2016 consistent with advice of EPA.

2.2.3 Mining Operations Plan Amendments The Mining Operations Plan (MOP)13 was approved by the DRE on 26 September 2012, under the

Mining Act 1992. Details of mining activities are provided in Section 3.3. The MOP was amended

during the reporting period in accordance with the EDG03 Guidelines to extend Longwall Panel

W3 (Ulan No.3. Mine) to recover coal where the Ulan West Mine plan has moved westward.

2.2.4 Subsidence Management & Extraction Plan Approval

Subsidence Management Plans (SMP) and Extraction Plans (EP) submitted for longwall mining14

during the reporting period include:

13 MOP prepared in accordance with “Guidelines to the Mining, Rehabilitation and Environmental Management Process”

(Version 3, January 2006), referred to as the “MREMP Guidelines”, integrated with the DRE’s draft Rehabilitation and

Environmental Management Plan (REMP) Guidelines (Consultation Draft V2.0, June 2010) where applicable. 14 Subsidence Management Plan (SMP) approval in accordance with the conditions of mining leases issued under the

Mining Act 1992 and an Extraction Plan (EP) approval as required by PA08_0184 (Schedule 3, Condition 26) in accordance

with the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979


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The Ulan West Extraction Plan for LW1 and LW2 (approved 25 March 2014) has been

revised to include longwalls LW3 and LW4, to produce a consolidated extraction plan now

titled The Ulan West Extraction Plan for Longwalls LW1 to LW415.

2.3 Independent Audit Ulan Coal Mines is scheduled for an independent audit in 2016, the last independent audit was

conducted in 2013. One recommendation made during the 2013 independent audit remains

pending completion in the Ulan Action Database (CMO). The action relates to conditions 41 & 42,

schedule 3 of the Project Approval (PA08_0184).

PA08_0184 Condition 41 states:

The Proponent shall implement the offset strategy outlined in Table 15, described in the EA, and shown

conceptually in the figure in Appendix 4 to the satisfaction of the Director‐General.

Table 15: Biodiversity Offset Strategy

Clearing

Removal

and/or

Disturbance

Spring Gully

Cliff Line

Management

Area

Brokenback

Conservation

Area

Bobadeen

Vegetation

Offset Area

Bobadeen

East Offset

Area

Offset Areas

Native Vegetation (ha) 408 211 58 1,116 229

EEC/CEEC (ha) 69 ‐ ‐ 296 169

Cliff line (KM) 11.7 9 3 ‐ ‐

PA08_0184 Condition 42 states:

The Proponent shall ensure that a minimum area of 244 hectares within the Bobadeen Vegetation

Offset Area and 169 hectares within the Bobadeen East Offset Area includes the re‐establishment

and/or improvement of:

(a) significant and/or threatened plant communities, including:

• White Box Woodland;

• Blakely’s Red Gum Open Forest; and

(b) significant and/or threatened plant communities; and:

(c) habitat for significant and/or threatened animal species.

2013 Independent Audit Recommendation: Schedule 3, Conditions 41 & 42 ‐ It is recommended that

the inconsistency in the area quoted in these conditions for the Bobadeen Vegetation Offset Area be rectified

with DP&E, and the relevant number in the conditions be revised accordingly.

Correspondence to the DP&E on 11 September 2013 and 30 June 2015 explained that, though

areas protected through the vegetation offsets have not changed, detailed vegetation monitoring

since the development of the Environmental Assessment (EA 2009) indicates the actual areas of

Endangered Ecological Communities (EEC) are inconsistent with the original mapping that was

referenced in table 15 of PA08_0184. A change to Condition 41, to reflect the actual area of EEC

within the vegetation offset areas, was requested as part of the project modification that is in

progress for Ulan West.

15 The Extraction Plan has been prepared in accordance with the Draft Guidelines for the Preparation of Extraction Plans

version 5 (as issued by the Department of Planning & Environment (DP&E)


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The boundary of the Bobadeen East Offset Area was extended to ensure the minimum area of

EEC stated in Condition 42 is met. The additional 11 hectares of EEC (White Box Woodland)

added to the Bobadeen East Offset area in 2015 is shown in Figure 5.

Figure 5 Extension to Bobadeen East Offset Area


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2.4 2014 Annual Review Feedback The 2014 AR was submitted before the end of March 2014 to the relevant authorities and

members of the CCC16. A joint government agency meeting was held on the 12 May 2015 to

complete a site inspection of the operation. The 2014 AR was accepted by both the DRE and

DP&E, subject to their recommendations as provided in Table 7.

Table 7 Actions from 2014 AR Review

Action required from previous annual review Requested by Action taken by operator

Where

discussed in

Annual

Review

The Department has reviewed the Annual

Review report and considers it to be generally in

accordance with the mineʹs project approval.

However, the following points should be

considered for inclusion in future reporting

periods to allow the Department to identify and

review incidents/ exceedances more efficiently:

•revise the format of the Annual Review report

to include a section or table titled

ʹlncident/Exceedance Summaryʹ;

•include text in the report information

confirming blasts occurred during approved

hours (detailed data was provided in an

appendix); and

•revise the format of the Annual Review report

to include a section or table outlining the status

of actions (completed or outstanding) from the

last independent environmental audit.

DP&E on

13/04/2015

Incidents and non‐

compliances section added

to this AR.

Text confirming blasting

within approved hours

added to this AR.

Section added outlining

status of actions from last

independent audit.

Section 9

Section 4.2

Section 2.3

The Department also undertook a review of

Ulanʹs website while reviewing the Annual

Review 2014. In accordance with Schedule 5,

Condition 10, Community Consultative

Committee minutes from any meetings held

after September 2014 could not be identified.

Should these documents be available, please

ensure these documents are uploaded to Ulanʹs

website within a month of issue of this letter.

DP&E on

13/04/2015

CCC minutes from

meetings held to

13/04/2015 were made

available on the UCML

website from 14/04/2015.

CCC minutes for meetings

held in quarter 4 2014 and

quarter 1 2015 where

uploaded to Ulan Website

4/12/2014 and 5/03/2015

respectively. There was an

error with displaying the

links to these documents

when the website was

deployed (published).

This error was corrected

14/04/2015 following

receipt of the letter from

DP&E on 13/04/2015.

NA

16 In accordance with Condition 3, Schedule 5 of PA08_0184


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3 Operations Summary

3.1 Exploration Surface exploration included the drilling of 5 boreholes as per Table 8. No prospecting

operations were undertaken in environmentally sensitive areas of state significance or exempted

areas as defined by the Mining Act 1992. The forecast for the 2016 program is outlined in Table 9.

The program is subject to change as required for mining operations.

Table 8 Summary of 2015 Exploration Drilling

Project Core

Boreholes Meters Drilled

Non Core

Boreholes

Meters

Drilled

Total Meters

Drilled

Boreholes

Grouted

Ulan

Underground 4 1080m chipped,

170m cored

1 (Not complete

Core tail drilled

2016)

198m 1448m 4

Ulan West 0 ‐ 0 ‐ ‐ 1

Total 4 1250 1 198 1448 5

Table 9 Summary of 2016 Exploration Drilling Forecast

2015 Exploration Drilling Forecast

Project Core Boreholes Non Core Boreholes

Ulan Underground 5 4

Ulan West* 4 2

Open Cut Extension ‐ ‐

Total 9 6

Notes: *The proposed Ulan West Exploration program for 2016 is currently under review pending the approval of the

Ulan West Southern Extension s75W modification. Once approved, there is the potential for the exploration program to

be expanded.

3.2 Land Preparation Land preparation activities, during the reporting period were carried out in accordance with the

MOP. Land preparation ahead of mining operations involves the construction of appropriate

erosion and sediment control structures, the clearing of vegetation and stripping and stockpiling

of topsoil. This applies to major surface disturbance works17 and is not limited to open cut mining

operations.

The Ulan Open Cut did not operate during the reporting period; hence 0 ha of land within the

Open Cut extension area was cleared.

17 Prior to any ground disturbance occurring, an CAA Ground Disturbance Permit (GDP) (CAA HSEC PER 0004) is required

to be signed off by the Environment and Community Coordinator and/or Manager (or delegate) and the Mine Surveyor.

The GDP ensures appropriate erosion and sedimentation controls are installed, prior to any clearing being carried out.

Authorised Surface Disturbance Notification (SDN) is required from the DTI‐RE for drilling in exploration licence areas.


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Approximately 0.4 ha was cleared (outside of the open cut operations) during the 2015 reporting

period to construct minor surface infrastructure for monitoring and communications.

3.3 Mining activities

3.3.1 Ulan West Underground Underground mining operations18 included development of roadways for LW03 (MG03), LW04

(MG04) and the main headings. Secondary extraction of LW01 was completed 2 May 2015 with

extraction commencing in LW02 on 25 May 2015. LW03 is expected to commence in early April

2016. During the 2015 reporting period there was 5,728 metres of longwall retreat and

development of 19,837 metres of roadways. A Production summary is provided in Table 10.

3.3.2 Ulan No.3 Underground Underground mining operations19 included development of roadways for LW29, LWW3, LWW4,

LW30 and the main headings. Secondary extraction of LW28 was completed 19 February 2015

and extraction of LW29 commenced on 21 April 2015. During the 2015 reporting period there was

2,563 metres of longwall retreat and development of 13,432 metres of roadways. A Production

summary is provided in Table 10.

3.3.3 Open Cut The Open Cut mine20 did not operate in 2015; operations were placed on hold in late 2014 coal

remains in situ with overburden removed in Strip 9 from Block 20 to Block 15 and in the Strip 8

Southern Extension. The 12,585 tonnes of ROM coal (Table 10) produced from the open cut was

from a stockpile of open cut coal mined in 2014 and washed in 2015.

3.3.4 Saleable Production Total product coal for the reporting period was 12,106,922 tonnes. Table 10 provides an overview

of the production schedule for 2015.

18 The Ulan West underground mines the lower 3 metres of the Ulan seam for thermal coal. Access to the mine is via the 6

portals located in the Ulan West Boxcut. Underground mining utilises standard longwall mining methods and targets

only the economic portion of the Ulan Coal Seam known as the D Working Section (DWS). Primary extraction, also

known as ‘development,’ utilises continuous miners and shuttle cars to develop roadways which form the longwall

panels. Secondary extraction utilises retreat longwall mining methods, operating a longwall which is 250 metres wide for

LW01 and between 303 and 400 metres wide for the remaining blocks.

19 Ulan No 3 mines the base level 3 metres of the Ulan seam for thermal coal. Access to the mine is via the man and

materials drift located adjacent to the Underground No. 3 surface facilities. The longwall is 400 metres wide.

20 The Open Cut utilises a dragline for overburden removal in a typical single pass strip mining technique, supplemented

by trucks, excavators and loaders. For coal mining, trucks, excavators and loaders are utilised.


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Table 10 2015 Cumulative Production

Unit

Approved

limit (specify

source)

2014

Reporting

Period

2015

Reporting

Period

2016

Reporting

Period

(Forecast)

Topsoil Stripped m3 NA 33,480 0 0

Topsoil Used/Spread m3 NA 97,000 0 0

Overburden Moved

Open Cut m3 NA 6,767,266 0 0

ROM Coal Mined

Ulan West tonnes NA 4,492,143 7,048,147 6,493,455

Open Cut tonnes 4,100,000

(PA08_0184) 1,624,405 10,934 0

Ulan No.3

Underground tonnes

NA 4,579,510 5,047,841 4,737,774

Total ROM tonnes NA 10,696,058 12,106,922 11,231,229

Processing Waste

Course Rejects tonnes

NA 502,055 104,420 164,948

Processing Waste

Tailings tonnes

NA 176,301 85,405 201,603

Product tonnes NA 9,857,562 11,997,168 10,809,250

3.3.5 Bobadeen Basalt Quarry No rock material was produced from the Bobadeen Basalt Quarry21 during the reporting period.

3.4 Coal Handling and Processing

3.4.1 Mining Waste The CHPP beneficiates ROM coal to produce thermal coal which is volatile with combustion

potential. The CHPP, located at the USO, washed ROM coal from Ulan West and Ulan No. 3

underground operations as well as stockpiled coal from the Open Cut. 6.1 per cent of Ulan West

coal and 6.9 per cent of Ulan No 3 ROM produced in 2015 was washed. The reject waste

represents approximately 18.8% of the ROM coal processed in the plant; classified as either

coarse reject or tailings.

For the 2015 reporting period a total of 189,825 tonnes of coal reject was produced; 104,420 tonnes

of CHPP coarse rejects and 85,405 tonnes of tailings and processing waste. Course rejects were

emplaced in the Barrier Pit, while tailings were emplaced in the East Pit in accordance with

21 The Bobadeen Basalt Quarry located near the “Bobadeen Loop Road” was commissioned in September 2005 to provide

a cost effective rock product for road base and civil works in the mining operations. The annual production limit is

100,000 tonnes (PA08_0184).


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relevant Section 100 approvals. The East Pit will continue to be utilised as the tailings disposal

area for the duration of the MOP period.

3.4.2 Coal Loaded and Rail Movements Product coal loaded22 during the reporting period was 11,782,126 tonnes23. Monthly product coal

tonnages loaded during the reporting period and laden trains leaving site per day are displayed

in Table 11.

Table 11 Coal Loaded and Train Movements in 2015

Month Daily Movements

(Maximum)

Trains Leaving

Site per Day

(Maximum)

Total Movements

for the Month

Coal Loaded for the

Month

January 2014 12 6 273 1247651

February 2014 12 6 217 953869

March 2014 7 3 110 485494

April 2014 8 4 129 553825

May 2014 11 6 254 1110610

June 2014 11 6 240 1057036

July 2014 12 6 246 1094448

August 2014 12 6 259 1162984

September 2014 12 6 266 1191321

October 2014 10 5 202 907557

November 2014 11 6 183 828068

December 2014 12 6 264 1189263

Note: Condition 7(c), Schedule 2 of the PA08_0184 limits UCML to 10 laden trains leaving site per day (i.e. a total of 20

train movements per day).

22 Product coal is stacked onto product stockpiles and reclaimed by a rail mounted bucket wheel reclaimer to the rail load

out bin. Product coal is transported via rail on the Tallawang to Wallerawang rail corridor to the Port of Newcastle. 23 Demonstrates compliance with PA08_0184 Schedule 2 Condition 6 (b) The Proponent shall not export more than 20 million

tonnes of coal from the site in each calendar year


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4 Environmental Performance

4.1 Operational Noise The Noise Management Plan (NMP) (ULN SD PLN 0031)24 and Noise Monitoring Program25

provide noise management monitoring and control processes. Figure 6 displays the locations of

the real time noise monitors (which may be relocated as required) and attended26 noise

monitoring locations.

Attended noise monitoring27 was conducted in June and December 2015. The attended noise

monitoring data indicated that noise from Ulan Coal was inaudible during most measurements.

The LAeq 15‐min noise emission levels from Ulan Coal were demonstrated to satisfy the noise

limits28 (where applicable) at all assessment locations. All LAmax (interchangeable with LA1(1‐min)

for assessment purposes) mine related noise levels were below the sleep disturbance limit at all

assessment locations during the night period. No non‐compliances were measured. A summary

of the maximum attended noise monitoring results for each compliance monitoring location is

provided in Table 12, for detailed monitoring results refer to Attachment A.

Table 12 Summary Attended Noise Monitoring Results 2015

Location Property ID Noise Criteria

LAeq

2015 Site

Contribution

Maximum result

LAeq

Noise Criteria

LAmax

2015 Site

Contribution

Maximum result

LAmax

NM2 60 35 20 45 21

NM3 274 n/a 46 n/a 50

NM4 Ulan School 35 IA n/a IA

NM6 1 35 27 45 30

NM7 254 38 IA 45 IA

NM8 57 37 IA 45 IA

Notes: IA – inaudible. NM3 is acquisition upon request noise criteria do not apply (n/a).

As per Project Approval PA08_0184 Schedule 3 Condition 2 Noise Criteria Property ID 7 not monitored as property

owned by UCML. Ulan Catholic Church removed from Ulan Village, Ulan Anglican Church not in use.

4.2 Blasting Blasting activities undertaken during the reporting period were conducted within approved

hours as per condition L6.2 of EPL394. No blasting activities were undertaken on Sundays or

Public Holidays.

UCML did not undertake any blasting activities during the reporting period.

24 PA08_0184 schedule 3, condition 9 25 Consistent with NSW Industrial Noise Policy and Australian Standards: AS 1055.1, AS 1055.2 and 1055.3 Acoustics ‐

Description and measurement of environmental noise; AS 2659.1 ‐ Guide to the use of sound measuring equipment; and

AS 2659 ‐ Sound level meters. 26 Attended noise monitoring is used for evaluation of compliance with noise criteria in accordance with the NMP. 27 In accordance with the Noise Management Plan (ULN SD PLN 0031) required under Condition 9 Schedule 3 of

PA08_0184 and consistent with Section L5 of EPL 394 28 Noise criteria PA08_0184 Schedule 3 Condition 2 and EPL394 Section L5


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4.3 Air Quality The following summary compares the 2015 and historical air quality monitoring results with

impact assessment criteria, predictions in the EA and any trends in monitored dust levels. Air

quality monitoring locations are shown in Figure 6. Table 13 presents a compliance summary of

air quality monitoring results for 2015; all results available in Attachment B.

Figure 6 Noise and Air Monitoring Network


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Table 13 2015 Compliance Summary Air Quality Monitoring

Criteria/prediction* Performance during reporting period Assessment of Performance

Data capture/sample

contamination

comments

Deposited Dust

Annual

Maximum total

4 g/m²/month

Annual Average Depositional Dust Results

Notes: Contaminated results for 2014 & 2015 removed from the annual average

The 2015 average annual results indicate that

depositional dust concentrations were generally

consistent with the historical average. None of

the dust monitoring sites exceeded the annual

average of 4 g/m²/month during the reporting

period. The 2015 results are generally consistent

with predictions in the air quality assessment

(2009 EA).

Hummingbird tape, new

bird spikes and cable ties

were used as tools to reduce

contamination of samples at

Depositional Dust Gauging

Station sites in 2015.


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Data capture/sample

contamination

comments

Deposited dust

Annual

Maximum increase

2 g/m2/month

Notes: Contaminated results for 2014 & 2015 removed from the annual

average

There were no incremental increases of greater

than 2 g/m²/month when compared to the annual

average dust deposition levels from the 2014

reporting period. A review of the historical dust

depositional averages generally indicates a stable

trend in deposition dust concentrations.


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Data capture/sample

contamination

comments

Total Suspended

Particulate matter (TSP)

Annual

Criterion 90 μg/m3

2015 TSP Results

Flannery’s (HV1)

μg/m3

Merlene (HV3)

μg/m3

Capture rate 100% 97%

Annual Average 31 24.7

Maximum result 80.8 75.7

Notes: ARA – annual running average

There were no average annual TSP concentrations

above the project specific criteria of 90 μg/m3 in

2015. The maximum TSP results of 80.8 μg/m3 and

75.7 μg/m3 from HV1 and HV3 respectively, were

recorded on 1 December 2015. Other air quality

monitoring indicates elevated dust levels on 26

November. This data is supported by the

Department of Environmentʹs Air Quality Index

for the Upper Hunter and North‐West Slopes air

quality monitoring results

(http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/AQMS/sea

rch.htm).

The TSP results for 2015 were lower than Year 1

and Year 5 predictions provided in the air quality

assessment within the 2009 EA.

No sample was collected

from Merlene (HV1) on

10/06/2015 and 3/08/2015 as

the HVAS failed to run due

to technical failure of the

monitor.

There were five occasions in

2015 where the HVAS

sample was in‐consistent

with AS/NZS 3580.9.3:2003

requirements as reported in

the EPL394 annual return;

HVAS failed to complete

standard runtime of 24:00:00

hours ∓ 1:00:00 hour.

Procedural changes and a

repair of the Merlene TSP

sampler were undertaken to

prevent further reoccurrence

of the sampler error.


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Data capture/sample

contamination

comments

Particulate matter

<10μm (PM10)

Annual

30 μg/m3

Tapered Element Oscillating Microbalance (TEOM) PM10 Monitoring Results

(331 Cope Road)

Reporting Period TEOM PM10 Results

2015

Capture Rate 99%

Annual Average 13.3 μg/m3

Maximum (24hr) 74.1 μg/m3

The annual average PM10 was 13.3 μg/m3, below

the annual average criteria of 30μg/m3.

Measured annual average PM10 in 2015 was

lower than predicted in the EA.

Particulate matter

<10μm (PM10)

24 hour

50 μg/m3

TEOM monitoring data indicates that the 24 hour

average PM10 concentration exceeded the 50μg/m3

impact assessment criteria on 6 May 2015 with a

result of 74.1 μg/m3 during a regional dust storm.

Data extracted from the Upper Hunter Air

Quality Monitoring Network (UHAQMN)29 for 6

May 2015 indicates regional observations for

particulate matter, measured at the nearest

UHAQMN locations to the operation, were above

project approval short‐term criteria 50 μg/m3 as

follows:

Bathurst: 94.6μg/m3

Merriwa: 83 μg/m3

Jerrys Plains: 70 μg/m3

Muswellbrook: 72.9 μg/m3

UCML’s mining operation activities are located in

the NE to ESE vector from the PM10 monitor and

are not considered a source for the elevated levels

recorded.

Ninety nine percent (99%) of

1 hour average PM10 results

were captured during the

2015 monitoring period.

Limited data capture

occurred during a fault with

the air conditioning unit30

within the TEOM 12‐14th

January.

Notes: *Refer to Condition 19 of Project Approval PA 08_0184 for notes and further details on Criteria

29 http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/AQMS/search.htm 30 Monitoring is consistent with the requirements of AS 2724.3‐1984 and Section 4.1 of the EPA ‘Requirements for publishing pollution monitoring data’, published 2012 State of NSW.


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4.4 Heritage

4.4.1 Aboriginal Heritage The Heritage Management Plan (HMP) (ULN SD PLN 0013)31 defines procedures for management

and mitigation of impacts on Aboriginal, European and natural heritage including responsibilities of

personnel. A GIS database displays dot point and spatial distribution of Aboriginal sites within the

Project area and activities that require clearing or removal of topsoil are assessed against the database

through the Ground Disturbance Permit (GDP) (CAA‐HSEC‐PER‐0004) process. Meetings are held to

discuss issues of archaeological/cultural significance with registered Aboriginal stakeholder

representatives and, as required, an Archaeologist.

Aboriginal heritage activities undertaken in accordance with the HMP during the 2015 reporting period

included:

The Bobadeen Grinding Groove conservation Agreements are secured and registered on title

in accordance with PA08_0184, Schedule 3, Condition 46. No further management actions were

implemented at the sites in 2015. The Bobadeen Grinding Grooves site is fenced. The condition

of both grinding groove sites were assessed in February 2015 as part of the bi‐annual

photographic monitoring program and were found to be in a satisfactory condition with no

additional actions required.

Ulan West rock shelter test excavation site ID#1054 (the first of 18 sites selected for excavation

in the Aboriginal Rock Shelter Test Excavation Sampling Strategy report) commenced 16th

February.

Re‐inspection of four of the nominated blast monitoring Aboriginal sites (ID# 74, 445, 1395 and

1396) occurred on 19th February.

Ulan West rock shelter test excavation of the Mona creek rock shelter sites ID#646, 164, 165, 476

and 651 Commenced 31st August.

Aboriginal Heritage Meetings were held in June and December 2014. Items discussed included:

o Ulan West Modification Cultural Heritage Programs, conduct residue analysis of Laila

Haglund’s SG5 artefacts, collect and investigate bush food and 3D scanning of rock

shelters.

o Location agreed for safe keeping place of heritage artefacts.

o Grinding Groove conservation agreements and public exhibition of the Valley way

agreement with crown lands.

o Heritage survey and salvage for 2016 will include a continuation of Ulan West rock

shelter sampling according to strategy.

o Environmental monitoring and subsidence performance results.

In accordance with the Blast Management Plan32 Aboriginal Heritage Sites (ID# 74, 1395 and 1396)

were inspected by a qualified Archaeologist and Aboriginal Stakeholders on 19 February 2015. The

purpose was to reassess the physical condition of these sites and to identify if any impacts had

31 Addresses requirements of: the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 (NSW); the Heritage Act 1977 (NSW); the Environment

Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act) (Cth); PA 08_0184; Development Approval (DA) 113‐12‐98 (PA

08_0184 prevails to the extent of any inconsistency) and UCML’s Social Involvement Plan (SIP) (ULN SD PLN 0015). 32 ULN SD PLN 0082


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occurred from blasting activities33 subsequent to the previous inspections (commenced July 2011).

There has been no perceptible change to or deterioration in the physical condition of Aboriginal sites

ID# 74 and 1396 between the July 2011 and February 2015 inspections34.

ID# 1395 is formed from crumbly, powdery cavernously weathered conglomerate. Reporting

concluded that the minor rock fragments (all less than approximately 0.2 metres in maximum

dimension and with un‐weathered, fresh surfaces consistent with recent detachment) could be a

result of animal activity, with animals entering the first (higher) ledge and breaking the thin, friable

lip of conglomerate, or other natural erosive processes or accidental faunal or human contact.

Alternatively, overblast or vibration pressures may have caused the fragments to detach. Notably, the

existing cracking in this susceptible conglomerate had not increased in the same period, as could be

expected were blasting or overblast pressure impacts the cause of the rock detachment. The rock

detachment in ID# 1395 was very minor and does not detract in any material way from the natural

context and/or potential significance of the shelter35.

4.4.2 European and Natural Heritage Section 4 of the HMP details the management, monitoring and mitigation measures for each of the

identified European and natural heritage sites within the Project Area including monitoring of

subsidence36 and blast37 impacts on European and natural heritage, identification of previously

unknown potential historical archaeological material or heritage sites/items and additional

management, where required. Of 26 item identified in the 2009 EA, Old Ulan Village, Bobadeen

Station, Apple Tree Flat farm complex and the Talbragar Fish Fossil Reserve were considered

significant. A GDP (CAA‐HSEC‐PER‐0004) is completed, referencing the GIS database including

European and natural heritage sites, prior to any disturbance.

The monitoring of Old Ulan Village for subsidence impacts38 continued in 2015 as Ulan West

continued secondary extraction of Longwall 1 (LW1). A condition report was provided by Stedinger

Associates in March 2015 following the completion of mining in LW1. This report found no

discernible reduction to heritage significance to the Old Ulan Village as a result of subsidence from

mining or other human activities.

In accordance with the Bobadeen Homestead Management Plan,39 the following actions were taken in

2015 to protect and secure the Bobadeen Homestead:

Repaired all broken windows in house.

Repaired and or fit new door and window latches throughout house.

Fit board over broken veranda floors.

Fit wire mesh around homestead verandas to prevent animals entering under the house.

33 No blasts occurred at UCML in 2015, no open cut operations, last blast was 21/10/2014 34 South East Archaeological ‘Ulan Blast Monitoring‐ Aboriginal Heritage Report: Supplementary Advice, February 2015’ 35 South East Archaeological ‘Ulan Blast Monitoring‐ Aboriginal Heritage Report: Supplementary Advice, February 2015’ 36 Condition 26 (Schedule 3) of PA 08_0184 and approved extraction plan and subsidence monitoring program. 37 Blast Management Plan (ULN SD PLN 0082) 38 In accordance with the Ulan West SMP/EP LW1 – 2 (ULN SD PLN 0013) 39 ULN SD EXT 0094 April 2011, revised scope of works ULN SD EXT 0135 January 2014


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4.5 Biodiversity The Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) (ULN SD PLN 0026), which includes the Offset

Management Plan (OMP), describes the ecological management strategies, procedures, controls and

monitoring programs for the management of flora and fauna.

Flora monitoring was completed by Eco Logical Australia (ELA), terrestrial and aquatic fauna

monitoring was completed by Biodiversity Monitoring Services (BMS) and micro chiropteran bat

monitoring was completed by Fly By Night Bat Surveys (FBN). The monitoring reports are provided

in Attachment E for monitoring sites see Figures 7 & 8.

Ecological monitoring is undertaken as follows:

Flora – 74 floristic monitoring plots established across the site (36 monitored in Autumn and

38 in Spring), 13 Landscape Function Analysis (LFA) sites, 7 subsidence monitoring plots, and

targeted Acacia ausfeldii surveys.

Fauna (excluding microbats) – within the Biodiversity Offset and Management Areas, areas

adjoining Project Approval disturbance areas, residual Project Area and post‐mining

rehabilitated areas (once habitat is sufficiently established).

Microbats – monitoring at general fauna monitoring sites, targeted monitoring of clifflines

sites within Brokenback and Spring Gully Offset and cliffline monitoring within subsidence

management zones.

Aquatic fauna and riparian habitat – within creek and river systems internal to, upstream

and downstream of the project approval area.


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Figure 7 2015 Flora Monitoring sites


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Figure 8 2015 Fauna Monitoring sites


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4.5.1 Flora A summary of the 2015 flora monitoring results are provided below, with the full report available in

Attachment E (Eco Logical 2016).

EEC/CEEC communities: 2015 results show that, while residual and revegetation/regeneration sites

have, on average, similar total species richness (38 compared to 35 respectively), residual sites have a

higher average native species richness (30 compared to 22 in revegetation/regeneration sites). Four

residual (BOBE2, BOBC1, RPA13, and RPA8) and seven revegetation/regeneration (BOB9, BOB10B,

BOB14, BOB17, BOB19, BOBE6 and BOBE12) sites recorded increases in native species richness of

greater than 25% between 2014 and 2015, predominantly due to the emergence of both annual and

perennial herbs. Native species richness in site BOB19 almost doubled between spring 2014 and

spring 2015, reflecting an increase in both herb and native perennial grass diversity.

Revegetation/regeneration sites have, on average, higher native ground cover (50% average)

compared to residual sites. However, exotic ground cover was also higher in

revegetation/regeneration sites (14% average), in particular in White Box Woodland vegetation types.

Non EEC/CEEC revegetation/regeneration communities: Native species richness within all 12

previously surveyed revegetation/regeneration non EEC/CEEC sites either increased (10 sites) or

remained stable (two sites) between 2014 and 2015. The newly established Ironbark Open Forest

Complex (regenerating) sites (BOB21, BOB22, BOB23) had equal or greater native ground cover than

the majority of grassland and grassy woodland sites. This contrasts with previous years’ results, in

which Ironbark communities had consistently lower ground cover compared to grasslands or grassy

woodlands. Three of the four post‐mining open cut rehabilitation sites that had previously been

identified as having particularly low ground cover (OC6B, OC7, AA1) all increased in ground cover

between 2014 to 2015, suggesting that there is still potential for ground cover to re‐establish in these

rehabilitated areas. Exotic cover was low (<5%) in all non EEC/CEEC sites with the exception of

BOBC8B, which had a high cover of Saffron Thistle and exotic pasture species.

Floristic‐based Subsidence Monitoring: All six of the existing (i.e. not newly established) sites

increased in native species richness between 2014 and 2015. FBS5 (above UW LW1‐previously

undermined) and BOB13B (above UG#3 LWW3‐ not yet undermined) recorded a decline in native

ground cover between the 2014 and 2015 monitoring. Canopy cover at FBS4 (above UG#3 LW27‐

previously undermined) and BOB13B was observed to decline by 10%, largely due to dieback in

Rough‐barked Apple canopies that has been recorded throughout the Project Area and wider region

over the past year of monitoring. Additional investigations found no statistically significant

differences in canopy health or cover between historically undermined and non‐impacted sites and as

such there is no evidence to suggest that this dieback was caused by subsidence.

Weeds: The suite of dominant exotic species has again changed; in 2015, the most common exotic

species were Spear Thistle (also seen in high abundance in 2014), St John’s Wort, and Saffron Thistle.

Saffron Thistle was present in high covers and abundances within a number of

revegetation/regeneration sites (up to 50% cover in BOB24), and was incidentally observed in

similarly high covers and abundances across the Biodiversity Offset Areas. Four Noxious Weeds

were recorded across 28 sites. These weeds were St John’s Wort, Prickly Pear, Blackberry and

Bathurst Burr.

Landscape function analysis: Results from 2015 LFA monitoring were compared with results from

previous years to examine trends in landscape organisation, stability, infiltration or nutrient cycling.

Landscape organisation (LO) – the proportion of the landscape occupied by resource accumulating


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‘patches’ such as ground cover, litter or logs – increased in seven of the ten monitored rehabilitation

sites between 2014 and 2015. LO more than doubled in the A. ausfeldii translocation plots within the

Open Cut. The three sites (OC2(R), OC4(R) and GRRD2(R)) in which LO decreased still have LO of

within 10% of relevant analogue sites. Open Cut and Goulburn River rehabilitation sites are all

performing well in terms of stability and Goulburn River rehabilitation sites are closely approaching,

or have exceeded, relevant analogue sites in terms of infiltration and nutrient cycling.

Acacia ausfeldii Highett Road: The height of mature living individuals ranged from 0.3 m to 4.0 m,

whilst the diameter of the main stem ranged from 0.1 cm to 4.5 cm at the base. The average height of

mature individuals decreased from 2.07 m in 2014 to 1.89 m in 2015, indicating a decline in condition

and cessation of growth. This decline in overall population health is also reflected in the poor

condition ratings and notes recording senescence or snapped stems. As outlined in the 2013

monitoring report (ELA 2013), this is consistent with the ecology of A. ausfeldii being a short‐lived

pioneer species. Transect‐based surveys targeting A. ausfeldii seedlings recorded only one seedling.

This lack of recruitment in the absence of disturbance is also consistent with the knowledge of the

ecology of A. ausfeldii.

Acacia ausfeldii translocation: Results indicate that there continues to be germination of A. ausfeldii

seedlings from the topsoil seed bank and sub‐soil root zone, and that the majority of the population of

100 target individuals identified in 2014 are these are continuing to grow and mature into healthy

saplings. The density of A. ausfeldii individuals within AA2 has already exceeded (by greater than a

factor of two) the target density outlined in the BMP (1 individual per 5 m2 or 2000 individuals per

ha), however the density in AA1 remains relatively low, at an estimated 368 plants per ha.

4.5.2 Fauna A summary of the 2015 fauna monitoring results are provided below, with the full report available in

Attachment E (BMS 2015).

A total of 12 amphibian, 23 reptile, 13 native mammal, nine introduced mammal, 143 native bird and

one introduced bird species were located during the 2015 surveys. The species richness for all four

groups surveyed is similar to that obtained at Ulan Coal Mine over the last 18 years.

A total of 204 sightings of 11 threatened species, as listed under the TSC Act, were recorded during

the 2015 surveys (101 sightings of 8 threatened species in 2011, 151 sightings of 8 threatened species in

2012 and 182 sightings of 8 threatened species in 2013, 245 sightings of 14 threatened species in 2014).

The dominant species located were Painted Honeyeater, Speckled Warbler and Varied Sittella, all

associated with woodland habitats (Figure 9). Targeted searches of preferred tree food species for

Swift Parrot and Regent Honeyeater did not locate them.

Results of the surveys indicate:

no significant differences between the fauna assemblages located from 2011 to 2015;

no significant differences between the fauna assemblages found at each site and domain;

no significant differences between the fauna diversities and habitat characteristics found within

each domain;

no significant differences between the habitat and biodiversity values from the treatment and

control sites;

habitat characteristics and fauna diversities are comparable with previous surveys; and


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no discernable impacts from subsidence upon threatened species, populations, habitats or

ecological communities associated with the terrestrial environment.

Figure 9: Numbers of Threatened Species Located from 2011 to 2015

4.5.3 Microbats Monitoring commenced in 2015 at two additional sites above the West 3 & 4 panels (LWW3 &

LWW4) of Ulan #340 and four sites above the fourth longwall panels of Ulan West (LW4)41.

Fifteen species of microbat were recorded in 2015 surveys (Hoye 2016 Attachment E). Of these, five

are listed as threatened under State legislation, the Yellow‐bellied Sheathtail Bat (Saccolaimus

flaviventris); Large‐eared Pied Bat (Chalinolobus dwyeri), Little Pied Bat (Chalinolobus picatus), Eastern

Bent‐wing Bat (Miniopterus oceanensis) and South‐eastern Long‐eared Bat (Nyctophilus corbeni). The

Large‐eared Pied Bat is also listed under Commonwealth legislation.

Monitoring over five years indicates that overall microbat diversity has not declined during this time.

The age composition and body condition of the two most regularly captured species has remained

relatively stable over this period. These three indicators provide a means of assessing the overall

composition and health of the populations within UCML holdings. A gradual decline in body

condition would be expected if microbat populations are under stress from mining related impacts.

The current and previous microbat monitoring has established that microbat diversity in the older

open cut mine rehabilitation is equivalent to that at sites in surrounding forest. Microbats are

certainly using the rehabilitation for foraging and, to some extent, for roosting.

40 Monitoring in accordance with the LW27 to LW29 and W4 to W5 subsidence monitoring program (ULN SD PLN 0061) 41 Monitoring in accordance with the Subsidence Monitoring Program Longwall 1 & 2 (ULN SD ANN064)

0

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20

30

40

50

60

70

80

2011 2012 2013 2014 2015


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4.5.4 Aquatic A total of 1889 individuals from 51 macro‐invertebrate taxa were located (BMS 2015 Attachment E).

The number of taxa located was higher than that recorded in 2010 at Ulan Coal Mine and that found

during the studies at Moolarben and Wilpinjong (27), but not as high as that obtained in 2011 (61

taxa). There has been some variation in the number of macro‐invertebrate taxa located over the

years, however the trend between 2007 and 2014 is relatively constant. A comparison between the

data obtained from the 2011 to 2014 surveys shows that there are no significant differences between

the years (non‐parametric Kruskal‐Wallis One Way Analysis of Variance on Ranks). Simpson’s Index

of Diversity and Evenness show an increase in values. SIGNAL, Salinity, RCE% and RARC% have

been relatively stable over the years. There have been no discernable impacts from subsidence upon

threatened species, populations, habitats or ecological communities associated with the aquatic

environment.

After four surveys, it has become apparent that the major influence on the monitored aquatic

ecosystems is land use and the state of disturbance of the land. The lower end of productivity for the

aquatic ecosystems as well as the riparian habitats and associated bird populations appears to be

associated with land that has been cleared and is still grazed by domestic stock or is associated with

urban development. The channelized section of Goulburn River Diversion also demonstrates low

productivity; the planned rehabilitation of the Goulburn River Diversion should see a positive change

in the aquatic monitoring results in the years to come.

4.6 Salinity Offset Area A salinity offset area (SOA) was established as part of the implementation of the Bobadeen Irrigation

Scheme (BIS) in 2003 to offset, on a 1:1.5 basis, the salt load within the catchment due to irrigation.42

Objectives and land use management and preliminary assessment criteria (Table 14) for the SOA are

detailed within the BMP.43 Based on an average irrigation application of 3.25 ML/ha/year (an average

of 1187 ML/year across 242 ha of irrigation) of water with an average salinity of 1200 μs/cm‐1 an

average 1208 tonnes/year of salt will be applied to the BIS for the life of the program. It is estimated

that 260 tonnes/year of salt leaves the site and reaches the downstream catchment. Applying the

offset ratio of 1:1.5, an offset 390 tonnes/year of salt is required. Over the last 10 years, on average, the

SOA met salinity offset requirements.

The mine water balance for the period 1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 indicates the total volume of water

irrigated during this period was 1521 ML. The amount of salt (for the same period) in the water

irrigated was calculated at 1058 tonnes. Therefore the average tonnes of salt applied per hectare

(based on 242 ha) was determined to be 4.37 tonnes/ha. Table 14 provides an assessment against the

salinity offset scheme completion criteria for 2015 (as outlined in the BMP), which was evaluated as

part of the floristic monitoring program.

42 EPL 394, 9 Special condition, E1.1. 43 Biodiversity Management Plan (BMP) (ULN SD PLN 0026)


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Table 14 Assessment of Salinity Offset Completion Criteria

Impact

Mitigation

Strategy

Completion Criteria Assessment Against Criteria

Controlled

rotational

grazing (in pivot

areas)

Controlled rotational grazing activities

implemented in a manner that controls

pasture in the pivot area.

Boundary Fences of the Salinity Offset Area were repaired in

2015. Rotational grazing practices are undertaken by a

contracted grazing company that manage the area within the

Bobadeen Irrigation Scheme as well as other grazing areas in

and around the Salinity Offset Areas. Rotational Grazing is

implemented to ensure that ground cover is maintained and

pasture growth and irrigation in the pivot areas are

optimised.

Controlled rotational grazing activities are

documented.

Establishment/

maintenance of

stable vegetative

cover

Monitoring has shown that sufficient

groundcover has been established such that

the percentage of bare ground has reduced.

Of the 26 flora monitoring sites located within the SOA, two

flora subsidence monitoring sites (BOB13B and FBS5) and

two rapid assessment sites (BOB1 and BOB5) within the SOA

showed declines in native ground cover between 2014 and

2015. The other 22 monitoring site recorded a stable or

increasing groundcover between 2014 and 2015 (Eco Logical

2016, full report Attachment E).

No significant erosion is present. No significant erosion present during reporting period.

There are no significant weed infestations

and weeds do not comprise a significant

proportion of the species in any stratum.

Of the 26 flora monitoring sites located within the SOA, two

revegetation/regeneration sites located within the SOA

(BOB19 and BOB24) had particularly high exotic species

richness and cover, with exotic species comprising the

dominant proportion of species within the ground cover

stratum. In BOB19, this corresponded to a 40% decrease in

native ground cover between 2014 and 2015. The dominant

exotic species in these areas was Saffron Thistle, which was

also incidentally observed as dense infestations in cleared

areas to the north of BOB24. All other sites located within the

SOA had a predominantly native ground cover (Eco Logical

2016, full report Attachment E).

6000 trees

planted along

pivot fence lines

The required number of trees are planted. 6000 trees planted in 2005. Re‐planting of trees lost will

occur in 2016.

The 2015 monitoring program indicates that approximately

35% of trees planted have survived, and 82% of these trees

were considered to be at 50% or greater health score.

No significant weed issues were identified within fenced

pivot planting areas.

More than 75% of trees are healthy and

growing as indicated by long term

monitoring.

There are no significant weed infestations

and weeds do not comprise a significant

proportion of the species in any stratum.

Natural

regeneration of

the vegetation

cover

Natural regeneration is shown through

monitoring to be occurring.

Natural regeneration of native canopy species was recorded

in nine floristic and three rapid assessment sites located

within the SOA. Natural regeneration of Blakely’s Red Gum

was also incidentally observed to the north and north‐west

of site RPA13.


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4.7 Energy and Greenhouse Gas Monitoring to assess Greenhouse Gas (GHG) and energy use performance is undertaken consistent

with requirements.44 Individual facility thresholds for National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting

System (NGERS)45 are triggered greater than 25,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (t CO2‐e) are

generated and greater than 100 terajoules (TJ) of energy are consumed. GHG emissions and energy

consumption are reported via the Emissions and Energy Reporting System (EERS) under UCMLs

parent company, AZSA Holding Pty Ltd.

The estimated total GHG emissions (Scope 1 and 2) for the 2015 NGERS reporting period (financial

year 2015) was 198,912 TCO2‐e, compared to the EA (2009) prediction for year 1 to 7 of the project

phase of 419,528 TCO2‐e. The total energy consumed for Scope 1 and Scope 2 was 804,018 GJ,

compared to the EA (2009) modelled prediction for year 1 to 7 of the project phase of 1,224,783GJ.

The difference between actual and predicted emissions and energy use is attributed to the Open Cut

not operating in 2015.

The energy and GHG intensity of the operations is lower than predicted in the EA, the energy

intensity target. In 2015 the energy intensity was 0.066 GJ/ tonne of ROM coal produced, compared

with the average predicted rate of 0.081 GJ/tonne. The energy intensity was also lower than the 2014

rate of 0.078 GJ/ tonne. In 2015 the GHG intensity was 0.016 tCO2e/ tonne of ROM coal produced,

compared with the average predicted rate of 0.029 tCO2e /tonne and the 2014 rate of 0.018 tCO2e/

tonne.

An energy mass baseline was reviewed in 2013, with the report of the review provided in May 2014.

The report offered suggestions for electrical and diesel savings opportunities. The following

examples are evidenced in projects implemented at the operation to minimise energy and GHG

intensity:

Pumps – new purchases to include consideration of energy efficiency; adjust pump speeds

and automated to switch off when not in use.

Improve pipe design and eliminate unnecessary flow paths.

Implement preventative maintenance.

Variable speed drives and premium‐efficiency motor systems.

Energy and GHG Intensities are predicted to continue at or below current rates in 2016 and will

remain below the intensities predicted in the EA.

44 Condition 22, Schedule 3 of PA 08_0184, Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Management Plan (ULN SD PLN 0059),

National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act (NGER) 2007 (Cth) 45 National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act (NGER) 2007 (Cth)


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5 Mine Subsidence Subsidence monitoring programs are developed and approved for Subsidence Management Plan/s

(SMPs) and Extraction Plans (EPs) for Ulan No.3 and Ulan West underground operations. Subsidence

monitoring aims to confirm subsidence predictions and expected subsidence behaviour and

assessment of subsidence performance measures46. Subsidence monitoring programs incorporate

previous monitoring and include survey, heritage, infrastructure, flora, fauna, groundwater and

surface water monitoring.

5.1 Ulan No.3 SMP LW23-26 & W1 and W2-W3

Subsidence monitoring for LW23‐26 and W1‐W3 is carried out in accordance with the Subsidence

Monitoring Program (HSEC MGP 058) (part of the Subsidence Management Plan (SMP) for mining of

LW 23‐26 & W147 and W2‐W3).48 W3 is the last remaining longwall to be mined under the SMP

approval for W2 and W3. No longwall mining occurred in W3 during the reporting period.

Development Approval (DA) 113‐12‐98 remains applicable until the completion of longwall mining of

W3, which is scheduled for completion during 2017.

5.2 Ulan No.3 SMP/EP LW27-29, W4-W5 and North 1

The SMP/EP49 was revised for longwalls LW27 to LW29 and W4 to W5 and was approved by the

DP&E on 25 May 2013. The subsidence monitoring program (ULN SD PLN 0061) describes the

survey monitoring and infrastructure and environment monitoring for subsidence management

approval areas:

2005 SMP Area (LW 23‐26 & W1);

2007 SMP Area (LW W2 & W3); and

2011 SMP/Extraction Plan Areas (LW 27‐29 & W4‐5 and North 1 ‐ LW C, E, F & G).

Ulan Underground No.3 secondary extraction of LW28 was completed 19 February 2015 and

extraction of LW29 commenced 21 April 2015. A summary of the End of Panel report for LW28 is

provided in section 5.4.1.

5.3 Ulan West SMP/EP LW1-2 The SMP/EP for Ulan West LW1 and LW2 was approved on 25 March 2014. Secondary extraction of

LW1 occurred between 19 May 2014 and 25 May 2015. LW2 secondary extraction commenced 25 May

2015. The subsidence monitoring program for LW1‐2 is outlined in Subsidence Monitoring Program

Longwall 1 & 2 (ULN SD ANN064), a component management plan of the Ulan West SMP/EP LW1 –

46 PA08_0184 Schedule 3, Condition 24, not applicable to existing SMP approved longwall panels, under DA113‐12‐98. 47 Consistent with DA113‐12‐98 and approved by DTI 01 August 2006. 48 Consistent with DA113‐12‐98 and approved by DTI 21 January 2009. 49 Required by Condition 26 of Schedule 3 of PA08_0184.


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2 (ULN SD PLN 0013). The annual report is provided in Attachment J, a summary is provided in section

5.4.2.

Ulan West SMP/EP LW1 – 2 (ULN SD PLN 0013) has been revised to include longwalls LW3 and LW4

to produce a consolidated extraction plan now titled The Ulan West Extraction Plan for Longwalls LW1

to LW450. LW3 is expected to commence in early April 2016.

50 DP&E Approval for this revision is pending


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5.4 2015 Subsidence Performance Table 15 outlines compliance with the subsidence performance measure of PA 08_0184 during the reporting period.

Table 15 PA08_0184 Subsidence Performance Measures

Subsidence Performance Measures Assessment of Performance 2015

(LW28 & 29 Ulan No.3, LW1 & LW2 Ulan West)

Water

Ulan, Mona & Cockabutta Creeks No greater environmental consequences than predicted in

the EA

EA 2009 predictions:

Ulan Creek is considered unlikely to be significantly impacted

by the proposed mining. Some small horizontal movements may

occur toward the goaf, but the character and capacity of the

creek to maintain flow is unlikely to be affected by these

movements.

Mining below ephemeral creeks is considered to have the

potential to reduce surface flows and the duration that pools

retain water following a rainfall event.

Longwall mining in 2015 did not occur near the Mona or Cockabutta Creeks. No

impacts have occurred in these areas as a result of subsidence from mining in 2015.

A section of the Ulan Creek runs adjacent to Ulan West LW1. Channel stability

monitoring is undertaken annually in the Ulan Creek. There were no visible signs of

subsidence related impacts affecting the stability of the creek systems noted in the

2015 creek stability monitoring program (Pacific Environmental 2015).

Biodiversity

Threatened species, populations, habitat or

ecological communities

Negligible impact Monitoring results of floristic based subsidence plots monitored pre and during/post

mining (FBS5 (LW1), FBS6 (LW2), FBS4 (LW27), RPA12 (LW28), FBS8 (LW29))

indicate subsidence has had a negligible impact upon the vegetation (Eco Logical

2016 Attachment E).

Monitoring of microbats in clifflines above Ulan West LW1 & LW2 indicates there has

been no significant changes to microbat populations as a result of mining. It is noted

that changes to microbat populations above mining areas would likely not be

detectable for several years following mining (Hoye 2016 Attachment E).

There are no clifflines located above current or recently (within past 2 years) mined

areas of the Ulan No.3 mine.


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2015 Fauna monitoring concluded there have been no discernible impacts from

subsidence upon threatened species, populations, habitats or ecological communities

associated with the terrestrial environment (BMS 2015 Attachment E).

Land

Cliffs in the Brokenback Conservation Area Nil environmental consequences Longwall mining in 2015 did not occur near the Brokenback Conservation Area. No

subsidence impacts to sandstone cliff formations in the Brokenback Conservation

Area were observed in a survey conducted independently by Pacific Environmental

(Pacific Environmental 2016).

Other cliffs Minor environmental consequences


Mining subsidence is expected to cause rock falls on 10‐20% of

the sandstone cliff formations directly above the mining area.

There are no clifflines located over LW28 or LW29.

Ulan West LW1 & LW2: Inspection of the impacts of mining on the cliff formations

located above Longwalls 1 and 2 indicates that rock falls are occurring on less than

20% of the undermined length of cliff consistent with predictions and perceptible

impacts are apparent on less than 50% of the undermined length, also consistent with

predictions (SCT 2015 Attachment J).

Heritage

Aboriginal sites Nil impact in the Brokenback Conservation Area,

Grinding Groove Conservation Areas; and on Mona

Creek/Cockabutta Creek Rock Shelter Sites

No mining related impacts were observed at the Valley Way Grinding Groove

Conservation Area located approximately 470m from the eastern goaf edge of LW 1

(SCT, 2015).

The other Aboriginal sites listed in the performance measures were not located within

the potential subsidence zone (SMP area) for mining in 2015. There have been no

recordable changes to these sites as a result of mining in the reporting period.

Talbragar Fish Fossil Reserve Negligible impact Longwall mining in 2015 did not occur near the Talbragar Fish Fossil Reserve.

Other Heritage Sites No greater impact than predicted in the EA


Subsidence movements are not expected to have any practical

effect on artefact scatters and isolated finds in open terrain

Mine subsidence is not expected to cause any acceleration or

change in the degradation that is occurring naturally over

time at Old Ulan Village

Mine subsidence is not expected to significantly impact any of

the European Heritage sites within the Project Area.

Old Ulan Village is located adjacent to LW1. A post mining inspection of the heritage

area was undertaken by Stedinger in April 2015. The inspection found no visible

impacts relating to subsidence.

The aboriginal Rock Shelter Test Excavation Sampling Strategy (created through

consultation with Aboriginal stakeholders) commenced with the excavation of site

ID#1054 located above LW2 (the first of 18 sites selected in the strategy) on 16th

February 2015.

There have been several minor rock falls at two of the rock shelter monitoring sites for

LW1; sites 1060 and 1063. The relatively minor level of impacts observed is consistent

with the predicted probabilities of impact as identified in the 2009 EA.


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There have been no observable impacts to other Aboriginal Heritage sites located

above mining areas in the reporting period.

Built Features

All built features Safe, serviceable and repairable unless the owner agrees

otherwise in writing LW27, LW28, LW1 & LW2 are within areas owned by UCML. There is a pastoral lease

over the land above LW27 & LW28.

One single earth return line owned by Essential Energy on the surface over the north

mains, was inspected during longwall mining of LW27 & LW28. No impacts have

been recorded.

No perceptible impact to farm dams, stock fences or access tracks located over LW28

or LW29.

No visible or perceptible impacts were observed on the old farm house situated

approximately 70 m to the east of LW29 goaf edge.

Observations of surface cracking to access tracks located over LW1 & LW2 were

consistent with expectations. Road repairs were undertaken to address cracking that

posed a potential safety risk to mine employees and contractors. There are no built

structures not owned by UCML located over Longwalls 1 and 2.

Public Safety

Public Safety No additional risk due to mining The areas mined in 2015 are not accessible to the public and there is not considered to

have been any increase in risk to public safety as a result of longwall mining in 2015.

No incidents of public safety in relation to mining LW27, LW28, LW1 or LW2 were

recorded in the reporting period.


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5.4.1 Summary from EoP report LW28 Secondary extraction of LW28 commenced on 22 March 2014 and was completed on 18 February

2015. The subsidence monitoring results include survey monitoring on the F line51 and observations

made during a site visit (after the completion of the longwall) conducted on the 5 March 2015 by Ken

Mills (Principal Geotechnical Engineer for SCT Operations Pty Ltd).

The measured subsidence is of the expected form and the magnitude of all parameters is less than or

consistent with predictions in the SCT Report ULA3839 (Table 16).

Table 16: Actual versus predicted subsidence for LW28

Parameter Predicted Actual (LW28)

Maximum Subsidence (m) 1.6 (0.9 – 1.5) 1.49

Chain Pillar Subsidence (m) 0.80 0.52

Angle of Draw (0) 40 – 55 441

Goaf Edge of Subsidence (mm) No predictions made 208

Maximum Tilt (mm/m) 10 ‐ 20 15

Horizontal Movements (m) 0.65 0.56

Horizontal Strain (mm/m) 5 ‐ 15 5

NOTES: 1 The angle of draw is determined based on allowance for systematic offset in the surveying over the large distances

involved.

The surface terrain above LW28 is comprised of a series of narrow valleys that drain southward into

the board valley associated with Bobadeen Creek. Bobadeen Creek is an ephemeral creek that aligns

approximately with the axis of LW26. The surface terrain above LW28 comprises approximately 40%

open grass land, mainly in the east near the start of the panel and 60% undeveloped bushland with a

few sandstone outcrops mainly in and alongside gullies. The land above LW28 is owned by UCML and

partly leased for grazing activities.

Surface improvements in the area include several farm dams, stock fencing and a number of internal

access tracks. There is no public access. There were no perceptible mining impacts. No surface cracks

were detected along the panel edges, on bare surfaces, embankments, dams, compacted road surfaces

and access tracks.

5.4.2 Summary Ulan West LW1-2 Annual Report The 2015 Annual Review (AR) for 01 January 2015 to the 31 December 201552 is provided in

Attachment J. A summary of the Subsidence effects monitoring from the AR is provided below. For

environmental monitoring results please refer to the full report (Attachment J).

Subsidence effects monitoring for longwall panels LW1 and LW2 at Ulan West, was undertaken in

accordance with the approved Appendix G: Subsidence Monitoring Program Longwalls 1 & 2 (ULN

SD ANN 0064), a key component management plan of the approved Subsidence Management and

Extraction Plan for Longwalls 1 & 2 (ULN SD PLN 0103).

51 The F Line is the main subsidence line that crosses LW28 52 In accordance with Condition 18 of the Ulan West SMP Approval for Longwalls LW1 & LW2 UCML are required to prepare

an Annual Report (AR) within 12 months of the date of SMP approval and annually therafter. The AR report is submitted as an

attachment to this report.


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The following summary of the subsidence effects monitoring for LW1 and LW2 during the review

period, was provided from the 2015 Annual Review of Subsidence Monitoring at Ulan West Mine

(SCT, March 2016) (Attachment J), prepared by SCT Operations (SCT). SCT prepared this report to

compare subsidence measured and observed above the Ulan West Mine during 2015 with predictions

made prior to mining. The report presents a review of the subsidence monitoring and subsidence

related observations made on the surface above Longwall 1 and Longwall 2 during the 11 months

from 31 January 2015 (the end of the previous review period) to 31 December 2015 and a comparison

with predictions. The following information is a summary of the SCT report.

By the end of the review period on 31 December 2015, Longwall 1 had created an extraction void

approximately 261 m wide by 5795 m long at a nominal cutting height of 3.2 m and Longwall 2 had

created a void approximately 315 m wide and 3507 m long.

Within the area of Longwalls 1 and 2 the overburden depth to the Ulan Seam is greatest at 250 m near

the northwest corner and start of the panels and gradually decreases to the south to be approximately

65m in the southeast corner of Longwall 1. There is one major cliff line located in the area between C

and D Lines and some less prominent sandstone outcrops on the northern side of the ridge line

immediately to the south of C Line.

Subsidence related surface cracking is mainly evident along cliff lines and areas of less than about 120

m of overburden depth where the Permian strata and lower 20 m of the Triassic Sandstone outcrop.

There are also cracks evident on a ridgeline towards the southern end of the panels and on the north‐

western slopes below this ridge.

The SMP/EP subsidence predictions for Longwalls 1 and 2 were updated from the predictions in the

Ulan Coal Continued Operations (UCCO) Environmental Assessment to reflect the changed mining

geometry and to include an increase in the mining height from 2.9 m used in the UCCO assessment to

3.2 m. These updated predictions are used for comparison.

Table 17: Actual versus predicted subsidence for LW1 and start LW2

Subsidence Line A B C D

Overburden Depth (m) 65 ‐ 85 75 140 215

Longwall Panels 1 1 1 & 2 1 & 2

Subsidence (m) 2.1 1.91 2.1 1.82 1.9 1.36 1.6 0.97

Chain Pillar Subsidence (m) ‐ ‐ 0.2 0.08 0.5 0.3

Angle of Draw (°) 45 18 45 12 & 21 45 29 45 40

Tilt (mm/m) 162 62 162 69 68 34 36 12

Long Panel Horizontal (m) 0.6 0.6 0.6 0.56 0.6 0.32 0.6 0.13

Cross Panel Horizontal (m) 0.6 0.19 0.6 0.49 0.6 0.35 0.6 0.26

Tensile Strain (mm/m) 48 29 48 22 20 10 11 4

Compressive Strain (mm/m) 65 52 65 30 27 23 15 5

Crack width (mm) 250 <250 250 200 150 50 50 ‐

Notes: Predictions in normal typeface and measured subsidence in bold typeface.

Table 17 compares the predictions made in the SMP/EP for Longwalls 1 and 2 (normal typeface) and

the subsidence movements measured on the four subsidence lines during the mining of Longwalls 1

and the first section of Longwall 2 for the reporting period (bold typeface). The measured subsidence

parameters are less than or equal to the predictions.

There is evidence of horizontal movements of the nominal 20 mm resolution of the surveying at

distances of up to 800 m either side of the longwall panels. This behaviour is consistent with

experience at Ulan No 3 Mine and indicates that far field subsidence movements are evident at Ulan

West even when the overburden depth to the Ulan Seam is only 145 m (as at C Line) although the


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extent of the horizontal movements is currently less than the 1.8 km evident above longwall panels at

Ulan No 3 Mine.

The subsidence monitoring conducted over Longwalls 1 and 2 indicates that the predictions made

during the EA for the project and subsequently updated in the SMP/EP for Longwalls 1 and 2, are

providing a reasonable estimate of the subsidence behaviour.


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6 Water Management The Water Management Plan (WMP)53 includes a number of sub plans and systems including:

Site Water Balance;

Erosion and Sediment Control Plan (ESCP) (ULN SD PLN 0025);

Surface Water Monitoring Program (SWMP) (ULN SD PLN 0055);

Groundwater Monitoring Program (GWMP) (ULN SD PLN 0056); and

Surface Water and Groundwater Response Plan (SWGWRP) (ULN SD PLN 0057);

Goulburn River Diversion Remediation Plan (GRDRP) (ULN SD PLN 0054);

Goulburn River Diversion Erosion & Sediment Control Plan (ULN SD PLN 0104).

6.1 Overview of Mine Water Management System

The mine water management system includes mine dewatering systems, water storages, the

Bobadeen Irrigation Scheme (BIS), water treatment facilities, sedimentation and retention basins,

settling and tailings ponds, clean water diversion drains and dirty water catch drains , levee banks

and earth bunding around stockpiles, hardstand areas and refuelling areas. The key objectives of the

water management system include:

preventing the contamination of clean water by mining and related activities;

reducing the discharge of pollutants from the mine to the environment;

minimising adverse effects on the Goulburn River and Ulan Creek;

managing approved water discharges to meet EPL394 license conditions;

segregating mine impacted water from better quality water to minimise the volume of

impacted water that requires recycling and treatment; and

managing the inventory of water on‐site in order to meet the requirements of the mining

operation.

Pit water and mine surface runoff is directed to the mine water management system to control and

treat runoff from site.

6.2 Water Balance The water balance54 consists of micro water balances for discrete operational areas of the water circuit

(detailed in Attachment F). The micro balances are summed to provide the overall water inputs and

outputs (Table 18). Water sources are rainfall on dams and disturbed areas, groundwater inflows to

underground mines and the potable water supply. Water is lost through product coal, the Bobadeen

irrigation scheme, dust suppression, evaporation, supply to external parties and potable water use.

Water in excess of operational needs is discharged from licenced discharge points. Groundwater

inflow to the underground workings is estimated to average 16.2 ML/day.55

53 Reference condition 34, Schedule 3 of the Project Approval, DA113‐12‐98, EA 2009, EPL394. 54 In accordance with Condition 34, Schedule 3 of the PA08_0184 55 Water balance period 29 June 2014 to 27 June 2015


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Table 18 Water Balance Annual Calculation

Water Balance Period56 Total Inputs57 Total Outputs58 Net Water Balance59

1 July 2014 to 30 June 2015 8061ML

(22.1 ML/day)

‐9617 ML

(‐26.4 ML/day)

‐1556 ML

(‐4.27 ML/day)

6.2.1 Compliance with Water Extraction Licence Water Balance indicates total groundwater extraction of 5943ML for the 2015 water year (1 July 2014

to 30 June 2015), of which;

5289 ML was extracted from groundwater within the Goulburn River sub‐catchment of the

Hunter Catchment under groundwater licence 20BL17387260 (licenced extraction limit 7060

ML)

654 ML was extracted from groundwater within the Sydney Basin of the Murray Darling

Basin (MDB) Groundwater Source61 under water access licence WAL37887 (extraction limit

750 ML)

6.2.2 Water Discharge Water treatment and discharge facilities were operated in accordance with EPL 394 during the

reporting period. The discharges were from:

The Bobadeen Irrigation Scheme (BIS); 62

The Bobadeen Water Treatment Facility (BTWF);63 and

The North West Sediment Dam Water Treatment Facility (NWSDWTF).64

Millers Dam, Effluent Storage Dam and Truckfill Dam licensed discharge points did not operate in

2015. Table 19 provides an overview of water extracted and discharged volumes.

56 Water balance period 29 June 2014 to 27 June 2015 57 Includes rainfall, seepage from groundwater, coal and spoil, groundwater and water from dewatering bores and

runoff/drainage from tailings. 58 Includes water used in the CHPP, dust suppression, irrigation, licensed discharge, evaporation, moisture bound to coal,

rejects and tailings, onsite potable water use and seepage to spoil. 59 Total inputs less total outputs. 60 Licensed under Water Act 1912, Part 5, allocation of 7060ML in any 12 month period beginning 1 July 61 within the NSW Murray Darling Basin Porous Rock groundwater sources Water Sharing Plan 62 The BIS (commissioned 2003) utilises five central irrigating pivots to irrigate approximately 242ha of pasture. 63 The BWTF (commissioned 2006) uses microfiltration and reverse osmosis water treatment and discharges to EPL 394 LDP 6. 64 The North West Sediment Dam WTF (initially commissioned April 2011) uses a reverse osmosis water treatment process and

discharges to EPL394 LDP19. Commissioning of the expanded NWSDWTF occurred on the 28 October 2014.


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Table 19 2015 Extraction/Discharge Volumes

Location

Licence Limit (ML/year) Extracted^/Discharged^^ Volume

(ML/year)

Surface Water

Effluent Storage Dam (LDP1) 31 0

Millers Dam (LDP2) 219 0

Rowans Dam (LDP3) 3,650a 0

Truckfill Dam (LDP4) 730 0

Discharge to Ulan Creek (LDP 6) 5,475a 1921.17^^

Discharge to Ulan Creek (LDP 19) 10,950a 4196.96^^

Discharge through irrigation scheme (BIS) 1,694* 1260.34^^

Moolarben Dam ‐ Riparian Flows 221 116.3

Moolarben Dam ‐ Water Use 600 0

Groundwater

PB1C 180c 48^

Total groundwater extraction 7060c 5895d

Notes: a The combined annual discharge from LDP3, LDP6 and LDP19 must not exceed 10950 ML/year. c 2015 Financial year

reporting period 20BL173821. d Annual water balance calculation ^extracted ^^discharged *Limit is based on modelling

maximum discharge of 7 ML/ha/yr over 242 ha.

6.3 Surface Water Monitoring Results The Surface Water Monitoring Program (ULN SD PLN 0055) (SWMP)65 details surface water

monitoring to measure and assess changes in stream health (including base flows) and channel

stability that could be attributable to mining activities. The locations of for surface water (SW)

monitoring and Licenced Discharge Point (LDP) sites are shown in Figure 10. The assessment criteria

and trigger values for SWs and LDPs are provided in Table 20 and Table 21 respectively. The results

from the SWMP are discussed below, for details on parameters sampled, sampling method and

sampling frequency of each monitoring site see Attachment C.

65 Condition 34, Schedule 3 of the PA08_0184 and EPL 394, plan approved by DP&E on 29 September 2011, a component of the

WMP (ULN SD PLN 0017).


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Table 20 Adopted Trigger Values for Key Water Quality Parameters

Water Quality

Variable

Goulburn

River

Upstream

(SW01)

Goulburn River

Downstream

(SW02)

Talbragar

River3

(SW09)

Watercourses

flowing to

Goulburn River4

Watercourses

flowing to

Talbragar River6

pH 6.5 - 8.01 6.4 to 8.13 6.5 – 8.55 6.5 – 8.06 6.5 – 8.05

EC (μS/cm) 6802 8542 125 – 22005 30 – 3506 30 – 3505

TSS (mg/L) 1112 532 507 507 507

Notes: 1 ANZECC (2000) default trigger value range for lowland east flowing coastal rivers in NSW

2 80th percentile based on historical data for the Goulburn River

3 Range within Historical data for Goulburn River Downstream 4 SW02 is downstream of the Ulan Mine Complex and as such water quality at this location can be influenced by

other developments in the catchment outside of UCML influence. 5 Interim trigger values based on ANZECC (2000) default trigger values for lowland rivers in NSW. Site‐specific

trigger values will be developed as monitoring data becomes available. 6 Interim trigger values based on ANZECC (2000) default trigger values for upland rivers in NSW. Site‐specific

trigger values will be developed as monitoring data becomes available. 7 Interim trigger values based on Volume 1 of Managing Urban Stormwater: Soils and Construction (Landcom, 2004).

8 Sites SW10 and SW11

Shaded cells are interim values, selected until site‐specific levels can be determined.

Table 21 EPL 394 Concentration Limits for Licensed Discharge Points

Location (LDP)

Discharge Limits

Iron

(mg/L)

Conductivity (S/cm)

Oil &

Grease

(mg/L)

pH Zinc

mg/L

TSS

mg/L

Volume

kL/ day

50th

Percentile

100th

Percentile

Effluent Storage

Dam 1 ‐ ‐ 810 ‐

6.5‐

8.5 ‐ ‐ 85

Millers Dam 2 5 ‐ 900 10 6.5‐

8.5 5 50 600

Rowans Dam to

Ulan Creek 3 5 800 900 10

6.5‐

8.5 5 50 10000^

Truckfill Dam 4 5 ‐ 900 10 6.5‐

8.5 5 50 2000

Bobadeen WTF 6 ‐ 800 900 ‐ 6.5‐

8.5 ‐ 50 15000^

Goulburn River

Gauging Station

Downstream

18 ‐ ‐ 900 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐

North West

Sediment Dam

WTF

19 ‐ 800 900 ‐ 6.5‐

8.5 ‐ 50 30000^

Ulan West Box

Cut clean water 23 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐

Goulburn River

Gauging Station

Upstream

33 ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐ ‐

Note: ^ The combined daily discharge from LDP 3, 6 and 19 must not exceed 30,000 kL/day


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Figure 10 Surface Water Monitoring Network


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6.3.1 SW Monitoring sites SW01 and SW02 are monitored for pH and EC (μS/cm) via a continuous monitor and TSS collected

via monthly grab sample. Sites SW03 to SW11 are inspected monthly and following any rainfall

events greater than 20mm within 24 hours, if flow is present a grab sample is taken. Grab samples are

monitored for pH, EC (μS/cm), TSS (mg/L), TDS (mg/L) and Turbidity (NTU). The 2015 average,

maximum and minimum sampling result for each SW site are displayed in Table 22. Monitoring of

sites SW03 to SW11 commenced in October 2011 as required by the SWMP. The creeks in the vicinity

of the operation are ephemeral, thus flows are not always available for sampling.

Several improvements for monitoring capacity were made to Surface Water monitoring sites in 2015.

A flow monitoring station was installed at SW08, with SW04 and SW05 facilities currently under

construction. Automatic water samplers with flow monitoring capabilities were installed at sites

SW06, SW07, SW10 and SW11. A permanent gauging station was installed at SW09 on the Talbragar

River. Radio communications from the new equipment will establish real time monitoring at the sites.

The new equipment will assist in improving the quantity and quality of data obtained from the

surface water monitoring sites.

Table 22 2015 Sampling result Summary

SW Sites pH EC (µS/cm) TSS (mg/L)

Min Max Ave Min Max Ave Min Max Ave

SW01 6.5 7.1 6.9 230 849 494 <1 84 14

SW02 7.1 8.3 7.8 457 974 776 <1 7 2

SW03 7.1 7.9 7.7 585 1210 846 2 64 28

SW04 7.4 8.5 8.1 633 803 729 3 88 29

SW05 7.3 7.7 7.5 657 807 735 <1 10 4

SW062 6.1 7.8 7.0 93 663 378 30 30 30

SW07 6.8 7.4 7.2 163 274 207 82 178 119

SW08 ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

SW091 7.5 7.5 7.5 309 309 309 54 54 54

SW10 ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

SW11 ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ ^

Notes: Bold results are outside the adopted trigger values. SW01 and SW02 pH and EC from real time monitoring.^ Indicates

no results were obtained during the 2015 reporting period due to no flows in the creek at the time of sampling. 1One sample

obtained for SW09 on 13th November 2015. 2SW06 two samples collected during 2015, only one sampled for TSS.

SW01 is located in the Goulburn River upstream of operations, near the confluence of Moolarben

Creek and Sportsman Hollow Creek (Figure 10). SW01 is sampled at an existing level concrete

causeway crossing across the Goulburn River, at the end of Short Street in the Ulan Village. SW01 is

considered outside the influence of mining activities. The results (Table 22 & Figure 11) from the

surface water monitoring at SW01 indicate that:

Continuous water monitoring determined the daily average pH values remained within the

adopted trigger levels for pH.

Continuous water monitoring determined the daily average EC concentrations were above

the adopted trigger value of 680 μS/cm from 7‐8 November and 26 November‐21 December.

Maximum daily EC result of 849 μS/cm occurred on 21 December. The measured EC

readings are consistent with periods of drying and rainfall.


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The spike in EC on 7‐8 November occurred following a 13.7 mm rainfall event on 5

November which would have flushed pooled water from upstream to the monitoring site,

thus increasing the EC concentration.

There was a dry period from 15 November to 7 December resulting in increasing EC

concentration in the pooled water at the gauging station, refer to Figure 11. 15.6mm rain fell

on 8‐10 December and 6.2 mm on 16 December which resulted in a lower EC following these

events (EC still above trigger value) until 81.5 mm of rain was received on 22 December at

which time the EC level fell below the trigger value.

The 80th percentile 24 hour average EC concentration for the period March 2012 to February

2016 is 749 μS/cm. This suggests the trigger value of 680 μS/cm should be reviewed in line

with recent monitoring data in the next management plan review.

Water quality remained within the adopted trigger levels for TSS.

Figure 11 shows the reduced pH and EC values following the 22 December rainfall event.

Figure 11 (SW01) Goulburn River Upstream Monitoring Results

SW02 is located in the Goulburn River downstream of UCML’s activities and other non‐UCML

mining activities (Figure 10). The results from the surface water monitoring at SW02 (Table 22 &

Figure 12) indicate that:

Continuous water monitoring indicates that daily average pH was above the adopted trigger

value of pH 8.1 intermittently between 10‐16 August, 23 November to 4 December. The

highest result 8.27 occurred on 2nd December. Very low rainfall received from 25 July to 11

August. 3.4mm received on 12 August. There was a dry period from 15 November to 7

December resulting in increased pH in the pooled water at the gauging station, refer to

Figure 12. The average pH from the water discharged from LDP6 10‐16 August was pH 8.0

and pH 7.3 from LDP19. The average pH from the water discharged from LDP6 23

November to 4 December was pH 7.4 and pH 7.1 from LDP19. No influences for the higher

pH reading were identified.

5.50

5.70

5.90

6.10

6.30

6.50

6.70

6.90

7.10

7.30

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

900

pH

Ele

ctric

al C

ondu

ctiv

ity µ

S/cm

SW01 Upstream Goulburn River pH and EC

EC daily average pH daily average


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Continuous water monitoring indicates that daily average EC concentrations were above the

adopted trigger value of 900 μS/cm 28‐30 January 2015, daily averages were 974 μS/cm, 973

μS/cm and 918 μS/cm. The average EC from the water discharged 27‐30 January from LDP6

was 819μS/cm, and LDP19 was 830μS/cm. 19.7 mm rain received 27 January. There were no

other influences identified that may have contributed to the higher EC readings;

Water quality remained within the adopted trigger levels for TSS.

River flow monitoring during the reporting period (Figure 13) captured a daily peak flow of

84.6 ML on 18 June 2015 (combined discharge from LDP6 & LDP19 was 15.7 ML) coinciding

with a total of 50.4 mm of rain between 16/06/2015 and 18/06/2015, while the average daily

flow was 18.1 ML.

Figure 12 (SW02) Goulburn River Downstream Monitoring Results

Figure 13 (SW02) Goulburn River Downstream Flow

5.50

6.00

6.50

7.00

7.50

8.00

8.50

400

500

600

700

800

900

1000

1100

pH

Ele

ctric

al C

ondu

ctiv

ity µ

S/cm

SW02 Downstream Goulburn River pH and EC

EC daily average pH daily average

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

80

90

Flo

w m

egal

itres

(M

L)

SW02 Goulburn River Downstream Flow


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SW03 is located in Ulan Creek (Figure 10), approximately 15 m upstream of LDP6 and sampled at a

semi‐permanent pool within the creek. Ulan Creek is a forth order stream flowing in a southerly then

easterly direction, though the Project Approval boundary before joining the Goulburn River. Ulan

Creek is an ephemeral creek system with flows occurring during storm events or after prolonged

rainfall. Downstream from SW03, creek flows are augmented by discharge from LDP6. The results

from surface water monitoring at SW03 (Table 22) indicate:

Measured pH was within adopted trigger levels.

Measured EC exceeded adopted trigger value of 350 μS/cm for all samples in 2015. The

maximum EC from collected sampled was 1210 μS/cm recorded on 23 October 2015 during

low flow conditions. The semi‐permanent pool of water at SW03 is susceptible to pH and EC

fluctuations depending on the flow regime at the time of sampling.

Measured TSS concentrations generally remained within the adopted trigger levels for TSS,

with the exception of two results, 64 mg/L recorded on 27 January and 21 April 2015. 19.7

mm rain received 27 January and 25.1 mm 21 April (additional 33.4 mm from 18‐20 April).

In both cases the TSS value of the next sample taken was less than 50 mg/L and therefore

there was no trigger for an investigation.

23 samples of flowing water have been collected from SW03 to date, 22 of these samples have

an EC concentration greater than the trigger value of 350 μS/cm (range 585 ‐ 1210 μS/cm).

Once 24 samples have been collected site specific trigger values will be developed for SW03.

Average pH, EC and TSS results for SW03 in 2015 are generally consistent with the historical

average (Figures 14, 15 & 16).

Figure 14: Comparison 2015 to Historic Average pH Monitoring Results

4.0

4.5

5.0

5.5

6.0

6.5

7.0

7.5

8.0

8.5

SW03 SW04 SW05 SW06 SW07 SW08 SW09 SW10 SW11

pH

2015 Average pH Historic pH (2011-2014)


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Figure 15: Comparison 2015 to Historic Average EC Monitoring Results

Figure 16: Comparison 2015 to Historic Average TSS Monitoring Results

SW04 is located in Ulan Creek approximately 3.7 km downstream from LDP6 at Old Ulan (Figure 10).

Excluding significant rain events, water flows at SW04 are augmented entirely by discharges from

LDP6. The results from surface water monitoring at SW04 (Table 22) indicate:

Measured pH was within the trigger levels.

Measured EC exceeded the trigger value of 300 μS/cm for all samples obtained in 2015; however

all concentrations were below the LDP6 discharge limit of 900 μS/cm which is the primary water

source for Ulan Creek downstream of LDP6.

One sample exceeded the trigger value for TSS; 88 mg/L on 24 August 2015. The TSS value from

the next sample taken was less than 50 mg/L and therefore there was no trigger for an investigation.

Adopted trigger values for SW04 will be modified in the next management plan review to reflect

water quality limits for LDP6 (pH: 6.5 – 8.5 and EC 900 μS/cm as per EPL394) as this is the primary

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water source for this monitoring site within the Ulan Creek. 15 samples of flowing water have been

collected from SW04 to date.

Average pH and EC results for SW04 in 2015 are generally higher than the historical average,

however they are generally consistent with 2014 results. The higher water quality results in recent

years can be explained through changes in the LDP6 discharge with more frequent discharge events

at a consistently higher average EC concentration (Figures 14 & 15).

SW05 is located in Ulan Creek approximately 4 km downstream from SW04 at an internal causeway

crossing (Figure 10). SW05 is approximately 900 m upstream of LDP3 and approximately 2 km from

joining the Goulburn River. Excluding significant rain events, water flows at SW05 are augmented

entirely by discharges from LD6. The results from surface water monitoring at SW05 (Table 22)

indicate:

Measured pH and TSS concentrations were within the adopted trigger levels.

Measured EC exceeded the trigger value of 300 μS/cm for all samples obtained in 2015; however

all concentrations were below the LDP6 discharge limit of 900 μS/cm which is the primary water

source for Ulan Creek downstream of LDP6.

Adopted trigger values for SW05 will be modified in the next management plan review to reflect

water quality limits for LDP6 (pH: 6.5 – 8.5 and EC 900 μS/cm as per EPL394) as this is the primary

water source for this monitoring site within the Ulan Creek. 22 samples of flowing water have been

collected from SW05 to date.

Average pH and EC results for SW05 in 2015 are generally higher than the historical average,

however they are generally consistent with 2014 results. The higher water quality results in recent

years can be explained through changes in the LDP6 discharge with more frequent discharge events

at a consistently higher average EC concentration (Figures 14 & 15).

SW06 is located in Spring Gully (off Pleuger Road) and is a second order, ephemeral stream passing

through remote bushland in the eastern section of the Project Approval boundary (Figure 10). Spring

Gully joins Bobadeen Creek outside the Project Approval boundary, approximately 350 m upstream

of its confluence with the Goulburn River. 9 samples of flowing water have been collected from SW06

to date, 2 of these samples were collected in 2015. TSS and pH values of 2015 samples were within

adopted trigger values (Table 22), the EC concentration of one sample on 17/06/2015 exceeded the

trigger value with a result 663 μS/cm. Once 24 samples have been collected site specific trigger values

will be developed for SW06.

SW07 is located in Bobadeen Creek, a fourth order stream flowing through cleared grazing land in

the north‐eastern section of the Project Approval boundary (Figure 10). The creek flows in a south‐

easterly direction towards the Goulburn River. The creek is ephemeral and generally experiences low

flows, with pools of permanent or semi‐permanent water present in the downstream reaches. The

results from surface water monitoring at SW07 (Table 22) indicate:

Measured pH and EC were within adopted trigger levels.

Measured TSS concentrations exceeded the adopted trigger levels for TSS on four occasions, with

a maximum concentration of 178 mg/L on 13 November. 34.4 mm rain received on 12 November

and 5.3 mm on 13 November. The elevated TSS coincides with natural flow events and is consistent

with previous levels recorded after rainfall events.

15 samples of flowing water have been collected from SW07 to date, once 24 samples have been

collected site specific trigger values will be developed.


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Average pH and EC results for SW07 in 2015 are relatively consistent with the historical average

(Figures 14, 15 & 16).

SW08 is located at the upper reach of Curra Creek, a third order, ephemeral stream, which flows only

during storm events or after prolonged rainfall, typically in a southerly direction in the very north‐

eastern section of the Project Approval boundary, upstream of the influence of mining activities,

before joining with Bobadeen Creek (Figure 10). No flows occurred in Curra Creek at the times of

sampling in 2015. 2 samples of flowing water have been collected from SW08 to date. A flow

monitoring station was installed at SW08 in 2015.

SW09 is located in the Talbragar River, a Category 3 stream and a tributary of the Macquarie River on

the western side of the Great Dividing Range (Figure 10), within the Murray‐Darling Basin

catchment. The Talbragar River flows in a south‐westerly direction across the north‐western corner

of the Project Approval boundary area and outside mining activities. The results of analysis of 2015

surface water samples from SW09 (Table 22) indicates:

One sample was obtained from SW09 in 2015 on 13 November 2015, results pH 7.5, EC

concentration 309 μS/cm and TSS 54 mg/L. 34 mm of rain was received on 12 November 2015.

14 samples of flowing water have been collected from SW09 to date, once 24 samples have been

collected site specific trigger values will be developed.

SW10 is located within Mona Creek, a fourth order, ephemeral stream which flows through cleared

grazing land in the north‐western section of the Project Approval boundary, outside the influence of

mining activities in a north‐westerly direction, towards the Talbragar River (Figure 10). Flows in

Mona Creek are triggered during storm events or after prolonged rainfall and pools of permanent or

semi‐permanent water are present in the downstream reaches. No flows occurred in Curra Creek at

the times of sampling in 2015. 4 samples of flowing water have been collected from SW10 to date. An

automatic water sampler with flow monitoring capability was installed at SW10 in 2015.

SW11 is located in Cockabutta Creek, a second order, ephemeral stream, which is not subject to the

influence of mining activities, flowing in a westerly direction towards the Talbragar River, passing

through bushland and rural allotments in the western section of the Project Approval boundary

(Figure 10). No flows occurred in Cockabutta Creek at the times of sampling in 2015. 2 samples of

flowing water have been collected from SW11 to date. An automatic water sampler with flow

monitoring capability was installed at SW11 in 2015.

6.3.2 EPL Licensed Discharge Monitoring Table 23 displays the 2015 discharge volumes and water monitoring results for EPL 394 LDPs.

There were no discharges from LDP1 (Millers Dam), LDP2 (Effluent Dams) LDP3 (V‐notch weir plate

at the end of the discharge channel at Rowans Dam) or LDP4 (Truckfill Dam) during the reporting

period.

LDP6 is located at the pipe outlet into Ulan Creek from the Bobadeen Water Treatment Facility. The

maximum daily discharge volume of 13,077 KL/day was below the discharge limit of 15,000 KL/day


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(Table 23). LDP6 had an average daily discharge volume of 6,789 KL/day. All pH, EC and TSS

concentrations were within EPL394 concentrations limits.

LDP19 is located at the pipe outlet discharging blended product water from the Northwest Sediment

Dam Water Treatment Facility into Ulan Creek. The maximum daily discharge volume of

16,474KL/day (Table 23) was below the allowable discharge limit of 30,000 KL/day, with an average

daily discharge volume of 11,530 KL/day. All pH, EC and TSS concentrations were within EPL 394

concentrations limits.

The combined daily discharge limit for LDP6 and LDP19 is 30,000KL/day, the maximum combined

discharge volume in 2015 was on 27,945 ML on 24 July 2015.


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Table 23: EPL Licensed Discharge Monitoring Results

LDP LDP LDP LDP LDP LMP LDP LDP LMP

1 2 3 4 6 18 (SW02) 19 23 33 (SW01)

Volume Min 0.0 306^ 0.0 *

(Kilolitres) Max ND ND ND ND 13077 84584^ 16474 ND *

Ave 5263 18053^ 11499 *

pH Min 7.2 7.1 6.8 6.5^

Max ND ND ND ND 8.2 8.3 7.4 ND 7.07^

Ave 7.8 7.8 7.2 6.86^

EC Min 676 457 663 230

(μS/cm) Max ND ND ND ND 856 974 851 ND 849

Ave 790 776 788 494

O&G Min * * * * *

(mg/L) Max ND ND ND ND * * * * *

Ave * * * * *

Zn Min * * * * *


Ave * * * * *

TSS Min <1 <1 <1 *

(mg/L) Max ND ND ND ND 9 7.0 22 ND *

Ave 4 1.7 2 *

BOD Min * * * * * * * *

(mg/L) Max ND * * * * * * * *

Ave * * * * * * * *

Iron Min * * * * *


Ave * * * * *

N Min * * * * * * * *

(mg/L) Max ND * * * * * * * *

Ave * * * * * * * *

P Min * * * * * * * *

(mg/L) Max ND * * * * * * * *

Ave * * * * * * * *

Turbidity Min * * * * 0 * 0 * *

(NTU) Max * * * * 15 * 13 * *

Ave * * * * 4 * 2 * *

Notes: ^Data not required by EPL394. Daily averages for pH, Turbidity and EC are calculated at LDP6, LDP19, LMP18 and

LMP33. No Discharges (ND). LMP18 is the same sites as SW02 Downstream Goulburn River. LMP33 is the same site as SW01

Upstream Goulburn River.


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6.4 Channel Stability Monitoring Channel stability monitoring as required by the SWMP, subsidence monitoring programs and

PA08_0184, is completed annually. Channel stability monitoring along sections of Ulan Creek,

Bobadeen Creek and flow lines above Ulan West longwall panels were completed (Figure 19) in

December 2015 (Attachment G) and build on previous monitoring.

Monitoring targets specific reaches of the above mentioned creeks proposed to be undermined in the

next 12 months and those undermined in the previous 24 months. The monitoring involves an

observational survey of each stream which provides a description of locations and dimensions of

significant erosive or depositional features and photographs recorded at monitoring points in

representative locations.

The results from the creek stability monitoring in 2015 concluded:

Ulan West Flowline 4: Flow Line 4 is a tributary to Ulan Creek and flows across the Ulan

West mine plan in an easterly direction into Ulan Creek. The lower reaches of Flow Line 4 (i.e.

Sites 1 to 4) were either stable or potential stabilising. Site 1 is characterised by rock bars in the

channel and rock embankments. Upstream from Site 5, bank stability is characterised with

sections of unstable banks, a defined creek channel and occasional flood debris, indicating high

velocity flows occur in these locations. Site 7 scored the lowest score with evidence of active

bank erosion. There were no obvious signs of subsidence induced surface impacts (e.g.

cracking) at Sites 5 to Site 8 as a result of longwall mining LW1 and LW2.

Ulan West Flowline 2: Flow Line 2 is a tributary to Ulan Creek and flows across the Ulan

West mine to the east, before turning south east into Ulan Creek. All four sites surveyed scored

above 22, indicating they were stable. There were no obvious signs of subsidence induced

surface impacts (e.g. cracking) at Site 2 and Site 3 as a result of longwall mining LW1 and LW2

respectively.

Ulan Creek: As in previous years, the 2015 results indicate a range of creek stability scores

(Figure 17), with 35 sites potentially stabilising and/or stable, while the remaining 21 sites

recorded active erosion. Sites 9 to 20a creek stability scores were influenced by the actions of

feral pigs, undermining sections of the creek foraging for food and therefore having a

destabilising effect on the shape and aspect ratio of drainage line.


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Figure 17 Ulan West Creek Stability Monitoring

Source: 2015 Creek Stability Monitoring Report (Pacific Environmental 2015)

Bobadeen Creek: As in previous years, the 2015 results indicate a range of creek stability scores

(Figure 18), with 8 sites potentially stabilising and/or stable. The remaining 6 sites scores

indicate active and/or very active erosion (i.e. sites 4, 6, 7, 10, 12 & 13) present. The lower scores

can be attributed to impacts from cattle grazing pressure, resulting in little or no vegetation

growing on the creek line floor and walls. Stock continually crossing the creek is potentially

contributing to destabilising the shape and aspect ratio of the creek line. Grazing cattle utilise

all areas within and adjacent to the Bobadeen Creek monitoring sites throughout the year.

There were no obvious signs of subsidence surface cracking at sites 10 to 14 which are located

directly above LW27.

Figure 18 Bobadeen Creek Stability Monitoring Assessment Scores


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Figure 19 Creek Stability Monitoring Locations



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6.5 Stream Health Monitoring Results of stream health monitoring for the Goulburn River, Talbragar River, Ulan Creek, Bobadeen

Creek, Mona Creek and Cockabutta Creek (i.e. aquatic surveys) are summarised in Section 4.5.4.

6.6 Groundwater monitoring results The Groundwater Monitoring Program (GWMP) (ULN SD PLN 0056)66 describes the program to

monitor trends in groundwater levels and assess groundwater depressurisation and associated

groundwater inflows against modelled predictions and identify any impact on private licensed bores.

It includes monitoring of the following elements of the alluvial and hardrock/coal measures aquifers

in the region:

Alluvial, Triassic, coal seam and interburden aquifers;

Baseflows to the Goulburn and Talbragar Rivers and associated creeks;

Groundwater bores, springs and seeps on privately owned land; and

‘The Drip’, a groundwater dependant natural site, east of the operations.

Results of groundwater monitoring at the North Monitoring Network (NMN) (Figure 20) and the

Bobadeen Monitoring Network (BMN) (Figure 26) are summarised below. Groundwater monitoring

results are detailed in Attachment D.

North Monitoring Network (NMN) – A network of 54 environmental monitoring bores (including

piezometer “nests”) for routine groundwater monitoring. The NMN was established to monitor

groundwater levels and quality in the Permian Coal Measures and Mesozoic Sandstones within and

outside the mine lease. Locations, depths and monitored stratum vary accordingly. The NMN

comprises standpipe piezometers (SPs) and vibrating wire piezometers (VWP).

Groundwater levels in SPs are monitored quarterly (March, June, September, and December) and

water samples are collected from a subset of the SPs of the NMN annually67 for groundwater analysis.

Three SPs (R755A, PZ07C, and PZ08C) are also equipped with loggers (for high frequency monitoring

of water levels). The VWPs are downloaded during each quarterly monitoring event.

As at December 2015, the currently active NMN comprised 36 SPs (at 17 sites) and 75 VWPs (at 16

sites). This provides a total of 111 measurement points (at 33 sites) for total hydraulic head in the

subsurface.

Bobadeen Monitoring Network (BMN) – a group of nine existing piezometers at shallow depths (1

mbgl to 11.5 mbgl) provide monitoring for the Bobadeen Irrigation Scheme (BIS), groundwater levels

and quality are assessed quarterly (March, June, September, and December).

66 Condition 34, Schedule 3 of PA08_0184, a component of the WMP (ULN SD PLN 0017) 67 Note during the 2012 reporting period pH and EC monitoring occurred in June, now scheduled for March.


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6.6.1 North Monitoring Network NMN (Figure 20) groundwater level data indicates continuing falls in water levels due to mining.

The results support the continued expansion of a groundwater drawdown envelope around the goaf.

Exceptions are as follows:

The following piezometers do not appear to have been impacted by mining: PZ01A(Triassic),

PZ06C(Triassic), PZ09C(Triassic) and PZ09D(Jurassic), PZ14B(Triassic) and PZ14C(Jurassic),

PZ26C(Triassic) and PZ26D(Jurassic), PZ28A(Triassic) and PZ28B(Jurassic), DDH266‐

3(Triassic), and the upper three VWPs at TAL1. They are located further away from mining,

to the north, and are exclusive to the Mesozoic strata.

It is not known whether the following piezometers have been impacted by mining:

PZ12C(Triassic), DDH270‐3(Triassic), DDH271‐3(Triassic), and DDH336‐1(Triassic).

Piezometers PZ24A(Ulan Seam), PZ25A(Lower Permian), and PZ25B(Ulan Seam) show

trends of rising water levels since installation, with recent water level falls. Water levels at

these sites would have been impacted by mining before piezometer installation. The rising

water levels in the last few years are likely to be due to increasing water levels in the East Pit.

Water levels for the current quarter have decreased, probably in response to falling water

levels in the East Pit.

Piezometer R752(Basalt) shows trends for which the cause appears to be related to rainfall

recharge. The impact of undermining is unclear.

Observations at historic VWP sites DDH242 and R991 show that dry conditions occur over a

caved panel.

The interpreted hydraulic head surface for the Ulan Seam for December 2015 (Figure 21) indicates

that the groundwater flow direction in the Ulan Seam is mainly towards the No.3 Underground

workings, with some influence from the initial part of the Ulan West main headings. The maximum

measured drawdown in any of the Ulan Seam piezometers over 2015 was 3.2 m at PZ09B (located to

the north of the longwalls). The maximum drawdown in the seam is expected to be adjacent to the

goaf areas created in 2015. The data do not cover the mined panels, and data coverage begins some

distance beyond the edge of the goaf. The majority of the drawdown in the worked seam is

experienced in advance of mining.

The interpreted hydraulic head surface for the quartzose facies of the Triassic Wollar Sandstone for

December 2015 has remained relatively similar over the last few years, except in close proximity to

the workings. The maximum measured drawdown over this period was 1.2 m at PZ07C (located

north of the main workings). Drawdown during 2015 is assessed to have been about 1 m at an

average distance of about 1 km from the workings (Figure 22).

The interpreted hydraulic head surface for the lithic facies of the Triassic Wollar Sandstone for

December 2015 has also remained relatively similar over the last few years, except in close proximity

to the workings. Drawdown is greater than for the overlying quartzose facies due to smaller distance

between the lithic Wollar Sandstone facies and the Ulan Seam. The maximum measured drawdown

over this period was 4.1 m at PZ10A (located over the main headings). Drawdown during 2015 is

assessed to have been about 1 m at an average distance of about 5 km from the workings (Figure 23).

The overall groundwater character for the strata of the NMN has not changed over the last decade.

Averages of EC measurements collected since 2001 indicate that the Triassic contains lower salinity


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water than the Jurassic or the Ulan Seam (Permian). The Triassic has about half the salinity of the

Ulan seam, however both strata have lower salinities than the Jurassic.

The groundwater types remain unchanged between the 2014 and 2015 monitoring rounds. The

character of groundwater in the basalt is separate to other groups and is dominated by bicarbonate.

Goaf water shows the results of aeration of the coal measures as indicated by comparatively elevated

sulphate concentrations.

A Piper plot of groundwater chemistry (Figure 24) using laboratory analytical results for September

2015 (including previous years since 2001 inclusive) indicates two major types of water character in

the strata of the NMN:

Upper Wollar Sandstone (Triassic) (Calcium / Magnesium type).

Lower Wollar Sandstone and Permian Coal Measures (Sodium / Bicarbonate type).

Water quality Results for selected Wollar Sandstone piezometers are indicated on Figure 25.


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Figure 20 Groundwater North Monitoring Network


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Figure 21 Hydraulic Heads in the Ulan Seam for December 2015 and

Drawdown in the Ulan Seam Over the 2015 Calendar Year


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for December 2015 and Drawdown in the Facies Over the 2015 Calendar Year


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Figure 24 Piper Plot NMN Water Chemistry


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Figure 25 EC, pH, and Sulphate Vs Time at Selected Wollar Sandstone Piezometers

6.6.2 Observed and Predicted Groundwater Inflows and Levels

The model developed by Mackie Environmental Research is used to estimate future groundwater

inflows to the Ulan No.3 and the Ulan West underground mines. Modelled inflows to the No.3 and

Ulan West underground mines are similar to the inflows reported in the water balance assessment

(Figure 26). The average groundwater inflow to the Ulan underground mines for the period 4 January

2015 to 26 December 2015 was estimated as 15.7 ML/day for the No.3 Underground and 2.2 ML/day

for Ulan West (Coffey 2016, Attachment F).


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Figure 26 Comparison of Modelled and Calculated Groundwater Inflows to the Underground

Comparison of predicted piezometric trends from the regional groundwater flow model and

measured trends in piezometers indicates the model is either predicting trends that correlate with

field observations, or is over‐predicting the rate of depressurisation of the different strata.

6.6.3 Private Water Bore Study Thirty private bores were gauged in the 2015 private water bore survey which comprised acquiring

bore coordinates (where required), bore water level (where access was authorised), observation of

fittings and evaluation of bore use. A sample was taken from bores where possible and analysed for

pH and EC. Monitoring indicates water levels and chemistry are stable within the monitored private

bores.

6.6.4 The Drip Monitoring Program The EA groundwater modelling68 indicated that no impacts are predicted to occur to ‘The Drip’ as a

result of UCML mining operations, which are moving northward and westward away from ’The

Drip’. A minimal impact monitoring strategy was prepared in consultation with Mackie

Environmental Research Pty Ltd and the DP&E69 to confirm the EA prediction.70 Hydro geochemical

monitoring since December 2012 (Attachment D) indicates that an active rainfall recharge regime

occurs, although a longer period of sampling is required to resolve the lag times and to confirm a

68 MER, 2009 69 DP&E Director‐General approval of revised monitoring program approved (13 June 2013) 70 PA08_0184, Schedule 3, 39 (d)


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recharge‐dilution relationship. Pore pressure monitoring is needed to provide a quantitative

assessment of the impacts of mining on the Drip.71

The Drip monitoring piezometer was installed and data collection has commenced. The results of

groundwater pore pressure monitoring and hydro geochemical assessment will be reported in the

2016 annual review.

6.6.5 Baseflow Offsets Significantly greater quantities of water are discharged to the Goulburn River catchment72 at EPL 394

LDP6 and LDP19 (Section 6.2.2) than the estimated 0.05 ML/day73 lost from baseflow of the Goulburn

River catchment.74

Baseflow losses from the Talbragar River catchment75 have not yet been observed based on levels in

wells to the North West of the Ulan West operations on the Southern side of the Talbragar River.

Mackie Environment Research estimates baseflow losses in the Talbragar catchment will commence

in 2019 at 0.135 ML/day in that water year, rising to 0.2 ML/day. UCML will apply for a Water Access

Licence (WAL) for the Talbragar Alluvial Water Source in 2016 and seek to obtain allocations through

the market over the 2017 and 2018 water years.

6.6.6 Bobadeen Monitoring Network Monitoring of the BMN (Figure 28) during the reporting period indicates:

Water levels showed small changes (Figure 27), except at IMW05 (southeast boundary of P1 to

P4) where significant fluctuation typically occurs.

pH over the last few quarters has increased slightly overall. pH over the past year shows a

rising trend.

EC over the last few quarters has increased overall. Overall EC has fallen markedly since 2003.

In the last quarter, sulphate concentrations decreased slightly overall. Over the past year,

concentrations appear approximately stable.

Sodium concentration over the last few quarters has increased slightly, overall. Over the year,

sodium has followed the same trend as EC. Sodium and EC are highly correlated.

In the last quarter, iron concentrations have showed no consistent trend. Over the last year,

iron concentration has decreased overall. Its typical behaviour is oscillation between 0.1 and

1000 mg/L. Historically, iron concentrations have fluctuated significantly between these

bounds.

In the last quarter, potassium concentrations have decreased overall. Over the past year,

potassium concentrations have been approximately stable.

There is a relationship between the cumulative residual of rain plus irrigation and groundwater levels

for piezometers IMW06 (Figure 29) and IMW07 (both located on the southern perimeter of the Pivot 1

71 Mackie Environmental Research, 2016 72 Goulburn River – within the area defined for the Water Sharing Plan for the Hunter Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2009 73 based on consistency of observed levels in Jurassic and Triassic strata with modelled prediction 74 PA08_0184, Schedule 3, condition 29 Proponent must offset the loss of any baseflow losses. 75 Talbragar River – within the area defined for the Talbragar Alluvial Groundwater Source, part of the Water Sharing Plan for

the Macquarie Bogan Unregulated and Alluvial Water Sources 2012


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to Pivot 4 irrigation area). This indicates that the groundwater levels are controlled in the long term by

applied irrigation and rainfall, with water flowing into and out of aquifer storage according to the rain

plus irrigation pattern.

A negative correlation exists between EC at Pivots 1 to 4 and the cumulative residual of rainfall plus

irrigation. The inverse correlation suggests that as rainfall and irrigation increase, aquifer EC decreases

by dilution.

Figure 27 Bobadeen Measured Groundwater Levels


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Figure 28 Groundwater Bobadeen Piezometer Monitoring Network


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Figure 29 Comparison of Variations in Rainfall and Irrigation at Pivot 1 to Pivot 4

and Variations in EC at IMW06


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7 Rehabilitation

7.1 Mine Rehabilitation Domains The conceptual mine closure plan for the eventual decommissioning and rehabilitation of the site

articulates rehabilitation objectives of a stable and sustainable post mining land use. The site is

divided into a number of conceptual units or ‘rehabilitation domains’ that focus on the treatment of

like areas. Domains are assigned based on location, type of land disturbance and remedial aspects.

Table 25 provides a list of the site rehabilitation domains which are shown in Figure 29.

Table 24 Site Rehabilitation Domains

Domain ID Domain name Contains LOM

infrastructure

Disturbed by

Open Cut

Mining

Rehabilitation

present for

monitoring

1 Underground Mine Drift and Facilities Area

2 Open Cut Administration and Workshop

Area

3 Coal Handling and Preparation Plant Area

4 Water Management Dams

5a & 5b Ulan No. 3 & Ulan West ROM handling

7a North South Pit Rehabilitation Area

7b Open Cut Extension

8 East Pit Rehabilitation Area

10 Screen Area Adjacent to Ulan Road

11 Underground Area (Surface) and Buffer

Lands

12 Bobadeen Irrigation Area

13 Barrier Pit Area

14 Goulburn River Diversion #

Notes: #Review of the remediation monitoring program within the Goulburn River Diversion Remediation Project will be

undertaken prior to the 2016 monitoring implementation.

7.2 Rehabilitation of Disturbed Land The Integrated Mining Operations Plan (MOP)76 details the proposed mining, processing and

rehabilitation of disturbed areas. Section 5 of the MOP provides proposed final rehabilitation plan77.

The primary objective of rehabilitation and revegetation of the post‐mining disturbance areas, in

particular the open cut disturbance area, will be to create a stable final landform, being self‐sustaining

native vegetation communities characteristic of the pre‐mining composition, with a post mining

landuse capability Class VI landscape.

76 As required by mining lease conditions under the Mining Act 1992 77 Rehabilitation Management Plan (RMP) required by Condition 57, Schedule 3 of the PA08_0184.


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No rehabilitation of disturbed land was undertaken during the 2015 reporting period as there were no

areas available for rehabilitation. No open cut operations were undertaken in 2015, Strip 9 and the

southern extension of Strip 8 remain uncovered ready for open cut operations to commence again if

required, and rehabilitation up to the existing mining area was completed in 2014. Table 26 presents a

summary of current rehabilitation and disturbance areas.

Table 25 Rehabilitation and Disturbance Summary

2014 (ha) 2015 (ha) 2016 Forecast (ha)

A. Total mine

footprint78 1263.12 1263.12 1264.36

B. Total Active

disturbance79 678.76 678.76 680

C. Land being

prepared for

rehabilitation80

0 0 0

D. Land under active

rehabilitation81 584.36 584.36 584.36

E. completed

rehabilitation82 0 0 0

78 Total mine footprint includes all areas within a mining lease that either have at some point in time or continue to pose a

rehabilitation liability due to mining and associated activities. As such it is the sum of total active disturbance,

decommissioning, landform establishment, growth medium development, ecosystem establishment, ecosystem development

and relinquished lands (as defined in DRE MOP/RMP Guidelines). Please note that subsidence remediation areas are excluded. 79 Total active disturbance includes all areas ultimately requiring rehabilitation such as: on‐lease exploration areas, stripped

areas ahead of mining, infrastructure areas, water management infrastructure, sewage treatment facilities, topsoil stockpile

areas, access tracks and haul roads, active mining areas, waste emplacements (active/unshaped/in or out‐of‐pit), and

tailings dams (active/unshaped/uncapped). 80 Land being prepared for rehabilitation – includes the sum of mine disturbed land that is under the following rehabilitation

phases – decommissioning, landform establishment and growth medium development (as defined in DRE MOP/RMP

Guidelines). 81 Land under active rehabilitation ‐ includes areas under rehabilitation and being managed to achieve relinquishment –

includes the following rehabilitation phases as described in the DRE MOP/RMP Guidelines – “ecosystem and land use

establishment” (area seeded OR surface developed in accordance with final land use) and “ecosystem and land use

sustainability” (revegetation assessed as showing signs of trending towards relinquishment OR infrastructure development) 82 Completed rehabilitation – requires formal sign‐off by DRE that the area has successfully met the rehabilitation land use

objectives and completion criteria.


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Figure 30 Mine Rehabilitated Areas


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7.3 2015 Rehabilitation Review Table 27 provides a status review of Rehabilitation Domains with rehabilitation present for monitoring, for the 2015 reporting period. Table 27 must be read

in conjunction with The Rehabilitation Status Review (RSR) provided in Attachment I. The RSR was originally developed for the 2012 AR to collate

historical information of previous mining, rehabilitation methodologies and monitoring results, including landscape function analysis, flora and fauna

monitoring and rehabilitation reviews.

Table 26 2015 Review of Rehabilitation Domains

Reporting Requirements for

Rehabilitation of Disturbed

Land

Assessment Against Reporting Requirements

Domain 7a: North South Pit

Rehabilitation Area

Domain 7b: Open Cut

Extension

Domain 8: East Pit

Rehabilitation Area Domain 13: Barrier Pit Area Domain 14

Variations in activities

undertaken to those proposed

in the MOP.

No variations No variations83 No variations No variations In accordance with the revised

Goulburn River Diversion

Remediation Plan.

83 Ulan Surface Operations are did not undertake open cut mining activities during the 2015 calendar year.


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Land



Rehabilitation Area

Domain 7b: Open Cut

Extension

Domain 8: East Pit


Agreed post rehabilitation

landuse and whether that

land use has been achieved at

this point of time

Good progression towards the

agreed final land use of

ecological linkages with

adjacent non‐disturbed areas.

A number of areas with well‐

established eucalypt and acacia

species. However, there are

areas requiring various

remediation measures (see

below for details).

Approximately 218 ha of

Domain 7a has been

rehabilitated.


Domain 7a is utilised for

infrastructure, scheduled to

remain for the life of the mine

e.g. Ulan West Box Cut.

Domain 7b contains the Open

Cut Extension Area. In

accordance with the approved

mining schedule in the MOP,

only a portion of South 6 Dump

within this Domain was

rehabilitated in 2014.

A significant portion of the

Domain remains disturbed for

open cut mining activities.

Approximately 6.5 ha of

Domain 7b has been

rehabilitated.


Domain 7b will be utilised for

the Open Cut Extension Area.

There is substantial progression

towards the agreed final land

use of ecological linkages with

adjacent non‐disturbed areas at

a number of areas within

Domain 8. However, there are

significant areas requiring

various remediation measures.


Domain 8 has been rehabilitated.

Approximately 51 ha of Domain

8 is utilised for infrastructure,

scheduled to remain for the life

of the mine e.g. Tailings & reject

emplacement, conveyors etc

Good progression towards the

agreed final land use of

ecological linkages with

adjacent non‐disturbed areas.

However, there are areas

requiring various remediation

measures.


Domain 13 has been

rehabilitated.


Domain 13 is utilised for

infrastructure, scheduled to

remain for the life of the mine

e.g. Coarse reject

emplacements, water

treatment facility, haul roads,

in‐pit crusher and conveyors.

The supervising hydrologist has

conducted several inspections of

the remediation undertaken in

the pilot area and is satisfied

that it has been constructed

sufficient to meet the design

intent. That is the works are in

line with the objectives of ‘long

term geomorphological stability of

the river landform, restore resilient

revegetation cover throughout the

channel areas and mitigate negative

offsite impacts from erosion within

the diversion.’

Workshop held with key

stakeholders in November 2015

to review the effectiveness of the

rehabilitation of the pilot area

including discussion of the key

learnings.

Key learnings from

implementation of the Pilot area

and subsequent monitoring will

feed into the works planned for

Stage 1 of the remediation to be

completed in 2016.


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Land



Rehabilitation Area

Domain 7b: Open Cut

Extension

Domain 8: East Pit


Post mining rural land

capability classification84

and whether that land use

has been achieved at this

point of time;

Rehabilitation of areas within

Domain 7a commenced in 2002.

Current monitoring indicates

the mature rehabilitated areas

of Domain 7a would be suitable

for nature conservation use,

including:

Area ID 6

Area ID 7

Area ID 10.

For reference of the Area ID,

please see the Rehabilitation

Status Review Plan 2015 in

Attachment I.

Domain 7b is considered

‘Active’ in terms of mining,

with only a small portion on

this Domain recently

rehabilitated in 2014.


Domain 8 commenced in 1985.

Current monitoring indicates the

mature rehabilitated areas of

Domain 8 would be suitable for

nature conservation use,

including:

Area ID 1b

Area ID 2

Area ID 3.




Attachment I.


Domain 13 commenced in

2008/9.

Current monitoring indicates

the mature rehabilitated areas

of Domain 13 would be

suitable for nature

conservation use, including:

Area ID 4

Area ID 5




Attachment I.

Post mining rural land

capability classification was not

proposed in the revised


Remediation Plan.

Post remediation, the diversion

is expected to be hydraulically

safe and have improved water

quality, ecological function and

aesthetics.

No works were conducted

within this domain in 2015,

awaiting outcomes of the

rehabilitation completed in pilot

area.

84 The primary objective of the rehabilitation and revegetation of the post mining disturbance areas, in particular the open cut disturbance areas will be to create a stable final landform with a post

mining landuse capability commensurate with the adjoining Class VI landscape. Land use restricted to low‐impact land uses such as grazing, forestry and nature conservation.


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Land



Rehabilitation Area

Domain 7b: Open Cut

Extension

Domain 8: East Pit


Landform details including

slopes, erosion controls, and

drainage lines

(Refer to rehabilitation

status review for further

details)

Dump 3 & Dump 4 maximum

slope angle 24O. Drainage

design included graded banks

spaced at approximately 50m

intervals. Graded banks

longitudinal grade (on average)

at 1.3%.

Dumps 6 and Channels 3.1 &

3.2 maximum slopes angles

8.5‐9O. Drainage design

included Channel grades

longitudinal grade 0.5%.

South 6 Dump maximum

slopes angles 12.5O. Drainage

design included a graded bank

mid slope. Graded banks


at 1%.

South 6 Dump maximum

slopes angles 12.5O. Drainage

design included a graded bank

mid slope. Graded banks


at 1%.

There were no landform

establishment activities within

Domain 8 during the reporting

period.

There were no landform

establishment activities within

Domain 13 during the

reporting period.

In accordance with the


Remediation Plan Pilot Project,

works included:

‐ Rock revetment base and

walls;

‐ Re‐ Profile batter; and

‐ Install storm water catch

diversion drains, sediment

basin and drop structure.


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Land



Rehabilitation Area

Domain 7b: Open Cut

Extension

Domain 8: East Pit


The physical, relevant

chemical characteristics,

acid forming and

contaminating potential,

spontaneous combustion

potential, and thickness of

emplaced waste materials.

There are no active coal reject/

tailings emplacement areas

within Domain 7a.

South 5 tailings dam (located

adjacent to the Ulan West ROM

stockpile) was decommissioned

and capped in 2012.

There is no identified acid

forming material in the mine

waste rock within this Domain.

Very low spontaneous

combustion potential as the

mine waste rock does not

contain carbonaceous material.

There are no coal reject/ tailings

emplacement areas in Domain

7b.



waste rock within this Domain.

Very low spontaneous

combustion potential as the

mine waste rock does not

contain carbonaceous material.

Minor areas of large waste tyres

are buried in the spoil of

previous open cut mining area

in accordance with EPL394 and

the UCML Waste Tyre Burial

Procedure.

Domain 8 currently receives

tailings and coarse rejects in

accordance with the MOP.

The East Pit is scheduled to

receive coarse rejects and

tailings, disposed of in the

available void space, for the

remaining life of the Ulan Mine

Complex.



waste rock.

There were no new incidents of

spontaneous combustion within

Domain 8. The known areas of

spontaneous combustion are not

currently causing significant

issues.

Capping of East Pit tailings and

reject emplacement areas will

require part removal of material

within the existing rehabilitation

area, part of which contains

known spon comb areas.

Domain 13 currently receives

coarse reject material in

accordance with the MOP.



waste rock.

There were no incidents of

spontaneous combustion

within Domain 13.

Minor area of large waste tyres

are buried in the spoil of

previous open cut mining

area.

Subsoil testing analysis

confirmed dispersive and

slightly acidic material present.

Ameliorants including lime and

gypsum were applied.

Moistened topsoil was

combined with compost

material and a compaction

wheel was used to create a

‘dimple surface’ prior to hydro

seeding to stabilise the cover as

quickly as possible.


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Land



Rehabilitation Area

Domain 7b: Open Cut

Extension

Domain 8: East Pit


Characteristics of cover

material including

sealing/drainage layers,

subsoil/topsoil, their

thicknesses and methods of

laying and compaction.



details)

Dump 3 & Dump 4 mine waste rock

characterisation confirmed a rocky

sandy loam with small amounts of

clay. Soil chemistry analysis

confirmed:

pH range (5.94 – 6.9)

EC range (360‐860 μs/cm)

CEC range (4.03‐12.16)

Topsoil dumped at the top of slopes

and then spread to a depth of between

100‐150 mm with D11 dozers. D6 used

to rip between 400‐500 mm.

Dump 6 and Channels 3.1 & 3.2 mine

waste rock characterisation confirmed

a rocky sandy loam with small

amounts of clay. Soil chemistry

analysis confirmed:

pH range (5.0 – 6.6)


CEC range (4.1‐8.7)





South 6 Dump mine waste rock

characterisation confirmed a sandy

brown loam. Soil chemistry analysis

confirmed:

pH range (5.5 – 5.8)


CEC range (3.58‐8.6)





South 6 Dump mine waste rock

characterisation confirmed a

sandy brown loam. Soil

chemistry analysis confirmed:

• pH range (5.5 – 5.8)

• EC range (400‐930 μs/cm)

• CEC range (3.58‐8.6)

Topsoil dumped at the top of

slopes and then spread to a

depth of between 100‐150 mm

with D11 dozers. D6 used to rip

between 400‐500 mm.

There was no application of

topsoil material within Domain

8 during the reporting period.

Previous soil testing has

identified areas of acidic, saline

soils requiring amelioration

prior to re‐seeding activities.

There was no application of

topsoil material within


reporting period.

Subsoil characterisation of the

batters confirmed a sandy

brown loam. Soil chemistry

analysis confirmed:

• pH range (5.9 – 6.9)

• EC range (360‐652 μs/cm)

• CEC range (3.64‐12.16)

Topsoil was used from upper

embankment berm and mixed

with a compost material at a

general rate of 100 t/ha. Moisture

was added to the mixed topsoil

material and placed along the

repaired batters with an

excavator at approximately 30 m

sections, at a general depth of

150 mm


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Land



Rehabilitation Area

Domain 7b: Open Cut

Extension

Domain 8: East Pit


Vegetation species and their

density, distribution, and

state/maturity including of

any threatened species;



details)

Revegetation of Dump 3,

Dump 4, Dump 6 and South 6

Dump tree and shrub species

mix in accordance with the

MOP and PA08‐0184.

i.e. Required species assembly

either Grey Box Woodland or

Ironbark Open Forest Complex

on Sandstone.

Two plots of Acacia Ausfeldii

established within this domain,

seed bank with topsoil and

subsoil relocated from open cut

operations in 2012‐2013.

Range of maturity and

densities of vegetation as

rehabilitated areas planted at

various times from 2003 to

2014.

Revegetation of South 6 Dump

tree and shrub species mix in

accordance with the MOP and

PA08‐0184.

i.e. Required species assembly

either Grey Box Woodland or

Ironbark Open Forest Complex

on Sandstone.

No ecosystem establishment

activities undertaken within

Domain 8 during the reporting

period.

Required species assembly is

Open Forest/Grassland species.

No ecosystem establishment

activities undertaken within


reporting period.

Required species assembly is

Woodland formation species.

Vegetation establishment was

consistent with tree and pasture

species mix in the Goulburn River


Rehabilitation Works ‐ Vegetation

Assessment and Revegetation

Recommendations85

The seeding plan followed

vegetation rehabilitation

management zones as

developed by the Goulburn River


Rehabilitation Works ‐ Vegetation

Assessment and Revegetation

Recommendations.

85 This report should be cited as: ‘Eco Logical Australia (2014) Goulburn River Diversion Rehabilitation Works Vegetation Assessment and Revegetation Recommendations. Prepared for Ulan Coal

Mines Limited, August 2014ʹ


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Land



Rehabilitation Area

Domain 7b: Open Cut

Extension

Domain 8: East Pit


The anticipated progression

of vegetation to maturity,

and its dependencies and

risks;

For results of floristic and LFA

monitoring please see

subdomains within the

Rehabilitation Status Review

2015 in Attachment I.

Risks associated include weeds,

unstable landforms and

revegetation efforts not

matching mature species

assemblage of Grey Box

Woodland or Ironbark Open

Forest Complex on Sandstone.






Risks associated include weeds,

unstable landforms and

revegetation efforts not

matching mature species

assemblage of Grey Box

Woodland or Ironbark Open

Forest Complex on Sandstone.





Plan 2015 in Attachment I.

East Pit contains areas (i.e. areas

1b, 2 & 3) of mature and well

established Eucalyptus and

Acacia communities. Other areas

within Domain 8 are

characterised by patchy

vegetation and reseeding with

open woodland species and

further soil amelioration works

proposed after completion of

works as described in the

revised Goulburn River

Diversion Remediation Plan.

Risks include areas of weeds,

unstable landforms, spon comb

and the structural diversity of

trees and unimproved pasture

not resembling pre mining

vegetation communities.






Risks include weeds, stable

landforms and structural

diversity of trees and

unimproved pasture

resembling pre mining

vegetation communities.

Results of floristic and LFA

monitoring are provided within

the Rehabilitation Status

Review 2015 in Attachment I.

Risks include large rainfall

events which could lead to

flooding events within the


Channel.


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Land



Rehabilitation Area

Domain 7b: Open Cut

Extension

Domain 8: East Pit


Present and future habitat

for native and, if identified,

threatened fauna;

Terrestrial monitoring and

habitat complexity monitoring

completed in 2015 at OC3.

BAMM assessment score of 1.8

for habitat complexity in 2015.

For comparison the highest

score obtained in 2015 was

BAMM 2.9 at Infra1.

Monitoring also reported

Habitat Complexity Index of

13, which is comparable to non‐

mining area described as

moderate to high quality in

terms of value to woodland

birds and ground fauna.

Large portion of this domain

remains uncleared and is

surrounded by dense bushland,

presently there is sufficient

habitat within the Domain.

Terrestrial monitoring and

habitat complexity monitoring

completed in 2014 at OC1

(Rehab). BAMM assessment

score of 2.2 for habitat

complexity in 2015, an increase

from 2.1 in 2014. For comparison

the highest score obtained in

2015 was BAMM 2.9 at Infra1.

Monitoring also reported

Habitat Complexity Index of 14,

which is comparable to non‐

mining area described as

moderate to high quality in

terms of value to woodland

birds and ground fauna.

181 nest boxes for a variety of

fauna were installed within

domain 8 in 2015.

No habitat characteristic

monitoring is undertaken in

Domain 13.

Not applicable

Weeds/unwanted

vegetation;

Annual flora monitoring noted

presence of St John’s wort and

saffron thistle in 2015.

Areas of weed incursions noted

in the recent annual

rehabilitation inspections were

targeted by the 2015 weed

management program.

Areas of weed incursions noted

in the recent annual



management program.

Weeds present during

rehabilitation inspection in May

included Paterson’s curse,

fireweed and prickly pear.

Broadacre weed spraying was

conducted were required and

targeted weed spraying for

prickly pear and fireweed

completed in 2015.

Areas of weed incursions

noted in the recent annual



management program.

Focus of weed management

ahead of future earthworks.


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Land



Rehabilitation Area

Domain 7b: Open Cut

Extension

Domain 8: East Pit


Details of any erosion

present;

A small number stable and

active rill erosion sites

identified in 2014 rehabilitation

inspection (most active on

steeper slopes and entry points

into CWS).

Not considered high risk.

Monitoring in 2015 did not

reveal any changes.

None identified East Pit maintenance timetable,

as issued to the DRE on 06

November 2014, includes

surface water works after

completion of the revised


Remediation Plan.

A small number stable and

active rill erosion sites

identified in 2014

rehabilitation inspection.

Not considered high risk.

Monitoring in 2015 did not

reveal any changes.

Repairs of historical erosion

along the Goulburn River

Diversion in accordance with the


Diversion Remediation Plan.

Pollution risks identified? No pollution risks identified No pollution risks identified No pollution risks identified No pollution risks identified No pollution risks identified

Safety risks identified? No safety risks identified No safety risks identified No safety risks identified No safety risks identified No safety risks identified

Fences and other barriers; Current controls to limit public

access are considered adequate

Current controls to limit public








Further works necessary to

meet completion criteria;

Yes – Remediation works will

be required as discussed above.



Yes – Remediation works will be

required as discussed above.

Completion of the EPRMP

commitments to DRE post


Remediation. These include;

Re‐seed with open

woodland species

Address erosion,

carbonaceous material

and waste

Address habitat

argumentation

deficiencies



Yes, as identified in the revised


Remediation Plan.

The rehabilitation targets &

outcomes achieved

compared to commitments

described in MOP;

Yes :

There was no open cut mining activities undertaken in 2015 and all

land available for rehabilitation at this stage has been rehabilitated.

Not Applicable.

No MOP rehabilitation targets

for Domain 8.

Not Applicable.

No MOP rehabilitation targets

for Domain 13.

Yes: In accordance with the


Diversion Remediation Plan

timetable.


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Land



Rehabilitation Area

Domain 7b: Open Cut

Extension

Domain 8: East Pit


Ensure each area is located

on the appropriate plan

with rehabilitation extent,

cross‐ sections, drainage

patterns/pathways, slopes,

and vegetation

communities shown;

Refer to Attachment I:

Rehabilitation Status Review Plan 2015

&

Refer to Attachment H

Surface Operations Proposed Rehabilitation (Equivalent to MOP Plan 5)


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7.4 BMP Revision The BMP was revised in June 2015 to align with DRAFT Best Practice Guidelines for Biodiversity

Offset Management Plans (January 2014) including:

Revise vegetation mapping to Biometric Vegetation Type.

Introduce revised performance indicators.

Provide specific risk assessment in BMP.

Revise Bobadeen Offset area to provide 169ha of EEC after vegetation mapping identified

shortfall compared with original estimates.

Include the findings of review of management strategy for Acacia Ausfeldii.

Include OMP as an appendix to BMP.

Revise OMP work program to simplified model with earlier establishment timeframe.

Include trial of natural regeneration technique in fragment area of Bobadeen Offset.

The revised BMP was approved by DP&E on 11th November 2015.

7.5 Rehabilitation Activities Planned for 2016 All land available for rehabilitation at this stage has been rehabilitated, therefore zero hectares of

rehabilitation is planned to occur in the next reporting period. Stage 1 of the Goulburn River

Remediation86 commences in February 2016.

7.6 Offset Management Program The purpose of this Offset Management Program (OMP) is to describe the land management works

that are to be undertaken within the Biodiversity Offset and Management Areas in order to enhance

the quality and quantity of native vegetation and fauna habitat within these areas. The OMP is

contained within the BMP. Implementation of the OMP for Year 4 (2015) is provided in Sections 7.6.1

to 7.6.6.

7.6.1 Seed Collection Program Approximately 177 kg of native seeds were collected during 2015. The seed collection program

focuses on collection of seed species specific to the target communities for rehabilitation and

revegetation of the Biodiversity Offset Areas.

7.6.2 Revegetation Ground preparation was completed across 192 ha of the Biodiversity Offset Areas in 2015 (Figure 30

& 31). Ground preparation activities included:

• Ripped/hilled (30 ha)

• Ripped/hilled and rotary hoed (32 ha)

• Scalped/ripped and rotary hoed (58 ha) 86 In accordance with the Goulburn River Diversion Remediation Plan ULN SD PLN 0054


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• Scalped/ripped/hilled and rotary hoed (72 ha)

A total of 41,056 Hikos were planted into prepared hilled/rip lines, at an average density of 700 stems

per ha. This planting was conducted in March (11,000 plants), August/September (25,000 plants) and

November (5,000 plants). Three waterings of the August/September plantings were undertaken; one

at initial planting then two at approximately one month intervals subsequently. Initial planting was

supervised by a qualified ecologist, who also conducted subsequent inspections of planting areas.

In addition to tubestock planting, 58 ha were direct seeded (ground preparation via scalping to 50‐70

mm deep using a grader). Seeding was completed at a rate of 13.6 kg to the hectare.

7.6.3 Offset Area Revegetation Walkover A review of previously revegetated areas was undertaken to gauge the progress of revegated areas

toward condition improvement targets, with the aim of informing regeneration activities for the

forward program. In the Bobadeen Offset Area 10% of canopy stem counts already meet the target

criteria, 80% percent are trending toward the criteria and 10% are below 100 stems per hectare and

will be monitored for intervention, if required, once the revegetation program is complete. The mid

story regeneration will be assessed as part of on‐going monitoring. The ground cover is already

consistent with the 50 to 90% cover target for the stratum. In the Bobadeen East Offset Area 85%

percent are trending toward the criteria and 15% are below 100 stems per hectare and will be

monitored for intervention, if required, once the revegetation program is complete. Again, the mid

story regeneration will be assessed as part of on‐going monitoring and ground cover is already

consistent with the 50 to 90% cover for the stratum.

Lower stem counts were attributed to the lower than average rainfall conditions that persisted in the

year following planting. Recently plantings have been timed to coincide with favourable conditions,

and ground preparation techniques have been improved to better retain moisture. The planting

programs are augmented with watering in dry conditions.

The revegetation review showed that overall, the majority of the area that had been revegetated was

reaching stem densities consistent with those found in White Box Grassy Woodlands (Redpath &

Benson, 1997) and as defined within the BMP.

7.6.4 Maintenance Biodiversity Offset Area maintenance activities included maintenance of fencing to control macropod

grazing, as well as installation and upgrading to electric fences (total 16.392 km).


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Figure 31: 2015 Offset Planting Areas


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Figure 32: 2015 Land Preparation Tree Planting & Direct Seeding in Vegetation Offset Areas


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7.6.5 Fauna Habitat Augmentation Qualified ecologists installed 500 nest boxes in early 2015 (Figure 32). The nest boxes were placed in

existing woodland areas and adjacent to mining operations and established rehabilitated areas. The

nest boxes are constructed to patterns suitable for a range of target species, including the Brown

Treecreeper, Owlet Nightjar, various microbat species, Glossy‐black Cockatoo, Sugar Glider, and

Squirrel Glider. In accordance with the BMP a proportion of the established nest boxes will be

inspected annually by a qualified ecologist for signs of occupation commencing two years post

installation.

Figure 33: Nest Box Installation

Two adjacent dams within the Bobadeen Vegetation Offset area were rehabilitated to enhance their

biodiversity value (Figure 33). Large woody debris, bush rock, and pipes have been installed to

improve the habitat value of the area. The area surrounding the dam has been ripped and reseeded to

promote vegetation growth.

Figure 34: Offset Area Dam Habitat Argumentation


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7.6.6 Weed & Feral Animal Control Activities Feral pig and wild dog baiting was conducted during 2015 within offset areas. A kangaroo cull was

also undertaken to address overgrazing issues.

Weed management was undertaken across offset areas, targeting noxious weed species including

Heliotropium amplexicaule (Blue Heliotrope), Opuntia sp. (Prickly pear), Rubus ulmifolius

(Blackberry) and Hypericum perforatum (St Johns Wort), as well as the exotic Carthamus lanatus

(Saffron Thistle). Intensive weed management was undertaken in all 2015 and 2016 planting areas

prior to land preparation.

7.6.7 Hollow bearing tree Assessment Vegetation Offsets

Eco Logical Australia (ELA) was engaged by Ulan Coal Mines Limited (UCML) to undertake an

assessment to estimate the density of hollow resources within the UCML Biodiversity Offset and

Cliffline Management Areas. The UCML Project Approval (08_0184) requires that the offset areas

contain suitable habitat for threatened species. Hollow‐bearing trees provide potential habitat for a

number of threatened species listed87.

The 2009 Environmental Assessment proposed that protection of existing hollows within the

Biodiversity Offset and Cliffline Management Areas, and hollow augmentation with nest boxes or

salvaged hollows should be used to address the loss of hollow resources resulting from clearing

activities. The UCML Offset Management Program (UCML, 2012) further outlines the contribution of

Biodiversity Offset and Cliffline Management Areas and nest box augmentation to achieving the EA

commitment of no net loss of hollow resources within the Project Area.

As such, the existing offset areas will contribute to offsetting the loss of hollow resources resulting

from activities within the Project Area. In order to identify the extent to which hollow‐bearing trees

exist to offset these losses and provide habitat for threatened species, a survey to estimate the

densities of hollow resources was carried out in Biodiversity Offset and Cliffline Management Areas

on 12‐16 January 2015.

A total of 60 locations were surveyed across 15 defined vegetation communities were surveyed88 (Full

report available in Attachment E). At each site, a 0.25 ha (50 m by 50 m) plot was established. The

field survey identified 727 hollow‐bearing trees (HBT) and 2,702 hollows across the 60 survey plots.

Approximately 67% of hollows recorded were small hollows( <5cm in diameter), 17% were medium

(5‐10cm) and 16% were considered large (>10cm).

Based on the results obtained from the field survey, an estimate of the hollow bearing resources

across the Biodiversity Offset and Cliffline Management Areas was calculated (Table 28). This survey identified that the majority of mature forest and woodland vegetation formations across the

Biodiversity Offset and Cliffline Management Areas contain a high density of hollow‐bearing trees. In

particular, hollows are abundant in the Brokenback and Spring Gully domains. A history of clearing

for agriculture has resulted in modified woodland remnants and patches of younger aged, smaller

sized stands across the Bobadeen offset areas.

87 As listed under both the NSW Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995 (TSC Act) and Commonwealth Environmental

Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (EPBC Act). 88 Ecological Australia ‘Hollow‐bearing tree assessment on Ulan Biodiversity Offset and Cliffline Management Areas’ March

2015


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Table 27: Hollow Bearing Trees (HBT) and hollow estimations from Survey

Should augmentation of hollow‐bearing resources with nest boxes or salvaged habitat features be

considered in the future, the existing densities and size distribution of hollows within the Biodiversity

Offset and Cliffline Management Areas should be used to target installation within areas of lower

hollow abundance, such as regenerating/second‐growth areas and low hollow density woodland

formations in the Bobadeen offset areas. However, ongoing conservation and management of

regenerating vegetation within the Bobadeen offset areas should result in these communities

maturing and increasing in hollow densities over time.

Based on the results of the hollow‐bearing tree assessment, the hollow‐bearing resources that were

identified within the Biodiversity Offset and Cliffline Management Areas are considered to supply

suitable habitat for a range of various fauna species including threatened species that are likely or

have the potential to occur within these areas.


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8 Other Environmental Management Areas No material improvements or changes occurred in the environmental management areas of

meteorological monitoring, erosion and sediment, contaminated land, weeds and pests, visual and

landscape management, spontaneous combustion, bushfire, methane drainage/ventilation, public

safety or waste management.

9 Incidents and non-compliances There were no reportable incidents or non‐compliances89 with approvals during the reporting period

Approval Condition Summary Date

occurred Cause Action taken

89 Technical non‐compliances which resulted in no perceivable environmental impact are identified as footnotes to the relevant

approval in Section 2.1


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10 Community UCML held four meetings with the Community Consultative Committee (CCC) in 2015. Operational

progress, community complaints, monitoring results and environmental performance from the recent

quarter were presented and discussed at each of these meetings. The 2015 CCC meetings also

presented and discussed the following; Goulburn River Diversion Remediation, water monitoring

technology (guest speakers Matt Austin and Chris Fink‐ EI Solutions), Glencore Environmental

Management System (guest speaker John Watson‐ Glencore), Ulan Road Strategy (guest speaker Sally

Mullinger‐ Mid‐Western Regional Council) and the Ulan West Extraction Plan Extension.

Glencore’s Corporate Social Involvement (CSI) Program invests in Health, Arts and Culture,

Education and Enterprise, Environment and the Community. At a corporate level Glencore

continued support for Mudgee for Doctors which received a NSW Minerals Council Award (Figure

34). Glencore also supported the Mudgee High School Link Program and provided donations to the

region under the Junior Sports Development Program.

The local support program provided investment in the development of the Mudgee Regional Air

Service, regional events and support to the local schools. The operations provided assistance to the

following organisations; Lifeskills for the purchase of an aquabed (Ulan No.3), the Mudgee PCYC for

their Colour Run event (Ulan West) and Mudgee Hospital for the purchase of an infant warmer (Ulan

Surface Operations).

Figure 35: UCML Community Contributions

Nine complaints were received during the 2015 reporting period (Figure 35) compared to 40

complaints received in 2014. Eight complaints were with regard to noise and one dust (Figure 36). A

community complaint summary is available from the Ulan Coal Website ulancoal.com.au.


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Figure 36 Complaints by Month

Figure 37 Complaints by Type

Complaint Type 2015 Complaints 2014 Complaints 2013 Complaints

Noise 8 36 46

Dust 1 1 1

Blast 0 2 2

Water 0 0 1

Other 0 1 0

Total 9 40 50

11 Activities for next reporting period The following activities are planned to be undertaken in the next Reporting Period (2016):

Revise Surface Water Monitoring Trigger Values in the Surface Water Monitoring

Program in line with recommendations made in Section 6.3.1 of this report.

Offset Management Program implementation Year 6.

Goulburn River Diversion Remediation Project continues.

Triennial Independent Audit scheduled for April 2016.

Develop and obtain relevant approvals for an extraction plan for Ulan Underground

No.3 Panels LW30 and LW31.

Finalise Ulan West Southern Extension Project (MOD4).

Finalise Valley Way Grinding Groove Conservation Agreement.

Anaylse and report on monitoring data collected from newly installed monitoring

infrastructure at the Surface Water Monitoring Sites.

Analyse and report on pore pressure monitoring from The Drip piezometer.

Commence MOD3 Heritage Works: conduct residue analysis of Laila Haglund’s SG5

artefacts, collect and investigate bush food and 3D scanning of rock shelters.

Continue Aboriginal Heritage rock shelter excavations as per strategy.

annual review 2015 final - mining news · report annual review 2015 number: owner: uln sd rep 0004...

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