blast management plan - bulga coal · blast management plan document number: buloc-1104430715-1524...

Plan for

Blast Management Plan

Document Number: BULOC-1104430715-1524

Status: Approved

Version: 12.0

Effective: 26/03/2019

Review: 26/03/2022

Owner: Officer - Environment ＆ Community

Bulga Open Cut Plan Blast Management Plan

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Owner:

BULOC-1104430715-1524

Officer - Environment ＆ Community

Status:

Version:

Approved

12.0

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Review:

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26/03/2022 of 41

Uncontrolled unless viewed on the intranet

Table of Contents

1 Purpose ............................................................................................................................. 4

2 Scope ................................................................................................................................. 4

3 Planning ............................................................................................................................ 4

3.1 Regulatory Requirements .................................................................................................................. 4

3.1.1 Development Consent .............................................................................................................. 4 3.1.2 Environmental Protection Licence ............................................................................................ 4 3.1.3 Blast Fume Management Plan.................................................................................................. 4

3.2 Blast Impact Assessment Criteria ...................................................................................................... 4

3.2.1 Blasting Hours and Blasting Frequency ................................................................................... 4 3.2.2 Impact Assessment Criteria ...................................................................................................... 5

3.2.2.1 Amenity Impact Assessment Criteria ................................................................................ 5 3.2.2.2 Infrastructure Impact Assessment Criteria ........................................................................ 5 3.2.2.3 Heritage Impact Assessment Criteria ............................................................................... 6

4 Implementation ................................................................................................................. 6

4.1 Blast Management Controls ............................................................................................................... 6

4.1.1 Pre-Blast Risk Management Process ....................................................................................... 6 4.1.2 Overpressure and Vibration Management ................................................................................ 8 4.1.3 Dust Management ..................................................................................................................... 8 4.1.4 Fume Management ................................................................................................................... 8

4.1.4.1 Impacts of Blast Fume ....................................................................................................... 8 4.1.4.3 Blast Design ...................................................................................................................... 9 4.1.4.4 Geology ............................................................................................................................. 9 4.1.4.5 Product Selection and Quality ........................................................................................... 9 4.1.4.6 Operational Controls ....................................................................................................... 10 4.1.4.7 Blast Exclusion Zones ..................................................................................................... 10

4.1.5 Road Closures ........................................................................................................................ 10 4.1.6 Flyrock Management............................................................................................................... 11 4.1.7 Infrastructure Management ..................................................................................................... 11

4.1.7.1 Public Roads ................................................................................................................... 11 4.1.7.2 330kV Suspension Towers ............................................................................................. 11 4.1.7.3 PID Pipeline and Broke Potable Water Pipeline ............................................................. 11 4.1.7.4 Optic Fibre ....................................................................................................................... 11 4.1.7.5 Dam Walls ....................................................................................................................... 11

4.2 Communication ................................................................................................................................ 11

4.2.1 Consultation with Neighbouring Mines ................................................................................... 11 4.2.2 Consultation with Neighbouring Residents ............................................................................. 12 4.2.3 Consultation with Government Agencies ................................................................................ 12

4.3 Incident and Emergency Management ............................................................................................ 12

4.3.1 Incident Reporting ................................................................................................................... 14

4.4 Complaint Management ................................................................................................................... 15

4.5 Change Management....................................................................................................................... 15

4.6 Training and Awareness .................................................................................................................. 15

5 Measurement and Evaluation ........................................................................................ 16

5.1 Monitoring ........................................................................................................................................ 16


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5.1.1 Overpressure and Vibration Monitoring .................................................................................. 16 5.1.2 Blast Fume Monitoring ............................................................................................................ 16 5.1.3 Meteorological Monitoring ....................................................................................................... 16

5.2 Impact Assessment .......................................................................................................................... 18

5.2.1 Private Property Structural Investigations .............................................................................. 18 5.2.2 Private Property Monitoring Campaigns ................................................................................. 18 5.2.3 Heritage Structural Inspections ............................................................................................... 18

5.3 Evaluation of Monitoring Results and Management Measures ....................................................... 18

5.3.1 Annual Environmental Broad Brush Risk Assessment .......................................................... 19

5.4 Reporting .......................................................................................................................................... 20

6 Review and Improvement .............................................................................................. 20

6.1 Document Review ............................................................................................................................ 20

7 Accountabilities .............................................................................................................. 21

8 Document Information ................................................................................................... 23

8.1 Related Documents .......................................................................................................................... 23

8.2 Reference Information...................................................................................................................... 23

8.3 Change Information .......................................................................................................................... 24

Appendix A - Fume Rating System........................................................................................ 25

Appendix B - Fume Mitigation and Management Guide ...................................................... 27

Appendix C - Development Consent (SSD-4960) Blasting Conditions ............................... 32

Appendix D - Environmental Protection Licence 563 Blasting Conditions ....................... 37

Appendix E - Department of Planning and Environment – Bulga Coal Complex Approval SSD-4960 ................................................................................................................................. 40

Appendix F - NSW Environmental Protection Authority – Consultation ............................ 41

Internal procedures referred to in this document have not been reviewed or endorsed by DPE. Glencore takes responsibility for ensuring these procedures are in accordance with this management plan and generally in accordance with the development consent. Signed

Ralph Northey Bulga Coal


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1 Purpose The purpose of this plan is to describe the process implemented by Bulga Coal to manage blasting impacts.

2 Scope The plan applies to blasting activities carried out by Bulga Coal within the Development Consent project boundary (SSD4960). It forms part of the Blast Management Framework and Environmental Management System. The requirements of this plan are to be implemented by employees and contractors working for or on behalf of Bulga Coal.

3 Planning

3.1 Regulatory Requirements

3.1.1 Development Consent Bulga Coal operate under Development Consent (SSD-4960) for open cut mining and associated activities at Bulga Open Cut.

Development consent blasting requirements are listed in Appendix C.

3.1.2 Environmental Protection Licence Bulga Coal hold Environmental Protection Licence 563 for mining for coal, coal works and crushing, grinding and separating. Environmental Protection Licence blasting conditions are outlined in Appendix D.

3.1.3 Blast Fume Management Plan This document has also been prepared to meet the Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) requirement for a Blast Fume Management Strategy. It has been developed in accordance with the with the Australian Explosives Industry and Safety Group (AEISG) Code of Good Practice: Prevention and Management of Blast Generated NOx Gases in Surface Blasting, Edition 2, 2011 (The Code).

3.2 Blast Impact Assessment Criteria

3.2.1 Blasting Hours and Blasting Frequency Blasting will be undertaken at Bulga Open Cut between the hours of 9am to 5pm Monday to Saturday, inclusive. No blasts will be fired on Sundays, Public Holidays, or at any other time unless written approval is obtained from the Secretary of the Department of Planning and the Environment. Where required, any resident likely to be impacted by the blast will also be contacted prior to blasting outside the permitted hours.

Where possible, Bulga Coal will avoid blasting during peak traffic periods, where closure of Broke or Charlton Road is required to minimise air quality impacts.

Blasting will be scheduled so that no more than 3 blasts per day and no more than 5 blasts per week, averaged over a calendar year, will be carried out within the Project Boundary, excluding blasts that generate 0.5mm/s or less at any residence on privately-owned land, blast misfires or blasts required for safety purposes.


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3.2.2 Impact Assessment Criteria Blasting will be managed to minimise air blast overpressure and vibration levels at the monitoring locations discussed in Section 5.1.1 and prevent exceedances of the amenity impact assessment criteria outlined in Table 3-1. These criteria do not apply where a written agreement is in place between a private landowner and Bulga Coal and DPE have been advised of this agreement.

Blasting will also be managed to minimise ground vibration at private and public infrastructure and prevent exceedances of the criteria listed in Table 3-2.

The blast monitoring program is outlined further in Section 5.1.1.

3.2.2.1 Amenity Impact Assessment Criteria

Location Airblast overpressure

(dB(Lin Peak))

Ground

Vibration

(mm/s)

Allowable exceedance

Residence on

privately owned land

120 10 0%

115 5 5% of the total number of blasts

over a period of 12 months.

Table 3-1 – Development Consent Criteria for Privately-owned Residences

3.2.2.2 Infrastructure Impact Assessment Criteria

Location

Airblast

overpressure

(dB(Lin Peak))

Ground Vibration (mm/s) Allowable

exceedance

330kV Suspension

Towers, PID Pipeline,

and public roads

- 100 0%

All other public

infrastructure -

50

(Unless the Director-General has agreed to

an alternative a specific limit determined in

accordance with the structural design

methodology in AS2187.2-2006, or its latest

version)

0%

Table 3-2 – Development Consent Criteria for Public and Private Infrastructure


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3.2.2.3 Heritage Impact Assessment Criteria

Blasting will also be managed to minimise ground vibration at heritage sites and prevent exceedances of the criteria listed in Table 3-3. A structural inspection of Mt Leonard Homestead, BH14 – Charlton, B13 – Stone Wall alongside Monkey Place Creek and St Andrews Anglican Church heritage sites was carried out by a Structural Engineer. The assessment concluded that these sites were not expected to experience any global stability problems caused by ground vibrations of 3mm/s and that occasional ground vibration of up to 5mm/s is also unlikely to have a detrimental effect on the structural integrity of the sites. Bulga Coal has adopted 5mm/s as the impact assessment criteria at these sites.

Location

Airblast

overpressure

(dB(Lin Peak))

Ground

Vibration

(mm/s)

Allowable

exceedance

‘Mt Leonard Homestead’, BH14 – ‘Charlton’, B13 –

Stone Wall alongside Monkey Place Creek, St

Andrews Anglican Church, BH6 – Broke

Cemetery, Murinbin House Group.

- 5 0%

Table 3-3 – Development Consent Heritage Impact Assessment Criteria

4 Implementation

4.1 Blast Management Controls

4.1.1 Pre-Blast Risk Management Process The sites blast management system contains a process for assessing and managing environmental, health and safety risks prior to blasting. The system consists of a number of procedures and checklists. A summary of each procedure is provided in the table below.

Procedure Summary

Blast Design Procedure and

Blast Design Checklist

Includes the blast design controls to be implemented to

minimise health, safety and environmental impacts from

blasting.

Requires a blast design checklist to be completed by the Drill

and Blast Engineer prior to blasting. The checklist requires

consideration of a range of design variables. Approval to blast

outside of these design parameters requires approval from the

Technical Services Manager.

Blast Clearance and Firing

Procedure

Dust risk assessment

Assesses the variables (e.g. drop heights, material type,

moisture content) that may cause dust and classifies blasts into

low, medium or high dust generation potential. Where a high risk

dust state is predicted, additional controls or changes to reduce

the likelihood of dust impacts and consultation with drill and

blast and environmental personnel is required.

Fume risk assessment

Assesses the variables that may cause fume (e.g. blasthole

condition, explosive type, blasthole water) and classifies blasts

as normal, abnormal or high fume risk. Where an abnormal or


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Procedure Summary

high risk fume state is identified, additional controls or changes

are required to reduce the risk. Consultation is required between

drill and blast and environmental personnel.

Blast weather and air quality assessment

Assesses the risk of exposure of sensitive receptors to dust and

fume by assessing the weather conditions at the time of firing,

the location of the blast and the location of sensitive receptors.

Drill and blast personnel check if the weather conditions and air

quality (PM10) at the time are suitable for blasting in a particular

open cut pit, prior to blasting.

Monitoring data from the Mt Thorley and Bulga Upper Hunter air

quality monitors, administered by the NSW Office of

Environment and Heritage, is assessed. If the 24-hour rolling

average PM10 level from the Bulga or Mt Thorley monitor is

greater than 50µg/m³, indicating poor air quality in the local

area, blast dust impacts will be risk assessed, prior to blasting.

Approval to blast during poor air quality or weather conditions

that have been identified as unsuitable for blasting triggers the

blasting permissions authority process.

Blasting permissions (blast authority form)

The process includes further assessment of health and safety

and environment and community risks, and identification of

additional controls.

It includes an assessment of the weather forecast, dust

dispersion modelling, inversion modelling and pre-blast fume

assessment.

Consultation is required between mining, technical services and

environmental representatives.

Approval to blast is elevated to the Mining Manager,

Environment and Community Manager, or delegate.

Overpressure assessment

Assesses the risk of an exceedance of overpressure criteria at a

compliance blast monitor using an overpressure model.

Assessment completed by the drill and blast engineer prior to

blasting. Blasts are rescheduled if an overpressure exceedance

is predicted.


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Procedure Summary

Blast clearance and road closure plan

Requires a plan to be developed for exclusion zones around the

blast and road closures, where necessary, to minimise the

health and safety risk of exposure to flyrock, dust and fume.

Exclusion zones are typically 300m from the blast, for

equipment, and 500m, for people. The plan is required to be

completed prior to blasting.

Blast notification

Includes a requirement to notify neighbours on the blast

notification list and other mines potentially affected by the blast,

prior to blasting.

Table 4-1 – Pre-blast Risk Management Process

4.1.2 Overpressure and Vibration Management Controls implemented to minimise air blast overpressure and ground vibration include:

blast design;

use of initiation systems that minimise overpressure;

use of adequate stemming (type and quantity) to maximise confinement of explosive charged;

use of charge distributions suited to observed face burden; and

completion of overpressure assessment prior to each blast.

4.1.3 Dust Management Controls implemented to minimise dust include:

watering of blast areas and drill patterns, including cuttings, during drilling and loading operations;

use of coarse material (gravel) or material with a lower dust generation potential such as stemming material in overburden blasts;

measurement of holes before and after loading to check that adequate stemming has been used in accordance with the blast design;

assessing local air quality and weather conditions prior to blasting, and avoiding blasting in poor air quality or unsuitable weather conditions, where practicable; and

closure of Broke or Charlton Road where potential exists for excessive dust to travel across the road.

4.1.4 Fume Management

4.1.4.1 Impacts of Blast Fume

4.1.4.2 Fume is the group of gases known as Oxides of Nitrogen or NOx, a combination of post blast gases which are predominantly nitrogen dioxide, but may also include small amounts of nitrous oxide, nitric oxide, carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide. The two main gases, nitric oxide (NO) and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) are often found as by-products in the post-blast gases of ammonium nitrate-based


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explosives. Nitric oxide is invisible, but nitrogen dioxide ranges from yellow to dark red / purple depending on the concentration and size of the gas cloud. Causes of Blast Fume

Fume generation can widely be attributed to six main causes:

explosive formulation and quality assurance;

geological conditions;

explosive column disruptions during the shot sequence;

explosive product selection;

explosives desensitisation; and

contamination of explosive in the blast hole.

Note: while other factors such as meteorological conditions and storage of bulk products can also generate fume, the six listed above are considered to be the ‘primary causes’.

Controls for the mitigation of blast fume associated with each of these factors are provided in subsequent sections.

4.1.4.3 Blast Design

Blast designs will be developed to consider:

geological constraints such as weak or hard bands of overburden, coal bands and faults;

blast performance requirements in terms of fragmentation, heave, dig rates, etc; and

potential for fume.

Blasts design mitigations may include:

reducing bench heights or ensuring adequate relief in deep holes, where practicable;

selecting explosives products appropriate to the blast design;

following manufacturer's recommendations on the compatibility of initiating systems with explosives;

increasing the control on deeper designs/ GPS drilling assist;

providing appropriate separation of explosive decks; and

considering reducing the powder factor or modifying the timing or depth of a blast.

4.1.4.4 Geology

Geological conditions are relatively uniform for all areas subject to blasting activities. As such, the risk of fume generation as a result of variable geological conditions is considered low. However, targeted geotechnical investigations will be undertaken as required if areas of geological variation or instability are identified and it is suspected that they will contribute to an increase in the generation of blast fume. Where clay or other unfavourable geological conditions are identified, explosive product selection will be modified as required.

4.1.4.5 Product Selection and Quality

As outlined in the site shotfiring and explosives management plan , no bulk, packaged or initiation explosive shall be used on site unless the Chief Inspector of Dangerous Goods has approved that

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explosive for use in New South Wales. No explosive product shall be stored on site unless it has been recorded in the register of stored explosives in the site security plan for the storage and handling of explosives .

No bulk, packaged or initiation explosive shall be procured for use or used at the mine unless the vendor has been approved by site management and has supplied the relevant Safety Data Sheet (SDS) and Technical Data Sheet (TDS) documents. The explosive product must be suitable for the intended application(s) and intended method(s) of handling and will be subject to a risk assessment if not previously used on site. Where a product change is suggested by a shotfirer, approval is sought from the drill and blast engineer to ensure the proposed change does not increase the potential for the generation of fume.

Copies of all relevant SDS and TDS shall be supplied to the drill and blast engineer and shotfirers. Copies shall be retained on site for reference.

The type of explosive product used for individual blasts will be selected to minimise the potential for fume generation. Mitigation measures for explosive product selection are outlined in the Fume Mitigation and Management Guide provided in Appendix B.

4.1.4.6 Operational Controls

Other operational controls implemented to minimise fume include:

minimising the contamination of explosives in blast holes; and

implementing on-bench practises such as the construction water diversion bunds or drains that minimise the potential for water ingress into blasting areas, drill holes and loaded shots.

4.1.4.7 Blast Exclusion Zones

Exclusion zones are implemented as per the sites Blast Clearance and Firing Procedure to prevent exposure of the workforce and general public to flyrock and excessive dust, fume. Sentries are used to prevent unauthorised access into exclusion zones.

4.1.5 Road Closures

Whenever a shot is being fired within a distance of 500m or less from a public road or is deemed necessary following the pre-blast risk assessment process, Broke or Charlton Road is closed for the duration of the blast. The duration of road closures is minimised and roads are reopened after they are inspected and cleared as safe for reopening. The public are made aware of road closures prior to the blast by advertising road closures in the Singleton Argus and displaying the proposed date and time of the road closure on signs on the public road.

Public roads are closed in accordance with traffic management plans and s138 road closure permits approved by Singleton Council.

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4.1.6 Flyrock Management The safety risks associated with fly rock from blasting are managed through:

use of adequate stemming lengths and materials to manage flyrock generation;

establishment of an exclusion zone beyond the expected range of flyrock for each blast;

closure of Broke or Charlton Road when proposing to blast within 500m of a public road, or where pre-blast risk assessments determine potential for flyrock to be projected to public roads; and

post-blast clearance inspections and monitoring.

4.1.7 Infrastructure Management

4.1.7.1 Public Roads

Vibration prediction will be conducted for Broke Road and Charlton Road using a scaled distance model. Where predictions are greater than or equal to 80% of the relevant vibration criterion (50mm/s), portable vibration monitors will be used to assess if the measured vibration level from blasting exceeds the criterion.

4.1.7.2 330kV Suspension Towers

Bulga Coal has a written agreement with Transgrid that outlines the blast monitoring program and controls to be implemented to monitor and mitigate impacts on the 330kV line traversing the site.

Vibration prediction will be conducted at 330kV Suspension Towers using a scaled distance model and where predictions are greater than or equal to 80% of the relevant criteria, portable vibration monitors will be used to assess if the measured vibration level from blasting exceeds the criterion.

4.1.7.3 PID Pipeline and Broke Potable Water Pipeline

Vibration prediction will be conducted at the PID Pipeline using a scaled distance model. Where predictions are greater than or equal to 80% of the relevant vibration criterion, portable vibration monitors will be used to assess if the measured vibration level from blasting exceeds the criterion.

4.1.7.4 Optic Fibre

Vibration prediction will be conducted for the optic fibre line using a scaled distance model. Where predictions are greater than or equal to 80% of the relevant vibration criterion, portable vibration monitors will be used to assess if the measured vibration level from blasting exceeds the criterion.

4.1.7.5 Dam Walls

Vibration prediction is conducted on the dam wall of the Deep Pit at its narrowest point using a scaled distance model. If the prediction is >20mm/s then further geotechnical analysis is conducted prior to loading the blast.

Vibration is managed below 12mm/s on the Northern Tailings Facility Wall A. A vibration monitor has been installed on the wall to monitor vibration.

4.2 Communication

4.2.1 Consultation with Neighbouring Mines Bulga Coal will consult with relevant personnel from neighbouring mines prior to blasting, where necessary, to minimise cumulative impacts and manage safety risks. This includes Mt Thorley Warkworth Mine.


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4.2.2 Consultation with Neighbouring Residents Bulga Coal will notify local residents within 2km of the blast location and others that have requested notification prior to each blast. Notifications are made via a phone call, text message or email.

Notification has been provided to private landowners within 2 kilometres of any approved open cut pit that they are entitled to an inspection to establish the baseline condition of any buildings/structures on their land.

4.2.3 Consultation with Government Agencies This plan has been prepared in consultation with the EPA and to the satisfaction of the Secretary of DPE. The EPA and DPE will be consulted regarding any significant changes to this plan and resubmitted to the Secretary of DPE for approval.

4.3 Incident and Emergency Management Blasting incidents are defined as:

An individual blast that generates an overpressure level greater than 120db or more than 5% of the total number of blasts above 115db during the DA or EPL reporting period at a compliance blast monitor. Compliance monitors are; Hedley, Charlton, Bulga, Dawtrey.

An individual blast that generates a ground vibration level greater than 10mm/s at the Hedley blast monitor or more than 5% of the total number of blasts above 5mm/s during the DA or EPL reporting period at a compliance blast monitor.

An individual blast that generates a ground vibration level greater than the heritage impact assessment criteria of 5mm/s at the Charlton, Bulga or Dawtrey blast monitor.

A blast fume event that is classified as Category 3 in accordance with NSW Department of Planning and the Environment classifications and leaves site.

A blast fume event that is classified as Category 4 or Category 5 in accordance with NSW Department of Planning and the Environment classifications.

A pollution event that causes or threatens to cause material harm to the environment in accordance with the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997.

Offensive blast fume emitted from the premises that meets the definition in Condition L5.5 of EPL563.

Blast incidents will be managed in accordance with the Bulga Incident Management Procedure. The general process that will be followed in the event of an incident is outlined below in Figure 1.


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Figure 1. Bulga Coal Incident Management Process.


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It is unlikely that exposure to blast fume in a well ventilated environment, such as an open cut coal mine will cause impacts to human health, however NOx gases are still considered a potential threat and will be managed accordingly. Generally, NOx plumes generated during blasting will dissipate to background levels in a relatively short time. Dissipation is highly dependent on local atmospheric conditions. In cases where a NOx plume does not dissipate and has the potential to result in human exposure, these actions will be taken:

No personnel will enter the plume.

Personnel will move away from the path of the plume.

If indoors, personnel will close all windows and doors and stay inside.

If in a vehicle, personnel will stay inside and use recirculated air conditioning if possible.

Should a blast fume cloud leave site and have the potential to impact on the village of Broke and surrounds the Broke School (6579 1040) and Broke Mobile Pre-school (0428 237 951) will be notified by the Environment and Community Manager to enable them to bring the children inside should it continue to move towards the Village. Similarly, should a Blast fume cloud leave site and have the potential to impact on the village of Milbrodale the Milbrodale School (6574 5163) will be notified by the Environment and Community Manager to enable them to bring the children inside should it continue to move towards the Village.

Should a blast fume cloud leave site and have the potential to impact on the surrounding community a notification of the event will be posted on the Broke Notice Board facebook page.

An emergency is defined as an event that has occurred, or has imminent potential to occur, and has (or is likely to) endanger persons, the environment, equipment or other assets and requires (or may require) urgent actions to treat injured persons, and/or prevent further injury or damage. In the event that a blast fume Incident causes an emergency it will be managed in accordance with the Emergency Management Plan.

4.3.1 Incident Reporting

Exceedances of overpressure or vibration limits listed in EPL 563 will be reported to the regional office of the EPA as soon as practicable after the exceedance becomes known to Bulga Coal or to one of Bulga Coal’s employees or agents.

A blast incident that causes or threatens material harm to the environment will be reported in accordance with the requirements of Condition R2 of EPL563 and the Bulga Coal Pollution Incident Response Management Plan. As defined by Section 147 of the POEO Act, a material harm incident is an incident that:

a) involves actual or potential harm to the health or safety of human beings or to ecosystems that is not trivial; or

b) results in actual or potential loss (including all reasonable costs and expenses that would be incurred in taking all reasonable and practicable measures to prevent, mitigate or make good harm to the environment) or property damage of an amount, or amounts in aggregate, exceeding $10,000.00 (or such other amount as is prescribed by the regulations).

Notification of an overpressure, vibration or fume incident defined in Section 5.4 will be provided to the Secretary of the NSW Department of Planning and the Environment immediately and any other relevant agencies. Within 7 days of the date of the incident, a detailed report on the incident will be provided to the Secretary and any relevant agencies.

In the event that a blast produces fume that (a) rates 3 at its highest extent and leaves site, or (b) any blast that rates 4 or 5, notification will be provided to the Department of Planning and the Environment compliance office in Singleton, NSW (ph:02 6575 3405).


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4.4 Complaint Management Complaints will be acknowledged, reported and investigated in accordance with the complaints management process in the environmental management strategy, which involves:

acknowledging all complaints, responding to the complainant within 24 hours, where practicable;

investigating complaints impartially giving proper consideration to the facts and the circumstances prevailing at the time;

implementing corrective/preventative actions if required; and

reporting investigation outcomes and corrective/preventative actions implemented to relevant stakeholders.

4.5 Change Management Internal changes to the blasting process at Bulga will be managed in accordance with the site change management procedure. This procedure will apply to changes associated with:

explosive product specifications;

suppliers of equipment and products used in the drill and blast process;

new personnel or additional responsibilities for existing personnel;

new or revised strategies, plans, procedures or other management documents or processes;

geological or meteorological conditions;

stakeholder feedback; and

mining activities.

The change management process at Bulga comprises 6 key steps:

1. Identify a change.

2. Assess the risk associated with the change and develop a risk treatment plan.

3. Approve the change subject to risk treatment.

4. Communicate and implement the change and the risk treatment actions.

5. Monitor and evaluate the change and risk treatment plan.

6. Review the effectiveness of the implemented change.

4.6 Training and Awareness General blast training and awareness is provided to employees and contractors as part of the sites induction. Training is also provided to relevant personnel as per the sites environment and community training needs analysis. The training needs analysis forms part of the environmental management system.

Personnel tasked with the operation of blast monitoring, dust monitoring and meteorological monitoring will be trained and competent in monitoring in accordance with the relevant Australian Standard. Monitoring contractors will be requested to provide training procedures/records to verify that trained and competent personnel are used.


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5 Measurement and Evaluation

5.1 Monitoring

5.1.1 Overpressure and Vibration Monitoring Air blast overpressure and ground vibration is monitored at the locations shown on Figure 5.1 and listed in EPL 563 to assess impacts to sensitive receptors and heritage sites. These monitoring locations have been selected as they are considered representative of the nearest privately owned residences surrounding the operation and historic heritage sites; Mt Leonard Homestead (Bulga monitor), Charlton House (BH14) (Dawtrey monitor), St Andrews Anglican Church (Charlton monitor), Broke Cemetery (BH6) (Charlton monitor) and Monkey Place Creek Stone Wall (BH13) (Charlton monitor).

Blast monitoring instrumentation is installed, calibrated and maintained in accordance with both AS2187.2 - 2006 and the manufacturer’s specifications.

Data collected for each blast includes:

measured ground vibration;

measured air blast overpressure;

maximum instantaneous charge;

distance from blast to monitoring location;

volume of explosives used

number of holes;

blast type;

weather conditions; and

video footage.

Overpressure and vibration results are stored in the Environmental Monitoring Database and used for internal and external reporting outlined in Table 5-1. Notification of overpressure and vibration results and any exceedances of criteria is also provided to relevant environmental, mining and technical services personnel after each blast via a text message.

5.1.2 Blast Fume Monitoring Blasts will be rated for fume in accordance with the fume rating system provided in Appendix A. Fume ratings will be recorded on the Blast Design Checklist.

A video record of every blast fired will be maintained on site. Records will be kept on site for a minimum of two years.

5.1.3 Meteorological Monitoring Bulga Coal operate three weather stations at the locations shown on Figure 5-1. These measure wind speed and wind direction at 10m. Data from the bulga complex weather station is considered as part of pre-blast weather assessments. Other weather stations may be used for this purpose, when data from the bulga complex weather station is unavailable.


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Figure 5-1 – Blast monitoring network and historic heritage sites.


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5.2 Impact Assessment

5.2.1 Private Property Structural Investigations Baseline structural assessments have been offered to private landowners within 2 kilometres of an approved open cut pit in accordance with the Development Consent requirements.

Following a request from a private landowner surrounding the operation that claims that buildings/structures on his/her land have been damaged as a result of blasting, Bulga Coal will commission a suitably qualified, experienced and independent person to undertake a structural assessment on any buildings/structures on privately owned land surrounding the operation, in accordance with Development Consent requirements.

5.2.2 Private Property Monitoring Campaigns Blast monitoring may also be undertaken on private property to assess the ground vibration or overpressure levels experienced at the property, following a request from the landowner or initiated by Bulga Coal.

5.2.3 Heritage Structural Inspections Structural assessments will be completed annually on historic heritage items:

a) ‘Mt Leonard’ Homestead;

b) Charlton (Site ID BH14)

c) St Andrews Anglican Church

d) Broke Cemetery (Site ID BH6)

e) Monkey Place Creek Stone Wall (Site ID BH13)

Assessments are completed to assess potential blast vibration impacts from blasts at Bulga Open Cut.

These assessments will be reviewed by environmental personnel. Actions will be implemented to remediate impacts to heritage sites caused by blasting.

5.3 Evaluation of Monitoring Results and Management Measures Monitoring results will be assessed for compliance with approval conditions and and management measures will be evaluated for effectiveness as part of the annual review. This will include:

a comparison of blast monitoring results and operating conditions against the relevant statutory requirements, limits or performance measures/criteria; and

an evaluation of the effectiveness of blast management measures and monitoring programs in achieving the objectives of this plan.

As part of this evaluation process, this plan and other blast procedures will be modified, where necessary.


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5.3.1 Annual Environmental Broad Brush Risk Assessment Environment and community risks from future blasting will be assessed annually as part of the environment and community broad brush risk assessment. Where necessary, actions will be identified to implement new controls or modify existing controls to prevent or minimise impacts.


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5.4 Reporting A summary of blast monitoring results and an assessment of compliance with approval requirements and the requirements of this plan will be reported in accordance with the schedule outlined in Table 5.1.

Stakeholder Report Report Content Frequency

NSW Department of Planning and Environment

NSW EPA

NSW Office of Water

NSW Resources Regulator

Singleton Shire Council

Community Consultative Committee

Publicly available on Bulga Coal Website

Annual Review

Blast monitoring results, assessment of compliance and performance, comparison with EA predictions.

Annually

Regulatory Authorities/Public


Environmental Monitoring Report

Blast monitoring results and assessment of compliance with criteria.

Quarterly

NSW EPA Annual Return

Blast monitoring results, complaints and assessment of compliance with criteria.

Annually

NSW EPA


Blast Monitoring Summary

Blast monitoring results. Monthly

Community Consultative Committee Meetings

Community Consultative Committee Meetings

Blast monitoring results, assessment of compliance and performance.

Twice a year

Table 5-1 – Blast Reporting

6 Review and Improvement

6.1 Document Review This plan will be reviewed every 5 years as a minimum. The plan will also be reviewed earlier, if required, following a change to the sites internal or external context, an incident investigation, environmental audit, annual review or Development Consent modification.


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7 Accountabilities


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Role Accountabilities for this document

Drill and Blast

Engineer

Facilitate and/or implement blast management controls in accordance

with the blast management system in Section 4.1.

Consult with neighbouring mines to minimise cumulative impacts from

blasting in accordance with Section 4.2.1.

Coordinate the infrastructure monitoring program in accordance

Section 5.1.1.

Undertake blast fume monitoring in accordance with Section 5.1.2.

Drill and Blast

Supervisor


with the blast management system in accordance with Section 4.1.

Drill and Blast

Superintendent


with the blast management system in accordance with Section 4.1.

Environment and

Community

Coordinator

Coordinate the vibration/overpressure monitoring program in

accordance with Section 5.1.1.

Coordinate structural assessments on heritage items in accordance

with Section 5.2.1.

Coordinate private property monitoring campaigns in accordance with

Section 5.2.2.

Manage blast related complaints in accordance with Section 4.4.

Evaluate monitoring results and compliance with approval

conditions/blast management plan commitments in accordance with

Section 5.3.

Undertaken blast management reporting in accordance with Section

5.4.

Train relevant personnel in the requirements of the plan in accordance

with Section 4.6.

Review the performance of the blast management plan in meeting the

objectives/targets in accordance with Section 5.3.

Environment and

Community Manager

Manage and report blast incidents in accordance with Section 4.3.

Review the performance of the blast management plan in meeting the

objectives/targets in accordance with Section 6.1.


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8 Document Information

8.1 Related Documents

Number Title

BULCX-2103827161-3082 Bulga Complex Environmental Management Strategy

BULOC-1104430715-25236 Shotfiring and Explosives Management Plan

BULOC-1104430715-317 Blast Design Procedure

BULOC-1104430715-25194 Blast Clearance and Firing Procedure

BULCX-2103827161-3569 Pollution Incident Response Management Plan

Table 8-1 – Related documents

8.2 Reference Information

Reference Title

AS 2187.2-2006 Explosives – Storage and use – Use of explosives

Explosives Regulation 2013 under Explosives Act 2003

Australian Explosives Industry And Safety Group Inc (August 2011), Code of Good Practice: Prevention and Management of Blast Generated NOx Gases in Surface Blasting, Edition 2.

Australian Explosives Industry And Safety Group Inc (August 2011), Code of Good Practice: Prevention and Management of Blast Generated NOx Gases in Surface Blasting, Edition 2.

Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (2011), QLD Guidance Note (QGN) 20 V3 Management of Oxides of Nitrogen in Open Cut Blasting.

Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation (2011), QLD Guidance Note (QGN) 20 V3 Management of Oxides of Nitrogen in Open Cut Blasting.

SSD-4960 Bulga Optimisation Project Development Consent.

SSD-4960 Bulga Optimisation Project Development Consent.

Environmental Protection Licence 563.

Environmental Protection Licence 563.

Table 8-2 – Reference information

http://author.coal.au.glencore.net/sites/bulga-complex/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc=/sites/bulga-complex/Documents/ENV/Bulga%20Coal%20Complex%20Environmental%20Management%20Strategy.docx&action=default

http://author.coal.au.glencore.net/sites/bulga-open-cut/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc=/sites/bulga-open-cut/Documents/Production/Shotfiring%20and%20Explosives%20Management%20Plan.docx&action=default

http://author.coal.au.glencore.net/sites/bulga-complex/_layouts/15/WopiFrame.aspx?sourcedoc=/sites/bulga-complex/Documents/HSEC/Pollution%20Incident%20Response%20Management%20Plan.pdf&action=default


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8.3 Change Information

Version Date Change Summary

1.0 28.07.2010 New document

2.0 03.05.2013 Changed to ‘Final’ following DoPI approval

3.0 29.01.2014 Now includes fume strategy

4.0 27.02.2014 New template and document uploaded

5.0 15.09.2014 Updated Section 3.38 as per request from Dan Thomas Version 4.1:

6.0 25.09.2014 Updated version history table

7.0 14.07.2016 Uploading revised version as requested by Scott Wolfenden. Includes letter from Dept of Planning and Environment.

8.0 04.08.2016 Uploading revised document with minor changes to formatting in document and appendices as requested by Scott Wolfenden.

9.0 09.11.2016 Reference to environment and community broad brush risk assessment process and contractor training requirements.

Version 8.3: Reference to Environment and Community Broad Brush Risk Assessment Process and contractor training requirements.

Version 8.2: Reference to Annual Environment and Community Broad Brush Risk Assessment process and contractor training requirements.

Version 8.1: Reference to Annual Environment and Community Broad Brush Risk Assessment Process and contractor training.

10.0 28.02.2017 Sharepoint Migration 2017

11.0 24.05.2017 Minor formatting changes and updated Change Information table with history.

Updated 8.2 Reference Information – added “Explosives Regulation 2013 under Explosives Act 2003” as per Daniel Thomas.

Draft 11.0 18/10/2017 Update to pre-blast risk assessment process.

Draft 12.0 08/02/2019 Inclusion of blast fume management strategy and update to pre-blast risk assessment process.

12.0 25/03/2019 Plan approved by DPE.

Table 8-3 – Change information


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Appendix A - Fume Rating System

(Source: AEISG, 2011)

Assessing the amount of NOx gases produced from a blast will depend on the distance the observer is from the blast and the prevailing weather conditions. The intensity of the NOx gases produced in a blast should be measured on a simple scale from 0 to 5 based on the table above. The extent of the NOx gases also needs to be assessed and this should be done on a simple scale from A to C where:


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A = Localised (i.e. NOx gases localised across only a few blast holes)

B = Medium (i.e. NOx gases from up to 50% of blast holes in the shot)

C = Extensive (i.e. extensive generation of NOx gases across the whole blast).


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Appendix B - Fume Mitigation and Management Guide

Cause 1: Explosive Quality

Potential Cause Likely Indicators Possible Control Measures Responsibilities

Explosive product incorrectly formulated

All blasts and all locations utilising a specific explosive product / loading system

Explosives formulated to an appropriate oxygen balance to minimise the likelihood of post-blast fume.

Explosives supplier to test formulations where any change in ingredients.

Explosives/Precursor supplier to provide relevant Technical Data Sheets and Manufacturing directions.

Explosive Supplier

Precursor delivered to mine site out of specification

Traceable to a precursor which has degraded between

manufacture and use

Poor blast

Performance

Investigate with supplier of explosive precursors.

Explosive Supplier

Inadequate mixing of raw materials

NOx emitted from blast holes loaded from a specific delivery system

Product appearance abnormal

Visual check.

Density check.

Ensure compliance with supplier’s/manufacturer’s instructions.

Explosive Supplier

Shotfirer

Product past use by date

Difficulty achieving final density

Separation

Crystallising

Fines

Colour variation

Poor blast

performance

Testing to ensure the

product is within the

manufacturers

specification i.e.

pH, density, viscosity

Explosive Supplier

Dragline Drill and Blast

Superintendent (DD&B Sup’t)

Magazine Keeper

Failure to conduct quality tests

Incomplete documentation/ practices

Conduct observations to ensure compliance with procedures.

All blast crew to be trained in the potential consequences of failing to ensure the characteristics of the product loaded.

DD&B Sup’t

Cause 2: Geological Conditions


Lack of relief in weak/soft strata.

Inadequate confinement.

In specific areas known to contain weak/soft strata only

Understand geology of each shot and design blast (timing and explosive product) to ensure adequate relief.

Minimise blast size and depth.

Appropriate explosives product selection.

Change design to suit conditions.

Mine Geologist

Drill and Blast Engineer


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Dynamic water in holes

Preceded by the observation of slumped blast holes Usually when using non water-resistant explosive products

Minimise or eliminate sleep time of shot.

Measure recharge rates if dewatering, and choose explosive products according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

Record slumped holes and use this information to build understanding of pit hydrology.

Shotfirer


Geologist

Explosive product seeping into cracks

In specific areas known to contain a high incidence of faulted/ fractured ground or where ground is tightly jointed and susceptible to fracturing.

Maintenance of accurate drill records which are used to map geological conditions.

Record and monitor blast holes which are slumped or require excessive explosive product to reach stemming height, but where water is not present.

Drill Operators

Shotfirer


Moisture in clay

In clay strata or strata with high clay content

Consider water resistant explosive products and how this may impact sleep time.


Geologist

Blast hole wall deterioration between drilling and loading e.g. cracks, voids, hole contraction

Traceable to specific geological areas

Minimise time between drilling and loading.

Use hole savers.

Ensure benches are unaffected by back-break from earlier blasts e.g. pre-splits.

Drill Operators


Cause 3: Blast Design and Cause 4: Product Selection


Inter-hole explosive desensitisation

Blast holes drilled

too close together

Blast hole deviation

Inconsistent blast

performance

Reduce bench height or ensure adequate relief in deep holes.

Product selection.

Increased control on deeper designs/ GPS drilling assist

Review product selection, adjusting for actual drilling.

Drill Operator


Intra-hole explosive desensitisation in decked blast holes

When using decks only Inconsistent blast

Performance

Appropriate separation of explosive decks.

Initiator timing.


Explosive desensitisation due to the blast hole depth

Poor blast performance

Reduce bench height.

Ensure adequate relief in deep holes.

Follow manufacturer’s

recommendations on

explosive product selection and blast design for deep holes i.e. decking where appropriate.


Inappropriate priming and/or placement

Residue product

Inconsistent blast

performance


recommendations on explosive product initiation.



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Excessive confinement

(Incorrect Timing and Pattern Design)

Specific to blasts known to be confined

No free face present

Excessive powder factor

Understand geology of each shot and design blast (timing and explosive product) to ensure adequate relief in all strata.

Consider incorporation of a free face, reduction of powder factor, modified timing, depth of blast.


Geologist

Desensitisation of explosive column from in-hole detonating cord initiation

Only in areas where in-hole cord initiation is used

Inconsistent blast performance

Follow manufacturer's recommendations on compatibility of initiating systems with explosives.


Primer of insufficient strength to initiate explosive column

All blasts using a particular primer type/ size


Follow manufacturer's recommendations on compatibility of initiating systems with explosives.


Failure to identify potential causes of fume generation

Inexperienced Designers Inadequate analysis or records

Use of a Pre-Design Checklist.


Explosives product selected not suitable for the prevailing ground conditions (water, rock mass strength)



recommendations on

explosive product application.

Review of the site design records/ results for previous blasts in similar strata.


Shotfirer

Non water-resistant explosive products loaded into wet or dewatered holes

Blasts containing wet/ dewatered blast holes only

Follow manufacturer’s recommendations on explosive product selection.

Regular education of shot crew on explosive product recommendations from supplier.

Discipline in on-bench practices.

Weather forecasts to be obtained and considered.

Shotfirer


DD&B Sup’t

Excessive energy in weak/ soft strata desensitising adjacent explosive product columns

In specific areas known to contain weak/soft strata

Understand geology of each shot and design blast (timing and explosive product) to match, e.g. reduction of powder factor.


Geologist

Cause 5: On-Bench Practices


Hole condition incorrectly identified

Slumping of holes

Unexpected material in drill cuttings

Dip all holes prior to loading.

Record wet, dewatered and dry holes on blast plan and use this information as a basis for explosive product selection.

Minimise time between drilling and loading, especially in soft and clay strata. Note: Enough time should be allowed for any dynamic water in the hole to be identified.

Shotfirer

DD&B Sup’t


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Minimise sleep time.

Training/competence of blast crew.

Blast not drilled as per plan

Can be correlated with inaccurately drilled patterns

Maintenance of accurate drilling records and review of blast design if required to compensate for inaccuracies.

Drill Supervisor


Inadequate mixing of raw materials

Frequent NOx fume in all areas associated with loading from a specific delivery system Product appearance abnormal

Visual check

Density check

Shotfirer

MMU Operator

Poor bench preparation not allowing for water run-off.

Pooling of water

Hole collars show effects of water damage

Ensure all loose material removed.

Cut drains where required.

Adequate inspection required prior to handing area over to drill team.

DD&B Sup’t

Dewatering of holes diverts water into holes previously loaded with dry hole explosive products

Only when using non water-resistant explosive products

Adjust explosive product selection according to manufacturer’s recommendations.

Bench cleaned up for effective water run-off.


Shotfirer

DD&B Sup’t

Rainfall on a sleeping shot.

Slumping of holes

Poor blast

performance

Review rainfall forecasts for planned sleep time of shot and select explosive products according to manufacturer’s recommendations. Maximum sleep times will be followed according to the specifications details on the Technical Data Sheets (TDS) for each explosive product.

Minimise sleep time for dry blast hole explosive products if rain is predicted.

Bench cleaned up for water runoff.

Seal top of blast holes to prevent water ingress e.g. with gas bags.

Consider removing water affected product.

Consider early firing of blast.

Shotfirer

DD&B Sup’t

Blast not loaded as per blast plan

Localised or general occurrence


Effective supervision.

Communication of loading requirements.

Record actual loadings e.g. product, quantity, height.

Shotfirer

DD&B Sup’t

Blast hole deterioration between drilling and loading

Traceable to specific geological areas

Minimise time between

drilling and loading.

DD&B Sup’t

Drill Operator


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Inconsistent column rise while loading

Use hole savers.

Optimise drilling practices to minimise hole damage though rock cracking etc.


Cause 6: Contamination of Explosives in the Blast Hole


Explosive product mixes with mud/ sediment at bottom of hole.

Blasts containing wet/dewatered blast holes only

Optimise drilling practices to minimise blast hole damage.

Ensure appropriate loading practices are followed during charging.

Ensure primer is positioned in undiluted explosive product.

Insert gas bag to separate mud/ sediment from explosive product.

Use blast hole savers

Use end of loading hose dispersers to minimise contamination.

Decking to eliminate contact with known dynamic water.

Verify correct hose handling practices are in place.

Use suitable, safe dewatering techniques.


Drill Operator

Shotfirer

MMU Operator

DD&B Sup’t

Penetration of stemming material into top of explosive column (fluid/ pumpable explosive products only)

Blasts charged with fluid/ pumpable explosive products only

Use appropriate stemming material.

Ensure explosive product is gassed to manufacture to specifications before stemming.

Seal top of explosives column prior to stemming e.g. gas bag.

Shotfirer

MMU Operator

Moisture in ground attacking explosive product

Wet ground occurrence

Explosives product selection.

Use hole liners where product not water resistant.

Load wet holes first and dip remaining holes prior to loading.

Adjust explosive product selection according to manufacturer’s/supplier’s recommendations.

Shotfirer

MMU Operator


Contamination of explosives column by drill cuttings during loading

Hole collars not consistent size

Inside of hole collars show disturbance

Verify correct hose handling practices are in place e.g. operator competence, procedures, use explosives supplier’s personnel.


Minimise vehicle contact near blast holes.

Use hole savers.

Drill Operator

Shotfirer

MMU Operator

DD&B Sup’t


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Appendix C - Development Consent (SSD-4960) Blasting Conditions

Schedule/Condition No.

Condition Summary of

Condition Section

Schedule 2.

Condition 8.

The Applicant shall ensure that blasting on the site does not cause exceedances of the criteria

in Table 4.

Location

Airblast

overpressure

(dB(Lin Peak))

Ground Vibration (mm/s) Allowable

exceedance

Residence on

privately owned

land

120 10 0%

115 5

5% of the total

number of blasts

over a period of 12

months.

330kV

Suspension

Towers, PID

Pipeline, and

public roads

- 100 0%

All other public

infrastructure -

50

(Unless the Director-General

has agreed to an alternative a

specific limit determined in

accordance with the structural

design methodology in

AS2187.2-2006, or its latest

version)

0%

Blast Criteria 3.2.2


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Condition 9.

The Applicant shall only carry out blasting on site between 9 am and 5 pm Monday to Saturday inclusive.

No blasting is allowed on Sundays, public holidays, or at any other time without the written approval of the Director-General.

Blasting Hours 3.2.1

Condition 10.

The Applicant shall carry out a maximum of:

(a) 3 blasts a day; and

(b) 5 blasts a week, averaged over a calendar year, on the site.

This condition does not apply to blasts that generate ground vibration of 0.5 mm/s or less at any

residence on privately-owned land, blast misfires or blasts required to ensure the safety of the

mine or its workers.

Note: For the purposes of this condition, a blast refers to a single blast event, which may involve a number of individual blasts fired in quick succession in a discrete area of the mine.

Blasting Frequency

3.2.1

Condition 11.

If the Applicant receives a written request from the owner of any privately-owned land within 2

kilometres of the approved open cut mining pit/s on site for a property inspection to establish the

baseline condition of any buildings and/or structures on his/her land, or to have a previous

property inspection updated, then within 2 months of receiving this request the Applicant shall:

(a) commission a suitably qualified, experienced and independent person, whose appointment is

acceptable to both parties to:

• establish the baseline condition of any buildings and other structures on the land, or update the

previous property inspection report; and

• identify measures that should be implemented to minimise the potential blasting impacts of the

development on these buildings and/or structures; and

(b) give the landowner a copy of the new or updated property inspection report.

If there is a dispute over the selection of the suitably qualified, experienced and independent person, or the Applicant or the landowner disagrees with the findings of the property inspection report, either party may refer the matter to the Director-General for resolution.

Property Inspections

5.2.2

Condition 12.

If the owner of any privately-owned land claims that buildings and/or structures on his/her land

have been damaged as a result of blasting on the site, then within 2 months of receiving this

claim the Applicant shall:

(a) commission a suitably qualified, experienced and independent person, whose appointment is

acceptable to both parties to investigate the claim; and

(b) give the landowner a copy of the property investigation report.

Property Investigations

5.2.2


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If this independent property investigation confirms the landowner’s claim, and both parties agree

with these findings, then the Applicant shall repair the damage to the satisfaction of the Director-

General.

If there is a dispute over the selection of the suitably qualified, experienced and independent person, or the Applicant or the landowner disagrees with the findings of the independent property investigation, then either party may refer the matter to the Director-General for resolution.

Condition 13.

During mining operations on site, the Applicant shall:

(a) implement best management practice to:

• protect the safety of people and livestock in the surrounding area;

• protect public or private infrastructure/property in the surrounding area from any damage; and

• minimise the dust and fume emissions of any blasting;

(b) ensure that blasting on site does not damage the ‘Mount Leonard’ Homestead, Mt Leonards

Public School (Scout Hall), Charlton (BH14), Bulga Bridge, St Andrews Anglican Church, or the

Loders Creek grinding groove site (prior to relocation);

(c) minimise the frequency and duration of any road closures, and avoid road closures for

blasting

during peak traffic periods;

(d) operate a suitable system to enable the public to get up-to-date information on the proposed

blasting schedule on site and associated road closures;

(e) co-ordinate the timing of blasting on site with the timing of blasting at the Mt Thorley and

Warkworth mines to minimise any cumulative blasting impacts;

(f) monitor and report on compliance with the relevant blasting conditions in this consent, to the satisfaction of the Director-General.

Operating

Conditions

4.1.5

4.1.5

4.1.7

3.2

4.1.5

4.2.1

5.4

5.5


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Condition 14.

The Applicant shall not undertake blasting on site within 500 metres of:

(a) any public road; or

(b) any land outside the site that is not owned by the Applicant,

unless:

• the Applicant has a written agreement with the applicable roads authority or landowner to allow

blasting to be carried out closer to the public road or land, and the Applicant has advised P&I

in writing of the terms of this agreement; or

• the Applicant has:

• demonstrated to the satisfaction of the Director-General that the blasting can be carried out

closer to the road or land without compromising the safety of people or livestock, or damaging

buildings and/or structures; and

• updated the Blast Management Plan to include the specific measures that would be implemented while blasting is being carried out within 500 metres of the road or land.

Operating Conditions

4.1.6

4.5.1

Condition 15.

The Applicant shall prepare and implement a Blast Management Plan for the development to

the satisfaction of the Director-General. This plan must:

(a) be prepared in consultation with the EPA, and submitted to the Director-General for approval

within 12 months of the date of this consent;

(b) describe the measures that would be implemented to ensure compliance with the blasting

criteria and operating conditions of this consent;

(c) propose and justify any alternative ground vibration limits for any public infrastructure in the

vicinity of the site (if relevant); and

(d) include a monitoring program for evaluating and reporting on compliance with the blasting criteria and operating conditions.

Blast Management Plan

4.2.3

4.1

4.1.6

5.1

Schedule 4.

Condition 1.

Within 1 month of the date of this consent, the Applicant shall: (a) notify in writing the owners of:

• the land listed in Table 1 of schedule 3 that they have the right to require the Applicant to

acquire their land at any stage during the development and/or request the Applicant to ask for

additional noise and/or air quality mitigation measures (whichever is relevant) to be installed at

their residence at any stage during the development (if they have not requested acquisition);

• any residence on the land listed in Table 2 of schedule 3 that they have the right to request the

Applicant to ask for additional noise and/or air quality mitigation measures (whichever is

relevant) to be installed at their residence at any stage during the development; and

Notification of Landowners

4.2.2


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Table 8-4 – Development Consent (SSD-4960) Blasting Conditions

• any privately-owned land within 2 kilometres of the approved open cut mining pit/s that they

are entitled to ask for an inspection to establish the baseline condition of any buildings or

structures on their land, or to have a previous property inspection report updated;

(b) notify the tenants of any mine-owned land of their rights under this consent (see condition 17

of schedule 3); and

(c) send a copy of the NSW Health fact sheet entitled “Mine Dust and You” (as may be updated

from time to time) to the owners and/or existing tenants of any land (including mine-owned land)

where the predictions in the EIS identify that dust emissions generated by the development are

likely to be greater than the relevant air quality criteria in schedule 3 at any time during the life of

the development.


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Appendix D - Environmental Protection Licence 563 Blasting Conditions

Condition No. Condition

Summary of Condition

Section

P1.4

The following points referred to in the table below are identified in this licence for the purpose of

monitoring and/or setting of limits for the emission of noise from the point.

EPA Identification no. Type of monitoring point Location description

5

Air blast overpressure &

ground vibration peak

particle velocity monitoring.

Monitoring location identified

as “Dawtrey” in the document

titled: “Bulga Coal, EPL 563,

Monitoring Locations, Xstrata

Coal NSW (2013)”

6





as “Hedley” in the document



Coal NSW (2013)”

7





as “Bulga” in the document



Coal NSW (2013)”

8





as “Charlton” in the

document titled: “Bulga Coal,

EPL 563, Monitoring

Locations, Xstrata Coal NSW

(2013)”

Blast Monitoring

Points

5.1.1


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L5.1

The airblast overpressure level from blasting operations in or on the premises must not exceed:

115dB (Lin Peak) for more than 5% of the total number of blasts during each reporting period; at

either monitoring point 5,6,7 and 8 in Condition P1.4.

Blasting Limits 3.2

L5.2

The airblast overpressure level from blasting operations in or on the premises must not exceed:

120dB (Lin Peak) at any time;

at either monitoring point 5,6,7 or 8 in Condition P1.4.

Blasting Limits 3.2

L5.3

The ground vibration peak particle velocity from blasting operations carried out in or on the

premises must not exceed:

5 mm/second for more than 5% of the total number of blasts during each reporting period;


Blasting Limits 3.2

L5.4

The ground vibration peak particle velocity from blasting operations carried out in or on the

premises must not exceed:

10mm/s at any time;


Blasting Limits 3.2

M7.1

To determine compliance with conditions L5.1 and L5.2:

a) Airblast overpressure and ground vibration levels must be measured and electronically recorded for monitoring points 5,6,7 and 8 for the parameters specified in Column 1 of the table below; and

b) The licensee must use the units of measure, sampling method and, and sample at the frequency specified opposite in the other columns.

Parameter Units of Measure Frequency Sampling Method

Airblast Overpressure

Decibels (Linear Peak)

All blasts Australian Standard AS 2187.2-2006

Ground Vibration Peak Particle Velocity

Millimetres/second All blasts Australian Standard AS 2187.2-2006

Blast Monitoring

Frequency and

Standards

5.1.1


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Table 8-5 – EPL 563 Blasting Conditions

R4.1

The licensee must report any exceedance of the licence blasting limits to the regional office of

the EPA as soon as practicable after the exceedance becomes know to the licensee or to one of

the licensee’s employees or agents.

Reporting Blast

Exceedance

4.3.1


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Appendix E - Department of Planning and Environment – Bulga Coal Complex Approval SSD-4960


Number:

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Appendix F - NSW Environmental Protection Authority – Consultation