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Premium member Presentation Transcript Strategic Assessment - Coal Mining Potential in the Upper Hunter Valley Draft Report March 2005: Strategic Assessment - Coal Mining Potential in the Upper Hunter Valley Draft Report March 2005Scope of the Study: Scope of the Study Government announced a strategic investigation into the implications of extending coal mining into the region, in conjunction with Bickham announcement. Agreed to look at whole of the Upper Hunter LGA (nearly 5,000 km2), rather than just Bickham (Map 2). The study covers coal-bearing lands from Aberdeen to Murrurundi (Map 3). Therefore has taken longer than originally planned. Process of the Study: Process of the Study Study Area first assessed for coal resources. Coal-bearing areas then assessed for mine development potential (Map 5). Identify other environmental, social and economic values (Maps 7 – 16). Identify and analyse the issues that could arise between mining and these other values (Maps 17 – 22). Coal Resource Development Potential: Coal Resource Development Potential Area with coal resources divided into 6 domains with varying prospectivity (Domains A – F, see Map 5). Key result is there is a very small area (0.08%) with identified potential for coal mining in next 15 years.Water Resources: Water Resources Assesses surface water courses, related alluvial aquifers, and hardrock aquifers and relationships between each. Identifies following potential issues for new mines: salinity other water quality issues water availability mining related impacts on streams and aquifers flooding issues post open cut mining issues Most important potential issue is salinity. Salinity and Mining: Salinity and Mining Examines natural salinity and general impacts of mining and reviews Hunter Valley Salinity Trading Scheme. Models potential salinity impacts in the Study Area uses data from seven existing coal mines establishes best case, average and worst case scenarios examines theoretical trickle discharge outcomes examines theoretical high flow discharge outcomes examines potential salinity impacts at Bickham site examines saline wastewater storage or use options Other Values Examined: Other Values Examined Natural heritage and related issues parks and reserves, native vegetation and ecology, aquatic and water dependent ecosystems Cultural heritage and related issues Aboriginal heritage (133 sites) and European heritage (120 sites) Land resources and related issues landscape, soils, agricultural land, minesite rehabilitation Agriculture and related issues agricultural production, key enterprises (eg horse industry) Social and amenity Issues Social issues, consultation, dust and noise impactsCoal Resource Development Potential: Coal Resource Development Potential Only one existing coal mine in the 5000 km2 Study Area - Dartbrook (Domain F). Two areas have small scale open cut mine potential: Bickham, near Murrurundi in the Pages River Catchment (Domain A) Castle Rock, west of Aberdeen in the Dart Brook Catchment (Domain B) Two other large areas with exploration potential: West of Bickham is prospective for shallow coal, including open cuts (0.6%) (Domain C). Large central zone has long-term potential for underground coal (5.8%) (Domain D). Both constrained by complex geology and need detailed exploration. Potential Scale of New Mines: Potential Scale of New Mines Bickham: identified coal resource of 25 million tonnes in 1.5 km2 $50 million capital investment and up to $100 million pa income 15 year mine life and close to the main northwestern rail line up to 70 direct full time jobs and 140 indirect jobs total local employment income c. $15m pa. Castle Rock: potential northern extension of Muswellbrook Mine current exploration by Muswellbrook Coal Co, area c. 2.5 km2 current Muswellbrook Mine output 1 Mtpa coal (worth $50m) could continue current 100 direct full time jobs and 200 indirect jobs total local employment income c. $20m pa. Pages River Catchment - Bickham: Pages River Catchment - Bickham Bickham is adjacent to the environmentally sensitive Pages River. The River has demonstrated high water resource values and ecosystem values. Both upstream and down it has major alluvial aquifers and is used extensively for stock and domestic drinking water. Camerons Gorge Nature Reserve 10 km downstream. Pages River Catchment - Bickham: Pages River Catchment - Bickham Relationship of mining with the Pages River is the key environmental issue addressed in the Study. Key water resources issues for mining at Bickham are: Will mine de-watering lead to saline groundwater inflow? How much, and what to do with it? Are the Pages River and the local aquifers connected? If so, how to prevent water from the River reaching the mine? Slide14: Potential Water Resources Issues Water Resources Issues - Bickham: Water Resources Issues - Bickham Groundwater salinity at Bickham very low - similar to the Pages River, but: unknown how far this low-salinity groundwater extends from the mine site. Pages River may be connected with the adjacent hard rock aquifers. Unsure, but potential for significant alluvial groundwater inflow to a mine. If so: controllable through setbacks and engineering works (eg a grout curtain). Insufficient information to really know: groundwater make, groundwater sources, long-term characteristics of groundwater salinity, mine wastewater disposal options, connectivity between the Pages River and hard rock aquifers, potential impacts on Pages River, means of avoiding them, shape and size of the final void, etc. Therefore very significant water management issues for a potential mine at Bickham. Protection for Pages River: Protection for Pages River Full protection against any significant impact by coal mining including by mine wastewater. No wastewater discharge unless major water quality parameters will maintain water quality and natural flows. Protection for Pages River: Protection for Pages River Any proponent should prepare for DIPNR, DEC & DPI: full Water Resource Assessment draft life-of-mine Water Management Plan. Community to be consulted during preparation of WRA and draft WMP. Independent expert panel to review both documents and advise DIPNR, DEC and DPI. Government should not consider a coal mine DA in the Pages River catchment unless DIPNR has advised that the draft Water Management Plan is satisfactory. Other Issues: Other Issues Most valuable agricultural lands associated with alluvial aquifers If alluvial aquifers are protected from significant impacts, no major impact on agricultural production in either Catchment. Policy could be developed to restrict impacts of coal mines on major streams and aquifers in the Hunter Valley, including appropriate buffer zones. All new coal mines should be managed to maintain long-term integrity of streams, alluvial aquifers and ecosystems. Other issues are not as major as water resources, but will still need careful assessment and management. Key Summary: Key Summary Very few short-term potential coal mines in Upper Hunter LGA. Full protection for the Pages River. Prior to DA, proponents (including Bickham) must submit full Water Resource Assessment draft life-of-mine Water Management Plan. Any new coal mine will be managed to maintain long-term integrity of streams, alluvial aquifers and ecosystems. Policy to be developed to restrict impacts of coal mines on major streams and aquifers. You do not have the permission to view this presentation. In order to view it, please contact the author of the presentation.
upper Hunter study Alohomora Download Post to : URL : Related Presentations : Share Add to Flag Embed Email Send to Blogs and Networks Add to Channel Uploaded from authorPOINTLite Insert YouTube videos in PowerPont slides with aS Desktop Copy embed code: (To copy code, click on the text box) Embed: URL: Thumbnail: WordPress Embed Customize Embed The presentation is successfully added In Your Favorites. Views: 195 Category: Entertainment License: All Rights Reserved Like it (0) Dislike it (0) Added: December 30, 2007 This Presentation is Public Favorites: 0 Presentation Description No description available. Comments Posting comment... Premium member Presentation Transcript Strategic Assessment - Coal Mining Potential in the Upper Hunter Valley Draft Report March 2005: Strategic Assessment - Coal Mining Potential in the Upper Hunter Valley Draft Report March 2005Scope of the Study: Scope of the Study Government announced a strategic investigation into the implications of extending coal mining into the region, in conjunction with Bickham announcement. Agreed to look at whole of the Upper Hunter LGA (nearly 5,000 km2), rather than just Bickham (Map 2). The study covers coal-bearing lands from Aberdeen to Murrurundi (Map 3). Therefore has taken longer than originally planned. Process of the Study: Process of the Study Study Area first assessed for coal resources. Coal-bearing areas then assessed for mine development potential (Map 5). Identify other environmental, social and economic values (Maps 7 – 16). Identify and analyse the issues that could arise between mining and these other values (Maps 17 – 22). Coal Resource Development Potential: Coal Resource Development Potential Area with coal resources divided into 6 domains with varying prospectivity (Domains A – F, see Map 5). Key result is there is a very small area (0.08%) with identified potential for coal mining in next 15 years.Water Resources: Water Resources Assesses surface water courses, related alluvial aquifers, and hardrock aquifers and relationships between each. Identifies following potential issues for new mines: salinity other water quality issues water availability mining related impacts on streams and aquifers flooding issues post open cut mining issues Most important potential issue is salinity. Salinity and Mining: Salinity and Mining Examines natural salinity and general impacts of mining and reviews Hunter Valley Salinity Trading Scheme. Models potential salinity impacts in the Study Area uses data from seven existing coal mines establishes best case, average and worst case scenarios examines theoretical trickle discharge outcomes examines theoretical high flow discharge outcomes examines potential salinity impacts at Bickham site examines saline wastewater storage or use options Other Values Examined: Other Values Examined Natural heritage and related issues parks and reserves, native vegetation and ecology, aquatic and water dependent ecosystems Cultural heritage and related issues Aboriginal heritage (133 sites) and European heritage (120 sites) Land resources and related issues landscape, soils, agricultural land, minesite rehabilitation Agriculture and related issues agricultural production, key enterprises (eg horse industry) Social and amenity Issues Social issues, consultation, dust and noise impactsCoal Resource Development Potential: Coal Resource Development Potential Only one existing coal mine in the 5000 km2 Study Area - Dartbrook (Domain F). Two areas have small scale open cut mine potential: Bickham, near Murrurundi in the Pages River Catchment (Domain A) Castle Rock, west of Aberdeen in the Dart Brook Catchment (Domain B) Two other large areas with exploration potential: West of Bickham is prospective for shallow coal, including open cuts (0.6%) (Domain C). Large central zone has long-term potential for underground coal (5.8%) (Domain D). Both constrained by complex geology and need detailed exploration. Potential Scale of New Mines: Potential Scale of New Mines Bickham: identified coal resource of 25 million tonnes in 1.5 km2 $50 million capital investment and up to $100 million pa income 15 year mine life and close to the main northwestern rail line up to 70 direct full time jobs and 140 indirect jobs total local employment income c. $15m pa. Castle Rock: potential northern extension of Muswellbrook Mine current exploration by Muswellbrook Coal Co, area c. 2.5 km2 current Muswellbrook Mine output 1 Mtpa coal (worth $50m) could continue current 100 direct full time jobs and 200 indirect jobs total local employment income c. $20m pa. Pages River Catchment - Bickham: Pages River Catchment - Bickham Bickham is adjacent to the environmentally sensitive Pages River. The River has demonstrated high water resource values and ecosystem values. Both upstream and down it has major alluvial aquifers and is used extensively for stock and domestic drinking water. Camerons Gorge Nature Reserve 10 km downstream. Pages River Catchment - Bickham: Pages River Catchment - Bickham Relationship of mining with the Pages River is the key environmental issue addressed in the Study. Key water resources issues for mining at Bickham are: Will mine de-watering lead to saline groundwater inflow? How much, and what to do with it? Are the Pages River and the local aquifers connected? If so, how to prevent water from the River reaching the mine? Slide14: Potential Water Resources Issues Water Resources Issues - Bickham: Water Resources Issues - Bickham Groundwater salinity at Bickham very low - similar to the Pages River, but: unknown how far this low-salinity groundwater extends from the mine site. Pages River may be connected with the adjacent hard rock aquifers. Unsure, but potential for significant alluvial groundwater inflow to a mine. If so: controllable through setbacks and engineering works (eg a grout curtain). Insufficient information to really know: groundwater make, groundwater sources, long-term characteristics of groundwater salinity, mine wastewater disposal options, connectivity between the Pages River and hard rock aquifers, potential impacts on Pages River, means of avoiding them, shape and size of the final void, etc. Therefore very significant water management issues for a potential mine at Bickham. Protection for Pages River: Protection for Pages River Full protection against any significant impact by coal mining including by mine wastewater. No wastewater discharge unless major water quality parameters will maintain water quality and natural flows. Protection for Pages River: Protection for Pages River Any proponent should prepare for DIPNR, DEC & DPI: full Water Resource Assessment draft life-of-mine Water Management Plan. Community to be consulted during preparation of WRA and draft WMP. Independent expert panel to review both documents and advise DIPNR, DEC and DPI. Government should not consider a coal mine DA in the Pages River catchment unless DIPNR has advised that the draft Water Management Plan is satisfactory. Other Issues: Other Issues Most valuable agricultural lands associated with alluvial aquifers If alluvial aquifers are protected from significant impacts, no major impact on agricultural production in either Catchment. Policy could be developed to restrict impacts of coal mines on major streams and aquifers in the Hunter Valley, including appropriate buffer zones. All new coal mines should be managed to maintain long-term integrity of streams, alluvial aquifers and ecosystems. Other issues are not as major as water resources, but will still need careful assessment and management. Key Summary: Key Summary Very few short-term potential coal mines in Upper Hunter LGA. Full protection for the Pages River. Prior to DA, proponents (including Bickham) must submit full Water Resource Assessment draft life-of-mine Water Management Plan. Any new coal mine will be managed to maintain long-term integrity of streams, alluvial aquifers and ecosystems. Policy to be developed to restrict impacts of coal mines on major streams and aquifers.