HVO 2009 Annual Environmental Management Report - Final

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Coal & Allied – Hunter Valley Operations 5.4.4 Review of Rehabilitation Monitoring and Performance Rehabilitation Audits The independent biennial audit of rehabilitation was undertaken during May 2009. The audit assessed the following monitoring criteria: native vegetation and pasture, weeds, fencing, rock, surface water management, surface erosion, long term sustainability and maintenance of revegetated areas. The main outcomes of the audit are summarised below: Most revegetated areas were in an acceptable condition as a result of good rainfall over the previous 12 months; Sites over five years of age generally have either dense pasture growth, or adequate tree density and growth; As a result of occasional heavy rain since the last assessment, there have been significant erosion problems in some areas. These include contour drain failure, and/or gully erosion and riling. Erosion problems represent the most urgent items needing attention and have accordingly been listed as high priority items in the action list; While conducting the audit, miscellaneous topsoil dumps and timber stockpiles were observed across the mine. It is strongly recommended that a strategy be developed to use these resources. Biosolids is also recommended as a substitute for topsoil on areas of the mine where topsoil is scarce and overburden is of poor quality; Ongoing weed spraying (particularly for Galenia), undertaken in response to previous recommendations in earlier audit reports, has been generally effective although some areas have had relatively poor weed kill. While remnant weeds exist, repeat spraying will be necessary; As in past audits reports, field inspection has concentrated on areas between one and five years of age. Most areas five years or older have been progressively remediated (where appropriate), and are generally in a satisfactory condition. The need for remedial works in areas less than one year old is unclear. These areas need further time before outcomes become clear; Now that an improved rainfall pattern is evident, aerial fertilising is recommended. The opportunity to also include a light pasture mix should be capitalised on in this time. The addition of a light pasture mix will enhance existing pasture swards, repair any failed areas, and will help provide ground cover in treed areas; and In general, the result of ongoing maintenance over previous years has been very positive, and has resulted in a significant improvement in the standard of rehabilitation across most sites. Corrective actions reported in this audit largely reflect problems that have occurred in recent times, or the need for ongoing and routine maintenance. In order to maintain rehabilitation conditions, HVO has concentrated particularly on maintenance of erosion and scouring as well as weed control. Extensive inspections were undertaken during 2009 by site personnel identifying areas requiring maintenance of these issues. Aerial Fertilising and Seeding Aerial fertilising and seeding is planned for 2010 in accordance with recommendations from the 2009 rehabilitation audit. AEMR 2009 185
Coal & Allied – Hunter Valley Operations Rehabilitation Trials and Research HVO – Timber Monitoring Local independent environment consultants ENSR Australia Pty Ltd were engaged to undertake an assessment of habitat emplacement areas within post mining rehabilitation areas. This assessment was part of an ongoing monitoring program which commenced in 2006 with the instalment of the first timber stockpile. The habitat emplacement areas consist of timber and rock stockpiles placed within new post mining rehabilitation at Wilton Dump, Carrington and West Pits. The survey of the habitat emplacement areas investigated insect activity, animal activity (both introduced and native animals), presence/colonisation of the area by plant species both native and exotic from either direct seeding or natural colonisation, presence of weed species and presence of fungi and other cryptograms. These parameters were entered into a weighted field sheet providing an overall score for each site against which comparison can be made. Generally the overall scores for each of the areas have decreased over time, representing a decrease in habitat value of the timber and rock stockpiles. Above average rainfall following a drought may have led to an increase in weed species, which in some areas are dominating the vegetation and out competing desirable plant species. Soil compaction and an increase in ground cover is also resulting in animal activity being less visible so activity may have been scored as absent due to poor visibility of footprints and diggings. Management recommendations resulting from the project include targeting weed species such as Galenia (Galenia pubescens) amending the direct seeding mix to increase the presence and diversity of native understorey and grass species, as well as giving consideration to placing timber and rock stockpiles within established rehabilitation areas to assist in the enhancement of species diversity whilst providing habitat for ground dwelling fauna within the rehabilitated areas. HVO – Nest Box Monitoring In May 2006 ENSR Australia Pty Ltd was commissioned by HVO to undertake the placement of 24 ‘nest boxes’ in post-mining rehabilitation areas. The project was undertaken with the intention of providing nesting habitat for birds and arboreal mammals which is naturally provided by hollows in old trees, but is absent from rehabilitation areas. Monitoring of the nest boxes was undertaken during November 2006. Based on the results that few of the nesting boxes were being utilised by target species, 21 ‘species specific’ nesting boxes were set up in post-mining rehabilitated sites in the West Pit and Carrington Pit areas in July 2007. These ‘species specific’ nesting boxes were sourced from La Trobe University based on a previously conducted flora and fauna study of the site. In November 2007 the nesting boxes were inspected to: Record signs of visitation and/or occupation by birds and arboreal mammals; Assess general condition; and Assess functionality. Six (28 per cent) of the 21 nesting boxes showed signs of visitation by target species. Two nesting boxes exhibited evidence of having been used for nesting and rearing young. The results and recommendations from past monitoring reports have been adopted for the planning of any future nest box installation. Nest box monitoring will continue through 2010. 5.4.5 Decommissioning Closure Plans and Schedules Implementation of the HVO Mine Life Plan (MLP), which was reviewed in 2008, continued. Based on the long period before HVO ceases production (and therefore closes), the terms ‘mine life planning’ and ‘Mine Life Plan’ have been adopted to more accurately reflect the planning process and the name of the closure plan. Work continued on the MLP as per the Implementation Plan, which will be reviewed annually as part of the business planning process. Consultation with the community and key stakeholders on the HVO MLP has commenced and will continue throughout the mine life planning process. AEMR 2009 186
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HVO 2009 Annual Environmental Management Report - Final

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