HVO 2009 Annual Environmental Management Report - Final

Coal & Allied – Hunter Valley Operations
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 INTRODUCTION ....................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1 SCOPE............................................................................................................................................. 1
1.1.1 Background Development................................................................................................... 1
1.1.2 Corporate Environmental Management Strategies............................................................. 2
1.2 CONSENTS, LEASE AND LICENCES............................................................................................ 5
1.2.1 Current Approvals ............................................................................................................... 5
1.2.2 Compliance Audits ............................................................................................................ 21
1.2.3 Amendments over the Reporting Period........................................................................... 21
1.2.4 Proposed Developments................................................................................................... 22
1.3 MINE CONTACTS ......................................................................................................................... 23
1.4 ACTIONS REQUIRED AFTER REVIEW OF 2008 AEMR ............................................................ 24
2 OPERATIONS DURING THE REPORTING PERIOD ............................................................................ 27
2.1 EXPLORATION AND RESOURCE UTILISATION ........................................................................ 27
2.1.1 Current Exploration ........................................................................................................... 27
2.1.2 Reserve/Resource Status ................................................................................................. 28
2.1.3 Estimated Mine Life........................................................................................................... 28
2.2 LAND PREPARATION................................................................................................................... 28
2.2.1 Vegetation Clearing........................................................................................................... 29
2.2.2 Topsoil Management.........................................................................................................29
2.3 CONSTRUCTION .......................................................................................................................... 29
2.4 MINING .......................................................................................................................................... 29
2.4.1 Changes during the Reporting Period............................................................................... 30
2.4.2 Mining Equipment ............................................................................................................. 30
2.5 MINERAL PROCESSING .............................................................................................................. 30
2.5.1 Product and Market........................................................................................................... 31
2.5.2 Production and Waste Summary ...................................................................................... 32
2.6 WASTE MANAGEMENT................................................................................................................ 32
2.6.1 Hydrocarbon Disposal.......................................................................................................32
2.6.2 Sewage Treatment/Disposal............................................................................................. 32
2.6.3 Non Hazardous Wastes .................................................................................................... 32
2.6.4 Processing Plant Residues/Rejects Management............................................................ 34
2.6.5 Monitoring and Maintenance of Tailings Containment Facilities ...................................... 34
2.7 ORE AND PRODUCT STOCKPILES ............................................................................................ 37
2.7.1 Stockpile Capacity............................................................................................................. 37
2.7.2 Changes or Additions to Process or Facilities during 2009 .............................................. 37
2.7.3 Changes in Product Transport .......................................................................................... 37
2.8 WATER MANAGEMENT ............................................................................................................... 38
2.8.1 Water Balance................................................................................................................... 38
2.8.2 Improvements to Mine Water Management...................................................................... 43
AEMR 2009
ii