Bengalla Mine Environmental Impact Statement (1993) - Part 1 of 3

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT 

STATEMENT 

FOR 

BENGALLA OPENCUT 

COAL MINE 

Prepared for: 

BENGALLA MINING COMPANY PTY LIMITED 

on Behalf of the Bengalla Joint Venture 

Prepared by: 

ENVIROSCIENCES PTY LIMITED

1 

BENGALLA EIS 

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

SECTION 1 : INTRODUCTION 

1.1 THE PROPOSAL 

1.2 PROFILE OF THE BENGALLA JOINT VENTURE 

1.3 BACKGROUND 

1.4 NEIGHBOURING COAL MINES AND EXPLORATION AREAS 

1.5 JUSTIFICATION OF THE DEVELOPMENT 

Market Demand 

Economic Benefits 

1.6 LIAISON WITH GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES AND THE COMMUNITY 

Muswellbrook Shire Council 

Department of Planning 

Department of Mineral Resources 

Planning Focus Meetings 

Community Liaison 

1.7 LEGISLATIVE REQUIREMENTS 

1.7.1 Development Consent 

1.7.2 Coal Lease 

1.7.3 Environment Protection Authority Approvals and Licences 

1.8 FORMAT OF THE IMPACT STATEMENT 

1.9 STUDY TEAM 

Envirosciences Pty Limited 

Sub-Consultants 

Costain Australia Limited 

SECTION 2 : EXISTING ENVIRONMENT 

2.1 REGIONAL SETTING 

2.2 TOPOGRAPHY AND SLOPES 

2.3 SOILS AND LAND CAPABILITY 

2.3.1 Soils 

2.3.2 Land Capability 

2.4 CLIMATE 

2.4.1 Meteorological Data Sources 

2.4.2 Rainfall and Evaporation 

2.4.3 Temperature and Humidity 

2.4.4 Inversions 

2.4.5 Wind Speed and Direction 

2.5 FLORA AND FAUNA 

2.5.1 Introduction 

2.5.2 Methods 

2.5.3 Factors Affecting Vegetation Distribution 

2.5.4 Major Vegetation Types 

2.5.5 Conservation Value 

2.6 HYDROLOGY 

2.6.1 Surface Water Drainage 

2.6.2 Flood Levels 

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TABLE OF CONTENTS (cont.) 

2.6.3 Surface Water Quality 

Criteria for Assessing Water Quality 

Surface Water Quality 

2.6.4 Groundwater Occurrences and Yields 

2.7 AIR QUALITY 

2.7.1 Dust Monitoring Programmes 

Deposition Gauges 

High Volume Samplers 

2.7.2 Existing Air Quality 

Dust Deposition Levels 

Suspended Dust Concentration 

2.8 BACKGROUND NOISE 

2.9 LAND OWNERSHIP AND RESIDENCES 

2.10 LAND USE 


2.10.2 Statistical Data 

2.10.3 Dairying 

2.10.4 Lucerne Hay 

2.10.5 Beef Cattle 

2.10.6 Irrigated Grain Corps 

2.10.7 Horses 

2.10.8 Wine Grapes 

2.10.9 Cut Flowers 

2.10.10 Sheep and Wool 

2.10.11 Forage Crop Hay 

2.10.12 Turf 

2.10.13 Rural Residential and Hobby Farms 

2.10.14 Quarries 

2.11 TRANSPORT SYSTEMS 

2.11.1 Roads and Traffic 

2.11.2 Railway 

2.12 LAND ZONING AND PLANNING 

2.13 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS 

2.13.1 Population 

2.13.2 Economic Activity 

2.13.3 Employment 

2.13.4 Unemployment 

2.13.5 Housing 

2.13.6 Education, Health and Community Services 

2.14 ABORIGINAL HERITAGE 

2.15 EUROPEAN HERITAGE 

2.16 VISUAL ASPECTS 

2.16.1 Existing Landscape Characteristics 

Regional Context 

Landscape Character Types 

Scenic Quality 

Viewer Sensitivity Levels 

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SECTION 3 : GEOLOGY AND COAL RESOURCES 

3.1 GEOLOGY 

3.1.1 Geological Setting 

3.1.2 Geology of the Project Area (A438) 

3.2 COAL EXPLORATION 

3.2.1 Previous Drilling 

3.2.2 Exploration in A438 

3.3 COAL RESERVES 

3.4 COAL QUALITY 

3.5 CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF OVERBURDEN 


3.5.2 Sampling 

3.5.3 Chemical Analysis 

3.5.4 Description of Chemical Parameters 

3.5.5 Results 

3.5.6 Conclusions and Recommendations 

SECTION 4 : PROJECT DESCRIPTION 

4.1 MINING PLAN 

4.1.1 Constraints to Open Cut Mining 

4.1.2 Mining Plan and Schedule 

4.2 MINING METHOD 

Open Cut Operations 

Equipment 

Production Rate 

4.3 COAL HANDLING AND PREPARATION 

4.3.1 Raw Coal Handling (and storage) 

4.3.2 Coal Preparation Plant (site selection, 

plant description, capacity, coal blending) 

4.3.3 Clean Coal Handling (and storage) 

4.4 REJECT HANDLING AND DISPOSAL 

4.4.1 Quantities and Composition of Rejects 

4.4.2 Coarse Reject Disposal 

4.4.3 Tailings Disposal 

4.5 COAL TRANSPORTATION 

4.5.1 Rail Loop Design 

4.5.2 Train Loading 

4.5.3 Alternatives 

4.6 SURFACE FACILITIES 

4.6.1 Site Facilities 

4.6.2 Site Development and Earthworks 

4.6.3 Site Access 

4.6.4 Service Areas 

4.6.5 Construction Facilities 

4.6.6 Power and Water Supply 

4.7 CONSTRUCTION OF DENMAN ROAD - WYBONG ROAD LINK 

AND NEW BRIDGE OVER HUNTER RIVER 

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4.8 WORKFORCE 

4.8.1 Construction Stage 

4.8.2 Operational Stage 

4.9 MINE WORKING HOURS 

4.10 MARKETS 

4.11 WATER MANAGEMENT 


4.11.2 Water Management Controls 

Runoff from Undisturbed Areas 

Runoff from Rehabilitated Areas 

Mine Water 

4.11.3 Water Use and Disposal 

Coal Preparation Plant 

Dust Suppression Water 

Potable Water 

4.11.4 Water Balance 

4.12 REHABILITATION 


4.12.2 Objectives 

4.12.3 Land Use 

4.12.4 General Rehabilitation Procedures 

Timber Removal 

Shaping Spoil Dumps 

Topdressing 

Drainage and Erosion Control 

Revegetation 

4.13 ENERGY STATEMENT 

SECTION 5 : IMPACT OF THE PROPOSAL ON THE 

ENVIRONMENT 

5.1 IMPACT ON TOPOGRAPHY, SOILS AND LAND USE 

5.2 IMPACT ON SURFACE WATER AND GROUNDWATER 

5.3 IMPACT ON AIR QUALITY 

5.4 NOISE IMPACT 

5.5 VISUAL IMPACT 

5.6 IMPACT ON FLORA AND FAUNA 

5.7 IMPACT ON LAND OWNERSHIP AND RESIDENCES 

5.8 TRANSPORT IMPACT 

5.9 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT 

5.10 IMPACT ON ABORIGINAL HERITAGE 

5.11 IMPACT ON EUROPEAN HERITAGE 

SECTION 6 : ALTERNATIVES TO THE DEVELOPMENT 

6.1 ALTERNATIVES TO THE DEVELOPMENT 

6.2 CONSEQUENCES OF NOT PROCEEDING 

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SECTION 7 : REFERENCES 

SECTION 8 : APPENDICES 

APPENDIX 1 : DIRECTORS REQUIREMENTS 

APPENDIX 2 : AIR QUALITY ASSESSMENT 

APPENDIX 3 : NOISE AND VIBRATION ASSESSMENT 

APPENDIX 4 : GROUNDWATER STUDY 

APPENDIX 5 : HERITAGE STUDY 

APPENDIX 6 : VISUAL STUDY 

APPENDIX 7 : ARCHAEOLOGY 

BENGALLAEIS.F156

A : 1 

ABBREVIATIONS 

A102 Authorisation 102 

A438 Authorisation 438 

AADT 

Annual Average Daily Traffic 

ABS 

Australian Bureau of Statistics 

AEP 

Annual Exceedence Probability 

AHD 

Australian Height Datum 

ANFO 

Ammonium nitrate and Fuel Oil, an explosive 

ANZECC 

Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council 

ARI 

Average Recurrence Interval 

As 

Arsenic 

AS 

Australian Standard 

AusIMM 

Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy 

bcm 

bank cubic metres 

BMRGG 

Bureau of Mineral Resources Geology and Geophysics 

Ca 

Calcium 

CaCO 3 

Calcium Carbonate 

CALM 

Department of Conservation and Land Management 

Cd 

Cadmium 

Cl 

Chlorine 

Cr 

Chromium 

Cu 

Copper 

o 

angular measurement in degrees 

o C 

degrees Celsius (Centigrade) 

dB(A) 

decibel, "A" weighted sound pressure level 

dB(L 10 ) Sound pressure level exceeded for 10 per cent of time in decibels 

dB( LEq.T ) Equivalent continuous traffic generate sound pressure level in decibels 

dB(Lin) decibel, linear weighted sound 

DDH 

Diamond Drill Hole 

DEET 

Department of Education, Employment and Training 

DMR 


DWR 

Department of Water Resources 

E. Eucalyptus 

EC 

Electrical Conductivity 

eg 

for example 

EIS 

Environmental Impact Statement 

EPA 

Environment Protection Agency 

EP&A Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 

ESP 

Exchangeable Sodium Percentage 

Fe 

Iron 

FEL 

Front-end Loader 

g 

gram 

g/m 2 /mth 

grams per square metre per month 

H 2 O 

Water 

H 2 S 

Hydrogen Sulphide 

ha 

hectare 

h/d 

hours per day 

HQ 

64 mm diameter drill core 

K 

Potassium 

BENGALLA EIS. F156 

NOVEMBER 1993

A : 2 

ABBREVIATIONS (cont.) 

KEPCO Korea Electric Power Corporation 

kL/d/m 

kilolitres per day per metre 

km 

kilometre 

kW 

kilowatt 

L 

litre 

L 10 

noise level exceeded 10% of time 

L eq 

equivalent continuous noise level 

< less than 

Lox 

Limit of oxidation 

Ltd 

Limited 

Mbcm 

Million bank cubic metres 

meq/L 

milliequivalents per litre 

Mg 

Magnesium 

MIC 

Maximum Instantaneous Charge 

ML 

megalitre (1,000,000 litres) 

ML/d 

megalitres per day 

Mn 

Manganese 

Mo 

Molybdenum 

Mt 

Million tonnes 

Mtpa 

Million tonnes per annum 

m 

metre 

m 2 

square metres 

m 3 

cubic metres 

m 3 /h 

cubic metres per hour 

mg/L 

milligram per litre 

mm 

millimetres 

mm/h 

millimetres per hour 

Mm 3 

millions of cubic metres 

m/s 

metres per second 

MW 

Megawatts 

µm microns 

Na 

Sodium 

Ni 

Nickel 

NO x 

Nitrogen Oxides 

NO 3 

Nitrate 

OCDC 

Overseas Coal Development Committee 

Peabody 

Peabody Resource Limited 

per com personal communication 

% per cent 

pH 

Measure of hydrogen ion concentration on a logarithmic scale 

PM 10 Particulate matter, diameter less than 10 µm 

PMF 

Probable maximum flood 

PO 4 

Phosphate 

PJ 

Petajoule 

ppm 

parts per million 

Pty 

Proprietary 

ROM 

Run of Mine 

RTA 

Roads and Traffic Authority 

µS/cm 

micro Siemens per centimetre 



A : 3 

SAA 

Standards Association of Australia 

ABBREVIATIONS (cont.) 

SAR 

SO 2 

SO 4 

SPCC 

SRA 

t 

Taipower 

TCLP 

TOC 

tpa 

tph 

TSP 

TWA 

y 

Sodium Absorption Ratio 

Sulphur Dioxide 

Sulphate 

State Pollution Control Commission (now Environment Protection 

Authority) 

State Rail Authority 

tonne 

Taiwan Power Company 

Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure 

Total Organic Carbon 

tonnes per annum 

tonnes per hour 

Total Suspended Particulates 

Time Weighted Average 

year 



SECTION 1 : INTRODUCTION 



1:1 

1.1 THE PROPOSAL 

The Bengalla Joint Venture has established Bengalla Mining Company Pty Limited as its operating company, 

managed by Peabody Bengalla Pty Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Peabody Resources Limited. Peabody 

Resources Limited was formerly Costain Resources Limited. 

The Bengalla Joint Venture proposes to conduct opencut mining at Bengalla west of Muswellbrook. 

Consent is sought to a 21 year Mining Lease to authorise the mining of up to a total of approximately 147 million 

tonnes of run-of-mine (ROM) coal generally as referred to in Table 4.1 but subject to variations in the tonnages 

from year to year. 

Consent is also sought to the construction and operation, for the 21 year period, of the coal washing, handling, 

preparation and loading facilities described. 

Mining is proposed generally by the methods and with plant and equipment of the type and capacity described in 

this Environmental Impact Statement. 

The proposed opencut coal mine in Authorisation 438 (A438), referred to as the project area, is located 3 km west 

of Muswellbrook in the Upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales (Figure 1.1). The proposed opencut mine will 

produce coal which will be washed on site for the export market. The washed coal will be transported by rail to 

ship loading facilities at the Port of Newcastle. 

The economic coal seams occur in the Late Permian Wittingham Coal Measures which outcrop in the Bengalla 

area. The section of the coal measures delineated for mining in the first 21 years of opencut mining extends from 

the Edderton Seam up to the Warkworth Seam. This mining section contains eight formally named seams: 

Edderton, Wynn, Bayswater, Broonie, Vaux, Piercefield, Mount Arthur and Warkworth. Within these seams, a 

total of 52 coal splits have been analysed for coal quality. Detailed geological exploration and assessment have 

delineated 171 Mt of Geological Resources within the proposed initial open pit mining area. Total resources within 

the project area amount to 1,088 Mt of which 450 Mt is of measured status, 635 Mt is indicated and 3 Mt is 

inferred. 

The area outlined for opencut development in the first 21 years is located in the eastern part of the Authorisation, 

on the northwestern side of the Hunter River, above the floodplain (Figure 1.2). The proposed mining lease 

boundary is shown on Figure 1.2. The coal seams strike approximately north-south and dip gently to the west. 



1:2 

The mine design is based on a series of 60 m wide strips running approximately north-south, parallel to the strike. 

Mining will begin in the east with the excavation of a box cut aligned with the subcrop of the Edderton Seam, the 

stratigraphically lowest seam to be mined in the opencut. Mining will proceed westwards from the box cut in 

successive parallel strips. The subcrop of the Edderton Seam lies west of the Overton Ridge in the eastern part of 

the Authorisation, so that the ridge will help shield the box cut and subsequent mining strips from sight when 

viewed from Muswellbrook. The development of the mine behind Overton Ridge will also leave sufficient room 

for initial spoils and thus minimise the impact on the eastern face of the ridge and on the floodplain. 

Overburden removal will principally be a dragline operation, with a shovel and fleet of trucks removing the prestrip 

overburden. Coal will be ripped by dozers or blasted where necessary, mined by front-end loaders and transported 

by truck to in-pit receival points thence to the on-site coal preparation plant by overland conveyor. Front-end 

loaders will be substituted by continuous surface miners if suitable commercial models of continuous surface 

miners are available. This would minimise the need to rip and blast coal seams. 

The coal preparation plant located in the southwest corner of the project area will contain a modular dense medium 

washery. Fine reject material (tailings) will be dewatered and buried with coarse reject in overburden dumps. 

Run-of-mine and clean coal will be stockpiled adjacent to the washery. Thermal coal will be the major product; 

semi-soft coking coal may also be produced. 

Coal for export will be loaded into trains on a rail loop to be constructed branching off the Muswellbrook - Ulan 

Railway. This railway is located just south of the proposed washery and stockpile area, and joins the Main 

Northern Railway to Newcastle at Muswellbrook. If domestic markets arise in the future, the impact of 

transporting the coal to such markets will be addressed at the time. 

As mining proceeds, spoils will be progressively recontoured, topdressed and seeded for pasture and trees. 

All the land within A438 is privately owned or under perpetual lease apart from the existing road and rail corridors. 

The Joint Venture aims to acquire properties or reach agreement with landholders to permit mining within the 

proposed development area before the construction phase of the project commences in accordance with the 

Bengalla Joint Venture Land Ownership Policy. Land use in the Authorisation is currently beef and dairy cattle 

grazing, and crop cultivation. The Authorisation contains a number of farm residences associated with the 

agricultural activity. The Joint Venture will establish Bengalla Agricultural Company Pty Limited to manage, for 

agricultural purposes, all land owned by the Joint Venture not required or used for mining related purposes. 

Access to the Authorisation is presently by Wybong Road and Bengalla Road. Wybong Road forms the northern 



1:3 

boundary of the Authorisation and Bengalla Road branches off Wybong Road, traversing the Authorisation from 

northeast to southwest (Figure 1.2). Both the proposed opencut mine and the surface facilities will cut Bengalla 

Road. Before mining begins, a new road will be constructed linking Denman Road and Wybong Road, with new 

bridges across the Hunter River and the Muswellbrook - Ulan Railway, to give access to the development site as 

well as to properties outside the Authorisation that are currently serviced by Bengalla Road. 

No stream or major transmission line diversions will be required. 

The Joint Venture has adopted policies on Land Use, Water and Land Ownership, the principles of which provide 

the basis for decisions in the design, construction and operation of the project. 

1.2 PROFILE OF THE BENGALLA JOINT VENTURE 

Peabody Resources Limited assembled an international consortium, termed the Roxburgh Coal Consortium to 

develop the Bengalla Opencut Coal Mine. The Consortium has been renamed the Bengalla Joint Venture. 

The seven participants currently in the Bengalla Joint Venture are as follows: 

· Peabody Bengalla Investments Pty Limited, a wholly owned 

subsidiary of Peabody Resources Limited 25% 

· Clutha Bengalla Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of 

Clutha Limited 25% 

· Wesfarmers Bengalla Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary 

of Wesfarmers Limited 25% 

· Taiwan Power Company (Taipower) 10% 

· Korea Coal Pty Limited 5% 

on behalf of Overseas Coal Development 

Committee (OCDC), a group of seven 

Korean trading houses 

· Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO) 5% 

· MCDA Bengalla Investment Pty Limited, 5% 

a wholly owned subsidiary of Mitsui Coal Development 

(Australia) Pty Limited 

The Joint Venture has formed three companies, all of which will be managed by Peabody Bengalla Limited, a 

wholly owned subsidiary of Peabody Resources Limited. These are: 



1:4 

· Bengalla Mining Company Pty Limited, the project operator. 

· Bengalla Coal Sales Company Pty Limited which will be responsible for marketing all coal generated by 

the project. 

· Bengalla Agricultural Company Pty Limited which will manage all land owned by the Joint Venture not 

being mined, used for mining purposes or rehabilitated. 

1.3 PROFILE OF THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT COMPANY 

Peabody Resources Limited is a subsidiary of Peabody Resources (UK) Limited and was purchased from the 

Costain Group PLC in April 1993. 

Peabody Resources Limited (formerly Costain Resources Limited) has been involved in coal mining in Australia 

since 1967 when it was awarded the Ravensworth No. 2 coal tender by the Electricity Commission of New South 

Wales (ECNSW, now Pacific Power). Since that time, Peabody Resources Limited (Peabody) has been involved 

in the following developments. 

Warkworth 

Peabody has a 28.75 per cent equity in Warkworth Associates and manages the Warkworth Opencut Coal Mine. 

The current capacity of Warkworth Mine is 2.5 Mtpa of saleable coal, comprising steaming, semi-soft and soft 

coking coal for export. 

Ravensworth South 

In 1987, Peabody was awarded the Ravensworth South contract by Pacific Power to produce 3.9 Mtpa for 14 years. 

Peabody was responsible for the preparation of all environmental studies and statutory approvals and for the 

development and provision of infrastructure for this mine. Production commenced on time and coal delivery 

targets have been met each year since inception. 

In parallel with evolving community and government requirements, Peabody Resources Limited has developed a 

firm commitment to high standards of environmental management and rehabilitation. This is clearly reflected in 

the standards already achieved in rehabilitation at Ravensworth Mine. 

Ravensworth Mine contains the largest reafforested area of any coal mine within the Hunter Valley. Pasture 



1:5 

quality has been raised to a level where rehabilitated land has a carrying capacity for cattle at least equal to that of 

pre-existing pasture. 

Narama 

Peabody, in a 50:50 joint venture with Renison Limited, won a coal contract from Pacific Power to mine 2 Mtpa 

for 20 years at Narama, south of Ravensworth South Mine. Peabody is the manager for the joint venture and is 

responsible for all statutory and environmental approvals, provision of infrastructure and equipment and the 

commencement and ongoing management of the mine. Production commenced on time in January 1993. 

Other 

Peabody also operates a contract mining service. 

1.4 BACKGROUND 

In 1990, the New South Wales Government issued an open invitation for companies to submit development 

proposals for the exploration, evaluation and subsequent mining of the Bengalla Coal Development Area. The 

invitation closed on 31 August 1990, with seven tenders received. The Department of Mineral Resources assessed 

the proposals and awarded the tender to the Bengalla Joint Venture on 20 December 1990. 

The Bengalla Joint Venture was then invited to apply for an authorisation over the area to allow detailed coal 

exploration prior to mine planning and development. The then Minister for Minerals and Energy granted A438 to 

Peabody Resources Limited, as manager of the Bengalla Joint Venture, on 14 February 1991 for 2 years. The 

Authorisation covers the whole of the former Bengalla Coal Development Area and has an area of 19.2 km 2 . The 

Authorisation was subsequently renewed for a further period of two years. 



1:6 

1.5 REASON FOR THE DEVELOPMENT 

The demand for steaming coal in Japan, Taiwan, Korea and other Pacific Rim countries is predicted to increase 

during the mid to late 1990s. The Joint Venture proposes to commence and build up production of suitable quality 

steaming coal to meet this growing demand. 

For the Bengalla development, the strategy of Peabody Resources Limited was to involve the end-users of the 

product from the earliest stages of the development of the proposal. Thus, Korea Electric Power Corporation 

(KEPCO) and Taiwan Power Company (Taipower), the power utilities of their respective governments, have, for 

the first time, committed to overseas coal development. Like the other members of the Bengalla Joint Venture, 

KEPCO and Taipower will contribute to the development of the Bengalla coal resource and in the placement of the 

product. Similarly, Mitsui Coal Development (Australia) Pty Ltd, representing Mitsui & Co., Japan's oldest trading 

house, and Korea Coal Pty Limited, representing the Overseas Coal Development Committee, a group of seven 

major Korean trading houses, have decided to take part in the development and marketing of coal from Bengalla, 

in association with companies experienced in resource development in Australia. 

Bengalla is a large resource that can be worked economically. Benefits to the Upper Hunter will include direct 

employment opportunities, infrastructure development and flow-on income and employment effects. 

The large reserves will support long term supply of coal to the export market. 

Coal exports are the largest contributor to Australia's trade balance and current account. 

In 1990-1991, New South Wales coalfields exported approximately 50 Mtpa of coal to Asia and Europe (DMR 

1992). Increased competition from Indonesia and South Africa, which may limit Australia's share of the 

international market, increases the importance of economic developments to maintain Australia's position in world 

coal supply. The Bengalla project, with the benefit of a low cost mining operation and the involvement of overseas 

end users, is one such project. 

The proposed project is therefore significant at all levels. On a regional scale, the project will provide employment 

opportunities and boost the economy. It will be a revenue generator at State level from royalties, rail freight, port 

charges and State taxes and at a Federal level from taxes. This revenue is all generated by the sale of coal overseas, 

bringing in export dollars which will help Australia's economic recovery. 

1.6 LIAISON WITH GOVERNMENT AUTHORITIES AND THE COMMUNITY 



1:7 

The Bengalla Mine development proposal was formally introduced to NSW and Local Government authorities at a 

Planning Focus Meeting, organised by the Department of Mineral Resources and held at John Hunter Motel, 

Muswellbrook on 24 November 1992. Representatives of the following authorities were present: 

Department of Planning 


Department of Water Resources 

Environment Protection Authority 

National Parks and Wildlife Service 

Hunter Valley Catchment Management Trust 

Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Land Council 

Department of School Education 

Telecom 

Department of Conservation and Land Management 

Shortland Electricity 

State Rail Authority/Freight Rail 

Pacific Power 

Roads and Traffic Authority 

Muswellbrook Council 

Forestry Commission 

Rural Lands Protection Board 

At this meeting, a document outlining the proposal was issued to each authority and a presentation was made 

outlining both the proposal and the environmental studies being undertaken to assess the impact of the proposal. 

Representatives of the authorities were given the opportunity to ask questions about the proposal, and to tour the 

project area. 

All comments raised by the authorities both in writing and during discussions have been addressed in this 

Environmental Impact Statement. The requirements of the Director, Department of Planning are presented in 

Appendix 1. 

Shortly after the granting of the Authorisation, the Bengalla Mine Development Project Team established an office 

in the centre of the Muswellbrook business area. Residents were advised that information regarding the project 

was freely available at this office. Liaison with land owners within the Authorisation was quickly established and 

satisfactory arrangements were concluded regarding exploration and environmental studies. A number of meetings 

also took place with the Muswellbrook Council during which the project was explained in some detail. 



1:8 

1.7 LEGISLATIVE REGIME 

1.7.1 General 

The Bengalla Mine will be controlled by the planning, mining and environmental legislation of New South Wales 

which includes: 

· Environment Planning and Assessment Act, 1979 

· Mining Act, 1992 

· Protection of the Environment Administration Act, 1992 

· Pollution Control Act, 1970 

· Clean Air Act, 1961 

· Clean Waters Act, 1970 

· Dangerous Goods Act, 1975 

· Noise Control Act, 1975 

· Ozone Protection Act, 1989 

· Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals Act, 1985 

· The Environmental Penalties and Offences Act, 1989. 

1.7.2 Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 

The Mining Act provides that the Minister for Natural Resources may not issue a mining lease unless there is 

development consent. Being designated development, the development application must be accompanied by this 

Environmental Impact Statement which describes the mine for which consent is sought. 

The application is lodged with the Muswellbrook Council, as the consent authority, and will be referred to the 

Minister for Planning, pursuant to a direction made by him under Section 101 requiring reference to him, for 

determination, of any application for a new coal mine that involves the granting of a new mining lease. 



1:9 

1.7.3 Mining Act 1992 

The Mining Act makes provision with respect to mining titles. The mining lease will control the conduct of the 

mine with provisions to protect the environment and as to rehabilitation. The Minister for Natural Resources has 

the power to vary the terms of the Mining Lease, including with regard to rehabilitation. 

Section 65 provides that a "special purpose condition" (which is defined in clause 15 of the 1st Schedule as a 

condition dealing with mining methods, rehabilitation and safety measures) in a development consent is void and 

the development consent is taken to have been given free of that condition. These are matters for the Minister for 

Natural Resources and not for the consent authority under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act. 

Prior to commencing each stage of opencut mining, it is necessary to obtain Opencut Approval which is issued 

subject to conditions relating to environmental matters, mining methods and rehabilitation. 

1.7.4 Environment Protection Legislation 

The mine will be controlled by the New South Wales "Environment Protection Legislation" which is defined in the 

Protection of the Environment Administration Act to include Clean Air Act, Clean Waters Act, Dangerous Goods 

Act, Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals Act, Noise Control Act, Ozone Protection Act, and the Pollution 

Control Act. 

1.7.5 Protection of the Environment Administration Act 

This Act establishes the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) which is charged with the responsibility of 

administering and enforcing the Environment Protection Legislation. 

1.7.6 Pollution Control Act 

The mine will be "scheduled premises" within the meaning of the Noise Control Act and the Clean Air Act and 

cannot commence operation until an "approval" has been granted by the EPA. In addition, the mine will have to 

hold annually renewable licences each of which must be complied with at all times. 



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1.7.7 Clean Air Act 1961 

Emissions of dust from the mine can only occur in accordance with the approval of, and licence issued by, the 

EPA. 

1.7.8 Clean Waters Act 1970 

Approval is required from the EPA (Sections 16(1)(a) and 19(1)(a)) to install, construct or modify any equipment 

which will lead to the discharge (by whatever means) of pollutants into any waters. The mine will not be 

discharging any polluted waters and will not be seeking any licence to do so. 

1.7.9 Dangerous Goods Act 1975 

Explosives are dangerous goods, as defined, and licences are required for premises on which they are stored, 

carried and used. The provisions and controls of the Coal Mines Regulation Act are relevant in this context. 

1.7.10 Noise Control Act 1975 

Being scheduled premises, the mine will hold and will be required to operate in accordance with the terms of the 

approval and licences issued under this Act. 

1.7.11 Ozone Protection Act 1989 

This act applies to CFCs and Halons where they are used other than in articles which use those substances in their 

operation. 

1.7.12 Environmentally Hazardous Chemicals Act 1985 

A licence is required in respect of the storage, transport and use of prescribed chemicals. 

1.7.13 The Environmental Penalties and Offences Act 1989 

Any breach of the Environmental Protection Legislation is an offence for which there are penalties for the company 

and its officers which range from $1M downwards. In addition, orders may be made for: 



1:11 

· the prevention, control or mitigation of the harm; 

· reimbursement of loss or damage to property; 

· reimbursement of expenses incurred by a public authority. 

1.7.14 Regulatory Bodies 

Bodies that have the power and the obligation to supervise the mining and the Environment Protection Legislation 

include: 

· Environment Protection Authority 

· Muswellbrook Council 

· Minister for Natural Resources 

1.7.15 Federal Legislation 

The mine will produce coal for export and will require an export licence from the Department of Primary Industry. 

The constitution of the Joint Venture is such that Foreign Investment Review Board approval of the Treasurer may 

also be required. A pre-requisite to these approvals may be examination of the proposal by the Commonwealth 

Environment Protection Authority under the Environment Protection (Impact of Proposals) Act 1974. 

1.8 FORMAT OF THE IMPACT STATEMENT 

The Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Bengalla Coal Mine is presented in three volumes, Volume 

1 contains the text, Volume 2 contains the appendices and Volume 3 the plans and figures. The text has been 

written in six sections and covers the requirements of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act and 

Regulations. 

1.9 STUDY TEAM 

This report has been prepared by Envirosciences Pty Limited. 

Individual studies were undertaken by specialist consultants as part of the environmental impact assessment: 



1:12 

Caleb Smith Consulting Pty Ltd 

ACIRL Ltd 

Mackie Martin & Associates Pty Ltd 

NSW Agriculture 

Suters Architects Snell 

Elizabeth Rich 

Stapleton and Hallam 

O'Hanlon Design Pty Limited 

Nigel Holmes & Associates 

Envirosciences Pty Limited 

Connell Wagner 

Noise, blast, overpressure and ground vibration 

Air quality monitoring, surface water monitoring, 

meteorological monitoring 

Groundwater 

Agricultural Land Use 

European Heritage 

Aboriginal Heritage 

Traffic 

Visual Assessment 

Air Quality Assessment 

Flora and fauna, soils, rehabilitation, overburden 

characteristics 

Lighting Impacts 

Garry Collins BE(Min) and Roland Lee BE(Min)(Hons) of Peabody Resources Limited provided information on 

the proposed development. 

FitzGerald White Talbot and Co., Solicitors provided legal advice. 



SECTION 2 : EXISTING ENVIRONMENT 



2:1 

2.1 REGIONAL SETTING 

The Bengalla Authorisation (A438) is located in the Upper Hunter Valley of New South Wales, west of 

Muswellbrook, within Muswellbrook Shire (Figure 1.1). The proposed opencut mine within A438 lies on the 

northwestern side of the Hunter River, 3 km west of Muswellbrook township, between Wybong Road and the 

Muswellbrook - Ulan Railway. 

The Authorisation has an area of 19.2 km 2 and is bordered by Wybong Road in the north, Logues Lane in the east, 

and the southeastern boundary of A102 in the south. The western boundary runs north south to the east of 

Roxburgh Road. 

The Muswellbrook area contains huge coal resources. Operating underground and opencut coal mines are located 

east and southeast of the town (Section 2.10 and Figure 2.11). Detailed investigation and development of coal 

resources west and north of Muswellbrook are currently taking place. An Authorisation to prospect for coal 

(A459) has recently been granted in the Mount Pleasant area directly north of Bengalla. Further north, west of 

Aberdeen, the Dartbrook Underground Coal Mine has commenced construction development. Undeveloped coal 

resources have also been delineated in the Mount Arthur area south of Bengalla. 

While Muswellbrook has historically been recognised for its rural attributes, coal mining and power generation 

have been undertaken within the local area since the early 1900s. Two of the five power stations in the Hunter 

Region, Liddell and Bayswater, are located within the Muswellbrook area. Liddell and Bayswater generate 

approximately 40 per cent of the State's electricity by burning coal mined in the Upper Hunter Valley. The 

Muswellbrook Council mottos of "Power and Plenty" and "Muswellbrook - Bursting with Energy" reflect the 

combined industrial and agricultural nature of the area. 

The current major land uses in the Bengalla area are dairying, beef cattle grazing, horse studs, and cropping on the 

rich alluvial flats of the Hunter River. 

2.2 TOPOGRAPHY AND SLOPES 

The Bengalla area occupies undulating land which slopes overall southwards to the Hunter River. Alluvial flats of 

the Hunter River are present along the eastern and southern margins of the area. The Hunter River flows through 

the southeastern corner of the Authorisation, and then passes south of the area (Figure 2.1). 

Overton Ridge forms a prominent hillside rising to 188 m AHD in the eastern part of the Authorisation area, see 



2:2 

Figure 2.1. Further south, the lower hillslopes of the Hunter Valley rise more gently from the Hunter River at 

134 m AHD to the highest point of the Authorisation area in the northwest corner (250 m AHD). The 

Authorisation is traversed by north south trending ridges and valleys. 

The proposed opencut mine will be developed west of Overton Ridge which will partly screen the mining 

operations when viewed from Muswellbrook. The development of the spoil into a ridge in the early years of 

mining will provide further screening as the mine progresses westwards. 

The distribution of slopes over the area is shown in Figure 2.1. Most of the area has slopes less than 5 degrees. 

The alluvial flats, the gullies in the lower reaches of ephemeral streams draining into the Hunter River, and ridge 

tops all slope at less than 2.5 degrees. The Hunter River floodplain generally slopes at less than 1 degree. 

Slopes between 5 and 10 degrees are not common and occur on the sides and ends of some ridges. Slopes greater 

than 10 degrees are rare and occur on the steep edges of spurs that were eroded by a former course of the Hunter 

River. 

2.3 SOILS AND LAND CAPABILITY 

2.3.1 Soils 

A soil survey was carried out by Envirosciences to assess the nature of the site soils with regard to their suitability 

and availability for use in rehabilitation. The soil survey is presented in Appendix 2. 

Four different soil units were identified; red duplex, yellow duplex, brown gradational and brown uniform. The 

distribution of the soil types is shown in Figure 2.2. 

Soil samples from varying depths were analysed to determine particle size distribution, dispersivity, pH and 

electrical conductivity (a convenient measure of salinity), all of which affect suitability for use as top dressing 

material. The soils all show moderate dispersion characteristics, low salinity and pH levels within the range 

acceptable for revegetation. Structural and textural properties will therefore be the most significant factors limiting 

the availability of topdressing. 

The depth of suitable topdressing ranges from 0.1 m on the slopes and ridges to in excess of 1.0 m along the 

drainage lines. The available depth of topdressing material is shown in Figure 2.3. Ample material is available for 

rehabilitation, with sufficient material for an average thickness of 0.2 m of topdressing over the post mining 



2:3 

landform. 

2.3.2 Land Capability 

The Department of Conservation and Land Management rural land capability assessment system consists of eight 

classes based on increasing soil erosion hazard and decreasing versatility of use. It recognises three types of land 

uses: 

· land suitable for cultivation 

· land suitable for grazing 

· land not suitable for rural production. 

These capability classifications identify the limitations to the use of the land as a result of the interaction between 

the physical resources and a specific land use. The principal limitation recognised by these capability 

classifications is the stability of the soil mantle (Soil Conservation Service, 1986). 

Figure 2.4 illustrates the current rural land capability assessment of the area to be affected by mining operations 

and associated surface infrastructure development. Most of the project area has been assessed as Class 5, land 

which is best suited to grazing. The land is not suited to regular cultivation due to limitations of gradient, soil 

erosion, shallowness or rockiness. 

The remainder of the project area consists of Class 2 and Class 4 lands. Class 2 land is gently sloping land 

occupying the Hunter River floodplain. The land is suitable for a wide range of agricultural uses. This fertile land 

has a high potential for production of crops. 

Class 4 land occurs on low slope country adjacent to the floodplain. The land is unsuitable for cultivation on a 

regular basis, however, comprises the best class of grazing land. Soil conservation practices such as pasture 

management, stock control and application of fertiliser may be required to maximise productivity. 



2:4 

2.4 CLIMATE 

2.4.1 Meteorological Data Sources 

ACIRL Ltd were contracted to establish a meteorological station for the Bengalla project. The weather station is 

located on Overton Ridge in the southeastern corner of the Authorisation on Property No. 13. The station has been 

recording wind speed and direction, temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, evaporation and rainfall since 

December 1991. 

Meteorological data have been recorded at several locations close to the Bengalla area. Rainfall has been recorded 

at Muswellbrook High School (Station 061053) 3 km east of Bengalla for the Bureau of Meteorology since 1870. 

This station also recorded temperature, relative humidity and wind speed and direction for four years from 1969 to 

1972. Similar data have been recorded at Jerrys Plains (Bureau of Meteorology Station 061086) for 29 years. 

Wind data have been recorded from Glendell (near Ravensworth) and Drayton approximately 10 km southsoutheast 

of the Bengalla area. 

2.4.2 Rainfall and Evaporation 

The mean monthly rainfall and the mean number of raindays per month for the period 1870 to 1988 calculated 

from data recorded at Muswellbrook High School are given in Table 2.1. The annual average rainfall is 619 mm 

occurring on an average of 81 days per year. The highest rainfall occurs in summer, with January recording the 

highest monthly mean. 

Evaporation rates for the area in January, April, July and October are approximately 225, 125, 75 and 175 mm 

respectively (Bureau of Meteorology 1988). 

2.4.3 Temperature and Humidity 

The mean monthly maximum and minimum daily temperatures and relative humidity at Jerrys Plains are given in 

Table 2.1. January is the warmest month, on average, with a mean maximum temperature of 30.6 o C and a mean 

minimum temperature of 17.4 o C. July is the coolest month with a mean maximum of 17.4 o C and a mean minimum 

of 3.7 o C. 

Early morning humidity is greatest in winter (June) and lowest in November. Afternoon humidity follows a similar 

pattern. 



2:5 

Month Temperature ( o C) 2 

1969 to 1972 

TABLE 2.1 

CLIMATIC DATA, BENGALLA AREA 

Relative Humidity (%) 2 Rainfall (mm) 1 

1870 to 1988 

Evaporation 3 

(mm) 

Mean Max Mean Min 9 a.m. 3 p.m. Mean No. Raindays 

January 

February 

March 

April 

May 

June 

July 

August 

September 

October 

November 

December 

30.6 

29.7 

28.2 

25.1 

20.8 

17.8 

17.4 

18.8 

21.8 

25.1 

28.1 

30.3 

17.4 

17.4 

15.3 

11.3 

7.6 

5.5 

3.7 

4.6 

7.0 

10.6 

13.4 

15.9 

65 

70 

69 

71 

76 

80 

76 

70 

64 

61 

58 

60 

43 

47 

46 

44 

50 

52 

47 

44 

41 

41 

36 

37 

72 

63 

53 

45 

41 

50 

46 

40 

41 

49 

53 

66 

7 

6 

6 

6 

7 

8 

7 

7 

6 

7 

7 

7 

225 

125 

75 

175 

Annual 

Average 

24.4 10.8 68 44 619 81 

1 

2 

3 

Muswellbrook High School, Bureau of Meteorology Station No. 061053 

Jerrys Plains, Bureau of Meteorology Station No. 061086 

Bureau of Meteorology 

2.4.4 Wind Data 

Seasonal and annual wind data recorded at the project area are presented in Figure 2.5. Average wind speed at 

Bengalla during 1992 was 1.93 m/s. This value for the annual average wind speed was considered low and tests 

were carried out on the wind speed sensing components in the meteorological station. A problem in recording high 

wind speeds was identified, however, wind direction data from Bengalla are not in doubt. After consideration of 

regional wind data, an annual average wind speed of 2.6 m/s for the area has been adopted. 

The prevailing winds are from the southeast, south-southeast and northwest. Southeasterlies are most common in 

summer and autumn and northwesterlies are most common in winter. 

2.5 FLORA AND FAUNA 

The Authorisation area comprises cleared farmland with isolated low to medium density stands of trees along 



2:6 

drainage lines in the western part of the Authorisation. 

A flora and fauna study, undertaken by Envirosciences and presented in Appendix 4, showed that the natural 

ecology has been extensively disturbed by grazing animals and land clearing. The vegetation associations present 

can readily be found at other sites throughout much of the Hunter Valley. The poor diversity and lack of structural 

variation in the flora is reflected in the low faunal diversity observed throughout the site. No rare or endangered 

plant or animal species were observed during the study (species lists presented in Appendix 4) or are expected to 

occur on site. The conservation value of the Authorisation area is therefore low. 

2.6 HYDROLOGY 

2.6.1 Surface Water Drainage 

The natural drainage and water catchments in the Bengalla area are shown in Figure 2.6. All catchments drain in a 

south and southeasterly direction to the Hunter River. The Hunter River is the dominant drainage feature and its 

channel lies largely to the south of the Authorisation. The river flows to the southwest in a meandering channel 

across a well developed floodplain 1.5 to 3 km wide. 

The Authorisation area covers part of three catchments, see Figure 2.6. None of the catchments lie totally within 

the Bengalla area. Catchment 1, the largest catchment, drains from Mount Pleasant 3 km north of Bengalla. The 

dominant north-trending ridge in the middle of the Authorisation separates catchments 1 and 3. In the first 21 years 

of mining, the proposed opencut mine will intercept all three catchments: the upper portion of catchment 3, and 

small parts of catchments 1 and 2. Mine infrastructure will affect catchment 1. 

No permanently flowing water courses exist within the Bengalla area apart from the Hunter River in the 

southeastern corner. All other water courses in the area only flow intermittently and are generally dry. However, 

ponded water occurs in channels dammed for agricultural purposes. Long periods of zero flow are interrupted by 

short periods of discharge during periods of prolonged and/or heavy rainfall. 

In places, surface water flows onto the Hunter River floodplain and seeps into the alluvium rather than flowing 

directly into the Hunter River. 

Permanent water is stored in numerous farm dams on the Authorisation. Several series of diversion banks and 

associated dams have been constructed in the past to reduce soil erosion and control runoff in catchments 1 and 3. 



2:7 

The main characteristics of the catchments are given in Table 2.2. The discharge for each catchment has been 

calculated using the Rational Method (Institute of Engineers, Australia 1987). 

TABLE 2.2 

CATCHMENT CHARACTERISTICS 

Catchment Area in km 2 tc in hours Q 10 m 3 /s Q 100 m 3 /s 

1 

25.1 

2.59 

17.9 

43.3 

2 

7.8 

1.66 

7.6 

18.5 

3 

8.0 

1.68 

7.8 

18.9 

tc 

Q 10 

Q 100 

= time of concentration, time taken for all areas of the catchment to contribute to the discharge 

= discharge for 1 in 10 year event, for a storm of tc duration 

= discharge for 1 in 100 year event, for a storm of tc duration 

All development in the project area will be carried out in accordance with the Joint Venture Policy on water, 

presented in Appendix 7. 

2.6.2 Flood Levels 

The area of inundation caused by the February 1955 flood of the Hunter River is taken as the 1 in 100 year 

flood level (Water Resources Commission New South Wales, 1985). In the northeastern part of the Bengalla 

Authorisation, this level occurs at approximately 145 m AHD, about 200 m east of the intersection of Bengalla 

and Wybong roads. In the southern part of the Bengalla area, the 1 in 100 year flood level lies at approximately 

135 m AHD, on the northern side of the Muswellbrook - Ulan Railway (Figure 2.7). 

The proposed opencut mining area does not encroach onto the floodplain nor the 1 in 100 year flood level. The 

proposed surface facilities in the southwestern corner of the project area are also above the 1 in 100 year flood 

level. Part of the rail loop will be located below 1 in 100 year flood level and hence may be inundated in an 

extreme flood event. 

2.6.3 Surface Water Quality 

Criteria for Assessing Water Quality 

Criteria for interpreting the quality of water from physical and chemical analyses are given in Croft & 

Associates Pty Limited (1983) and in Berkman (1989). Some important water quality criteria relevant to this 



2:8 

project are discussed below. 

The electrical conductivity measures the extent to which water conducts electrical current, and is related to the 

amount of dissolved salts in the water. Therefore the electrical conductivity indicates the salinity of water. The 

higher the electrical conductivity, the greater the amount of dissolved salts present. Hart (1974) determined 

criteria for classifying the salinity of irrigation water based on electrical conductivity and the concentration of 

total soluble salts (filterable residue). Hart's classification of water into five salinity classes, ranging from low 

salinity (conductivity less than 280 µS/cm) to extremely high salinity (conductivity greater than 5,500 µS/cm) is 

reproduced in both Croft & Associates Pty Limited (1983) and Berkman (1989). 

Water with an electrical conductivity greater than 5,500 µS/cm is not suitable for irrigation under ordinary 

conditions. The water may only be used on permeable, well-drained soils under good management, for salt 

tolerant crops. It is not suitable for irrigating the crops that are grown on the Hunter River floodplain. 

For livestock drinking water, the desirable maximum electrical conductivity (µS/cm) for healthy growth is as 

follows: 

· beef cattle and horses 6,700 

· dairy cattle 5,000 

Filterable residue is a measurement of the total amount of dissolved solids, i.e. soluble salts. The electrical 

conductivity (EC) is approximately related to the quantity of total soluble salts by the expression EC in µS/cm 

(25 o C) x 0.65 ≈ mg/L filterable residue. 

Surface Water Quality 

To establish the water quality of the Hunter River near Bengalla prior to the development of the proposed 

opencut mine, a water monitoring programme was begun in April 1992. Initially, three sites were sampled 

monthly by ACIRL. The sites are located upstream and downstream of the proposed development (Figure 2.7). 

A water sample is taken from each site each month and analysed for pH, electrical conductivity and total 

suspended solids. Results from April 1992 until May 1993 are presented in Table 2.3. 



2:9 

TABLE 2.3 

SURFACE WATER QUALITY, HUNTER RIVER 

W1 W2 W3 

April 1992 

pH 

Conductivity (µS/cm) 

Total Suspended Solids (mg/L) 

not sampled 

8.1 

640 

7 

8.0 

700 

9 

May 1992 

pH 



not sampled 

8.3 

1,170 

5 

8.3 

770 

10 

June 1992 

pH 



8.3 

400 

5 

8.3 

400 

6 

8.2 

490 

7 

July 1992 

pH 



8.4 

800 

9 

8.3 

580 

10 

8.4 

570 

10 

August 1992 

pH 



8.3 

790 

20 

8.5 

670 

5 

7.8 

670 

15 

September 1992 

pH 



8.7 

670 

8 

8.5 

540 

5 

8.5 

530 

6 

October 1992 

pH 



8.0 

560 

20 

8.3 

550 

10 

8.1 

420 

6 

November 1992 

pH 



8.9 

460 

45 

8.7 

460 

10 

8.5 

470 

10 

December 1992 

pH 



8.9 

660 

6 

8.7 

580 

10 

8.8 

580 

10 

January 1993 

pH 



8.2 

420 

30 

8.8 

415 

6 

8.7 

415 

25 

February 1993 

pH 



8.5 

490 

15 

8.3 

420 

2:10 

TABLE 2.3 

SURFACE WATER QUALITY, HUNTER RIVER 

W1 W2 W3 

pH 



8.2 

450 

9 

8.2 

390 

2 

8.3 

380 

2:11 

from the lower aquifer into the alluvium, controlled by the flow in the lower aquifer rather than by the 

properties of the alluvium. 

The locations of DWR registered bores are shown in Figure 2.7. 

2.6.5 Groundwater Quality 

Groundwater has been sampled from both the coal measures and the alluvium. The alluvial waters are 

bicarbonate rich waters of low and locally increased salinity. The coal measures waters are generally more 

saline, probably as a result of the long residence time of the water within the ground. Typical groundwater 

quality is shown in Table 2.4. 

TABLE 2.4 

GROUNDWATER QUALITY 

pH EC Ca Mg K Na HCO 3 Cl SO 4 

Alluvial 

Sediment 

Coal 

Measures 

Note: 

7.4 1,814 126.4 97.4 1.6 135 410 324 95.4 

7.4 3,230 88.3 141.6 7.7 548 653 801 170 

All chemical species measured in mg/L 

EC = water conductivity expressed in MicroSiemens per centimetre (µS/cm) 

All values are averaged from available data 

2.6.6 Groundwater Usage 

The location of registered bores within and adjacent to the project area is shown on Figure 2.7. Seven of the 

bores within the Authorisation area are located on the Hunter floodplain tapping water from the alluvium; a 

further two spearpoints tap the shallow hard rock aquifer. Bore water is used for irrigation, livestock and 

domestic purposes. 


2.7.1 Dust Monitoring Programme 

A dust monitoring programme for the Bengalla project began in 1991, with samples collected and analysed by 



2:12 

ACIRL Ltd. Initially, 15 dust deposition gauges were established within and outside the Authorisation in 

September 1991. An additional six depositional gauges began operating in June 1992. The gauges are 

monitored monthly for insoluble solids. A further gauge (D4A) was installed near to D4 in October 1992 to 

investigate anomalously high dust deposition levels recorded at D4. Monthly dust deposition rates are 

presented in Table 2.5. 

Four high volume dust samplers were established outside the Authorisation and began monitoring total 

suspended particulates over 24 hours every six days from October 1991. The concentrations of total suspended 

particulates measured since October 1991 are given in Table 2.6. 

The locations of all dust monitoring sites are shown in Figure 2.8. 

table 2.5 



2:13 

2.7.2 Existing Air Quality 

Apart from gauges D4 (the anomalous gauge), D12B, D12C and D15, the general dust fallout levels are low - 

between 1 and 2 g/m 2 /mth (long-term averages). Gauge D15 is near the Muswellbrook - Ulan Railway and 

appears to be monitoring a local source of dust. Gauge D16 to the west, records long-term averages of 0.9 to 

1.4 g/m 2 /mth. Gauges 12A, 12B and 12C are on the river flats and have slightly elevated dust fallout levels 

(between 2.0 and 3.0 g/m 2 /mth (long-term averages)) due probably to agricultural activity. Apart from the areas 

near gauges D12A, D12B and D12C the appropriate increment in annual average dust fallout is then 2.0 

g/m 2 /mth. Near D12A, D12B and D12C, the acceptable increment is 1.0 g/m 2 /mth (annual average). (Strictly, 

if a total deposition level of 4 g/m 2 /month (annual average) is acceptable then increments of slightly more than 

2.0 g/m 2 /month (annual average) would be acceptable). 

Monthly averages of total suspended particulate 24-hour concentrations (TSP) are shown in Table 2.6. 

Excluding one 24-hour average concentration of 433 due to the ploughing of a nearby paddock, 24-hour 

concentrations have been between 3 to 110 µg/m 3 (raw data). Taking account of the fact that these 

measurements are of TSP concentrations and that PM 10 (particles less than 10 µm) concentration would be 

expected to be approximately half the TSP concentrations, it is clear that concentrations over the monitoring 

period have been well within the EPA's PM 10 goal of 150 µg/m 3 (24-hour average). Annual average TSP 

concentrations (1992) have been 35, 40, 35 and 40 µg/m 3 for gauges HV1, HV2, HV3 and HV4 respectively. 

Data so far available for 1993 indicate that similar concentrations will apply in 1993 as for 1992. These are 

well within the NH&MRC annual average goal of 90 µg/m 3 for TSP and using a factor of 50 per cent for the 

PM 10 to TSP ratio, the annual average PM 10 is below the EPA goal of 50 µg/m 3 . The acceptable annual average 

TSP increment would then be approximately 40 µg/m 3 . 



2:14 

TABLE 2.6 

HIGH VOLUME DUST SAMPLER RESULTS 

TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATES (µg/m 3 ) 

24 HOUR MONTHLY AVERAGES 

Month 

High Volume Sampler Number 

HV1 HV2 HV3 HV4 

October 1991 64 79 64 87 

November 1991 72 103 84 96 

December 1991 45 53 49 52 

January 1992 40 36 38 39 

February 1992 36 33 34 29 

March 1992 25 27 27 30 

April 1992 34 34 37 35 

May 1992 32 34 32 32 

June 1992 30 39 33 36 

July 1992 38 45 40 35 

August 1992 45 74 13 54 

September 1992 17 39 15 22 

October 1992 37 42 48 44 

November 1992 37 49 47 46 

December 1992 25 32 23 33 

January 1993 51 63 65 54 

February 1993 45 43 24 45 

March 1993 28 36 25 37 

April 1993 44* 55 46 43 

May 1993 26 34 32 39 

Average 39 48 39 44 

* 3 weeks average 

2.8 BACKGROUND NOISE 

Background noise level surveys were carried out around the Bengalla Authorisation area by Caleb Smith 



2:15 

Consulting Pty Ltd between 16 January 1992 and 1 June 1992 as part of the noise impact assessment. Caleb 

Smith's report is presented in Appendix 6. 

Noise levels were monitored at 16 locations, shown on Figure 2.9, chosen to be representative of conditions 

within the Authorisation area and at nearby residences. Locations 1 to 4 inclusive and 6 were near properties 

along the main roads and in town. Locations 7 to 13 inclusive were near residences on the southern side of the 

Authorisation area at the edge of the floodplain of the Hunter River. Locations 14, 15, and 16 were on the high 

ground to the north and west of the Authorisation area. 

Noise levels were recorded on eight separate occasions, four during the day and four during the night, for a 

minimum sampling period of 10 minutes. 

A summary of the background noise levels is presented in Table 2.7. The L 90 dB(A) designation refers to the A 

weighted noise level which is exceeded for 90 per cent of the sampling period. L 90 is taken to be the 

background noise level. 

The surveys showed that the background noise level decreases with increased distance from the main roads. 

Otherwise measured noise levels are fairly typical for a rural residential area with some instances of insect noise 

resulting in higher night time background noise levels than would otherwise apply. 

TABLE 2.7 

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND NOISE LEVEL 

Noise 

Monitoring Site 

Day 

Night 

Range 

L 90 dB(A) 

Average 

L 90 dB(A) 

Range 

L 90 dB(A) 

Average 

L 90 dB(A) 

1 

2 

3 

4 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

36 - 41 

35 - 44 

38 - 40 

35 - 51 

34 - 48 

30 - 38 

31 - 39 

31 - 43 

37 - 46 

31 - 37 

30 - 42 

31 - 38 

31 - 40 

30 - 40 

39 

37 

39 

37 

38 

34 

34 

34 

40 

33 

33 

35 

35 

35 

32 - 42 

34 - 39 

32 - 48 

32 - 39 

33 - 52 

33 - 43 

31 - 39 

31 - 38 

30 - 38 

31 - 39 

31 - 45 

31 - 43 

30 - 42 

30 - 50 

39 

36 

36 

34 

42 

38 

35 

34 

33 

34 

35 

35 

36 

37 



2:16 

16 31 - 38 33 30 - 39 35 

2.9 LAND OWNERSHIP AND RESIDENCES 

The Joint Venture aims to acquire property or reach agreement with landholders to permit mining within the 

proposed development area, in accordance with The Bengalla Joint Venture Land Ownership Policy, presented 

in Appendix 7. The locations of property boundaries and residences in and adjacent to the Bengalla 

Authorisation are shown in Figure 2.10. The owners of the land and other property information are given in 

Appendix 8. 

All the land within A438 is privately owned or held under perpetual leases except the existing road and rail 

corridors. A total of 37 properties occur wholly or partly within the Authorisation. Eighteen properties fall 

wholly within the Authorisation and seven of these have one or two occupied residences. An additional 19 

properties fall partly within the Authorisation. These properties are located along the western and southern 

boundaries of A438 and eight have one or two residences within the Authorisation. 

A total of 22 private residences are situated within the Authorisation area, 14 of which are within the proposed 

mine or infrastructure areas. All except two of the residences are along or have access from Bengalla Road. 

Access to the other residences is gained via Roxburgh Road or Wybong Road. 

Residences outside but close to the Authorisation, occur on the northern side of Wybong Road, along Logues 

Lane, adjacent to Skelletar Park Racecourse and at the southern end of Bengalla Road. 

The impact of the mine on residences within and around the project area is discussed in Sections 5.7, 5.11 and 

5.14. 

2.10 NEIGHBOURING COAL MINES AND EXPLORATION AREAS 

Coal mines and coal exploration areas (authorisations) in the vicinity of the project area are shown in Figure 

2.11. 

The nearest coal mine to the project area is Muswellbrook No. 2 Colliery, comprising an underground mine and 

an opencut mine. The colliery is located 6 to 8 km northeast of Bengalla and is operated by Muswellbrook Coal 

Company Limited. Bayswater No. 2 Opencut Mine, operated by Bayswater Colliery Company Pty Limited, is 

located 8 km southeast of Bengalla. Drayton Mine, an opencut mine operated by Drayton Coal Pty Limited, lies 



2:17 

southeast of Bayswater Opencut. 

Dartbrook Underground Mine is currently being developed 8 km north of Bengalla by Dartbrook Coal Pty 

Limited. 

Several coal exploration areas are situated adjacent to Bengalla. Coal & Allied Operations Pty Ltd has recently 

(early 1992) been granted A459 in the Mount Pleasant area between the Bengalla and Dartbrook 

Authorisations. Dartbrook, Mount Pleasant and Bengalla occupy the central eastern part of the former A102, 

the Department of Mineral Resources' large coal exploration area extending from Denman to Scone. 

Muswellbrook Coal Company Limited holds A176, east of A102, as additional coal reserves for Muswellbrook 

No. 2 Colliery. 

The former Mount Arthur South Coal Lease, held by Pacific Power, has now lapsed as no mining development 

has taken place since development consent was granted in the early 1980s. The northern part of the former 

Mount Arthur South area plus the southern part of the Mount Arthur North area has now been granted to 

Bayswater Colliery Company Pty Limited as A437 for further exploration. A proposal for Bayswater No. 3 

Colliery is currently being prepared. 

Pacific Power have an Authorisation over the remainder of the Mount Arthur North area. 

On a statewide basis, approximately 70 per cent of the coal resources of New South Wales occur in the Hunter, 

Newcastle and Gunnedah Coalfields on the eastern side of the Sydney basin. In addition to the coal mines 

mentioned above, 19 coal mines exist in the Hunter Coalfield with a further five new developments proposed. 

The Newcastle Coalfield to the south contains 17 existing opencut and underground mines with a further two 

underground mines proposed. The Gunnedah Coalfield to the north contains four operating mines and an 

additional opencut mine is proposed (Department of Mineral Resources 1992). 

2.11 LAND USE 


The current land use within the project area is agricultural. Adjoining land within a 2 km radius is also used for 

agricultural pursuits and for rural residential development on small holdings. 

Land within the Authorisation comprises undulating country sloping down to the fertile alluvial flats of the 



2:18 

Hunter River along the eastern and southern margins. Most of the undulating country has been cleared and 

consists of unimproved natural pastures and improved pastures used for beef and dry dairy cattle grazing. The 

alluvial flats are irrigated and used for crop cultivation, dairying and beef cattle grazing. Crops grown within 

and around the Authorisation area include lucerne hay, which is either sold or fed to stock, wheat, maize, 

sorghum, wine grapes, cut flowers, turf and forage crop hay. Other agricultural enterprises include the horse 

industry and merino wool production. 

From 1973 until recently, sand and gravel were extracted from a point bar (meander) deposit on the southern 

bank of the Hunter River, 0.7 km south of the Authorisation, on land owned by Pacific Power. The sand and 

gravel deposit has been exhausted and the site was restored in 1991 (Department of Water Resources, pers. 

comm. 1992). 

Unexploited sand and gravel deposits have been identified beside the Hunter River in the Muswellbrook area 

(MacRae, 1989). 

2.11.2 Dairying 

Five dairy producers (Property Nos. 23, 24, 26, 28, and 29) lie within and outside the Bengalla Authorisation, 

occupying a total area of 627 ha. Parts of these properties are situated within the southern portion of the 

proposed mining lease, adjacent to Bengalla Road. Each comprises gently undulating higher land to the west, 

extending to the alluvial flats of the Hunter River on the eastern and southern margins of the proposed mining 

area. 

These dairies, with a balance of dry grazing country and alluvial flats for fodder crop production represent a 

major enterprise in the area. Table 2.8 shows quota milk allocated to these dairies for 1991. 

TABLE 2.8 

MILK PRODUCED WITHIN AUTHORISATION 438, 1991 

Total Registered Area 

(ha) 

Total Quota 

L/week 

Total Production 

L/year 

627 37,503 2,635,681 

Source: NSW Dairy Corporation 



2:19 

During 1991, 2,635,681 L of milk was supplied to the Muswellbrook Milk Factory from dairies within A438. 

The total milk intake at Muswellbrook, from the region's 105 suppliers was 45,767,680 L (NSW Dairy 

Corporation). Milk supplied from A438 therefore represented approximately 5.74 per cent of total milk intake 

at Muswellbrook in 1991. 



2:20 

2.11.3 Value of Agricultural Production 

A study of the agricultural industries and production within the Authorisation and the adjoining land within a 2 

km radius of the area was conducted by NSW Agriculture in April 1992 and is presented in Appendix 9. 

Beef cattle production is carried out by the largest number of establishments within the Authorisation area and 

occupies the largest area. Dairying, however, generates the greatest value of production per year, followed by 

lucerne hay then beef production. Table 2.9 shows the average value of production within the Authorisation 

area. 

TABLE 2.9 

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS WITHIN BENGALLA AUTHORISATION 

Agricultural 

Enterprise 

No. of 

Establishments 1 

Area 

(ha) 

Value of Production 

(per annum) 

Dairying 2 Milk Sales 

Dairy Livestock Sales 

5 872 $1,185,500 (total) 

$1,066,500 

$ 119,000 

Lucerne Hay (production for sale) 12 190 $ 399,000 

Beef Production 15 1,150 $ 173,000 

Other Agricultural Enterprises 3 61 $ 38,440 

Average Gross Value of Production per annum $1,795,940 

1 

2 

A holding occurring in both the Authorisation and the adjoining land for which the operation cannot be broken up is 

considered to be within the Authorisation for the purpose of this table. 

Hay sales from dairy farms is included in lucerne hay production figures. 

Source: NSW Agriculture 1992 : Appendix 9 

Details of production within a 2 km radius of the Authorisation are given in Table 2.10. As occurs within the 

Authorisation, beef is produced by the highest number of establishments and occupies the largest area in the 

adjoining land. Dairying generates the greatest value of annual production, followed by the horse industry. 

The valuations are all based on average years except milk production, which is calculated on 1991 production 

figures. The 1991 drought showed the value of the irrigated alluvial areas; Muswellbrook milk factory was not 

unduly affected and the value of lucerne hay, produced on the alluvial flats, increased due to drought inflated 

prices. 



2:21 

TABLE 2.10 

AGRICULTURAL STATISTICS FOR LAND ADJOINING A438 

WITHIN 2 km RADIUS 

Agricultural 

Enterprise 

No. of 

Establishments 1 

Area 

(ha) 

Value of Production 

(per annum) 

Lucerne Hay Production (for sale) 20 330 $ 693,000 

Forage Crop Hay (for sale) 5 30 $ 45,000 

Irrigated Wheat 2 24 $ 13,000 

Irrigated Sorghum 2 10 $ 5,250 

Beef Production 36 2,900 $ 920,000 

Horses (not including Muswellbrook Racetrack, training 

and spelling) 

Dairying * Milk Sales 

Dairy Livestock Sales 

6 N.A. $1,295,000 

5 570 $1,315,600 

$1,250,000 

$ 65,600 

Other Agricultural Enterprises ** 5 670 $ 764,250 

Average Gross Value of Production per annum $5,051,100 

* 

Hay sales from dairy farms included in Lucerne Hay production figures. 

** 

Other Agricultural Enterprises include sheep products, turf, cut flowers, irrigated maize and wine grapes. These are grouped 

together to protect the privacy of the individual producers. There is only one producer for each enterprise in the two kilometre 

adjoining area. 

Source : NSW Agriculture 1992 : Appendix 9 

A study by the University of New England indicated that for every $1.00 of dairy farm output, an additional 

$2.66 is created in the region as a result of dairy processing and associated activities. The total value of 

dairying in the Authorisation is approximately $4.3M and in the adjoining 2 km is $4.8M. The Australian 

Consolidated Foods Factory in Muswellbrook, which accepts milk from the Upper Hunter, closed part of its 

processing in August 1992. It now operates only as a receival depot but is planned to close in June 1994 when 

all milk will be transported by tanker direct to Hexham. 

Land use within the Authorisation and on the adjoining land is illustrated in Figure 2.12. 

2.11.4 Services 

Low voltage power transmission lines from Wybong Road or alongside the Muswellbrook - Ulan Railway 

supply the residences within the Authorisation. 



2:22 

Telecom lines along Bengalla Road service residences along both Bengalla Road and Denman Road. 



2:23 

2.12 TRANSPORT SYSTEMS 

The existing transport network of the Bengalla - Muswellbrook area is shown in Figure 2.13. The Bengalla 

Authorisation is serviced by three roads - Wybong Road (Main Road 208) running along the northern boundary 

of the area, Bengalla Road traversing the area, and Logues Lane forming part of the eastern boundary. 

The Muswellbrook - Ulan Railway passes through the southern part of the project area. Denman Road (Main 

Road 209) lies parallel to the railway, south of the Hunter River and the Authorisation. Roxburgh Road runs 

west of the Authorisation. 

2.12.1 Roads and Traffic 

Wybong Road (Main Road 208) branches off Kayuga Road linking Muswellbrook in the east with Wybong 

and Sandy Hollow in the west. It provides access to properties on the northern side of the Hunter River 

between Muswellbrook and Sandy Hollow. The road is a two-lane rural carriageway and is bitumen sealed 

from Muswellbrook to the Castlerock and Bunnan turnoffs, a distance of 17 km. 

The Kayuga Road Bridge is the only public access over the Hunter River in the vicinity of Muswellbrook. 

Bengalla Road branches off Wybong Road in the northeastern part of the project area. It is a two-lane narrow 

sealed rural road providing access to the properties and residences within the Bengalla area. The road heads 

southwestwards and terminates at the Muswellbrook - Ulan Railway at Property No. 132 south of the 

Authorisation. 

Logues Lane intersects Wybong Road at Rosebrook Creek and forms the northeastern boundary of the 

Authorisation. It is a two-lane narrow sealed road giving access to properties and residences on the Hunter 

River floodplain, east of the project area. The road terminates at Property No. 60. 

Denman Road (Main Road 209) joins Muswellbrook and Denman and is a two-lane sealed rural road south of 

the Hunter River. 

Roxburgh Road runs west of the Authorisation and links Wybong Road in the north with Roxburgh and 

Denman in the southwest. It is a two-lane sealed rural road and gives access to properties in the western part of 

the Authorisation. 



2:24 

Traffic counts have been carried out as part of the road transport study undertaken by Stapleton and Hallam (see 

Appendix 10). The traffic flows in the vicinity of the Authorisation are shown in Table 2.11. 

TABLE 2.11 

ROAD TRAFFIC FLOWS 

Road Traffic Flow vehicles/day Source 

New England Highway 

200 m south of Sandy Creek Bridge 

East of Maitland Street, Muswellbrook 

South of Sydney Road, Muswellbrook 

At southern Shire boundary 

8,284 

18,187 

13,554 

8,633 

Average Annual Daily Traffic 1988, (RTA 1990) 




Bengalla Road 

South of Wybong Road 

Wybong Road 

East of Roxburgh Road 

Denman Road 

West of Mitchell Line Road 

183 

690 

2,416 

Average Weekly Flow Stapleton & 

Hallam 1992 


Hallam 1992 


Hallam 1992 

2.12.2 Railway 

The Muswellbrook - Ulan Railway, traversing the southern part of the project area, operates as a freight line 

from Sandy Hollow to Muswellbrook, forming the eastern section of the Ulan - Muswellbrook line. The Sandy 

Hollow - Merriwa section of the line is not used at present. The Ulan - Muswellbrook line joins the Main 

Northern Railway at Muswellbrook and freight is carried on these lines from western New South Wales to 

Newcastle. 

Freight train movements on the Ulan - Muswellbrook line total approximately 24 per day (SRA-Freight Road 

pers. comm. 1992). Normally, the order of abundance of freight is: 

Coal - maximum of 18 train movements/day 

Wheat - zero at present (May 1992) due to recent drought 

Steel - (interstate traffic) 

Ore from Cobar (EZ Mine) 

Concrete sleepers (from factory at Denman) 



2:25 

No passenger trains run on the line. 

2.13 LAND ZONING AND PLANNING 

The proposed Bengalla Mine development is located approximately 3 km west of Muswellbrook township and 

lies within the Muswellbrook Council Local Government Area. The provisions of three environmental planning 

instruments apply to the subject land; the Muswellbrook Local Environmental Plan 1985, the Hunter Regional 

Environmental Plan 1989 and the Hunter Regional Environmental Plan 1989 - Heritage. The Bengalla Mine 

project has been reviewed in light of these relevant planning instruments and is considered to comply in all 

respects. 

Muswellbrook Local Environmental Plan 1985 

The local government land use zonings which apply to the project area are shown in Figure 2.14. 

The area to be affected by open cut mining and surface facilities is zoned 1 (a) Rural "A" and 7 (L1) 

Environment Protection General "L1" (Alluvial Area). A corridor of Zone No. 5 (b) Special Uses (Railways) 

passes through the subject area and will not be affected by the mine development except where the mine rail 

loop joins the existing Muswellbrook - Ulan Railway line. 

The objectives of Zone No. 1 (a) include the intention that actual or potential productive land should not be 

withdrawn from production. Objective (d) relating to Zone No. 1 (a) land specifically encourages mining to 

occur in an environmentally acceptable manner. Mining is a permissible form of development within this zone, 

subject to Development Consent being obtained. 

The objectives of Zone No. 7 (L1) are generally to ensure that prime alluvial and agricultural land is preserved 

for agricultural use and that developments of a non-agricultural nature will result in minimal environmental 

impact. 

Provision exists within Clause 17 (2)(b) of Muswellbrook Local Environmental Plan 1985 for consent to be 

granted for mining development in the 7 (L1) zone, provided the various conditions in Clauses 17, 34 (l)(b) and 

35 are satisfied. These conditions relate to Council's assessment of likely environmental impact resulting from 

the development, whether the development is permissible in an adjoining rural zone and whether the land is 

genuinely a physical part of the alluvial plain. The proposed development is considered to meet the 



2:26 

requirements of Clauses 17, 34 (l)(b) and 35 and is therefore considered a permissible development in the 7 

(L1) zone subject to approval by Council. 

Hunter Regional Environmental Plan 1989 

The Hunter Regional Environmental Plan 1989 provides a statutory framework to guide and control the Hunter 

Region's growth and development. The Bengalla Mine project is considered to comply with the stated 

objectives and policies for controlling development within that section of the plan entitled "Part 6 - Natural 

Resources". In particular, Objective 39 of the Plan states that the objectives in relation to planning strategies 

concerning mineral resources and extractive materials are to:- 

"(a) 

(b) 

(c) 

manage the coal and other mineral resources and extractive materials of the region in a co-ordinated 

manner so as to ensure that adverse impacts on the environment and the population likely to be 

affected are minimised; 

ensure that development proposals for land containing coal and other mineral resources and extractive 

materials are assessed in relation to the potential problems of rendering those resources unavailable; 

ensure that the transportation of coal and other mineral resources and extractive materials has minimal 

adverse impact on the community. " 

Hunter Regional Environmental Plan 1989 - Heritage 

Provisions of the Hunter Regional Environmental Plan 1989 - Heritage are considered in Appendix 13, the 

Heritage Assessment. 

2.14 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC ASPECTS 

A more detailed assessment of the socio economic situation in the Upper Hunter Valley is presented in 

Appendix 11. Issues relating to population, community facilities and economic activity are discussed here. 

2.14.1 Population 

The mining industry has stimulated the demand for goods and services, broadening the economic base of 

Muswellbrook Local Government Area. 

The population of Muswellbrook Council area in 1991 was 15,117. Population growth in Muswellbrook Local 

Government Area between 1986 and 1991 was 0.30 per cent per annum (ABS, 1991 Census) considerably less 



2:27 

than previous intracensal periods. The Department of Planning's predicted annual growth rate of 0.64 to 1.01 

per cent between 1991 and 1996 was based on previous intracensal periods. 

2.14.2 Employment 

In 1991, 15.1 per cent of the working population of Muswellbrook was directly employed in the mining 

industry, closely followed by 14.6 per cent in the wholesale and retail trade. The next largest sectors of 

employment were electricity, gas and water, and community services, both with 10.7 per cent and agriculture 

with 9.2 per cent (ABS, 1993). 

The coal industry employed about 5,500 people in the Singleton - North West District in June 1993. 

Approximately 966 of these jobs were in the three mines within the Muswellbrook area (preliminary figures 

from the Joint Coal Board). In the December quarter of 1992 there were an estimated 696 persons (9.2 per 

cent) unemployed within Muswellbrook (DEET, 1992). 

2.14.3 Economic Activity 

The local economy of Muswellbrook experienced growth in the wholesale and retail industries and in 

manufacturing in the 1986 to 1991 intracensal period. The construction and service industries declined 

significantly over this same period. 

Agriculture occupies the largest area of Muswellbrook and generated a total value of production of $32M in 

1989/90. 

Three coal mines currently operate in the Muswellbrook area, producing 7.2 Mt of coal valued at $280M in 

1992. Coal production within Muswellbrook is expected to increase with the development of the Dartbrook 

Underground Mine during 1993-1994. 

2.14.4 Housing, Education and Health 

Rental accommodation is limited within Muswellbrook. Temporary accommodation is available in caravan 

parks, hotels and motels (total of 212 units available). Temporary accommodation is also available at 

Aberdeen, Scone, Denman and Singleton in caravan parks, hotels and motels. There is scope for housing 

development to occur through infill development or new housing construction. Muswellbrook Council has 

acquired land at South Muswellbrook which is to be developed as a residential estate catering for approximately 



2:28 

200 dwellings. 

The Department of School Education administers two primary schools and one high school in Muswellbrook 

and one primary school in Denman. There are also Catholic primary schools in Muswellbrook and Denman, 

Catholic secondary schools in Singleton and Aberdeen and an Anglican grammar school in Scone. 

Health care is provided by Muswellbrook District Hospital, Denman Community Hospital and the Upper 

Hunter Community Health team. 

2.15 ABORIGINAL HERITAGE 

An assessment of the aboriginal archaeology of the site was carried out by Elizabeth Rich to a brief agreed with 

National Parks and Wildlife Service. The Archaeological Survey is presented in Appendix 12. 

Aboriginal sites and finds of stone artefacts occur across much of the project area, as shown in Figure 2.15. 

Archaeological material was found on all land units. The highest density of artefacts occurred along the main 

creek line of catchment 1 and on low rises above the Hunter flats. A variety of stone artefacts were found, 

leading to the hypothesis that three stone industries were present in the area. These were the microblade 

(backed blade) industry, small flake tool industry and a large tool industry including large retouched flakes, 

pebble tools, axes, hammerstones and a grindstone. Different industries appear to have been carried out on 

different land units with microblade assemblages along the main creek, small flake assemblages on minor 

gullies and slopes and ridges and large tools occurring on most land units. The silcrete extraction site 

associated with tertiary ridge gravels (B10 in Figure 2.15) is considered a significant site. 

Many of the sites and finds have been substantially disturbed by previous land use. The least damaged sites 

occur in the northwest part of the area. 

The Wanaruah Local Aboriginal Land Council have advised that they have considered the Archaeological 

Study for the project area and are willing to discuss the preparation of a management plan for the area with the 

aim of protecting those areas not required for the development. 

2.16 EUROPEAN HERITAGE 

An assessment of the European heritage of the Bengalla Authorisation and the adjacent area was conducted for 

the Bengalla project by Suters Architects Snell in 1992 and is presented in Appendix 13. A number of heritage 



2:29 

items listed in Heritage Act Register of Heritage Orders, Hunter Regional Plan Heritage Schedule, or National 

Trust Register occur within or in close proximity to the Authorisation area. Muswellbrook Local 

Environmental Plan 1985 contains no heritage provisions or heritage schedule. The locations of significant 

heritage items are shown in Figure 2.16. 

2.16.1 Heritage Items within the Authorisation 

Overdene, listed as an item of local significance and Bengalla, listed as an item requiring further investigation, 

are two homesteads, in the Hunter Regional Plan - Heritage and on the National Trust Register, which occur 

within the Authorisation area, but outside the mining pit and spoil limits. Overton, which is also within the 

Authorisation area has historical associations with Overdene but is not included on any of the above mentioned 

schedules. 

Overdene (c1860) was the principal residence associated with the Overton estate prior to its fragmentation. The 

building is a good example of the Colonial Georgian style, located in a prominent position. The land and 

building have associations with prominent New South Wales citizens, pastoral development, advances in 

irrigation technology and early attempts at coal mining. Although the house is in an extremely poor state of 

repair, the basic structure is sound; accelerated deterioration is possible if remediation is not undertaken. 

Bengalla (c1877) is a good intact example of a Victorian style pastoral property. The current family 

furnishings, photographs and archives from four generations of Keys family ownership facilitate interpretation 

of the lifestyle of the occupants. The house is in generally good condition and the original internal finishes and 

details are substantially intact. Some cracking of brickwork is evident, possibly as a result of differential 

movement between the original building and later additions. 

2.16.2 Heritage Items Close to the Authorisation Area 

Five other heritage items occur within 2.5 km of the Authorisation. Of these only the Keys Family Private 

Cemetery is located on the northwestern side of the river. All other items are located on the southeastern side of 

the river at a distance ranging from 600 m to 2.5 km from the Authorisation boundary. The heritage items 

include: 

Keys Family Private Cemetery: 

Edinglassie: 

The Keys family have owned Bengalla since 1854. The cemetery is close to 

Old Bengalla, the original Keys homestead, of which no surface features 

remain. 

(c1880 and c1895) an excellent example of a late Victorian farm group with 



2:30 

detail substantially intact. 

Rouse Lench: 

Balmoral: 

Skellatar: 

The earlier stage of the homestead group associated with Edinglassie. 

(1857 to 1859) an impressive Georgian style residence, representative of the 

lifestyle of the wealthy landed gentry in the mid to late 19th Century. 

(1883) a late Victorian residence with important associations with other 

historic homes in the area (located in Muswellbrook South residential area). 

2.17 VISUAL ASPECT 

2.17.1 Visual Character 

An assessment of the visual character of the Bengalla development was conducted by O'Hanlon Design and is 

presented in Appendix 14. 

Since early settlement, much of the Upper Hunter has been cleared for grazing, agriculture and timber. The 

existing landscape bears the imprint of these activities with cleared and lightly timbered ridges and slopes 

forming a major landscape type. Extensive forested landscapes are not common through the settled areas of the 

region apart from the heavily forested mountains to the northeast and northwest of the study area. 

The visual catchment of the project area is determined by the surrounding topographical features which limit the 

extent of the views obtained. The boundaries are a series of rolling hills and mountain ranges with Mount 

Arthur, 8 km to the south, forming a distant but notable feature. 

The project area has been cleared for cultivation, grazing and settlement, and is visually harmonious within its 

rural setting. The three ridges projecting south from the northwestern and northern boundaries are sparsely 

scattered with eucalypt trees. The undulating foothills are lightly timbered and the drainage lines more heavily 

wooded. On the southern and eastern boundaries, the alluvial floodplain supports grain crops, dairy farms and 

homesteads. 

2.17.2 Landscape Units 

Land use, vegetation cover and topography are used to divide the project area into landscape units of 

homogenous visual characteristics. The project area contains five landscape units: 



2:31 

Ridgelines 

The three ridgelines in the project area form a generally cleared or lightly timbered landscape unit. Form is the 

most dominant visual element; texture and colour are fairly homogenous throughout the unit. Manmade 

components include Wybong Road which forms a prominent line. Built elements are however subordinate to 

the strong natural form of the ridgelines. 

From the south, the ridgelines form part of the horizon. Elsewhere, the ridgelines provide a visual backdrop to 

the fore and middle ground views. 

Undulating Side Slopes and Foothills 

The main feature of this unit is undulating topography dissected by drainage lines. Form and line are important 

features of the unit, with variations in slope, orientation and gullies providing a distinctive visual element. 

Changes in vegetation cover towards the more moist drainage lines, particularly on the western side of the area, 

provide pleasant textural and colour contrasts. Manmade components, principally along Bengalla Road, are 

secondary to the natural features of the unit. 

Undulating side slopes and foothills are the predominant landscape unit of the project area. 

Alluvial Floodplain 

The cultural components, including Bengalla Road, homesteads and associated outbuildings and exotic 

plantings, all provide visual interest and focal points in the foreground, when viewed from the roadway. When 

viewed from an elevated position, the patchwork pattern generated by rows of trees and the layout of the fields 

creates a picturesque effect. 

Water Bodies 

The section of the Hunter River in the southeast corner of the site is the main waterbody in the project area. 

Colour, reflections and surface textures of water bodies can change depending on weather conditions and time 

of day, creating pleasant ephemeral effects for viewers. 



2:32 

Rural Homesteads 

There are a number of rural homesteads and farms situated within the study area, which contribute to the 

character of the area. 

The area is a visually harmonious rural and agricultural setting with no discordant structures apparent. 

2.17.3 Scenic Quality 

The basic premise of visual quality assessment is that all landscapes have some value but those with the most 

variety or diversity have the greatest potential for high scenic value. Based on Williamson's (1979) findings, 

scenic quality increases as: 

· topographic ruggedness and relative relief increase 

· the presence of waterforms, water edge and water area increases 

· patterns of grasslands and forest become more diverse 

· natural and agricultural landscapes increase and manmade landscapes 

decrease. 

The visual quality of each landscape unit has been ranked into one of three classes - high, moderate, low - as 

shown in Table 2.12. 

TABLE 2.12 

VISUAL QUALITY ASSESSMENT 

Landscape Unit Scenic Quality Criteria Visual Quality Rating 

Diversity Landform Vegetation Water 

Ridgeline moderate high moderate - moderate 

Undulating Foothills high high moderate - mod-high 

Alluvial Floodplain high moderate high moderate mod-high 

Water Bodies moderate - moderate high moderate 

Rural Homesteads high moderate high mod-high 

Source : O'Hanlon Design Pty Ltd 1992 



SECTION 3 : GEOLOGY AND COAL RESOURCES 



3:1 

3.1 GEOLOGY 

3.1.1 Geological Setting 

The project area is situated in the Hunter Coalfield, close to the northeastern boundary of the Sydney basin. The 

boundary of the basin is marked by the Hunter Thrust System which follows the northeastern side of the Hunter 

Valley. 

The coal seams in the project area form part of the Wittingham Coal Measures, which comprise the lower section 

of the Singleton Supergroup. The Singleton Supergroup, of Late Permian age, is the major coal-bearing sequence 

in the Upper Hunter Valley, attaining a maximum thickness of almost 1,500 m. The Wittingham Coal Measures 

are up to 800 m thick, and consist of coal seams, sandstone, siltstone, claystone, and minor conglomerate and tuff. 

Twenty-one coal seams which split and coalesce have been formally named (Table 3.1). The proposed mine will 

work eight of these seams. 

3.1.2 Geology of the Project Area (A438) 

The Wittingham Coal Measures outcrop in the project area. Bengalla is situated on the western limb of the 

Muswellbrook Anticline and the strata dip to the west at generally less than 5 degrees. Quaternary alluvium occurs 

on the Hunter River floodplain along the eastern and southern margins of the area (Figure 3.1). 

Coal seams of the Foybrook Formation and the lower Jerrys Plains Subgroup subcrop in the eastern half of the 

project area. The strata dip to the west, so progressively younger strata are exposed in the west of the 

Authorisation area. The Edinglassie Seam, near the base of the Foybrook Formation, subcrops in the east, whereas 

the Warkworth Seam, in the middle of the Jerrys Plains Subgroup, subcrops in the middle part of the project area 

(Figure 3.1). 



3:2 

TABLE 3.1 

COAL MEASURES STRATIGRAPHY, 

MUSWELLBROOK-SINGLETON DISTRICT 

LATE 

WOLLOMBI COAL MEASURES 

PERMIAN 

WITTINGHAM 

DENMAN FORMATION 

COAL 

MEASURES 

LOWER 

SINGLETON 

SUPER 

GROUP 

JERRYS 

Whybrow Seam 

PLAINS 

SUBGROUP (1) 

ALTHORPE FORMATION· 

Redbank Creek Seam 

Wambo Seam 

Whynot Seam 

Blakefield Seam 

SAXONVALE MEMBER· 

Glen Munro Seam 

Woodlands Hill Seam 

MILBRODALE FORMATION· 

Arrowfield Seam 

Bowfield Seam 



3:3 

Warkworth Seam 

Opencut 

Mining Section 

at Bengalla 

FAIRFORD FORMATION· 

Mt Arthur Seam 

Piercefield Seam 

Vaux Seam 

Broonie Seam 

Bayswater Seam· 

ARCHERFIELD-BULGA FORMATION·lenses out north of Bengalla, (2) 

FOYBROOK 

FORMATION (3) 

Wynn Seam 

Edderton Seam 

Clanricard Seam 

Bengalla Seam splits 

Edinglassie Seam 

Ramrod Creek Seam 

SALTWATER CREEK FORMATION 

MAITLAND GROUP 

(barren marine sediments) 

GRETA COAL MEASURES 

(1) Seam names by Standing Committee on · Marker Bed 

Coalfield Geology of NSW (1986) 

(2) Uren (1985) 

(3) Seam names by Standing Committee on 

Coalfield Geology of NSW (1975) 

Interseam strata consist of sandstone, interbedded sandstone/siltstone units, siltstone/claystone units and 

carbonaceous claystone. 

Two specific interseam units are identified because of different geological origins. The Archerfield Bulga 

Formation, up to 8.5 m thick, of shallow marine origin and the Fairford Formation, up to 2 m thick, a tuff of 

volcanic origin, both form marker horizons, allowing correlation of coal seams throughout the Upper Hunter 

Valley. 



3:4 

The average depth of weathering is approximately 25 m and varies from 6 to 36 m. 

Coal Seams 

The section of the coal measures proposed to be mined in the first 21 years of opencut mining extends from the 

Edderton Seam up to the Warkworth Seam (Table 3.1). Most of the seams are split. In the proposed mine, the 

seams and splits developed are as follows: 

Warkworth Seam, 4 splits : WW1, WW2, WW3, WW4 

Mount Arthur Seam, 2 splits : MA1, MA2 

Piercefield Seam, 2 splits : PF1, PF2 

Vaux Seam, 

2 splits : VA1, VA2 

Broonie Seam, 3 splits : BR1, BR2, BR3 

Bayswater Seam, 2 splits : BY1, BY2 

Wynn Seam, 

unsplit : WN1 

Edderton Seam, unsplit : ED1 

The splits of all seams except the Vaux, Broonie and Bayswater seams occur as separate seams throughout the 

mine. The two splits of the Vaux Seam (VA1 and VA2), however, coalesce to form one seam in parts of the area. 

The lower splits of the Broonie Seam (BR2 and BR3) and the whole of the underlying Bayswater Seam combine to 

form one thick seam in the eastern part of the Authorisation. The combined seam splits progressively westwards 

and the splits thin and become separated by increasing thickness of sandstone in this direction (Figure 3.2). The 

split axes trend approximately north. 

The coal seams are up to 13 m thick (combined Bayswater - lower Broonie seams), but are generally less than 5 m 

thick. 

In any one part of the proposed mine, approximately 10 mining sections are present. The number of mining 

sections varies across the area, depending on which seams and splits are developed and their suitability for mining. 

The splits are subdivided into coal plies. A total of 67 plies were used to produce the geological model of the coal 

deposit. 

Structure 

Structure contours drawn at the base of the Edderton Seam demonstrate the structure of the coal measures in the 

area (Figure 3.3). The dip of the seam is to the west in the northern part of the area, and swings around to the 

west-northwest in the southern part of the area. The dip is up to 8.5 degrees in the east, in the proposed box cut 



3:5 

area, and decreases to 3 degrees in the western part of the 21 year mining area. West of the 21 year mining area, 

dips are generally less than 2 degrees. 

Several faults have been interpreted from the structure contours of the deposit and occasional intersections in drill 

holes. The faults trend west-northwest, at 90 degrees to the strike of the seams, and their distribution indicates the 

presence of grabens. Throws reach up to almost 40 m in the western part of the area, and up to 22 m in the 

proposed mining area. The variations in throws interpreted from the structure contours of the seams suggest that 

some fault movement occurred during deposition of the coal measures. Growth of the structures appears to have 

been most intense during the Broonie to Vaux interval. 

Igneous Intrusions 

Igneous rocks and heat affected coal were intersected in several drill holes in the Bengalla area. The inferred dykes 

were difficult to detect with geological or geophysical methods. The apparent north south trending, sub-vertical 

and less that 5 m thick nature of an inferred dyke is typical of dykes encountered at other mines in the Upper 

Hunter Coalfield. 

3.2 COAL EXPLORATION 

3.2.1 Previous Drilling 

Prior to the delineation of the Bengalla Coal Development Area and the granting of A438, several coal exploration 

drilling programmes had included the Bengalla area. These programmes have been documented by Menzies 

(1981). Twenty-six fully cored diamond drill holes (DDHs), totalling 4,737 m, had been drilled in the area, as well 

as nine drill holes close to the Authorisation. 

The first coal exploration drilling programme was carried out by Buchanan Borehole Collieries Pty Ltd in 1970 to 

explore for soft-coking coal. The eight drill holes from this programme, the Buchanan Overton series, fall in the 

Bengalla area. In 1971 and 1972, Armco (Aust) Pty Ltd explored for coking coal within Exploration Licence 330. 

Four drill holes, Armco Hunter Valley DDHs 2, 15, 16 and 18 fall within the Bengalla Authorisation. 

The NSW Department of Mineral Resources conducted several coal drilling exploration programmes west of the 

Hunter River from 1975 until 1980. In 1975, two bores were sunk to obtain coal samples for autoclave liquefaction 

tests to assess the suitability of coal for conversion to oil. 



3:6 

In 1977, the Department explored an area west of Muswellbrook to delineate potential coal reserves beneath land 

planned for future residential and rural fringe development. 

From 1977 until 1980, the Department carried out an extensive drilling programme in A102 extending from 

Denman to Scone. Large reserves of potential opencut coal suitable for steaming purposes and conversion to oil 

were identified by the Department's programmes. Twelve drill holes of the Clanricard series were sunk in the 

Bengalla area and several Ellis series holes were drilled just north of Bengalla. 

3.2.2 Exploration in A438 

Following granting of A438, a detailed exploration programme consisting of open hole drilling, diamond core 

drilling, and large diameter core drilling has been completed. Between May 1991 and June 1992, four stages of 

drilling totalling over 21,000 m were completed. Figure 3.4 shows locations of both previously drilled and recent 

holes. 

Stages 1 and 2 were designed to fill in gaps in existing drill hole data both in terms of spacing and the stratigraphic 

sequence intersected. The objective of Stages 1 and 2 was to allow Indicated Resources to be calculated within the 

Authorisation, for the Edinglassie Seam and those seams above it. Scout drilling comprised six open holes totalling 

1,334 m, drilled in the proposed 21 year pit. The target seam was the Edinglassie 2 Seam, except in one hole where 

the Ramrod Creek 2 Seam was reached. Six additional open holes totalling 1,727 m, were drilled in the area west 

of the proposed 21 year mine. All of these holes were drilled to the Edinglassie 2 Seam. 

Infill drilling consisted of open hole drilling in the proposed 20 year pit to allow detailed geological modelling and 

detailed mine planning to be carried out. Eighty-four holes were sunk, totalling 13,277 m. The target seam varied, 

ranging from the Edderton Seam to the Ramrod Creek 3 Seam. The last six holes in this stage of the drilling were 

drilled to investigate an igneous dyke in the middle of the proposed 20 year pit and these holes were all inclined 

from the vertical. 

Diamond core drilling was concentrated in the proposed 20 year pit. Twenty-six HQ holes (64 mm diameter core), 

totalling 4,618.35 m were drilled. The objectives were to confirm the existence of the range of coal quality already 

identified and define the variation, and to determine the geotechnical properties of the overburden rocks for 

assessing high wall and low wall stability. The target seam varied, ranging from the Edderton Seam to the Ramrod 

Creek 3 Seam. Figure 3.4 shows the locations of all the cored drill holes. 

All drill holes (open holes and cored holes) were geophysically logged. Gamma, long and short spaced density, 



3:7 

and sonic logs were run on all holes. In addition, neutron logs were run on most infill and cored holes. 

Dipmeter measurements were taken in most of scout drilling holes, at selected holes in the infill stage and in all of 

the cored holes. 

Large diameter (150 mm) cored drill holes have been drilled to obtain further data on coal washability and quality. 

Open hole loxline drilling (to accurately determine the limit of oxidation of the coal seams to be mined) will be 

carried out just prior to final planning of the initial box cut. Airborne and ground magnetometer surveys have also 

been carried out over the area. 

3.3 COAL RESERVES 

The whole of the Bengalla Authorisation now has drill hole spacing at less than 1 km spacing, so that it is possible 

to calculate coal resources according to the Australian Code for Reporting Identified Coal Resources and Reserves 

(Department of Mineral Resources, 1986). The proposed 20 year pit is covered by drilling at 250 m spacing or 

less. The Resources in A438 are shown in Table 3.2. 

TABLE 3.2 

A438 COAL RESOURCES 

Resources (Mt) 

3 

450 

635 

Status 

Inferred 

Measured 

Indicated 

Source: McElroy Bryan Geological Services Pty Ltd, 1993 

The measured geological resource within the conceptual 20 year pit area totals 171 Mt above the Edderton Seam 

floor. This is sufficient to sustain the proposed mining output for longer than 21 years. The scheduled ROM 

production for 21 years totals 146.7 Mt. 

3.4 COAL QUALITY 

The coal at Bengalla is suitable for the production of export quality steaming coal. Some seams may be suitable for 

semi-soft coking coal. 

3.5 CHEMICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF OVERBURDEN 



3:8 

Overburden comprises all material above and between the coal seams to be disturbed in the winning of coal. In the 

Authorisation area, overburden consists of sandstone, siltstone and claystone with minor amounts of tuff, 

conglomerate and poor quality coal. 

The chemical characteristics of overburden are significant for water management and successful rehabilitation, as 

some rocks are saline or easily erodible or have the potential to generate acid under certain conditions. 

Envirosciences has assessed the chemical characteristics of the Bengalla overburden (Appendix 15) and concludes 

that: 

· all strata between the Wynn and Bayswater seams (the Archerfield-Bulga Formation) are saline and have 

the potential to form acid on exposure to air and water. The top part of the Formation is sodic. 

· weathered Bayswater seam is very saline and sodic. 

· all other strata are not acid forming, saline or sodic. 

High salinity and acidity inhibit plant growth; saline and acidic material should not be placed within the top 5 m of 

recontoured overburden to ensure a suitable root growth medium. Sodic materials are easily erodible and provide a 

poor growing medium for plants because of low water availability. Sodic materials are not suitable for placement 

near the surface of recontoured overburden as they will inhibit revegetation and have the potential to pollute runoff 

waters with suspended solids. 

The Archerfield-Bulga Formation and weathered Bayswater Seam are the only materials identified as having 

undesirable chemical characteristics. To avoid potential erosion or revegetation problems, these materials will not 

be placed within 5 m of the final surface. All other overburden will provide a suitable rooting medium and together 

with a topdressing of prestripped soil will result in successful revegetation of mined areas. 



SECTION 4 : PROJECT DESCRIPTION 



4:1 

4.1 MINING PLAN 

4.1.1 Constraints to Opencut Mining 

The areal extent of the proposed opencut mine during the first 21 years of operation is shown in Figure 4.1. 

Authorisation 438 has an area of 19.2 km 2 ; the proposed mining lease will occupy an area of 12.25 km 2 . 

The mining area is constrained by physical and geological features. 

The northern limit is defined by Wybong Road, which is the main link between Muswellbrook and Wybong. 

Mining will be carried out to within 40 m of Wybong Road, which will be temporarily closed when blasting takes 

place within 500 m of the road (see Section 5.4.2 and 5.8.3). 

The land to the south and east of the mine lease area, associated with the floodplain of the Hunter River, is classed 

as prime agricultural land. The Muswellbrook - Ulan Railway traverses the south and southeastern part of the 

project area along the northern edge of the alluvial flats. The position of the southern mining limit is therefore 

controlled by the location of the railway and the Hunter River flood plain. 

The eastern limit is determined by geological and environmental parameters. The lowest seam to be mined, the 

Edderton Seam, subcrops in the vicinity of Bengalla Road and dips away to the west. The underlying seams in this 

area will not be worked by opencut methods for economic and environmental reasons. 

The eastern mining limit is therefore defined by the position of the limit of oxidation (Lox Line) of the Edderton 

Seam and by the need to provide sufficient space between Bengalla Road and the limit of excavation for the spoil 

from the first strip. The limit of excavation will be 200 m west of the northern part of Bengalla Road and will cross 

Bengalla Road to the west of Overdene. The position of the eastern mining limit falls to the west of Overton Ridge 

which will help to visually shield the mine operations. The eastern mining spoil pile limit will be designed to avoid 

Bengalla Homestead. 

The western mining limit for the 21 year mine plan is defined by the position of the high wall after 21 years of 

operation. The coal reserves continue to the west of the limit of excavation, and beyond the edge of the 

Authorisation area. It is anticipated that these reserves will be mined by opencut methods in the future, subject to 

appropriate approvals. 

4.1.2 Mining Plan and Schedule 



4:2 

The mine plan has been developed to utilise a large walking dragline with 120 m boom and a 57 m 3 bucket as the 

prime overburden mover. Mining will be carried out in a series of parallel strips 60 m wide, aligned approximately 

north-south along strike of the coal seams. Mining will advance down dip from east to west at a rate of 

approximately 60 metres per year. The rate of advance in the first five years will be more than 60 metres per year 

because of shorter, shallower strips. Figures 4.2. to 4.6 show the position of the workings after 1, 4, 7, 14 and 21 

years. 

Overburden from the initial strip will be placed on the surface, to the east of the limit of excavation. Overburden 

from subsequent strips will be used to backfill the previously mined strip. Spoil will be rehabilitated progressively 

as final contours are achieved (see Section 4.12). 

Coal will be conveyed from receival points near the mining faces to the coal preparation plant. 

Access to the base of the pit will be via the central ramp. Service roads will be constructed at the surface to provide 

access to the prestrip and dump areas. The service roads will be repositioned every five years to accommodate the 

advancing mine. 

The width of disturbed ground will be limited by restricting topsoil stripping to 120 m ahead of mining and 

maintaining recontouring and rehabilitation of spoils as close as 180 m behind the active mining area. From Year 5 

onwards, it is anticipated that the width of the disturbed ground will be 1 km. A schematic profile is shown in 

Figures 4.7 and 4.15. 

The project will require a two year lead-in period for construction of access roads, surface facilities, the coal 

preparation plant and the dragline. Following construction, the mine will build up to the designed production by 

the third year of operation. 

4.1.3 End Use of Site 

Economic coal measures continue westwards to the western Authorisation boundary and beyond. It is planned to 

continue mining in a westerly direction to the Authorisation boundary over a period of approximately 60 years. 

Thus, the void which will exist at the end of 21 years will be that required to allow full scale open pit mining to 

continue. Extensions to the proposed mine will be the subject of separate development applications in the future. 

In the event that mining does not proceed beyond 21 years then options for using the final void would be: 



4:3 

· leaving open to enable mining to proceed at a later stage; 

· utilising the void for the dumping of overburden from future mining 

operations in the local area; 

· recontouring the void area and revegetating the disturbed area to provide a 

stable and safe surface area. 

The most suitable option would be selected for the treatment of the void at the appropriate time if mining did not 

continue. 

4.2 MINING METHOD 

4.2.1 Opencut Operations 

The mining method has been developed in the light of considerable experience gained at other Peabody operated 

opencut sites in the Hunter Valley. Alternative mining methods considered for Bengalla Mine are addressed in 

Section 6.1. 

Mining operations will be carried out by dragline to remove the overburden, a shovel and fleet of trucks to prestrip 

in advance of the dragline and loaders or continuous miners to extract the coal. The various stages of mining are 

described below. 

Topsoil Stripping 

Topsoil will be stripped by scrapers or dozers, loaders and trucks, depending on equipment availability. Soil 

removed from the initial strips will be stockpiled to the east and west of the excavation and reseeded to maintain 

soil viability prior to use in future rehabilitation. Topsoil stripped after year 2, when the out-of-pit spoil 

emplacement reaches final contours, wherever possible will be placed directly on recontoured spoil as part of the 

rehabilitation programme. 

Topsoil stripping will take place up to 120 m ahead of the prestrip, to minimise the area of disturbance at any one 

time. 

The thickness of topsoil over the area is shown on Figure 2.3. 



4:4 

Overburden Fragmentation 

Overburden will be drilled and blasted to achieve the desired fragmentation for removal by shovel and dragline. 

Drilling of blast holes will be carried out by rotary drilling rigs, to a pattern designed to maximise fragmentation 

and minimise noise and vibration. Blast holes will be charged by direct loading with ANFO. Where the boreholes 

are wet, heavy ANFO or emulsion will be used. 

Overburden Removal - Prestrip 

In the first stage of overburden removal or prestripping, fragmented overburden will be removed by a shovel or a 

front-end loader and loaded onto rear dump trucks for haulage to a dump in the dragline spoils. Prestripping will 

generally be carried out down to the Piercefield Seam. The quantity of material to be prestripped each year is 

shown in Table 4.1. 

Overburden Removal - Dragline 

Excavation of overburden below the prestrip level will be carried out by a walking dragline with a 57 m 3 capacity 

bucket. The dragline will dig the fragmented overburden to expose the coal seam, casting the overburden into the 

void of the previous strip from which coal has been extracted. 

The dragline sequence for the lower seams is shown in Figure 4.9. The dragline will work from the central ramp. 

It will commence each strip on the floor of the Piercefield Seam, casting the spoil to the floor of the adjacent strip 

(the floor of the Edderton) and exposing the Vaux Seam for coaling. 

After coaling the Vaux Seam, the dragline will carry out a similar operation to expose the Broonie and Bayswater 

seams, casting the spoil to the far side of the adjacent strip. After removal of this coal, the dragline will then move 

to the low wall side and create a working bench. The overburden to the Wynn Seam will be excavated from this 

position. After the Wynn Seam coal is mined, the dragline will repeat the rehandling and overburden removal 

operation from the low wall side to expose the Edderton Seam. 

In the study of the quality of the overburden material, the interburden between the Bayswater and Wynn seams has 

been identified as being unsuitable for vegetation and should be covered by suitable spoil. The placement of 

prestrip overburden over this material will ensure a minium of 5 m of cover is maintained. In the initial strips it 

will be necessary to shape these spoils prior to the dumping of prestrip overburden. 



4:5 

The volume of material to be mined by the dragline during the life of the mine is shown in Table 4.1. 

TABLE 4.1 

ANNUAL PRODUCTION SCHEDULE 

Year 

FEL Partings 

Mbcm 

FEL Prestrip 

Mbcm 

Shovel Prestrip 

Mbcm 

Total Dragline 

Mbcm 

ROM Coal 

Produced Mt 

Product Coal 

Mt 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

13 

14 

15 

16 

17 

18 

19 

20 

21 

0.3 

0.6 

0.6 

0.2 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

0.1 

0.2 

0.3 

0.5 

0.8 

1.0 

1.3 

1.6 

1.9 

2.1 

2.4 

2.7 

0.8 

0.5 

0.5 

0.8 

1.0 

1.0 

0.9 

1.0 

1.0 

0.9 

1.9 

1.8 

1.6 

2.5 

2.4 

2.0 

1.6 

1.4 

1.1 

0.8 

0.5 

2.5 

2.5 

5.1 

7.6 

7.6 

7.6 

7.6 

10.1 

10.1 

10.1 

10.1 

10.1 

10.1 

10.1 

10.1 

10.1 

10.1 

10.1 

10.1 

12.7 

12.7 

4.6 

10.0 

14.6 

15.0 

14.8 

15.0 

15.2 

15.0 

15.0 

15.5 

15.5 

15.5 

15.4 

15.4 

15.4 

15.4 

15.3 

15.4 

15.4 

15.4 

15.4 

2.4 

5.7 

6.5 

7.6 

7.2 

8.1 

8.7 

7.0 

7.8 

7.5 

7.5 

7.5 

7.4 

7.4 

7.1 

7.0 

6.9 

6.8 

6.4 

7.0 

6.8 

1.8 

4.4 

5.0 

5.9 

5.5 

6.2 

6.7 

5.4 

6.0 

5.8 

5.8 

5.8 

5.7 

5.7 

5.5 

5.4 

5.3 

5.2 

4.9 

5.4 

5.2 

Total 17.1 26.0 187.1 304.2 146.3 112.6 

Average 0.8 1.2 8.9 14.5 7.0 5.4 

Surface Dump Development 

During excavation of the initial box cut, overburden will be placed on ground to the east of Strip 1 from which the 

topsoil has been stripped. 

Approximately 200 m has been allowed between the eastern pit limit and the spoil limit for the surface placement 

of spoil. The final spoil surface will rise at a maximum gradient of 10 degrees from the spoil limit. To achieve this 

with minimum rehandling or recontouring, dragline spoil will be placed adjacent to the excavation and prestrip 

material will be used to infill between the spoil limit and the edge of the dragline spoil (see Figure 4.8). Some 

shaping of the initial spoils will be carried out to ensure any sodic material from the Bayswater-Wynn interburden 

is covered with at least 5 m of suitable overburden. Prestrip will be transported to this area by truck, allowing good 

control over the placement of the spoil and minimising the need for recontouring. The spoil will be dozed to the 



4:6 

final landform of a smooth 10 degree hillside sloping to the southeast as the spoil surface reaches the desired 

elevation. It will take approximately 2 years for the eastern margin of the surface spoil to achieve final contours. 

Revegetation of areas completed during this time will occur progressively. 

Once the eastern margin of the spoil is complete, prestrip material will be placed between the rows of dragline 

spoil. As the mine progresses westwards, successive strips of spoil will be dozed to give smooth contours in 

preparation for revegetation. 

Coal Extraction 

The top of the exposed coal seam will be cleaned by dozers. The coal seam will be ripped or blasted to enable 

front-end loaders to productively load the coal into rear dump haul trucks. 

The use of continuous surface miners for mining the coal and loading trucks has also been assessed. A continuous 

surfacer miner is able to break the majority of the coal to a size suitable for conveyor transport (-150 mm). Thus, 

the use of a continuous surface miner would minimise the need to rip or blast the coal seam. 

Currently available prototypes of these machines have been assessed and more development work is required prior 

to a model of sufficient capacity being commercially available for coal mining at Bengalla. Progress of the 

development of this technology will be monitored with a view to substituting continuous surface miners for frontend 

loaders, provided that they operate within the noise and dust emission levels used for the assessment of the 

impact of the mine. 

Trucks will transport the coal from the mining face to one of two coal receival points. One receival point will be 

located down the eastern ramp and will handle coal from the Broonie, Bayswater, Wynn and Edderton seams. The 

other will be located on the southern side of the pre-stripping horizon (to the west of the dragline strip) and will 

handle coal from the Warkworth, Mt Arthur, Piercefield and Vaux seams. 

The coal from each receival point will be crushed by a feeder breaker to ensure satisfactory sizing prior to loading 

onto a conveyor for transport to the coal preparation plant. 

Receival points will be relocated during the mine life to limit the haul cycles of the trucks hauling coal. 

Partings removal will be undertaken by front-end loaders and trucks, and, if purchased, continuous surface miners 

and trucks. 



4:7 

4.2.2 Equipment 

The proposed mine fleet is listed in Table 4.2. 

TABLE 4.2 

PROPOSED MINE FLEET 

Category Equipment Numbers 

Excavators 

Trucks 

Dozers 

Dragline 57 m 3 bucket, 105 m operating radius 

Shovel 40 m 3 bucket 

Front-end loader 18 m 3 bucket 

Scraper 

218 t 

135 t 

Track dozer 575 kW 

Wheel dozer 515 kW 

1 

1 

4 

1 

12 

8 

5 

1 

Water Tanker 80,000 L, 650 kW 3 

Grader 205 kW 2 

Drills 

90,000 lb pulldown, 311 mm dia 

40,000 lb pulldown, 150 mm dia 

3 

2 

Cable Reeler 280 kW 1 

Crane 1 

Forklift 1 

Ancillary Equipment 

Low loader 

Pumps 

Compressors 

Mobile welding sets 

Lighting sets 

Generator sets 

Light vehicles 

4.2.3 Production Rate 

Details of annual production are given in Table 4.1. 

The ROM coal will be washed to produce approximately 6 Mtpa of saleable coal. Production during Years 1 and 2 

will be lower as the mine becomes established. To achieve the designed production, up to 10 million, 15 million 

and 1 million bcm of prestrip, dragline and partings overburden respectively will be excavated per year. 



4:9 

The preparation plant will be a three module unit. Each module has a nominal capacity of 400 tph and utilises 

dense medium cyclones to process the minus 50 to plus 1.0 mm coarse coal, spirals for the minus 1.0 to plus 0.2 

mm fine coal and Jameson flotation cells for the minus 0.2 mm slimes fraction. 

In both the dense medium cyclones and the spirals, recovery of the coal is based on the ability of each process to 

separate coal from waste material by virtue of differences in specific gravity between the two components. The 

fine magnetite used as the dense medium in the coarse coal recovery process will be recovered for recycling from 

the coarse product and waste streams by a combination of rinsing, screening and magnetic separation. Flotation 

involves the exploitation of the surface properties of fine coal particles to effect a separation. 

Thickeners will be used to partially dewater both the flotation product and tailings residue and to recover the water 

for re-use in the process. 

Coarse reject material will be dewatered over screens and conveyed to a 400 t capacity storage bin. Fine reject 

material will be dewatered by filter presses and the dried fines conveyed to the reject storage bin where they will 

mix with the coarse rejects for disposal. 

The preparation plant is designed to produce export quality steaming coal having an average ash content of 12.5 

per cent. The processes can be adjusted to wash coal to a higher or lower ash content, if required, either for an 

export or domestic market. 

The washery building will be fully clad with appropriately coloured sheeting to minimise noise and dust emissions. 

4.3.3 Clean Coal Handling 

The coarse product coal will be dewatered by centrifuges and the fine coal by band press filtration. These products, 

together with raw coal from the bypass system, will be combined on the plant product conveyor and fed to two 

parallel 250,000 t live capacity product coal stockpiles. 

Each of the two stockpiles will be serviced by a fully automatic stacker and portal scraper reclaimer. 

The quality of the product and bypassed coal will be analysed by continuous on-line monitoring equipment before 

being placed on the stockpiles. A constant tonnage and quality inventory will automatically be maintained. 

Different products, such as semi-soft coking coals and steaming coals will be stored in designated sections of the 



4:10 

stockpile. 

Generally the product coal will be blended onto the stockpile providing a coal quality control before it is reclaimed 

for rail loading. 

The ability will exist, via the stacker on the southern product stockpile, to store coal on a third emergency stockpile 

to the south of the product stockpile. Reclaim of this material would be by front-end loader. This additional 

product storage may be required in the event of failure of the rail system transporting coal to Newcastle. The 

500,000 t product stockpile capacity is considered sufficient for normal operations. The emergency stockpile area 

will only be used when coal cannot be transported from the mine, and will be protected by drainage and dust 

control systems similar to the other active stockpile. 

Coal will be reclaimed from the product stockpile by means of a 5,000 tph reclaim conveyor, which will load into 

the 1,750 t capacity loading bin on the rail loop. The coal will then be transported 137 km by rail to ship loading 

facilities at the Port of Newcastle for export mainly to Japan, Korea and Taiwan. 

4.4 REJECT HANDLING 

4.4.1 Quantities and Composition of Rejects 

At an average annual production rate, the worst case washery yield is expected to be 60 per cent, resulting in 

approximately 2.8 Mtpa of reject material to be disposed of each year. Of this approximately 60 per cent (1.7 

Mtpa) will be easy to handle coarse reject, greater than 2 mm diameter, while the remaining 40 per cent (1.1 Mtpa) 

will be fine material. 

4.4.2 Coarse and Fine Reject Disposal 

The reject materials will be dewatered in the preparation plant. The coarse reject will be dewatered over screens to 

10 per cent moisture. The fine reject will be dewatered with filter presses, to reduce the water content of the fines 

to 30 per cent. The dewatered coarse and fine rejects will be conveyed by overland conveyor to a 400 t capacity 

reject bin adjacent to the haul road (see Figure 4.1) where they will be loaded onto trucks and dumped with the 

prestrip material in between the dragline spoils. 



4:11 

4.4.3 Spontaneous Combustion 

The spontaneous combustion characteristics of each of the major seams have been assessed on the basis of relative 

ignition temperature (McElroy Bryan 1992). All Bengalla coals have relative ignition temperatures above 130 o C, 

indicating the coals have a low to moderate propensity to spontaneously ignite. To minimise the potential for 

spontaneous combustion in the spoil dumps, the coal will be mined as cleanly as possible, minimising the amount 

of coal in the spoil. The reject material, which will contain a higher concentration of carbonaceous material than 

the spoil, will be covered to a depth of at least 5 m with inert material to prevent the inflow of air and hence reduce 

the likelihood of spontaneous combustion. 

4.5 COAL TRANSPORTATION 

Coal will be transported by rail to the Port of Newcastle, for export. No coal will be transported by road. In the 

event of failure of the rail system, coal will be stockpiled within the Authorisation area (see Section 4.3.3). If a 

domestic market were found, the coal would be transported overland by conveyor or by train to the power station. 

Such a conveyor would be the subject of a separate development application and environmental impact assessment. 

4.5.1 Rail Loop Design 

The rail loop will be designed and constructed to State Rail Authority Class 5 requirements. This currently requires 

trains of 91 wagons of 95 t capacity to be loaded within 2 hours. To achieve this, the trains are kept moving 

through the facility while being loaded. A chute discharges coal from the rail load out bin into the wagon at a rate 

compatible with the speed of the train and automatically adjusts the contents of the wagon to a predetermined 

height. 

Trains can be expected to collect coal at any hour of the day, seven days a week, depending on State Rail Authority 

(SRA) scheduling requirements. The rail loop will therefore be equipped to facilitate night loading. 

The entry to the loop will be located 7 km west of Muswellbrook on the Muswellbrook - Ulan Railway line. 

Details of the rail loop and loading facility design will be submitted to SRA for approval prior to construction. 

4.5.2 Train Loading 

A storage bin and product loading facility will be located on the western side of the loop. The 1,750 t capacity 



4:12 

storage bin will be filled prior to train loading with the required product by a 5,000 tph conveyor from the product 

stockpile. A single train may take up to 8,645 t of coal, so the conveyor will continue to fill the storage bin as the 

train is being loaded. The product loading facility is designed to load a train within 2 hours as required by the 

SRA. 

4.6 SURFACE FACILITIES 

4.6.1 Site Facilities 

The following buildings and structures will be located in the infrastructure area, generally as shown in 

Figure 4.11(a). Figure 4.11(b) illustrates elevations of the buildings on the site. 

· Office 

· Bathhouse 

· Workshop 

• Stores 

· Truck Washing Facility 

· Coal Preparation Plant 

· ROM and Product Stockpiles 

· Rail Loop and Load Out Bin 

· Car Parks 

· Water Storage Dams 

· Hard Stand Area 

A mining equipment construction pad will be located to the east of the infrastructure area as shown in Figure 1.2. 

The washery, stockpiles and rail loop have been considered in Sections 4.3 and 4.4. 



4:13 

4.6.2 Site Development and Earthworks 

Site development will commence with construction of the road linking Denman Road and Wybong Road (see 

Section 4.7) to provide access to the site. Construction of the dragline is anticipated to take two years and 

construction of the coal preparation plant is anticipated to take 18 months, so these items will be started early in the 

construction period. The dragline will be erected on a prepared site to the north of Bengalla Road, approximately 

700 m west of the box cut (Figure 1.2). Earthworks for the mine facilities and site works such as dams, roads and 

drainage will start approximately nine months after construction of the access road and dragline commences. The 

development of the bathhouse, workshop, office and rail loop will begin approximately four months later. 

4.6.3 Site Access 

Access to the site will be from the new Denman Road - Wybong Road link. A single controlled gate access point 

will be the entry to both the coal preparation plant and the mine site. The site will be fenced to prevent 

unauthorised access to the mine. 

The access road will be a two-lane, 6 m wide bitumen surfaced road. The junction with the link road will be an 

AUSTROADS Type C intersection with minimum sight distances of 150 m, to ensure that additional intersection 

works are not necessary in the future. 

Within the site, a sealed road will provide access to the workshop and office complex from the main road. A 

service road from the office and workshop complex to the pit will run along the southern mining limit to the mine 

area. A service road to the pre-strip area will run north from this road and will be relocated to a new site westwards 

each 4 to 5 years. This will limit the area of disturbance at any stage. All service roads will be gravel surfaced and 

will be kept watered to minimise dust generation. 

4.6.4 Power and Water Supply 

Separate new high voltage transmission lines will be required for an electrical supply system to provide power for 

the electric dragline, electric shovel, coal preparation plant, coal stockpiles and the office and workshop facilities. 

At present, power transmission lines on the proposed mining area supply power to homesteads, dairies or water 

bore pumps with the lines generally following Wybong Road or the Muswellbrook - Ulan Railway. All present 

power transmission lines are low voltage feeders. The current power transmission line layout in the southern area 

will be adjusted to provide an uninterrupted power supply to other users in the area. 



4:14 

The relocation of the low voltage powerlines and the development of the new high voltage supply will be 

undertaken in consultation with Shortland Electricity. 

The closure and removal of Bengalla Road will interrupt the Telecom line along Bengalla Road. The line will be 

relocated along a route to be agreed with Telecom, to maintain the service to properties at the southern end of 

Bengalla Road and Denman Road and to provide a service to the new mine. 

Water for the coal preparation plant and for dust suppression will largely come from surface runoff and water make 

to the mining pit which will be retained in a series of dams of appropriate size. After prolonged dry periods and to 

maintain process water quality, additional make up water will be required. This will be extracted from the Hunter 

River and pumped to storage dams. Water management is discussed in more detail in Section 4.11. 

Water for use in the offices and bathhouse will be extracted from the Hunter River and treated on site. Drinking 

water will be supplied by tanker from Muswellbrook. 

Licences will be requested from the Department of Water Resources for the supply of the water from the Hunter 

River. 

4.7 DENMAN ROAD - WYBONG ROAD LINK 

The proposed mining area cuts across the central portion of Bengalla Road. Prior to mining, Bengalla Road will be 

closed and access to properties at the southern end of Bengalla Road and to the mine lease area will be provided by 

an alternative road. 

The proposed new road will link Denman Road south of Balmoral Corner with Wybong Road at the western 

margin of the site. The new road will incorporate a bridge over the Hunter River and an overpass over the 

Muswellbrook - Ulan rail line. The route of the new road is shown on Figure 4.12. 

A railway level crossing on the Muswellbrook - Ulan line was considered but rejected due to the volume of coal 

traffic on the line. An overpass is considered to be the safer option. 

The Link Road will be a two-lane undivided carriageway with a design speed of 80 km/h. A T junction 

(AUSTROADS Type C) is proposed for the Denman Road Link Road intersection and an AUSTROADS Type B 

intersection is proposed for the northern intersection with Wybong Road. The site access road junction will also be 



4:15 

a Type C intersection. Details of each intersection type are shown in Appendix 10. 

The bridge over the Hunter River will be at 1 m above the 1 in 100 year flood level and designed to avoid any 

backing up of water during high flow periods in order not to increase the dangers of flooding in Muswellbrook. 

The detailed design of the bridge will be discussed with the Department of Water Resources prior to construction. 

Erosion and scour protection, hydraulic calculations to assess the effect of the structure on bankfull discharge and 

bed and bank stability will all be addressed at the detailed design stage. 

The design of the road will be discussed with RTA, Department of Water Resources and Council prior to 

construction. 

The link road will be a public road, maintained by Council. 

4.8 WORKFORCE 

4.8.1 Construction Stage 

The estimated workforce during the 2 year construction period will rise from 20 at the start of construction to a 

peak of 510 after 15 months. The majority of the construction workforce will be drawn from Hunter Valley based 

contractors who are familiar with and work regularly in the coal industry. 

4.8.2 Operational Stage 

The anticipated workforce during mine operations is 300. Details of the operational workforce are given in Table 

4.3. 



4:16 

TABLE 4.3 

OPERATIONAL WORKFORCE AT YEAR 10 

Production 

Maintenance 

Coal Preparation 

Administration 

114 

76 

36 

74 

Total 300 

4.9 MINE WORKING HOURS 

The mine will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Workforce numbers have been calculated on the basis of a 

three shift operation. The dragline will work 7 days per week but the prestrip and coaling teams will generally only 

work from Monday to Friday. Routine maintenance will be undertaken at the weekend. 

The coal preparation plant will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, again on a three shift system. 

The coal loader on the rail loop will be ready to load trains at any time of the day or night, as required by the SRA. 

Lighting will be needed to allow operations to take place safely 24 hours a day in both the mine and the surface 

facilities area. The lighting will be designed to maximise the workplace lighting levels but minimise the visibility 

of the lights from outside the site. The impact of night lighting and measures to reduce the impact are discussed in 

more detail in Section 5.12 and Appendix 16. 

4.10 MARKETS 

Marketing studies indicate that good opportunities for growth in the steaming coal market will occur after 1995 for 

thermal power stations in Japan, Korea and Taiwan. Marketing of the coal will be undertaken by Bengalla Coal 

Sales Company Pty Limited, a company owned by the Joint Venturers. The inclusion of major coal users and 

trading houses in the Joint Venture is expected to provide a marketing advantage in the overseas market. 

Bengalla Coal Sales Company Pty Limited will target the export market without precluding the domestic market. 

Coal transport arrangements will be reviewed if a domestic market is found. 



4:17 

4.11 WATER MANAGEMENT 


Water management at Bengalla will be carried out in accordance with the Joint Venture Water Policy, presented in 

Appendix 7. The prime aim of the water management strategy is to protect the local hydrological environment. 

The water management scheme is designed to facilitate the efficient operation of the mine through controls of water 

inflows and the ready provision for on-site demands. 

Rainfall runoff into the mining pit and groundwater make to the mine will be retained for use on-site, for dust 

suppression and in the coal preparation plant. 

Water management controls will also cater for all requirements concerning potable water, non-potable water, 

domestic water and sediment control. 

A predicted water balance for the Bengalla project showing estimates of flows for Years 1, 7, 14 and 21 of the 

development is presented in Figure 4.14. 

The 90 percentile and 10 percentile volumes given in Figure 4.14 are included to represent particularly wet and dry 

years respectively. Percentile rainfall figures are derived through the ranking of all annual rainfall results from 

lowest to highest and recording the rainfall at the equivalent percentage mark in the data set. 

Percentiles, or the equivalent decile system, are used by the Bureau of Meteorology to describe rainfall regimes. 

4.11.2 Water Use and Disposal 

Potable Water 

The potable water demands have been calculated to be approximately 1.4 ML/y. This demand for drinking water 

throughout the office and workshop complex will be met through water transported by truck from Muswellbrook. 



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Non-Potable Domestic Water 

Water will be pumped from the Hunter River under appropriate licence conditions to meet the mine demands for 

non-potable domestic water. 

The demands comprise employee washing, fire control, landscape irrigation and internal washdown. This water 

supply will be passed through a treatment plant to improve quality. 

Water for fire fighting and irrigation will be used as required, however employee washing and internal washdown 

constitute a continuous demand throughout the year. 

Wastewater from the bathhouse will enter an effluent treatment pond and, after treatment in this fashion, will be 

directed via trickle irrigation onto landscaped or rehabilitated areas. 

Minewater 

The groundwater inflow to the mine has been assessed by Mackie Martin and Associates (Appendix 5). 

The hydrogeological regime in the Bengalla area is addressed through the compilation of an extensive range of 

groundwater elevation results and transmissivity testing data. Three hydrogeological domains have been identified 

in the area, namely the shallow hardrock aquifers to the base of the Warkworth Seam, the deeper aquifers to depths 

below the Edinglassie Seam, and the unconsolidated alluvium adjacent to the Hunter River. The groundwater 

conditions are discussed in detail in Sections 2.6 and 5.2. 

Mackie Martin (1992) present the results of a two layer computer numerical model which has been designed to 

simulate the hyrogeological domains and the complex hydraulic inter-relationship arising from leakage phenomena. 

The model was used to predict inflow volumes for Years 1, 7, 14 and 21 of the proposed operation. Predicted 

groundwater seepage has been calculated at 250 KL/d (91 ML/y) at Year 1, 490 KL/d (179 ML/y) at Year 7, 960 

KL/d (350 ML/y) at Year 14 and 1,520 KL/d (555 ML/y) at Year 21 (presented in Figure 4.14). Seepage water is 

sourced initially from storage within the coal measures and ultimately via leakage from overlying alluvium and the 

Hunter River. 

Due to the long and unpredictable lag time associated with a rainfall event and the resulting groundwater seepage, 

it has been assumed that the groundwater inflows did not vary for a 10 per cent wet or 10 per cent dry year (90 



4:19 

percentile year and 10 percentile year respectively) from an average year. 

Rainfall runoff and seepage from disturbed areas into the pit varies only by approximately 3 ML/y for a 10 

percentile and 90 percentile year from the average rainfall year. The maximum inflow into the pit from runoff and 

seepage from disturbed areas occurs at the 21 year stage as a result of the greatest area having been disturbed. The 

estimated inflow into the pit, at this stage, including groundwater, rainfall runoff and seepage from disturbed areas, 

for an average rainfall year is 794 ML. 

Pit water inflows will be pumped into a series of holding dams. The holding dams to be constructed prior to 

commencement of mining are presented in Figure 4.13. Two 20 ML holding dams are located adjacent to the pit 

and a further six 20 ML holding dams will be used to water the coal stockpiles in the southwest corner of the site. 

The holding dams will provide storage for a number of re-use options. 

The greatest re-use of water will be through the washery system which will create a constant demand, throughout 

the life of the operation. Water from the washery will be either taken offsite in the form of the added moisture 

content of product coal or incorporated into reject material. Some water from the washery will be recycled. 

Dewatered rejects will be disposed of in the dragline spoils (see Section 4.4). 

The minewater dams will also provide the supply for coal stockpile sprays and other dust suppression demands, 

external washdown and truck washing. 

Two 20 ML holding dams near the mining area will be fitted with pumps to enable filling of water tankers. The 

volume of water required for dust suppression will vary according to road area exposed at any particular stage of 

development and the prevailing weather conditions. Dust suppression water demands are estimated to be 500 

ML/y at Year 1, increasing to 575 ML/y at Year 21 for an average rainfall year. During a 10 percentile, dry year, 

the demand for water for dust suppression purposes will increase to an estimated 695 ML/y at Year 1 and 

799 ML/y at Year 21 (Figure 4.14). 

Machinery washdown will take place on a designated area with runoff directed via an oil and grease separator to 

return to the minewater dam. 

It is proposed that water balance shortfalls as a result of demands exceeding supply will be made up through 

pumping from the Hunter River. 

Figure 4.13 shows the location of sedimentation dams and contour banks to direct runoff from undisturbed areas 



4:20 

away from the disturbed areas. Each of the contour banks has a 4 ML sedimentation dam at the toe of the bank 

which provides additional settlement of runoff prior to overflow into the natural gully. 

A comprehensive sediment control programme will be implemented which will allow for the containment and 

treatment of stormwater flows for a design rainfall event of 1 in 10 years return period of one hour duration from 

all disturbed areas. The runoff will be detained in sedimentation basins for a period of 1 hour during such an event, 

to remove suspended sediment of 0.1 mm diameter and greater. To remove fine silt and clay less than 0.1 mm 

diameter would require impractically large storage dams to increase the detention period. The main service road 

along the southern boundary of the mining lease has a crossfall directing runoff into drains which feed four 1 ML 

sedimentation dams. 

Holding dams have been designed to ensure that all contaminated water will be contained and re-used on site. A 

10 ML sedimentation dam is located adjacent to each set of holding ponds. Contaminated water will only be 

released from the site when the design event is exceeded. 

Stockpile sprays serve both to prevent the possibility of windblown coal dust and to maintain the moisture control 

of the stockpiled material. The volume of water required to meet the stockpile spraying needs has been calculated 

at approximately 10 ML per 1 Mt of ROM coal stockpiled. 

The coal preparation plant will be designed to use groundwater quality water input. Dust suppression and the 

relatively minor requirement for truck and machine washdown of approximately 2 ML/y may also be met by water 

of this quality. 

Under normal rainfall conditions, these combined demands for water exceed predicted groundwater inflow 

volumes. Therefore, operating purely on minewater, the Bengalla project will create a significant deficit, ensuring 

no possibility of offsite discharge of contaminated water. The water deficit will be supplemented by pumping from 

the Hunter River. The volume of Hunter River water required to balance water demands for the project with 

supply will decrease with time as groundwater inflows increase. 

The Hunter River pumping system will be capable of supplying a volume of 90 KL/h to provide for maximum 

washery demands. 

Extraction of water from the Hunter River will be carried out under Department of Water Resources Licence. 

Rainfall runoff from undisturbed and rehabilitated areas with no potential to be contaminated by mine activities, 



4:21 

will be diverted around the mine development and allowed to discharge to the Hunter River. 

4.12 REHABILITATION 


Rehabilitation works will be closely integrated with mine production and will be undertaken progressively as 

mining proceeds. Disturbed land will be returned to a stable condition and, with the exception of some Class II 

land, to a land capability at least equal to that which existed prior to mining. Revegetation will result in the 

establishment of pasture cover with extensive tree covered areas. 

Recontouring, topsoil handling and revegetation techniques have been refined over 15 years at Peabody's 

Ravensworth mine. The Company has been active in rehabilitation research and development with many research 

projects completed or currently underway. The results of this research and extensive rehabilitation experience will 

be applied at Bengalla. 

4.12.2 Objectives 

Rehabilitation is a prescribed condition under the Mining Act and is subject to the agreement of the Minister for 

Natural Resources whose requirements in that regard are included in the Opencut Approval given by him from time 

to time, without which mining cannot occur. 

Minimisation of erosion and reinstatement of pre-mining land capability are the primary objectives of the 

rehabilitation programme. Other objectives are: 

· to generate a final rehabilitated landform which is consistent with general landforms in the area 

and which will blend unobtrusively with the natural topography; 

· to provide a landform that is suitable for the primary final land use of grazing; 

· to plan mining and overburden handling operations to minimise rehandling, reshaping and 

contouring; 

· to minimise the amount of disturbed land awaiting rehabilitation; 

· to provide for the safe and environmentally acceptable disposal of coarse washery rejects and 



4:22 

tailings; 

· wherever possible to utilise rehabilitation to achieve visual and acoustic barriers between the 

mine operations and outside areas. 

4.12.3 Landuse 

The Bengalla Agricultural Company Pty Limited has been established to manage all land owned by the Joint 

Venture not being used for mining or for mining purposes. 

Rehabilitated land will be returned to grazing as soon as possible. Past experience has shown that grazing can 

commence within 3 to 4 years of pasture establishment. Experience at other mines (e.g. Hunter Valley No. 1, 

Ravensworth No. 2, Warkworth) has shown that pasture productivity has been sufficient to allow relatively high 

stocking rates. Similarly, tree growth on correctly prepared recontoured mined land has generally been superior to 

that on adjacent unmined land (Burns, 1992). 

4.12.4 General Rehabilitation Procedures 

Timber Removal 

Prior to disturbance, any suitable timber will be harvested for fenceposts or firewood. However, there is little 

standing timber and most trees are of little commercial value. Trees removed for mining and not used for timber 

will be chipped and used for landscaping. 



4:23 

4.12.5 Shaping Spoil Dumps 

Spoil dumps will be progressively recontoured as described in Section 4.2.1. 

4.12.6 Topdressing Material 

Suitable topsoil material will be stripped from areas to be disturbed. The location, depth and volumes of suitable 

materials have been identified through an extensive survey. The results of this survey are shown in Appendix 2 

and are summarised in Section 2.3. 

Most topdressing material will be derived from areas ahead of the advancing mine. The remainder will be obtained 

from other sources of disturbance such as roads, stockpiles and other infrastructure development sites. The 

recovery of all suitable topdressing material will be a prerequisite to any soil disturbance. 

Topdressing material will be removed from no further than two strip widths (120 m) ahead of the advancing mine. 

Strict control will be kept over the depth of stripping to ensure only suitable quality material is removed. Material 

will be pushed into heaps and removed by front-end loaders and trucks or removed by scraper. Material will either 

be immediately respread onto recontoured areas, or stockpiled. 

At commencement of mining, stockpiling will be necessary until suitable recontoured areas are available. As 

mining progresses, a direct correlation will exist between the area disturbed and the area topdressed and topsoil will 

be stripped and spread in one operation. Stockpiling will be avoided wherever possible. 

Topsoil stripping and subsequent stockpiling can result in a decline in structural and biological attributes of soil. 

To minimise the reduction in soil viability, the following procedures will be adopted: 

· topsoil will be stripped in a moist condition to prevent excessive brittle or plastic failures and 

thereby retaining the soil structure; 

· stockpiles will not exceed 1.0 m depth; 

· stockpiles will be seeded with preferred pasture species immediately after deposition. This will 

have numerous advantages including restricting the invasion of the weed Galenia secunda, 

encouraging soil microbial activity and reducing erosion of stockpiles. 

Topdressing stockpiles will be clearly marked and protected from disturbance prior to respreading. 



4:24 

Following recontouring of spoil, topdressing material will be spread to a minimum depth of 100 mm; sufficient 

material is available for up to 200 mm of topdressing to be placed on most areas. At other mines, 100 mm has been 

found to be adequate for healthy pasture establishment. The depth of respread topdressing material is not critical 

for trees which frequently establish better on raw overburden material than on topdressing. It is important to note 

that overburden material underlying topdressing will be innocuous material with no significant chemical or 

physical problems and will provide a suitable deep rooting medium for vegetation. 

One horizon with unfavourable chemical characteristics, the Archerfield-Bulga Formation, has been identified as 

being highly saline, sodic and having potential for acid formation due to the presence of pyrite (Section 3.5). 

Overburden material from this horizon is therefore not suitable as a rooting medium and will be placed at a depth of 

at least 5 m in the backfill, well away from the root systems of plants. 

4.12.7 Site Preparation 

Following topdressing, the surface will be either cultivated or ripped along the contour as a prerequisite for 

revegetation. 

4.12.8 Revegetation 

Revegetation will immediately follow topdressing and site preparation and will include either pasture or tree 

establishment. A revegetation strategy detailing the location of pasture and treed areas will be developed prior to 

disturbance. This strategy will be similar to a farm plan developed by the Department of Conservation and Land 

Management (CALM) (formerly Soil Conservation Service) and will be based on sound soil conservation and land 

management principles. A strong emphasis will be placed on tree cover with a minimum of 25 per cent of the 

rehabilitated area being planted/sown to trees. 

Trees will be established to achieve maximum aesthetic effect as well as providing functional windbreaks and 

woodlots for stock shelter. The objective of all rehabilitation work will be to develop well designed 

agricultural/grazing land with a land capability at least equal to that existing prior to mining. The revegetation 

strategy will result in the establishment of many more trees than currently exist on the site. Endemic tree species 

will be used and seed from remnant trees will be collected prior to tree destruction and either sown directly or 

propagated in a nearby nursery. Advanced seed collection ahead of mining has been successfully used at 

Peabody's Ravensworth South Mine. 

Proven pasture and tree establishment techniques have been developed at Peabody's Ravensworth Mines and will 



4:25 

be used at Bengalla. These have been developed in conjunction with CALM and the Forestry Commission. 

Continuing close liaison with these government agencies will be maintained to ensure sowing, planting and 

fertiliser specifications are the best available. 

4.12.9 Drainage and Erosion Control 

Drainage and erosion control have been discussed under Water Management in Section 4.11. These structures will 

ensure the longterm stability of rehabilitated areas. 

4.12.10 Rehabilitation of Washery Rejects 

Washery rejects will be placed in the opencut void, with prestrip and dragline overburden, topdressed and 

rehabilitated. There will never be any need to separately rehabilitate washery rejects. Disposal of washery rejects 

is discussed in Section 4.4. 

4.12.11 Extent of Disturbance 

Bare ground will be kept to a minimum. This will be achieved by minimising the area of vegetation stripped ahead 

of mining and by ensuring revegetation follows mining as closely as practicable (see Section 4.1.2 and Figures 4.7 

and 4.15). 

Other areas of temporary disturbance associated with infrastructure works will be revegetated immediately activity 

has ceased. 

4.12.12 Progress of Rehabilitation 

Mining will generally advance at the rate of one strip width (60 m) per year. 

Figures 4.3, 4.4, 4.5 and 4.6 show the area rehabilitated after 4, 7, 14 and 21 years respectively. Initial 

revegetation of mined areas will commence within the first 2 years. Within the initial 2 year period, prestrip 

material will be used to achieve approximate final levels on the eastern margin of the surface dump. Topdressing 

and revegetation will then remain two to three strip widths behind the active mining operation as shown in Figure 

4.15 and will annually advance at approximately the same rate as the high wall. Table 4.4 provides a guide to the 

approximate extent of rehabilitation at various stages in the mine's life, subject to approval of mining plans by 

DMR (Mines Inspectorate). The Minister for Natural Resources will set a security deposit as a guarantee of 



4:26 

rehabilitation performance pursuant to the mining lease. 

TABLE 4.4 

REHABILITATION PROGRESS 

Year 

2 

7 

14 

21 

Approximate Cumulative Area Disturbed by 

Mining (ha) 

157 

348 

480 

614 

Approximate Cumulative Area Rehabilitated (ha) 

25 

135 

238 

348 

Revegetation of the prominent eastern slope of the overburden emplacement will, with the exception of the ramp 

slopes, be completed to the maximum height after approximately 7 years. The east to west ramp will remain open 

for the life of mining. Revegetation of the ramp batters will be trialled to determine the best method. 

Rehabilitated pasture areas will be stocked with cattle approximately 3 to 4 years after pasture establishment. All 

grazing will be closely monitored to avoid damage to rehabilitated areas. 

All revegetated areas will receive routine maintenance applications of fertiliser in accordance with standard CALM 

specifications for mined areas. 

4.12.13 Weed Control 

Many exotic weed species (e.g. Galenia spp) are already present on agricultural properties in the Bengalla area. 

Site disturbance resulting from mining provides ideal conditions for opportunistic weed species to spread and 

invade freshly disturbed areas. However, there has been no evidence in the Hunter Valley to suggest that mining is 

a primary cause of new weed invasion. 

Weed control is essential to prevent propagation of weeds as well as to reduce competition with favoured grasses 

and trees used in rehabilitation. 

A strategy to minimise weed invasion will form part of both the management of unmined pastoral land and the 

rehabilitation and management of mined areas. Included in the latter category are areas disturbed, but not mined 

e.g. infrastructure areas. 



4:27 

The following strategy will be employed: 

· employ proven agricultural weed control techniques on unmined pastoral land. Land will not be 

allowed to lie derelict. When weeds occur, spraying and other management practices will be 

employed to kill weeds and prevent weeds from seeding and spreading; 

· on mined land, revegetation will occur immediately after recontouring and topsoiling. Quick and 

effective establishment of dense pasture and/or tree cover will reduce opportunities for weed 

colonisation; 

· the Environmental Officer will inspect all rehabilitated areas for weeds twice per year and, if 

required, will instigate weed control programmes. 

The expert advice of the New South Wales Department of Agriculture will be sought prior to commencement of 

mining in regards to specific weed control details. 

4.12.14 Leachate Generation 

The potential for the generation of an environmentally hazardous leachate from overburden material depends upon 

two variables: 

· the chemical characteristics of the overburden. If the overburden contains no potentially 

hazardous chemicals, no hazardous leachate will form; 

· water infiltration into and through the overburden. If no water infiltrates the material, no 

leachate will be generated. 

A certain amount of leaching occurs naturally within the top few metres of the spoil surface, due to the infiltration 

of flood rainfall. This has the beneficial effect of removing salts from the surface materials and redepositing water 

soluble ions at a depth at 2.5 to 3.0 m below the surface (Elliot 1983). 

The chemical characteristics of the Bengalla overburden materials have been assessed (see Section 3.5) and are 

largely of low salinity and no acid forming potential. Only a small proportion of the total spoil material is saline. 

This material from the Archerfield Bulga formation will be placed at depth within the overburden to prevent any 

inhibition of revegetation. 

Studies carried out in Queensland indicate that the depth of rainfall infiltration to revegetated spoil is limited to a 

depth of approximately 4 m by the water requirements of the vegetation (Clarke 1992). Rainfall infiltration is 



4:28 

therefore unlikely to result in leachate generation. 

Groundwater is likely to flow through the lower spoil as a result of mine dewatering. The chemical characteristics 

of the spoil are such that the water quality is unlikely to change significantly from the present groundwater quality. 

4.13 ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING 

Regular environmental monitoring will be undertaken throughout the life of the mine, under the supervision of an 

Environmental Officer. The existing monitoring programmes will continue. These include: 

· continuous monitoring of weather data on Overton Ridge; 

· weekly monitoring of airborne dust concentrations; 

· monthly monitoring of dust deposition rates; 

· monthly monitoring of Hunter River water quality; 

· monitoring of groundwater quality and levels. 

The continued use of the same sampling points and sampling techniques will ensure that pre and post mining 

results are directly comparable. 

In addition, the progress of revegetation will be monitored on a half yearly basis and additional seed or fertiliser 

applications made as necessary. Noise monitoring will be carried out periodically to check the accuracy of the 

predictions in the noise impact assessment. All blasts will be monitored for overpressure and ground vibration at 

selected locations. 

An environmental management report will be prepared annually, reviewing the performances of the mine against 

the licence conditions. 



4:29 

Heritage Management 

Regular inspections of the heritage properties within the Authorisation will be made to check for signs of damage 

or deterioration. 

An archaeological management plan will be developed, with the aim of assessing and researching the Aboriginal 

heritage of the Authorisation area in the context of the Hunter Valley. 



SECTION 5 : IMPACT OF THE PROPOSAL ON THE ENVIRONMENT 



5:1 

5.1 IMPACT ON TOPOGRAPHY, SOILS AND LANDUSE 

5.1.1 Topography 

Opencut mining will destroy the existing topography within the mining area. However, new topography will be 

formed with the spoil which will be contoured to blend in with the surrounding landscape. Small scale topographic 

variations will be built into the surface profile to ensure that the final surface is similar to the surrounding land 

rather than perfectly smooth. 

The final rehabilitation contours are shown in Figure 4.6. The eastern edge of the spoil will rise at a maximum 

gradient of 10 degrees to a maximum height of 240 m AHD. This is higher than the existing topography, due to 

bulkage of the spoil. The spoil will be contoured to drain away from the mining areas. 

5.1.2 Soils 

Opencut mining will remove the existing soil profile. However, rehabilitation is designed to reinstate a profile 

suitable for revegetation. A natural soil profile will develop with time after revegetation is established. 

Soil from the disturbed areas will be stripped prior to disturbance. Where possible, the soil will be used directly for 

topdressing rehabilitation areas to avoid the need to stockpile soil. In the first few years this will not be possible 

and soil will have to be stockpiled. Soil will be stockpiled in mounds no higher than 1 m and vegetated to 

minimise textural degradation, erosional losses and to maintain the viability of the soil, in accordance with the 

Department of Conservation and Land Management recommendations. 

The short term stockpiles will be positioned to ensure that the stockpiles will not need relocating. 

The soil survey (Appendix 2 and Section 2.3) has indicated that there is some 2 Mm 3 of suitable topdressing 

available for rehabilitation areas. Up to 0.20 m of topdressing may be placed on the postmining landform and 

infrastructure areas. Some amelioration of the soil in the form of fertiliser may be required. Topdressed areas will 

be revegetated promptly to minimise erosional losses. 

The rehabilitated area at Bengalla will have a covering of topsoil sufficient in quality and thickness to allow 

revegetation and stabilisation and the eventual development of pedological differentiation with depth. 

5.1.3 Impact on Land Capability 



5:2 

Post mining rural land capability classification will be at least equal to pre-mining capability except for 6 ha of 

Class 2 land located within the mining areas. 

The area of land in the various land capability classes that will be disturbed is shown in Table 5.1. 

TABLE 5.1 

CLASSES OF LAND TO BE DISTURBED 

Rural Land Capability 

Classes 

Mining Area Infrastructure Total 

ha % ha % ha % 

Class 2 

Class 4 

Class 5 

6 1 

67 11 

541 88 

13 28 

25 54 

8 18 

19 3 

92 14 

549 83 

Total 

614 100 

46 100 

660 100 

Approximately 90 per cent of the area to be mined is Class 5 land, whereas Class 2 land occupies less 

than 1 per cent of the proposed mining area. Class 4 and 5 will dominate the post mining landform. 

Small areas of Class 2 and 4 land will be affected by infrastructure development. 

5.1.4 Land Use 

The land in the mining pit area is presently used for grazing. The Joint Venture has adopted a Land Use Policy 

(Appendix 7). In accordance with this policy, land not being directly used for mining or mining purposes, and 

land rehabilitated after mining, will be used for appropriate agricultural activity. 

The Joint Venture objective will be to restore all mine land to at least equal its pre-mining agricultural productive 

capacity. The Joint Venture proposes to maintain the agricultural productivity of the total area to approximately 

pre-mining levels. 

The Joint Venture has incorporated a pastoral company to manage its agricultural activities which may be 

conducted by the pastoral company itself or by it arranging the lease of surplus land to traditional farmers. 

The surplus land includes approximately 414 ha of Hunter River alluvial flats presently substantially used for 



5:3 

dairying. The Joint Venture proposes that this alluvial land will continue as dairying land. 

By the application of the Land Use Policy the Joint Venture believes that the land use and agricultural productivity 

of the area will remain substantially unchanged despite the establishment and conduct of the mine. 

The mine is not expected to affect access to the Rural Lands Protection Board Clarke Reserve (Property No. 41) 

along Wybong Road, except for the temporary closure of the road when blasting takes place within 500 m of the 

road. This will result in closure of the road for approximately 10 minutes on average once every 20 days. Mine 

staff will liaise with the Rural Lands Protection Board to ensure the road closures do not affect the passage of 

stock. 

Dairying 

Each dairy property has frontage to the Hunter River, an area of alluvial flats and its dry grazing land to the 

northwest. Mining will disturb the dry grazing land. The alluvial flats will be unaffected by actual mining or the 

mining operation. 

Nearly all of the highly productive alluvial land, essential to viable dairying, lies to the south and southeast of the 

proposed lease area. This land will not be mined and it will continue to be available for dairying and fodder crop 

production. Higher, undulating land not being mined will provide dry grazing paddocks necessary for dairying 

operations. 

If the Joint Venture gains ownership of dairying properties, it will endeavour to continue milk production at the 

same output. This may be achieved by consolidating the farming areas to form two or more dairies of optimum 

commercial and productive size which could then be operated in conjunction with surplus land to the west of 

Bengalla Road. 

The development of the mine could cause a temporary interruption to milk production if the dairies are 

reconfigured. It is envisaged that any interruption will be for approximately six months. 

The implementation of the Joint Venture Land Use Policy in this way will ensure that the agricultural productivity 

of the area will continue substantially unchanged. 

5.2 IMPACT ON SURFACE WATER AND GROUNDWATER 



5:4 

5.2.1 Impact on Surface Water 

The mine and infrastructure will reduce runoff from catchments 1 and 3 to the Hunter River. Rainfall runoff from 

the mining pit and the infrastructure area will be retained for use in the washery and for dust suppression. Rainfall 

runoff from undisturbed areas will be diverted around the site and allowed to discharge to the Hunter River. 

Runoff from the revegetated spoils will be allowed to discharge to the Hunter River after retention in sedimentation 

basins to remove suspended sediments. 

The creeks in catchments 1 and 3 are ephemeral, only flowing after prolonged or heavy rainfall. The maximum 

area of disturbance in catchment 3 is approximately 400 ha, or approximately half of the catchment area. The flood 

discharge from this catchment is therefore expected to be up to half the current flood discharge. A smaller 

proportion of catchment 1 will be affected. 

The proposed project will not affect the quality of the surface runoff from catchments 1 and 3. All contaminated 

water will be retained and used for the operation of the washery and dust suppression on site, while runoff from 

rehabilitated areas will be treated to remove sediments prior to discharge. 

All works associated with the proposed mining operation will be undertaken in accordance with the Joint Venture 

Policy on Water (Appendix 7) so as to preserve both the quality and quantity of water in the Hunter River. 

5.2.2 Impact on Groundwater 

The impact of the proposed mine on the groundwater regime in the vicinity of the Authorisation area has been 

assessed by Mackie Martin and Associates Pty Ltd (see Appendix 5). A computer model was used to predict 

groundwater inflows to the pit at Years 7, 14 and 21 and the resulting drawdown in the surrounding aquifers. 

The pit seepage has been calculated at 0.5 to 1.2 ML/d at Year 7, 1.0 to 2.0 ML/d at Year 14 and 1.5 to 3.1 ML/d at 

Year 21. The lower figure is a best estimate of the expected conditions, while the upper figure represents the 

maximum inflow. These figures have been incorporated into the water management plan, presented in Section 

4.11. The volume of groundwater will increase throughout the life of the mine because of the increased depth of 

excavation. 

Three hydrogeologic domains were identified in the Bengalla area: 

i. shallow hardrock aquifers to the base of the Warkworth Seam; 



5:5 

ii. 

iii. 

deeper regimes to depths below the Edinglassie Seam; 

unconsolidated alluvium adjacent to the Hunter River. 

Seepage into the pit will initially come from storage within the coal measures. As the water table in the hardrock 

aquifer reduces below the level of the Hunter River, a component of the seepage will be from the alluvial aquifer 

which is recharged by Hunter River bed seepage. In the later years, approximately 80 per cent of the mine inflow 

is expected to originate from the alluvium. 

The hydrogeological study has delineated the following: 

• The minewater inflow is expected to be moderately saline reflecting the characteristics of the 

hardrock aquifers. The inflow may be expected to become less saline as the contribution from 

the alluvial aquifer increases. 

• Groundwater in the hardrock (deeper) aquifers will decline steadily as a result of mining. 

Figures 5.1 and 5.2 show the anticipated levels of the shallow and deep aquifers in Year 21. 

• The impact of mining operations on the alluvial floodplain has been determined to be almost 

negligible as water from the river will migrate to the alluvium at a significantly greater rate than 

leakage to the underlying depressurising aquifer. The mine is therefore not likely to affect the 

quantity of water in bores in the alluvial sediments. 

• Registered groundwater bores tapping the shallow aquifer are located on Property Nos. 145 and 

20. The water level in the shallow aquifer is not expected to drop so the availability of water in 

these bores is not likely to be affected. 

• Registered groundwater bores that appear to tap the deeper aquifer exist on Property Nos. 146, 

45 and 47. The water level in the deep aquifer is expected to fall reducing the availability of 

water in these bores. 

• The removal of groundwater from the mining pit will not significantly change the water quality 

in hardrock aquifers to the north and west. Along the southeastern side of the mine, the hardrock 

groundwater quality will improve due to the leakage and inflow of less saline alluvial 

groundwater. 



5:6 

• The drawdown of the water table in the hardrock aquifers will not affect the growth of trees 

around the mine, such as the screening trees along Wybong Road. Rainfall infiltration provides 

the water source for vegetation, rather than the watertable which is 12 m or more below the 

surface level. The proposed mine will not reduce rainfall infiltration around the tree screens and 

hence will not limit the availability of water which is required for healthy growth. 

• The proposed mining operation will have a negligible impact upon the hydrogeological regime 

of the Hunter River. The rate of draw-down between the deeper aquifers and the River is very 

slow and the amount of water entering the pit will be insignificant compared to existing River 

flows. In addition, the river is being constantly replenished as a result of rainfall events. 

5.2.3 Post Mining Impacts on Groundwater 

Once mining ceases and water is no longer extracted from the pit, the groundwater levels will rise. Water will 

continue to flow into the pit from the alluvium and the surrounding hard rock aquifer until the water levels in the 

pit and the alluvium equilibrate. Once this occurs, further inflows to the pit and spoil from the hardrock aquifer and 

rainfall infiltration will result in the re-establishment of flows from the pit to the alluvium. The rate of groundwater 

level rise will decrease as the proportion of inflow sourced from the alluvium decreases. Based on the pit inflows 

predicted in the Groundwater Study (Appendix 5), it is anticipated to take in excess of 100 years from the 

cessation of mining for water levels in the pit to rise to the level of the Hunter River. It will therefore be more than 

100 years before flow from the final void and spoil to the alluvium recommences. 

During this period, salts will leach from spoil materials into the groundwater. The groundwater is expected to 

become saturated with salts from the spoil because of the long periods that the water and spoil will be in contact. 

The overburden characterisation report (Appendix 15) predicts the average saturated extract from the overburden 

to have an electrical conductivity of approximately 2,300 µS/cm (electrical conductivity is a convenient measure of 

salinity). This is less than the typical coal measures electrical conductivity of 3,230 µS/cm recorded in the premining 

Groundwater Study (Appendix 5) probably as a result of the coal seam being of higher salinity than the 

intervening strata. The leaching of salts from the spoil materials will not increase the salinity of the groundwater 

above the existing background levels and hence, when groundwater from the hardrock aquifer starts to recharge the 

alluvium after mining ceases, will not increase the salinity of the alluvial waters above the present conditions. The 

salinity of the alluvial waters between the mine and the Hunter River is anticipated to reduce during and after 

mining because of the reduced recharge from the more saline hardrock aquifer and is anticipated to remain low 

until recharge from the hardrock aquifer recommences. This in turn is anticipated to reduce the flow of saline 

groundwater into the Hunter River during mining and for approximately 100 years after mining, reducing the 



5:7 

salinity of the river water. 


The impact of the project on air quality has been assessed by Nigel Holmes and Associates (Appendix 3). 

A number of features of the mine and mine plan mean that the mine will produce relatively little dust per tonne of 

ROM coal compared with the majority of mines in the Hunter Valley. These features include: 

· low overburden to coal ratio; 

· the use of conveyors to transport coal and rejects, minimising dust emissions from truck 

transport. 

A variety of management measures will also be used to reduce dust emissions: 

· trafficked areas will be kept damp; 

· topsoil stripping will be restricted to being two strips ahead of the prestrip to minimise the area 

of exposed ground; 

· revegetation of disturbed ground will take place at the earliest possible opportunity; 

· drills will be fitted with dust suppression equipment. 

The impact of the proposed project on air quality has been modelled on the basis of dust emissions from the 

anticipated mine equipment, the proposed mining plan and local climatic conditions using a computer based 

dispersion model (DUSTGLC) at Years 1, 4, 7, 14 and 21. The model predicts dust deposition rates and the 

concentration of total suspended particulate matter (TSP) at Years 1, 4, 7, 14 and 21. The EPA consider an 

increase in annual average dust deposition rates of 2 g/m 2 /mth is acceptable based on the existing dust deposition 

rate of 1 to 2 g/m 2 /mth around the project area (see Section 2.7). The EPA also notes the National Health and 

Medical Research Council (NHMRC) annual average limit of 90 µg/m 3 for TSP. Background annual average 

concentrations of TSP at the project area are below 40 µg/m 3 , so an increase in 50 µg/m 3 in the TSP could be 

sustained before the NHMRC goal is reached. 

The EPA also require that 24 hour concentrations for particles less than 10 µm in size (referred to as sub-10 µm 

particles or PM 10 ) should not exceed 150 µg/m 3 . PM 10 concentration has not been measured at the site, but is 

generally between 40 and 60 per cent of TSP. The EPA goal of 150 µg/m 3 (24 hour average) is exceeded from 

time to time in most areas of New South Wales and this will be true of the Hunter Valley regardless of whether 



5:8 

mining takes place or not. The Bengalla Mine will contribute to the overall dust in the air under such conditions 

and therefore will lead to an increase in the frequency with which the 150 µg/m 3 (24-hour sub-10µm) concentration 

is exceeded. In years of good and average rainfall it is unlikely that during the course of a year the level will be 

exceeded at any residence not already identified as being impacted. In dry years the level may be exceeded on a 

few days per year. 

Figures 5.3 to 5.7 show the increase in dust deposition levels arising from the project in Years 1, 4, 7, 14 and 21 

respectively. 

Dust deposition levels in Muswellbrook and South Muswellbrook are expected to increase by 0.2 to 0.5 g/m 2 /mth. 

Muswellbrook and South Muswellbrook will not therefore be adversely affected by dust deposition. Increases in 

dust deposition levels due to the mine will remain below 2 g/m 2 /mth to the south of the Hunter River throughout 

the life of the mine. Table 5.2 shows those residences within and outside the mining lease area that will experience 

increases in dust deposition rates in excess of the 2 g/m 2 /mth at some time during the life of the mine. 

The increase in annual average TSP concentration mimics the increase in annual average dust deposition rates. The 

area expected to experience an increase in annual average TSP of 50 µg/m 3 is almost identical to the area predicted 

to experience an increase of 2 g/m 2 /mth in annual average dust deposition throughout the life of the mine. Table 

5.2 shows those residences within and outside the mining lease area anticipated to experience an increase in annual 

average TSP concentration in excess of 50 µg/m 3 , or an increase in dust deposition rate in excess of 2 g/m 2 /mth at 

some time during the life of the mine. At the time of the dust assessment, Property No. 54 was vacant land, 

however a new residence is presently being constructed on the site. Using the dust model as outlined here, this 

house will not be impacted by dust from the proposed mine. 

TABLE 5.2 

RESIDENCES AFFECTED BY ANNUAL AVERAGE DUST DEPOSITION >2 g/m 2 /mth 

OR ANNUAL AVERAGE TOTAL SUSPENDED PARTICULATE CONCENTRATION >50 µg/m 3 /mth 

Year 1 Year 4 Year 7 Year 14 Year 21 

East of mining lease boundary 

11, 13 

- 

13 

13 

- 

North of mining lease boundary 

42, 43, 45 

- 

42, 43 

40 

- 

West of mining lease boundary 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 

South of mining lease boundary 

- 

- 

- 

- 

- 



5:9 

Within mining lease boundary 12, 14, 16, 

29a, 29b, 30 

12, 14, 16, 

28a, 28b, 

29a, 29b 

12, 14, 16, 

28a, 28b, 29a, 

29b, 30 

12, 14, 16, 18 

26, 27a, 27b, 

28a, 28b, 29a, 

29b, 30 

16, 18, 26, 

27a, 27b, 

28a, 28b, 

Table 5.2 indicates that four residences to the north of Wybong Road and two residences to the east of Bengalla 

Road are considered adversely affected by dust outside the mining lease area. The Joint Venture will negotiate for 

the purchase of these properties in addition to those properties within the mining lease, in accordance with the Land 

Ownership Policy set out in Appendix 7, if so requested by the owners. 

Property No. 56 is a special case because of the nature of its agricultural activity which is cut flower production. 

This could make it more sensitive to dust from the mining operation than other land uses (e.g. residential), which 

are protected by the EPA's air quality goals. In this case the Joint Venture will offer a compensation agreement 

with the owner or negotiate the purchase of the property in accordance with the Land Ownership Policy set out in 

Appendix 7, if so requested by the owners. 

Dust on Pastures 

Studies into the effects of coal mine dust on grazing pastures have drawn the conclusion that dust deposition at 

levels in excess of those to be experienced adjacent to the mining area will not inhibit pasture growth. 



5:10 

Dust and Dairying 

Dairy farmers have expressed concern that coal mine generated dust on pasture reduces the food intake of dairy 

cows, due to a reduction of palatability, and a consequent loss of milk production. 

Research on this issue, arranged by the New South Wales Coal Association and Australian Co-Operative Foods 

Limited, has established that the daily dry matter intake and milk production of dairy cows was not affected by coal 

mine dust on feed at levels above those which may occur adjacent to the Bengalla Mine. 

The trials established that "contamination with coal mine dust did not affect the amount of feed which cows ate or 

the amount of milk which they produced" (Mentor Consulting Pty Limited, 1993). 

The dust used in the trials was fine borehole dust from an opencut mine and was applied to the pasture at levels far 

higher than would be expected in practice. 

There is limited potential for dust to enter the milk during the milking process. This can be managed by the 

maintenance of proper cow and equipment washing procedures before, during and after milking. 

In extreme conditions it may be advisable to effect some changes to dairy structure to prevent the entry of dust into 

the dairy building itself. This can be achieved by minor structural changes and screens to the dairy building and by 

the installation of water filters. If it is shown that such action becomes necessary due to the operation of the mine it 

will be done by the Joint Venture at its cost. 

Where, in spite of proper dairy management, a dairy farmer incurs a loss due to dust in his milk or loss of 

production where that loss was caused by the dust generated from the Bengalla Mine, then the Joint Venture will be 

responsible and will compensate for that loss. 

The Hunter River flats presently used for dairying will not be disturbed by mining and will continue to be available 

for the conduct of dairying. 

The Joint Venture proposes, in accordance with the Joint Venture Land Use Policy, that dairying will continue 

utilising the river flat land and surplus dry land purchased by the Joint Venture and not required for the actual 

mining process from time to time. 

Air quality will not prevent successful dairying on this land. 



5:11 

Vineyards 

There is a grape growing area located to the south of the industrial area for the mine on the southern side of the 

Hunter River. 

Air quality modelling results in the conclusion that any decrease in the air quality regime in the vineyard area will 

be minimal and less than an increase in deposition rate of 0.5 g/m 2 /month. 

It has been suggested by others that dust on grape vines inhibits vine growth, grape production and fruit quality due 

to inhibition of photosynthesis and a chemical impact from the mine dust. 

No empirical evidence that this is so exists at the dust levels expected from operation of the mine. Research on the 

impact of dust on plant growth and performance leads to the conclusion that dust depositions of considerably 

higher levels than that which will occur in this vineyard would be required to effect plant performance. 

5.4 NOISE AND BLASTING IMPACT 

5.4.1 Noise Impact 

The effect of the proposed mine on the acoustic environment has been assessed by Caleb Smith Consulting Pty Ltd. 

The noise impact assessment report is presented in full in Appendix 6. 

Impact Assessment 

The noise impact assessment is based on measurements of background noise levels and predictions of future 

acoustic conditions with the proposed mine plant operating in realistic worst case conditions. Background noise 

levels of 35 dB(A) at night and 40 dB(A) for daytime hours (see Section 2.8) are acceptable for a rural residential 

area. 

Noise levels were predicted at all residences around the site at various stages of construction and operation. The 

resulting noise levels were compared with the relevant criteria to determine if the mine would adversely affect the 

acoustic environment. At the time of the noise assessment, Property No. 54 was vacant land, however, a residence 

is currently being constructed on the property. For this reason, this property has now been included in the 

assessment of impacts. 



5:12 

Environmental Noise Criteria 

Both the EPA and Muswellbrook Council, the authorities with responsibility for approval and control of noise 

emission from the Bengalla Authorisation, prefer that existing background levels are maintained. In certain 

circumstances, the EPA will allow an exceedence of 5 dB(A), providing the offending noise is bland in character 

and free from tonal or impulsive components (EPA, 1988). As a result, planning noise levels of 40 dB(A) (night) 

and 45 dB(A) (day) have been adopted in the assessment of the mine operation. 

Separate environmental noise limits apply for the construction period. The EPA criterion of 55 L 10 dB(A) for a 

medium term project has been adopted for the access road construction. 

The operation of the mine will result in the concentration of traffic at certain times of the day, particularly at the 

change of shift. The EPA sets environmental goals for the control of road traffic noise based on the recommended 

equivalent continuous noise level (L eq, T). The use of a maximum L 10, 18 hour noise level of 55 dB(A) has been 

found to meet the EPA requirements for intermittent traffic flow in close proximity to residential dwellings, and 

this criterion has been adopted for this study. 

Similarly the EPA sets noise criteria for rail traffic. For residences the planning levels are L eq, 24 hour of 55 dB(A) 

with a maximum passby level of 80 dB(A). 

Noise Impacts 

All noise assessment has been based on realistic worst case conditions with all relevant mining or construction 

occurring in the same location at the same time. Thus, at each stage of the mining development, the maximum 

noise level resulting from simultaneous operation of topsoil removal, dragline operation, coal preparation and 

infrastructure operation has been assessed. The actual noise levels at the adjacent properties could be less than the 

levels predicted in the noise impact assessment study for much of the time because the equipment will rarely all be 

operating in the same area. The assessment is also based on calm weather conditions as required by the EPA. The 

wind can alter the acoustic environment by up to 8 dB(A), decreasing noise levels by 8 dB(A) on the upwind side 

and increasing noise levels 8 dB(A) on the downwind side. 

The annual wind trends indicate that during summer months, residences in the south, southeastern and eastern 

zones are likely to receive lower noise levels than predicted in this study while during the winter, the northern, 

northwestern and western zones are likely to receive lower noise levels. 

Temperature inversions occurring during cold, still conditions can result in increased noise levels at considerable 



5:13 

distances from the noise source due to the bending of sound waves in air layers of different temperatures. The 

incidence and effects of temperature inversion are not predictable to any degree of accuracy, neither for the site of 

the focussing effect or the duration of the incident. However, it is possible for a residence to the southeast of the 

project area to be affected as a result of this phenomenon for perhaps 0.6 per cent of night time hours (10.00 p.m. to 

6.00 a.m.). 

The noise impact assessment indicates that noise levels during mining operations will exceed the appropriate 

criteria at a number of residences outside the mining lease. Table 5.3 shows the residences within and outside the 

mine lease area affected by different stages of the project. Property No. 54 has been included in the list of affected 

residences although not specifically assessed, as houses to the north and south are considered to be impacted. If 

requested by the owners, these properties will be purchased by the Joint Venture in accordance with the Land 

Ownership Policy as presented in Appendix 7. All other residences have been assessed and will not be adversely 

affected by noise. The affected residences are shown in Figure 5.8. The primary causes of noise impact are 

mining, coal handling and infrastructure. If the present owners of these properties wish to remain, then the Joint 

Venture is prepared to come to an agreement regarding compensation or ameliorative measures such as double 

glazing and air conditioning. 

The night-time noise level south of the Hunter River will be kept below 40 dB(A) by the construction of a bund to 

the south of the overland coal conveyors. 

Construction of the infrastructure, coal handling facility, rail loop, Link Road and dragline will not result in any 

adverse noise impact at nearby residences. 

Intermittent traffic on the new Link Road will not result in noise levels in excess of 55 dB(A) L eq, T at the nearest 

residence. No rural property will be adversely affected by traffic noise. 



5:14 

TABLE 5.3 

RESIDENCES AFFECTED BY NOISE 

Infrastructure and Coal 

Handling 

Link Rd 

Construction 

Intermittent 

traffic on 

Link Rd 

Rail Loop 

Dragline 

Construction 

Conveyor 

Operation 

Mining 

Year 1 

Mining 

Year 7 

Mining 

Year 14 

Mining 

Year 21 

Construction Operation Construction Operation 

North of Wybong 

Road 

- - - - - - - 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 

46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 

51, 52, 53, 54, 55 

40 40, 42, 43 39 

East of Lease 

Boundary 

- - - - - - - 13 7a, 7b, 10, 13, 8, 

11a, 11b 

13 13 

South of Lease 

Boundary 

- - - - - - - - - - - 

Within Mining 

Lease Area 

- 23, 

24a, 24b 

25 

- - - - - 12, 14, 16, 

18, 23, 24a, 

24b, 25, 26, 

27a, 27b, 

28a, 28b 

29a, 29b, 30 

12, 14, 16, 18, 23, 

24a, 24b, 25, 26, 

27a, 27b, 28a, 

28b, 29a, 29b, 30 

12, 14, 16, 18, 23, 

24a, 24b, 25, 26, 

27a, 27b, 28a, 

28b, 29a, 29b, 30 

12, 14, 16, 18, 23, 

24a, 24b, 25, 26, 

27a, 27b, 28a, 

28b, 29a, 29b, 30 

18, 23, 24a, 

24b, 25, 26, 

27a, 27b, 

28a, 28b 



5:15 

5.4.2 Blasting 

A test blast was carried out by Caleb Smith Consulting Pty Ltd to establish the vibration and overpressure levels 

that will occur at sensitive properties as a result of production blasting. The full blasting assessment report is 

presented in Appendix 6. The ground vibration and overpressure were monitored at a range of distances up to 

1,000 m away from the test blast and were used to develop ground constants for the site. 

Blasting Criteria 

The EPA sets criteria of 5 mm/s and 115 dB(Lin) for blast induced vibration and overpressure respectively at 

residential properties. The EPA vibration limits are related to the repose and comfort of persons and not the to 

protection of property. 

The Standards Association of Australia sets a standard of 2 mm/s ground vibration at heritage properties. 

Blasting Impact 

The blasting assessment showed that 15 residences outside the mining lease boundary (Property Nos. 7a, 7b, 10, 

11a, 11b, 13, 40, 42-47, 49 and 50), shown in Figure 5.8 would be affected by blast induced overpressure in excess 

of 115 dB(Lin) for a maximum instantaneous charge (MIC) weight of 987 kg of ANFO. These properties would 

also be subject to ground vibration in excess of 5 mm/s and will therefore be adversely affected by blasting. These 

buildings will be protected against vibration damage or will be purchased by the Joint Venture in accordance with 

the Land Ownership Policy presented in Appendix 7. Building protection measures include structural inspection, 

including foundations and footings, compaction of all voids around the building and testing of response to vibration 

levels generated by a vibrating drum roller. 

When blasting takes place within 500 m of Wybong Road, the road will be temporarily closed to eliminate any 

danger from fly rock. The road closure will be controlled by mine staff. The road is anticipated to be closed for 

approximately 10 minutes on an average of one day in twenty. Permanent signs will be erected at both ends of the 

section of Wybong Road adjacent to the Authorisation warning drivers of potential closures, the likely duration and 

alternate routes. The alternative route to Muswellbrook along the new Link Road will not be affected by the 

temporary closure. 

Wybong Road will be inspected prior to re-opening to ensure there is no fly rock lying on the road. The impact of 

the temporary road closure is addressed in Section 5.8. 

Mine staff will liaise with SRA to ensure that no trains are in danger from fly rock when blasting takes place within 



5:16 

500 m of the Muswellbrook - Ulan Railway Line. The track will subsequently be inspected by mine staff to ensure 

there is no flyrock on the track. 

Measures that will be employed to reduce the impact of blasting include: 

· designing the blast to minimise the maximum instantaneous charge while achieving the desired 

degree of fragmentation; 

· keeping strict control of drill hole spacing and orientation; 

· proper stemming of holes and the use of nonel cord to reduce air overpressure; 

· delaying blasting if adverse weather conditions, such as low cloud or temperature inversion 

occur. 

The Joint Venture will negotiate with the owners of any residence identified as being adversely affected by blasting 

induced vibration or overpressure for the purchase of the affected property in accordance with the Land Ownership 

Policy presented in Appendix 7. 

5.5 VISUAL IMPACT 

The visual impact assessment for the proposed mine has been carried out by O'Hanlon Design Pty Ltd and is 

presented in Appendix 14. The report includes an assessment of the visual impact of the proposed mine facilities, 

opencut area and infrastructure and recommends measures to reduce the impact. The assessment of the degree of 

visual impact is based upon the perceived severity of change to the landscape and the number and sensitivity of 

viewers of the landscape. 

Sensitivity levels are a measure of people's concern for the scenic quality of an area. They are based on the visual 

quality of the landscape unit, the viewing distance, the traffic density of a travel route and the number and type of 

potential viewers. 

For landscape assessment, foreground is defined as 0 to between 400 and 800 m, middleground as 400 to 800 m to 

5 and 8 km and background as further than 5 to 8 km. Changes in the foreground will impact more strongly on 

viewers than changes in the background. Generally, tourists and residents have a higher concern for visual quality 

than commuters. Residents, in particular, have a high concern if the scenic quality is threatened by change. The 

more heavily used a traffic route through a potential viewpoint, the more viewers will see the site and therefore the 

greater the impact. 

The proposed opencut area will have the most visual impact because of the large scale and severe changes to the 



5:17 

existing landform, particularly during the initial years. The massed effect and nature of the structures of the 

industrial area will also result in visual impact. In particular, the dark linear coal stockpiles and the height of some 

of the structures add significantly to the visual impact. However, the visual impact of the area will diminish as the 

ameliorative effect of landscaping and tree planting together with carefully selected building colours takes effect. 

Denman Road and elevated west facing portions of Muswellbrook and South Muswellbrook will provide 

prominent vantage points for both the opencut area and the industrial area. The initial spoil piles will screen the 

majority of the mine workings from Muswellbrook. Progressive revegetation of these spoils will be carried out as 

mining proceeds westwards. By Year 7, the screening benefits of these revegetated spoils will be significant. 

With the implementation of ameliorative measures, the potentially severe visual impact of the opencut during Year 

1, on the eastern end of Wybong Road, parts of Muswellbrook, South Muswellbrook, and Denman Road will be 

reduced. The impact of the mine area on the eastern end of Wybong Road, Muswellbrook and South 

Muswellbrook will reduce as the mine advances and the spoil pile is developed into an effective screening ridge. 

After Year 7 the visual impact on Muswellbrook and South Muswellbrook, even with no ameliorative measures, 

would be moderate to low. From elevated positions in Muswellbrook and South Muswellbrook (above 170 m 

AHD) with uninterrupted views to the west, the opencut area will be visible as a middle ground feature. As the 

spoil pile develops, it will become a prominent middleground ridgeline forming a new skyline for viewers at 160 m 

AHD and lower in South Muswellbrook. 

The visual impact of the industrial area will remain constant throughout the mine life. Without screening measures, 

Denman Road will be most affected by the industrial area, experiencing a high visual impact. The industrial area 

will be visible as a distant middleground feature from elevated areas of Muswellbrook with an uninterrupted view 

to the west. Ameliorative measures will be implemented to reduce the overall visual impact of the mine and 

infrastructure areas. 

The major elements of the proposed development have been assessed using the most prominent viewpoints with no 

ameliorative measures in place as a worst case scenario and have then been reassessed with ameliorative measures 

in place to give an indication of the minimum impact. The visual impact has been rated on a scale of severe, high, 

moderate or low. 

The maximum and minimum visual impact and the various measures to reduce the impact from the various 

viewpoints are described in Table 5.4. 

Measures to reduce the visual impact of the mine will be carried out either at the source or at the view point and 

will include: 

· forward tree planting 



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· massed tree planting 

· amenity and specimen planting 

· earthworks and bunding 

· rehabilitation techniques. 

Some forward tree planting has already been undertaken along Bengalla and Wybong Roads. Additional forward 

tree planting is proposed along Denman Road, Wybong Road and the northern side of the Link Road. Native 

species will be used. 

All spoil will be revegetated as soon as final contours are achieved. Rehabilitation of the eastern spoil slopes will 

commence within the first two years of mining and will provide progressively improved screening of the mining 

operation. Once the spoil dump reaches full height, it will provide a permanent screen between the mine and 

viewpoints to the east. The remodelled landform will be undulating to blend with the existing topography. Tree 

planting along the eastern side of the mine will soften the lines of the box cut and spoil for elevated viewpoints to 

the east. 

The major infrastructure buildings will be coloured with a blend of olive green and grey green to blend with the 

pastoral environment. Massed tree planting around the industrial area will filter ground level views from Denman 

Road and the Link Road but will not screen the taller built structures. 

The screening effect of tree planting relies on mature trees with healthy leaf development. Tree planting will 

therefore be undertaken as early as possible to optimise the screening capacity of the trees. Some tree planting has 

already taken place. Extensive tree planting will be undertaken during the construction period. 



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TABLE 5.4 

VISUAL IMPACTS WITH AND WITHOUT FULL AMELIORATIVE MEASURES 

Viewpoint Distance Definition Description of Measures Maximum Impact without 

Ameliorative Measures 

Minimum Impact with 

Ameliorative Measures 

Denman Road 

Opencut area (OCA) and Industrial 

Area (IA) middleground 

*Forward tree planting on road side (FTP) 

*FTP on highest RL's south of OCA and IA 

*FTP on site boundary of IA 

High to Severe 

High reducing to moderate by 

Yr 7 

Wybong Road 

OCA - foreground 

IA - middleground 

*Bunding possible, limited to adjacent to road side 

*Direct seeding 

*Massed and forward tree planting 

*FTP on eastern side 

Severe at the eastern end 

reducing to high by Yr 14. Low 

at the western end 

Severe, reducing to moderate 

by Yr 7 and low to nil by Yr 14 

Roxburgh Road IA - middleground *FTP on roadside Low Low 

Link Road 

OCA - foreground 

IA - foreground 

*Bunding possible limited adjacent to road side 

*Direct seeding 

*FTP on mine side of road 

Severe 

High to Moderate 

Thomas Mitchell Drive 

Edderton Road 

OCA - middleground 

IA - middleground 

*FTP on roadside to create canopy cover 

*Massed planting at intersection north side 

Moderate to high increasing 

with time from Edderton Road 

Low to Moderate 

Muswellbrook - South Muswellbrook 1 

OCA - middleground 

IA - distant middleground 

*Massed FTP on ridges to east of IA and OCA 

*Appropriate bunding to replicate existing landforms 

*FTP and amenity planting on individual properties and streets where 

appropriate 

High to severe in Yr 1 reducing 

to moderate by Yr 7 and low by 

Yr 14 

High to severe, reducing to low 

Rural Homesteads and Properties 

OCA - fore and middleground 

IA - fore and middleground 

*FTP and amenity planting adjacent to individual properties 

*Roadside FTP & bunding on roadways 

*FTP and massed planting on ridges & slopes 

Moderate to severe reducing in 

some areas as mining 

progresses 

Low to Moderate 

(dependent on proximity to 

OCA & IA) 

Source : O'Hanlon Design Pty Ltd 1992 

1 Views and impacts within Muswellbrook and South Muswellbrook vary significantly depending on localised factors of viewing position such as vegetation, site structures and elevation 

Key : OCA Opencut Area 

IA Industrial Area 

FTP Forward Tree Planting 



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5.6 IMPACT ON FLORA AND FAUNA 

The proposed mine will disturb approximately 660 ha of existing vegetation throughout the 21 years of operation. 

The existing ecology has been disturbed by grazing animals and land clearing and shows poor diversity and lack of 

structural variation in the flora. The area of vegetation removed at any one time will be limited as vegetation 

removal and soil stripping will take place two strips ahead of the advancing mine face. Where possible, existing 

stands of trees, such as those near the rail loop, will be retained as these provide a valuable seed source and help to 

retain local genotypes within the area. 

Disturbed areas will be revegetated as quickly as possible using techniques described in Section 4.12. The 

rehabilitation strategy will be designed to return land to the current capability or better and to provide greater tree 

cover. Increased tree cover will provide functional windbreaks and woodlots for stock shelter and improve the 

overall appearance of the land. Greater species diversity will be achieved by the introduction of common Upper 

Hunter Valley tree species to the rehabilitated land. 

Seeds will be collected from trees prior to vegetation clearance for use in revegetation, thereby maintaining the 

existing gene pool. 

Some tree planting along the northern Authorisation boundary and along Bengalla Road has already been 

undertaken, improving species diversity in areas not to be disturbed. 

Increased species diversity will improve the habitat for native fauna and will encourage birds and small animals to 

recolonise the area after mining has taken place. 

No rare or endangered plant or animal species have been recorded or are expected to occur on the site. The 

vegetation associations present in the Authorisation area are well represented elsewhere in the Hunter Valley 

(Envirosciences 1992 - Appendix 4). The Authorisation area is typical of the highly modified ecosystem of the 

agricultural areas of the Hunter Valley which support a relatively diverse complement of avian fauna and a rather 

less diverse population of ground dwelling species. 

The proposed mine will not destroy any unique ecosystems or habitats of conservation value and will ultimately 

improve the overall species diversity of the Authorisation area. 

The impact of the proposal has been assessed in terms of the Endangered Fauna (Interim Protection) Act 1991 

(Appendix 4). The flora and fauna study concludes that it is anticipated that there will be no adverse effects on the 



5:21 

survival of protected fauna. The planned rehabilitation works will result in a more extensive tree cover than 

presently exists, resulting in a better quality habitat which may attract further faunal species to the area. 

5.7 IMPACT ON LAND OWNERSHIP AND RESIDENCES 

5.7.1 Land Ownership 

The Joint Venture seeks to maintain the highest level of agricultural production. To this end, the Joint Venture will 

negotiate with any landholder within the lease area for the purchase or lease of the land in accordance with Land 

Ownership and Land Use Policies presented in Appendix 7. Where mining will render a residence uninhabitable 

due to adverse impacts (see Section 5.7.2) or where the impact from the mine is such that the property can no 

longer be used to make a satisfactory living, the Joint Venture is prepared to purchase the property. 

The mining lease will encompass a total of 22 properties. Located within the mining lease will be the mining area, 

haul roads, infrastructure buildings and associated access roads, dams, drainage banks, stockpiling facilities and the 

rail loop. The Joint Venture is currently negotiating access to this land with landowners. 

All rehabilitated and unmined land held by the Joint Venture will be used for agriculture. 

5.7.2 Residences 

Sixteen residences are situated within the mining lease area (Section 2.9). (Property Nos. 12, 14, 30, 29a, 29b, 16, 

28a, 28b, 18, 27a, 27b, 26, 25, 24a, 24b and 23.) This includes the heritage property "Bengalla" which will be 

protected because of its heritage value, as set out in Section 5.11. 

Access to the residences at the southern end of Bengalla Road will be onto Bengalla Road from the new Link 

Road. People approaching these residences from the south will no longer have to pass through Muswellbrook and 

over Kayuga Bridge but will be able to travel via Denman Road and cross the Hunter River on the new bridge. 

Access from the north will be via Wybong Road and the new Link Road. 

Adversely affected residences have been identified on the basis of air quality, noise and blasting criteria. The 

residences at which one or more of the criteria are considered likely to be exceeded have been identified by the 

respective specialist consultants. 

The affected residences that lie outside the proposed mining lease are shown in Figures 5.8 and 5.9. All properties 



5:22 

affected by the mine development are shown in Figure 5.10. 

The Joint Venture has made a commitment to purchase any property containing a residence inside or outside the 

Authorisation adversely affected by the mining operations at a price determined in accordance with the principles 

set out in previous determinations of development applications by the Minister for Planning (see Land Ownership 

Policy, Appendix 7). 

5.8 TRANSPORT IMPACT 

The impact of the proposed development on the road transport system in the vicinity of the Authorisation area has 

been assessed by Stapleton and Hallam (see Appendix 10). The impact of traffic generated noise is discussed in 

Section 5.4. 

5.8.1 Mine Generated Traffic 

It is estimated that the mine will generate 80 car trips to the site for the day shift and 40 car trips for other shifts. 

Based on the current residential locations of staff at other mines approximately 60 per cent of the workforce is 

expected to reside south of Muswellbrook, 30 per cent in Muswellbrook and 10 per cent north of Muswellbrook. 

In addition to the traffic generated by the workforce, up to 40 movements per day are expected from delivery and 

service vehicles. 

5.8.2 Road Network Changes 

In order to maximise the recovery of the available reserves, it is proposed to close Bengalla Road. Bengalla Road 

is a no-through road providing access to rural properties. Alternative access to the properties at the southern end of 

Bengalla Road will be provided by the new Link Road. Properties to which access will be prevented by mining 

will be purchased, or have been purchased by the Bengalla Joint Venture, or arrangements will be entered into with 

landholders for the use of the property. 

A new Link Road will be built between Denman Road, 800 m west of Thomas Mitchell Drive and Wybong Road 

east of Roxburgh Road. This will provide the only access into the mine as well as providing for regional traffic 

movement. Based on origin/destination surveys, there would be very limited usage of this link in the short term by 

non-mine traffic. The possible development of a new mine to the north could increase the traffic flows. 

It is proposed to construct AUSTROADS Type C intersections at the Denman Road/Link Road and Link Road/Site 



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Access Road intersections, with a Type B intersection at the Link Road/Wybong Road intersection. These 

intersection standards are in excess of the minimum required and will provide a safe traffic environment for future 

regional traffic growth. Minimum sight distances of 150 m at these intersections will be provided, as requested by 

the RTA. 

5.8.3 Traffic Impact of Proposed Mine 

All coal will be transported by rail. There will be no road transport of coal, either during the construction phase or 

during rail strikes. Coal will be stockpiled within the mining lease area where necessary. 

The closure of Bengalla Road will remove access to properties along the central portion of the road. Agreement 

will have been reached with these property owners regarding purchase or lease of the land to allow mining to take 

place and hence there will be owners/occupiers consent for the road closure. Access to the southern properties 

along Bengalla Road will be provided from the new Link Road. 

The impact on traffic efficiency on the adjacent intersections due to the predicted traffic increase at peak periods 

will be very low, with minimal delays occurring at all intersections. The predicted additional peak hour traffic of 

25 vehicles per hour in any direction is such that the New England Highway traffic signals at the intersection with 

Denman Road should be able to cope through the normal vehicle actuated operation. 

The new Link Road will provide an additional Hunter River crossing and an alternative route to Kayuga Road and 

Wybong Road for traffic heading west. The design standard of the intersections on the new Link Road is higher 

than the minimum necessary and hence will ensure a high standard of traffic safety for future regional traffic 

growth. Upgrading of the Denman Road - Thomas Mitchell Drive intersection to a Type B right turn into Thomas 

Mitchell Drive may be warranted, as a result of peak hour flows. Discussions will be held with the RTA regarding 

this upgrading. 

Wybong Road will need to be closed periodically to enable blasting to proceed safely at the northern end of the 

mine site. The road will be closed on average once every 20 days, for a period of 10 minutes. Based on the 

current average weekday traffic flow, an average of 8 vehicles will be affected during the 10 minute period. The 

closure will be controlled by mine staff. Signs will be erected on Wybong Road advising the public that occasional 

closures will be experienced and advising of alternative routes such as the Link Road. The resulting short term 

closures are considered an acceptable impact of the proposed mine. 

5.9 SOCIAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT 



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5.9.1 Employment Impacts 

The construction workforce of up to 510 is expected to be drawn primarily from the Hunter Valley. Sufficient 

capacity exists within the Valley to undertake the relevant tasks at Bengalla. 

The project will employ an average operational workforce of 300. It is anticipated that, because of the number of 

local unemployed persons, the 230 mineworkers will be recruited locally from within the region. Half of the 70 

technical/professional staff is expected to be recruited locally. Up to 20 of the personnel are expected to move into 

Muswellbrook from outside the region. Others are likely to move to Singleton or Scone. 

The project will create 510 new short term jobs during construction and 300 new long term employment 

opportunities during the operation phase which will help to reduce unemployment in the region. 

In addition, the flow-on effect of the project is expected to result in approximately 294 new employment 

opportunities in the region, particularly in the transport, maintenance and service industries. The use of local firms 

will provide increased security of employment to those currently employed by these firms. 

5.9.2 Housing, Education and Health 

It is expected that 20 employees will migrate to the Muswellbrook area for the operational phase of the project, 

bringing their families with them. Assuming all employees are married with two children the maximum population 

increase will be 80. In practice, a proportion of the employees will be single reducing the immigrant population. 

The present supply of rental accommodation in Muswellbrook is limited but there is a supply of land suitable for 

building. Muswellbrook Council proposes to develop land at South Muswellbrook and create approximately 200 

allotments. 

The Department of School Education education facilities are nearing optimum maximum size but have the capacity 

to accommodate the natural increase in enrolments. The Muswellbrook area is currently underserviced with regard 

to some child care services. 

Health services should continue to absorb any additional demands arising from the increased population influx. 

Recreational and sporting facilities appear to be adequate to cope with the population influx. 



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5.9.3 Economic Impact 

The project will have favourable income, employment and industrial output impacts upon the local, regional, State 

and National economies. 

Annually, the project will directly generate approximately $296M gross revenue (output) and approximately $25M 

in wages and salaries (income). In addition, it will cause an increase in those industries associated with the new 

mine. Typical multiplier effects are used as a way to assess the impact. Using multipliers of 1.56 for output effects 

and 1.66 for income effects (Centre for Transport Policy Analysis, University of Wollongong 1991), the total 

impact of the project on the region is estimated to be $462M in output and $42M in income effects. 

The project will benefit local, State and Federal Government through: 

· rates contributions; 

· royalties, rail freight charges, port charges and State taxes; 

· Federal taxes. 

5.9.4 Infrastructure Contributions 

The Bengalla Joint Venture recognises the need to ensure that its employees are adequately housed and have 

available the necessary support facilities to enable them to become long term residents of the district. In established 

areas such as Muswellbrook, the cost of the increased demand on such services should not be unfairly borne by the 

existing community. The Joint Venture will contribute to community infrastructure which can be reasonably 

attributed to the requirements of the project employees and their families. 

5.10 IMPACT ON ABORIGINAL HERITAGE 

Aboriginal sites identified in the study area by Elizabeth Rich (Appendix 12) are discussed in Section 2.15 and 

shown in Figure 2.15. 

Similar sites and finds representative of three different stone industries occur on similar land units throughout the 

study area. The archaeological material in the mine and infrastructure areas has already been substantially 

disturbed by previous land use; the material in the northwestern part of the project area has generally suffered the 



5:26 

least damage. 

The proposed project will destroy archaeological material within the mine and infrastructure area. The silcrete 

extraction site at B10 (Figure 2.15) will be partly affected by the construction of conveyors and roads. 

While the destruction of Aboriginal sites and finds is not considered desirable, the material within the mine and 

infrastructure area is not considered of sufficient archaeological significance to prevent the project from proceeding 

(Appendix 12). The destruction of archaeological material will be mitigated by: 

· use of site protection methods, such as fencing, to ensure that sites or areas adjacent to works are 

not accidentally damaged or destroyed during construction or operation of the mine; 

· implementation of an archaeological salvage programme to recover material and information for 

future research and to ascertain, via residue analysis, what different kinds of stone tools might 

have been used for; 

· preparation of a Plan of Management to ensure the protection of sites not destroyed by the 

proposed development during the 21 years of the mine life. 

Destruction of archaeological material will only be carried out with the written consent of the Director of the 

National Parks and Wildlife Service, in accordance with Section 90 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act. 



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5.11 IMPACT ON EUROPEAN HERITAGE 

5.11.1 Potential Threats to Heritage Items 

There are no heritage items in the proposed mining area. Heritage items likely to be affected are Bengalla 

(Property No. 29) and Overdene (Property No. 11). The impact of dust, vibration and visual disturbance have been 

addressed in association with the relevant specialist consultants. Suters Architects Snell (Appendix 13) have 

identified various potential threats to heritage items in the vicinity of the proposed mine including: 

· dust deposition leading to staining or deterioration of external finishes; 

· damage from vibration; 

· deterioration due to lack of occupancy; 

· impact on views; 

· impact on the immediate curtilage as a result of mining activity; 

· loss of associations due to relocation of current occupants; 

· loss due to permanent removal of heritage items. 

Dust 

The overburden at Bengalla, the prime potential source of dust, has been assessed as being of low salinity, sodicity 

and acid forming potential (see Section 3.5). A small quantity of overburden is saline and has the potential to form 

acid but, as this material may cause problems during rehabilitation, it will be placed at depth within the overburden 

dump. This material is therefore unlikely to contribute significantly to deposited dust. Any dust deposited on 

Overdene and Bengalla is not therefore expected to affect the external finishes. As an additional precaution, 

Overdene and Bengalla will be cleaned regularly to remove any dust build up. 

Vibration 

The principal source of ground vibration and air overpressure is blasting. Mining vehicles and machinery will be in 

excess of 50 m from Bengalla homestead and Overdene and so are not expected to cause any vibration. Test 

blasting has been carried out at the proposed mine site by Caleb Smith Consulting Pty Ltd (see Appendix 6) to 

assess overpressure and ground vibration at nearby residences, including heritage properties of Overdene, Bengalla 

and Edinglassie. 



5:28 

The Australian Standard 2187 Part 2 SAA Explosives Codes establishes a ground vibration limit of 2 mm/s for 

historic buildings to protect the buildings from vibration damage. The test blast indicates that for a maximum 

instantaneous charge (MIC) weight of 987 kg of ANFO, ground vibrations at Bengalla and Overdene are expected 

to exceed the recommended limit. The greatest vibration effects will occur in the early years of mine operations 

when blasting will be closest to the buildings in question. Predicted levels will reach 20 mm/s which will not 

damage well constructed buildings, however, in the case of Bengalla, foundations could settle resulting in some 

damage. The levels will be reduced to 2 mm/s once blasting takes place more than 1,600 m from Bengalla. In the 

case of Overdene, the ground vibration will be around 10 mm/s in the early years but significantly reduced in later 

years. Some damage, such as cracking of stone and brick masonry, could result from these vibration levels. 

Vibration levels south of the Hunter River are predicted to be below 2 mm/s. The vibration levels at Edinglassie 

and Rouse Lench are therefore predicted to be below the recommended limit, and thus incur no damage. 

There are no criteria for overpressure levels relating to historic properties. The EPA blast overpressure criterion of 

115 dB is based on human sensitivity. During the early life of the mine, this limit is likely to be exceeded by up to 

15 dB at Bengalla and up to 10 dB at Overdene. 

Extended exposure of older buildings to vibration could result in: 

· further foundation settlement; 

· cracking of stone and brick masonry; 

· damage to structures such as chimneys; 

· loss of plaster on internal walls; 

· damage to ceilings and cornices; 

· weakening of structural connection; 

· failure of structural elements and framing already subject to damage or stress; 

· damage to joinery items such as window and doors; 

· damage to roof elements permitting water damage; 

· failure of mortar beds between masonry units. 

There is the potential for damage to occur to Bengalla and Overdene as a result of blasting, in the form of 

foundation settlement cracking of masonry or plaster, weakening of structural connections, damage to joinery or 



5:29 

damage to roof elements permitting water entry. 

Blasts will be designed to reduce the level of ground vibration as much as possible, however vibrations in excess of 

2 mm/s are still likely to occur. Relocation of the properties to land away from the mine site is considered 

undesirable because of the significant associations each property has with its respective site. Bengalla and 

Overdene will therefore be secured to preserve their intrinsic state and restored after mining. Details of the 

protection required to minimise the impact of vibration on Bengalla and Overdene will be assessed by a structural 

engineer experienced in protection of heritage buildings. 

Lack of Occupancy 

Vacant buildings are more vulnerable to deterioration than occupied buildings due to: 

· lack of regular inspection; 

· lack of regular maintenance when required (particularly maintenance to prevent weather 

exposure); 

· exposure to vandalism and loss (such as fire); 

· exposure to theft and loss of internal detail. 

Overdene is currently unoccupied. Bengalla is within the Authorisation area and is also likely to be unoccupied 

during mining. Heritage properties outside the Authorisation will not become unoccupied as a result of mine 

activity. 

Impact on Views 

The position of most heritage residences was chosen to take advantage of attractive views. The principal spaces of 

Bengalla and Overdene overlook the Hunter River, rather than the mine area. Those residences on the eastern side 

of the river including Edinglassie, Rouse Lench and Balmoral have views across to the mine area and are more 

likely to be adversely affected. 



5:30 

Impact on the Immediate Curtilage 

The immediate surroundings of the residence contribute to the overall impression of a property and hence to the 

historical interpretation. Only Bengalla is in close proximity to the excavation. The mining pit limit will be 250 m 

from the homestead to protect the immediate surroundings. 

Loss of Historical and Family Associations 

Bengalla has been in the hands of the Keys family for four generations and still contains family possessions, 

documents and archives which add another dimension to interpretation of the history of the property. This 

information may be dispersed or disposed of when the current occupiers leave the property. 

Loss Due to Permanent Removal 

No items of heritage value will be removed from their existing location to allow mining activities to occur. 

5.11.2 Measures to Protect Heritage Items within the Authorisation Area 

Management of Bengalla and Overdene to protect these heritage items within the Authorisation area will include: 

· recording of existing items, including all structures within the curtilage, and with the owners 

consent, internal features, a photographic inventory and collation of documentary evidence 

relating to the property; 

· preservation measures of each property to prevent unauthorised entry, vandalism and theft, 

deterioration and to minimise damage from dust and vibration; 

· temporary reinforcement to minimise vibration damage; 

· regular monitoring; 

· installation of fire detection and security systems; 

· regular maintenance, including cleaning to remove any dust buildup; 

· restoration of the residence once impacts are within accepted standards. 



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5.11.3 Measures to Protect Heritage Items Outside the Authorisation 

The mine will not result in vibration of any heritage property outside the Authorisation area, exceeding the 2 mm/s 

standard set by the Standards Association of Australia. 

Focussing of overpressure due to temperature inversions may occur occasionally. With the owners' permission, the 

ceilings of Edinglassie, Rouse Lench and Balmoral will be surveyed to assess their condition and ability to 

withstand the expected maximum overpressure. 

The mine will not result in deleterious dust deposition at any heritage property outside the Authorisation area. 

The mine will be visible from Edinglassie, Rouse Lench and Balmoral. Where requested, tree planting will be 

carried out around these properties to minimise the visual impact. 

5.12 LIGHTING IMPACT 

The likely lighting impact of the proposed new mine has been assessed by Connell Wagner. The lighting impact 

report is presented in full in Appendix 16. 

Connell Wagner predict that the impact of lighting on the surrounding residences and the township of 

Muswellbrook would be severe, unless the mine lighting is designed with impact reduction in mind. The 

residences to the west and south of the mine and in the elevated parts of Muswellbrook with the potential for views 

of the mine (above about 170 m AHD - see Section 5.5) will be most affected. Twilight and night time views will 

be impacted by the bright lights which unavoidably attract the eye. 

The mine infrastructure area, washery, stockpiles and mine site are all potential sources of light. The mine site has 

the greatest potential impact because the lights on the dragline and dumptrucks are moving and hence potentially 

most disturbing to nearby residents. This is also the hardest area to adequately shield. 

Measures that will be employed to reduce the impact on the night time visual amenity of the area include: 

· enclosed truck washing bays; 

· low brightness floodlights mounted horizontally at a height of 15 to 20 m and fitted with 

reflectors to restrict stray light; 

· keeping workshop access doors closed at night; 



5:32 

· restricting the use of translucent cladding panels on the workshops and washery; 

· low brightness lights around the outside of the workshop; 

· blinds in the bathhouse and offices; 

· egg crate louvre shielding of carpark lights; 

· louvres on safety lights on ladders and walkways; 

· the use of dipped headlamps on dump trucks where possible and the use of visual barriers such 

as heightened safety berms to cut off direct views of headlamps. 

The implementation of the above light control measures will significantly reduce the impact of lighting. 

5.13 ENERGY STATEMENT 

To win the coal, energy will be consumed in the form of: 

· electricity to power the dragline, shovel, conveyors, washery and other fixed equipment; 

· petroleum products for loaders, trucks and other mobile equipment; 

· explosives to fragment the rock. 

The mine has been designed to conserve energy wherever possible. Energy efficient features of the design include 

the use of electric conveyors rather than trucks, haul roads of minimum distances and gradients and minimum 

rehandling of materials. 

Energy Production 

Annual average saleable coal production will be approximately 6 Mt. The total coal recovered by the project 

during the 21 year lease is estimated to be 147 Mt. 

The specific energy of the product coal at 12.5 per cent ash is 28 MJ/kg. Annual energy production will therefore 

be 145,200 PJ during the 21 years of operation. 

Energy Consumption 



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The main energy consumption at Bengalla will be in the form of diesel fuel and electricity. The estimated 

electricity use for the dragline, shovel and coal preparation plant is 6,200 kWh, which is equivalent to 166 PJ/a. 

The estimated diesel consumption by mine machinery is 108 ML/y which is equivalent to 417 PJ/a. 

Energy Balance 

Bengalla will be a producer of energy, with a gross energy production of 145,200 PJ/a. The total energy input to 

win this coal will be 583 PJ/a, or 0.4 per cent of the total energy output. 

5.14 SUMMARY OF IMPACTS 

The impact of the project on the different areas around the project area are summarised from Sections 5.1 to 5.9 

and 5.12 and the specialist consultants reports (Appendices 3 to 16). 

5.14.1 Impact on Muswellbrook Township 

The project will not significantly increase dust deposition rates or airborne dust concentrations in Muswellbrook. 

Dust deposition rates in Muswellbrook will increase by less than 0.6 g/m 2 /mth. 

There will be no appreciable increase in noise levels in Muswellbrook due to the mining operations at Bengalla. 

The project will not result in blast induced vibration or air overpressure associated with blasting in excess of 115 

dB(A) in Muswellbrook. 

The spoil pile will potentially be visible as a new ridge developing behind Overton Ridge, in the middle distance 

from those areas above 170 m AHD with uninterrupted westerly aspects in Muswellbrook. Progressive 

revegetation of the spoil will be carried out which will reduce its visual intrusion. After 7 years, the spoil will 

shield the view of the mine workings from the elevated areas of Muswellbrook. The view from Muswellbrook will 

remain unchanged after this time apart from the growth of trees on the spoil which will soften the view. The 

industrial area will also be visible in the middle distance. 

Lighting of the mine workings and infrastructure area will generate an aureole at night which will be visible from 

Muswellbrook. 

The new Link Road will provide access to the site from the south via Thomas Mitchell Drive. The project will not 



5:34 

therefore generate heavy traffic along Bridge Street, Muswellbrook. 

5.14.2 Impact on South Muswellbrook Residential Area 

The project will not significantly increase dust deposition rates or airborne dust concentrations in South 

Muswellbrook. The dust deposition rates in South Muswellbrook will increase by less than 0.5 g/m 2 /mth. 

There will be no appreciable increase in noise levels in South Muswellbrook due to the mining operations at 

Bengalla. 

The project will not cause blast induced vibration or air overpressure associated with blasting in excess of 115 

dB(A) in South Muswellbrook. 

The opencut area will potentially be visible from elevated viewpoints (above 170 m AHD) with uninterrupted 

westerly aspects in the early stages of development as the spoil pile is developed. After Year 7, the new ridgeline 

together with tree growth will reduce the impact and largely screen the opencut mine operations and will form a 

new skyline for viewers below 160 m AHD. The industrial area will be visible in the middleground. 

The new Link Road will provide access to the project area from the south via Thomas Mitchell Drive. The project 

is not therefore expected to result in heavy vehicles using the New England Highway and Denman Road through 

South Muswellbrook. A small increase in light vehicles on Denman Road may be expected to result from site 

employees going to and from the mine. The peak hour traffic between 6.30 a.m. and 7.30 a.m. along Denman 

Road in South Muswellbrook is expected to increase by 37 vehicles or 13 per cent. 

5.14.3 Impact on Properties to the North of Wybong Road 

The project will result in dust deposition rates in excess of 2 g/m 2 /mth at some period during the life of the mine at 

the residences shown in Table 5.5. These residences are therefore considered to be adversely affected by dust. 

The project will result in noise levels greater than 40 dB(A) during the night or 45 dB(A) during the day at some 

period during the life of the mine at the residences shown in Table 5.5. These residences are therefore considered 

to be adversely affected by noise. 

The project will result in ground vibration levels greater than 5 mm/s as a result of blasting along the northern edge 

of the site at residences shown in Table 5.5. These residences are therefore considered to be adversely affected by 



5:35 

blasting. 

The residences affected by dust, noise and blasting are shown in Figure 5.9. 

The Joint Venture will negotiate for the purchase of the properties, if so requested by the owner, in accordance with 

the Joint Venture's Land Ownership Policy presented in Appendix 7. 

TABLE 5.5 

IMPACTED RESIDENCES TO THE NORTH OF WYBONG ROAD 

Dust 

Property No. 

Noise 

Property No. 

Blasting 

Property No. 

Year 1 42, 43, 45 40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 

46, 47, 48, 49, 50, 

51, 52, 53, 54, 55 

40, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, 

47, 49, 50, 51, 52 

Year 7 42, 43 40 40, 42, 43, 45, 46, 47 

Year 14 40 40, 42, 43 40, 42, 43 

Year 21 - 39 40 

Refer to Appendix 8 for property owner schedule. 

The visual impact from the eastern end of Wybong Road will be severe initially, reducing to moderate by Year 7, 

with the opencut area as a prominent fore-ground feature screened by tree planting. The visual impact on 

residences along Wybong Road will vary depending on localised factors such as location, aspect, topography and 

vegetation. The visual impact on these residences is expected to range from high to low. The opencut area will 

have very low impact on Wybong Road at the western end of the Authorisation area. 

The increased dust deposition rate close to Wybong Road is not expected to affect the current use of the land for 

grazing. 

The project is likely to increase light traffic along Wybong Road as far as the new Link Road by up to seven 

vehicle movements or 11 per cent at the morning shift change (6.30 a.m. - 7.30 a.m.). The new Link Road will 

provide an alternative route to the New England Highway and the south avoiding Kayuga Bridge. 

Two groundwater bores exist on Property Nos. 45 and 47, tapping the deep hardrock aquifer for stock and 

domestic water. The mine will result in a reduction in groundwater level at these two bores during the first seven 



5:36 

years of mining, after which the groundwater level will remain constant. This will reduce the availability and yield 

of water from these bores. In accordance with the Water Policy, the Bengalla Joint Venture will implement 

remedial action to reduce this problem if required by the owner. The water supply in bores in the alluvium to the 

east of Bengalla Road will not be affected as the mine will not result in any significant alteration of the water table 

in the alluvium. 

5.14.4 Impact on Residences to the West of the Project Area 

The project will result in an increase in dust deposition rates of less than 0.5 g/m 2 /mth in Year 21 when the mine is 

at its closest. Residences to the west of the project area will not therefore be affected by dust. 

Without ameliorative measures, Residence 22f could be moderately affected by noise through the operation of the 

coal handling facilities. To overcome this possibility, noise control treatment will be applied to plant and 

equipment to ensure the received noise levels do not exceed the EPA criteria. 

The distance from the mining pit to the residences on the western boundary is such that blast induced vibration will 

be below 5 mm/s. These residences will not be affected by blasting. 

Three properties, Nos. 145, 146 and 20, to the west of the project area have registered bores to provide water for 

stock and domestic purposes. The bores on Property Nos. 20 and 145 appear to tap the shallow hardrock aquifer. 

The water level in this aquifer is only expected to drop in the immediate vicinity of the mining pit, so the 

availability of water in these bores is not likely to be affected. The bore on Property No. 146 taps the deep 

hardrock aquifer which will be affected by mining. The water level in the deep hardrock aquifer is expected to 

reduce by approximately 9 m by Year 21. The mine is therefore likely to reduce the availability water in this bore. 

If this is shown to occur, the Joint Venture will provide an alternative water supply of quality suitable for stock, if 

required by the land owner. 

The existing ridgeline effectively blocks the view of the opencut area from Roxburgh Road. The valley leading to 

the southwestern corner of the project area allows views of the infrastructure area in the fore to middleground from 

residence Nos. 22f, 143 and 145. 

5.14.5 Impact on Properties to the South of the Project Area 

The increase in dust deposition levels due to the project to the south of the Authorisation area are predicted to be 1 

g/m 2 /mth or less. The residences to the south of the Authorisation along Denman Road and around the racecourse 



5:37 

will therefore not be adversely affected by dust arising from the project. 

Noise levels at residences along Denman Road and around the racecourse are predicted to be below 45 dB(A) 

during the day and 40 dB(A) during the night during operation of the mine. Residence No. 22a could be affected 

by operational noise from the coal handling facility. Noise control measures will be applied to the coal handling 

facility and conveyor to ensure noise levels at Residence No. 22a do not exceed the night time criterion. 

Construction work will not adversely affect nearby residences with medium term construction noise. 

Blasting vibration levels are predicted to be 1.4 mm/s at Edinglassie (Property No. 115e) when blasting is carried 

out at the closest location to the residence. This is below the criterion of 2 mm/s set for Heritage properties; this 

residence will not be adversely affected by blasting. Vibration levels at other residences along Denman Road are 

expected to be 1.4 mm/s or less so no residence will be adversely affected by blasting induced vibration. 

Blast induced overpressure at residences along Denman Road is expected to be 109 dB(A) or less. The residences 

along Denman Road will not therefore be adversely affected by blast induced overpressure. 

The opencut and infrastructure area will be clearly visible in the middle distance from residences along Denman 

Road including Edinglassie (Property No. 115e) and Rouse Lench (Property No. 115d) although variations in 

individual residences such as location, aspect, topography and vegetation will alter the view from each residence. 

The impact will be less for properties to the north on Denman Road such as Balmoral (Property No. 112) as the 

topography shields the opencut area to an increasing degree and the distance to the infrastructure area increases. 

Amenity tree planting will be carried out at any of these residences, if required by the owner, to reduce the view of 

the mine. 

The major infrastructure buildings will be coloured with a blend of olive green and grey green to blend with the 

pastoral environment and massed tree planting will be undertaken around the industrial area to filter ground level 

views. Amenity tree planting will be undertaken on residences along Denman Road, if required by the owners, to 

screen the views of the mine. 

There are many bores along the floodplain of the Hunter River used to supply water for stock and irrigation. The 

mine is not expected to alter water levels in the alluvium or the yield of water from these bores. 

5.14.6 Impact on Properties to the East of the Project Area 

The project will result in increased dust deposition rates of 1.0 g/m 2 /mth or less to the east of Logues Lane and 



5:38 

hence will not adversely affect residences in this area. Dust deposition rates in excess of 2 g/m 2 /mth will be 

experienced at residences 11 and 13 in Year 1. After Year 1, residence 11 will no longer be adversely affected. 

Residence 13 will still be subject to increased dust levels in Year 7. By Year 21 no residences to the east of the 

mine lease boundary will be adversely affected by dust deposition. 

The flower farm (Property No. 56) represents an area where the existing land use is more sensitive to dust than 

other land uses, and could be impacted by dust emission from mining operations. In this special case, the Joint 

Venture will offer a compensation agreement to the owner or negotiate the purchase if so requested by the 

landowner, in accordance with the Policy on Land (Appendix 7). 

The project will not result in noise levels greater than 40 dB(A) during the night or 45 dB(A) during the day at any 

residence to the east of Logues Lane; residences will therefore not be affected by noise. Residences between 

Bengalla Road and Logues Lane (Property Nos. 7a, 7b, 8, 10, 11a, 11b and 13) will be affected by noise levels 

greater than the EPA criteria for the first two years of mining, until the spoil dump is constructed and forms an 

acoustic barrier. 

Blasting vibration levels to the east of Logues Lane are expected to be less than 5 mm/s so no property will be 

adversely affected by ground vibrations. Similarly overpressure levels will be below the EPA level of concern. 

Blasting vibration levels of 5 mm/s will be exceeded at Property Nos. 7a, 7b, 10, 11a, 11b and 13. These 

residences are therefore considered adversely affected by blasting. 

Views of the opencut area will be screened by Overton Ridge. The infrastructure area will be visible in the middle 

distance from some properties. The views from individual properties will vary depending on aspect, location and 

vegetation. 

5.15 SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION 

The Bengalla Resource 

The Bengalla coal resource, which outcrops close to the western edge of the Hunter River alluvial plain and to the 

west of Overton Ridge about 3 km west of the town of Muswellbrook, is one of the biggest and most valuable 

steaming coal resources in Australia. 

Opencut Methods 



5:39 

The Bengalla Joint Venture proposes opencut mining using the strip method. Overburden will be removed by a 

dragline or prestripping shovel exposing the coal which will be ripped or blasted and removed by front-end loaders. 

Coal will be transported by conveyor from the mine to the coal washing, handling, storage and loading area at the 

southwestern end of the lease area. 

Rail Loop and Rail Haulage of Coal 

The industrial area will include a coal loading facility designed to the highest SRA Standard (Level 5) from which 

all Bengalla export product coal will be loaded for rail haulage to the port at Newcastle. No Bengalla coal will be 

hauled by road. 

Not by Underground Method 

Underground mining is not economical and will lead to extensive sterilisation of resources due to the close 

proximity of numerous coal seams in the Wittingham Coal Measures within the Bengalla Authorisation area. Early 

mining of the lower seams by underground methods would sterilise the thinner and more shallow coal seams. 

Muswellbrook 

The western edge of Muswellbrook is about 3 km east of the Overton Ridge. The assessment of the noise and dust 

impacts concludes that there will be no appreciable increase to background levels in Muswellbrook. In some 

atmospheric conditions there will be some isolated episodic noise from blasting and mine activity. Background 

dust levels will, at worst, increase by less than 0.5 g/m 2 /mth. There will be views of the mine from elevated 

unobstructed parts of Muswellbrook and the night lighting will be apparent. 

Progress of Mining 

Mining, which will not occur on the alluvial plain, commences west of Overton Ridge and moves in a westerly 

direction away from Muswellbrook. The limited environmental impact on Muswellbrook during the first four 

years of the project will rapidly diminish until about Year 7 when any impact will cease or have been reduced to 

minimal levels. 

Surface and Mine Water 

Minewater will be retained and used within the mine. Clean runoff will be diverted around the mine. The Joint 



5:40 

Venture will not be seeking a licence to discharge minewater other than in the most extreme of wet conditions. 

Land Ownership Policy 

The Joint Venture has adopted a policy on land ownership (Appendix 7) under which the Joint Venture accepts 

that it should purchase all land shaded in Figure 5.10 as land that is: 

• within the area of the proposed mining lease; or is 

• affected by noise and/or dust to a degree in excess of the acceptable levels set by the 

Environment Protection Authority under the Environment Protection Legislation. 

The impact of mine generated noise and dust is reported on by independent experts whose reports form part of this 

assessment. 

Joint Venture Land Purchases 

Some of the land in Figure 5.10 has already been purchased and the Joint Venture is prepared to enter into 

purchase arrangements or compensation agreements with the owners of the remainder of the land. The Joint 

Venture will accept an appropriately worded and structured condition in the development consent requiring the 

purchase of any of the land shaded in Figure 5.10 if the owner so requires. This issue is addressed in the Joint 

Venture Land Ownership Policy (Appendix 7). 

Visual 

Initially the mine will be visible from unobstructed elevated locations of Muswellbrook but this will quickly 

diminish as mine spoil is used from the first year onwards to create a bund to the west of Overton Ridge. As 

mining progresses westward and the bund is revegetated the visual impacts will diminish further. 

Agricultural Production and Dairying 

The Joint Venture is concerned that the agricultural productivity of the area is maintained to the greatest extent 

practicable. The Joint Venture has adopted a Land Use Policy (Appendix 7) that will be the basis of Joint Venture 

decisions with regard to the use of land not actually required for mining. Land not used for mining or mining 

purposes will be used for its most appropriate land use including, in respect of the river flat alluvial land, dairy 

farming. 



5:41 

Project Benefits 

The Bengalla Mine will produce many benefits for Australia, New South Wales, the Hunter Region and the 

Muswellbrook area including: 

• export earnings for Australia of (in 1993 terms) about $4.5 billion dollars; 

• 500 (approximately) construction jobs; 

• 300 (approximately) operational jobs; 

• income tax for the Commonwealth; 

• payroll tax for the State of New South Wales; 

• coal freight charges for New South Wales State Rail; 

• coal royalty on State owned coal for New South Wales; 

• collection charge on royalty for privately owned coal; 

• utilisation of the Newcastle coal loaders; 

• support for the port of Newcastle and the coal chain; 

• rate revenue for the Muswellbrook Council; 

• economic activity and flow-on effects in the Muswellbrook area and the Hunter Valley from the 

expenditure of $250M in the construction of the mine; 

• economic activity and flow-on effects in the Muswellbrook area from the operation of the mine. 



SECTION 6 : ALTERNATIVES TO THE DEVELOPMENT 



6.1 

6.1 ALTERNATIVES TO THE DEVELOPMENT 

The Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 requires a proponent to consider feasible alternatives for 

any of the major components of a development and to give reasons for adopting the preferred option. 

In the granting of a coal mining lease to a mining company, conditions are imposed on the company under 

legislation requiring the maximum exploitation of the coal resources. Recovery of resources is required to be 

carried out in a manner consistent with the demands of safety and protection of the environment. Implicit in the 

alternatives considered for the Bengalla project was the overall philosophy of maximising resource recovery 

consistent with good mining engineering practice and at the same time ensuring that safeguards were built into the 

mine planning process to protect the environment. A number of different mining methods, plans and schedules 

were considered together with a range of infrastructure locations and transportation methods before the preferred 

option was selected. 

The consequences of not proceeding are discussed in Section 6.2. 

6.1.1 Mining Methods 

The alternative methods of mining the coal resources in the Bengalla project area are underground and opencut 

extraction. 

Underground longwall mining methods are being increasingly utilised by the industry because longwall extraction 

provides greater safety and higher productivity compared with other underground methods. However, longwall 

coal extraction needs to be determined on a site specific basis. Due to the nature and close proximity of numerous 

coal seams in the Wittingham Coal Measures, opencut mines operating in an environmentally acceptable manner 

have dominated Hunter Valley coal production since the early 1970s. 

On the basis of proven technology together with a management commitment to minimise environmental risk, 

opencut mining utilising a large walking dragline supported by a prestripping shovel is the preferred option for the 

Bengalla project. 

Opencut mining will allow full recovery of the resource to the Edderton Seam, whereas underground mining would 

only allow recovery of the thicker deeper seams. The upper and thinner seams are not recoverable by underground 

mining and would therefore be sterilised if the lower seams were worked by underground methods. For optimum 

economic working by longwall panel underground methods the coal seams should be: 



6.2 

· between 2.0 and 4.0 m thick and not contain splits or partings; 

· be more than 40 m below the surface; 

· have more than 10 m vertical separation. 

The faulting detected in the deposit would also reduce the viability of longwall mining. These constraints 

considerably reduce the quantity of coal that can be economically worked from this resource by underground 

methods. 

Opencut mining will not preclude mining of the deeper seams by underground methods at some time in the future. 

The Edderton Seam has been chosen as the floor of the mining pit for economic and environmental reasons. 

Both mining methods result in surface disturbance through excavation or subsidence. Subsidence is likely to be 

extensive if shallow seams are extracted by underground methods. Cumulative subsidence can occur for many 

years if successive coal seams are worked and can cause ponding and drainage problems. The final landform of an 

opencut is designed to suit the future land use requirements and rehabilitation can improve the capability of the 

land. 

Both types of mining have potential impacts on the surrounding environment, which require consideration at the 

design stage to ensure adequate environmental protection. The measures set out in this EIS are designed to ensure 

that the proposed Bengalla Mine has the minimum impact on the environment. 

6.1.2 Mine Plan 

The proposed mine plan was chosen as the most environmentally acceptable way to work the coal by opencut 

methods whilst maintaining acceptable project economies. 

A major aspect of the mine planning process was the proximity of the coal deposit to Muswellbrook and its 

potential for impact. For this reason, the eastern limit at the subcrop of the Edderton Seam is the optimum position 

for the box cut. To move eastward from this subcrop would destroy the Overton Ridge making the mine visually 

intrusive and impinging on the river flat with some mining operations. In this case, the mining operation would be 

more visible to Muswellbrook. If the box cut was moved further west, then a larger surface spoil dump would be 

created resulting in the need to double handle spoil or in the sterilisation of coal. 

From the eastern limit the preferred mining plan is for strips extending along the strike facilitating dragline 

workings advancing down dip. 



6.3 

The environmental impact of dragline operations is less than truck and shovel due to the following factors: 

· dragline operations are inherently less dusty than truck and shovel operations (Nigel Holmes & 

Associates 1990); 

· truck and shovel operations require more benches to be open at any time, increasing the size of 

the active mining area and resulting in a larger out of pit overburden dump compared with a 

dragline site; 

· truck and shovel operations require more lighting. 

Employing the available technology of a large walking dragline requires a high initial capital cost commitment but 

can result in an economical mining operation when properly supported by a prestripping shovel. 

6.1.3 Infrastructure 

The position of the infrastructure area and the coal preparation plant in the southwestern corner of the site was 

chosen: 

· to be close to the Muswellbrook - Ulan Railway line in order to minimise the length of additional 

rail siding required; 

· to avoid sterilising coal that may be worked in the future; 

· to minimise the gradient between the rail loop and the existing railway line; 

· to maximise the distance and topography between the facilities and Muswellbrook and thereby 

minimise the effect of potential dust and noise emissions and visual intrusion on residents of the 

town; 

· to avoid impact on the alluvial flats; 

· to be a flood free location for major infrastructure. 



6.4 

6.1.4 Transport Alternatives 

Road transport of coal was not considered to be a viable alternative due to the large quantities of coal to be 

produced. 

Two alternative locations for the rail loop were considered. They were the centre of the southern side of the site 

between the railway line and Bengalla Road, and the east of the mine lease area to the north of the railway. The 

advantages of the southern site are: 

· no sterilisation of coal reserves; 

· suitable topography allowing minimal gradients; 

· adjacent to the main rail line, minimising spur line costs and impacts; 

· remote from Muswellbrook township. 

Although the eastern site could also be developed to avoid coal reserves and is suitably close to the main line, the 

area has substantial environmental disadvantages compared with the southern site: 

· close proximity to Muswellbrook; 

· lack of space for development of associated coal stockpiles and washery, other than on the 

alluvial flats of the Hunter River; 

· the Joint Venture policy of not constructing facilities on alluvial agricultural land. 

The southern site, accessing the main rail line approximately 7 km west of Muswellbrook, was therefore chosen as 

the preferred rail loop location. 

Joint use of the rail loading facilities by the Joint Venture and future mining developments in the vicinity is 

possible. The location of the rail loading facilities will not preclude other users. 

6.1.5 Link Road Location 

The Link Road is required to provide access to the project site and alternative access to the properties at the 

southern end of Bengalla Road. 

The location of the new road was chosen to: 



6.5 

· avoid traffic from the south having to pass through the centre of Muswellbrook; 

· avoid Kayuga Bridge over the Hunter River; 

· provide a direct link between Wybong Road and Denman Road thereby providing an alternative 

route to gain access to the New England Highway avoiding the centre of Muswellbrook. 

The option of the Link Road joining Denman Road at the intersection with Thomas Mitchell Drive by means of a 

large roundabout was considered. Theoretically, this makes the road network neater than two offset intersections. 

In practice, the very low base traffic flows that are expected to divert to the new road will not require a single 

intersection (see Appendix 10). The spaced T junctions will suffice and have the benefit of being cheaper, further 

from existing dwellings and having less effect on property boundaries. 

6.2 CONSEQUENCES OF NOT PROCEEDING 

If the project does not proceed: 

· 300 long term and 510 short term direct job opportunities and 295 flow on opportunities will not 

be created in the Upper Hunter Valley; 

· foreign exchange earnings from the sale of 5.5 to 6 Mtpa of coal will not be achieved; 

· the boost to the regional economy arising from direct and indirect income will not occur; 

· no revenue will be generated for local, state or federal government; 

· the new Hunter River Bridge and Denman Road to Wybong Road link road will not be built. 

· the quality and quantity of the coal resource is such that development will inevitably occur at 

some time. Constraints on landowners regarding future development will remain until such time 

as the coal is extracted. Early development will bring forward the release of these constraints; 

· the area will remain substantially the same, with no increase in noise levels, dust levels, visual 

intrusion or any of the other effects of opencut mining discussed in Section 5.0. 

The environmental impact on the small area around the proposed mine needs to be weighed against the substantial 

benefits occurring to the local community and to the State and Nation as a result of the project. It is considered that 

the potential environmental effects can be controlled in such a way as to minimise the impact while maximising the 

benefit of the project to the community. 



SECTION 7 : REFERENCES 



Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1993. Basic Community Profiles. ABS Catalogue No. 2722.1 

Muswellbrook, Merriwa, Murrurundi, Singleton LGAs. 

7.1 

Berkman, D. A. (Compiler), 1989. Field Geologists Manual, Monograph No. 9, 3rd Edition, The 

Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy, Victoria. 

Bureau of Australasian Meteorology, 1988. Climatic Atlas of Australia. 

Croft & Associates Pty Ltd, 1984. Hunter Valley No. 2 Mine EIS prepared for C&A Operations Pty 

Ltd. 

Croft & Associates Pty Ltd, 1983. Salinity in the Hunter River. A report on Generation, 

Treatment and Disposal of Saline Minewater, prepared for NSW Coal 

Association. 

Department of Employment, Education and Training, 1992. Small Area Labour Market - 

Australia. December Quarter 1992. 

Department of Mineral Resources, 1986. Australian Code for Reporting Identified Coal Resources and 

Reserves. Minfo 12, Department of Mineral Resources, Sydney. 

Department of Mineral Resources, 1992. 1992 New South Wales Coal Industry Profile. 

Elliot, G. L., 1983. The Movement of soluble material in overburden from an opencut coal mine in the 

Upper Hunter Valley Field Trials. In "Coal Mine Rehabilitation Stage 1" prepared by Soil Conservation 

Service NSW Coal Association. 

Environment Protection Authority, 1989. Environmental Noise Control Manual. 

Envirosciences Pty Limited, 1992. Flora and Fauna, Bengalla. 

Envirosciences Pty Limited, 1990. Dartbrook Underground Coal Mine Project Environmental 

Impact Statement prepared for Dartbrook Joint Venture. 

Hart, B. T., 1974. A compilation of Australian Water Quality Criteria. Australian Water 

Resources Council Technical Paper No. 7. 

Institution of Engineers, 1987. Australian Rainfall and Runoff - A Guide to Flood Estimation, Institution 

of Engineers. 

MacRae, G. P., 1989. Evaluation of Floodplain Sand and Gravel Resources fo the Hunter River. 

Geological Survey of NSW Department of Minerals and Energy report GS 1989/389. 

McElroy Bryan Geological Services Pty Ltd, 1993. Review of Bengalla Geological Model, February 1993. 

Bengalla Area A438 Muswellbrook. Prepared for Bengalla Joint Venture. 

Mentor Consulting Pty Ltd, 1993. Mine Generated Dust: Potential Impacts in Dairy Cattle 

Production. 

Menzies, 1981. Denman-Scone Coal Exploration Programmme NSW Geological Survey Report GS 

1981/067. 

Nigel Holmes and Associates, 1990. Comparison of Dust Emissions from Dragline and Truck and 



7:2 

Shovel Operations. 

Roads and Traffic Authority NSW, 1990. Traffic Volumes and Supplementary Data Newcastle and 

Districts (Urban Areas of Hunter Valley Division). 

State Pollution Control Commission, 1983. Air Pollution from Coal Mining and Related 

Developments. 

Williamson, D., 1979. (Vol 2.), Scenic Perceptions of Australian Landscapes, LANDSCAPE 

AUSTRALIA. 



GLOSSARY 

Anisotropic 

A property, such as groundwater flow, which varies with orientation. 

Annual exceedence probability (AEP) 

The probability of the discharge of a creek exceeding a given discharge within a one year 

period. 

Bund 

A wall or low embankment of soil surrounding an area to prevent ingress or egress of liquids or 

to deflect. 

Cyclone 

A plant item designed to separate suspended particles of differing size or density by centrifugal 

force. 

Density 

Ratio of a substance mass to its volume. 

Dust 

Solid particles or particulates which have become airborne. 

Total dust - all dust which is airborne 

Respirable dust - the size fractions of total dust which enters a person's air tracts in breathing. 

Evapotranspiration 

Evaporation due to movement of water through vegetation. 

Genotype 

The genetic composition of an individual or population. 

Ground constants 

Value defining the ground conditions used to calculate the anticipated vibration resulting from 

a blast of a particular size. 



G:2 

Groundwater 

Water occurring in interconnecting pores within soil or rocks, beneath the water table. 

Maximum instantaneous charge weight (MIC) 

The maximum weight of explosive to be detonated at one particular instant during a production 

blast. 

Permeability 

A measure of the rate at which fluids can move through rock or soil. 

Permian 

Geological time period from 280 to 230 million years ago. 

pH 

A value representing the acidity or alkalinity a solution. Water is pH neutral at pH 7. Acids 

have a pH less than 7, the lower the number the stronger the acid (minimum 0). Alkalis have a 

pH greater than 7, the higher the number the stronger the alkali (maximum 14). 

Piezometer 

A device for measuring changes in water level or water pressure. 

Potable 

Water which has been treated to a quality suitable for human consumption. 

Prefixes 

Prefixes are used to form names for symbols of multiples of SI units. 



G:3 

SI PREFIXES 

Factor by which the unit is multiplied 

Prefix 

Name 

Symbol 

10 18 

10 15 

10 12 

10 9 

10 6 

10 3 

10 2 

10 

10 -1 

10 -2 

10 -3 

10 -6 

exa 

peta 

tera 

giga 

mega 

kilo 

hecto 

deka 

deci 

centi 

milli 

micro 

E 

P 

T 

G 

M 

k 

h 

da 

d 

c 

m 

µ 

Source: AS 1000-1979 

Probable maximum flood 

The calculated maximum flood based on rainfall and catchment parameters. 

Quaternary 

Geological time period from 3 million years ago to the present. 

Tertiary 

Geological time period from 65 to 3 million years ago. 

Water Table 

Level below which the ground is saturated with water. 



Prepared for: 

COSTAIN RESOURCES LIMITED 

SOIL SURVEY 

FOR THE 

PROPOSED BENGALLA 

COAL MINE 

ENVIROSCIENCES PTY LIMITED 

New South Wales 

NEWCASTLE OFFICE: 

SYDNEY OFFICE & LABORATORY: 

PO Box 5348D, Newcastle West 2302 55-56 Grandview St, Pymble 2073 

122 Parry St, Newcastle West 2302 PO Box 1644, Hornsby Northgate 2077 

Ph (049) 262 600 Fax (049) 264 532 Ph (02) 988 4422 Fax (02) 988 4441 

Laboratory: 92 Young St, Carrington 2294 Laboratory: 8/17 King Rd, Hornsby 2077 

Ph (049) 616 114, Fax (049) 613 271 Ph (02) 476 4699 Fax (02) 476 3568 

Queensland 

GLADSTONE OFFICE: 

BRISBANE OFFICE: 

P O Box 1753, Gladstone 4680 24 Bailey St, West End 4101 

47 Lord St, Gladstone 4680 Ph (07) 844 9563 Fax (07) 846 5459 

Ph (079) 726 120 Fax (079) 726 201 

NOVEMBER 1992

TABLE OF CONTENTS 

Page 

No. 

1.0 INTRODUCTION 1 

2.0 SURVEY METHODS 1 

3.0 SURVEY RESULTS 2 

4.0 REFERENCES 7 

FIGURE 1 : SOIL UNITS 

FIGURE 2 : SOIL STRIPPING DEPTHS 

Bengalla Soil Survey 

F156 RM.gl

1 

1.0 INTRODUCTION 

Envirosciences Pty Limited has been commissioned by Costain Resources Limited to undertake an 

environmental impact assessment for the proposed Bengalla Coal Mine to be located within A438. 

A significant component of the assessment procedure is the evaluation of soils within the study area. 

A soil survey of land to be affected by mining operations and associated infrastructure construction was 

undertaken to analyse the various soil units and identify their suitability for topdressing of disturbed 

areas within A438. The methods and results of the survey are presented in this report. 

2.0 SURVEY METHODS 

The soil survey was conducted over the majority of A438 during the period November 1991 to July 1992. 

The survey consisted of the development of a soil map, detailed descriptions of exposed soil profiles, 

sampling of horizons in the profile for subsequent laboratory analyses and field testing of soil materials 

for post mining topdressing suitability. 

Whilst undertaking the open hole drilling programme, McElroy Bryan Geological Services recorded soil 

profile descriptions of twenty two backhoe pits located adjacent to drilling points. The data generated 

from these profile descriptions was used by Envirosciences to supplement terrain and geomorphic 

interpretation of aerial photography and topographical information to form a soil map of the survey 

area. 

During September 1992 fieldwork was undertaken by Envirosciences to confirm soil unit boundaries. 

Numerous observations of soil profile exposures were recorded. Soil profiles were classified using both 

the Principal Profile Form (Northcote, 1979) and the Great Soil Group (Stace et al., 1968). 

A preliminary assessment of the distribution of available topdressing material for rehabilitation 

purposes was undertaken based on the results of the soil survey. The suitability of soil materials for use 

as topdressing was assessed using the procedure described by Elliot and Veness (1981). Supplementary 

laboratory analyses were undertaken to support field observations. 

3.0 SURVEY RESULTS 


F156 RM.gl

2 

Soil unit classification was adapted from the Northcote (1979) classification system. 

The following soil units were evident within the survey area: 

· Red Duplex 

· Yellow Duplex 

· Brown Gradational 

· Brown Uniform 

The distribution of these soils together with profile description sites and sampling points are shown in 

Figure 1. 

The majority of the study area features Red and Yellow Duplex soils. The following profile descriptions 

are characteristic of their respective soil unit. 

SOIL UNIT: 

RED DUPLEX 

Layer Depth (m) Description 

1 0 - 0.11 Dull brown (7.5 YR 5/4) sandy clay loam. 

This soil is weakly structured with 20 - 50 mm 

sub-angular blocky peds. Cracks are

3 

SOIL UNIT: 

YELLOW DUPLEX 

Layer Depth (m) Description 

1 0 - 0.18 Dull brown (7.5 YR 5/3) sandy loam that 

exhibits weekly pedality. Sub-angular blocky 

primary peds are 10 - 20 mm. The fabric is 

earthy and crack sizes are

4 

substantial depth. The soils are Alluvial Soils (Uc, Um, Uf). 

Samples were extracted from exposed soil profiles at varying depths for subsequent laboratory analysis. 

Laboratory testing was undertaken by the Department of Conservation and Land Management 

Research Services Centre (Scone). 

The following tests were implemented to analyse the samples: 

· Particle size analysis 

· Emersion aggregate test 

· pH 

· Electrical conductivity 

Particle size analysis measures the size of the soil particles in terms of grainsize fractions, and expresses 

the proportions of these fractions as a percentage of the sample. The grainsize fractions are: 

clay 

(

5 

Class 4-6 - more highly aggregated materials which are less likely to hold water. 

Special compactive efforts are required in the construction of 

earthworks. 

Class 7-8 - highly aggregated materials exhibiting low dispersion characteristics. 

The following subdivisions within Emersion classes may be applied: 

1. slight milkiness, immediately adjacent to the aggregate 

2. obvious milkiness, less than 50 per cent of the aggregate affected 

3. obvious milkiness, more than 50 per cent of the aggregate affected 

4. total dispersion, leaving only sand grains 

The pH is a measure of acidity and alkalinity. For 1:5 soil:water suspensions, soils having pH values less 

than 4.5 are regarded as strongly acidic, 4.5 to 5.0 moderately acidic and values greater than 7.0 are 

regarded as alkaline. Most plants grow best in slightly acidic soils. 

Electrical conductivity is a measure of salinity on a 1:5 soil:water suspension and is expressed as EC at 

25 o (ds/m). The actual salinity level that plant roots are exposed to, called the EC e , can be approximated 

by multiplying the EC 1:5 by a factor that is determined by the soil texture. 

The effects of soil salinity (EC e ) levels on most plants are: 

2.0 saline soils, yields of many crops restricted. 

Laboratory test results are shown in Table 1. Sampling sites are illustrated in Figure 1. 


F156 RM.gl

6 

TABLE 1 

SOIL TEST RESULTS 

Sampling Site Depth Particle Size Analysis (%) EAT pH EC 

(ds/m) 

clay silt f.sand c.sand gravel 

A 0 - 

10 

A 10 - 

30 

B 0 - 

25 

B 25 - 

55 

C 0 - 

20 

C 20 - 

50 

D 0 - 

20 

D 20 - 

30 

D 30 - 

65 

EAT = Emerson Aggregate Test 

30 24 33 11 2 3(2) 6.8 0.06 

62 14 16 7 1 3(2) 8.1 0.27 

40 19 36 5

7 

100 cm where the Brown Uniform soil occurs in the drainage line in the north west corner of the study 

area. The Brown Uniform soils covering the Hunter River floodplain will be unaffected by mining, 

however, they will be disturbed due to infrastructure construction. 

The depth of suitable topsoil for the Yellow Duplex unit ranges from 10 cm to 50 cm but generally 

occurs at a depth range of 20 - 30 cm. The average topsoil depth for the Brown Gradational unit is 50 cm. 

Individual volumes of available topdressing material for each recommended stripping depth are 

illustrated in Table 2. 

TABLE 2 

TOPDRESSING AVAILABILITY 

Stripping Depth (cm) Area (ha) Volume (m 3 ) 

10 635 635,000 

20 - - 

30 66 198,000 

50 63 315,000 

100 87 870,000 

TOTAL 851 2,018,000 

Some 2 million m 3 of suitable topdressing is available within the area to be disturbed. Allowing for 10% 

handling loss, topdressing may be placed on the post-mining land form and disturbed infrastructure 

areas at average depth of 20 cm. 

4.0 REFERENCES 

Elliot, G.L and Veness, R.A, 1981. Selection of Topdressing Material for Rehabilitation of 

Areas in the Hunter Valley, J. Soil Cons. NSW 37-40. 

Disturbed 

Northcote, K.H., 1979. A Factual Key for the Recognition of Australian Soils, Rellim Technical 

Publications, Adelaide, SA. 

Stace, H.C.T., Hubble, G.D., Brewer,R., Northcote,K.H., Sleeman, J.R., Mulcahy,M.J. and Hallsworth, 

E.G. (1968). A Handbook of Australian Soils, Rellim Technical Publications, Adelaide, SA. 


F156 RM.gl

8 

APPENDIX 2 

SOIL SURVEY 


F156 RM.gl

TABLE ..... 

LAND OWNERSHIP AND RESIDENCES WITHIN AND ADJACENT TO 

BENGALLA AUTHORISATION 

Location 

Number in 

Figure 

Land Owner, Property Name, Address, Area. 

Occupier 

Wholly within 

Bengalla 

Authorisation 

1 E. E. McLean and others, 

Wybong Road 

249 ha 

2 G. E. & M. P. Hayunga, 

Wybong Road 

76.08 ha 

3 D. J. Glover, 

Wybong Road 

58.58 ha 

4 R. G. & B. Parker, 

Wybong Road 

56.8 ha 

5 K. J. & E. M. Yore, 

Wybong Road & Bengalla Road 

34.16 ha 

6 A. Yore, 


2.023 ha 

7 L. H. Steman, "Valley View" 

Wybong Road and Bengalla Road 

10.12 ha 

8 D. & R. M. McLean, "Karinya" 

Wybong Road and Logues Lane 

9.976 ha 

9 J. T. & C. B. Callister, 

Logues Lane 

10.10 ha 

10 E. R. & D. G. Markham and others, "Rainbow Farms" 

Bengalla Road and Logues Lane 

40.03 ha 

11 F. J., D. J. & J. M. Carter, "Overdene", 


15.8 ha 

12 R. & K. Collins, 


6.973 ha 

13 D. J. & J. M. Wild, "Overton", 


43.93 ha 

14 T. G. & E. A. Sternbeck, 


No residence 

No residence 

No residence 

No residence 

No residence 

No residence 

2 residences 

a) L. H. & K. E. Steman 

b) tenant 

D. K. & R. J. McLean 

No residence 

E. R. Markham 

2 residences 

a) F. J. Carter 

b) G. J. & K Carter 

R. J. Collins 

D. J. & J. M. Wild 

T. G. Sternbeck

TABLE ..... 



Location 

Number in 

Figure 


Occupier 

32.85 ha 

Wholly within 


Authorisation 

Partly within 


Authorisation, 

North of 

Hunter River 

15 L. G. & M. E. Daniels, 


175.5 ha 

16 G. R. & J. R. Cook, 


10.9 ha 

17 R. H. Reynolds, 


132.6 ha 

18 Bengalla Mining Co. Ltd, "Renellen", 


19.5 ha 

19 Estate Late J. H. Keys, 

via Bengalla Road 

88.73 ha 

20 M. J. & M. E. Smith, "Kurrajong", 

Wybong Road 

109.2 ha 

21 J. B. & H. R. Hofman, 

Roxburgh Road 

86.81 ha 

22 D. C. & M. M. Koureas, "Dalama Thoroughbred Stud" (a 

to e) and "Wyndham Arms"(f), 


614.4 ha 

23 H. J. Fleming, "Miami Jersey Stud", 


125.7 ha 

24 R. G. & B. Parker, "Creighton Park" 


127.6 ha 

25 K. A. Moffit, "Glendor", 


125 ha 

26 G. Ackers, "Texas", 


106.9 ha 

No residence 

Tenants 

No residence 

T. J. & H. M. Renshall 

No residence 

No residence 

No residence 

6 residences 

a) D. C. & M. M. Koureas 

b) 

c) 

d) 

e) 

f) M. & L. Perks 

H. J. Fleming 

2 residences 

a) R. G. & B. Parker 

b) 

D. L. & V. A. Ackers 

L. Ackers

TABLE ..... 



Location 

Number in 

Figure 


Occupier 

27 R. G. & H. D. Thompson, "Koobor", 


71.41 ha 

28 Wybong Dairy Limited, "Wantana", 


126.4 ha 

29 R. H. Reynolds, "Bengalla", 


143.5 ha 

2 residences 

a) R. G. & R. S. Thompson 

b) 

2 residences 

Wybong Friesian Stud 

a) D. Munro 

b) W. Munro 

2 residences 

a) S. B. & R. H. Reynolds 

b)





Hunter River 




South of 

Hunter River 



Authorisation 

30 Late Estate J. H. Keys, 


73.35 ha 

31 R. D. & M. Alexander, 

Logues Lane and Bengalla Road 

25.36 ha 

86 W. A. & R. Stevenson, 

5 Racecourse Road 

3.82 ha 

87 N. H. Boyle, 

Racecourse Road 

5.059 ha 

88 K. Casben, 


8.389 ha 

89 N. B. & M. C. McInerney, 


4.149 ha 

90 P. M. Farrell and others, "Farrells Stables", 

111 Racecourse Road 

4.047 ha 

91 Glenrayley Investment, "Kintaro", 


4.087 ha 

92 J. L. Bowen, 


4.198 ha 

32 T. M. Peel, "Broomfield Station" 

Wybong Road 

1267 ha 

33 R. & D. J. Fairclough, "Fellview" 

Wybong Road 

49.91 ha 

34 H. J. Camper & J. A. Ellul, 

Wybong Road 

48.95 ha 

35 G. G. B. Pearce, 

Wybong Road 

48.77 ha 

36 C. F. & G. P. Bates, 

Wybong Road 

213.7 ha 

37 Bengalla Mining Co. Ltd 

Wybong Road 

60.71 ha 

Tenant 

No residence 

W. A. & R. Stevenson 

No residence 

Tenant 

N. B. & M. C McInerney 

P. M. Farrell 

C. H. & R. Pryor 

Jan Bowen 

T. M. Peel 

R. & D. Fairclough 

No residence 

No residence 

No residence



Authorisation 



Authorisation 

38 G. J. Scriven, 

via Wybong Road 

252.4 ha 

39 A. R. Skippen, 


0.1884 ha 

40 A. L.Gardiner, "Hillview" 

Wybong Road 

39.46 ha 

41 Pastoral Protection Board, 

Wybong Road 

40 ha 

42 J. Reynolds, 

Wybong Road 

3.908 ha 

43 Bengalla Mining Co. Ltd "Wirrinbirra", 

Wybong Road 

4.047 ha 


Wybong Road 

25.46 ha 


Wybong Road 

1.214 ha 

46 R. & M. Lawrence, 

Wybong Road 

4.518 ha 

47 W. J. & B. J. Hopmans, "Windchime", 

Wybong Road 

4.051 ha 

48 A. & A. Riley, "The Willows" 

Wybong Road 

40.13 ha 

49 T. & C. Dagg, "Elouera", 

Wybong Road 

0.2237 ha 

50 L. & C. Hamson, 

Wybong Road 

4.639 ha 

51 N. & R. Ellis, "Berrywood Farm", 

Wybong Road 

4.722 ha 

52 P. & B. McKinnon, 

Wybong Road 

4.864 ha 

53 G. Scriven, "Hilltop Brahman", 

213 Wybong Road 

9.647 ha 

No residence 

A. R. Skippen 

A. L. Gardiner 

No residence 

J. M. Reynolds 

Tenant 

Tenant 

T. & F. Tumbers 

R. Lawrence 

W. J. Hopmans 

J. & D. L. Riley 

T. J. Dagg 

L. G. & C. J. Hamson 

N. J. Ellis 

P. & B. McKinnon 

G. Scriven

East of 




Hunter River 

54 G. I. Woodgate, 


14.3 ha 

55 O. J. O'Keefe and others, "Sellwood" 


14.3 ha 

56 A. F. & S. J. Matthews, 


16.39 ha 

57 D. & J. Hugo, "Roselyn", 

Wybong Road 

30.76 ha 

58 Rosebrook Pty Limited, "Rosehill Stud", 

Rosebrook Lane and Wybong Road 

? ha 

59 F. J. & J. M. Carter, "Karoola", 

Logues Lane 

108.3 ha (check T. Hudson) 

60 Estate of Late G. H. Alexander, "Thornbro", 

Logues Lane 

57.33 ha 

61 Jabetin Pty Ltd 

Logues Lane 

62 R. N. Alexander, "Oak Farm", 

Logues Lane 

21.65 ha 

63 C. & V. P. Horne, "Cricki", 

Wybong Road 

36 ha 

64 M. A. & R. E. McLean, 

Wybong Road 

14.7 ha 

65 R. K.& N. V. Googe, 

Wybong Road 

28.7 ha 

66 J. M. Simpson, 

Wybong Road 

0.1 ha 

67 R. B. Parkinson, 

Wybong Road 

0.07 ha 

No residence 

A. J. O'Keefe 

A. F. & S. J. Matthews 

D. Hugo 

2 residences 

a) ? 

b) ? 

2 residences 

a) F. J. Carter 

b) 

3 residences 

a) R. N. Alexander 

b) 

c) 

? 

? 

2 residences 

a) C. & V. Horne 

b) 

2 residences 

a) M. A. McLean 

b) ? 

No residence 

No residence 

No residence





Hunter River 

68 V. C. & N. A. George, 


0.07 ha 

69 R. C. Myers, 

Wybong Road 

0.07 ha 

70 R. J. Galvin, 

Wybong Road 

0.07 ha 

71 N. B. & J. A. Simpson, 

Wybong Road 

0.07 ha 

72 S. & K. Polverino, 

Wybong Road 

0.07 ha 

73 A. J. Ingam, 

Wybong Road 

0.07 ha 

74 W. W. Clark, 

Wybong Road 

0.07 ha 

75 B. R. & J. M. Ellis, 

Wybong Road 

0.07 ha 

76 L. J. & D. M. Purser, 

Wybong Road 

3.64 ha 

77 L. G. & N. F. Castledine, 

Corner Kayuga Road and Wybong Road 

1.958 ha 

78 D. L. & F. R. Wicks, 

412 Kayuga Road 

0.12 ha 

79 W. J. Adnum, 

411 Kayuga Road 

0.08 ha 

80 W. J. & M. L. Adnum, 

Kayuga Road 

2.633 ha 

81 C. K. Murray, 

Kayuga Road 

2.056 ha 

V. C. George 

R. C. Myers 

R. J. Galvin 

N. B. Simpson 

S. J. Polverino 

No residence 

No residence 

? tenants 

L. J. Purser 

L. G. & N. F. Calstledine 

D. L. Wicks 

W. J. Adnum ? 

? tenants 

C. K. Murray





Hunter River 

82 B. D. & J. Englebrecht, 


4.843 ha 

83 B. F. & P. F. Behringer, 


4.065 ha 

84 I. D. & G. Z. Gothard, "The Willows", 


3.7 ha 

85 J. A. & L. J. Lamb, 


3.42 ha 

93 M. J. McGoldrick, 


2.858 ha 

94 K. B. & J. A. Barnett, 


2.694 ha 

95 D. P. Englebrecht, 


2.883 ha 

96 F. K. Almond and others, 


6.07 ha 

97 S. W. Barkley, 

Racecourse Road and Denman Road 

6.07 ha 

98 R. J. & J. M. Duncan, 

Denman Road 

26.45 ha 

99 Upper Hunter Racing Club Limited, 


43.25 ha 

100 J. & D. Robinson, 


0.1453 ha 

101 F. E. Ferrari, 


0.1264 ha 

102 J. A. & J. M. Englebrecht, 


0.1603 ha 

103 A. M. & R. A. Boyle, 

11 Sheppard Avenue 

0.2429 ha 

2 residences 

a) J. N. Englebrecht 

b) 

B. & P. Behringer 

I. D Gothard 

J. A. Lamb 

M. J. McGoldrick 

K. B. & J. A. Barnett 

P. Englebrecht 

No residence 

S. Barkley 

J. Duncan 

No residence 

J. Robinson 

No residence 

? name of occupier 

A. & M. Boyle





Hunter River 





Hunter River 

104 A. G. Hill, 


0.1987 ha 

105 L. V. Cribb, 

Sheppard Avenue 

0.1544 ha 

106 Dura - Vinyl Pty Ltd, 


0.2055 ha 

107 J. J. Crosby, 


0.4047 ha 

108 R. J. Martin, 


0.4047 ha 

109 Englebrecht Racing Stables, 


0.7153 ha 

110 K. Casben, 

Sheppard Avenue & Denman Road 

19.74 ha 

111 M. H. & P. A. Keegan, "Kiambra", 

Denman Road 

11.23 ha 

112 Domherr Pty Ltd, "Balmoral", 

Denman Road 

84.15 ha 

113 R. N. & F. Webber, 

Denman Road 

581.2 ha 

114 J. R. Scriven, 

12 Denman Road 

45.12 ha 

115 Electricity Commission of NSW, several names, 

Denman Road 

a) 

b) "Delhaven Stud" 

c) "Emoclew" 

d) "Rouse Lench" 

e) "Edinglassie" 

f) 

g) 

h) 

i) "Whites Creek" 

j) 

G. R. Hill 

L. V. & P. J. Cribb 

No residence 

J. J. Crosby 

? tenant 

? name of occupier 

3 residences 

a) K. & S. Casben 

b) ? tenant 

c) ? tenant 

M. H. & P. A. Keegan 

L. Cross 

No residence 

J. R. Scriven 

a) L. & N. Roach 

b) 

c) Tucky 

d) 

e) R. I. Oatley 

f) 

g) 

h) 

i) 

j) D. Golledge 

116 C. L. Ellis, C. L. Ellis





Hunter River 

Denman Road 

117 ha 

117 Taloma Pty Ltd, 

Denman Road 

35.26 ha 

118 B. W., E. & W. J. Rankin, 

Denman Road 

53.51 ha 

119 B. W. & E. Rankin, 

Denman Road 

40.87 ha 

120 J. & E. Zahra, "Killarney", 

Denman Road 

33.18 ha 

121 L. G. Carter and others, "Gia Ginda", 

Denman Road 

34.4 ha 

122 J. N. Dimmock, "Greenleaves" 

Denman Road 

30.3 ha 

123 L. A. & H. E. Latham, 

Denman Road 

32.35 ha 

124 M. G. & L. J. Latham, 

Denman Road 

34.15 ha 

125 Rosemount Estates Pty Ltd, 

Denman Road 

33.56 ha 

126 Muswellbrook Polo Club, 

Denman Road 

16.19 ha 

127 Banugi Pty Ltd, "Corinda Park" 

Denman Road 

51.94 ha 

128 P. G. & N. N. Richardson, 

via Denman Road 

33.19 ha 

129 G. M. & R. Gray, "Lilyvale" & "Leahvale" 

Denman Road 

33.99 ha 

130 J. E. & D. J. Lowe, 

Denman Road 

83.43 ha 

131 B. E. & M. M. MacPherson, 

Denman Road 

42.17 ha 

B. C. & J. A. Ensbey 

B. W. & E. Rankin ? 

2 residences 

a) B. W. & E. Rankin ? 

b) 

2 residences 

a) J. & E. Zahra 

b) 

L. G. & B. Carter 

3 residences 

K, W. & J. N. Dimmock 

2 residences 

a) L. A. Latham 

b) ? 

M. G. & L. J. Latham 

Manager's residence 

No residence 

2 residences 

a) H. R. & Y. J. Barrell 

b) Oafox Pty Ltd 

P. & N. Richardson 

2 residences 

a) Duncan 

b) Duncan 

No residence 

No residence





Hunter River 

West of 


Authorisation 

West of 


132 L. L. & Z. M. Ackers, "Redcliffe", 


117.01 ha 

133 M. & M. Chudyk, 


21.65 ha 

134 J. R. & J. Peel, "The Double J. Ranch", 

Roxburgh Road 

174.9 ha 

135 L. M. & K. M. F. Cameron, 

Roxburgh Road 

49.09 ha 

136 P. J. & J. I. Brown, 

Roxburgh Road 

39.96 ha 

137 W. H. & V. L. Robinson, 

Roxburgh Road 

0.690 ha 

138 E. A. & M. A Constable, 

317 Roxburgh Road 

70.31 ha 

139 R. J. Betteridge, 


40 ha 

140 P. M. & R. H. Peel, "Glengyle", 

Roxburgh Road 

40.48 ha 

141 K. R. Peel, 


40.58 

142 P. G. & C. M. Lane, "Kurrawalla" 

Roxburgh Road 

41.2 ha 

143 G. W. & G. M. Collins, 

Roxburgh Road 

40 ha 

144 Estate of J. H. Keys, 

via Roxburgh Road 

0.2036 ha 

145 F. W. & P. E. Davey, 

Roxburgh Road 

48.69 ha 

146 M. Taylor, 

Roxburgh Road 

68.44 ha 

147 N. J. & R. Y. Ellis, 

Roxburgh Road 

Z. M. Ackers 

2 residences 

a) M. T. & L. K. Chudyk 

b) Cchudyk 

J. R. & J. Peel 

No residence 

J. Brown 

? tenants 

E. A. & M. A. Constable 

R. J. Betteridge 

P. M. & R. H. Peel 

K. R. Peel 

P. G. & C. M. Lane 

G. W. & G. M. Collins 

No residence 

F. W. Davey 

No residence 

? tenants

Authorisation 

? ha 

148 A. B. & E. J. Hughes Pty Ltd, "Cleveland Park", 

Roxburgh Road and Wybong Road 

37.86 ha 

149 M. J. & R. A. Smith, "Allambie" 

Wybong Road 

2.0 ha 

A. B. & E. J. Hughes 

M. & R. Smith

FORM 4 

ENVIRONMENTAL PLANNING AND ASSESSMENT ACT, 1979 

(SECTION 77 (3) (d)) 

ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT 

This Statement has been prepared on behalf of Bengalla Mining Company Pty Limited being the 

applicant making the development application made in respect of the development described as 

follows: 

ESTABLISHMENT AND OPERATION OF BENGALLA OPENCUT COAL MINE 

The development application relates to the land described on the attached sheet. 

The contents of this statement, as required by clause 34 of the Environmental Planning And Assessment 

Regulation, 1980, are set forth in the accompanying pages. 

Certificate 

I certify that the contents of this Statement have been prepared in accordance with clause 34 and 35 of 

the Environmental Planning and Assessment Regulation, 1980. 

................................................... ................................ 

Mark W. Burns 

Date 

BSc(For)(Hons), MResSc 

Manager, Newcastle Region 

ENVIROSCIENCES PTY LIMITED 

122 Parry Street 

Newcastle West NSW 2302

Property Number * Title Particulars Street/Locality Parish County 

1 Conv.No. 461 Book 3332 Wybong Road, Muswellbrook Clanricard Brisbane 

2 Lot 111 Deposited Plan 556761 Wybong Road, Muswellbrook Clanricard Brisbane 



5 Lot 72 Deposited Plan 626353 Wybong Road & Bengalla 

Road, Muswellbrook 

Clanricard 

Brisbane 

6 Lot 71 Deposited Plan 626353 Bengalla Road, Muswellbrook Clanricard Brisbane 






17 Lot 6 Deposited Plan 236668 Bengalla Road, Muswellbrook Brougham Durham 












30 Lot 1 Deposited Plan 236668 Bengalla Road, Muswellbrook Clanricard Brisbane & 

Other 

115 Lot 11 Deposited Plan 236687 Denman Road, Muswellbrook Brougham Durham 

* = As referred to in Appendix 8 of this document

Bengalla Mine Environmental Impact Statement (1993) - Part 1 of 3

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