Xstrata Copper North Queensland.pdf - Mount Isa Mines

Environmental performance
Emissions
Emissions to air, land and water are closely
monitored and results are communicated
to the government through the National
Pollutant Inventory (NPI) and to neighbouring
properties on a regular basis.
Megan Moar – Environmental Field Technician (left), and Lil Howarth – Environmental Advisor, collect
animal traps at EHM as part of the feral animal management program
Biodiversity management
Ernest Henry Mining manages an area of
approximately 7,000 ha of land situated
within the Gulf Plains Bioregion just north of
the border with the North West Highlands
Bioregion of Queensland. Defining areas
based on biodiversity values is a complex
process and involves the identification of
geology, landforms, watercourses and floral
and faunal communities and examining the
subsequent interactions.
A Biodiversity Strategy, Operational Guideline,
Biodiversity and Land Management Plan,
and a Weed Management Plan have been
developed as part of our progress towards
Xstrata’s SD Standard for Biodiversity and
Land Management. We are committed to
developing and implementing scientifically
sound technologies and procedures for the
effective management and conservation of
biodiversity in the rehabilitation of disturbed
land to a planned post-completion use.
Our biodiversity commitments include:
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responsible stewardship of land under our
management
identification of biodiversity conservation
opportunities
involvement of community and relevant
stakeholders in the management of
identified biodiversity issues.
The underlying land tenure of the EHM
project area, located in black soil plains
country, is the Fort Constantine Pastoral Lease
with over 100 years of grazing history. Only
ephemeral creeks and rivers are found in the
area surrounding our operation. The closest
permanent water bodies include Chinaman
Creek Dam 45 kilometres away and the
ephemeral Cloncurry River, approximately
10 kilometres to the west of the mine site.
There were no species of significance
listed under the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List found
on or in the immediate vicinity of the mining
lease prior to disturbance. No new species of
flora or fauna were identified in 2010.
EHM continued to undertake aquatic
ecological health assessments at downstream
locations, and results indicate that the
ecological health of these locations remain in
good condition.
Rehabilitation occurs on an annual basis by
the University of Queensland’s Centre for
Mined Land Rehabilitation (CMLR). EHM
consults with CMLR on a regular basis
regarding our rehabilitation practices.
Ernest Henry Mining’s biodiversity initiatives
in 2010 included ongoing aquatic and
rehabilitation monitoring.
Habitats protected or restored
There were no habitats protected or
restored by, or adjacent to EHM in 2010.
Our operation is located within a heavily
grazed area.
EHM has a comprehensive copper
concentration and dust monitoring network
that measures emission levels in the vicinity
of our leases. In 2010, EHM continued to
monitor dust deposition rates and copper
concentrations up to 15 kilometres from
the mining leases. There are no residences
located in this area and due to low
rainfall and cattle grazing activities the
background dust levels are normally quite
high. Monitoring results are compared
against the Department of Environment and
Resource Management’s criteria in the EHM
Environmental Authority.
Dust suppression techniques continued to
be used at EHM. Water carts were utilised
in the pit area and on unsealed roads, and
spray systems were used on conveyors and
stockpiles in the processing area. Water
used for dust suppression is mainly sourced
from pit dewatering activities. Effective dust
suppression is important to maintain a safe
work environment for our people.
National Pollutant Inventory (NPI)
Ernest Henry Mining reported to the NPI for
the Australian financial year 2009–10 as per
Federal Government requirements.
The NPI provides data on on-site emissions
only and identifies potential hazards
associated with listed substances. As a result
of an increase in ore and waste tonnage,
longer hauling distances and an increased
rate of development in the underground
mine, EHM saw an increase in emissions
over the 2009–10 NPI reporting year from
the previous year on nine reportable
substances. Detailed information regarding
EHM’s NPI performance can be accessed
via www.npi.gov.au.
Waste and tailings
management
Waste rock and tailings
In 2010, EHM continued to characterise and
selectively handle all waste rock from the pit.
The aim of selective handling is to minimise
any risks to ground and surface water from
potential acid mine drainage. To manage
these risks, any waste rock that is potentially
acid forming is encapsulated within the
100 XSTRATA COPPER NORTH QUEENSLAND