Xstrata Copper North Queensland.pdf - Mount Isa Mines

Environmental performance
Elizabeth Hunnam –Environmental Advisor
(right), and Casey Richardson – Environmental
Vacation student, conduct groundwater and
surface water monitoring at Xstrata Copper’s
Townsville copper refinery
The port operations’ first flush stormwater
and washdown water is captured using a
comprehensive sump system. These waters
are then treated for discharge and/or recycled
to above ground storage tanks that are used
to wash down conveyors, hoppers and chutes
between changes of conveyed material.
In 2010, 0.6 ML of water was reused at our
port operations.
There are a number of stormwater controls in
place at the copper refinery. These controls
include first flush capture and treatment
and storage dams. All stormwater from
site goes through these controls prior to
being discharged. The stormwater then
drains across a flood plain area and a minor
creek system that eventually makes its way
to Cleveland Bay. Ongoing monitoring of
the flood plain area and creek systems is
undertaken and all results are forwarded to
the Department of Environment and Resource
Management (DERM).
Stormwater improvements at our copper
refinery are investigated and implemented
annually. At our port operations, stormwater
is captured and treated in sumps before being
discharged into the Port harbour located
in Cleveland Bay. Water quality monitoring
occurs at the four licensed discharge points
and is provided to DERM for review.
Following the completion of the port
operations’ eastern yard upgrade project in
2009 at a value of $2.4 million, stormwater
metal concentrations have reduced by up
to half that of pre-upgrade analysis results.
The upgrade included the installation of the
eastern yard stormwater controls for the
tippler rail corridor, roof stormwater and side
road water catchments.
In 2010, the Townsville copper refinery
discharged approximately 941 ML of
stormwater and our port operations
discharged approximately 86 ML. This is a
substantial increase on previous years which
is attributed to record rainfall during the year.
Biodiversity
Our Townsville operations had no significant
regional effects on the environment in 2010.
An Environmental Management Plan for
biodiversity and land management is in
place for the Townsville operations along
with a Weed Management Plan for the
copper refinery.
Xstrata Copper manages an area of
1,100 hectares (ha) of land in the Townsville
State Development Area. A significant
percentage of this land is used for cattle
grazing. The Townsville copper refinery
encompasses approximately 90 ha on
which there is no regular significant land
disturbance or rehabilitation required.
Our copper refinery land is bordered by
Stuart Creek, a permanent fresh water creek.
An independent biodiversity assessment study
of Stuart Creek was conducted in 2010 (see
case study page 103). Weed management
works were undertaken in 2010 with the
clearing of 20 ha invaded predominately
by Chinee apple (Ziziphus mauritiana)
and Leucaena (Leucaena leucocephala).
The cleanup of the 20 ha paddock was in
accordance with our Pest Management Plan.
Further work will be undertaken in 2011.
The Port of Townsville conducted biodiversity
assessments in the port harbour on behalf of
its users.
The International Union for Conservation
of Nature (IUCN) Red List indicates that no
species of biodiversity significance are located
within or near our Townsville operations.
Habitats protected or restored
There were no habitats protected or restored
by, or adjacent to, the Townsville operations
in 2010. Both our copper refinery and port
operations are located in industrial areas.
Sustainability Report 2010 107