2011 Annual Report (3 April 2012) - Grange Resources

GRANGE RESOURCES LIMITED
20
Review of Operations (cont.)
Principal Environmental
Issues
Actions taken by Grange to ensure BPEM
(as defined by approved EMPs and EPNs
and subsequent amendments) include:
◆◆
◆◆
Upgrading air emissions from furnaces
at Port Latta with emphasis on
reducing Ground Level Concentrations
of sulphur dioxide (SO 2
) and fugitive
dust from site, and also preventing
acid burns. Since 2002, operation
of an acid burn forecasting system
has successfully managed this
issue. Longer-term operation may
necessitate construction of a 70 metre
stack to disperse furnace emissions.
Air emissions models are being
reworked to ensure success prior to
detailed engineering and construction
of a stack to disperse furnace
emissions.
Water, tailings and waste rock
management at Savage River,
including: development of waste
rock dumps which exclude oxygen
to minimise the formation of acid
mine drainage and utilisation of
these dumps to form seals on old
waste rock dumps; subaqueous
tailings deposition and maintenance
of saturated tailings; providing a
centralised water treatment system
using a disused pit to reduce
turbidity from mine runoff. Grange
is in compliance with requirements
and appropriate management and
monitoring systems are in place.
Rehabilitation Plans
Grange has a $2.2 million financial assurance lodged with of Department of Environment,
Parks, Heritage and the Arts. The original ERP and ERPs from 2001 onwards require
forecasting of potential environmental harm should the operation cease during the
period of the ERP (notionally three years). The financial assurance was based on the
cost estimates to mitigate the potential environmental harm based on the submitted and
approved 2007 EMP review.
Liability for rehabilitation is not limited to the financial assurance. Grange is required
to plan for closure and departure on completion of the mining plan. Principal issues
in respect of the closure include maintenance, the deposit of tailings, future use of
infrastructure and a five year monitoring and maintenance plan.
Additionally, internal (non-legislative) water
quality objectives for emissions to Savage
River and air quality objectives for Port
Latta have been implemented.
Mark Gleason, Process Operator and Mike Darby,
Process Superintendent, Port Latta.
Overview Review Of Operations Corporate Governance