Initial Advice Statement for the Arcturus Coal Mine Project

INITIAL ADVICE STATEMENT
ARCTURUS COAL MINE PROJECT
Table of Contents
1. Introduction .................................................................................................... 1
1.1 Background ................................................................................................................................ 1
1.2 Proponent .................................................................................................................................. 1
1.3 Project Assessment .................................................................................................................... 1
1.4 Purpose of the Initial Advice Statement .................................................................................... 1
2. Project Description .......................................................................................... 3
2.1 The Resource .............................................................................................................................. 3
2.2 Land Tenure ............................................................................................................................... 3
2.3 Mining Process ........................................................................................................................... 5
2.3.1 Underground Mine ............................................................................................................... 5
2.3.2 Open Cut Mine ..................................................................................................................... 5
2.4 Coal Handling and Preparation Plant ......................................................................................... 5
2.5 Infrastructure Requirements...................................................................................................... 6
2.6 Project Access ............................................................................................................................ 6
2.7 Post Mine Rehabilitation ............................................................................................................ 7
2.8 Project Approvals ....................................................................................................................... 7
2.9 Workforce .................................................................................................................................. 7
2.10 Native Title ................................................................................................................................. 7
2.11 Affected and Interested parties ................................................................................................. 7
3. Existing Environment and Potential Impacts .................................................... 8
3.1 Climate ....................................................................................................................................... 8
3.2 Land Resources .......................................................................................................................... 8
3.2.1 Soils....................................................................................................................................... 8
3.2.2 Topography ........................................................................................................................ 10
3.2.3 Land Suitability ................................................................................................................... 10
3.3 Water Resources ...................................................................................................................... 10
3.3.1 Surface Water ..................................................................................................................... 10
3.3.2 Groundwater ...................................................................................................................... 11
3.4 Nature Conservation ................................................................................................................ 13
3.4.1 Regional Ecosystems .......................................................................................................... 13
3.4.2 Flora .................................................................................................................................... 15
3.4.3 Fauna .................................................................................................................................. 15
3.5 Noise ........................................................................................................................................ 16
3.6 Air Quality ................................................................................................................................ 16
24-Nov-10
P a g e | i
2010