Wambo Coal AEMR 2010-2011 - Peabody Energy

aemcWambo Coal Mine, Rail Loop and Coal LoaderIndependent Environmental Audit – Minister’s Condition of ApprovalBlasting4/63 Ground vibration and air blast levels are to be monitored andrecorded at a blast monitoring station to be established within theWambo Homestead Complex for each blast within 2 km of theWambo Homestead Complex. Blast Monitoring Results2006 - 2011YesA blast overpressure and vibration monitor has been establishedwithin the Wambo Homestead Complex. Of the 150 blastsmonitored from 1 November 2005 to 19 October 2006, 7 blasts(or 4.6%) exhibited results greater than 115dBL, but no blast wasgreater than 120dBL.4/64 A suitably qualified and experienced structural engineer, withexpertise in vibration and blast monitoring is to be appointed toexamine all monitoring records from the Wambo HomesteadComplex blast monitoring station. The appointment of the structuralengineer is to be approved in writing by the Director of the NSWHeritage Office. Letter from NSW HeritageOffice re Approval ofAppointment of StructuralEngineer, 30 Nov 2005YesMr Bill Jordan of Bill Jordan and Associates was approved by theDirector of NSW Heritage Office to examine monitoring recordsfrom the Wambo Homestead Complex blast monitor.4/65 Ground vibration and air blast levels experienced at the WamboHomestead Complex blast monitoring station are not to exceed thestructural damage assessment criteria prescribed by AustralianStandard AS 2187.2-1993 (or its latest version “Explosives –Storage Transport and Use” for Sensitive and Heritage Structures toprevent damage to the heritage items. AS 2187.2-2006 Explosives– Storage and Use Part 2:Use of ExplosivesNotedSee condition 4/66 comments.4/66 The approved structural engineer is to report to the Applicant on themonitoring results each month for blasting within 2 km of theWambo Homestead Complex and 6 monthly for the remainder ofthe open cut mining operation and make recommendations toensure the conservation and prevention of damage to the significantheritage structures. Copies of these reports are to be forwarded tothe NSW Heritage Office.4/67 The approved structural engineer is to inspect the WamboHomestead Complex structures annually and as soon as practical,but no later than 3 days after blasting monitoring which exceeds thestructural damage assessment criteria prescribed by AS 2187.2-1993 (or its latest version. During the period between blasting Structural Assessment ofWambo HomesteadBuildings, Bill Jordan &Associates, Nov 2005 Letter from NSW HeritageOffice re Compliance withConditions of Consent, 12Jan 2006 Letter from Wambo to NSWHeritage Office reCompliance with Conditionsof Consent, 18 Jan 2006 Letter from Bill Jordan &Associates re BlastMonitoring Nov 2005 to Feb2006, 14 Mar 2006 Letter Report from BillJordan & Associates reWambo Homestead AnnualReport, 24 Dec 2008 Letter Report from BillJordan & Associates reYesYesThe reports from Bill Jordan & Associates note that all groundvibration results measured at the Wambo Homestead site arebelow 5mm/sec peak particle velocity. The reports also note thatmany authorities consider that 2mm/sec should be the limit forhistoric, fragile buildings. The results of inspections conducted byBill Jordan & Associates have found there is no evidence of anyblast damage to the homestead.(Peak particle velocity greater than 2mm/sec have beenrecorded at the Wambo Homestead site on the followingoccasions:1 November 2005 - 29 June 2006 - 6 occasions (150 blastevents)3 July 2006 to 14 June 2007 – 5 occasions (155 blast events);5 July 2007 to 30 June 2008 – 4 occasions (109 blast events);2 July 2008 to 29 June 2009 - 4 occasions (103 blast events);2 July 2009 to 29 June 2010 – Nil (100 blast events)The Structural Assessment Reports prepared by Bill Jordan &Associates conclude that damage noted during the inspectionswas considered to be almost entirely due to causes other thanground vibration. Foundation movement due to dry groundconditions and termite damage were identified as the causes oftrevor brown & associates 74applied environmental management consultants