Wambo Coal AEMR 2010-2011 - Peabody Energy

2010-2011 AEMRIn accordance with Condition 5(b), Schedule 6 ofDA 305-7-2003, a comparison of the air qualityresults for the reporting period at any privatelyowned land were compared against the modelledpredictions in the 2003 Environmental ImpactStatement (2003 EIS) (see Appendix 2B).The 2010/2011 results for TSP and depositionaldust were consistent with modelled predictions atAQ04; however the TSP results were elevated atAQ03. AQ03 is located adjacent to an active horseholding yard, which historically has influenced airquality monitoring results at this location. In additionseveral regional dust events influenced the annualaverage (see Section 3.2.2.1).Depositional dust results at D12 and D11 were alsoelevated compared to the modelled results in the2003 EIS. D12 is located approximately 700m eastfrom the mining operations (see Figure 3.1). Theproperty which D12 is located on is also within thezone of compulsory acquisition as identified in Table1 of DA305-7-2003. During the reporting period, theprivate property on which D12 is located waspurchased by an adjacent coal mining operation.D11 is located approximately 4km south from themining operations along an unsealed section ofWambo Road. The gravel road has historicallyinfluenced air quality monitoring results at thislocation.The annual average TSP and dust depositionalresults for the reporting period did not exceed theimpact assessment criteria at any privately ownedresidence.The 2010-2011 results for PM 10 were consistentwith EIS modelled predictions at AQ04 and AQ03.3.2.2.1 High Volume Air SamplingMonitoring of TSP occurred at four locations duringthe reporting period;1. HV01 – Coralie2. HV02 – Wambo Road3. HV03 – Thelander4. HV04 - MullerAll four HVAS continued to operate on a six daycycle (in line with the OEH cycle) during thereporting period. The locations of the HVAS areillustrated in Figure 3.1. Both HV01 and HV02 arelocated on WCPL owned land. HV03 and HV04 arelocated on privately owned land. All of the HVASunits had a capture rate of 100% during the 2010-2011 reporting period. The TSP results recorded ateach of the HVAS sites are illustrated in Figures3.9a-d below and provided in Appendix 2B.The annual average TSP concentration at all fourmonitoring locations did not exceed the long termimpact annual average criteria of 90g/m 3 on anyprivately owned land. The annual average TSPresults at HV03 for 2010-2011 recorded an increaseof 9g/m 3 when compared to the annual averagereported in the 2009-2010 AEMR. The annualaverage TSP results at HV04 for 2010-2011recorded a decrease of 7g/m 3 when compared tothe annual average reported in the 2009-2010AEMR.Two elevated daily TSP results, of 238g/m 3 and285g/m 3 , were recorded at HV03 on the 15/12/10and 26/01/2011, respectively. A review ofmeteorological conditions indicated that:the wind direction on the 15/12/10 commencedfrom the east and later swung around to thewest during the morning and remained from thewest, with an average wind speed of 1.7m/sand gusts up to 2.9m/s; andthe wind direction on the 26/01/11 waspredominately from the west and the southwest. The wind speed averaged 1.1m/s, withwind gust up to 3.5m/s; andHV03 is located north west of the mine andtherefore under these metrological conditions isconsidered outside the influence of WCPL miningactivities. In addition, all four HVAS units recordedhigh TSP results on the 26/01/2011 suggesting aregional dust event was occurring.The highest annual average TSP of 60g/m 3 wasrecorded at HV01, which was below the annualaverage criteria of 90g/m 3 . HV01 is locatedadjacent to the mine entry road on WCPL ownedland. The higher annual TSP result can be attributedto an increase of mining related traffic utilising thisarea as a temporary hard stand area toaccommodate a number of contractors.There were two very high TSP results of 252g/m 3253g/m 3 recorded at HV01 and HV02 on 16/10/10and 28/10/10, respectively. A review ofmeteorological conditions for both days indicatedthat:the wind direction on the 16/10/11 waspredominately from the west, averaging 3.4m/swith wind gusts up to 4.8m/s. HV01 isapproximately 500m east of WCPL miningoperations, indicating potential for mine dustcontribution.Page 41