Wambo Coal AEMR 2010-2011 - Peabody Energy

2010-2011 AEMRrecorded a consumption rate of 12.8% with wilddogs exhibiting a comparison uptake of 5.7%. A wildpig trapping program was also initiated based onsightings along the Wollemi Brook. There were nowild pigs caught as a result of the trapping efforts.3.9.3 Remnant WoodlandEnhancement ProgramThe results of the vertebrate pest control programwithin the RWEP areas are described in Section3.9.2.3.10 Blasting and Vibration3.10.1 Environmental ManagementBlasting is conducted by Downer EDI BlastingServices and monitoring is conducted by WCPLpersonnel using a network of permanent blastmonitors located on site and on neighbouringproperties surrounding WCPL (Figure 3.1). Blastmonitoring was conducted at four locations aroundthe mine during the 2010-2011 reporting period.The locations of these blast monitors are as agreedby the OEH and satisfy WCPL’s regulatoryrequirements in relation to blast monitoring.EPL 529 permits WCPL a maximum groundvibration of 10 mm/second and requires that lessthan 5% of total blasts exceed 5 mm/second at anynon-mine owned residential locations. EPL 529also permits WCPL’s blasting operations amaximum of 120 dB(L) and requires less than 5% oftotal blasts exceed 115 dB(L) at any non-mineowned residential location.Every blast is designed with consideration forvibration and overpressure impacts of blasting onour neighbours, including the Undergroundoperations. In addition to the blast designs, ablasting protocol is in place which prevents blastingduring weather conditions which may adverselyaffect neighbours. The wind criteria of the blastingprotocol were modified following an incident inJanuary 2007.3.10.2 Environmental Performanceresults for each of the four monitors are illustrated inFigure 3.20 and are provided in Appendix 2E.A total of five out of the 68 blasts fired at WCPLduring the reporting period recorded levels above115 dB(L) at blast monitors located at varioussensitive receptors. WCPL was not able to meet the5% of total blasts exceeding 115 dB(L), with total of7.35% of blasts not achieving the 115 dB(L) criteria.One of the five blasts mentioned above exceededthe 120 dB(L) limit during the reporting period at124.4 dB(L). This was reported to OEH and isfurther discussed in Section 3.20.2.WCPL’s development consent specifies that blastswithin 2 km of the Wambo Homestead need to bemonitored. All 68 blasts were monitored at theHomestead regardless of the 2km trigger. Allblasting results at the Wambo Homestead arereviewed on a monthly basis by an independentstructural engineer.Any recorded overpressures at the WamboHomestead blast monitor, that exceed the EPLblasting criteria of 115dB and 120dB are notconsidered a non-compliance because the propertyis owned by the mine.There were no vibration results greater than 5mm/second at any of the monitoring sites during thereporting period (except results from the Homesteadmonitor).With the exception of two shots fired in April 2011,structural engineering reports for the WamboHomestead during the reporting period confirmedthat:All blasts recorded at the Wambo Homesteaddid not exceed the ground vibration approvallimit of 5 mm/s; andThe ground vibration levels recorded at theWambo Homestead are not expected to causestructural damage.The two shots in April 2011 which resulted inelevated ground vibration readings wereinvestigated and reported to DOPI. See Section3.13.2.1 for more information on these two shots.3.10.2.1 Blast MonitoringThere were a total of 68 blasts in the open cutduring the reporting period. All 68 blasts weremonitored with a 100% capture rate. The blastPage 64