Wambo Coal AEMR 2011-2012 - Peabody Energy

2011-2012 AEMR
2.8.3 Water Discharge
WCPL’s water management system is currently
balanced by the adjustment of flow from the various
water sources and storages. However, where
excess water is generated, WCPL has facilities to
discharge water. This is done in accordance with
EPL529, DA 305-7-2003, the Hunter River Salinity
Trading Scheme (HRSTS), and Managed Envelope
of Residuals Flood (MERF) Scheme.
EPL 529 approves discharge into Wollombi Brook
when the flow is greater than 500 ML/day at the
Bulga gauging station, provided other conditions of
the HRSTS and MERF are satisfied.
During the reporting period under the HRSTS there
were 19 water discharge days under HRSTS or
MERF, totalling approximately 344ML discharge.
Table 2.5 – 2011-2012 Water Balance
Water Sources (ML)
Hunter River 0
Wollombi Brook 232
United 271
Rainfall/run off 3906
Underground Seepage 1237
Open Cut Seepage 421
Wollemi Sump 5
Site Wells 0
Total Water Input 6072
Water Usage (ML)
Dust Suppression
CHPP Consumption
Underground
United
Domestic Usage
621
998
329
Total Water Usage 1950
Water Loss (ML)
Evaporation – Mine Water
& Tailings Dams
0
2
2893
HRSTS/MERF Discharge 344
Water Balance 599
2.9 Hazardous Material
Management
WCPL has systems in place to ensure active and
efficient management of hazardous material within
its operations. There are several locations on site
where hazardous material is stored. WCPL has
storage areas at the Open Cut workshop,
Underground and the CHPP. The Open Cut mining
contractor and other on-site contractors are
responsible for the maintenance and operation of
their facilities.
An audit of the storage and handling of hazardous
substances and dangerous goods for the Open Cut
was carried out in November 2010. The audit was
intended to be a high level audit to determine and
report on the level of compliance with the
requirements of relevant key legislation and
Australian Standards. Good practices were
observed with several improvements regarding
storage and handling recommended.
At WCPL, dangerous goods and explosives are
managed separately under their respective
legislation i.e. to comply with the updated
Dangerous Goods Act 2005 and Explosive Act 2003
respectively.
2.9.1 Hydrocarbon Containment
Diesel fuel for the Open Cut is stored above ground
within specifically designed concrete bunding. Oil
and grease storages on site are contained within
impervious bunds and purpose built hydrocarbon
storage units. Diesel for the Underground is stored
within a portable, self bunded (double walled)
Transtank located at the portal area.
There is one decommissioned underground
unleaded fuel storage tank adjacent to the light
vehicle car park that will be removed during the next
reporting period. During this reporting period WCPL
engaged an independent environmental consultancy
to validate compliance of the old underground tank
against The Protection of the Environment
Operations (Underground Petroleum Storage
Systems) Regulation 2008.
Consulting Earth Scientists Pty Ltd (CES) was
engaged by WCPL to provide environmental
consultancy services during the removal of a 10,000
L Underground Storage Tank (UST) and associated
infrastructure and provide validation (excavations
and excavated material). The UST was located in
the north-eastern corner of the Underground Go-
Line as shown.
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