Wambo Coal AEMR 2011-2012 - Peabody Energy

2011-2012 AEMR
3.0 Environmental
Management and
Performance
3.1 Meteorological Monitoring
3.1.1 Environmental Management
The WCPL maintains a weather station in
accordance with the Australian Standard AS2923 –
1987. The weather station is located approximately
350m east of the WCPL administration building (see
Figure 3.1). The meteorological station was
approved for relocation to its current position (see
Figure 3.1) by the OEH in December 2007. As
required under Schedule 4, Condition 10(a) of
Development Consent DA 305-7-2003, the
meteorological station records the following
parameters:
temperature (at 2 m and 10 m);
lapse rate;
wind speed;
wind direction;
solar radiation;
humidity; and
sigma theta.
Evaporation is calculated from this information, for
use in reports such as the site water balance.
Meteorological information collected at the weather
station is used on a daily basis for general mining
activities including the location of operating plant
and equipment, and to minimise blasting impacts on
the neighbouring residences.
3.1.2 Environmental Performance
During the reporting period the meteorological
station maintained a high percentage capture rate
for data. The malfunctioning solar radiation sensor
reported in the previous AEMR, was replaced and
recalibrated in accordance with relevant Australian
Standards at the beginning of this reporting period.
In June 2012, WCPL’s environmental monitoring
specialist completed a comprehensive maintenance
and calibration program at the meteorological
station. A summary of weather data recorded during
the reporting period is provided below and in
Appendix 2A.
3.1.3 Rainfall and Evaporation
The monthly and cumulative rainfall and evaporation
data for the 2011-2012 reporting period is provided
in Figure 3.2 below. The long term annual average
rainfall is from the Bureau of Meteorology Jerry’s
Plains Post Office weather station, which has
recorded weather data since 1884, is provided in
Appendix 2A.
A total of 729.8mm of rainfall was recorded at
WCPL during the reporting period, approximately
84.7mm above the long term average recorded at
Jerrys Plains Post Office. The highest monthly
rainfall of 124.1 mm was recorded in February 2012.
The long-term average rainfall (1884 – 2012)
recorded at the Jerrys Plains Post Office weather
station is 645.1mm. Rainfall recorded during the
previous reporting period (2010-2011) was
741.0mm.
3.1.4 Temperature
The maximum and minimum temperatures recorded
during the 2011-2012 reporting period are shown in
Figure 3.3 below. The maximum temperature of
37.5 0 C was recorded in January 2012, which was
below the maximum 42.5 0 C recorded in January
2011. The lowest temperature of -1.8 0 C which was
above the minimum of -5.7 0 C recorded in July 2010.
The seasonal average temperatures recorded
during the reporting period were as follows: 11.4 0 C
in winter; 18.0 0 C in spring; 21.1 0 C in summer; and
16.8 0 C in autumn. These results are typical of
temperature variations in this region.
3.1.5 Wind Speed and Direction
The dominant winds recorded during the 2011-2012
reporting period were from the northwest (NW) and
south east directions with the strongest wind
strength from the NW. The maximum wind speed of
4.9 m/s was recorded in September 2011. The
mean monthly wind speed varied between 1.6 m/s
to 2.1 m/s, with the yearly average being 1.8 m/s.
The annual and seasonal wind roses for the
reporting period are shown in Figures 3.4 to 3.8.
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