Wambo Coal AEMR 2011-2012 - Peabody Energy

2011-2012 AEMR
3.6 Contaminated Land
3.6.1 Environmental Performance
The highest potential for land contamination at
WCPL is from hydrocarbons. The main areas with
the potential for land contamination are the
hydrocarbon storage and refuelling areas. All
hydrocarbon storage areas are routinely inspected
as part of WCPL Environmental Management
System (EMS). These concrete bunded areas are
regularly monitored and maintained, reducing the
risk of any hydrocarbon spillage.
WCPL developed a detailed scope of works to
remove the old underground unleaded fuel tank and
its associated fuel bowser, in response an audit
report recommendation. As discussed in Section
2.9.1, WCPL engaged an independent
environmental consultancy to validate compliance of
the facility against The Protection of the
Environment Operations (Underground Petroleum
Storage Systems) Regulation 2008. Validation of
the UST excavation and waste classification
sampling of the stockpiled material was undertaken
on 5 July 2011. All concentrations of the soil
samples collected from the pit walls and base as
well as from underneath the bowser and the fuel line
were below the SAC for TPH, BTEX, PAH and
Lead. Therefore, the tank pit excavation is deemed
suitable to remain on a site for continued
commercial/industrial land use in accordance with
the NSW EPA “Contaminated Sites: Guidelines for
Assessing Service Station Sites” (1994).
All concentrations of the soil samples collected from
the excavated material stockpile were below the
SAC for TPH, BTEX, PAH and Lead. Therefore, the
stockpiled material was classified as “General Solid”
waste in accordance with the NSW DECC (2008)
waste classification guidelines.
As discussed in the last AEMR, WCPL and Downer
EDI were finalising procedures and location of the
bioremediation site within the Open Cut. The
location of the bioremediation area was changed
during this reporting period to allow for realignment
of the haul road for the raising of the Hunter Pit
tailings dam wall. The new location chosen for the
site is now adjacent to the ramp going to RL 160.
This facility in now operational to accept and treat
hydrocarbon contaminated material. Further details
regarding the bioremediation site are discussed in
Section 3.17.
With the above controls in place, the probability of
contaminated land at WCPL is considered to be low.
Any soil that becomes contaminated with
hydrocarbons is reported and collected for treatment
in the new bioremediation facility.
General location of new bioremediation site
General arrangement of new bioremediation site
3.7 Threatened Flora and
Fauna
3.7.1 Environmental Management
WCPL has a Flora and Fauna Management Plan
(FFMP) for the mine, and for the Wambo Rail
Development (WRD). Both Plans have been
prepared in accordance with the development
consent requirements, and were approved by the
DP&I in 2005. The FFMP’s document management
practices aimed at minimising the potential impacts
on flora and fauna as a result of WCPL’s activities.
Both plans include a Vegetation Clearance Protocol
and Threatened Species Management Protocol.
The FFMP for the mine also outlines the Remnant
Woodland Enhancement Program (RWEP), the
Rehabilitation Program and the Flora and Fauna
Monitoring Program.
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