Wambo Coal AEMR 2011-2012 - Peabody Energy

2011-2012 AEMR
The vertebrate pest management program involved
1080 baiting, targeting wild dogs (Canis lupus
familiaris) and foxes (Vulpes vulpes). The program
was run in conjunction with the Livestock Health and
Pest Authority and surrounding mining operations.
Figure 1 Illustrates the general area targeted for dog
baiting in its regional context.
The vertebrate pest management program proved
extremely successful with at least one bait taken
from 88% (or 41 of the 47 sites) of the baiting sites
established. A further 6% (3 of the 47 sites) of the
sites had been disturbed by dog activity although no
baits were actually taken from these sites, leaving
only three sites (6%) where baits were not taken
and sites were not disturbed at all. Fifty four percent
of all the baits taken showed evidence of being
consumed by dogs of various sizes, 43% were
taken by foxes, with the remaining 3% taken by
other non targeted vertebrate species.
3.9.3 Remnant Woodland
Enhancement Program
The results of the vertebrate pest control program
within the RWEP areas are described in Section
3.9.2.
3.10 Blasting and Vibration
3.10.1 Environmental Management
Open cut blasting activities are conducted by Dyno
Nobel and monitoring is conducted by WCPL
personnel using a network of permanent blast
monitors located on site and on neighbouring
properties surrounding WCPL (Figure 3.1). Blast
monitoring was conducted at four locations around
the mine during the 2011-2012 reporting period.
The locations of these blast monitors are as agreed
by the OEH and satisfy WCPL’s regulatory
requirements in relation to blast monitoring.
EPL 529 also permits WCPL’s blasting operations a
maximum of 120 dB(L) and requires less than 5% of
total blasts exceed 115 dB(L) at any non-mine
owned residential location (Table 3.10).
Table 3.10 WCPL Overpressure Criteria
Airblast overpressure
level
Allowable exceedance
(dB(Lin Peak))
5% of the total number of blast over a
115
period of 12 months
120 0%
than 5% of total blasts exceed 5 mm/second at any
non-mine owned residential locations.
Table 3.11 WCPL Ground Vibration Criteria
Peak particle velocity
Allowable exceedance
(mm/s)
5% of the total number of blast over a
5
period of 12 months
10 0%
Every blast is designed with consideration for
vibration and overpressure impacts of blasting on
our neighbours, including the Underground
operations. In addition to the blast designs, a
blasting protocol is in place which prevents blasting
during weather conditions which may adversely
affect neighbours. The wind criteria of the blasting
protocol were modified following an incident in
January 2007.
Prior to each blast, both wind speed and wind
direction are continually assessed in accordance
with WCPL blasting guidelines.
3.10.2 Environmental Performance
3.10.2.1 Blast Monitoring
There were a total of 76 blasts in the open cut
during the reporting period. All 76 blasts were
monitored with a 93.4% capture rate. During
November 2011 WCPL experienced technical
issues with the downloading of the data resulting in
no available vibration data for November 2011. As a
result WCPL immediately reviewed the procedures
and monitoring system and as a result engaged an
external consultancy firm in December 2011 to
download, maintain and verify the data. To date
there have been no repeat incidents with 100%
capture rate.
The blast results for each of the four monitors are
illustrated in Figure 3.20 and are provided in
Appendix 2E.
There was only one blast at WCPL during the
reporting period recording levels above 115 dB(L) at
blast monitors located at various sensitive
receptors. On the 13/10/2011 BM05 recorded an
overpressure of 118.5dB(L), however WCPL was
able to meet the 5% of total blasts exceeding 115
dB(L), with the total of 1% of blasts not achieving
the 115 dB(L) criteria.
No blasts exceeded the 120 dB(L) limit during the
reporting period.
EPL 529 permits WCPL a maximum ground
vibration of 10 mm/second and requires that less
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