Wambo Coal AEMR 2011-2012 - Peabody Energy

2011-2012 AEMR
3.18 Methane Drainage/
Ventilation
For LW2 and the first half of LW3 operations the
Underground was ventilated by both relocated
Wollemi axial fans operating in parallel at
approximately 190 m 3 /s at 2,000 Pascals. Methane
levels at these main fans averaged 0.9 % = 1710
litres / second.
With the commencement of LW2 operations it was
apparent that the Longwall gas make exceeded the
capacity of the relocated Wollemi axial fans and
work began on a project to upgrade the mine’s
ventilation infrastructure. Two larger fans were
purchased to replace the two Wollemi axial fans in
in late 2010. The new fans have made a dramatic
improvement (50%) to ventilation quantities in the
Development panels and a significant increase
(20%) to the Longwall district ventilation quantities.
During the reporting period the NWU was ventilated
by the new larger mine fans CMF03 & CMF04.
Methane emissions have varied throughout the
reporting period from 800l/s to 2800l/s depending on
LW production and gas zone, with an average of
1460l/s. The old Wollemi mine was sealed on 25 th
May 2012.
3.18.1 Greenhouse Gas
In accordance with the requirements of the National
Greenhouse and Energy Reporting Act 2007
(NGERS), WCPL report each year the company’s:
direct greenhouse gas emissions;
total energy produced; and
total energy consumed.
At the time of writing the AEMR, the 2011-2012
NGERS report was not finalised. A summary of the
greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and energy
consumed from the 2010-2011 reporting period are
provided below. A summary of the 2011-2012 GHG
emissions will be provided in the next AEMR.
2010-2011
Scope 1: 970,781 (t CO 2 - e)
Scope 2: 36,356 (t CO 2 - e)
Energy Consumed: 1,620,613 (GJ)
Energy Produced: 153,369,531 (GJ)
The key focus of energy efficiency management at
WCPL is during the business planning phase.
During project planning, consideration is given to
potential energy consumption of project
components, and the availability and practicality of
more energy efficient alternatives.
WCPL participates in the Federal Government’s
energy Efficiency Opportunities (EEO) program. As
part of that program, WCPL has conducted a
systematic review of energy usage across the
operation, and identified areas for potential energy
efficiency improvement.
Regular scheduled maintenance of equipment and
plant is also a key component of maintaining
operational energy efficiency.
An enterprise-wide strategy for managing methane
emissions is being developed by Peabody Energy
Australia.
3.19 Public Safety
Public safety is managed through the
implementation of safety systems and daily security
inspections. Fencing, signposting and locked
external gates form part of the safety measure to
ensure the safety of the public. A contracted
security service patrols the mine site and
surrounding areas. There were no incidents
regarding public safety during the reporting period.
3.19.1 United Colliery Activities
United Collieries (United) ceased Longwall mining
beneath WCPL land during this reporting period.
The last of United’s coal was loaded by rail on 27
May 2010. United are currently under care and
maintenance program. Previously installed
ventilation boreholes that were maintained by
United personnel, have now been decommissioned.
United are still conducting exploration and
environmental monitoring activities on WCPL owned
land.
3.20 Reportable Environmental
Incidents
3.20.1 Environmental Management
Environmental incidents are managed in
accordance with WCPL’s Environmental Incident
Response Procedure. All environmental incidents
are recorded on the Environmental Incident Report
Form which is required to be closed off by the
Environmental Department. Incidents classifications
are as follows:
Minor (Category 1)
Minor incidents are those that cause negligible
actual impact on the environment, are readily
controlled by established procedures (for example:
small hydrocarbon spills in a non-sensitive
environment that are able to be immediately
cleaned up).
Serious (Category 2)
Incidents categorised as serious are those that
cause localised, reversible damage to the
environment, for example: hydrocarbons spills in a
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