7.7 Air Quality In preparing this application, consideration has been given to guideline ESR/2015/1840 – Application requirements for activities with impacts to air (DETSI, 2024b). DETSI is required to assess the application against the requirements stated in the Environmental Protection Act 1994 , EP Regulation and Environmental Protection (Air) Policy 2019 (EPP Air) to meet the environmental objective and performance outcomes described below: Environmental Objective ‘The activity will be operated in a way that protects environmental values of air:’ Performance Outcome There is no discharge to air of contaminants that may cause an adverse effect on the environment from the operation of the activity, or All of the following: ∕ Fugitive emissions of contaminants from storage, handling and processing of materials and transporting materials within the site are prevented or minimised. ∕ Contingency measures will prevent or minimise adverse effects on the environment from unplanned emissions and shut down and start up emissions of contaminants to air. ∕ Releases of contaminants to the atmosphere for dispersion will be managed to prevent or minimise adverse effects on environmental values. 7.7.1 Values The closest sensitive receptors are residences within the township of Mount Morgan as indicated on Figure 50. The distance of the closest sensitive receptors from proposed activities under this amendment is approximately 2100 m. The air quality in the region is typical of rural residential areas in Queensland, with influences from agricultural practices, sporadically trafficked roads, occasional bushfires and controlled burning. Wind roses for Rockhampton Aero indicate that wind predominantly blows from the east (refer Figure 38 ). Historic mining activities at the Mount Morgan Mine have resulted in large areas of disturbed land. During periods of high wind speed, it is possible that dust from the existing surface disturbance areas may be elevated. 7.7.2 Impact Assessment Due to separation distances and prevailing wind directions, the activities referred to under this amendment are unlikely to affect sensitive receptors. Processed tailings will be deposited in slurry form via dedicated pipework in a manner that will reduce the potential for dust generation. As tailings are deposited in the slurry form and then consolidate over time, it is considered highly unlikely that receptors would be potentially impacted by the proposed amendments. Standard air quality management measures will be implemented in accordance with standard environmental management to reduce potential for nuisance (i.e. emissions and dust) primarily through application of water for dust suppression and civil earthworks moisture conditioning to meet design and construction specifications. The likelihood of the Upper Mundic Gully TSF and ancillary infrastructure impacting sensitive receptors is greater in the construction phase than the operation phase given the broader operational area footprint and type of activities. Construction activities involve heavy vehicle movement and landform reshaping, whilst the operational phase involves the discharge of slurry with an estimated slurry solids content of 40% W/W. However, the inherent moisture content of
Project number: 25B061
Page 164
Powered by FlippingBook