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.
6.6.2. 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 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 insitu tailings will be sufficient to minimise dust generation
from excavation, transport, storing and handling.
Operational emissions from onsite plant and equipment may be generated and cannot be eliminated.
However, due to separation distances, prevailing wind directions and implementation of management
practices during construction activities, impacts from emissions from plant and equipment used to
construct and operated the Upper Mundic Gully TSF are unlikely to affect sensitive receptors. Standard
air quality management measures will be implemented in accordance with the Heritage Minerals Dust
and Air Management Procedures to reduce potential for nuisance from emissions.
6.6.3. Management Practices
The EA conditions for air quality are not required to be amended to support the discharge of processed
tailings into the Upper Mundic Gully TSF. The processing plant has been designed and constructed to
ensure compliance with current EA requirements. Further mitigation and management controls will be
implemented to ensure compliance with the EA conditions and reduce potential for nuisance to sensitive
receptors.
The Heritage Minerals Dust and Air Management Procedures provides standard controls to achieve
compliance through implementation of vehicle and equipment maintenance, dust suppression via water
carts, traffic speed limits, progressive clearing and rehabilitation, covering of truck loads.
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Wulguru Technical Services Pty Ltd – Supporting Information to Amend an Environmental Authority
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