Project summary
Ensham proposes to increase the life of the existing underground operations by extending the underground bord and pillar mine into an area identified as the Project Site which includes zones 1, 2 and 3 (Figure below).
The Project would be located in the western part of the central Bowen Basin approximately 200 kilometres west of Rockhampton and 35 kilometres east of Emerald.
The Project covers an area of approximately 2,737 hectares and includes the following three zones:
- Zone 1: MDL 217 and requires a ML application to be lodged (approximately 2,134 ha)
- Zone 2: partially includes existing leases ML 70326, ML 70365 and ML 7459 (approximately 394 ha)
- Zone 3: partially includes existing leases ML 7459 and ML 70366 (approximately 209 ha).
With inclusion of the proposed project, Ensham Mine would:
- continue to produce at current production rates and would not seek to change the current Environmental Authority (EA) limit (condition A5) which authorises the mining of 12 million tonnes of Run of Mine (ROM) coal per annum.
- extend the operating life of the existing underground bord and pillar operations at the Ensham Mine by up to nine years to approximately 2037, with underground decommissioning/rehabilitation expected to be completed by 2039
- no additional surface infrastructure or surface disturbance is proposed as part of the new mine lease area (ie. Zone 1).
- continue to utilise existing operational mine equipment and infrastructure located on the existing and approved mining leases.
- enable Ensham to provide the continuation of long-term employment within the Central Highlands region.
The Project will be assessed under the environmental impact statement (EIS) process in chapter 3 of the Environmental Protection Act 1994.
Enquiries about the EIS documents can be made by emailing enquiries@idemitsu.com.au or by phoning 1800 290 620.
Persons with special needs may also ask for assistance in accessing the materials by phoning or emailing Idemitsu using the above contact details.
Environmental Impact Statement Documents
Executive summary
Chapters
Chapter 2 – Consultation process
Chapter 4 – Project description and alternatives
Chapter 7 – Land use and tenure
Chapter 9 – Rehabilitation and closure
Chapter 10 – Surface water resources
Chapter 13 – Terrestrial ecology
Chapter 17 – Noise and vibration
Chapter 19 – Hazards and safety
Chapter 20 – Cultural Heritage
Chapter 24 – Scenic amenity and lighting
Chapter 25 – Matters of national environmental significance
Chapter 28 – Submission Register
Appendices
Appendix B-2a Ensham Subsidence Management Plan
Appendix B-2b Sinkhole Subsidence Assessment
Appendix B-2c Pillar Loading in a Flood Event
Appendix C-1 Terrestrial Ecology Flora
Appendix C-1a Terrestrial ecology amendment
Appendix C-1b Weed and Pest Management Plan
Appendix C-2 Terrestrial Ecology Fauna
Appendix E-1 Surface water quality
Appendix E-2-Water balance model development
Appendix E-2a-Water balance model amendment
Appendix E-3 – Hydrology and flooding
Appendix F-1a Groundwater amendment report
Appendix F-2 – Underground Water Impact Report
Appendix G-1a Air quality amendment report
Appendix H-1 Noise and Vibration
Appendix I-1 Social impact assessment
Environmental Impact Statement Documents
Index
Executive summary
Chapters
Chapter 2 – Consultation process
Chapter 4 – Project description and alternatives
Chapter 7 – Land use and tenure
Chapter 9 – Rehabilitation and closure
Chapter 10 – Surface water resources
Chapter 13 – Terrestrial ecology
Chapter 17 – Noise and vibration
Chapter 19 – Hazards and safety
Chapter 20 – Cultural Heritage
Chapter 24 – Scenic amenity and lighting
Chapter 25 – Matters of national environmental significance
Appendices
Appendix C-1 Terrestrial Ecology Flora
Appendix C-2 Terrestrial Ecology Fauna
Appendix D-1 – Aquatic ecology
Appendix E-1 – Surface Water Quality
Appendix E-2-Water balance model development
Appendix E-3 – Hydrology and flooding
Appendix F-1a – Groundwater addendum
Appendix F-2 – Underground Water Impact Report
Appendix H-1 Noise and Vibration
Appendix I-1 Social impact assessment