Changes to the Ravensthorpe Nickel
Operation
s
Proposal
Proposed Changes to Ravensthorpe Nickel
Operations
cu
Submitted: August 2016
ment
FQM NICKEL AUSTRALIA P TY LTD
AUGUST 2016
Document ID
Revision Number
0
Contact Telephone
Contact Email
Tony.Petersen@fqml.com
TABLE OF CONTENTS
ABBREVIATIONS, ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS
................................. I
1
PROPONENT AND KEY PROPOSAL CHARACTERISTICS
............... 1
1.1
PROPOSAL OVERVIEW
........................................................................... 1
1.2
THE PROPONENT
..................................................................................... 1
1.3
KEY PROPOSAL CHARACTERISTICS
................................................. 1
2
GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL
........................................... 5
2.1
PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION
..................................................................... 5
2.2
PROPOSAL TENURE
................................................................................ 5
2.3
OTHER APPROVALS
................................................................................ 5
3
STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION
.......................................................... 6
4
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES AND SURVEY EFFORT
........................ 8
5
ASSESSMENT OF PRELIMINARY KEY FACTORS
............................ 12
5.1
ASSESSMENT OF PRELIMINARY KEY FACTORS
.......................... 12
5.2
APPLICATION OF SIGNIFICANCE FRAMEWORK
........................... 17
6
OTHER ENVIRONMENTAL FACTORS
................................................. 33
7
PRINCIPLES OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT
........ 35
8
CONCLUSION
........................................................................................... 37
9
REFERENCES
.......................................................................................... 38
i.
FIGURES
Figure 1:
Regional overview
Figure 2:
RNO and Proposal
Figure 3.1:
Threatened Flora comprised of Kunzea similis subsp. mediterranea and
Conostylis lepidospermoides and other Priority and Conservation
Significant Flora
Figure 3.2:
Threatened Flora comprised of Kunzea similis subsp. mediterranea and
Conostylis lepidospermoides and other Priority and Conservation
Significant Flora
Figure 4:
Threatened Ecological Community Compiled of Vegetation Mapping Units
1, 3, 4 and 8
TABLES
Table 1:
Proposal Summary
Table 2:
Physical Elements
Table 3:
Operational Elements
Table 4:
Stakeholder Consultation and identified stakeholders
Table 5:
Environmental Studies and Survey effort
Table 6:
Preliminary Environmental Factors
Table 7:
Assessment of Key Environmental Factors - Flora and Vegetation
Table 9:
Assessment of Key Environmental Factors - Flora and Vegetation
Table 10:
Assessment of Key Environmental Factors
–
Terrestrial Fauna
Table 11:
Assessment of Key Environmental Factors
–
Hydrological Processes and
Inland Waters Quality
Table 12:
Assessment of Key Environmental Factors - Offsets
Table 13:
Assessment of Key Environmental Factors - Rehabilitation and
Decommissioning
Table 14:
Other Environmental Factors
Table 15:
Consideration of Administrative Procedures
Table 16:
Consideration of the Principles of the Environmental Protection Act 1986
ii.
APPENDICES
Appendix A:
EPA Referral Form
Appendix B:
Ministerial Statement 633
Appendix C:
Shoemaker Levy Corridor Flora and Vegetation Assessment (Woodman
2015)
Appendix D:
Kunzea similis subsp. mediterranea Community Conservation Area
Significant Flora Assessment (Woodman 2015)
Appendix E:
Kunzea similis subsp. mediterranea (Threatened)
–
Regional Search 2015
(Woodman 2015)
Appendix F:
Kunzea similis subsp. mediterranea Health Monitoring Program 2014
(Woodman 2015)
Appendix G:
Proposal to Impact Kunzea similis subsp. mediterranea - Assessment of
Conservation Status against IUCN Red List Criteria (Woodman 2016)
Appendix H:
Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations - Phytophthora Dieback Occurrence
Assessment (Glevan 2014)
Appendix I:
Potential impact of vegetation clearing and the development of a conveyor
belt on fauna at the Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations (Terrestrial
Ecosystems 2015)
Appendix J:
Conservation Significant Vertebrate Fauna Monitoring for Ravensthorpe
Nickel Operations, Ravensthorpe (Terrestrial Ecosystems 2015)
Appendix K:
Surface Water Management Plan (RNO 2006)
Appendix L:
2016 RNO Mine Closure Plan (FQM 2016)
i.
ABBREVIATIONS, ACRONYMS AND DEFINITIONS
Term/Abbreviation
Definition/Title
CCA
Community Conservation Area
–
an area established for the conservation of
conservation significant species.
DER
Department of Environment Regulation
Development Envelope
The boundary of the Proposal
DMP
Department of Mines and Petroleum
DoW
Department of Water
DPaW
Department of Parks and Wildlife
FQM
First Quantum Minerals Nickel Australia Pty Ltd
EAG
Environmental Assessment Guideline
EIA
Environmental Impact Assessment
EP Act
Environmental Protection Act 1986
EPA
Environmental Protection Authority
OEPA
Office of the Environmental Protection Authority
PEC
Priority Ecological Community
TEC
Threatened Ecological Community
RNO
Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations
1
1
PROPONENT AND KEY PROPOSAL CHARACTERISTICS
1.1
Proposal Overview
FQM Australia Nickel Pty Ltd (FQM) proposes changes at the Ravensthorpe Nickel
Operations (RNO) for an expansion of mining operations on the Hale-Bopp ore body, a
revised alignment of the infrastructure corridor to the Shoemaker-Levy ore body and adding
neutralised tailings to the reject rocks used to backfill mine pits and re-establish hill
topographies (Figures 1 and 2).
Mining operations in the proposed Hale-Bopp pit will utilise the same processes as the
existing operations of drill and blast for open pit mining. Ore from this pit will be transported
via existing access roads to the same processing facility. The revised corridor will be used
to transport ore from Shoemaker-Levy initially via road, then later by conveyor, to the
existing ore processing site.
This document provides supporting information to the Environmental Protection Authority
(EPA) to determine the Level of Assessment. A Referral Form (Appendix A) has been
prepared for the proposal in accordance with Section 38(1) of the EP Act.
1.2
The Proponent
The Proponent for the Proposal is:
FQM Australia Nickel Pty Ltd (FQM)
ACN: 135 761 465
Lot 1269
South Coast Highway
Ravensthorpe WA 6346
The key contact for this Proposal is:
Tony Petersen
Manager, Health, Safety & Environment
Phone: 08 9838 2601
Email:
tony.petersen@fqml.com
1.3
Key Proposal Characteristics
FQM Australia Nickel Pty Ltd (FQM) proposes changes at the Ravensthorpe Nickel
Operations (RNO) for an expansion of mining operations on the Hale-Bopp ore body and a
revised alignment of the infrastructure corridor to the Shoemaker-Levy ore body and adding
neutralised tailings to the reject rocks used to backfill mine pits and re-establish hill
topographies.
A summary of the key characteristics (Tables 1 and 2) have been prepared in accordance
with Environmental Assessment Guideline (EAG) No. 1 Environmental Assessment
Guideline for Defining the Key Characteristics of a Proposal Environmental Protection Act
1986 (EPA 2012).
2
Table 1: Proposal Summary
Proposal Title
Changes to Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations
Proponent Name
FQM Australia Nickel Pty Ltd
Short Description
The Proposal is comprised of a proposed expansion of open pit mining
operations on Hale-Bopp and a revised alignment of the infrastructure
corridor to the Shoemaker-Levy ore body and adding neutralised
tailings to the reject rocks used to backfill mine pits and re-establish hill
topographies.
The new corridor will include a saltwater pipeline, haul road, conveyor
and powerline.
Table 2: Physical Elements
Element
Location
Proposed Extent
Mine and Associated
Infrastructure Corridor
Figure 2
Clearing of up to 113 ha within a 252 ha Development
Envelope. A total of 48 ha in the southern portion of
the proposed corridor is existing clearing.
Table 3: Operational Elements
Element
Location
Proposed Extent
Mine pit
Development
Envelope
Clearing of up to 29 ha within a 30 ha
Development Envelope.
Associated Infrastructure
Corridor and other
disturbance
Development
Envelope
Clearing of up to 110 ha within a 222 ha
Development Envelope.
Tailings disposal
Neutralised tailings mine backfill
approximately 5 Mt capacity
!
.
!
.
!
.
!
.
Ravensthorpe
Bandalup Hill
Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations
Hopetoun
SOUTHERN
OCEAN RD
R
AV
EN
ST
H
O
R
PE
- H
O
PE
TO
U
N
R
D
SOUTH
COAST HW
Y
SOUTH COAST HWY
230000
230000
240000
240000
250000
250000
260000
260000
62
40
00
0
62
40
00
0
62
50
00
0
62
50
00
0
62
60
00
0
62
60
00
0
62
70
00
0
62
70
00
0
62
80
00
0
62
80
00
0
WEC Ref: FQM16-22-01
Filename: FQM16-22-01-f01.mxd
Author: Denise True
Figure
O
Scale: 1:210,000 (A4)
1
This map should only be used in conjunction with WEC report FQM16-22-01.
Revision: 0 - 25 July 2016
Location map (Regional)
Projection: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 51
Legend
!
.
Places
Development Envelope
Roads
!
(
Ravensthorpe
SOU
TH C
OAS
T HW
Y
252500
252500
255000
255000
257500
257500
260000
260000
62
72
50
0
62
72
50
0
62
75
00
0
62
75
00
0
62
77
50
0
62
77
50
0
62
80
00
0
62
80
00
0
62
82
50
0
62
82
50
0
WEC Ref: FQM16-22-01
Filename: FQM16-22-01-f02.mxd
Author: Denise True
Figure
O
Scale: 1:50,000 (A4)
2
This map should only be used in conjunction with WEC report FQM16-22-01.
Revision: 0 - 25 July 2016
RNO Showing Development Envelope
Projection: GDA 1994 MGA Zone 51
Legend
Development Envelope
Roads
5
2 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF PROPOSAL
2.1
Proposal Description
FQM Australia Nickel Pty Ltd (FQM) proposes changes at the Ravensthorpe Nickel
Operations (RNO) that includes an expansion of mining operations at the Hale-Bopp ore
body, a revised alignment of the infrastructure corridor to the Shoemaker-Levy ore body and
adding neutralised tailings to the reject rocks used to backfill mine pits and re-establish hill
topographies. The infrastructure corridor will include a saltwater pipeline, haul road,
conveyor and powerline.
The Project is an expansion of the existing mining and processing operations at RNO. Ore
reserves include three nickel laterite deposits, Halleys, Hale-Bopp and Shoemaker-Levy,
with mining by conventional open cut methods. The nickel content in the ore is upgraded
through a beneficiation process and followed by a series of treatments utilising pressure and
atmospheric acid leach technology and solution purification techniques. RNO produces a
mixed nickel-cobalt hydroxide product. The mixed hydroxide product is packaged and
transported by road to the Port of Esperance if being shipped for further processing. Project
infrastructure such as the processing plant, tailings storage facilities and evaporation ponds
are located on cleared farmland adjacent to the mine.
2.2
Proposal Tenure
The Proposal is located within the Mineral LeasesM74/108, M74/115, M74/144, M74/168,
M74/171, M74/235, L74/21 and L74/32.
The proposed corridor will cross the South Coast Highway and intersect the road reserve.
Consultation with Main Roads WA (MRWA) on the nature of the crossing and traffic
management during construction has commenced.
2.3
Other Approvals
2.3.1 Part IV Approvals
Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations is the subject of Ministerial Statement 633 with the most
recent approval for changes to the proposal under section 45C of the EP Act obtained in
2014 (Appendix B).
2.3.2 Part V Approvals
Ravensthorpe Nickel Operations is the subject of a Licence under the EP Act
(L8008/2004/3) for activities conducted on the premises.
2.3.3 Native Title
Native Title Agreements exist with Southern Noongar / Wagyl Kaip people and the
Esperance Nyungar people.
6
3 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION
Stakeholder engagement, community consultation and participation in the planning,
development, construction and operation phases of RNO have been extensive. The
Government approvals process involved significant community engagement, and
subsequent regulatory approvals require on-going consultation.
FQM is committed to community engage
ment as documented in the Company’s Social
Policy which states
–
First Quantum Minerals Ltd. (the “Company”) believes it makes sound, strategic
business sense to involve local communities and other relevant stakeholders in our
business. We engage with them to build and maintain effective, long-term and
mutually beneficial relationships, and conduct business in a way that provides long
term economic opportunity and supports social well-being.
RNO’s primary stakeholder engagement is through:
Quarterly meetings of the Jerdacuttup RNO Working Group (JRWG), the group of
key fence line neighbours.
Ongoing dialogue with the Wagyl-Kaip/Southern Noongar (WKSN) native title parties,
including quarterly meetings of the RNO-WKSN Relationship Committee.
Ongoing dialogue with the Shire of Ravensthorpe and the Shire of Esperance.
Annual regulatory-required audits and reports with the Department of Mines and
Petroleum and the Department of Environment Regulation.
Direct consultation and engagement on specific closure issues with local
stakeholders and experts (such as environment rehabilitation planning).
Direct communications and briefings on key issues, as they arise.
As an active mine area, a number of heritage surveys have been conducted to date. Native
Title Agreements exist with Southern Noongar/Wagyl Kaip people and the Esperance
Nyungar people.
FQM has identified stakeholders with interest in the Proposal and has commenced
consultation with regulators and government agencies; Office of the Environmental
Protection Authority, EPA, and Department of Parks and Wildlife (DPAW). Further
consultation with stakeholders will be conducted and will include but not be limited to
Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP), Conservation Council, Wildflower Society,
Ravensthorpe Wildflower Society, Shire of Ravensthorpe, Ravensthorpe Chamber of
Commerce and Hopetoun Progress Association (Table 4).
7
Table 4: Stakeholder Consultation and Identified Stakeholders
Stakeholder
Date
Topic/issue raised
Proponent Response/Outcome
Office of the
Environmental
Protection
Authority
November
2015
Presentation of the
preliminary RNO
expansion of Hale-Bopp
mining operations into the
Kunzea similis ssp.
mediterranea Community
Conservation Area.
The OEPA advised that the project
needs to ensure that the conservation
status of the Threatened species is not
changed by the proposal.
18 May
2016
Discussion of the
proposed alternative
Shoemaker Levy access
corridor.
The OEPA advised that the proposed
changes of the access corridor and the
Hale-Bopp mine expansion would
require referral under section 38 of the
EP Act. It was also advised that the
most likely level of assessment would
be a Public Environment Review (PER).
10 June
2016
Details of the proposal
were discussed, in
particular the:
discussions held with
the Department of
Parks and Wildlife
(DPaW) regarding
threatened flora;
approach to the
referral; and
key factors for the
Proposal, including
approach to Kunzea
similis subsp.
mediterranea.
The OEPA advised that
the PER process will allow that with
approval of the proposed project, a
single Ministerial Statement will be
issued to include all of the previous
approval (MS633) along with the new
mining and corridor areas.
As the proposal comprises Matters of
National Environmental Significance
(MNES) and maybe a controlled action,
the referral to the Commonwealth on a
separate form should be done
simultaneously.
Department of
Parks and
Wildlife
November
2015
Presentation of the
preliminary RNO
expansion of Hale-Bopp
mining operations into the
Kunzea similis ssp.
mediterranea Community
Conservation Area.
DPaW advised that they considered
that the clearing of the population of the
Kunzea similis ssp. mediterranea
Community Conservation Area
constituted a significant environmental
impact and would be referred.
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