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Summary
Detail
Reference
FWP0001717
Forward program end date
Friday 30 June 2028
Contact
James Nixon
Mining leases CCL 744 (1973), ML 1487 (1992), ML 1593 (1992), ML 1757 (1992), ML 1655 (1992), CL
396 (1973), ML 1739 (1992), ML 1358 (1992), MPL 263 (1973), ML 1548 (1992)
Project location
Hunter Valley Energy Coal Pty Ltd
Document URL
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https://www.bhp.com/sustainability/environment/regulatory-information
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Three-year forecast - surface disturbance activities
Project description
HVEC operates MAC comprising an approved open cut (with trucks and shovels to extract up to 32Mtpa of ROM coal) and underground mining operation, a rail loop and associated rail loading facilities located approximately 5 kilometres south west of Muswellbrook in NSW. Coal is crushed and washed, prior to export markets. MAC has modified consent approval to continue operations until 30 June 2030 (MP09_0062-MOD-2).
Extraction to date has been occurring at a lesser intensity than the maximum rate authorised by the Project Approval. As a result, the progress of mining as at 2022 shows a different edge of footprint and rehabilitation progression. There are 12 mining and exploration leases and 2 subleases (Maxwell Infrastructure CL395 and CL229).
Description of surface disturbance activities
Exploration activities
This includes definitions and abbreviations. Exploration activities may be undertaken on Mining Act Authorities covered by this plan. These activities may include techniques allowed by these authorities. An exploration drilling program may be undertaken on a campaign basis and subject to operational requirements throughout this period. All exploration boreholes on Mining Leases will be drilled following ecological and cultural heritage (Aboriginal and European) due diligence inspections. Activities on Exploration licences will be undertaken as required by the Licence conditions.
Construction activities
Major activities proposed during this period include: Additional light vehicle roads and tracks. Install upgraded mine infrastructure for noise, dust and water management. Complete installation of tailings infrastructure to support TSF closure and sustain tailings capacity for the mine life including secondary flocculation of the active TSF and installation of tailings pipelines and associated infrastructure to utilise off-lease tailings storage. Ongoing study for Stage 3 - Tailings lifts to raise the wall height of the active TSF. Ongoing construction relating to Hunter River Discharge Improvements. Commence demolition of redundant infrastructure as per the closure management plan.
Mining schedule
Mining development method and sequencing and general mine features.
During this AFP period, mining is proposed to continue within the extended pit shell of Mt Arthur, consisting of: Windmill Pit; Calool Pit; Roxburgh Pit; Ayredale Pit; Mining has occurred at a lesser intensity than the maximum rate of extraction approved by the Project Approval. Prior to excavation of a new open cut strip, pre-stripping operations ensure that natural resources such as vegetation and topsoil are cleared and, where appropriate, recovered for subsequent use in post-mining rehabilitation. Rock strata overlying coal resources (overburden) is drilled and blasted to fracture the rock and facilitate overburden excavation. Hydraulic excavators then excavate and load blasted overburden into large haul trucks. These trucks transport the overburden material to designated emplacement areas. Overburden is placed on the Conveyor Corridor, CD areas, VD areas, Saddlers North and Out Of Pit Dump area.
After removing the overburden, the exposed coal seam is mined using hydraulic excavators and loaders. The ROM coal extracted is delivered by haul trucks to either the hopper bins that feed into the CHPP or to the ROM coal stockpiles. After crushing to size and
processing to remove impurities, coal is stockpiled prior to transport from site by rail.
Areas identified for emplacements, the sequencing of emplacements, construction, and management.
Overburden emplacement areas that will be utilised include: Visual Dumps 5 (VD5); Contingency Dumps 1 - 5 (CD1-5); Saddlers Dump 1-3 (SD1-3); Belmont Void; Out of Pit Dumps 1N (OP1N) (Previously known as southwest Overburden emplacement area); Tailings
Emplacement Expansion walls; Conveyor Corridor Overburden Emplacement Area; and Ayredale Pit Emplacement areas are generally located within the open cut pit shell on the low wall side of the active pit. However there will be movement to HW dumps. With the exception of the tailings emplacement expansion walls, these emplacement areas are designed by mine planning engineers. The extended tailings emplacement walls were designed by an external consultant. Survey control during emplacement is undertaken by the surveyor teams, under the direction of mine planners. Operational management of the emplacements is undertaken by mine Open Cut Examiners (OCE). Overburden emplacement design incorporates considerations such as capacity, access, shape and lift height, as well as safety and environmental constraints. Emplacement areas are constructed with positive drainage to ensure emplacements shed water away from the active pit. North Pit emplacements (VD1-5 and CD1-5) attain an approximate level of RL 340m to create visual relief. Emplacement design and construction also incorporates structurally weak or contaminated material management considerations.
Processing infrastructure activities and the location of tailings facilities and schedule for emplacement.
Coal handling and processing is undertaken within the centralised CHPP located within Mining Lease ML1487. ROM coal extracted by the approved open cut operations is delivered by truck to either the ROM coal bins or the CHPP ROM coal stockpile. Following processing at the CHPP, coal is loaded onto trains via the rail loading facility for delivery to the export market. Coarse reject material will continue to be co-disposed within overburden emplacement areas or utilised in the construction of stockpile pads, roads or other infrastructure. Fine reject (tailings) will continue to be pumped from the CHPP to the existing approved TSF.
Waste disposal and materials handling operations.
MAC's waste management system has been designed to minimise the generation of waste, maximise reuse and recycling, and meet regulatory requirements. This system consolidates the disposal, tracking and reporting of all waste generated on site. Waste generated as part of MAC's mining activities is sent off site for management. All hydrocarbon handling and storage areas (i.e. diesel storage areas and fill points) are appropriately designed and constructed, incorporating sealed concrete surfaces, bunding and oily water separators, where required. The Contaminated Land Management procedure also outlines the requirements for investigating, reporting, handling, and treating contaminated land. Small volumes of hydrocarbon contaminated material are recovered and disposed of via the regulated
waste management system or remediated at the onsite bioremediation facility.
Key production milestones
MATERIAL UNIT YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3
(if applicable)
(m3) 90,480 0 0
Rock/overburden | (m3) | 130,600,000 | 116,400,000 | 100,700,000 |
Ore | (Mt) | 23 | 22.8 | 21.7 |
Reject material1 | (Mt) | 6.9 | 6.7 | 5 |
Product | (Mt) | 16 | 16.1 | 16.7 |
1This includes coarse rejects, tailings and any other wastes resulting from beneficiation.
Three-year rehabilitation forecast
Rehabilitation planning schedule
Rehabilitation planning schedule
Over the next three years Rehabilitation activities will focus on the Out Of Pit Dump areas, Saddlers and visual dumps, especially around Denman Road area. The estimated schedule for existing rehabilitation maintenance and ongoing improvement works are detailed and tracked in the Mt Arthur Annual Review. Although all these activities are planned to be completed, they are dependent on weather and completion of emplacements to be ready for rehabilitation and therefore should be used as a guide. Actual rehabilitation is provided in the Annual Review. The final landform approved by the Project Approval is necessarily high level and conceptual. HVEC has identified the potential for future changes to final landform, associated with the recent approval (16/4/2025) of the modification of the Project Approval to extend mining operations until 30 June 2030.
Stakeholder consultation
MAC regularly engages with local stakeholders regarding proposed operations, including community engagement programs and opportunities. This engagement includes: The operation of a 24-hour free call community response line to allow the community to contact the operation directly; Access to information including approval documents, environmental assessments, management plans, environmental audits and environmental management and monitoring reports on a publicly accessible website; Regular CCC meetings to provide an interface between the community, mine management and the relevant government departments. The community representatives on the CCC are able to share information from CCC meetings with the wider community and to report back on community issues at CCC meetings; Regular community contact with local Aboriginal stakeholders and stakeholder groups in relation to Aboriginal archaeology and cultural heritage; The MAC Investment Fund which provides financial and in-kind support to local not-for-
profit organisations and partners with community development programs; Regular attendance at monthly meetings of Muswellbrook Chamber of Commerce and Industry Inc, of which Mt Arthur Coal is an active member, to support local business houses and industry; and Participation in the UHMD, coordinated by the NSW Minerals Council to address cumulative impacts from mining in the Upper Hunter and identify opportunities for improved management and innovation.
Rehabilitation studies, risk assessments and/or design work
Acid Mine Drainage Standard - BHP's Global AMD Management Standard is a recently released internal BHP standard that aims to develop a consistent simple, and sustainable global AMD management approach. Species list - MAC continually reviews and updates the applied seed mix listed in the RMP to increase success of rehabilitation. Monitoring Rehabilitation Risk Assessment - Mt Arthur Coal commissioned an independent expert to facilitate an update of the Rehabilitation Risk Assessment as part of this RMP update. Weather Forecasting and Inclusion in Rehabilitation Planning - Undertaking rehabilitation in favourable weather conditions could lead to improved success rate of vegetation establishment and development. Landscape Evolution Model - A review of the legacy rehabilitation areas is proposed by Mt Arthur Coal to determine any risks associated with long-term stability. Should any legacy rehabilitation areas be identified as a risk, they will be included in the development of a Landscape Evolution Model. Topsoil Balance and Growth Medium Trials - A review of the legacy rehabilitation areas is proposed by Mt Arthur Coal to determine any risks associated with long-term stability. Should any legacy rehabilitation areas be identified as a risk, they will be included in the development of a Landscape Evolution Model. Temporary stabilisation - Mulch will be trialed as a temporary erosion control measure while in the ecosystem establishment phase.
Rehabilitation research and trials
RRT NUMBER | PROJECT/TRIAL NAME | OBJECTIVE OF TRIAL/PROJECT | METHODOLOGY | EXPECTED DATE OF COMPLETION | STATUS |
RRT0001105 | Temporary Stabilisation | Use of hay mulch for surface stabilisation to reduce short term erosion risks (between seed spreading and cover crop germinating). | Refer FY23 Annual Review | 1 Jul 2025 | Superseded |
RRT0001129 | Shallow ripping | Compare shallow ripping of pasture areas to a depth of 200mm compared to 500mm in woodland areas on erosion potential. | An agriplough was utilised in woodland areas where slopes did not extend the operating capacity of the tractor. The steeper woodland areas were dozer ripped. Refer FY24 Annual Review for further details. | 1 Jul 2025 | Ongoing |
RRT0001104 | Erosion modelling | Determine appropriate erosion limits and monitoring processes. | Engage consultant to produce: - Erosion monitoring results based on remote sensing - Predict erosion risk of rehab surfaces to determine hard limits for rehab | 1 Jul 2024 | Complete |
RRT0001006 | Temporary stabilisation | Trials in the use of surface stabilisation (hay mulch) to reduce short term erosion risks; | Testing various spreading methodologies: -Hay directly to spreader - Hay broken up with excavator pincers then spreader -Trialling other equipment | 1 Jul 2025 | Superseded |
RRT0001004 Growth Medium Trials Develop standard growth media
alternatives to topsoil to: Reduce risk of topsoil deficit; Eleminate the weed seed bank risk in topsoil out competing the native species; and Closing the erosion window
Area 1 Following shaping and gypsum application create a friable seed bed and incorporate gypsum Seed directly to shaped spoil Area 2 Following shaping and gypsum application: Padfoot roller or similar to create a friable seed bed and incorporate gypsum Spread hay to depth of ~3cm Seed directly Area 3 Following shaping and gypsum application: Padfoot roller or similar to create a friable seed bed and incorporate gypsum Application of 50m3/ha of rehab grade compost Spread seed directly
1 Jul 2025 Ongoing
RRT0001005 | Weather Forecasting and Inclusion in Rehabilitation Planning | Mt Arthur Coal are planning to investigate the use of weather modelling to assist in rehabilitation planning. | TBD | 1 Jul 2025 | Superseded |
Rehabilitation maintenance and corrective actions
Rehabilitation maintenance activities for the next reporting period will include: • Targeted spot weed treatment for woodland areas focusing on: o newly established (FY24 and FY25) rehabilitation in Saddlers North and VD4; o recently revegetated (tubestock and reseeding) areas in MacDonald's South • Tubestock planting planned to occur in VD4 dependent on supply and weather conditions; • Pest animal control programs will be carried out across site. • Pasture maintenance work will be carried out in small areas of North Cut Tailings dam rehab to improve vegetation establishment. • Erosion repair work will be scoped and planned
Rehabilitation schedule
During this three year period, MAC will continue to undertake progressive rehabilitation of the site. Rehabilitation establishment will focus on Saddlers North, OPD, and VD4 and5 emplacement areas. Supplementary planting of targeted rehabilitated areas will occur. General rehabilitation, land management and biodiversity enhancement activities will also continue over previously rehabilitated areas, including but not limited to: Monitoring of biodiversity, pasture development and erosional stability will occur; Ongoing expansion and management of the tailings dam in line with the approved modification for mine closure in 2030; Other activities that will occur over the Forward Program period include: • Responding to regulator comments on ROBJs; • Continued refinement of the draft Completion Criteria; • Continued development of draft woodland performance indicators; • Development of draft performance indicators for pasture areas; • Improvements in the use of analogue sites in assessing rehabilitation performance; • Improvements to pasture monitoring program; • Continued improvement of the GIS rehabilitation tracking system: o Integration GIS monitoring data of TARP triggers; and o Tracking of TARP triggers in the rehabilitation contract.
Completion of rehabilitation
It is Mt Arthur's intent to lodge a partial completion application for rehabilitation completed under the Bayswater Approval - specifically grazing rehabilitation areas completed in the 1990s. Mt Arthur aims to complete consultation with the Resources Regulator prior to this application.
Subsidence remediation for underground operations
Although MAC is located within the Muswellbrook Mine Subsidence district, there is no recent history of mine subsidence within MAC mine leases. As a result, subsidence is not predicted to impact on mining or rehabilitation activities.
Progressive mining and rehabilitation statistics
Three-yearly forecast cumulative disturbance and rehabilitation progression
Forecast UNIT YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3
A1 Total disturbance footprint -surface disturbance
(ha) 6,027.05 6,027.05 6,027.05
B | Total active disturbance | (ha) | 4,643.7 | 4,512.81 | 4,412.14 |
(ha) 70.09 200.98 301.65
Forecast UNIT YEAR 1 YEAR 2 YEAR 3
Rehabilitation key performance indicators (KPIs)
P | Total new area of land proposed for rehabilitation during the reporting period | (ha) | 70.09 | 130.89 | 100.67 |
O Total new disturbance area during reporting period
(ha) 86.12
Q Annual rehabilitation to disturbance ratio
0.81 1,015,519.45
Attachment 1 - Reporting Definitions
REPORTING CATEGORY DEFINITION
pose a rehabilitation liability due to surface disturbance activities.
The total disturbance footprint is the sum of the total active disturbance, decommissioning, landform establishment, growth medium development, ecosystem and land use establishment, ecosystem and land use development and rehabilitation completion (see definitions below).
Underground mining operations should not include the footprint of underground mining areas/subsidence management areas in the total disturbance footprint.
Total active disturbance
Includes on-lease exploration areas, stripped areas ahead of mining, infrastructure areas, water management infrastructure, sewage treatment facilities, topsoil stockpile areas, access tracks and haul roads, active mining areas, waste rock emplacements (active/unshaped/in or out-of-pit), tailings dams (active/unshaped/uncapped) and temporary stabilised areas (e.g. areas sown with temporary cover crops for dust mitigation and temporary rehabilitation).
REPORTING CATEGORY DEFINITION
any, or all, of the following phases of rehabilitation - decommissioning, landform establishment and growth medium development.
Refer to the glossary of terms in this document for the definition of these phases of rehabilitation.
D Ecosystem and land use establishmentIncludes the area which has been seeded/planted with the target vegetation species for the intended final land use. However, vegetation has not matured to a stage where it can be demonstrated that it will be sustainable for the long term and or require only a maintenance regime consistent with target reference/analogue
sites.
Typically, rehabilitation areas would be in this phase for at least two years (and usually more) before rehabilitation can be classified as being in the ecosystem and land use development phase. This phase does not apply to infrastructure areas that
are being retained as part of final land use for the site.
O N/A The area of any new active disturbance that will be created during the next three years, as defined under definition A1 (definition A1 Table 5). P N/AThe sum of any new rehabilitation to be commenced in the next three years. These
areas may be in the phases "Rehabilitation - Land Preparation" or the "Ecosystem & Land Use Establishment" (definitions C & D in Table 5).
REPORTING CATEGORY DEFINITION
Attachment 2 - Definitions
WORD DEFINITION
In the context of rehabilitation, the active mining phase of rehabilitation constitutes the rehabilitation activities undertaken during mining operations such as salvaging and managing soil resources, salvaging habitat resources, and native seed collection. This phase also includes management actions taken during operations to manage risks to rehabilitation and enhance rehabilitation
outcomes such as selective handling of waste rock and management of tailings emplacements.
Analogue site In the context of rehabilitation, an analogue site is a 'reference site' that represents an example of the defining characteristics (such as vegetation composition and structure or agricultural productivity) of the final land use. Characteristics of analogue sites can be assessed to develop the rehabilitation objectives and completion criteria for final land use domains. Annual rehabilitation report and forward As described in the Mining Regulation 2016. program Annual reporting period As defined in the Mining Regulation 2016.WORD
DEFINITION
ClosureA whole-of-mine-life process, which typically culminates in the relinquishment of the mining lease. It
includes decommissioning and rehabilitation to achieve the approved final land use(s).
Decommissioning The process of removing mining infrastructure and removing contaminants and hazardous materials. Decommissioning Phase of RehabilitationActivities associated with the removal of mining infrastructure and removal and/or remediation of contaminants and hazardous materials. In the context of the rehabilitation management plan this phase of rehabilitation may also include studies and assessments associated with decommissioning and demolition of infrastructure or works carried out to make safe or 'fit for purpose ' built infrastructure to be retained for future use(s) following lease relinquishment.
Department Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development. DisturbanceSee Surface Disturbance.
Disturbance area An area that has been disturbed and that requires rehabilitation.This may include areas such as on-licence exploration areas, stripped areas ahead of mining, infrastructure areas, water management infrastructure, sewage treatment facilities, topsoil stockpile areas, access tracks and haul roads, active mining areas, waste emplacements (active/unshaped/in or out-of-pit), tailings dams (active/unshaped/uncapped), and areas requiring rehabilitation that are temporarily stabilised (i.e. managed to minimise dust generation and/or erosion).
