Air Quality and Greenhouse Gas Assessment for the Fingerboards Project Stage Two Assessment 2019
Introduction Katestone Environmental: • Leading provider of expert air quality and meteorology services in Australia since 1989 • Experts in Air Quality, Meteorology and Climate • Clients include industry, state and local governments and community groups • Our experience includes: – Atlas Campaspe Project, Cristal Mining – Yeelirrie Project, Cameco – Eastern Leases, South32
Purpose of Study • Describe the facility and its existing or proposed activities • Determine the potential effect of construction and operation of the project on air quality at nearby sensitive receptors (especially residents) • Assess the dust levels against relevant criteria • Determine appropriate mitigation measures
EES Scoping Requirements • Environment Protection Act 1970 • Environment Protection Act 2017 • State Environment Protection Policy (Air Quality Management (SEPP (AQM)) • Protocols for Environmental Management Plans (PEM) • PEM for Mining and Extractive Industries • National Environmental Protection Measure (Air Quality)
Key air quality issues in mineral sands mining Particulate matter: • Emitted from mining activities • Solid or liquid particles that may be suspended in the atmosphere • Large particles generated by : – Mechanical disturbance of soil material by bulldozing, scraping and trucks travelling on unsealed roads – Wind erosion of stockpiles and bare ground • May affect human health and amenity depends on the size of the particles, the concentration of particulate matter in the atmosphere and rate of deposition
Source: United States Environmental Protection Agency (https://www.epa.gov/pm-pollution/particulate-matter-pm-basics)
Other air quality issues in mineral sands mining • Respirable crystalline silica • Heavy metals • Radionuclides • Dust deposition • Combustion gases (carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide) • Greenhouse gases
Methodology Underpinning Study – PEM Level 1 requirements 12 months Management Dispersion Baseline and Controls Modelling Monitoring Continuous EPA Approved dust – PM 10 Model Best available and PM 2.5 technology Crystalline Predict ground- silica MEA level (Maximum concentrations Heavy metal extent content achievable) Assess against air quality Meteorology objectives /criteria
Baseline monitoring 2 x high volume air samplers • 24 hour average PM 10 (analysed for heavy metal content) • 24 hour average PM 2.5 (analysed for α -quartz content) E-BAM • 1 hour PM 10 BAM • 1 hour PM 2.5 Dust deposition gauge
Baseline dust monitoring PM 10 – all measurements below PEM objective 70 60 24-hour average concentration (µg/m 3 ) 50 40 30 20 10 0 PM10 - E-BAM+ PEM objective SEPP (AAQ) objective
Baseline dust monitoring PM 2.5 – all measurements below Air NEPM and PEM objective 35 30 24-hour average concentration (µg/m 3 ) 25 20 15 10 5 0 -5 PM2.5 BAM1022 PEM objective SEPP (AAQ) objective
Baseline dust monitoring Respirable crystalline silica – well below PEM objective. Both cristobalite and α -quartz analysed. 3.5 3 2.5 RCS (µg/m 3 ) 2 1.5 1 0.5 0 Cristobalite a-quartz PEM Annual Average Objective
Baseline dust monitoring • Heavy metals - large range measured, including: – Arsenic – Cadmium – Cobalt – Iron – Lead • Arsenic - less than 32% of PEM assessment criteria • Cobalt - less than 45% of assessment criteria • Other heavy metals - less than 10% of assessment criteria
Local wind patterns Wind rose: Shows the frequency of winds blowing from each direction Colours indicate the wind speed On-site meteorological monitoring station – data included in the dispersion model
Key findings For construction, and the three operational years assessed: • PM 10 is key pollutant • Air quality can be managed through combination of: – Standard mitigation measures • Applied every day (best practice and MEA measures) – Additional mitigation measures • Applied on days with poor dispersion conditions • Linked to a weather forecast as well as a reactive management strategy
Impact Assessment Pollutant Averaging Units Air Quality Max at most % of criteria Period Assessment affected at most criteria receptor in any affected year * receptor * µg/m 3 59.5 99% PM 10 24-hour 60 µg/m 3 23.4 65% PM 2.5 24-hour 36 Respirable µg/m 3 1.2 40% crystalline Annual 3 silica µg/m 3 Arsenic Annual 0.003 0.0019 63% * Concentrations at other receptors and locations further from the mine are lower
Impact Assessment Pollutant Averaging Units Air Quality Max at most % of Period Assessment affected criteria at criteria receptor in any most year * affected receptor * mg/m 2 .da 79 66% Monthly 120 y Dust deposition g/m 2 .mont 0.47 24% Annual 2 h g/m 2 .mont 1.36 34% Annual 4 h * Concentrations at other receptors and locations further from the mine are lower
Dust mitigation measures – Standard – Best Practice and MEA Haulage: Exposed areas and stockpiles: Minimise travel distances Watering/suppressants Chemical suppressants/water Progressive rehabilitation or Enforce vehicle speed limits vegetation Low silt aggregate Use designated haul routes Product transport: only Paved road Dozing: Sealed HMC containers Minimise travel speed Watering of material and travel Ore transport: routes Slurry – no emissions Ore processing: Truck dumping: Screening – slurry Minimise drop height No crushing/grinding
Dust mitigation measures - Additional Proactive Reactive Triggered by real-time Based on forecast monitoring at key weather conditions sensitive receptors Site activities adjusted Site activities planned to to prevent exceedances avoid adverse weather e.g. ceasing activities conditions overnight Dust management plan will include triggers and management actions for proactive and reactive management
Greenhouse Gas Assessment Scope 1 Scope 2 Methods emissions emissions Diesel National Greenhouse and Energy Reporting combustion: (Measurement) Electricity Determination 2008 - Heavy machinery usage: and site vehicles - Processing - Processing plants and operations The National equipment Greenhouse Accounts, - Lighting July 2013 - Diesel generators (DIICCSCRTE, 2013) - Offices and - HMC transport amenities The Greenhouse Land clearing Gas Protocol
Greenhouse Gas Assessment • Maximum GHG emissions: 0.02% and 0.07% of national and state emissions
Greenhouse Gas – Best Practice Initiatives • Ongoing monitoring and reporting GHG emissions and identifying opportunities to reduce GHG emissions • Fuel efficient equipment • Load optimisation, production scheduling and logistics planning including route optimisation • Use of solar power to supplement electricity use where practical • Minimisation of grid electricity consumption through power factor correction
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