Centennial Coal INGLENOOK EXPLORATION PROJECT

Transcription

1 Centennial Coal INGLENOOK EXPLORATION PROJECT LANDHOLDER LIAISON PROGRAMME JULY 2011

2 Table of Contents 1. LANDHOLDER LIAISON PROGRAMME PURPOSE OBJECTIVES SCOPE RESPONSIBILITY THE COMMUNITY DEMOGRAPHICS COMMUNITY FEEDBACK EXPLORATION PROGRAMME BACKGROUND DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITY EXPLORATION DRILLING EQUIPMENT TIMING CONSULTATION STRATEGIES COMMUNITY ENQUIRIES PROCEDURE CONSULTATION REVIEW PERIOD CONTACTS APPENDICES...15 Page i

3 List of Tables Table 1 - Conceptual Consultation Timeline...12 Table 2 - Community Enquiries Reporting Requirements...13 List of Figures Figure 1 Exploration Drilling Consultation Flow Chart...2 Figure 2- Flow Chart for Managing a Community Initiated Contact...3 Figure 3- Panoramic view of the project area landscape...4 Figure 4 - Mid-Western Regional Council LGA...6 Figure 5 - A stream (left) and spring fed dam (right) sampled in the project area...7 Figure 6 - Location Map of Centennial Coal s Operations...8 Figure 7 - Typical Drill Site Layout (Not to Scale)...9 Figure 8 - A Rehabilitated Drill Site...10 Figure 9 - Typical drill rig (left) and rod handler (right)...11 Figure 10 - Typical drill rig in operation...11 List of Appendix Appendix 1 Record of Changes to System Document...15 Appendix 2 - Plans for ELs 7431, 7432, 7442 and A Appendix 3 - Enquiry Report Form...20 Page ii

4 List of Abreviations ING Inglenook Exploration Project. EL Exploration Licence (refer Mining Act 1992). NGO Non-Government Organisation. Page iii

5 REVIEW AND DOCUMENT CONTROL This Inglenook Exploration Project Landholder Liaison Programme should be reviewed regularly and updated as required. Any additional stakeholders identified during the course of the Project will be added to the Western Projects Database and communicated through the appropriate methods. DOCUMENT DETAILS Name: Inglenook Exploration Project Landholder Liaison Programme Reference: ING Landholder Liaison Programme.doc Revision No.: 1 Document Status Final Rev No. Date Details of Revision Reviewed By Draft issued for comment 2 nd draft issued for comment Final draft issued for comment J Sandona. REVISION DETAILS B Pierna F Bartier J Marshall B Preston Final document controlled copy J Sandona Circulation Details Name Position Circ. Date Method B.Preston GM Projects and Business Development R Tacon GM Operations - West M Cairney GM Health, Safety, Environment and Community (HSEC) K.Brassil Group Manager - External Affairs J.Brunton Geologist - Projects B Pierna Exploration Coordinator Inglenook Project A Howard Regional Environmental Officer Central West F Bartier Regional Environmental Manager Central West Inspector of Coal Mines DTIRIS, Mineral Resources, Lithgow Branch Team Leader Environment, Central West DTIRIS, Mineral Resources, Orange Page iv

6 1. LANDHOLDER LIAISON PROGRAMME 1.1 PURPOSE The purpose of the Landholder Liaison Programme is to provide a consistent management framework to identify and consult with landholders that are affected by the exploration programme within the Inglenook Project Area. The engagement strategy for the exploration programme described in this Landholder Liaison Programme covers the proposed Inglenook exploration drilling programme, which is anticipated to last approximately three (3) years. The key principles of the Landholder Liaison Programme include: Respond to landholder enquiries; No surprises; and, Establishment and maintenance of integrity in business. 1.2 OBJECTIVES Centennial Coal acknowledges feedback from the community and individual landholders and gives it thoughtful consideration. Centennial Coal places the utmost importance in maintaining effective communication with the communities in which we operate as with all stakeholders in our business. Complimentary to the Project s Stakeholder Engagement Plan, the Landholder Liaison Programme is designed to help develop good relationships between Centennial Coal and landholders in a way that enables Centennial to undertake its business in a responsible and effective manner whilst respecting the needs and of landholders and the local community. The objectives of the Landholder Liaison Programme are to: Facilitate the communication, consultation and engagement of landholders with the Inglenook Exploration Project Team; Outline communication methods planned to share project information; Define a means of recording feedback from landholders; and, Provide procedures for addressing all landholder enquiries. Figure 1 describes the consultation process with landholders directly affected by the exploration drilling programme and landholders of neighbouring properties. Figure 2 describes the procedure for addressing all landholder enquiries. 1.3 SCOPE The landholders, their landholdings and non-centennial owned lands affected by ELs 7431, 7432, 7442 and A RESPONSIBILITY It is the Regional Environmental Officer Central West s (REO CW) responsibility to ensure that the Landholder Liaison Programme is implemented and coordinated as appropriate and that the information is maintained and monitored in accordance with the Exploration Licence Conditions and Centennial Coal s Environmental Management System. The REO-CW must also ensure that there is the operation of an information line (in accordance with ELs 7431, 7432, 7442 and A414) and that affected landholders are informed of this. Page 1

7 Figure 1 Exploration Drilling Consultation Flow Chart Identify proposed drill hole location Is it on private land? Yes Contact landholder(s) No Identify suitable drill site with landholder(s) Is it on Crown or public land? Yes Negotiate access agreement No Is there a residence within 200 metres of a drill site? Yes Obtain consent No Notify neighbouring properties Commence exploration drilling Page 2

8 Figure 2- Flow Chart for Managing a Community Initiated Contact Community Initiated Contact Contact received by project team member. Project team member to record particulars of the enquiry on the enquiry report form (Appendix 2) including details of the issue, and contact name and details of the person making the enquiry. Give the contact person your name. Can the issue be solved by the person receiving the contact? Yes No Resolve issue and record details of the action taken on the enquiry report form (Appendix 2) Notify the REO-CW or Project Manager. Explain this to the person making the enquiry and give a timeframe for response. Pass the completed Enquiry Report Form to the REO-CW. Page 3

9 2. THE COMMUNITY 2.1 DEMOGRAPHICS The exploration area is rural and comprises the localities of Ilford, Running Stream, Razorback and portions of Round Swamp and Clandulla. The land features undulating hills with cliffs and pagodas on the periphery reaching elevations over 1000 metres above sea level. The hills are partially forested with land cleared for grazing. The prominent feature of the landscape is the many water sources such as streams, creeks, springs, soaks and dams that protrude on the surface. Figure 3 shows a view of the area described. The area is located in the southern portion of the Mid-Western Regional Council LGA (refer Figure 4) and the northern portion of the Lithgow LGA. Figure 3- Panoramic view of the project area landscape From the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) 2006 Census, the most common industries of employment for persons aged 15 years and over, usually resident, in 2850 (Postal Area) which includes the locality of Mudgee were Sheep, Beef Cattle and Grain Farming 8.1%, School Education 5.3%, Coal Mining 4.2%, Cafes, Restaurants and Takeaway Food Services 4.0% and Supermarket and Grocery Stores 2.9%. The most common responses for occupation for employed persons were Managers 18.9%, Technicians and Trades Workers 15.6%, Professionals 13.6%, Labourers 13.4% and Sales Workers 10.9%. There were 3,878 families: 42.2% were couple families with children, 42.4% were couple families without children, 14.1% were one parent families and 1.3% were other families. From the ABS 2006 Census for Ilford, the most common industries of employment for persons aged 15 years and over, usually resident, include Sheep, Beef Cattle and Grain Farming 27.4%, School Education 8.5%, Coal Mining 5.7%, Management and Related Consulting Services 4.7% and Cement, Lime, Plaster and Concrete Product Manufacturing 4.7%. The most common responses for occupation for employed persons were Managers 29.2%, Technicians and Trades Workers 22.6%, Labourers 14.2%, Clerical and Administrative Workers 9.4% and Professionals 8.5%. There were 76 families in Ilford: 28.9% were couple families with children, 53.9% were couple families without children, 17.1% were one parent families and 0.0% were other families. Page 4

10 From the ABS 2006 Census for Clandulla, the most common industries of employment for persons aged 15 years and over, usually resident, include Cement, Lime, Plaster and Concrete Product Manufacturing 14.0%, Coal Mining 12.0%, Sheep, Beef Cattle and Grain Farming 10.7%, Hardware, Building and Garden Supplies Retailing 4.7% and Residential Care Services 4.7%. The most common responses for occupation for employed persons were Technicians and Trades Workers 26.0%, Managers 24.7%, Machinery Operators and Drivers 11.3%, Labourers 10.7% and Professionals 8.7%. There were 100 families in Clandulla: 50.0% were couple families with children, 50.0% were couple families without children. There are a significant number of landholdings that are owned by people not resident in the locality. These landholdings are often used as weekend and holiday retreats. There are also a significant number of fifth and sixth generational families with history that dates back to the earliest European settlement of the area. The elders of these families have invaluable and extensive knowledge of history, the land, characteristics and features of the localities in the Project Area. The extensive historical and experiential knowledge of the area held by these locals is extremely valuable to both the community and the project and every effort should be made to capture and record the information offered for posterity. The different history and lifestyle motivations of different peoples manifest as different needs and concerns requiring sensitive and tailored management by Centennial Coal. In parallel with the history of agriculture in the area mining has also occurred for gold and precious metals from the late 1800 s and coal mining from the early 1900 s. Exploration drilling activities to determine a coal resource have also been undertaken since the 1980 s by the NSW Government and several companies. In addition to the mining activity there are a number of existing leases held in the area for mining, petroleum and geothermal energy. Page 5

11 Figure 4 - Mid-Western Regional Council LGA Page 6

12 2.2 COMMUNITY FEEDBACK Although there has been an established history of mining and industry in the area there has also been a growth in environmental awareness since the 1970 s and a changing demographic profile in the area that has increasingly challenged the place and role of coal exploration and mining in the area. From the granting of the Inglenook Exploration Licences and entry of Centennial Coal in the project area in early 2010, groups and individuals of different backgrounds and needs in the community have provided feedback on coal exploration and any potential mining. Key feedback from the community has included: The potential damage and loss of the surface and groundwater resource that exists as creeks, streams, springs, dams and water bores and the consequential effect to landholders properties, livelihood and quality of life; The aesthetic degradation of the landscape due to open cut mining; The general degradation of the area due to dust, noise and truck haulage of coal; A decrease in the demand and value of real estate in the area; The apprehension of landholders to undertake improvement works to their property in anticipation of the effects that exploration and mining will have on their quality of life. Centennial Coal will give consideration to this feedback in the course of the project. Centennial Coal plans to develop a comprehensive knowledgebase of the area by extensive environmental measurement/monitoring and collating/interpreting the data through feasibility studies. The feasibility studies will define a project description and develop a final development proposal for submission to the Department of Planning, NSW. Throughout these processes Centennial Coal will continue community consultation keeping the community abreast of major milestones in the project. Figure 5 - A stream (left) and spring fed dam (right) sampled in the project area. Page 7

13 3. EXPLORATION PROGRAMME 3.1 BACKGROUND Centennial Coal Pty Limited has proposed to commence exploration work at the Inglenook Project, NSW. The Inglenook Project consists of several exploration licence areas located on the Castlereagh Highway in the locality of Ilford between the townships of Capertee and Kandos approximately 20 km north northwest of the township of Capertee. It is situated in the Western Coalfields of NSW approximately 60 km north northwest of Lithgow and 70 km south south-east of Mudgee as shown in Figure 6. In late 2008 the Department of Primary Industries, now known as the NSW Department of Trade and Investment, Regional Infrastructure and Services (DTIRIS), invited companies to submit an Expression of Interest for a number of potential mining areas in NSW. Centennial Coal lodged an Expression of Interest over the areas known as Ilford, Cameron Road and Melrose. These adjoin two (2) other exploration lease areas known as Running Stream and Cherry Tree Hill that have been held for many years by Xstrata and Centennial Coal respectively. In August 2009 Centennial Coal was advised of the successful tender and the need to apply for three (3) new exploration licences over an area of approximately 95 square kilometres in the Western Coalfield. In March 2010, DTIRIS issued Centennial Coal three (3) new exploration licences; Ilford (EL 7431), Cameron Road (EL 7432) and Melrose (EL 7442). The exploration licence areas are in close proximity to Centennial Coal s Airly and Charbon Operations in the western coalfield. Plans of the individual exploration licence areas are shown in Appendix 3. While it is known that coal does occur in the area there is insufficient information to accurately determine its quantity and quality, therefore an exploration-drilling programme over several years is required to determine if there is a viable future mining project. Figure 6 - Location Map of Centennial Coal s Operations Page 8

14 3.2 DESCRIPTION OF THE ACTIVITY Centennial Coal proposes to undertake exploration drilling within ELs 7431, 7432, 7442 and Authorisation Area A414. The exploration drilling programme will consist of exploration boreholes distributed across the area in a grid pattern and drilled vertically from the surface to intersect and recover the target strata. The exploration boreholes will be drilled to build on existing information on coal quality and geological conditions of this resource for potential future underground mining. Some minor surface clearance is likely to be required to establish drilling sites. Where possible, drill sites are selected as close as possible to existing access roads/tracks to minimise clearing requirements. The drilling footprint at each exploration hole will require a disturbance area of approximately 25m x 25m (sites may also be chosen in existing cleared areas where possible). Drilling activities require sumps to collect drill cuttings and to control and recycle drilling fluids down the borehole. Each drill site will be serviced by an aboveground sump in the initial stages of the drilling or the use of an in-ground sump if required. Where an aboveground sump is used the drill cuttings will be removed off-site. The general layout of a typical drill site is shown in Figure 7 below. Each drill site will be rehabilitated at the completion of drilling activities except where a drillhole is left open for water monitoring, monitoring equipment is installed in the hole and an access track is maintained to provide access to the monitoring site. An example of a rehabilitated drill site, without water monitoring, is shown in Figure 8. Figure 7 - Typical Drill Site Layout (Not to Scale) Page 9

15 Landholder Liaison Programme Figure 8 - A Rehabilitated Drill Site 3.3 EXPLORATION DRILLING EQUIPMENT Key equipment used in the exploration drilling project includes drill rigs and rod handlers, above-ground sumps, support trucks and light vehicles. Site and access preparation equipment will include the use of an excavator. With agreement from a landholder and if practicable, onsite water sources will be used to supply water for drilling activities, alternatively a water cart will supply water to the site for use in the drilling process. Dust and noise suppression will be implemented if and when required. Figures 9 and 10 show drilling equipment and operations. Page 10

16 Figure 9 - Typical drill rig (left) and rod handler (right) Figure 10 - Typical drill rig in operation Page 11

17 3.4 TIMING Standard operating hours will be between 7 am and 6 pm, Monday to Friday and between 8am and 1 pm Saturday. If and when required, incidental works may also be undertaken outside these hours. The anticipated duration of drilling at each site is approximately two to three weeks depending on borehole depth and site conditions encountered. Exploration drilling is expected to commence late 2011 and will take approximately three (3) years to complete. 4. CONSULTATION STRATEGIES A range of measures will be utilised by Centennial Coal to provide information to the relevant stakeholders on its proposed activities throughout the exploration programme. These will include: Personal communication; Letter; Newsletter; Community information sessions; Community open days; Community Consultative Committee (CCC) meetings; Centennial Coal website; Local newspaper; and, Briefing presentations. Table 2 below outlines a conceptual timeline for consultation with relevant stakeholders and how it will occur in the initial stage of the exploration project. Table 1 - Conceptual Consultation Timeline Date Medium Content June st Newsletter Scope and intent of the exploration drilling programme April 2011 April 2011 Aquaterra community information sessions 1 st Community Consultative Committee (CCC) meeting Discuss individual sampling results. Discuss outcomes of water census. Discuss hydrogeology and geology of exploration area Coordinated by RPS Aquaterra and attended by landholders and interested community members Scope and intent of the exploration drilling programme and project update. Attended by nominated NSW and local government officials, Centennial Coal and community representatives. May nd CCC meeting Project update and Water Census Overview. Attended by nominated NSW and local government officials, Centennial Coal and community representatives. July nd Newsletter Project Update including Water Census Overview July 2011 Community Open Day Display and disseminate information to the community including a drilling equipment exhibit at the Running Stream Community Hall. August rd CCC meeting Attended by nominated NSW and local government officials, Centennial Coal and community representatives. January rd Newsletter Exploration programme update. July th Newsletter Exploration programme update. Page 12

18 5. COMMUNITY ENQUIRIES PROCEDURE Members of the community can make any enquiry about the project via a dedicated information line comprising a phone number and address. The Inglenook Exploration Project Information Line is and inglenook@centennialcoal.com.au. Although the line is not manned 24 hours a day, the message bank and s will be checked regularly and a follow up response made as soon as practicable. Person receiving a call During calls of enquiry it is the recipient s responsibility to correctly fill out the enquiry report form (Appendix 3) and to follow the flow chart for community initiated contact in Figure 2. All enquiries received must be reported in accordance with Table 2. Table 2 - Community Enquiries Reporting Requirements Report to Report Mechanism Reported By Report Time Project Manager Verbal/weekly report REO-CW Within 1 working day of becoming known Project Manager Monthly Operational Report REO-CW Within 3 working days following month end Community Consultative Committee (CCC) Report to scheduled meetings Project Manager At meetings plus documented in minutes General Manager- Projects and Business Development Monthly report Project Manager Within 5 working days following month end Centennial Board Monthly Environment Report General Manager HSEC Relevant Board report/meeting DTIRIS and other Government agencies AEMR Project Manager with report prepared by REO-CW By mid-february Banpu Minerals Company Annual Report Board Approx September Group Environmental Manager Monthly Report REO-CW End of month 5.1 CONSULTATION Affected Landholders have been made aware of the ELs and will be informed of any possible future exploration activities on their landholdings. As previously mentioned, Figure 1 Exploration Drilling Consultation Flowchart describes the consultation process with landholders directly affected by the exploration drilling programme and landholders of neighbouring properties. Consultation with the Project Manager will be conducted prior to any information dissemination. The Group Manager-External Affairs will be consulted as required by corporate guidelines when appropriate. Page 13

19 5.2 REVIEW PERIOD The Landholder Liaison Programme for ELs 7431, 7432, 7442 and A414 will be reviewed periodically. 6. CONTACTS The Contacts for the Inglenook Exploration Project are outline below. For any community enquiries relating to this Project contact a project team member in order of listing below. Any media enquiries should be directed to the Centennial Coal Group Manager External Affairs. John Sandona Inglenook Project Manager Phone: (02) John.Sandona@centennialcoal.com.au Barbara Pierna Exploration Coordinator Phone: (02) Barbara.Pierna@centennialcoal.com.au Alanna Howard Regional Environmental Officer Central West (REO-CW). Phone: (02) Alanna.Howard@centennialcoal.com.au Katie Brassil Group Manager - External Affairs Phone: (02) katie.brassil@centennialcoal.com.au Page 14

20 7. APPENDICES Appendix 1 Record of Changes to System Document Date Change Authorised By Revision No. 31 December 2010 Draft Developed Project Manager 0 July 2011 Final document controlled copy Project Manager 1 Page 15

21 Appendix 2 - Plans for ELs 7431, 7432, 7442 and A414 Page 16

22 Page 17

23 Page 18

24 Landholder Liaison Programme Page 19

25 Appendix 3 - Enquiry Report Form Inglenook Exploration Project Enquiry Report Form DATE: TIME: RECEIVED BY: METHOD ENQUIRY LOGGED: (circle) Telephone In person Written Other DETAILS OF PERSON MAKING ENQUIRY: Given Not Given Name: Address: Contact Phone No. Home: Work: NATURE OF INQUIRY/COMPLAINT/ REQUEST FOR INFORMATION Inspected By: Date: Time: ACTION TAKEN RECORD SHEET PASSES TO REGIONAL ENVIRONMENTAL OFFICER Date: Note: This form is to be given to the REO-CW on completion. Records to be kept on file for a minimum of 4 years and produced to any officer of the EPA who asks to see them. Page 20

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