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K:\60521257\8. Issued Docs\8.1 Reports\2016\2016-12. Dec\MTP_Monthly Report_1216_Jan17.docx Revision 1 – 19-Jan-2017 Prepared for – MACH Energy Australia Pty. Limited – ABN: 34608495441

Mount Pleasant MACH Energy Australia Pty. Limited 19-Jan-2017

Commercial-in-Confidence

Monthly Environmental Monitoring Report Mount Pleasant Project - December 2016

AECOM

Mount Pleasant Monthly Environmental Monitoring Report Commercial-in-Confidence


Monthly Environmental Monitoring Report Mount Pleasant Project - December 2016

Client: MACH Energy Australia Pty. Limited ABN: 34608495441

Prepared by AECOM Australia Pty Ltd St Patrick's Commercial Centre, Queens Street, Singleton NSW 2330, Australia T +61 2 6575 9000 F +61 2 6575 9099 www.aecom.com ABN 20 093 846 925

19-Jan-2017

Job No.: 60521257

AECOM in Australia and New Zealand is certified to ISO9001, ISO14001 AS/NZS4801 and OHSAS18001.

© AECOM Australia Pty Ltd (AECOM). All rights reserved.

AECOM has prepared this document for the sole use of the Client and for a specific purpose, each as expressly stated in the document. No other party should rely on this document without the prior written consent of AECOM. AECOM undertakes no duty, nor accepts any responsibility, to any third party who may rely upon or use this document. This document has been prepared based on the Client’s description of its requirements and AECOM’s experience, having regard to assumptions that AECOM can reasonably be expected to make in accordance with sound professional principles. AECOM may also have relied upon information provided by the Client and other third parties to prepare this document, some of which may not have been verified. Subject to the above conditions, this document may be transmitted, reproduced or disseminated only in its entirety.

AECOM Mount Pleasant Monthly Environmental Monitoring Report Commercial-in-Confidence


Quality Information Document Monthly Environmental Monitoring Report

Ref 60521257

Date 19-Jan-2017

Prepared by Chris Burns

Reviewed by Paul Wenta

Revision History

Name/Position Signature

19 Jan 17 Paul Wenta Principal Scientist - Air Quality

AECOM



Table of Contents Executive Summary i 1.0 Introduction 1 2.0 Dust Deposition 2

2.1 Methodology 2 2.2 Assessment Criteria 2 2.3 Results 2 2.4 Discussion 7

3.0 Surface Water Quality 8 3.1 Methodology 8 3.2 Assessment Criteria 8 3.3 Results 9 3.4 Discussion 11

4.0 Groundwater Quality 12 4.1 Methodology 12 4.2 Assessment Criteria 13

Appendix A Dust Deposition - Analytical Report, Field Sheets and Chain of Custody Documentation A

Appendix B Surface Water - Analytical Report, Field Sheets and Chain of Custody Documentation B

Appendix C Groundwater - Analytical Report, Field Sheets and Chain of Custody Documentation C

List of Tables

Table 1 MTP Monitoring Summary i Table 2 MTP Monthly Depositional Dust Summary 2 Table 3 Monthly Dust Deposition Gauge Sampling Results 3 Table 4 Field Notes for Contaminated Dust Gauges 7 Table 5 MTP Monthly Surface Water Monitoring Summary 8 Table 6 Monthly Surface Water Monitoring Results- December 2016 9 Table 7 MTP Quarterly Groundwater Summary 12

List of Figures

Figure 1 MTP DDG Total Insoluble Solids Monitoring Results – December 2016 4 Figure 2 Depositional Dust Contours – December 2016 5 Figure 3 Depositional Dust Contours – Rolling Annual Average, December 2016 6 Figure 4 Mt Pleasant Surface Water pH 10 Figure 5 Mt Pleasant Surface Water EC 10 Figure 6 Mt Pleasant Surface Water TSS 11

AECOM



i

Executive Summary Environmental monitoring is conducted in the vicinity of the Mount Pleasant Operation (MPO) through routine and event based sampling of local air, soil and water. The monitoring aims to collect data on local environmental parameters, and assess this background data in relation to construction activities and future mining activities. All environmental monitoring was performed by AECOM.

A summary of the monitoring results for December 2016, assessed against adopted criteria, is provided in Table 1. Table 1 MTP Monitoring Summary

Sampling Activity Sites Date(s)

performed

Acc

epta

ble

Exce

edan

ce

Comments

Ambient Air Quality Monitoring

Dust deposition D1, D3 – D14

20 December 2016

X Exceedance of insoluble solids

annual rolling average at D7.

Surface Water Quality Monitoring

Monthly W2, W4, W5, W7, W8, W9 & W10

20 December 2016

X

Groundwater Quality Monitoring Quarterly WRA1L; WRA1U;

WRA2L; WRA2U; WRA3L; WRA3U; WRA5L; WRA5U; WRA6L; WRA6U; MPBH1; MPBH2; MPBH3; 3500B500 (L); 3500B500 (S); 3500C500 (L); 3500C500 (S); 4500F000; 5000D000 (S); 5500D000; 6000C000 (L); 6000C000 (S); 6500F500L; 6500F500U; 6500F500M; 7000D000U; 7000D000L; and 7500F000.

Non Sampling Month

1


1.0 Introduction Environmental monitoring is conducted in the vicinity of the Mount Pleasant Operation (MPO) through routine sampling of surface water, ground water and depositional dust. The purpose of the monitoring regime is to demonstrate compliance with Australia and New Zealand Environmental Conservation Council (ANZECC) guidelines and Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) impact assessment criteria.

This report presents the results from the environmental monitoring program conducted at MPO during December 2016, which consisted of monitoring of:

Monthly depositional dust; and

Monthly surface water quality.

2


2.0 Dust Deposition

2.1 Methodology Dust deposition was monitored according to the OEH’s Approved Methods for the Sampling and Analysis of Air Pollutants in New South Wales (DEC 2007), which references AS/NZS 3580.10.1:2003 (R2014) Determination of particulate matter – Deposited matter – Gravimetric Method. The monitoring network comprises of 13 dust deposition gauges (DDG). Details of the monitoring locations and sampling parameters are summarised in Table 2. The DDG samples were analysed for insoluble solids and ash residue; ash residue indicated the presence of inorganic or non-combustible material. Table 2 MTP Monthly Depositional Dust Summary

Monitoring Location / ID

Insoluble Solids (g/m2/month)

Ash Content (g/m2/month)

Combustible Matter (g/m2/month)

D1 X X X

D3 X X X

D4 X X X

D5 X X X

D6 X X X

D7 X X X

D8 X X X

D9 X X X

D10 X X X

D11 X X X

D12 X X X

D13 X X X

D14 X X X

DDG samples can be contaminated by a variety of means, notably by the presence of insects and bird droppings. Results for contaminated gauges were not included in the calculation of the annual averages as this would result in skewed or misleading results for the purpose of dust deposition assessment. The Australian Standard does not provide criteria for the determination of contamination of a DDG. A gauge sample is determined by AECOM to be contaminated only after reference to field observation sheets, historical monitoring location data, laboratory notes and results, prevailing atmospheric conditions and feedback from field technicians. For example, a gauge sample with a statistically abnormally high insoluble solids result, a low ash residue result (indicating a high level of organic matter) and field notation that bird droppings or insects were present is likely to be considered contaminated.

2.2 Assessment Criteria Dust deposition is assessed against the guidelines defined in the OEH Approved Methods for the Modelling and Assessment of Air Pollutants in New South Wales (DEC 2005). The OEH specifies an impact assessment criterion of 4 g/m2.month as a maximum annual average value, which is compared to the annual average insoluble solid levels.

2.3 Results Sampling was undertaken on 20 December 2016; results are summarised in Table 3. Analytical reports, field sheets and chain of custody documentation are provided in Appendix A.

3


Table 3 Monthly Dust Deposition Gauge Sampling Results

Station

Depositional Dust (g/m2.month) Ratio of

Insoluble Solids to Ash (%)

YTD Insoluble Solids (g/m2.month)

Insoluble Solids Annual Rolling Average (g/m2.month)

Insoluble Solids Ash

D1 2.8 1.2 43 1.3 1.3

D3 2.0 1.3 65 1.5 1.5

D4 2.5 1.3 52 1.5 1.5

D5 6.3c 2.2c 35 2.2 2.2

D6 2.2 1.2 55 2.3 2.3

D7 4.7c 2.4c 51 6.8 6.8

D8 2.9 2.1 72 3.7 3.7

D9 1.9 1.3 68 1.6 1.6

D10 2.2 1.1 50 1.1 1.1

D11 3.3 1.6 48 1.3 1.3

D12 0.7 0.3 43 0.7 0.7

D13 2.1 1.1 52 2.0 2.0

D14 6.3 3.6 57 3.2 3.2

Criterion - - - - 4 Results in bold indicate exceedances’ of adopted assessment criteria ‘c.’ indicates contaminated gauge. Results not included in annual average calculation.

Figure 1 compares the monthly insoluble solids results to the annual averages for each dust gauge and the assessment criterion. Figure 2 and Figure 3 display the December 2016 depositional dust contours and the annual rolling average dust contours respectively.

4


Figure 1 MTP DDG Total Insoluble Solids Monitoring Results – December 2016

0

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

D1 D3 D4 D5 D6 D7 D8 D9 D10 D11 D12 D13 D14

g/m

2.m

onth

Inso

lubl

e M

atte

r

MTPDust Deposition Gauge - Total Insoluble Matter

December 2016

Current Month Dust Deposition 12 Month Mean Insoluble Solids Long Term Assessment Criteria

*

5


Figure 2 Depositional Dust Contours – December 2016

6


Figure 3 Depositional Dust Contours – Rolling Annual Average, December 2016

7


2.4 Discussion Exceedance of the OEH annual average criterion for dust deposition (insoluble solids) was recorded at site D7 (6.8g/m2. month). The gauge was contaminated in December and therefore did not contribute to the annual rolling average. Table 4 outlines the contaminated Dust gauges for December. Other field notes from the December sampling event noted that all the gauges contained insects, with some also contaminated by vegetation, bird droppings and a spider.

Table 4 Field Notes for Contaminated Dust Gauges

Site Insol

matter (g/m2,

month)

Ash

(g/m2, month)

Ash to insol

ratio (%)

Water Colour

Turbidity

Decomposing

Matter

D5 6.3 2.2 35 Green Slightly Turbid

Insects, vegetation, bird droppings

D7 4.7 2.4 51 Green Slightly Turbid

Insects, vegetation, bird droppings

8


3.0 Surface Water Quality

3.1 Methodology Surface water quality is monitored on a monthly basis at nine sites. The monitoring sites and monthly sampling parameters are summarised in Table 5. Table 5 MTP Monthly Surface Water Monitoring Summary

Monitoring Location/ ID pH Electrical Conductivity

(µs/cm) Total Suspended Solids (mg/L)

W1 X X X W2 X X X W4 X X X W5 X X X W6 X X X W7 X X X W8 X X X W9 X X X W10 X X X

All surface water samples were collected and analysed in accordance with or referenced to the following documents:

NSW OEH’s Approved Methods for Sampling and Analysis of Water Pollutants in New South Wales (2004);

AS/NZS 5667.1 (1998) Water Quality – Sampling – Guidance on the Design of Sampling Programs, Sampling Techniques and the Preservation and Handling of Samples;

AS/NZS 5667.6 (1998) Water Quality – Sampling – Guidance on the Sampling of Rivers and Streams;

AS/NZS 5667.4 (1998) Guidance on sampling from lakes, natural and manmade;

NATA Accredited In-house Method Q4-AN(EV)-336 PR41 Water Sampling Rivers, Streams and Dams;

NATA Accredited In-house Method Q4AN(EV)-332-WI3 Horiba D54 Field pH Meter – Standard Checks, Calibration and Measurement, and;

NATA Accredited In-house Method Q4AN(EV)-332-WI2 Horiba Conductivity Meter – D54 Standard Solution Checks, Calibration and Measurement.

3.2 Assessment Criteria Surface waters were assessed in accordance with default trigger values for physical and chemical stressors for southeast Australia in the Australian and New Zealand Guidelines for Fresh and Marine Water Quality (ANZECC, 2000). These values are:

pH in the range of 6.5 - 8.5 (Table 3.3.2, lowland river);

Electrical conductivity (EC) in the range of 125 – 2200 µS/cm (Table 3.3.3, lowland river); and

Total suspended solids (TSS) below 50 mg/L (Table 8.2.12, Lowland River).

9


3.3 Results Surface water quality monitoring was conducted on 20 December 2016. Monthly monitoring results for pH, EC and TSS are presented in Table 6 and Figure 4,

Figure 5 and Figure 6; results in bold type indicate exceedances of the adopted criteria. Analytical reports, field sheets and chain of custody documentation are presented in Appendix B. Table 6 Monthly Surface Water Monitoring Results- December 2016

Station pH Electrical

Conductivity (µs/cm)

Total Suspended Solids (mg/L)

W1 ^ ^ ^

W2 8.2 550 16

W4 7.6 1500 10

W5 * * *

W6 ^ ^ ^

W7 * * *

W8 * * *

W9 * * *

W10 * * * Criteria 6.5 – 8.5 125 - 2200 <50 Results in bold indicate exceedances of adopted assessment criteria * dry or insufficient water ^ no suitable access point

pH field measurement by In-house Method Q4AN(EV)-332-WI3. EC by In-house method Q4AN(EV)-332-WI2.

Results have been rounded in accordance with the In-house methods as stated above, original results are presented in Appendix B – Field Sheets.

10


Figure 4 Mt Pleasant Surface Water pH

Figure 5 Mt Pleasant Surface Water EC

6.0

6.5

7.0

7.5

8.0

8.5

W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W8 W9 W10

pH

Sites

Mt Pleasant Surface Water 2016 - pH

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

0

500

1000

1500

2000

2500

3000

W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W8 W9 W10

EC (u

S/cm

)

Sites

Mt Pleasant Surface Water 2016 - EC

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

11


Figure 6 Mt Pleasant Surface Water TSS

3.4 Discussion Five of the nine monitoring locations were found to be dry or had insufficient water on the sampling day. W1 and W6 were not sampled as no suitable access point was identified. All sites sampled met the adopted criteria during December 2016.

0

200

400

600

800

1000

1200

1400

1600

1800

2000

W1 W2 W3 W4 W5 W8 W9 W10

TSS

(mg/

L)

Sites

Mt Pleasant Surface Water 2016 - TSS

January

February

March

April

May

June

July

August

September

October

November

December

12


4.0 Groundwater Quality

4.1 Methodology Quarterly sampling of groundwater is undertaken for pH and electrical conductivity. The groundwater sampling program is summarised in Table 7. Table 7 MTP Quarterly Groundwater Summary

Monitoring Location / ID pH Electrical Conductivity (µs/cm)

WRA6U X X

WRA6L X X

WRA5U X X

WRA5L X X

WRA4U X X

WRA4L X X

WRA3U X X

WRA3L X X

WRA2U X X

WRA2L X X

WRA1U X X

WRA1L X X

MPBH3 (Bore 2) X X

MPBH2 X X

MPBH1 (Bore3) X X

3500B500 (L) X X

3500B500 (S) X X

3500C500 (L) X X

3500C500 (S) X X

4500F000 X X

5000D000 X X

5500D000 X X

6000C000 (L) X X

6000C000 (S) X X

6500F500L X X

6500F500M X X

6500F500U X X

6500F625 X X

7000D000U X X

7000D000L X X

7500F000 X X

Bore 6500F625 could not be located. Bores WRA4L and WRA4U are no longer in place.

13


Sampling was conducted in accordance with the Department of Planning and Environment document Groundwater Monitoring Guidelines for Mine Sites within the Hunter Region, as adapted from AS 5667.11 (1998) Guidance on sampling of ground waters and AS/NZS 5667.1 (1998) Water Quality – Sampling – Guidance on the Design of Sampling Programs, Sampling Techniques and the Preservation and Handling of Samples. Where monitoring bores could not be practically purged due to depth, large well volumes or slow recharge rates, water was extracted to achieve stability in field measurements before samples were extracted.

4.2 Assessment Criteria Groundwater quality will be assessed against historical baseline data. A change in standing water level of > 20 % from the previous measurement was adopted as an assessment criterion.

4.3 Results

Sampling did not occur during Decemer 2016. The next sampling event is scheduled for February 2017

AECOM



Appendix A

Dust Deposition - Analytical Report, Field

Sheets and Chain of Custody Documentation

AECOM



A-1

Appendix A Dust Deposition - Analytical Report, Field Sheets and Chain of Custody Documentation

Origin:

Description : Dust Deposition Samples Date :

Report To :

06-Jan-17

Copy to: FILE

Sample

Number

Insoluble

Matter

g/m .month

Ash

g/m .month

Page 1 of 1

Project: 60341537

Sampling : 18-Nov-16

2 2

32 Days)(20-Dec-16To

Report :

Ralph Brown

AECOM

5/11 McIntosh Drive, Mayfield West, NSW 2304

Phone 02 49677880

St Patricks Commercial Centre, Queen Street Singleton NSW 2330

Combustible

Matter

g/m .month2

DUST DEPOSITION REPORT

12710-0

D1 2.8 1.2 1.6

D3 2.0 1.3 0.7

D4 2.5 1.3 1.2

D5 6.3 2.2 4.1

D6 2.2 1.2 1.0

D7 4.7 2.4 2.3

D8 2.9 2.1 0.8

D9 1.9 1.3 0.6

D10 2.2 1.1 1.1

D11 3.3 1.6 1.7

D12 0.7 0.3 0.4

D13 2.1 1.1 1.0

D14 6.3 3.6 2.7

Reported By:__________________

Determined in Accordance With: AS3580.10.1

(Section 8 Only)

Sample Times & Funnel Dimensions supplied by client

Results expressed as a 30 day month

Accredited for compliance with

ISO/IEC 17025 - Testing

NATA Accredited Laboratory 18079

Michael Campbell

AECOM



Appendix B

Surface Water - Analytical Report, Field

Sheets and Chain of Custody Documentation

AECOM



B-1

Appendix B Surface Water - Analytical Report, Field Sheets and Chain of Custody Documentation

Description: Date: 23-Dec-16

Report to:

Sample Description TSS

mg/L

pH Conductivity

µS/cm

Sample No TDS

mg/L

Sampled

Page 1 of 1

5/11 McIntosh Drive, Mayfield West, NSW 2304

Phone: 02 49677880

Client: AECOM

Project No: 60341537

Received: 21-Dec-16

Ralph Brown

St Patricks Commercial Centre, Queen Street Singleton NSW 2330

WATER ANALYSIS REPORT

12712-0Report No.:

33492 W2 - Hunter Central Site 1620-Dec-1612:20

33493 W4 - Muscle Creek 1020-Dec-1613:45

Reported By:

Determined in accordance with:APHA Methods for Conductivity (2510 B),pH (4500-H B),TSS (2540 D) & TDS (2540 C)+

Accredited for compliance with

ISO/IEC 17025 - Testing

NATA Accredited Laboratory 18079

Michael Campbell

1. Sampled by Client 2. Recommended preservation time was exceeded for pH

Note:

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