Licence conditions for pollution studies and reduction program


  

Licence conditions for pollution studies and reduction programs

Summary
 
Licence number: 767
Title: PRP18: Options Assessment - Storm water Treatment to Remove Coal Fines
Start date: 15 May 2023
 
Licence Condition
Background Stormwater from the pit top area and some groundwater from mining activities are stored in the 2 retention basins at the premises: the Settling Pond and the Turkey’s Nest Dam (the dams).  The dams rely on settling to remove coal particles and suspended material (coal fines) prior to reuse on site or discharge. Discharges can contain elevated levels of coal fines. The aim of this PRP is to assess options to upgrade dam infrastructure and stored water treatment to improve the quality of any discharges. Note: The requirements of this PRP may be varied with consideration of the outcomes of the Options Assessment – Prevent of Minimise Turkey’s Nest Dam Discharges condition. Requirements Unless otherwise agreed in writing by the EPA: 1.  By the due date the licensee must propose a suitably qualified and experienced professional (expert) to the EPA with experience in designing and implementing treatment systems which remove coal fines from stormwater. The approved expert must undertake an options assessment of upgraded dam infrastructure and retained water treatment and propose some conceptual designs for systems which could be implemented at the premises. The system should be designed to maximise the removal of coal fines of any discharge. 2.  By the due date the EPA approved professional must undertake an options assessment and submit a report to the EPA for treatment system/s options. 3.  The system assessment report must include, but may not be limited to, a)   chemical flocculation and / or coagulation at one or both of the 2 dams.  This must include High Efficiency Sediment (HES) Basins and associated infrastructure (forebay, dosing system, level spreader, decanting system, and spillway discharge) the premises, and physical treatment. b) physical treatment systems such as filtration and gravity separation The options report must assess, but may not be limited to the following the following considerations: available space, design options and configurations for both dams; infrastructure locations, costs, appropriate dosing systems, suitable chemicals and potential toxicity, expected improvements to discharge water quality, the frequency of discharges, and operation with current management systems e.g. offtake to the washery 4.  The report must include potential conceptual design configurations on site. Due Date: To be determined with consideration of Condition U4 outcomes and Expert advice.