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Mine Water Discharges into Rivers and Stream in the Fitzroy Basin
Background
During
the Jan-Feb 2010 rain event up to 18 coal mines in Central Qld
have been discharging mine pit water into the creeks and rivers that
flow into the fitzroy River. Of these, six have advised the Dept
of Environment and Resource Management (DERM) that they have exceeded
some of the limits of their Environmenal Authorities.DERM advised members of the Fitzroy Water Quality Advisory Group (FWQAG) verbally on 25 Feb and by email on 1 March of the details of these breaches. CCC is a member of the FWQAG and we have consistently asked for DERM to make this information available to the public. Here is the information provided to us:-
Peak Downs released a flow (unknown quantity) into Ripstone Ck with an EC of 1800 which was below the limit of 3000 uS/cm. The problem was that the release should only be allowed when there is a passing flow of 86 ML per day in Ripstone Ck and this was not the case. Upon commencement of discharge of mine affected water on 18 February Peak Downs was exceeding the authorised rate of discharge though quality parameters were within specification. Though discharge stopped briefly alt last week Peak Downs has notified it has recommenced and that its most recent monitoring has indicated an Electrical Conductivity of 3050uS/cm, in excess of the licence limit of 3000. The mine has advised it has released this water to minimise the potential for release of water with a higher electrical conductivity.
Morevale released 20 ML into Devlin Ck with a salinity Electrical Conductivity (EC) of 2800 uS/cm to 3800 uS/cm which is above their EA limit of 2500 uS/cm. 2500 is the interim limit. The creek length is about 10 km to its junction with the Isaac River.
Moranbah North Coal Mine Late on Thursday afternoon DERM was advised of a release from Moranbah North Coal Mine. Monitoring carried out has indicated that the Electrical Conductivity of the discharge has ranged from 4000uS/cm to 5100uS/cm, as compared to a licence limit of 1500uS/cm. Monitoring in the Isaacs River downstream of the release shows an Electrical Conductivity less than 600uS/cm.
Blackwater Coal Mine Discharge over a three hour period occurred where Electrical Conductivity exceeded the licence limit of 1500uS/cm. A result of 1817uS/cm was obtained.
Rolleston have stopped releasing at present. What they did discharge had a salinity of 400 which was better than their allowable limit of 1500 but the Suspended Solids (i.e. mud) was between 1000 mg/L and 8400 mg/L which exceeded their limit of 1200 mg/L. Xstrata have asked DERM for a Transitional Environmental Program (TEP) to allow them to change their release point to a different location on the mine site and to increase their suspended solids limit up to 1800 mg/L. This TEP is required up until 28 May 2010.
Blair Athol Discharge over a two day period, with a total of 0.017 ML, indicated a maximum Electrical Conductivity of 1900uS/cm and a maximum Sulphate level of 530 mg/L. This compares to licence limits of 1500 and 500 respectively.
Below is the sanitised version of these breaches which is all that DERM will put on its website. Judge for yourself whether you think the government is giving us the full picture.
Update from the Department of Environment and Resource Management 2 March 2010
To date, the Department of Environment and Resource Management has been notified of discharges from eighteen coal mines across the Fitzroy River basin as a result of heavy rain during February.
Six of these mines have advised they have breached their licence conditions. These mines are:
• Blackwater Coal Mine,
• Peak Downs Coal Mine,
• Moorvale Coal Mine,
• Moranbah North Coal Mine
• Rolleston Coal Mine and
• Blair Athol Mine.
While three of these mines have ceased discharging, the remaining three – Moranbah North Coal Mine, Moorvale Coal Mine and Peak Downs Coal Mine – are continuing to discharge.
Peak Downs Coal Mine discharged water at a greater rate and into a lower flow than authorised for a period of approximately 7 days. The mine advised the department that this action was taken to minimise the potential for discharge of water with a much higher EC. After ceasing discharge for a short time, discharge recommenced with the Electrical Conductivity (EC) slightly higher than the limit set in the licence.
Moorvale Coal Mine notified the department it had discharged water with a higher EC and pH than allowed under its Environmental Authority. This discharge commenced on 18/02/2010 and is ongoing. The pH of the water came within licence limits within 2 days of the discharge starting.
Moranbah North Coal Mine is discharging from two points, to the Isaac River, with an EC above licence limits. These notifications have been more recent, with one discharge commencing on Monday 1 March following heavy rain on 28 February. DERM will be undertaking monitoring of EC in the Isaac River as part of its investigations into these releases.
Blackwater Coal Mine advised the department that it had discharged mine affected water, over a 3 hour period, with an EC higher than licence conditions.
Rolleston Coal Mine advised that it discharged mine affected water which breached its allowable suspended solids limit over an 8 day period.
Blair Athol Mine released a relatively small volume of approximately 17,000 litres over a 3 day period with an EC and sulphate level above licence conditions.
DERM is investigating all releases from coal mines as a result of the recent heavy rains.