Google News Alert for: auger mining
Lake Macquarie under threat from coal mine
Green Left Weekly - Chippendale,NSW,Australia
The western side of Lake Macquarie faces a real prospect of more open-cut and auger coal mining. (Unlike open-cut or underground mining, the auger mining ...
From Green Left on line........
http://www.greenleft.org.au/2009/791/40748
AUSTRALIA
Lake Macquarie under threat from coal mine
Katherine Bronte, Lake Macquarie
18 April 2009
In an era of climate change, global warming, high carbon emissions and with renewable energy coming to the fore, it is astounding that a proposal for another “open cut” coal mine is set to reach the NSW planning department.
On March 14, Centennial Coal held an open day at Blackalls Park Public School. The purpose was to inform residents of its proposal to develop the Olstan mine in bushland near the Lake Macquarie towns of Blackalls Park, Fassifern, Awaba and Toronto.
This was a part of Centennial Coal’s community consultation strategy. Over 200 concerned residents attended, surprising the company’s representatives.
Located just south-west of Newcastle, Lake Macquarie is a not only one of the largest salt water lakes in Australia, it is also home to one of the fastest growing cities in NSW. It is the eighth most populous city in Australia.
Lake Macquarie is surrounded by beautiful beaches, the ocean and the Watagan Mountains. The city is a natural playground for bushwalking, camping, picnicking, fishing, surfing and sailing.
There are over 100 accommodation outlets and Lake Macquarie welcomes about 900,000 visitors a year, according to the Lake Macquarie City Council’s website.
However, this idyllic lifestyle and environment is under threat.
The western side of Lake Macquarie faces a real prospect of more open-cut and auger coal mining. (Unlike open-cut or underground mining, the auger mining technique involves drilling directly into a coal seam lying close to the surface.)
Already this area has been exposed to many violations from mining companies. The villages of Fassifern and Wakefield/Killingworth have open cut coal mines close by.
The western side of the lake simply cannot tolerate another open-cut coal mine. Centennial Coal, for example, was responsible for the Fassifern auger mine and the devastation of the nearby environment.
Centennial’s proposed Olstan mine is classified as auger mining. However, opponents point out the mine will have pits more than 40 metres wide. They argue the mine is really a form of “open-cut” as there will be extensive excavation and damage to the environment.
Community groups like No Open Cut Mine For Awaba (NOCMFA), United Residents Group for the Environment of Lake Macquarie (URGE) and South Communities Against Mining are outraged by the new mine proposal.
In 2005-06 these groups, and the Lake Macquarie community, fought and won the battle against another Centennial Coal plan for an open-cut coal mine in the Awaba and Cooranbong area.
At first, Centennial Coal was very low-key with its process of “community consultation” about the Olstan mine. Awaba residents received notification via a mailbox drop.
Media releases printed in local papers were considered enough for other residents affected by the new mine proposal. Due to strong public pressure from NOCMFA, Centennial changed its approach and finally contacted shopkeepers to carry flyers for the upcoming event.
Centennial Coal has “identified” the Olstan project as requiring development approval under the controversial Part 3A of the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979.
There is a curious history behind the plan. In February 2007, then planning minister Frank Sartor prohibited open-cut mining in the Lake Macquarie local government area under the State Environmental Planning Policy (Mining, Petroleum Production and Extractive Industries) 2007 act.
The concerns about the mine include exposure to dust particles and other health risks said Peter Morris, president of URGE.
According to Morris, the effects of wind-borne dust from the mine poses the greatest threat to the greatest number of people. Fine dust particles “can easily spread 10km in a mild wind”, Morris said.
There are other major concerns echoed by community groups. Craig Williams of NOCMFA told Green Left Weekly: “The noise from excavation work, blasting, clearing, truck movements and everything else we see in any typical open-cut type of mining operation will make life unbearable for these people.”
And of course there is the obvious environmental damage that is associated with open-cut mining — pollution to the lake, damage to Palmers Creek and extensive clearing and removal of vegetation, impacting on the residents and native wildlife.
Centennial Coal is preparing a new environmental assessment and more community open days will be arranged to counter the strong public backlash against the proposal.
[For more information on the campaign contact Dave Snedden (NOCMFA) DavidSnedden_NOCMFA@hotmail.com; Craig Williams (NOCMFA) craig.williams@pacific.net.au; Peter Morris (URGE) urgelakemac@people.net.au; or visit http://savinglakemacquarie.blogspot.com.]
Monday, April 20, 2009
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
News Article from the STAR - please comment
New mine for western side
KYLIE ADORANTI
8/04/2009 4:00:00 AM
http://www.newcastlestar.com.au/news/local/news/general/new-mine-for-western-side/1479772.aspx?storypage=0
KYLIE ADORANTI
8/04/2009 4:00:00 AM
http://www.newcastlestar.com.au/news/local/news/general/new-mine-for-western-side/1479772.aspx?storypage=0
Sunday, March 22, 2009
A reply from Centennial...
RESPONSE TO COORANBONG GAZETTE
PROPOSED OLSTAN MINE
20/03/09
How many job positions will be created as part of the Olstan Project?
It is anticipated the proposed Olstan Mine will generate approximately 40
operational and 15 construction jobs.
Will the construction jobs be at the commencement of the project only, or
will they exist for the full duration of the project?
The construction jobs generated by the proposed Olstan Mine will be at the
commencement of the project.
How many of these job positions will be fill by residents within the Lake
Macquarie area?
Centennial Coal employs over 800 people across its 5 local mine sites, 65% of
our employees live in the Lake Macquarie area.
How many of these job positions are like to go to people with specialists
skills brought in from outside the area?
Less than 15% of the jobs generated by the proposed Olstan Mine require
‘specialist skills’ and many of these specialists most likely in the Hunter region.
How many of these job positions are likely to be filled by existing
Centennial Coal employees/contractors?
The jobs generated by the proposed Olstan Mine will be in addition to
Centennial’s current workforce.
What is the expected volume of coal that will be exposed and recovered
from the digging of the access trenches?
Excavation of an access pit is required to establish access to the coal seam. The
amount of coal recovered from these access pits will be known when various
technical studies have been finished and there is a final mine design.
What is the expected volume of coal that will be extracted by the augering
process of the exposed coal seams?
The proposed Olstan Mine is a three-year project extracting up to 1.5million
tonnes.
2
Will a Community Consultative Committee be set up for this specific
project?
The establishment of a formal Community Consultative Committee for the
proposed Olstan Mine will be a decision for the Department of Planning and
would be included in any consent conditions
Because the proposed Olstan Mine is in the Newstan Lease area, is in the same
geographical area as Newstan’s operations and Newstan is moving to ‘care and
maintenance’ the Newstan CCC will continue to be consulted.
Is it possible that Centennial Coal will apply for more auger mines in the
Lake Macquarie area?
The proposed Olstan Mine is the only auger mine being considered by
Centennial.
Can you rule out the possibility of other future auger mine projects after
Olstan?
Olstan is an important short-term project for Centennial in terms of supplying our
current coal contracts with the local power stations. Centennial’s future in the
Lake Macquarie area, while in initial stages of exploration drilling, lies with our
Awaba East and Mandalong South underground projects.
James Wearne stated on 14 March that it was incorrect that communities
as far away as Valentine and Eleebana would be affected by dust. How can
that be stated with certainty?
Initial results from air and noise assessments indicate under ‘worse case’
scenarios residents from Blackalls Park or Awaba will not be affected by the
proposed Olstan Mine.
The results of all technical studies will be made available to the public through
the Part 3A process once they have been finalised.
Can you provide further information on the former arsenic works that once
existed on the same site as the proposed Olstan Project?
Centennial is aware there is an abandoned arsenic smelter site in the area and
that there could be potential issues with this site.
We need to understand what these issues could be and have therefore engaged
experts in this field to undertake studies on the site. The outcomes of this work
will be incorporated in future consultation with the community.
Where were they specifically located?
The old Arsenic Smelter site is located in the south-western area of the Newstan
lease adjacent to the existing Main Northern Railway
PROPOSED OLSTAN MINE
20/03/09
How many job positions will be created as part of the Olstan Project?
It is anticipated the proposed Olstan Mine will generate approximately 40
operational and 15 construction jobs.
Will the construction jobs be at the commencement of the project only, or
will they exist for the full duration of the project?
The construction jobs generated by the proposed Olstan Mine will be at the
commencement of the project.
How many of these job positions will be fill by residents within the Lake
Macquarie area?
Centennial Coal employs over 800 people across its 5 local mine sites, 65% of
our employees live in the Lake Macquarie area.
How many of these job positions are like to go to people with specialists
skills brought in from outside the area?
Less than 15% of the jobs generated by the proposed Olstan Mine require
‘specialist skills’ and many of these specialists most likely in the Hunter region.
How many of these job positions are likely to be filled by existing
Centennial Coal employees/contractors?
The jobs generated by the proposed Olstan Mine will be in addition to
Centennial’s current workforce.
What is the expected volume of coal that will be exposed and recovered
from the digging of the access trenches?
Excavation of an access pit is required to establish access to the coal seam. The
amount of coal recovered from these access pits will be known when various
technical studies have been finished and there is a final mine design.
What is the expected volume of coal that will be extracted by the augering
process of the exposed coal seams?
The proposed Olstan Mine is a three-year project extracting up to 1.5million
tonnes.
2
Will a Community Consultative Committee be set up for this specific
project?
The establishment of a formal Community Consultative Committee for the
proposed Olstan Mine will be a decision for the Department of Planning and
would be included in any consent conditions
Because the proposed Olstan Mine is in the Newstan Lease area, is in the same
geographical area as Newstan’s operations and Newstan is moving to ‘care and
maintenance’ the Newstan CCC will continue to be consulted.
Is it possible that Centennial Coal will apply for more auger mines in the
Lake Macquarie area?
The proposed Olstan Mine is the only auger mine being considered by
Centennial.
Can you rule out the possibility of other future auger mine projects after
Olstan?
Olstan is an important short-term project for Centennial in terms of supplying our
current coal contracts with the local power stations. Centennial’s future in the
Lake Macquarie area, while in initial stages of exploration drilling, lies with our
Awaba East and Mandalong South underground projects.
James Wearne stated on 14 March that it was incorrect that communities
as far away as Valentine and Eleebana would be affected by dust. How can
that be stated with certainty?
Initial results from air and noise assessments indicate under ‘worse case’
scenarios residents from Blackalls Park or Awaba will not be affected by the
proposed Olstan Mine.
The results of all technical studies will be made available to the public through
the Part 3A process once they have been finalised.
Can you provide further information on the former arsenic works that once
existed on the same site as the proposed Olstan Project?
Centennial is aware there is an abandoned arsenic smelter site in the area and
that there could be potential issues with this site.
We need to understand what these issues could be and have therefore engaged
experts in this field to undertake studies on the site. The outcomes of this work
will be incorporated in future consultation with the community.
Where were they specifically located?
The old Arsenic Smelter site is located in the south-western area of the Newstan
lease adjacent to the existing Main Northern Railway
Monday, March 16, 2009
NOCMFA MEDIA RELEASE
16 March 2009
DEVIL IN THE DETAILS: COMMUNITY REJECTS MINING PROPOSAL
Community members who attended Centennial Coal’s information day at Blackalls Park Public School on Saturday have overwhelmingly rejected Centennial Coal’s proposed Olstan open cut and auger mining proposal.
“Residents who attended were not impressed after they had looked at the company’s posters and listened to staff discuss the project. No one was happy with it: no one wants it. It’s not acceptable because of the impact it will have on people nearby,” said Craig Williams, Publicity Officer for NOCMFA.
“Comments from members of the public present also revealed that Centennial Coal was convicted of an environmental offence in 2006 due to the pollution of waters associated with another open cut auger mining operation nearby. This fact certainly wasn’t part of Centennial’s poster display.”
“The pollution of a creek and part of Lake Macquarie was caused by inadequate water and soil control measures in operation at the Fassifern open cut auger mine,” he said. “The company failed to put its own control program into action: it breached the DPI conditions of approval for mining. The Olstan project proposes mining under Palmers Creek and in some very moist areas subject to flooding. The risks are obvious and outrageous, and the company’s track record is not up to scratch.”
“Clearly, the risks of serious environmental and health impacts are too high and people have rejected the Olstan Project proposal.”
[Environment Protection Authority v Centennial Newstan Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 732 (31 October 2006)]
“The new proposal uses the same augering techniques as the Fassifern Auger Mine. This requires extensive clearing, removal of vegetation, and continual excavation work to expose coal seams. Blasting will also be involved. Basically, all the typical techniques associated with surface open cut type operations will be involved in this project. It is not underground.”
“There are people living in the immediate vicinity of the proposed site and their lives will certainly be disrupted if this proposal proceeds.”
“The noise from excavation work, blasting, clearing, truck movements and everything else we see in any typical open cut type of mining operation will make life unbearable for these people. That is an unacceptable outcome and the project will not proceed.”
FOR COMMENT: PLEASE CONTACT
NO OPEN CUT MINE FOR AWABA
President: Dave Snedden Tel: 0409 778077
Email: DavidSnedden_NOCMFA@hotmail.com
Publicity Officer: Craig Williams Tel: 0421 984002
Email: craig.williams@pacific.net.au
DEVIL IN THE DETAILS: COMMUNITY REJECTS MINING PROPOSAL
Community members who attended Centennial Coal’s information day at Blackalls Park Public School on Saturday have overwhelmingly rejected Centennial Coal’s proposed Olstan open cut and auger mining proposal.
“Residents who attended were not impressed after they had looked at the company’s posters and listened to staff discuss the project. No one was happy with it: no one wants it. It’s not acceptable because of the impact it will have on people nearby,” said Craig Williams, Publicity Officer for NOCMFA.
“Comments from members of the public present also revealed that Centennial Coal was convicted of an environmental offence in 2006 due to the pollution of waters associated with another open cut auger mining operation nearby. This fact certainly wasn’t part of Centennial’s poster display.”
“The pollution of a creek and part of Lake Macquarie was caused by inadequate water and soil control measures in operation at the Fassifern open cut auger mine,” he said. “The company failed to put its own control program into action: it breached the DPI conditions of approval for mining. The Olstan project proposes mining under Palmers Creek and in some very moist areas subject to flooding. The risks are obvious and outrageous, and the company’s track record is not up to scratch.”
“Clearly, the risks of serious environmental and health impacts are too high and people have rejected the Olstan Project proposal.”
[Environment Protection Authority v Centennial Newstan Pty Ltd [2006] NSWLEC 732 (31 October 2006)]
“The new proposal uses the same augering techniques as the Fassifern Auger Mine. This requires extensive clearing, removal of vegetation, and continual excavation work to expose coal seams. Blasting will also be involved. Basically, all the typical techniques associated with surface open cut type operations will be involved in this project. It is not underground.”
“There are people living in the immediate vicinity of the proposed site and their lives will certainly be disrupted if this proposal proceeds.”
“The noise from excavation work, blasting, clearing, truck movements and everything else we see in any typical open cut type of mining operation will make life unbearable for these people. That is an unacceptable outcome and the project will not proceed.”
FOR COMMENT: PLEASE CONTACT
NO OPEN CUT MINE FOR AWABA
President: Dave Snedden Tel: 0409 778077
Email: DavidSnedden_NOCMFA@hotmail.com
Publicity Officer: Craig Williams Tel: 0421 984002
Email: craig.williams@pacific.net.au
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Squirrel Glider
This is a Squirrel Glider. This little fellow and his 'cousins' the Sugar Glider rely on old trees with hollows. Like the Masked Owl, the Squirrel Glider is on the NSW Threatened Species List.
The Squirrel Glider just happens to be my favourite Australian mammal.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
a little bit of info
From the AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT - Department of the Environment and Water Resourses (see link)
Arsenic and its compounds are ranked 10 out of 90 substances.
Health effects
What effect might arsenic and compounds have on my health?
Very high levels of arsenic can result in death. Consumption of lower levels of arsenic can cause digestive tract pain, nausea, vomiting and other stomach disorders, decreased production of red and white blood cells, damage to blood vessels, abnormal heart rhythms, a ‘pins and needles’ feeling in the hands and feet and liver and kidney damage.
Ingesting or inhaling low levels of inorganic arsenic for a long time can cause a darkening of the skin and the appearance of small ‘corns’ or ‘warts’ on the hands, feet and torso. Contact with inorganic arsenic may also cause redness and swelling to the skin.
Studies show that ingestion of inorganic arsenic can increase the risk of skin, lung, bladder, liver, kidney or prostate cancer. Inhalation of inorganic arsenic can increase the risk of lung cancer. Inorganic arsenic is a recognised human carcinogen, a substance capable of causing cancer.
Some studies have indicated that long-term exposure to low levels of arsenic in children may result in lower IQ scores. Children may be less efficient at converting inorganic arsenic to the less toxic organic arsenic. For this reason, children may be more susceptible to health effects than adults.
Some evidence exists that inhaled or ingested arsenic can affect pregnant women and their unborn babies. Large doses that cause illness to the pregnant females can also cause low birth weight, foetal malformations or foetal death. Arsenic can cross the placenta and may be found in foetal tissues. Arsenic has also been found at low levels in breast milk.
Arsenic and its compounds are ranked 10 out of 90 substances.
Health effects
What effect might arsenic and compounds have on my health?
Very high levels of arsenic can result in death. Consumption of lower levels of arsenic can cause digestive tract pain, nausea, vomiting and other stomach disorders, decreased production of red and white blood cells, damage to blood vessels, abnormal heart rhythms, a ‘pins and needles’ feeling in the hands and feet and liver and kidney damage.
Ingesting or inhaling low levels of inorganic arsenic for a long time can cause a darkening of the skin and the appearance of small ‘corns’ or ‘warts’ on the hands, feet and torso. Contact with inorganic arsenic may also cause redness and swelling to the skin.
Studies show that ingestion of inorganic arsenic can increase the risk of skin, lung, bladder, liver, kidney or prostate cancer. Inhalation of inorganic arsenic can increase the risk of lung cancer. Inorganic arsenic is a recognised human carcinogen, a substance capable of causing cancer.
Some studies have indicated that long-term exposure to low levels of arsenic in children may result in lower IQ scores. Children may be less efficient at converting inorganic arsenic to the less toxic organic arsenic. For this reason, children may be more susceptible to health effects than adults.
Some evidence exists that inhaled or ingested arsenic can affect pregnant women and their unborn babies. Large doses that cause illness to the pregnant females can also cause low birth weight, foetal malformations or foetal death. Arsenic can cross the placenta and may be found in foetal tissues. Arsenic has also been found at low levels in breast milk.
Monday, March 9, 2009
OWLS at risk........
These Photos are taken by Mick Todd.
Masked Owls and Powerful Owls are only two of many bird species at risk if an open cut mine goes ahead. The Owls use the hollows of old growth trees as nesting sites.
The Masked Owl and the Powerful Owl are on the NSW Threatened Species List
www.threatenedspecies.environment.nsw.gov.au
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