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Project Detail

Project number 3045/5
Project name

Galaxy Resources propose to clear up to 15 hectares of remnant native vegetation on cleared agricultural land, located approximately 1 kilometre north-west of Ravensthorpe (GIS Database). The application area totals approximately 480 hectares.

The proposed clearing will allow Galaxy Resources to commence mining operations (colloquially termed the Ravensthorpe Spodumene Project). The project will involve establishing an open cut pit and constructing associated infrastructure including a tailings storage facility, waste dump, processing plant, access roads and stockpile areas (Keith Lindbeck and Associates, 2009). Vegetation will be cleared via mechanical means and vegetation and topsoil will be stockpiled separately for use in rehabilitation works (Keith Lindbeck and Associates, 2009).
Project status Current
Proponent(s) Galaxy Resources Limited
Project location

M 7400244

Project bioregion(s) Esperance Plains
Assessment criteria (e) it is significant as a remnant of native vegetation in an area that has been extensively cleared.
Residual impact

Beard Vegetation Associations 142 and 352 have been mapped for the area and are poorly represented at the bioregional and subregional level (12.5% and 28.6% remaining, respectively). An offset proposal is required to offset the loss of these vegetation types, both of which are deemed to be critical assets as there is less than 30% of the pre-European extent remaining.
Offset conditions

Offsets
9. If part or all of the clearing to be done is or may be at variance with one or more of the clearing principles, then the Permit Holder must implement an offset in accordance with Conditions 9(a) and 9(b) of this Permit with respect to that clearing.

(a) Determination of offsets:

(i) in determining the offset to be implemented with respect to a particular area of native vegetation proposed to be cleared under this Permit, the Permit Holder must have regard to the offset principles contained in Condition 9(b) of this Permit;
(ii) once the Permit Holder has developed an offset proposal, the Permit Holder must provide that offset proposal to the Executive Director, Environment, Department of Mines and Petroleum, for the Executive Director, Environment, Department of Mines and Petroleum’s approval prior to undertaking any clearing to which the offset relates, and prior to implementing the offset;
(iii) clearing may not commence until and unless the Executive Director, Environment, Department of Mines and Petroleum has approved the offset proposal to which the clearing relates;
(iv) the Permit Holder shall implement the offset proposal approved under Condition 9(a)(iii); and
(v) each offset proposal shall include a direct offset, timing for implementation of the offset proposal and may additionally include contributing offsets.

(b) For the purpose of this Condition, the offset principles are as follows:

(i) direct offsets should directly counterbalance the loss of the native vegetation;
(ii) contributing offsets should complement and enhance the direct offset;
(iii) offsets are implemented only once all avenues to avoid, minimise, rectify or reduce environmental impacts have been exhausted;
(iv) the environmental values, habitat, species, ecological community, physical area, ecosystem, landscape, and hydrology of the offset should be the same as, or better than, that of the area of native vegetation being offset;
(v) a ratio greater than 1:1 should be applied to the size of the area of native vegetation that is offset to compensate for the risk that the offset may fail;
(vi) offsets must entail a robust and consistent assessment process;
(vii) in determining an appropriate offset, consideration should be given to ecosystem function, rarity and type of ecological community, vegetation condition, habitat quality and area of native vegetation cleared;
(viii) the offset should either result in no net loss of native vegetation, or lead to a net gain in native vegetation and improve the condition of the natural environment;
(ix) offsets must satisfy all statutory requirements;
(x) offsets must be clearly defined, documented and audited;
(xi) offsets must ensure a long-term (10-30 year) benefit; and
(xii) an environmental specialist must be involved in the design, assessment and monitoring of offsets.
Statutory process EP Act Clearing (Part V)
Approved project area (ha) 15.0

Decision(s):

DECISION 1
Date: 2012-07-12 Ministerial statement: None
OFFSET 1
Condition status: Current
Type(s): Rehabilitation
Rationale:

As an offset to the clearing of 15 hectares of remnant vegetation, Galaxy Resources Limited is proposing to progressively rehabilitate the Tailings Storage Facility (26.6 hectares) during and after the completion of the Project and rehabilitate the proposed Waste Rock Dump (17.4 hectares) upon completion of the project. Therefore, 44 hectares is proposed for rehabilitation with 16 hectares as a direct offset and an additional 29 hectares as a contributing offset, providing ~3:1 ratio. However, if only 4 hectares is cleared as anticipated, the ratio rises to 11:1. Thus, there will not only be no net loss, but there will be a net gain in native vegetation. Further, given the current condition of the vegetation proposed to be cleared, there will be an improvement of the condition of the natural environment.
Security arrangements:

Governance arrangements:

Offset location:

Mining Leases 74/12 and 74/182. Approximately 2 kilometres north-west of Ravensthorpe.
Approved offset area (ha): 44.0
Bioregion(s): Esperance Plains
Delivery agent:

Galaxy Resources Limited
CONDITION MILESTONE 1
Milestone:

The Permit Holder shall implement the offset proposal approved by the Executive Director, Environment, Department of Mines and Petroleum.
Timeframe:

In accordance with the approved offset proposal.
Complete: Unknown
CONDITION MILESTONE 2
Milestone:

To develop an offset proposal, having regard to the offset principles contained in Condition 9(b) of the Clearing Permit, then provide that offset proposal to the Executive Director, Environment, Department of Mines and Petroleum, for approval.
Timeframe:

Prior to undertaking any clearing to which the offset relates, and prior to implementing the offset.
Complete: Yes
IMPLEMENTATION MILESTONE 1
Milestone:

Assessment and Monitoring
i. Galaxy will commission an environmental specialist to assess and monitor the offsets.
ii. Assessment of rehabilitation success will be undertaken annually or more frequently if required, using Landscape Function Analysis (LFA) and additional vegetation monitoring including photopoints.
iii. If annual monitoring indicates that rehabilitation is not progressing as required, reseeding may be undertaken. This reseeding will be augmented by the planting of locally produced tubestock.
iv. If rehabilitation monitoring indicates that weeds have been introduced or spread in areas where they previously did not occur as a result of mining activity, an active weed eradication programme in conjunction with the landowner and the
Ravensthorpe Shire will be undertaken. Advice will also be sought from the Department of Agriculture and Food when appropriate.
Timeframe:

Complete: Unknown
IMPLEMENTATION MILESTONE 2
Milestone:

Preparation
i. Vegetation and topsoil will be removed from areas proposed for disturbance and stockpiled separately.
ii. Topsoil stockpiles from vegetated areas will be located adjacent to and within the footprint of disturbance. The stockpiles will be located and constructed to minimise erosion from rainfall, wind and contamination.
iii. Vegetation stockpiles will be immediately upslope of the topsoil stockpiles to minimise surface water run-on to the topsoil.
iv. This stockpiling arrangement will allow minimal handling and transport of both vegetation and topsoil, hence maintaining integrity and minimising soil losses.
Topsoil cleared from the agricultural land will be stockpiled separately to that from areas of native vegetation. As Declared Weeds and pasture species are located on the agricultural land, placement of this material will be considered carefully so that weed contamination of stockpiles and surrounding areas does not occur. These topsoil stockpiles will be constructed according to the same principles mentioned above. An ongoing weed management program will be undertaken on the topsoil farmland stockpiles including use of herbicides and manual removal to control the development of weed and pasture species. Native plant species will be sown on the topsoil stockpiles in an effort to develop a native plant seed source when the topsoil is re-spread over the reshaped waste rock dump and TSF.
Timeframe:

Complete: Unknown
IMPLEMENTATION MILESTONE 3
Milestone:

Recording and Reporting
Galaxy will maintain all records in relation to clearing and rehabilitation in accordance with the permit conditions and will provide an annual report which will include:
i. The location of any area of offset using a Global Positioning System unit set to Geocentric Datum Australia 1994 (GDA94) expressing the geographical coordinates in Eastings and Northings,
ii. A description of the offset activities undertaken, and
iii. The size of the offset area in hectares.
Timeframe:

Complete: Unknown
IMPLEMENTATION MILESTONE 4
Milestone:

Rehabilitation of the TSF
i. Rehabilitation of the TSF will be undertaken progressively.
ii. As embankment construction is complete, a portion of the topsoil will be recovered and placed in a thin, 100 mm, layer over the outer face of the embankment.
iii. Stockpiled vegetation will be placed over the topsoil.
iv. This area will be ripped and seeded.
v. Seed for direct seeding will be sourced from local remnant vegetation collected by registered seed collectors.
Timeframe:

Complete: Unknown
IMPLEMENTATION MILESTONE 5
Milestone:

Rehabilitation of the Waste Rock Dump
i. All topsoil stored in stockpiles around the waste dump will be loaded, hauled and dumped on the waste dump prior to being spread to a depth of 100 mrn over the surface of the dump by bulldozer.
ii. The side slopes of the stockpile will be ripped on the contour at a maximum spacing of one metre and seeded.
iii. Seed for direct seeding will be sourced from local remnant vegetation collected by registered seed collectors.
iv. Where available, stockpiled cleared vegetation will be spread over the dump.
Timeframe:

Complete: Unknown
IMPLEMENTATION MILESTONE 6
Milestone:

Stock Exclusion
i. Both sites (waste rock dump and TSF) will be fenced to exclude domesticated stock.
ii. Other areas of remnant vegetation may be similarly excluded to increase the area of remnant native vegetation.
Timeframe:

Complete: Unknown
IMPLEMENTATION MILESTONE 7
Milestone:

Weed and Pasture Species Management
i. For all sites prepared for return to native vegetation, at emergence of weed or pasture species, the relevant herbicide will be applied at the appropriate time to remove weeds or pasture species and to encourage native vegetation species.
ii. Where necessary, manual removal of some weed species may be required (such as Saffron Thistle) in conjunction with herbicide use.
iii. Spot spraying and manual removal may be required for an extended period as native plants emerge and establish until native species are dominant.
Timeframe:

Complete: Unknown

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