An Annual Environmental Report (AER) is required for all mining projects conducted under the Mining Act 1976 that have the AER condition imposed on the relevant tenements while the tenement(s) remain live. The report is to be concise and provide information on areas described within the guidance notes provided within the EARS2 system.
Objectives of the Annual Environmental Report
- To concisely document the major mining activities for the reporting year and proposed activities for the following year;
- To concisely document environmental management and rehabilitation activities for the reporting year and proposed activities and developments in the following year;
- To encourage operators to conduct an environmental risk analysis of the project;
- To assist operators in monitoring their own compliance and performance;
- Encourage operators to be prepared for mine closure through reviewing the status of rehabilitation and closure planning;
- To provide basic information to the Department about the extent of mining operations in the State and the standard of environmental management and closure planning being achieved.
Definitions
| APPROVED DISTURBANCE | Area (ha) approved under the Mining Act 1978 or Environmental Protection Act 1986 if operating under a State Agreement Act. |
| CARE & MAINTENANCE | All mining operations suspended, site being maintained and monitored. |
| DECOMMISSIONING | Mine site undergoing demolition, reshaping, completion of rehabilitation and monitoring. |
| DISTURBED | Area where vegetation has been cleared and/or topsoil (surface cover) removed. |
| LIFE OF MINE | Expected duration of mining and processing operations. |
| MINE ACTIVITY TYPE | A feature created during mining or exploration activity, e.g. waste dumps, haul roads, access roads, ROM, plant site, TSF, borrow pits, drill pads, stockpiles, office blocks, accomodation village etc. |
| ORTHOPHOTOGRAPHY | Use of aerial photography to measure areas of disturbance. |
| PITS | All open excavations including active mineral rock, gravel, sand, clay, bauxite and salt-pan extraction areas. |
| PRELIMINARY EARTHWORKS | Reshaping, capping, water/wind erosion control, rock armouring. |
| PREVIOUS DISTURBANCE | Area (ha) disturbance prior to the reporting period (does not include disturbance that has occurred during reporting period). |
| PROJECT | The total integrated mining operations in which a number of sites contribute to the overall operation to supply ore, processing facilities and disposal of waste products. |
| REHABILITATED | Areas are safe, have demonstrated stability under representative climatic conditions, non-polluting and support a functioning, self-sustaining ecosystem comprising local native species. |
| RELINQUISHED | Agreed closure criteria met, government "sign-off" achieved, all obligations under the Mining Act 1978 removed and bonds retired. |
| REPORTING PERIOD | Twelve month period from reporting month as specified in tenement conditions e.g. if reporting month is June, reporting period would be June - May. |
| REPORTING PERIOD DISTURBANCE | Area (ha) of disturbance that has occurred during reporting period. |
| REVEGETATION | Establishment of self-sustaining vegetation cover after earthworks have been completed. |
| TASK REGISTER | List of actions required to close a mine site. |
| TENEMENT | Land tenure granted under the Mining Act 1978 e.g. Mining Lease, Exploration Licence, Prospecting Licence, Miscellaneous Licence, General Purpose Lease. |
| TOTAL DISTURBANCE | Sum of Previous Disturbance and Reporting Period Disturbance. |
| WASTE DUMPS | Includes all mullock and waste rock disposal areas. |
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