April 2001
Clarence Colliery Lease Extension
Comments of the Environmental Impact Statement
by Blue Mountains Conservation Society
1. Impact on the Natural Environment
The Society has special concerns about the possible impact the
mine extensions will have on the Blue Mountains National Park,
particularly CCL705 and EL5072, which adjoin the Park. In light
of the response to uranium mining in
Kakadu National Park and the threat to its World Heritage
status, a similar situation should be avoided here. World
Heritage status is not a permanent gift and can be revoked which
would have a detrimental effect on tourism for the whole of the
Blue Mountains and nearby areas.
The Society is satisfied that the mining methods of first workings
and partial extraction do not incur appreciable subsidence, unlike
more drastic extraction methods which we oppose. We note that
certain areas (Figure 5.6) of high environmental value or under
roads, rail-lines etc have been designated for these low risk
extraction methods only but we feel these are inadequate. It is
our intention that once mining has been completed in EL5072,(stages
1,2) we shall be pressuring to have this area included within
the Blue Mountains National Park. At present this area is an obvious
intrusion into the National Park and the borders should be re-drawn
to include it. Consequently we are anxious that the pristine quality
of this area should be preserved.
The proximity of CCL705 to the National Park and the likewise
possible inclusion of parts of it into the National Park also
impose the same restrictions. National parks officers have indicated
that severe mine subsidence would rule out the inclusion of an
area into the park for safety reasons. The areas designated in
Fig. 5.6 for low extraction methods in other parts of the proposed
extension are quite extensive but we feel a better solution would
be to impose these restrictions on the whole of the mining lease.
We do not believe this will affect the economic viability of the
operations. The EIS admits that full extraction methods can lead
up to 1 metre of subsidence which would permanently and irreversibly
damage the environment, its tourist potential, pose a threat to
World Heritage status and have a detrimental effect on the catchment
and thus the water supply to Lithgow.
Recommendation: that all mining in the proposed extension area be restricted
to the first workings and partial extraction methods and that
no full extraction methods be permitted
The Society has concerns about the quality of water currently
being discharged into the Wollangambie River(which flows through
the World Heritage area) although we note the adherence of the
company to EPA criteria. There seems to be an abnormal growth
of slime mould which may be attributed to higher than usual values
of soluble manganese and iron in the discharge water. We note
(page 4-7) that a new water management system is being considered
but we feel that this should be an integral part of the application
process. The preferred system being considered by the company
to pump all the mine water into the Farmer’s Creek/Cox’s River
system has appeal.The company attributes its current water problems
to bad mining practices by the former owners which reinforces
our suggestion that no full extraction should be permitted. The
quality and quantity of water made available to the Lithgow City
Council could be affected by severe subsidence in the catchment
areas.
The Society is satisfied with the flora and fauna
study undertaken and would agree that low impact mining methods
(first extraction, partial extraction) would have no significant
impact on species numbers or diversity. To maintain this situation,
no full extraction methods must be permitted. Of concern for flora
and fauna is the number of recreational vehicles (4WDs and trail-bikes)
using tracks and roads within the current Newnes State Forest
and we would hope that more of this area will be incorporated
into National Parks.