Whitehaven Coal : WCC-CCC Meeting Minutes and Environmental Monitoring Report July 2023

WERRIS CREEK COAL COMMUNITY CONSULTATIVE COMMITTEE

62nd Meeting of the Committee held at the Werris Creek Bowling Club on

Wednesday, 12 July 2023 at 9:30AM

Meeting opened at 9:40AM

Record of Attendance
Michael Smith OAM	Independent Chairperson
Jane Bradford OAM	Independent Minute Taker
Murray O'Keefe	Whitehaven Coal - Operations Manager
Megan Martin	Werris Creek Coal - Environmental Superintendent
Andrew Raal	Werris Creek Coal - Close the Mine Superintendent
Harry Mills	Whitehaven Coal - Environmental Officer
Mike Lomax	Community Representative
Noel Taylor	Community Representative
Lindsay Bridge	Community Representative
Nathan Skelly	Director of Infrastructure & Environmental Services -
	Liverpool Shire Council
APOLOGIES
Jacki Scott	Whitehaven Coal - Manager Community Partnerships &
	Investment
Darren Swain	Whitehaven Coal - General Manager Community
	Engagement
Col Stewart OAM	Community Representative
Non-Attendance
James O'Brien

1. Acknowledgement of Country
2. 
   The Chair acknowledged the Traditional Owners of the land on which the meeting is being held and recognised their continuing connection to the land, water and culture, paying respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.
3. Declaration of Pecuniary or Other Interests
4. 
   The Chair advised that his meeting expenses are borne by the proponent. Other members - Nil
5. Minutes of the previous 61st meeting held on the 8 March 2023 were approved on the 19 April 2023 and distributed to the Committee members on 12 April 2023.
6. Matters Arising - Nil
7. Quarterly Environmental Monitoring Report - February to May 2023 Harry Mills went through the Report with the following comments:
8. 1. Weather Station - Above normal rainfalls this year and winds were average.
   1. Air Quality - Thanks to the wet weather - air quality was good for this period with no complaints received.
   1. Noise Complaints - No complaints received this quarter.
   1. Blast complaints - one received - mild vibration on 23.03.2023.

5.2 Surface Water - Lower rainfall has meant that there has been no need to discharge from site.

6.0 Complaints Summary - two received

11.03.2023 Light Environment Advisor called the complainant back to inform that the site had received the complaint and has reviewed lighting plant locations, aspects and direction.

23.03.2023 Blast Environment Advisor advised complainant that the blast was within compliance limits.

7.0 General Business

7.1 Murray O'Keefe, Operations Manager - Werris Creek provided an update on the mine closure planning.

• Werris Creek is still on track to mine the last coal from the pit in late January 2024

• This should see the last coal processed and loaded on a train in March 2024

• The first of the four (4) excavators and its associated trucks run by the mine parked up at the end of June. They have since been demobilised off site and is moving (via a rebuild) to WHC's Vickery project north of Gunnedah

• The second excavator and associated truck fleet will park up at the end of October 2023. Again, this equipment will be demobilised from Werris Creek and head to the Vickery project

• The third excavator will park with the last ROM coal in January 2024 - its future is presently undecided

• The fourth excavator is likely to remain at Werris Creek as part of the rehabilitation works.

The workforce at Werris Creek is presently around 140 persons in total, down from approximately 170 prior to the first excavator parking up.

• Around 50 workers will move on from Werris Creek with each excavator parking up
• When the last train is loaded another group of approximately 20 workers will depart Werris Creek
• The remaining -20 workers will become part of the longer-term rehabilitation project continuing for a couple of years.

The workers at Werris Creek have been offered continuing employment at another Whitehaven Coal (WHC) site. This includes an offer of relocation assistance if desired OR the offer of company supplied accommodation local to their next role when they are on shift. This second option allows the worker and their family to continue to reside at their current address.

• At this stage -75% of workers have elected to take up relocation with WHC to another operation. The remaining 25% will seek redundancy
• Of the workers seeking to continue with WHC at another operation, the vast majority have indicated they are not going to relocate with their family
  - they will continue to live locally to Werris Creek (Quirindi, Willow Tree or Tamworth etc) and stay in company accommodation whilst on shift.

7.2 Reportable cracks on wall road discovered on 22.02.2023

Werris Creek has been safely working around a known geological hazard since December 2021. On 22.02.2023 some additional cracking was observed near this hazard and a detailed monitoring (slope stability radar) and inspection (statutory mining officials) program was instigated.

Early on Sunday 26.02.2023 this minor cracking was observed to be growing noticeably larger. This was a trigger to remove all personnel from the mine (only maintenance personnel, as this was Saturday night / Sunday morning) and not send day shift operators to work near the hazard area.

At around 08.30am the high wall "failed" resulting in a slip and associated cracking across a mine road. See the below photo:

The above pictured road was the main access in and out of the mine. Over the subsequent weeks the mine worked through a detailed risk-based approach to building a new access road into the active mining areas as well as commencing the task of remediating the failed slope.

As at the time of the CCC meeting, full access and normal operations have resumed. The failed slope area is presently safe and stable, with ongoing 24/7 monitoring in place to ensure any further movement is captured and able to be treated. Photo below is the wall at 12.07.2023.

1. Next Meeting Date and Time Wednesday, 8 November 2023 at 9:30AM
   Venue - Board Room, Werris Creek Coal Mine - a site visit may be considered as part of this meeting.
2. Meeting closed at 11:00AM

Meeting Minutes Approved:

Michael J Silver OAM
Independent Chairperson	Date: 22 August 2023

Environmental Monitoring Report

1st February to 31st May 2023

WERRIS CREEK COAL PTY LTD

QUARTERLY ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING REPORT

February - May 2023

This Environmental Monitoring Report covers the period 1st February to 31st May 2023 for the Werris Creek Coal Mine Community Consultative Committee.

The report includes environmental monitoring results from the on-site Weather Station, Air Quality, Noise, Blasting, Surface Water, Groundwater and Discharge Water Quality together with any community complaints received and general details on site environmental matters.

Note: Elevated monitoring results above the relevant monitoring criteria are highlighted in yellow.

Werris Creek Coal

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