Lake Auger Mine Augurs Ill

Lake Macquarie, one of Australia’s east coast watery treasures, has lived with coal mining and assorted industries for 200 years.

It endured toxic emissions from the “sulphide works” for most of last century, the small mining community of Boolaroo absorbing most of its hazardous surplus that either seeped into Cockle Creek or drifted airborne over that unfortunate village. 

For the last 50 years the Lake has been home to coal-fired power stations, first at Wangi, then Eraring. And forever it was peppered with mine shafts and threaded by railways carting the black booty to Newcastle for local use or sea export. 

These mines and lines in particular it tolerated, not because of boreholes’ tiny footprint, but the scattered townships fringing the Lake shire comprised, of course, coal miners’ families. Now the worst version of coal extraction seeks to set up shop west of the lake, just south of Newstan Colliery at Blackalls Park. 

This is the most central location possible to aggravate bemused residents of this recreational and lifestyle collective clustered around the 174 km shoreline. “Bemused” because the millennial lake population has now only tenuous links to the coal industry. Residents relaxing on the western shore of this magnificent lake rub shoulders with the Hunter region’s wealthier citizens. Marmong, Bolton, Coal and Fishing Points are among the most exclusive locales one might choose to live. 

If for no other reason, Centennial Coal, the proposer of Olstan open cut ‘auger’ coal mine, may have a fight on its hands.

Centennial's Proposal

Olstan, the project’s name, whose expected mine life is 3 years, makes innocuous reading to us mining neophytes. Centennial Coal’s Olstan community project newsletter explains their intent and method lucidly, downloadable from project pages of their website. 

  Images of the Auger machine and aerial view of Olstan are courtesy of Centennial Coal.

Olstan is an open cut underground mine whose footprint appears not much greater than Newstan’s current stain. Centennial intends to cut 4km of access pits 40 meters wide from which “auger” machines will drill horizontally into the coal seam. 

Augers you already know as wood drills, post-hole diggers, or grain pumps, that resemble large metal corkscrews. Oh, and mining buffs will tell you the target seams are the Great Northern and Fassifern deposits. 

After processing coal in a mobile crushing plant at Newstan, the coal will fire “local” power stations. Centennial’s air quality and greenhouse gas assessments focus chiefly on dust. Dust comes from land clearing, quarrying the massive trenches, coal drilling and extraction, coal crushing, stockpiles of loose material, and constant motion of a large number of heavy vehicles and mobile machinery. Dust ‘modelling’ closely studies total suspended particulates (TSP), dust deposition, and fine dust particles. Dust is dust, and the only way to stop it being dusty is keep things wet, and fill holes when finished. 

However, dusts ain't dusts, Sol. Specifically, risks from finer dust particles have alarmed astute lakeside residents and provoked a media statement - with comprehensive analysis and citations – presented verbatim, below.

78,000 PEOPLE IN LAKE MACQUARIE AT RISK FROM MINE DUST

A community group has spoken out about the risk posed by dust from an open cut auger mine proposed by the Centennial Coal Company.

According to Peter Morris, President of the United Residents Group for the Environment of Lake Macquarie, (URGE) there are 78,000 people living within 10km of the Blackalls Park site.

 URGE has compiled census data showing how many people would be affected in various suburbs.

The affected population would include nearly all of western Lake Macquarie and stretches around the north of the lake as far as Belmont,” Mr Morris said. This is the first time a mine like this has ever been proposed near so many people.”

According to Mr Morris, the affected population would include 6,000 at Eleebana, 8,000 at Warners Bay and Lakelands, 6,000 at Valentine and nearly 4,000 at Belmont.” There would also be people affected at West Wallsend, Cameron Park, Edgeworth, Speers Point, Boolaroo, Argenton, Glendale, Macquarie Hills, Mount Hutton, Floraville, and Croudace Bay. The dangerous mine dust is called Particulate Matter, or PM, and classified according to its size.

The larger particles are called PM10 and it would take seven of these to equal the thickness of a human hair. The greatest risk comes from the smaller PM2.5, which is small enough to be drawn deep into the lungs. It leads to increased respiratory symptoms, aggravation of asthma and premature death. The effects are worst on infants, children, adolescents and the elderly, particularly those with respiratory problems, heart conditions or diabetes. According to Mr Morris, studies have found that fine particle pollution causes premature deaths by making lungs more vulnerable to infection.

“Recent studies have found that for longer-term exposure there is a direct relationship between levels of PM2.5 pollution and death rates,” said Mr Morris. It has also been found that daily mortality rates are linked to daily PM2.5 levels. It has even been found that PM pollution directly contributes to cot deaths.”

A review of national air quality guidelines has been told that there is no safe level of exposure to PM2.5 The new mine would add to ambient levels of PM2.5 in the air, so it follows that there will be an increased risk of illness and death. Removal of topsoil and overburden are the two greatest sources of dust from open cut mining operations. PM is easily entrained when wind speeds reach 19km/hr. over bare ground and stockpiles.

Finer particles remain suspended for longer,” said Mr Morris. “This is why so many suburbs would be at risk, even across the lake from the mine.”

The science behind dust fallout can be complex, but recent research in the United States shows that a simple linear model of dust dispersion based on wind direction is valid when dust is from a single source and travels over flat terrain.

This is why the risk extends to Warners Bay and beyond,” Mr Morris said. With what is known about dispersal of PM2.5, everyone within 10km should be concerned,” said Mr Morris.

URGE and other groups have joined forces to oppose the mine. There will be a meeting at the Public School in Charles St Blackalls Park, 6:30pm for a 7:00 start, on 14 May 2009. The public meeting is being called by:

• SCAM – Southlake Communities Against the Mine
• NOCMFA – No Open Cut Mine For Awaba
• URGE – United Residents Group for the Environment of Lake Macquarie.

INFORMATION ON DISPERSION AND EFFECTS OF PARTICULATE MATTER (pm)

Health Impacts of PM * National Pollution Inventory at the Dept. of Environment – Particulate matter PM causes increased respiratory symptoms, aggravation of asthma and premature deaths. The risks are highest for sensitive groups such as the elderly and children. Smaller particles may be associated with the most adverse affects because they can be inhaled more deeply into the lungs. * NSW Department of Health – Mine dust PM2.5, which is smaller, is of greater concern than remainder of PM10. PM will have greater effects on infants, children, adolescents and the elderly, particularly those with respiratory problems, heart conditions or diabetes. * Lead Education and Abatement Design Group - Fine Particulates Air Pollution

• Fine particle pollution causes premature deaths by making lungs more vulnerable to infection.
• Tests on rats have showed that even short term exposure can cause death without other symptoms.
• Two studies have shown that for longer-term exposure there is a direct relationship between levels of PM2.5 pollution and death rates.
• Recent research shows that daily mortality rates are linked to daily PM2.5 levels.
• PM pollution directly contributes to cot deaths.

The Risks of PM

* Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (ATSE) – Hidden Cost of Electricity

• p19 PM is responsible for the highest portion of health costs associated with air pollution.
• pp. 48-9 According to the World Health Association PM2.5 is more damaging than the remainder of PM10

* Environment Protection and Heritage Council (ANZ) – Ambient air quality pp. 55,57 There is no safe level for exposure to PM2.5 * CSIRO Marine and Atmospheric Research – Properties of Australian fine particles p 89 It is recommended that air quality measurements should be based on PM2.5 concentrations rather than PM10

How PM Would be Generated and Dispersed from Centennial’s Auger Mine

* Australian Network of Environmental Defenders Offices Inc. (ANEDO) – Air quality, dust monitoring Removal of topsoil and overburden are the two greatest sources of dust from open cut mining operations. PM is easily entrained by wind and takes a long time to settle once airborne. * NSW Dept. of Health – Fact sheet, Mine dust and you PM is generated when wind blows over bare ground and stockpiles. * US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Fugitive dust sources

• Dust becomes entrained in air at wind speeds of 19km/hr. and above.
• PM2.5 will settle slowly because of air turbulence.

* US Virginia State Dept. of Environmental Quality – Potomac River generating station permit comments* Link broken. See here to search PM 2.5 particles will disperse farther than larger particles. * US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) – Urban fugitive dust emissions current knowledge pp. 4-9, 4-11 A simple linear model of dust dispersion based on wind direction is appropriate for dust from a single source travelling over flat terrain. * ABC News – BHP rejects open cut mine dust fears 16km is cited as an example of a safe distance from an open cut mine.

MAP OF CENSUS COLLECTION DISTRICTS

The small areas bounded by blue lines are the smallest collection areas used by the Australian Bureau of Statistics. There are 132 collection districts either wholly or partly within 10 km of the Olstan site, excluding a sparsely populated area of Cessnock.

POPULATION WITHIN 10km OF OLSTAN PROJECT ~ BASED ON 2006 CENSUS The Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that the population of Lake Macquarie increased from 191 995 in 2006 to 193 092 in 2007, an increase of 0.571%. Applying the same percentage increase to the affected area for the period 2006 to 2008 gives a current population of 77,189 x 1.00571 x 1.00571 = 78,073
SUBURB	POPULATION	Census Collection District	Population	Portion Included	Number Included
Eraring	138	1120309	212	65%	138
Wangi	2533	1120708	788	100%	788
		1120709	620	100%	620
		1120710	447	100%	447
		1120711	319	100%	319
		1120712	599	60%	359
					2533
Arcadia Vale	811	1120707	811	100%	811
Buttaba	1405	1120705	697	100%	697
		1120706	708	100%	708
					1405
Balmoral	870	1120701	870	100%	870
Fishing Point	1202	1120703	495	100%	495
		1120704	707	100%	707
					1202
Rathmines	1664	1120702	837	100%	837
		1120713	827	100%	827
					1664
Kilaben Bay	1275	1120801	411	100%	411
		1120802	235	100%	235
		1120810	629	100%	629
					1275
Coal Point	1734	1120807	581	100%	581
		1120808	802	100%	802
		1120809	351	100%	351
					1734
Carey Bay	955	1120806	512	100%	512
		1120811	443	100%	443
					955
Toronto	5161	1120803	316	100%	316
		1120804	484	100%	484
		1120805	687	100%	687
		1120904	450	100%	450
		1120905	548	100%	548
		1120906	591	100%	591
		1120907	624	100%	624
		1120908	691	100%	691
		1120910	770	100%	770
					5161
Rural	827	1120112	56	60%	34
		1120301	154	100%	154
		1120304	109	95%	104
		1120306	118	100%	118
		1120307	418	100%	418
					827
Awaba	350	1120305	350	100%	350
Fassifern	599	1120411	599	100%	599
Blackalls Park	2778	1120901	582	100%	582
		1120902	488	100%	488
		1120903	722	100%	722
		1120909	743	100%	743
		1120911	243	100%	243
					2778
Fennell Bay	772	1120409	871	100%	87
		1120410	685	100%	685
					772
Bolton Point	1590	1120406	491	100%	491
		1120407	999	100%	999
		1120408	668	100%	100
					1590
Woodrising	2061	1120405	628	100%	682
		1120412	436	100%	436
		1120413	943	100%	943
					2061
Marmong Point	395	1120404	395	100%	395
Booragul	988	1120402	649	100%	649
		1120403	339	100%	339
					988
Teralba	1457	1120302	666	100%	666
		1120401	791	100%	791
					1457
Killingworth	720	1120311	720	100%	720
Barnsley	1798	1120201	215	100%	215
		1120202	655	100%	655
		1120209	436	100%	436
		1120212	492	100%	492
					1798
Holmesville	1544	1120103	711	100%	711
		1120104	833	100%	833
					1544
West Wallsend	1369	1120101	674	100%	674
		1120102	993	70%	695
					1369
Cameron Park	3410	1120105	1147	100%	1147
		1120109	935	100%	935
		1120113	1897	70%	1328
					3410
Edgeworth	4904	1120106	367	80%	294
		1120107	673	95%	639
		1120108	905	30%	272
		1120110	538	100%	538
		1120203	911	100%	911
		1120204	536	100%	536
		1120205	831	100%	831
		1120206	343	100%	343
		1120207	541	100%	541
					4904
Glendale	282	1120208	704	40%	282
Argenton	1326	1120210	605	99%	599
		1120211	734	99%	727
					1326
Boolaroo	948	1121203	425	100%	425
		1121204	523	100%	523
					948
Speers Point	3107	1121201	714	100%	714
		1121205	310	100%	310
		1121206	157	100%	157
		1121207	274	100%	274
		1121208	488	100%	488
		1121209	490	100%	490
		1121211	674	100%	674
					3107
Macquarie Hills	2765	1121210	482	100%	482
		1121213	865	100%	865
		1121214	757	100%	757
		1121215	661	100%	661
					2765
Lakelands	1561	1121112	890	100%	890
		1121202	671	100%	671
					1561
Warners Bay	6985	1121101	501	100%	501
		1121102	628	99%	622
		1121103	429	100%	429
		1121104	805	100%	805
		1121105	656	100%	656
		1121106	543	100%	543
		1121107	965	99%	955
		1121109	705	99%	698
		1121110	787	100%	787
		1121111	335	100%	335
		1121212	654	100%	654
					6985
Mount Hutton	300	1121108	500	35%	175
		1121901	624	20%	125
					300
Eleebana	5726	1121002	777	100%	777
		1121003	1283	100%	1238
		1121004	713	100%	713
		1121008	780	90%	702
		1121010	732	100%	732
		1121011	701	100%	701
		1121012	674	100%	674
		1121907	1259	15%	189
					5726
Croudace Bay	394	1121009	394	100%	394
Valentine	5678	1121911	1019	100%	1019
		1121001	903	100%	903
		1121005	646	100%	646
		1121006	739	100%	739
		1121007	747	100%	747
		1122108	1337	100%	1337
		1121013	287	100%	287
					5678
Floraville	883	1121908	1104	80%	883
Belmont	3933	1122101	1039	100%	1039
		1122102	776	100%	776
		1122103	752	70%	526
		1122104	626	70%	438
		1122105	599	50%	300
		1122110	404	100%	404
		1122114	450	100%	450
					3933
TOTAL	77189				77189

Media Release: URGE, United Residents Group for the Environment of Lake Macquarie