Current Modification Applications
Overview
Newmont Cadia (Cadia) is seeking a Modification to its existing Project Approval to place additional buttressing material on the outer slopes of the Northern and Southern Tailings Storage Facilities.
This Modification includes changes to the embankment footprints, the restart of the Ridgeway Underground Mine and other changes to related aspects of Cadia’s operations. This Modification is known as Modification 15.
The Department of Planning and Environment (now known as the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure [DPHI]) exhibited the Modification Report from 24 November 2023 to 14 December 2023 and provided an extended comment period to early 2024. During this period, valuable submissions were received from NSW Government agencies, relevant local councils, organisations and the public.
Subsequently, the DPHI requested Cadia prepare and lodge a Submissions Report which addresses the comments received. DPHI will now undertake a comprehensive assessment of the Modification and consider all potential issues in accordance with the requirements of the Environmental Planning & Assessment Act 1979 and other policies and guidelines prior to determining the application.
What is The Modification?
The key elements of the final proposal include:
Placement of additional buttressing material on the outer slopes of the Northern Tailings Storage Facility (NTSF) and Southern Tailings Storage Facility (STSF) embankments, including on areas outside of existing Mining Leases (MLs). No changes to the approved Tailings Storge Facilities (TSF) heights, volume of tailings material stored, or stored tailings footprints are proposed. All tailings deposition would remain within the existing MLs
A TSF construction infrastructure area, comprising offices, workshops, lubrication and fuel storage to support the upgrades to the NTSF and STSF embankments
A minor realignment of Panuara Road in two locations to accommodate the STSF buttressing footprint
Restarting the Ridgeway Underground Mine to recover the remaining 15 million tonnes (Mt) of approved resource and a minor change to the approved subsidence zone footprint. This includes using the existing Ridgeway ventilation shafts (upcast and downcast) and the associated operational underground fan system
Relocation of a small section of the existing site access road
Relocation of the existing on-site batch plant, warehouse and associated laydown facility
Construction of a larger tailings pilot plant and associated sand embankment (known as hydrocyclone sands)
Installation and operation of two additional Cadia East Underground Mine upcast surface ventilation fan installations
Expansion of the existing 132 kV electrical substation
Train arrival and departure activities at the Cadia Dewatering Facility to occur during evening and night-time hours (in addition to approved train arrival and departure activities that occur during daytime hours). This would not result in any change to the total annual number of train movements generated by Cadia. Train loading operations will continue to only be undertaken during daytime hours
Approval to conduct construction works for the TSFs in the evening period (i.e. 6 pm- 10 pm)
Upgrade of existing infrastructure at the Potassium Amyl Xanthate (PAX) facility
Installation of two additional hydrofloat cells within the existing Cadia Ore Processing Facilities’ disturbance footprint
Realignment of a section of the Belubula River pipeline
Additional employment opportunities
Other minor infrastructure additions/changes
The Modification will not change the following components of the approved Cadia:
Mining method
Cadia East and Ridgeway Underground Mine footprint/dimensions
Processing rate
Mine life
Maximum approved heights of the TSF embankments
Continued use of existing surface facilities, infrastructure and ancillary activities and construction and use of new and previously approved facilities and infrastructure to support the operation.
What submissions were received during and after the public exhibition period?
A total of 39 submissions on the Modification Report were received from NSW Government agencies, Cabonne and Blayney Shire Councils, community organisations/groups and members of the public.
Cadia has met with and provided additional information to the government agencies who raised concerns about Aboriginal heritage, noise, air quality and biodiversity and ecology.
Community submissions from the Central West region raised matters including:
Climate change and greenhouse gas
Closure impacts
Cadia social and environmental performance matters
Groundwater
Surface water
Rehabilitation
Biodiversity
Air quality
Noise, light and vibration
Land use
Transport.
Cadia has responded to all comments in its Submissions Report to the Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure which can be found here.