The issue of "the proposed dumping of waste mine water into the unspoiled natural stream Mammy Johnsons River" by Duralie Coal will not go away.
"This river downstream, joins the Karuah River and is extensively used for town water supply, agriculture, recreation and commercial purposes. The rivers have rare high value biological features" [Commission of enquiry report 1997].
A recent article in the Gloucester Advocate of 28/1/2009 by Duralie Coal talks of "water salinity" and makes comparisons to surrounding waterways. I suggest that the article is misleading and is an attempt to appease the public by suggesting that the mine waste water poses no threat.
In the debate surrounding this issue, the term "salinity" is used to gauge the purity of the water concerned. In the Duralie article, "salinity" is being used in the same context as sea water and tidal estuaries and leaves the general impression that "common salt" (NaCl) is what is being referred to, and as such, does not pose any great threat to our waterways. This is indeed an intentional deception.
Water 'salinity" is roughly estimated by using the electrical conductivity of the water which is dependent on many factors, including the amount of common salt in the water, but also is a measure of all dissolved solids which can include "salts" of chlorides, nitrates, sulfates, and other heavy metals like zinc and lead. The measurement technique does not distinguish between them. Biological matter and other organic material does not affect the conductivity to any significant extent.
For instance to compare tidal estuary water which obviously contains considerable sea salt, to mine waste water which may contain large proportions of more harmful chemical salts and possibly little "common salt" can only be construed as misleading. The salinity level of household grey water is about 600 ppm made up of phosphorus, sulphates, and other wonderful chemicals and dissolved solids. The comparison seems meaningless until a detailed chemical analysis is carried out.
"Why is it so important to characterize mine drainage? Because mine drainage water almost always flows into a stream where it can dramatically affect the aquatic organisms and the quality of the water received by downstream communities ...... From the analytical chemistry of mine drainage, scientists have concluded that the major cause of high acidity of the water is the bacterially catalyzed oxidation of the mineral pyrite. This acidity stimulates the dissolution of many other sulfide minerals, resulting in the high concentration of metals such as copper and zinc." [USGS 2008]. See also Mines and Rivers.
Duralie say that the mine water dam is also "quite clear". So is battery acid. There is no mention of PH measurements that indicate acidity levels.
Independent measurements of the average salinity of the Mammy Johnsons River is about 130 ppm and the salt levels of the Duralie 'dirty water dam site SW3' at 540 to 680 ppm. The ANZECC guideline for protection of aquatic ecosystems in south eastern Australia is about 180 ppm. Actual sulphate levels from the mine water are about 20 times those of the Mammy Johnsons River.
It is interesting but not surprising that the Duralie Coal article ignores the actual river they wish to destroy in their comparisons.
The NSW Goverment goes to great pains to be seen to protect our estuaries such as the Karuah river. Yet they will be the one to give the go ahead to ultimately damage the estuary. This is akin to the military "collateral damage" concept.
The Mammy Johnsons River which is the target for the mine waste water flows into the Karuah River and on into the marine park of Port Stephens. Mammy Johnsons River is a freshwater river - it is NOT an estuary.
These few extracts [Duralie Project Description and Preliminary Assessment Oct 2008] ought to raise the alarm bells even though Duralie Coal plans to "manage" the issues - we are asked to "trust" the miners in the face of the betrayal of this trust throughout the world - once damage is caused, there is no going back :
"alteration of stream flow, flow duration and water quality in the lower reaches of Coal Shaft Creek and Mammy Johnsons River as a result of controlled releases of contained water"
"effects on the salinity, pH and metals concentrations of runoff or seepage from waste rock emplacements or in operational areas if PAF [potentially acid forming] materials are not appropriately managed"
"Potential impacts of the Project on aquatic ecology include the loss and/or alteration of areas of aquatic habitat (e.g. alteration of drainage regimes in Project open cut development areas and potential affects on irrigation area rainfall runoff water quality). These effects have the potential to result in changes in stream characteristics and aquatic biota assemblages (e.g. aquatic macroinvertebrates and macrophytes)"
"Potential impacts of the Project on downstream aquatic ecology such as alteration to the natural flow regimes of rivers and streams and changes to salt loads would also potentially be associated with the proposed controlled water release scheme to be developed for the Project"
"sulphur-containing waste rock material has the potential to generate low pH leachate when exposed to surface oxidising conditions"
There is more than enough evidence around the world of permanent damage done to river systems by the dumping of mine waste water. In this day of "water scarcity" how can this be even contemplated. There are no safe levels for mine water discharge - the 'no discharge' policy (as required under the licence) is the only safe option.
If anyone needs convincing of the threats to river systems by mine drainage - even very old mines - there was a very informative "ABC Catalyst" program (8/2008) about the Grose River in the Blue mountains NSW. This is good and interesting viewing. Click on this link.. Grose River.