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MARDIE PROJECT

WASTEWATER TREATMENT PLANT

WORKS APPROVAL APPLICATION SUPPORTING

DOCUMENT

2 March 2021

PREPARED FOR MARDIE MINERALS PTY LTD BY PRESTON CONSULTING PTY LTD

WORKS APPROVAL APPLICATION SUPPORTING DOCUMENT Mardie Project Wastewater Treatment Plant

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Proponent contact details:

MARDIE MINERALS PTY LTD Contact Person: Email: Phone: Street Address: Postal Address:

Document developed by:

PRESTON CONSULTING PTY LTD

Contact Person:

Email:

Website:

Phone:

Fax:

Street Address:

Postal Address:

Disclaimer

This Report has been prepared on behalf of and for the exclusive use of Mardie Minerals Pty Ltd and

is subject to and issued in accordance with the agreement between Preston Consulting Pty Ltd and

Mardie Minerals Pty Ltd.

Preston Consulting Pty Ltd accepts no liability or responsibility whatsoever for or in respect of any

use of or reliance upon this Report by any third party.

Copying of any part of this Report without the express permission of Preston Consulting Pty Ltd

and the Mardie Minerals Pty Ltd is not permitted.


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CONTENTS

LIST OF FIGURES ............................................................................................................................................. IV

LIST OF TABLES .............................................................................................................................................. IV

PROJECT BACKGROUND ................................................................................................................................. 1

ATTACHMENT 1A: PROOF OF APPLICANT STATUS ............................................................................. 3

ATTACHMENT 1B: ASIC COMPANY EXTRACT ........................................................................................ 5

ATTACHMENT 2: PRESCRIBED PREMISES MAP ..................................................................................... 6

ATTACHMENT 3A: ENVIRONMENTAL COMMISSIONING PLAN ........................................................ 9

ATTACHMENT 3B: PROPOSED ACTIVITIES .......................................................................................... 10

3B.1 Proposal Description ............................................................................................................................................. 10

Process description .............................................................................................................................................................. 10

Inputs and outputs ............................................................................................................................................................... 11

Influent screening and wastewater balance tanks ............................................................................................... 11

Activated sludge bioreactor ............................................................................................................................................ 12

Piping and irrigation .......................................................................................................................................................... 12

Power Supply .......................................................................................................................................................................... 12

3B.2 Premises Details ...................................................................................................................................................... 12

3B.3 Sensitive Receptors ................................................................................................................................................ 12

3B.3 Construction Activities ......................................................................................................................................... 13

ATTACHMENT 5: OTHER APPROVALS AND CONSULTATION ........................................................ 14

5.1 Other Approvals ......................................................................................................................................................... 14

5.1.1 Part IV Environmental Protection Act 1986 ............................................................................................. 14

5.1.2 Part V Environmental Protection Act 1986 ............................................................................................... 14

5.1.3 Mining Act 1978 ..................................................................................................................................................... 14

5.1.4 Health Act 1911 ...................................................................................................................................................... 14

5.2 Stakeholder Consultation .................................................................................................................................. 15

ATTACHMENT 6A: EMISSIONS AND DISCHARGES ............................................................................. 17

ATTACHMENT 7: SITING AND LOCATION ............................................................................................. 22

ATTACHMENT 9: PROPOSED FEE CALCULATION .............................................................................. 24

GLOSSARY ........................................................................................................................................................ 25

REFERENCES ................................................................................................................................................... 26


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LIST OF FIGURES

Figure 1: Regional location of the Mardie Project ................................................................................................ 7

Figure 2: Proposed prescribed premises boundary and key infrastructure of the WWTP ................ 8

Figure 3: Exploration Camp WWTP Basic Process Drawing ......................................................................... 10

Figure 4: Location of sensitive receptors .............................................................................................................. 23

Figure 5: DWER Fee calculator outputs ................................................................................................................. 24

LIST OF TABLES

Table 1: Commissioning water quality requirements for WWTP discharge ............................................. 9

Table 2: Expected quality of incoming wastewater .......................................................................................... 11

Table 3: Expected treated water quality during operations ........................................................................ 11

Table 4: Potential emissions and discharges from the Prescribed Premises......................................... 18


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PROJECT BACKGROUND

Mardie Minerals Pty Ltd (Mardie Minerals) (Applicant) is currently developing the Mardie Project

(Project) located in the western Pilbara region of Western Australia (WA), approximately 80

kilometres (km) south west of Karratha in the City of Karratha. In its entirety, the Project will

include solar concentration ponds, crystallisation ponds, processing plants and a marine export

facility, capable of producing and exporting up to 4.4 million tonnes per annum of industrial-grade

salt (NaCl) and up to 110,000 tonnes per annum of sulphate of potash (SOP), all being derived

from seawater.

The Project currently operates an approved 80-man temporary exploration camp (20 x 4 room

accommodation blocks) which was approved by the Department of Mines, Industry Regulation

and Safety (DMIRS) in April 2019 under a Programme of Works Approval (Reg ID: 79508). The

temporary camp currently operates a small package plant for the treatment of wastewater, which

has a design capacity of less than 20 m3/day, which is less than the requirements for a prescribed

premises.

In the coming months, the Project is expected to experience an increase in site exploration and

investigation activities that are also predicted to sustain into the near future. This will require the

camp to be expanded to temporarily accommodate up to 200 persons (total) during periods of

peak activity, and an additional Programme of Works application has been lodged with DMIRS for

the expansion of the camp from 80 to 200 persons.

The camp expansion will increase the volume of wastewater (sewage) that will be produced and

require subsequent treatment and disposal, up to an estimated peak throughput of 50 m3/day

(based on 250 L/person/day, including catering and laundry). Mardie Minerals will address the

increase by installing two additional 20 m3/day package treatment plants to supplement the

existing package plant. Treated wastewater will continue to be irrigated to land at the existing

spray-field (Figure 2), which will be expanded to accommodate the additional loading. The

proposed expansion of the peak capacity of the sewage treatment facility to 60 m3/day will

require a Works Approval (Category 85) under the Environmental Protection Act 1986 (EP Act)

and associated regulations.

This document includes the attachments as required by the Department of Water and

Environmental Regulation (DWER) Application form: Works Approval / Licence / Renewal /

Amendment / Registration v13, April 2020 (DWER, 2020). As per the application form the

following attachments must be submitted to support the works approval application:

• Attachment 1A to 1B (Occupier Status and Australian Securities and Investment

Commission (ASIC) company extracts);

• Attachment 2 (Premises map);

• Attachment 3A (Environmental Commissioning Plan) and 3B (Proposed activities);

• Attachment 5 (Other approvals and consultation);

• Attachment 6A (Emissions and discharges);

• Attachment 7 (Siting and location); and

• Attachment 9 (Proposed fee calculation).


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The application form advises that the following attachments are not required for the works

approval application:

• Attachment 1C (Authorisation to act as a representative);

• Attachments 3C (Clearing) and 3D (Additional information);

• Attachment 4 (Marine surveys);

• Attachment 6B (Waste acceptance);

• Attachment 8 (Additional Information); and

• Attachment 10 (Request for exemption from publication).


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ATTACHMENT 1A: PROOF OF APPLICANT STATUS


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ATTACHMENT 2: PRESCRIBED PREMISES MAP

Figure 1 provides an overview of the Project area and current tenements held by Mardie Minerals.

Figure 2 shows the proposed prescribed premises boundary and location of the WWTP, discharge

pipeline and spray-field.

The closest receptors to the WWTP and spray-field are Mardie Pool (a permanent pool used

primarily for stock watering, but with some remaining natural values) and Mardie Homestead

(irregularly occupied) which are 2.0 km and 4.4 km away from the WWTP (Figure 4).


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Figure 1: Regional location of the Mardie Project


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Figure 2: Proposed prescribed premises boundary and key infrastructure of the WWTP


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ATTACHMENT 3B: PROPOSED ACTIVITIES

3B.1 PROPOSAL DESCRIPTION

This application comprises:

• An increase in capacity of the existing temporary WWTP from less than 20 m3/day up to

60 m3/day;

• A duplication of the existing treated wastewater pipeline; and

• An expansion of the existing treated wastewater irrigation spray-field.

The increase in capacity will ensure the wastewater treatment requirements of the expanded

exploration camp (up to 200 persons peak capacity) will be adequately addressed and will ensure

the treated wastewater is suitable for irrigation to land, consistent with the requirements of the

WA Department of Health and the Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation

Council (ARMCANZ) and Agriculture and Resource Management Council of Australia and New

Zealand (ANZECC) water quality guidelines (1997).

PROCESS DESCRIPTION

The proposed two new treatment trains will replicate the existing Activated Sludge Bioreactor

(ASBR) WWTP. The basic components and flow paths of each of the ASBR treatment trains are

shown below in Figure 3 and include:

• Influent screening and balance tank;

• Anoxic and aerobic treatment;

• Clarification;

• Effluent sterilization (chlorine);

• Bag filtration (100 micron);

• Sludge tank;

• Irrigation / treated effluent tank; and

• A series of pumps, screens, diffusers, blowers and mixers to transfer and process the

wastewater.

Figure 3: Exploration Camp WWTP Basic Process Drawing


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Screened sewage will be held in balance tanks prior to treatment to ensure the ASBR process

receives a steady flow that is within its design limits.

ACTIVATED SLUDGE BIOREACTOR

Following screening, the sewage passes through several treatment stages (Figure 3) including:

• The aeration tank, where fine bubbles of air are pumped though the sewage in

combination with recycled sludge to develop a biological flocc;

• Clarifiers, to separate the biological flocc from the treated wastewater; and

• The chlorine detention tank, where treated wastewater is dosed with chlorine and held

for a suitable period of time to ensure biological activity falls below output limits and

Class C treatment is achieved (ARMCANZ and ANZECC, 1997).

Thickened biological flocc (sludge) retrieved from the clarifier is digested to reduce volume, with

some of the sludge recycled back to the aeration tank to re-start the process.

The process is controlled by an electrical panel positioned in a ventilated control room within the

units, equipped with an audible and visual alarm system. An audible alarm and red flashing light

will activate a high-water level in the tanks is detected or if pump failure occurs.

PIPING AND IRRIGATION

The irrigation pipeline will comprise a high-density polyethylene (HDPE) pipeline predominately

above ground that will transport treated water to a dedicated irrigation field. The irrigation field

will be one hectare (ha) over clay loams as defined in Australian Standard 1547:2012 On-site

domestic wastewater management.

Treated water will be discharged via above-ground sprinklers. The spray-field will be fully fenced

around the perimeter to restrict access. The fence will be a minimum of five metres from the

sprinkler spray pattern to ensure any spray drift is contained within the exclusion area.

POWER SUPPLY

Power supply will be from diesel generators located at the exploration camp. The generators are

less than 10 MW and do not require a works approval.

3B.2 PREMISES DETAILS

The exploration camp, including the WWTP, is located on E08/1849, with a small portion of the

irrigation spray field located on E08/2740 (Figure 2). Access to the camp is from the North West

Coastal Highway, via the Mardie Station access road.

3B.3 SENSITIVE RECEPTORS

The area surrounding the exploration camp and WWTP is predominantly spinifex grassland used

for cattle grazing under the Mardie Pastoral Lease, which is held by Citic Pacific Mining through

its subsidiary, Pastoral Management Pty Ltd (PMPL). Extensive areas of barren salt pans are

located immediately to the west of the camp, with the coastal shoreline approximately 8 km away.


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The Mardie Homestead is the only other accommodation on the Pastoral Lease and is used by

Station staff. The level of use of the homestead and associated buildings fluctuates in response to

the level of activity at the station. The homestead is 4.4 km away from the exploration camp and

spray-field (Figure 4).

Approximately 2 km north of the exploration camp lies a small, semi-permanent water hole

known colloquially as Mardie Pool (Figure 4). The pool has been degraded through ongoing

access by livestock, but retains natural and cultural values. The risk posed to Mardie Pool as a

result of the proposed WWTP is considered to be negligible.

3B.3 CONSTRUCTION ACTIVITIES

The additional two treatment trains will be manufactured off-site and trucked to the Premises.

They will then be assembled and positioned alongside the existing WWTP on the same levelled

pad, increasing the physical footprint from approximately 100 m2 to approximately 250 m2. There

is no additional clearing requirement. Some areas will be concreted for support/stability, as

required.


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ATTACHMENT 5: OTHER APPROVALS AND

CONSULTATION

5.1 OTHER APPROVALS

5.1.1 PART IV ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT 1986

The entire Project is currently being formally assessed by the EPA under Part IV of the EP Act at

the level of Public Environmental Review (EPA Assessment No. 2167). The proposed WWTP is

for investigative works and as such is not constrained by the Part IV EP Act process.

5.1.2 PART V ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT 1986

During the engineering and study phase of the Project, trial ponds were constructed to collect data

on evaporation and crystallisation rates. The trail ponds were constructed under works approval

W6172/2018/1 category 14: Solar Salt Manufacturing.

The prescribed trail ponds infrastructure included:

• Pump and seawater inlet system and associated pipelines;

• Eight pilot evaporation ponds and crystallisers;

• 21 pan evaporators; and

• Other supporting infrastructure.

Licence L9253/2020/1 was issued by DWER on 25 September 2020 for operation of the trial

programme.

The WWTP that is the subject of this application is unrelated to the trial and is not physically

connected to it in any way.

5.1.3 MINING ACT 1978

A Mining Proposal and Mine Closure Plan is currently being prepared for the works listed above,

including the accommodation and associated facilities.

The current exploration camp and associated infrastructure (including the WWTP) has been

approved under PoW Reg ID 79508.

5.1.4 HEALTH ACT 1911

Mardie Minerals is currently applying for approval from the Department of Health and City of

Karratha for installation of the new WWTP and on-site disposal of wastewater.


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5.2 STAKEHOLDER CONSULTATION

The Mardie Minerals stakeholder consultation strategy through the Environmental Impact

Assessment has identified key external stakeholders and determined how they will be impacted

by the Project.

Commonwealth, State and Local Government authorities have been briefed on the Proposal in its

entirety to ensure any issues, concerns or suggestions are identified and, where appropriate,

addressed or responded to by Mardie Minerals.

The following Government stakeholders have been consulted:

Commonwealth Authorities

• Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment (DAWE);

• Department of Industry Innovation and Science;

• Minister for Resources and Northern Australia;

• Minister for the Environment

State Authorities

• DWER (EPA Services, Industry Regulation, Water);

• Department of Jobs, Tourism, Science and Innovation;

• DMIRS;

• Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions;

• Department of Transport;

• Department of Planning, Lands and Heritage;

• Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development;

• Pilbara Ports Authority;

• Minister for Mines;

• Minister for Regional Development;

• Minister for State Development;

• Minister for Ports

• Minister for Environment;

• Minister for Water

• Vince Catania - WA National Member for North West; and

• Main Roads WA.

Local Authorities

• City of Karratha; and

• Pilbara Development Commission

Mardie Minerals recognises that individuals, companies and communities may also be interested

in the impacts of the Proposal.

The following corporate and community stakeholders were deemed to be relevant to this Proposal:

• Yaburara Mardudhunera People; • Kuruma Marthudunera People; • Pilbara Mesquite Management Committee;


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• Conservation Council WA;

• Threatened Species Scientific Committee (part of DAWE)

• WA Marine Science Institute;

• Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council;

• Australian Nature Conservation Agency / Australian Wildlife Conservancy;

• Birds Australia / Birdlife Australia;

• Greening Australia;

• Pilbara Corridors;

• Rangelands Natural Resource Management WA;

• Wildflower Society;

• CITIC Pacific Mining;

• Pastoral Management Pty Ltd;

• SANTOS Limited;

• Chevron Australia Pty Ltd;

• Wesfarmers Limited;

• WA Fishing Industry Council;

• King Bay Sporting Fishing Club;

• Nickol Bay Sporting Fishing Club; and

• Hampton Harbour Boat and Sailing Club.

This works approval application will be advertised for public comment as per DWER’s standard

procedure.


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ATTACHMENT 6A: EMISSIONS AND DISCHARGES

Table 4 details all potential emissions and discharges from the WWTP during the construction,

commissioning and operations phase.

As outlined in Table 4, controls during construction, commissioning and operation of the

exploration camp WWTP expansion will minimise the risk of emissions impacting the

environment.

Receptors are located a significant distance from the camp WWTP and are not expected to be

impacted (see Attachment 7 for further details on the siting and location of the proposed

prescribed premises).


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ATTACHMENT 7: SITING AND LOCATION

The proposed exploration camp WWTP expansion will be located on Mardie Station, a remote

area, which is primarily used for cattle.

The closest receptor is Mardie Station homestead, which is approximately 4.4 km from the

premises (Figure 4).

Mardie Pool is located approximately 2.0 km from the premises and is of cultural and historical

importance however has been heavily impacted by pastoral activities and has no recreational use.

There are no conservation reserves or other Environmentally Sensitive Areas, as defined under

section 51B of the EP Act or any listed or proposed wetlands of national or international

importance over the proposed prescribed premises.

The proposed prescribed premises is not located within a ‘Specified Ecosystem’ as described in

Environmental Siting Guidance Statement (Department of Environment Regulation, 2016).

A significant amount of environmental baseline information has been collected for the Project

throughout the Part IV EP Act and Mining Act 1978 process.


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Figure 4: Location of sensitive receptors


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ATTACHMENT 9: PROPOSED FEE CALCULATION

The works approval fee has been claculated at $5,075 based on a premises construction cost

between $500,000 - $1,000,000.

The Fee units for a Works Approval where the cost of works is $500,000-$1,000,000 is 125 units.

The fees were calculated using the DWER fee calculator

(www.der.wa.gov.au/WorksApprovalFeeCalculator).

The outputs of the calculator has been provided in Figure 5.

Figure 5: DWER Fee calculator outputs


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REFERENCES

ARMCANZ and ANZECC (1997). Australian Guidelines for Sewage Systems, Effluent Management.

ARMCANZ and ANZECC.

Australian Standard 1547:2012 On-site domestic wastewater management. Standards Australian.

Department of Environment Regulation (2016). Environmental Siting, Part V, Division 3,

Environmental Protection Act 1986. November 2016.

Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (2020). Application form: Works Approval

/ Licence / Renewal / Amendment / Registration v13, April 2020.

Department of Health (2011). Guidelines for the Non-potable Uses of Recycled Water in Western

Australia.

Department of Water (2004). Water Quality Protection Note 22 – Irrigation with Nutrient Rich

Treated Wastewater. Department of Water.

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