Introduction

NSW Department of Primary Industries, Mineral Resources Division, has put in place a uniform policy to initiate the approvals process for proposed coal and mineral mining projects. This gives companies the opportunity to discuss all aspects of the project with the Department prior to formal contact with other key Government agencies through the Planning Focus process. To obtain Departmental support for new projects, a Conceptual Project Development Plan (Plan) will require approval by the Department. This is the first step in obtaining development approval and subsequently a mining lease for a new mining project or major extensions to an existing mine. This approval is also required for a new (or major variation to an existing) development approval on an existing mining lease, where either an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) or Environment Assessment is required.

The approval of a Plan ensures that the Department supports only responsible mining developments. Once the Plan is approved, the Department formally notifies the planning consent authority (which may be the Department of Planning or the local Council - depending on the type and scale of proposed mining development) that the Planning Focus process can commence and the project can be supported by the Department through to lease grant, including the development assessment and approval process.

Conceptual Project Development Plan Requirements

A Plan should aim to demonstrate to the Department of Primary Industries (DPI) that the project is practical and feasible, can be achieved within existing environmental and other constraints, and optimises resource recovery and use.

The Plan should consist of simplified, representative plans and cross sections identifying geological, mining, topographical and other constraints to mining, an overview of the proposed mining scheme, and major environmental issues.

The greater the level of potential constraints on a project, the greater the need for detail in the proposed mining scheme.

The Plan should be supported by the following technical information:

• Broad parameters of the project, including the scale of proposed development, type and rate of mining, likely mine infrastructure and offsite transport requirements, and likely employment and capital costs of the project.
• Identification of all key issues and any major constraints to the project.
• Draft Resource/Reserve statement based on the Australian Code for reporting resources and reserves. This can be lodged prior to presentation of the conceptual project development plan or reference can be made to an existing report already supplied to the Department.
• Demonstration that the proposed mining scheme is achievable and consistent with current safety and environmental standards.
• Indication that the proposed overall operation and rehabilitation can be carried out in an environmentally responsible manner.
• Demonstration that resource recovery has been optimised, taking into account environmental and economic constraints which may apply. Where the proposed mining scheme excludes resources which would normally be regarded as potentially economic by current industry standards, then the Department would require appropriate economic or technical justification for the proposed mining scheme.
• Proposed timeframe for evaluation and development (including project assessment and approval period).

It is suggested that the Department be consulted at an early stage during preparation of concept plans, once the proponent has identified key issues and any major constraints to mining.

Presentation

To gain approval for a Plan it must be presented to a DPI Mineral Resources technical group comprising relevant representatives of the Environmental Sustainability, Mine Safety Operations, Geological Survey/Coal Advice and Development Coordination groups within the Department, together with the Director of Development Coordination where possible. The Plan is generally provided as a Power Point presentation to the Department’s technical group. Arrangements should be made for the presentation by contacting the Department’s Development Coordination Branch.

For further information, contact:

Julie Moloney, Senior Project Officer, Development Coordination, DPI Maitland Office, on (02) 4931 6549, email julie.moloney@dpi.nsw.gov.au; or

Garth Holmes, Director, Development Coordination, DPI Sydney Office on (02) 8289 3921, e-mail garth.holmes@dpi.nsw.gov.au.

Conceptual project development plan for mining developments

What is a Conceptual Project Development Plan and what information must it contain?

A conceptual project development plan outlines the proponent’s mining proposal and should contain:

• Simplified representative plans and cross sections identifying geological, mining, topographical and other constraints,
• An overview of the proposed mining scheme and sequence, and
• Major environmental issues.

The plan should be supported by:

• Broad parameters of the project (proposed scale, type and rate of mining, related infrastructure and transport, likely employment and capital cost).
• Identification of all key issues and any major constraints to the project.
• Draft Resource / Reserve statement (See Department of Primary Industries Guidelines for Resource/Reserve statements).
• Outline of project viability consistent with current safety and environmental standards.
• Demonstration of optimised resource recovery and use.

Why is a Conceptual Project Development Plan needed?

The plan demonstrates to the Department of Primary Industries, Mineral Resources Division (DPI Mineral Resources), that the proposal is practical, feasible, optimises resource utilisation and can be achieved within known environmental and mining constraints. Approval of the plan by the Department initiates the development assessment and approval process for the project with other key Government agencies.

How is the project proposal assessed by the DPI Mineral Resources?

DPI Mineral Resources assesses the proposal in relation to:

• The detail and content of the conceptual project development plan
• Resource recovery and utilisation
• Broad scale environmental issues and any major constraints
• General outline of economic benefits and project feasibility

Updated and Approved by Garth Holmes, Director, Development Coordination – August 2007.