BHP Billiton faces public

By Kate Ramien | September 3, 2010

Local landholders, business leaders and community members have put questions to BHP Billiton over its plans to mine coal near Caroona.

The coalminer held one of a series of workshops in Gunnedah on Tuesday night to discuss community concerns raised by 50 stakeholders, including farmers, during interviews held last year.

The feedback called for BHP Billiton to step up its community engagement process with calls for more open and honest dialogue with the company.

Water and the potential impact mining could have on aquifers and farmland was the major issue, as well as land access and the approvals process, regional planning, direct mining impacts including noise and dust, community development and indigenous issues.

The company has agreed to change the way it works with the community, listing a number of initiatives including drilling forums, workshops and an independent review of the company’s water monitoring program.

Caroona Coal Project Study Director Stephen David said the workshops were vital in gaining information in the project’s early stages.

“The aim is to determine what is important to them (stakeholders) and how they’d like us to manage those issues,” Mr David said.

He stressed the Caroona coal project is still in its “selection phase” where baseline data, including environmental and geological data, is still being gathered.

BHP Billiton has drilled 215 holes so far, mainly in the Doona State Forest area, to gain knowledge about coal seams.

It’s primarily targeting the Hoskisson seam, however there are other seams being investigated.

The company has also embarked on a 3D seismic program to gain more information about coal seams.

Mr David said there are at least six properties the company would like to gain access to for exploration purposes after being blockaded by a Supreme Court challenge earlier this year.

The Court ruled land access agreements were invalid because the banks weren’t notified, forcing BHP Billiton to go back to the drawing board.
“We want to continue to work with landholders and the Caroona Coal Action Group (CCAG) and see if we can come up with a land access agreement that’s workable for both parties,” Mr David said.

The issue of groundwater and flood management was one of the major concerns raised during Tuesday night’s workshop.

Susan Lyle was among the landholders who questioned Mr David about the targeted exploration area, mining under the floodplain and the potential impact on underground water supplies and farmland.

She raised concerns about “disrupting water” in the underground system.

“You could have an enormous problem that can’t be fixed,” Mrs Lyle said.

Mr David reiterated the company’s commitment to wait for the 18 month Namoi water study to be completed before tying the results into its Environmental Assessment.

He also said BHP Billiton would only target the ridge country and won’t longwall mine under the floodplain, deep alluvial aquifers or outside the exploration target area.

Mr David did however admit more studies need to be carried out in relation to recharge zones, following concerns about what impact mining under the ridge country would have on the replenishment of groundwater supplies on the plains.

The company has stated studies, including groundwater monitoring sites, drilling and hydrological research are still underway to determine if there is a link between fractured rock aquifers on the ridge country and other aquifer systems in the region.