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<p>BM Alliance Coal Operations Pty LTD (BMA) proposes to develop the Peak Downs Continuation Project (herein referred to as the action) located within the Isaac Regional Local Government Area (LGA), approximately 30 kilometers (km) south-east of Moranbah, within the Bowen Basin mining region (Figure 1 – Attachment (Att) A ‘EPBC Referral Figures’, page 1).&nbsp;</p><p>The PDM operates in accordance with, amongst other authorisations, Environmental Authority (EA) EPML00318213, granted under the <i>Environmental Protection Act 1994&nbsp;</i>(Qld) (EP Act).&nbsp;</p><p>BMA is proposing to expand the existing footprint of the PDM eastwards (Figure 2 – Att A ‘EPBC Referral Figures’, page 2), and continue mining activities within ML&nbsp;70411, ML1775 and ML&nbsp;1885.&nbsp;</p><p>The Peak Downs Mine Continuation Project (the Project) involves the ongoing development of the existing PDM operation including the extraction of additional coal reserves within ML 70411, ML 1885 and part of ML 1775, along with the development of supporting off-lease infrastructure east of and adjacent to ML 1775 (the Action). &nbsp;</p><p>The development of the Action would ensure the continuation of the existing PDM mine life for up to approximately 93 years.&nbsp;</p><p>BMA is seeking approval under the <i>Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999</i> (EPBC Act) for components of the Action described below within ML 70411, ML 1885, the nil surface areas within ML 1775, and an off-lease infrastructure corridor (Figure 2 – Att A ‘EPBC Referral Figures’, page 2).</p><p>Prior to the Action commencing and as part of the Project, BMA will continue to carry out existing activities within existing authorised areas of ML 1775 and undertake exploration and maintain existing infrastructure within ML 70411, ML 1885 and ML1775, in accordance with existing or future State and Commonwealth Approvals.&nbsp;</p><p>The Action Area is shown on Figure 2 (Att A ‘EPBC Referral Figures’, page 2). The Action would include, but not be limited to, the following components and activities within the Action Area (the Action):</p><ul><li>open cut mining (dragline and truck and shovel methods) of ROM coal from the coal measures in ML 70411, ML 1885 and part of ML 1775;</li><li>relocation of various third party infrastructure to facilitate the open cut mining extension, including the Peak Downs Mine Road and associated rail level crossing, a section of the Moranbah 132&nbsp;kilovolt (kV) No. 2 Transmission Line, Ergon Single Line Earth Return, a 132 kV substation feeder, and the Eungella Water Pipeline Southern Extension;</li><li>diversion of Ripstone Creek, relocation of the low-flow Ripstone Creek infrastructure and Boomerang Creek levees;&nbsp;</li><li>construction and operation of new infrastructure in support of open cut mining;&nbsp;</li><li>ongoing exploration activities across the Action Area, following the grant of approval; and</li><li>progressive rehabilitation of the mine site.</li></ul><p>The Action Area is approximately 4062ha. The exact area to be directly impacted would be determined following further detailed mine planning and impact assessment. Activities associated with the Action that could impact the environment include vegetation removal, topsoil stripping, excavation of overburden and coal, diversion of and release of water to watercourses.&nbsp; Indirect impacts may also occur through the generation of dust from vehicle movements, waste rock emplacement, stockpiles and coal processing activities (e.g. crushing) as well as impacts from lights on vehicles and plant.</p><p>Further background information on the nature and extent of the above activities is available in the Initial Advice Statement (IAS) dated 23 March 2022 that was submitted to the Office of the Coordinator-General for declaration of the Project as a Coordinated Project under the <i>State Development and Public Works Organisation Act 1971&nbsp;</i>(Qld).&nbsp;</p><p>&nbsp;</p><p><i><strong>Activities Not Included in the Action</strong></i></p><p>The actions does not include ongoing mining and associated activities in the existing Peak Downs Mine adjacent to the project area. The action also does not include existing infrastructure in the action the area.&nbsp;</p><p>Certain activities within the area of the Action are unlikely to have a significant impact on Matters of National Environmental Significance, and accordingly are excluded from the Action for the purposes of this referral. These activities are: access tracks, exploration activities, internal water and power supply infrastructure, survey and demarcation activities, works relating to the management or salvage of Aboriginal heritage items, and, installation of monitoring equipment (e.g. monitoring bores). These activities within the area of the Action are not part of the Action, and will be addressed in a separate EPBC referral, if necessary.&nbsp;</p>

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