user guide for estimated rehabilitation cost calculator ... · the calculator, which replaces the...

User Guide for Estimated Rehabilitation

Cost Calculator for Mining

ERC calculator user guide - mining

Queensland Department of Environment and Science (ESR/2019/4626) i

Prepared by: Operational Support, Department of Environment and Science

© State of Queensland, 2019.

The Queensland Government supports and encourages the dissemination and exchange of its information. The copyright in this publication is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Australia (CC BY) licence.

Under this licence you are free, without having to seek our permission, to use this publication in accordance with the licence terms.

You must keep intact the copyright notice and attribute the State of Queensland as the source of the publication.

For more information on this licence, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/au/deed.en

Disclaimer

While this document has been prepared with care it contains general information and does not

profess to offer legal, professional or commercial advice. The Queensland Government accepts no

liability for any external decisions or actions taken on the basis of this document. Persons external to

the Department of Environment and Science should satisfy themselves independently and by

consulting their own professional advisors before embarking on any proposed course of action.

Approved: September 2020

Enquiries: Permits and Licencing

Department of Environment and Science

Ph. 1300 130 372 (option 4)

Fax. (07) 3330 5875

Email: [email protected]

Version history

Version Effective date Description of changes

1.00 1 April 2019 This user guide has been prepared to support the use

of the Mining Estimated Rehabilitation Cost Calculator.

2.00 1 October 2020 Amended to reflect minor changes made to the ERC

Calculator as part of the Minor Update 2020.

http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/au/deed.en

mailto:[email protected]


Queensland Department of Environment and Science (ESR/2019/4626) ii

Table of Contents

1 Introduction ............................................................................................................... 2

1.1 Purpose of Document ................................................................................... 2

1.2 Purpose of Calculator ................................................................................... 2

1.3 Key Differences to the Financial Assurance Calculator .......................... 2

2 Process of Estimated Rehabilitation Cost Creation ....................................... 3

3 General Use Principles ........................................................................................... 7

3.1 Colour Coding ................................................................................................ 7

3.2 Quantity Entry ................................................................................................ 7

3.3 Comment Entries ........................................................................................... 9

3.4 Default Quantities .......................................................................................... 9

3.5 How to Enter an Alternate Rate ................................................................ 10

3.6 Navigation, Search and Information ......................................................... 10

3.7 Add Rows Buttons ....................................................................................... 11

3.8 Drop Down Menus ...................................................................................... 12

3.9 Review Elements ......................................................................................... 13

3.10 Other (User Entered) .................................................................................. 13

3.11 Freeze Panes............................................................................................... 14

4 Architecture of Calculator ................................................................................... 15

4.1 Security ......................................................................................................... 15

4.2 Sheets ........................................................................................................... 15

4.3 Contents Sheet ............................................................................................ 16

4.4 Registration Sheet ....................................................................................... 16

4.5 Summary Sheet (including Project Multipliers) ....................................... 17

4.5.1 Sheet Description ........................................................................... 17

4.5.2 Project Management Multiplier .................................................... 18

4.5.3 Environmental Maintenance and Monitoring Multiplier ............ 19

4.6 Quantity Summary ...................................................................................... 19

4.7 Table of Values ............................................................................................ 20

4.8 Assumptions Sheet ..................................................................................... 21


Queensland Department of Environment and Science (ESR/2019/4626) iii

4.9 User Input Sheets (including Map ID) ...................................................... 21

4.9.1 Default Rates and User-Defined Cost Build-up ......................... 22

4.9.2 Eligible Mining Activities User Input Sheet ................................. 23

4.9.3 Exploration User Input Sheet ....................................................... 24

4.9.4 Infrastructure User Input Sheet .................................................... 25

4.9.5 Overburden Dumps Piles User Input Sheet ............................... 26

4.9.6 Heap Leach Pads User Input Sheet ............................................ 26

4.9.7 Tailings Storage Facilities User Input Sheet .............................. 26

4.9.8 Pits User Input Sheet ..................................................................... 27

4.9.9 Water Storage and Management User Input Sheet ................. 27

4.9.9.1 Water Storage and Sludge Removal ................ 28

4.9.9.2 Water Management (Treatment) ....................... 28

4.9.10 Process Equipment User Input Sheet ......................................... 30

4.9.11 Underground Mines User Input Sheet ........................................ 30

4.9.12 Miscellaneous Activities User Input Sheet ................................. 31

4.9.12.1 Common Input Tables ......................................... 31

4.9.12.2 Preliminary and Intrusive Site Investigations ... 32

4.9.12.3 Remediation of Contaminated Areas ................ 34

4.9.12.4 Long Distance Haul ............................................. 34

4.9.12.5 Miscellaneous Scrap ........................................... 34

4.9.12.6 Fencing .................................................................. 35

4.9.13 Mobilisation/Demobilisation and Additional User Items User

Input Sheet………………………………………………………...35

5 Information on Rates............................................................................................. 37

5.1 Bottom-up, First Principles Calculation Method ..................................... 37

5.2 Labour Costs ................................................................................................ 37

5.3 Equipment Costs ......................................................................................... 37

5.4 Productivity ................................................................................................... 38

5.5 Scope and Unit Rates ................................................................................. 38

5.6 Alternate Rates ............................................................................................ 39

5.7 Contractor Rate Inclusions ........................................................................ 39


Queensland Department of Environment and Science (ESR/2019/4626) iv

6 Focus Items ............................................................................................................. 41

6.1 Capping of Waste Rock Dumps, Heap Leach Pads and Tailings

Storage Facilities ......................................................................................... 41

6.2 Pasture and Native Seed ........................................................................... 43

6.3 Haulage Distances ...................................................................................... 44

6.4 Fleet Sizes .................................................................................................... 44

7 Worked Examples .................................................................................................. 46

7.1 Seismic Easements .................................................................................... 46

7.2 User Defined Roads in Infrastructure User Input Sheet ........................ 47

7.3 Default Rates for Waste Rock Dumps ..................................................... 50

7.4 User-Defined Rates for Waste Rock Dumps, Heap Leach Pad and

Tailings Storage Facilities .......................................................................... 51

7.5 Pits – Safety Bund ....................................................................................... 57

7.6 Water Treatment ......................................................................................... 58

7.7 Underground Mines .................................................................................... 60

8 Glossary ................................................................................................................... 63


Queensland Department of Environment and Science (ESR/2019/4626) v

List of Tables

Table 3-1 Colour Coding or Cells

Table 3-2 Examples of Default Quantities

Table 4-1 Sheets

Table 4-2 Exploration User Input Sheet Information

Table 4-3 Indicative Pump Capabilities

Table 6-3 Fleet Sizes for Various Activities

Table 8-1 Definitions

Table A-1 Exploration User Input Sheet

Table A-2 Infrastructure User Input Sheet

Table A-3 Overburden Dumps Piles User Input Sheet

Table A-4 Heap Leach Pad User Input Sheet

Table A-5 Tailings Storage Facilities User Input Sheet

Table A-6 Pits User Input Sheet

Table A-7 Water Storage and Management

List of Figures

Figure 3-1 Colour Code Key

Figure 3-2 Example of Units in Adjacent Column

Figure 3-3 Example of Units in Row

Figure 3-4 Example of User Entered Quantities

Figure 3-5 Example of User Entered Volume

Figure 3-6 Alternate Rate Cells

Figure 3-7 Alternate Rate Cell turns Red upon Entry

Figure 3-8 Rationale for Alternate Rate

Figure 3-9 Example of Hyperlinks in the Infrastructure Input Sheet

Figure 3-10 Find Button in Table of Values

Figure 3-11 Example of Hover Text Overburden Dumps Piles User Input Sheet

Figure 3-12 Example of Add Row Button (Add Roads / Tracks in Infrastructure User Input

Sheet)

Figure 3-13 Example of Table prior to Adding Row

Figure 3-14 Example of Table after Adding Row

Figure 3-15 Example of Drop down Menu


Queensland Department of Environment and Science (ESR/2019/4626) vi

Figure 3-16 Show / Hide Rows button in Summary Sheet

Figure 3-17 Show / Hide Rows button in Quantity Summary Sheet

Figure 3-18 Example of User Entered Items area

Figure 4-1 Contents Sheet

Figure 4-2 Registration Sheet


Figure 4-4 Project Management User Entry

Figure 4-5 Example of Data Collated in Quantity Summary Sheet


Figure 4-7 Find Button and Search Box in Table of Values

Figure 4-8 Example of highlighted search results and prompt to find next result

Figure 4-9 Example of Use Box in Exploration User Input Sheet

Figure 4-10 Map ID

Figure 4-11 Example of “Rolled-up” Default Rates in Tailings Storage Facilities

Figure 4-12 Example of User Input Table in Tailings Storage Facilities

Figure 4-13 Eligible Mining Activities Entries

Figure 4-14 Hyperlinks in Infrastructure User Input Sheet

Figure 4-15 Alternate Rate Entry in the Basic Information Table of Pits

Figure 4-16 Example of Default Rates for Water Structures

Figure 4-17 Example of User Defined Tables for Water Structures (Key Input for calculation

circled)

Figure 4-18 Sludge Removal Table

Figure 4-19 Water Management Area Alternate Rate

Figure 4-20 Example of Rates in the Process Equipment User Input Sheet.

Figure 4-21 Alternate Rate Entry in for an Underground Mine

Figure 4-22 Quantity for Services for Mine

Figure 4-23 Example of Input Table in Miscellaneous Activities User Input Sheet

Figure 4-24 Preliminary Site Investigation Entry

Figure 4-25 Example of Use of One-off Cost

Figure 4-26 Example of a Fraction Entry of One-off Cost

Figure 4-27 Land Investigation Input Cells showing Options for Defining the Area

Figure 4-28 Long Distance Haul of Top Soil or Rock

Figure 4-29 Miscellaneous Scrap Disposal


Queensland Department of Environment and Science (ESR/2019/4626) vii

Figure 4-30 Fencing

Figure 4-31 Mobilisation and Demobilisation Default Rates

Figure 4-32 Mobilisation and Demobilisation - small projects

Figure 4-33 Disturbance Sheet

Figure 5-1 Inputs to Table of Values (Build-up of Unit Rates)

Figure 6-1 Total for Input Sheet

Figure 6-2 Seeding Example

List of Appendices

Appendix A User Input Sheets Options, Inputs, Defaults and Calculated Quantities


Queensland Department of Environment and Science (ESR/2019/4626) i

Acronyms, Initialisms and Abbreviations

AMD acid mine drainage

ARD acid rock drainage

DES Department of Environment and Science

EA Environmental Authority

ERC Estimated Rehabilitation Cost

GCL geosynthetic clay liner

h hour

ha hectare

HDPE high density polyethylene

km kilometre

LCM Loose cubic metres

mm millimetre

m metre

m2 square metre

m3 cubic metre

M million

ML megalitres

NMD neutral mine drainage

PAF potentially acid forming

TOV Table of Values

TSF Tailings Storage Facility

WRD Waste Rock Dump


Queensland Department of Environment and Science (ESR/2019/4626) 2

1 Introduction

1.1 Purpose of Document

This document is a User Guide for the Estimated Rehabilitation Cost (ERC) Calculator (hereafter the “Calculator”) for mining activities in Queensland. The Calculator commenced on 1 April 2019, replacing the Financial Assurance Calculator.

The intended audience for this document is anyone who will prepare or review an ERC calculation.

This document includes:

Discussion on changes to key areas of the Calculator.

Explanation of how to use the Calculator.

Description of the architecture of the Calculator including the various Sheets.

Explanation of cost rates and how they are constructed.

Worked examples. Definitions of specific words and phrases used throughout this User Guide are listed in Section 8.

1.2 Purpose of Calculator

The purpose of the Calculator is to provide a tool to calculate the ERC as required by the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act). The Calculator provides consistent approach to estimating the full cost to the Queensland Government to decommission, rehabilitate and close a petroleum and gas operation.

The ERC calculator should be used to capture the maximum potential amount of liability to the State for the period the EA holder has applied for. Therefore EA holders should ensure the maximum potential liability is entered into the calculator, including where minor infrastructure modifications may need to be made during construction.

1.3 Key Differences to the Financial Assurance Calculator

The Calculator, which replaces the Financial Assurance Calculator, has been significantly revised:

1. The values in the Table of Values (TOV) are calculated using bottom-up, first principles methods (see Section 8 for definition of this term).

2. One User Input Sheet is used per Domain (e.g. Pits) with singular items (e.g. a Pit) added as rows.

3. One workbook in place of the former multiple workbooks (Exploration, Open Cut and Underground Mines).

4. Increased granularity (more ranges) of haulage distances. 5. Addition of fleet sizes and corresponding rates using those fleets. 6. Revised layout of the Summary Sheet. 7. A Quantity Summary Sheet is added for data collation (e.g. total volume of earth

pushed for re-shaping Waste Rock Dumps) and display.



2 Process of Estimated Rehabilitation Cost Creation

The User is recommended to follow these steps to create an ERC for a mining activity:

1. Download the Calculator. The Calculator is available on the Queensland Government’s Business Queensland website at: www.business.qld.gov.au/business/running/environment/licences-permits/financial-

assurancerehabilitation/financial-assurance-security-deposit. 2. Click on the hyperlink to the Mining Calculator and a pop-up window like the one

below will appear (this will look different depending on the internet browser used) and click ‘Open’ (or similar depending on the internet browser).

3. Another window like the one below may pop-up. Click “Allow” and the Calculator will open in Excel™.

4. Enable Editing and Macros. When the spreadsheet opens in Microsoft Excel a yellow banner may appear at the top of the window asking the user to enable editing, click ‘Enable Editing’. Another yellow banner may appear stating that ‘Macros have been disabled’, click ‘Enable Content’.

5. Save the file as a new name preferably in the format Company Site ERC Date (e.g. Coal International Big Pit ERC 10Jan19). By downloading the Calculator, the User agrees to the Terms and Conditions. The Terms and Conditions can be found in the “Terms-con” Sheet which is the most right of the Sheets in the Calculator.

6. Either go direct or navigate via the CONTENTS Sheet (see below) to the Registration Sheet.

http://www.business.qld.gov.au/business/running/environment/licences-permits/financial-assurancerehabilitation/financial-assurance-security-deposit

http://www.business.qld.gov.au/business/running/environment/licences-permits/financial-assurancerehabilitation/financial-assurance-security-deposit



7. Enter the required details to the Registration Sheet (see below).

8. Either go direct or navigate via the CONTENTS Sheet to the User Input Sheet you wish to populate.

Estimated Rehabilitation Cost (ERC) Calculator for Mining

REGISTRATION

Back to Contents

Environmental Authority Ref: EA Holder:

Tenure Numbers: Site Name:

Last ERC Decision Date: Current ERC Amount: -$

Site Contact: Position:

Site Address: Phone:

Email:

Alternate Project Overhead

Justification:

If the User enters a Project Management and / or Environmental Maintenance and Monitoring value, please provide justification above.

Signature of Assessor

(company):

Signature of Site Manager

(company):

Title: Title:

Print Name: Print Name:

Date: Date:

By signing above, the signees state this is an accurate assessment of the rehabilitation liability for the site.

Below this line for the Department's use only

Signature of Department

Reviewer:


Manager:

Title: Title:


Date: Date:



9. Read the Use information at the top of the User Input Sheet (example below).

10. In the User Input Sheets, enter quantities to Input cells and select options from the drop-down menus as required.

11. Continue populating the User Input Sheets applicable to the site. 12. Review the Summary Sheet for the Rolled-up totals.

13. If site-specific Project Management and/or Environmental Maintenance and Monitoring values are justified, enter these to the cells in the Summary Sheet and provide an explanation in the space provided in the Registration Sheet.

EXPLORATION

Back to Contents

Total Cost for this Input Sheet $0 $0 Total ERC (from Summary Sheet)

Use: Use this input sheet to show the quantities for exploration activities including seismic corridors, grid-lines minor tracks and drillholes.For seismic, the User may choose to enter the total length of 2D and 3D seismic in one line only if the individual line length are not known.Click in title cells for tips on specific use.Note: "not owned by company" means the infrastructure / facilities is owned by a third party and they would remove it. The only liability for the EA holder in these

SUMMARY

Back to Contents Total ERC: $0

Item Quantity Unit Rate Total Cost

Eligible Mining Activities Quantity Unit Rate Total Cost

Total 0 total $0 $0

$0

1. Exploration Quantity Unit Rate Total Cost

Seismic, Grid-Lines, Minor Tracks 0 km $0 $0

Drillholes 0 holes $0 $0

Tracks and Roads 0 km $0 $0

Show / Hide Rows



14. Review the quantities in the Qty Summary Sheet to ensure they are correct.

15. Re-visit the Registration Sheet and sign (or electronically add) in the space provided.

Please note that although preferred (to assist with future correspondence), signing is

not mandatory. However signing the ERC approved form is mandatory, and by

signing the approved form you certify that the calculation provided is true, correct,

complete and does not provide misleading information.


QUANTITY SUMMARY

Back to Contents Show

Total ERC (from Summary Sheet) $0

Item Value Unit

1. Exploration

Total length of seismic easement - km

Total length of seismic easement to be rehabilitated - km

Number of Drillholes -

Total length of roads and tracks - km

Total number of water structures -

Show/Hide Rows


(company):


(company):

Title: Title:


Date: Date:




3 General Use Principles

3.1 Colour Coding

Table 3-1 describes the colour coding used throughout the Calculator. All cells except green

and yellow are locked to the User.

Table 3-1 Colour Coding or Cells

Word Definition

Green Cells to which the User can input values or text, select options from drop down menus and click on hyperlinks to access other Sheets or areas within a Sheet.

Yellow Reserved for User Entered Alternate Rates. If an Alternate Rate is entered, the yellow rate cell turns pink with red font to inform the Department. If an Alternate Rate is entered, the User must provide an explanation in the accompanying “Rationale for Alternate Rate” cells.

Purple cells Reserved for Default Rates sourced from the TOV.

Hatched cells Structural block-out cells indicating no active part in the Calculator

White cells Calculated quantities and fixed text that the User cannot change

A screen shot of the colour code key is shown as Figure 3-1.

Figure 3-1 Colour Code Key

3.2 Quantity Entry

The User enters quantities into the green cells. The units of each quantity are shown in either the adjacent column (Figure 3-2) or the top row of the table (Figure 3-3).

Figure 3-2 Example of Units in Adjacent Column

Colour Code Key

User Input Cells

User Input - Alternate Rates / justification

Locked cell - Default Rates

Locked cells - blanks

Locked cell - calculations or text (and blue and black)

OVERBURDEN DUMP DIMENSIONS

Total Footprint area of

Overburden Dump

(ha)

Tracks and Roads

Type Qty Unit

Track (earthen) - rip, grade and re-seed km

Road (gravel/crushed rock) - remove rock, grade and re-seed km

Road (gravel/crushed rock) - remove rock and replace km



Figure 3-3 Example of Units in Row

The order of Entry in the User Input Sheets is left to right and some cells must be entered to properly calculate a cost. In the example in Figure 3-4, the Total Footprint area of a Tailings Storage Facility (TSF), Embankment and Area must be entered to calculate a cost. Section 4 and the tables in Appendix A contain information on key entries.

Figure 3-4 Example of User Entered Quantities

The Calculator is set-up to allow as much flexibility as practical, allowing multiple ways to input quantities. An example of this is the volume of growth media (Figure 3-5). In this example, the User can directly enter the volume of growth media or enter a site-specific thickness of growth media. If a user has its own program to quantify volumes, the output from that can be entered into the user volume cells.

In the example below, if the User enters a User growth media value the Calculator uses this value in subsequent cost calculations. If the User enters a value to the User Growth Media Thickness, the Calculator uses this in preference to the default growth media thickness (in this example 0.15 m). If the User does not enter a growth media thickness or a growth media volume, the Calculator multiplies the default thickness by the area to obtain the Growth media volume.

Figure 3-5 Example of User Entered Volume

Width (m) Length (m) Diameter (m) User Area (ha)

Tailings Storage Facilities (User Defined)

TSF DETAILS EMBANKMENT ROCK COVER DIMENSIONS

TOV #

Default value 1.0

# Map ID Tailings Storage Facility Name

Risk Category (select

from drop-down)Total Footprint

area of TSF (ha)

Embankment

Area (ha)

User Input

Thickness of

Rock Cover for

Embankments

(m)

User Entered

volume for

embankment

rock armour (m3)

Volume for

embankment

rock armour

used in

calculation (m3)

X High Risk TSF -

1 Very Low Risk TSF -

- - - -

Add Tailing SF (UD)

0.15

User Growth

media Thickness

(m)

User growth

media volume

(m3)

Growth media

volume used in

calculations

(m3)

-



3.3 Comment Entries

The Calculator includes the following space for User comments:

Assumptions Sheet – the intent of this Sheet is to allow Users to enter general information about the ERC application (see Section 4.8 for further information).

User Input Sheets – a User Comments box is included at the top of each User Input Sheet and this is intended for information specific to the Domain (e.g. specific to Pits) and general for that Domain (e.g. applies to all the Pits).

Element Lines – in some instances, space is allowed at the end of each Element line (e.g. for a specific Pit) for information specific to that element.

Special Areas – in some cases, information is required to justify a selection or entry. An example is the selection of the Risk Category for a Tailings Storage Facility.

Rationale for Alternate Rate – wherever an Alternate Rate is allowed, there is an adjacent (or nearby) space for the User to provide the justification for this rate.

Disturbance Sheet – an additional sheet (sheet 12) is provided to allow the User to enter granular disturbance quantities and other information. The values on this sheet are not linked through the workbook.

The User is encouraged to provide succinct and specific information to assist the Department to understand the intent and assumptions underpinning the User’s entries.

3.4 Default Quantities

The Calculator has some cells which include default quantities which are used in the absence of a User entry. If a User enters a quantity where a default is present, the Calculator uses the User entry instead of the default. Examples of default quantities are shown in Table 3-2.

Table 3-2 Examples of Default Quantities

Sheet Default Quantity Type and Value

Screen Shot

Exploration Length of seismic easement requiring rehabilitation (5%)

Infrastructure Width of track / road (6 m)

Infrastructure Thickness of surface covering (150 mm)

Tailings Storage Facilities

Thickness of capillary break layer (0.6 m)

Seismic, Grid-Lines, Minor Tracks

5%

Land type

Total Length

(km)

Rehab length

(km)

In Pasture 0.0

In Native 0.0

ROAD DIMENSIONS AND COVER

TOV #

Default value 6.0

Road/Track Width (m)

Total Length

(km)

REPLACEMENT OF COVER (IF APPLICABLE)

150

Length of road

to replace rock

(km)

Thickness of

rock to replace

(mm)

0.0

0.0

Default

Thickness of

Capillary Break

Layer (m)

User Input

Thickness of

Capillary Break

Layer (m)

Thickness of

Capillary Break

Layer used in

Calculations

(m). Cannot be

below

mandatory

minimum

0.6 0.6

0.0 -



3.5 How to Enter an Alternate Rate

Alternate Rates are entered to the yellow cells in each User Input Sheet (Figure 3-6). Alternate Rates must have the same unit as the Default Rates, otherwise they should be listed as an additional item in the rows provided (see Section 3.10 for further information).

Figure 3-6 Alternate Rate Cells

If an Alternate Rate is entered, the calculator uses the Alternate Rate over the Default Rate and the Alternate Rate cell turns red (Figure 3-7) to alert the Department.

Figure 3-7 Alternate Rate Cell turns Red upon Entry

If the User enters an Alternate Rate, the User must provide justification in the ‘Rationale for Alternate Rate’ column (Figure 3-8). Alternate rates, including third party quotes, entered into the ERC Calculator must meet the requirements in the Estimated Rehabilitation Coast (ERC) Guideline (ESR/2018/4425).

Figure 3-8 Rationale for Alternate Rate

3.6 Navigation, Search and Information

Hyperlinks in the Contents Sheet are used to access Sheets within the Calculator, the “Back to Contents” hyperlink in the Sheets can be used to return to the Contents Sheet, and other hyperlinks link to areas within Sheets e.g. Mine Haul Roads within the Infrastructure User Input Sheet (Figure 3-9).

Figure 3-9 Example of Hyperlinks in the Infrastructure Input Sheet

Waste Rock Dumps (Defaults)

# Waste Rock Dump Name Area (ha) Risk Category TOV #

Default Rate

($/ha)

Alternate Rate

($/ha)

Total cost for

WRD ($)

1 High Risk WRD/OB #4.01 161,317$ -$

2 Medium Risk WRD/OB #4.02 78,635$ -$

Rationale for Alternate Rate

Quick Acess

Roads and Tracks

Mine Haul Roads

Laydown

Borrow Pits

Pipelines



As the Calculator is purpose-built and requires security to prevent inadvertent corruption, the standard Excel search function (i.e. ctrl+F) does not work. To account for this, a “Find” button is incorporated into the Table of Values Sheet and this allows Users to search for key words or phrases in this Sheet (Figure 3-10).

Figure 3-10 Find Button in Table of Values

Information items include the “Use” box at the top of each User Input Sheet and hover text in specific cells. Hover text is generally in the heading of a column (Figure 3-11). The hover text is viewed by the User clicking in the target cell. Not all cells have hover text.

Figure 3-11 Example of Hover Text Overburden Dumps Piles User Input Sheet

3.7 Add Rows Buttons

The Infrastructure, Overburden Dumps Piles, Heap Leach Pads, Tailings Storage Facilities, Pits and Water Storage Management User Input Sheets include tables with buttons that add a row (Figure 3-12). When the button is clicked (Figure 3-13), one additional Element (one per click) is added (Figure 3-14).

Figure 3-12 Example of Button to Add Row (Add Roads / Tracks in Infrastructure User Input Sheet)

Table of Values - Mining ERC Calculator

2018 Rates Prepared by EHS Support / Mike Slight and Associates

Find

Back to Top


Add Roads/Tracks



Figure 3-13 Example of Table prior to Adding Row

Figure 3-14 Example of Table after Adding Row

3.8 Drop Down Menus

Drop down menus allow selection of a range of items such as surface covering (Figure 3-15). Drop down menus are in green cells and allow selection of:

1. Risk category (e.g. for Waste Rock Dump or Tailings Storage Facility). 2. Haul distance (e.g. to cart rock for armour). 3. Fleet size (e.g. dozer size). 4. Slope angle (e.g. for re-profiled Waste Rock Dump surface). 5. Surface covering type (e.g. rock). 6. Thickness (e.g. of rock surface covering or concrete pad). 7. Camp type and capacity. 8. Building type and size. 9. Site or remote services disconnection. 10. Power generation type. 11. Power distribution pole material. 12. Seed type.

Figure 3-15 Example of Drop down Menu

Acces Roads / Tracks (User defined) Back to Top


TOV #

Default value 6.0

Map ID

# Road / Track Name Road/Track Width (m)

Total Length

(km)

1

Add Roads/Tracks



TOV #

Default value 6.0

Map ID


Total Length

(km)

1

2

Add Roads/Tracks



Note: most drop downs which represent a range in values (e.g. slope angle and thickness) are presented with an (<=) option to ensure all values are clearly captured. However, in locations where this option is not available (e.g. concrete footings in Sheet 8 which only provides for < 0.3 m or > 0.3 m) and the site feature is equal to the range value, the User should use the (<) rate, treating is as (<=). Therefore where concrete pads are 0.3m thick, the (<0.3m) rate should be used.

3.9 Review Elements

Review elements are click buttons (see examples below) designed to allow easy viewing / finding of information and include:

Show / Hide Rows button in the Summary Sheet (Figure 3-16).


Show / Hide Rows button in the Qty Summary Sheet (Figure 3-17).


3.10 Other (User Entered)

Where appropriate, rows are included in Users Input Sheets to allow User Entered items. These are items that are not included in the Calculator and that the User must define specifically. In this case the User must enter a description of the rate, the unit of the quantity (e.g. km), the rate (e.g. cost per kilometre) and explanation for the rate. An example is shown in Figure 3-18.

Figure 3-18 Example of User Entered Items area

The User could enter a line item in this area and use a rate from the TOV. For example, if a fence was required around a Waste Rock Dump, the User could reference the TOV rate

SUMMARY

Back to Contents Total ERC:Show / Hide Rows


QUANTITY SUMMARY



Show/Hide Rows

#8.33 Removal of conveyors and support services down Drift/Decline item $75,000 $0

#8.U1 User entered item $0








here and enter the specific quantity (in this case the length of fence). In the case of fencing, the User could also use the table in the Miscellaneous Activities User Input Sheet (see Section 4.9.12.6).

3.11 Freeze Panes

The standard Freeze Panes function works in the Calculator so the User can freeze or unfreeze columns and rows to assist viewing and use.



4 Architecture of Calculator

4.1 Security

To prevent inadvertent changing of formulas, text and processes, the Calculator is locked with only green and yellow cells available for User entry.

4.2 Sheets

Table 4-1 lists the Sheets in the Calculator with a description of the intended use. Further detail on each User Input Sheet is provided in the next sections.

Table 4-1 Sheets

Sheet Type of Sheet

Attributes, Purpose and Use

CONTENTS Navigation Lists the Sheets available to the User.

Registration User Input For entry of details defining the site, regulatory reference, previous ERC, key personnel and Department review details.

Summary Review Shows the Rolled-up total cost for each domain and the multipliers for maintenance and monitoring, project management and contingency.

Qty Summary Review Shows Rolled-up quantities such as volume of soil to be pushed, and rehabilitation footprints.

Table of values (TOV) Reference Lists all the Rolled-up unit rates used in the Calculator with description of the intended use and items included in the rate (scope).

Assumptions User Input This Sheet allows the User to enter general and/or specific information pertaining to the calculation overall and/or specifics of individual Input Sheets.

Eligible Mining Activities User Input This Sheet is to be used to calculate the ERC for an eligible mining activity on a mining lease only.

1. Exploration User Input This Sheet allows User Entered quantities for activities typically part of exploration.

2. Infrastructure User Input This Sheet allows User Entered quantities for Infrastructure.

3. Overburden Dumps Piles

User Input This Sheet allows User Entered quantities for Waste Rock Dumps, overburden piles and topsoil stockpiles.

4. Heap Leach Pads User Input This Sheet allows User Entered quantities for Heap Leach Pads.

5. Tailings Storage Facilities

User Input This Sheet allows User Entered quantities for Tailings Storage Facilities.

6. Pits User Input This Sheet allows User Entered quantities for Pits.

7. Water Storage and Management

User Input This Sheet allows User Entered quantities for water storage structures and pumping and treatment of water.

8. Process Equipment User Input This Sheet allows User Entered quantities for process equipment.



Sheet Type of Sheet

Attributes, Purpose and Use

9. Underground Mines User Input This Sheet allows User Entered quantities for underground mines.

10. Miscellaneous Activities

User Input This Sheet allows User Entered quantities for rehabilitation, remediation and contaminated land investigation activities.

11. Mobilisation and User

User Input This Sheet allows User Entered quantities for mobilisation and user-specified activities.

12. Disturbance Sheet User Input This Sheet allows the User to enter disturbance quantities. The values entered in this sheet are not linked through the workbook.

Terms and Conditions (“Terms-con”)

Information The Terms and Conditions under which the Calculator can be used. The User must review the Terms and Conditions prior to use. By using the Calculator, the User accepts the Terms and Conditions.

4.3 Contents Sheet

The Contents Sheet is the primary navigation Sheet for the Calculator and allows quick access to the User Input Sheets and Summary Sheets. The mode of transport is hyperlinks which the user clicks on to access the target element.

Figure 4-1 Contents Sheet

4.4 Registration Sheet

The Registration Sheet is where the User enters:

EA and lease details.

Name and location of the site.

Personnel and contact details of the site contact.



The date of the last ERC decision and the amount of ERC last decided by the Department. The amount of ERC last decided is used in the Summary Sheet to show the difference between that amount and the newly proposed ERC amount.

Explanation for any site-specific Project Management and/or Environmental Maintenance and Monitoring values entered to the Summary Sheet.

Details and signature of the people who prepared and approved the ERC, where relevant.

The space below (as per the heading) is for the Department’s use.

Figure 4-2 Registration Sheet

4.5 Summary Sheet (including Project Multipliers)

4.5.1 Sheet Description

The Summary Sheet reports the rolled-up total cost for each Domain and the multipliers for environmental maintenance and monitoring, project management, and contingency. The only User inputs available in this Sheet are site-specific Project Management and Environmental Maintenance and Monitoring percentage multipliers. If the User enters site-specific values for these items, justification must be added to the space provided in the Registration Sheet.


REGISTRATION

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Environmental Authority Ref: EA Holder:

Tenure Numbers: Site Name:

Last ERC Decision Date: Current ERC Amount: -$

Site Contact: Position:

Site Address: Phone:

Email:

Alternate Project Overhead

Justification:

If the User enters a Project Management and / or Environmental Maintenance and Monitoring value, please provide justification above.


(company):


(company):

Title: Title:


Date: Date:


Below this line for the Department's use only


Reviewer:


Manager:

Title: Title:


Date: Date:



To allow easier viewing, the User or Department can hide rows containing zeros (where no inputs were entered) by clicking the Show / Hide Rows button at the top of the Sheet (Figure 4-3).


4.5.2 Project Management Multiplier

The Calculator includes a default multiplier for project management costs, which amounts to

10% of the total ERC from the Domains. The project management multiplier reflects the cost

to government to execute a rehabilitation program for a mine and includes:

Decommissioning and rehabilitation plan and feasibility studies.

Health and safety and overall work plans.

Identifying and obtaining permits.

Procurement of contractors and consultants and ongoing contract management.

Ongoing management of the project including scheduling, expenditure tracking and forecasting, internal communication, on-site supervision.

Stakeholder (including land-owner, community, municipal government and regulators, media) management.

Consulting and legal costs associated with the above items.

The User can enter a site-specific project management multiplier on the Summary Sheet. If the 10% default value is not used, quotes must be attached to the ERC application and the User must provide justification in the space provided in the Registration Sheet. If a User enters a site-specific project management multiplier, the Calculator applies this value instead of the default.

Figure 4-4 Project Management User Entry

SUMMARY

Back to Contents Total ERC:Show / Hide Rows



4.5.3 Environmental Maintenance and Monitoring Multiplier

The Calculator includes a default multiplier for environmental maintenance and monitoring costs, which amounts to 5% of the total ERC from the Domains.

The environmental maintenance and monitoring multiplier reflects the costs to government to undertake the following:

post-closure maintenance activities: o Minor repair of rehabilitated features eroded by surface water run-off and high

intensity rain-fall events. o Revegetation campaigns to rehabilitate areas where vegetation is damaged from

drought, fire, animals and/or infertile seed. o Weed management. o Repair of minor subsidence due to poor backfill operations. o Fence and signage repairs.

post-closure monitoring activities: o Environmental, revegetation and erosion monitoring and assessment. o Ground and surface water monitoring and drainage assessment. o Erosion and surface drainage assessments and inspections across all closure

areas. o Subsidence and ground movement assessments associated with underground

mining. o Engineering, geotechnical and compliance inspections and assessment,

surveys and reporting on the performance of the open pits, underground openings and tailings storage facilities.

o Weed mapping and assessment surveys. o Feral animal assessment and control. o Independent contamination auditing and assessment. o Satellite imagery for rehabilitation analysis and reporting purposes. o Preparation of annual environmental reporting and monitoring reporting.

requirements and data management and control. o Mobilisation and demobilisation of the monitoring and inspection teams.

The User can enter a site-specific environmental maintenance and monitoring multiplier on the Summary Sheet. If the 5% default value is not used, quotes must be attached to the ERC application and the User must provide justification in the space provided in the Registration Sheet. If a User enters a site-specific environmental maintenance and monitoring multiplier, the Calculator applies this value instead of the default.

4.6 Quantity Summary

The Qty Summary Sheet shows Rolled-up quantities such as volume of soil to be pushed and rehabilitation footprint. An example of such quantities is shown in Figure 4-5.

Figure 4-5 Example of Data Collated in Quantity Summary Sheet

3. Overburden Dumps and Soil Piles

Total footprint area of waste rock dumps / overburden (defaults) - ha

Waste Rock Dumps (user defined)

Total footprint area of waste rock dumps - ha

Total flat area of waste rock dumps - ha

Total volume to push on flat areas of waste rock dumps - m3

Total sloped areas on waste rock dumps - ha



To allow easier viewing, the User or the Department can hide rows containing zeros (where no inputs were entered) by clicking the Show / Hide Rows button at the top of the sheet (Figure 4-6).


4.7 Table of Values

The TOV lists the Rolled-up unit rates used in the Calculator with description of the intended use and items included in the rate (scope).

To allow ready finding of a rate or key words, a “Find” button is included at the top of the Sheet (Figure 4-7). To find a word or phrase the User clicks on the Find button, types the word or phrase and clicks “OK”. To find the next occurrence of the target word or phrase the user clicks “YES” when prompted. “NO” must be clicked to end the search (Figure 4-8). In the example below the User searched for the word “seismic”.

Figure 4-7 Find Button and Search Box in Table of Values


QUANTITY SUMMARY



Show/Hide Rows



Figure 4-8 Example of highlighted search results and prompt to find next result

4.8 Assumptions Sheet

The Assumptions Sheet allows the User to enter general and/or specific information pertaining to the calculation overall, and/or specifics of individual User Input Sheets. The User is encouraged to provide information that will assist the Department understand the processes and concepts behind the inputs.

Examples of information that could be entered are:

Details of infrastructure that has been excluded from the ERC calculation due to an agreement with landowner that the infrastructure can remain, for example, an access track. For full information please refer to the ERC Guideline (ESR/2018/4425).

Explanation of decisions previously agreed with the Department.

For comments specific to individual User Input Sheets, it is recommended the User enter these in the space provided at the top of each User Input Sheet.

4.9 User Input Sheets (including Map ID)

There are thirteen User Input Sheets (see Table 4-1) allowing User inputs. The User Input Sheets comprise Rolled-up rates in single lines and User-defined Input tables that build up the activity to calculate the total cost for the Element.

The User Input Sheets are to be filled out from left to right and only information relevant to the particular Element needs to be entered. Generally, dimension inputs need to be entered to allow calculation. Where defaults are listed, and no information is entered by the User, a default value will be used in the calculation.

The structure of each User Input Sheet is similar with header rows providing the Domain name, hyperlink Back to Contents, the total cost for the individual Sheet, the total ERC for the site, the colour code legend, notes on the intended use of the Sheet and a section for the user to enter any details specific to the Sheet that may assist the Department in understanding the inputs. An example is shown in Figure 4-9.



The “Use” box at the top of each User Input Sheet informs the User of the intended use for each sheet.

Figure 4-9 Example of Use Box in Exploration User Input Sheet

Each User Input Sheet includes a column on the left-hand side of the table for each activity to allow the entry of a Map ID (Figure 4-10). The Map ID allows an entry which corresponds to a company-specific GIS (Geographic Information System) or other referencing system. A Map ID must be entered where spatial data is provided which aligns with the line item of the Calculator. The Estimated Rehabilitation Approved form (ESR/2018/4426) dictates where spatial information must or may be provided.

Figure 4-10 Map ID

Some User Input Sheets (e.g. Process Equipment) include spare rows to allow the User to enter items that are not included elsewhere (see Section 3.10 for more detail).

4.9.1 Default Rates and User-Defined Cost Build-up

All the Sheets except for Eligible Mining Activities, Exploration and Process Equipment allow the User flexibility to build site-specific costs via the Input Tables or use Rolled-up Default Rates. It is the User’s decision as to which option to use and will be determined by how much information is available for the specific element (e.g. specific capping design for a Waste Rock Dump). The method to calculate the cost of the element is the same for the Default and User Defined cases but in the User Defined option, the User has more flexibility to match the specific design / approach for the site.

Note that the rates in the calculator have been calculated using loose cubic metres (LCM). Users should enter all cubic meter quantities in LCM.

For an individual element (e.g. Waste Rock Dump), the User uses only one of the tables; if the User enters quantities for an element (e.g. for Waste Rock Dump A) in a Default Rate table they do not need to enter quantities for that element (Waste Rock Dump A in this example) to the User-Defined table.

The following have Default Rates and User-defined tables:

Infrastructure - roads and tracks, mine haul roads, laydown yards and pipelines.

Overburden Dumps Piles - waste rock dumps, overburden piles, topsoil stockpiles.

Heap Leach Pads.

Tailings Storage Facilities.


EXPLORATION

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Total Cost for this Input Sheet $0 $0 Total ERC (from Summary Sheet)

Colour Code Key User Comments (enter any information that will support assumptions and assist department review)

User Input Cells

User Input - Alternate Rates / justification

Locked cell - Default Rates

Locked cells - blanks

Locked cell - calculations or text

Use: Use this input sheet to show the quantities for exploration activities including seismic corridors, grid-lines minor tracks and drillholes.For seismic, the User may choose to enter the total length of 2D and 3D seismic in one line only if the individual line length are not known.Click in title cells for tips on specific use.Note: "not owned by company" means the infrastructure / facilities is owned by a third party and they would remove it. The only liability for the EA holder in these



Pits – safety bund, benches and highwall drill and blast, low wall shaping, backfill open pit and open pit ramp backfill.

Water Storage Management – process water storage, raw water storage, evaporation and other unlined water storage, other (e.g. weirs).

The User-defined Cost Build-up tables aim to break-down the rehabilitation activity into practical steps, for example:

Bulk earthmoving and re-profiling.

Working layer for cap.

Capillary break for cap.

Low permeability layer for cap.

Top layer.

Top soil and revegetation.

Engineering and testing.

The default Rolled-up rates (e.g. cost per unit area for a Tailings Storage Facility) are built using the bottom-up, first principles method described above.

An example of Rolled-up, Default Rates is shown in Figure 4-11 and an example of a User-defined table is shown in Figure 4-12.

Figure 4-11 Example of “Rolled-up” Default Rates in Tailings Storage Facilities

Figure 4-12 Example of User Input Table in Tailings Storage Facilities

4.9.2 Eligible Mining Activities User Input Sheet

As per the ERC Guideline (ESR/2018/4425), “Certain resource activities (mining claims, exploration permits, mineral development licence, mining leases) are authorised with standard conditions and eligibility criteria under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (EP Act). The relevant Standards are prescribed under the Environmental Protection Regulation 2008.

Tailings Storage Facilities (Defaults)

# Map ID Tailings Storage Facility Name Area (ha) Risk Category TOV #

Default Rate

($/ha)

Alternate Rate

($/ha)

Total cost for

TSF ($)

1 High Risk TSF #6.01 193,096$ -$

2 Medium Risk TSF #6.02 109,915$ -$

0 -$

Add Tailing SF (TOV)

Tailings Storage Facilities (User Defined)

TSF DETAILS EMBANKMENT ROCK COVER DIMENSIONS

TOV #

Default value 1.0

# Map ID Tailings Storage Facility Name


from drop-down)Total Footprint

area of TSF (ha)

Embankment

Area (ha)

User Input

Thickness of

Rock Cover for

Embankments

(m)

User Entered

volume for

embankment

rock armour (m3)

1 High Risk TSF

Add Tailing SF (UD)



The Eligible Mining Activities Sheet can be used to calculate the ERC for an eligible mining activity on a mining lease only. If the User’s EA was applied for via a variation EA application, and the User chooses to use the calculator, this Sheet is to be used only to calculate the elements of the activity that comply with the standard conditions and eligibility criteria for the mining activity. Any elements which are the subject of the variation(s) are to be entered into the other relevant User Input Sheets.

This Sheet requires only a Map ID entry (if relevant); the input of quantities next to the appropriate line (Figure 4-13) and any information to assist the Department. If Alternate Rates are justifiable (see Section 5.6 for requirements) they can be entered to the yellow cells with an explanation in the Rationale for Alternate Rate section of each line.

The scope and key assumptions for each Default Rate are included in the Scope and Key Assumptions column.

Mobilisation and demobilisation is not included in the Default Rates for this Sheet so the User must either select a mobilisation and demobilisation from the summary screen by entering a ‘1’ into the line ‘Mobilisation & Demobilisation – small projects’ (only available for small project with a total ERC < $1,000,000), use the Default Rate(s) on the Mobilisation and User Sheet, or supply a third-party quote.

Figure 4-13 Eligible Mining Activities Entries

4.9.3 Exploration User Input Sheet

The Exploration User Input Sheet includes tables for activities typical to the Exploration phase of a mining project, including seismic surveys, drill-holes, roads and tracks, small water structures and disturbances from contractor-owned infrastructure and equipment such as camps and Water Treatment Plants.

The User should enter quantities to the line representing their disturbance. Most of the lines are self-explanatory and further information is provided in Table 4-2

Table 4-2 Exploration User Input Sheet Information

Disturbance Type Information

Seismic The User should enter the length of easement in each land type (native and pasture). The Calculator multiplies the User Entered length by a default 5% to calculate the length of easement to be rehabilitated. The User can over-ride this default by directly entering the easement length to be rehabilitated. The length to be rehabilitated is multiplied by the rate for pasture or native to obtain a total cost for that disturbance. A worked example is shown in Section 7.1.

Drillholes The User should enter the total number of exploration drillholes which are on site.

Roads and Tracks Options for the tracks and roads are shown in Table A-1. The “Road (gravel/crushed rock) - remove rock, grade and re-seed” option

Map ID ITEM SCOPE AND KEY ASSUMPTIONS QUANTITY DEFAULT RATE

ALTERNATE

RATE UNIT

TOTAL

COST ($)

Exploration

Exploration disturbance Includes costeans, bore holes,

exploration pits; drill pads

Backfill with removed material (<1 km haulage)

Cap and seal open bore holes

Rip and seed (pasture grass) 341.14$ pad -$



Disturbance Type Information

would be used where the track or road is to be retained but where either the road surface is contaminated, or the quality of the surface is insufficient to support future use.

Water Structures The User can select from a range of sizes for lined and unlined water structures.

Camps and Water Treatment Plants

For Exploration activities, it is assumed the facilities are owned by third-party contractors and that they bear the cost of removing the facilities. The only liability for the EA holder in these cases is rehabilitation of the land (grade and seed). In cases where the EA holder owns the facilities, entries must be made to the appropriate User Input Sheet (e.g. Infrastructure for Camps) or a specific rate added to one of the “Other (user entered)” rows.

Table A-1 of Appendix A shows further details for the Exploration User Input Sheet.

4.9.4 Infrastructure User Input Sheet

The Infrastructure User Input Sheet includes disturbances relating to access and transport (e.g. roads and rail loading facilities), storage and staging (e.g. laydown), buildings and structures (e.g. camps and communications towers), power generation and distribution (including rates for steel, concrete and wood poles), landfills and sewage treatment plants. A table is also included for miscellaneous concrete pads not associated with infrastructure or equipment (e.g. the rate for demolition and removal of a coal handling preparation plant includes removal of the underlying pad, and therefore the User does not need to add a line to the miscellaneous concrete pads table).

Due to the length of this User Input Sheet, the header section of this Sheet includes a quick access table with hyperlinks to the relevant sections (Figure 4-14).

Figure 4-14 Hyperlinks in Infrastructure User Input Sheet

Table A-2 of Appendix A shows the details for the Infrastructure User Input Sheet. A worked example for a User Defined Road is shown in Section 7.2.

Quick Acess

Roads and Tracks

Mine Haul Roads

Laydown

Borrow Pits

Pipelines

Camps

Buildings

Communication Towers

Power Distribution

Power Generation

Concrete Pads

Rail Infrastructure

Landfills

Sewage Treatment Plants



4.9.5 Overburden Dumps Piles User Input Sheet

For Waste Rock Dumps, the User can elect to use the Rolled-up Default Rates or use the input table to enter the rehabilitation specific to their site. The choice is dependent on the information the User has for the specific Element.

The Default Rates for rehabilitation of Waste Rock Dumps (#4.01, #4.02, #4.03 and #4.04 in the TOV) are based on the chemical properties (e.g. presence, or likely presence, of reactive materials) and physical properties (e.g. shear strength limiting the plant selection for material placement) of the waste. The User must select the category representing the particular dump.

Supporting information must be attached to the ERC application to satisfactorily demonstrate to the Department why a particular capping rate has been applied. Information requirements in relation to capping are outlined in the ERC Guideline (ESR/2018/4425).

Further discussion on capping is included in Section 6.1 and a worked example is included in Section 7.3. Table A-3 of Appendix A shows the available selections, defaults and calculated quantities for the Waste Rock Dumps, Overburden Piles and Top soil stockpiles User Input Sheet.

4.9.6 Heap Leach Pads User Input Sheet

For Heap Leach Pads, the User can elect to use the Rolled-up Default Rates or use the input table to enter the rehabilitation specific to their site. The choice is dependent on the information the User has for the specific Element.

The Default Rates for rehabilitation of Heap Leach Pads (#4.01, #4.02, #4.03 and #4.04 in the TOV) are based on the chemical properties (e.g. presence, or likely presence, of reactive materials) and physical properties (e.g. shear strength limiting the plant selection for material placement) of the waste. The User must select the category that represents the particular pad.


Further discussion on capping is included in Section 6.1 and a worked example is included in Section 7.3 (note this is for a Waste Rock Dump but the concepts are similar). Table A-4 of Appendix A shows the available selections, defaults and calculated quantities for the Heap Leach Pads User Input Sheet.

4.9.7 Tailings Storage Facilities User Input Sheet

For Tailings Storage Facilities, the User can elect to use the Rolled-up Default Rates or use the input table to enter the rehabilitation specific to their site. The choice is dependent on the information the User has for the specific Element.

The Default Rates for rehabilitation of Tailings Storage Facilities (#6.01, #6.02, #6.03 and #6.04 in the TOV) are based on the chemical properties (e.g. presence, or likely presence, of reactive materials) and physical properties (e.g. shear strength limiting the plant selection for material placement) of the waste. The User must select the category that represents the particular TSF.




Further discussion on capping is included in Section 6.1 and a worked example is included in Section 7.3 (note this is for a Waste Rock Dump but the concepts are similar). Table A-5 of Appendix A shows the available selections, defaults and calculated quantities for the Tailings Storage Facilities User Input Sheet.

4.9.8 Pits User Input Sheet

The Pits User Input Sheet is slightly different to the others in that basic pit information and details entered to the top table automatically populates through to the treatment tables below. Section 7.5 shows a worked example and Table A-6 of Appendix A shows the details.

The following treatments are available for Pits:

Safety bund (with fencing and signs).

Benches and Highwall Drill and Blast and Doze to Make Safe.

Backfill Open Pit with Waste Rock.

Low Walk Shaping / Load and Haul to Make Safe.

Open Pit Ramp Backfill.

The User enters the quantities in the Basic Pit Information table for the treatment(s) required for each pit. The tables below the Basic Pit Information table contain the detail for each treatment and the User can change quantities in these tables as required.

In the Basic Pit Information table, the User is requested to provide a brief explanation as to how the area of the pit was derived (e.g. GIS, length of X m by width of Y m, circle of diameter D). For example, if the Pit is a rectangle, it is likely the area was derived by multiplying the length by the width. If the Pit is irregular in shape, an area estimation package may have been used.

An Alternate Rate can be entered for a specific Pit and this is added at the end of the Basic Information Table (Figure 4-15).

Figure 4-15 Alternate Rate Entry in the Basic Information Table of Pits

4.9.9 Water Storage and Management User Input Sheet

The Water Storage and Management User Input Sheet is used to calculate costs to decommission water structures, and to pump and treat water in both those water structures and from other areas of the site (including Pits).

User Comments

TOTAL FOR PIT Alternate Rate TOTAL FOR PIT User Comments

-$ -$

-$ -$ -$

-$ -$



4.9.9.1 Water Storage and Sludge Removal

The Sheet includes Default Rates for water structures to which Alternate Rates can be added (Figure 4-16) and User Defined tables where specific inputs can be entered.

Figure 4-16 Example of Default Rates for Water Structures

User Defined tables are included for the following storage structures:

Process water storage.

Raw water storage.

Evaporation and other unlined water storage.

Other (e.g. weirs). The inputs for each water structure are similar and include basic dimensions as shown in Figure 4-17. The Size or Capacity (megalitres, ML) does not feature in the calculation, rather it provides context. The key inputs for the calculation are circled and if the User does not have these quantities, they should use either the Default Rates or supply Alternate Rates.

Figure 4-17 Example of User Defined Tables for Water Structures (Key Input for calculation circled)

The Sludge Removal table is similar to the water structure tables but with drop-down menus for the distance to haul sludge (Figure 4-18). This table is for sludge not within water structures as those rates include sediment and sludge.

Figure 4-18 Sludge Removal Table

4.9.9.2 Water Management (Treatment)

The Water and Salt Management table captures pumping and treatment of water in water structures, Pits and any other areas of the site where water is to be managed. There is no other place in the Calculator where water to be managed is captured.



For water management, the User can stipulate one or multiple treatments including:

Evaporate water using the sun (per structure).

Enhanced evaporation of water using fine mist spray (per structure).

Operation of reverse osmosis plant (per ML).

Treat organics only (e.g. activated carbon) (per ML).

Adjust pH only (neutralisers) (per ML).

Management of salt (load, transport, dispose at suitable facility). The User must provide explanation for the treatment selected. For example, if solar evaporation is selected, the User must demonstrate the water volume can be managed in a reasonable (for rehabilitation) time-frame and costs for management of the remaining material have been included (e.g. by adding quantities to the sludge table) or are not required (e.g. evaporation water storage).

The Water and Salt Management table includes entries for:

Site Establishment and engineering for site inspections, sampling programs, engineering and design of water management systems.

Construction of infrastructure required to implement water management including water structures, drains, pumping, treatment plants, power generation and water infrastructure.

Operations management including site supervision, operational staff and consultants.

Installation and consumption of power and water required for water management.

The calculation uses User inputs of total volume of water to be pumped (ML), the pump set size (e.g. 2 inch) and the number of pump sets to calculate a pumping rate and duration to pump the entered water volume. Table 4-3 gives the User an indication of the capability of various size pumps.

Table 4-3 Indicative Pump Capabilities

Pump Flowrates (all at 100 metres head)

Flow (ML/h) Flow (ML/day)

2" pump with hoses 0.05 1.2 3" pump with hoses 0.07 1.7 4" pump with hoses 0.15 3.6 6" pump with hoses 0.25 6.0

The User can enter an Alternate Rate for the water management area at the end of each row (Figure 4-19).

Figure 4-19 Water Management Area Alternate Rate

Water management scenarios will vary from site to site depending on the mine type and degree of processing undertaken. The User should provide sufficient information to support the:

Determination of the volume of water to be pumped.

Selection of the size of pumps and number of pump sets which will relate to the volume of water to be pumped and potentially to the head required (e.g. if the water is very deep, multiple stages may be required).

Pump and

hoses Rate

($/pump per

day)

Total cost for

pumps ($) User entry

Alternate Rate

(total $)

Total cost per

area Rationale for Alternate Rate

$ 289.48 $ - -$



Selection of water treatment options which will be informed by water quality results and an understanding of the mine processes.

Table A-7 of Appendix A shows the details for Water Storage. A worked example for water and salt management is included in Section 7.6.

4.9.10 Process Equipment User Input Sheet

The Process Equipment User Input Sheet requires only the input of quantities next to the appropriate line. If Alternate Rates are justifiable they can be entered to the yellow cells with an explanation in the Justification for Alternate Rate section of each line.

Figure 4-20 Example of Rates in the Process Equipment User Input Sheet.

4.9.11 Underground Mines User Input Sheet

In the Underground Mines User Input Sheet, the User enters details in the first table and the costs are calculated in the second table. The Sheet includes:

Ventilation shafts. Treatments are backfill, plug or cover. The number of ventilation shafts must be entered and the total depth (m) if backfill is the selected treatment.

Hoisting shafts. Treatments are backfill, plug or cover. The number of hoisting shafts must be entered and the total depth (m) if backfill is the selected treatment.

Adits (<2m in diameter) with options for covering and sealing. The User enters the number to be treated by each method.

Declines/ Drifts. The User enters the number of these.

Drifts/Declines with conveyors. The User enters the number of these.

Small (historical) shafts proposed for closure. The User enters the number of these. A worked example is included in Section 7.7. An Alternate Rate can be entered for a specific underground mine at the end of the Cost table (Figure 4-21). Justification must be provided in the space below the Cost table.

Figure 4-21 Alternate Rate Entry in for an Underground Mine

The Calculator defaults the “Terminate and disconnect all services to the U/G workings?” to 1 (and applies the Default Rate of $35,000) when the User enters a Name of the mine. If the services are already disconnected, the User sets this value to 0, to prevent the application of

Map ID # Activity Quantity Unit Default Unit Rate Alternative Unit Rate Total Cost

#8.01 Demolish and remove processing equipment m2/floor $265 $0

#8.02 Remove stacker or reclaimer Item $1,000,000 $0

#8.03Demolish and remove bucket wheel stacker/reclaimer or wing

stackerItem $2,500,000 $0

Total Cost for

underground

mines using

defaults

($)

Alternate Rate

($/mine)

Total Cost for

underground mines

($)

3,116,560$ 3,116,560$

3,492,742$ $2,000,000 2,000,000$

3,619,335$ 3,619,335$



the Default Rate. In Figure 4-22, the Calculator has applied a quantity of 1 as the User has entered the name of a mine. For Mine 2, the User has changed the default to 0.

Figure 4-22 Quantity for Services for Mine

4.9.12 Miscellaneous Activities User Input Sheet

The Miscellaneous Activities User Input Sheet requires only User entries such as area and number. The following are included:

Land Rehabilitation and Repair of Subsidence and Land Management.

Natural Drainage and Diversions.

Land investigations.

Remediation of contaminated areas.

Miscellaneous rehabilitation and maintenance – this is for areas not covered elsewhere.

Bores and gas drainage.

Long distance carting of top soil and rock.

Long distance carting of clay.

Long distance carting of lime.

Miscellaneous scrap (not associated with facilities, buildings, pipelines etc.).

Fencing (not included elsewhere).

Rehabilitation of land areas (not included elsewhere).

4.9.12.1 Common Input Tables

Most of the tables in the Miscellaneous Activities are like that shown in Figure 4-23. They require only the names of the area and simple inputs such as area. These are summed and multiplied by the Default Rate (circled). Alternate Rates can be added below the Default Rates if justification is provided.

Figure 4-23 Example of Input Table in Miscellaneous Activities User Input Sheet

Name

Terminate and

disconnect all

services to the

U/G workings ?

Mine 1 1

Mine 2 0

Land Rehabilitation and Repair of Subsidence and Land Management

Map ID Name of Area

Maintenance of

rehabilitated areas

(ha)

Minor earthworks

and ripping or

maintenance of

mine subsidence

areas (ha)

Existing

rehabilitation

repair - minor (ha)

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

Quantity Totals 0.00 0.0 0.0

TOV#: #10.01 #10.02 #10.03

Rate / Default: 2,133$ 1,746$ 1,194$

Alternate Rate:

Total cost -$ -$ -$



4.9.12.2 Preliminary and Intrusive Site Investigations

The Calculator has Default Rates for contaminated land investigations, both preliminary and intrusive site investigations. These Default Rates must be considered for any project that:

Produces one or more hazardous contaminants in a concentration with the potential to cause serious or material environmental harm and a person, animal or other part of the environment may become exposed to the hazardous contaminant(s).

Includes notifiable activities; and/or has contaminated land on the environmental management register (EMR) or contaminated land register (CLR).

Preliminary Site Investigation

The Preliminary Site Investigation unit rate is a one-off cost. A Preliminary Site Investigation in the context of mine closure is typically a part of planning activities and aims to identify areas of known, suspected or reasonably probable contamination resulting from the mine operations. The Preliminary Site Investigation comprises a review of the site setting, site history, operational history (including any accidents and incidents), hazardous liquids and solids storage schedules and sources of potential impacts and receptors.

To apply a cost for a Preliminary Site Investigation, the User selects Y in the “Preliminary Site Investigation needed?” column Figure 4-24.

Figure 4-24 Preliminary Site Investigation Entry

Intrusive Site Investigations

An intrusive investigation would be targeted and may not be required for all contaminated or preliminary investigation areas. The intrusive investigation rate should be applied considering risk, site history, past incidents and the planned rehabilitation program. An intrusive investigation should be considered if a site has contaminated land on the EMR or CLR, and if scalping and disposal of contaminated material is not accounted for in key areas with potential for contamination (e.g. process areas, maintenance yards, go lines).

There are two Default Rates for intrusive site investigations - a one-off cost (termed “Separate Area” in the Calculator) and per area cost. The User must add entries for both these rates to cost an intrusive site investigation.

One-Off Cost for Site Investigations

The approach to estimating costs for site investigations recognizes that most investigations of this nature comprise a single campaign (one mobilisation) taking in multiple areas. The one-off cost allows for planning and preparation, ongoing project management, health and safety plans, work plans and reporting. A combination of the factors outlined above (risk, rehabilitation program, site history and grouping and relative proximity of infrastructure) must be considered in determining the number of one-off costs to apply. Examples of areas that may individually comprise one campaign are:

Service facility area – fuel or chemical stores, workshop, vehicle washdown, sewage treatment.

Land Investigations

TOV#: #10.14

Rate / Default: 15,000$

Alternate Rate:

Map ID Area

Separate area?

(Or portion) Width (m) Length (m) Diameter (m) User Area (ha)

Preliminary site

investigation

needed?

Calculated Area

(ha)

Area for

calculations

(ha)

Preliminary Site

Investigation ($)

1 Washdown area 0.5 100.0 20.0 Y 0.20 0.20 15,000$



Processing plant – ore and product storage, mine waste storage and disposal rail load out.

Remote pit facilities - vehicle re-fuel, sewage treatment, secondary workshop, chemical storage.

The User should enter a 1 for the one-off entry demonstrating that the areas described in the line will be investigated in one campaign1. The Calculator defaults to 1 when an area is added (Figure 4-25).

Figure 4-25 Example of Use of One-off Cost

The User can enter a fraction of 1 if they want to list individual areas that will be investigation in one campaign (Figure 4-26).

Figure 4-26 Example of a Fraction Entry of One-off Cost

By Area Cost for Site Investigation

The by area rate accounts for activities undertaken on-site. The rate includes costs for field staff to collect soil samples, sampling equipment and consumables and laboratory analytical costs.

The User can describe the area for a land investigation by entering width and length or diameter or the area (Figure 4-27). This recognizes that Users will have different quantity types. Some Users may use GIS that outputs area and others may be measure length and width off a plan. In this example, the hierarchy is User Entered Area then Width and Length and then Diameter. If both length and width and diameter are added, the Calculator uses length and width and ignores diameter. The Calculated Area column shows the calculation of area based on the User Entered dimensions and if a value is entered directly to the User Area column, the Area for calculations column will default to that entry (see Figure 4-27 for examples).

1 These areas were termed “cluster” in the Financial Assurance calculator.

Area

Separate area?

(Or portion)

Service area 1 1.0

Processing area 1.0

0.0

Area

Separate area?

(Or portion)

Washdown area 0.5

Vehicle serrvice area 0.5



The per area rate is applied only to the area to be investigated. For example, a tank farm within a processing facility – in this case only the tank farm area is entered.

Figure 4-27 Land Investigation Input Cells showing Options for Defining the Area

4.9.12.3 Remediation of Contaminated Areas

This table accounts for any known contamination on the site. Remediation of contaminated areas is not included in any of the other User Input Sheets, so any area must be entered this to the table.

The table includes inputs and rates for material beneath process facilities; disposal of contaminated material to landfill, on-site landfarming of soil impacted by organics (e.g. oily soil or sludge) and asbestos.

4.9.12.4 Long Distance Haul

Long distance haul tables are available for top soil and rock (Figure 4-28), gypsum (for amendment of top soil), clay (e.g. for low permeability caps) and lime (for neutralization). The User must use these tables if required material is not within 6 km of the intended use area. The distance is selected from the drop-down menu (circled) which has increments extending up to 200 km. The User enters the mass of material required and this is multiplied by the distance and Default Rate to obtain the total cost for that area. The purchase price is separate to the transport cost and this is shown in the adjacent column. The Default Rate can be changed by the User if they provide justification. An Alternate Rate can be added in the standard way for the Calculator.

Figure 4-28 Long Distance Haul of Top Soil or Rock

4.9.12.5 Miscellaneous Scrap

The miscellaneous scrap table accounts for any scrap not associated with Elements in other User Input Sheets (e.g. debris from a facility demolished in the past that has yet to be cleared). Scrap resulting from demolition of infrastructure and process equipment covered in other User Input Sheets does not need to be added here as it is incorporated into those rates.

Two rates are available – bury on-site and dispose off-site. An Alternate Rate can be added in the standard way for the Calculator.

Area

Separate area?

(Or portion) Width (m) Length (m) Diameter (m) User Area (ha)

Preliminary site

investigation

needed?

Calculated Area

(ha)

Area for

calculations

(ha)

Washdown area 0.5 100.0 20.0 N 0.20 0.20

Vehicle serrvice area 0.5 0.05 N 0.00 0.05

Processing area 1.0 30.0 N 0.07 0.07



Figure 4-29 Miscellaneous Scrap Disposal

4.9.12.6 Fencing

The fencing table (Figure 4-30) is to account for miscellaneous fencing not associated with Elements in other User Input Sheets. The Default Rates in the TOV for the different fencing types are listed and Alternate Rates can be added in the standard way for the Calculator.

Figure 4-30 Fencing

4.9.13 Mobilisation/Demobilisation and Additional User Items User Input Sheet

The Mobilisation and User Input Sheet allows entries for mobilisation / demobilisation and any additional site-specific items that do not have a space elsewhere in the Calculator.

Mobilisation and demobilisation is the process of transporting earthmoving machinery to the site for the rehabilitation work and transporting the machinery back to the supply centre. Typically, the supply centre for earthmoving equipment is a major centre such as Brisbane or Rockhampton. The mobilisation / demobilisation costs reflect the effort required for safe transport of earthmoving equipment which typically includes floats and convoys.

The Calculator includes mobilisation / demobilisation rates for small, medium and large fleets and in distance ranges of <=150 km, >150 km and <=500 km, > 500 km and <=1000 km and > 1000 km (Figure 4-31). The Default Rates allow for transport both ways and therefore the User should use the one-way distance (from supply centre to source) when determining the appropriate line to select. The Default Rates includes costs for utility and service vehicles to support the earthmoving equipment.

Mobilisation and Demobilisation

Map ID TOV# Description Qty Default Rate Alternate Rate Total

#11.01 Mobilisation & Demobilisation - Small Fleet (<= 150 km) 123,000$ $0

#11.02 Mobilisation & Demobilisation - Small Fleet (> 150 km and <= 500 km) 1 226,000$ $226,000

#11.03 Mobilisation & Demobilisation - Small Fleet (> 500 km and <= 1000 km) 427,500$ $0

#11.04 Mobilisation & Demobilisation - Small Fleet (> 1000 km) 526,000$ $0

#11.05 Mobilisation & Demobilisation - Medium Fleet (<=150 km) 184,000$ $0

#11.06 Mobilisation & Demobilisation - Medium Fleet (> 150 km and <= 500 km) 337,500$ $0

#11.07 Mobilisation & Demobilisation - Medium Fleet (> 150 km and <= 500 km) 638,000$ $0

#11.08 Mobilisation & Demobilisation - Medium Fleet (> 1000 km) 785,000$ $0

#11.09 Mobilisation & Demobilisation - Large Fleet (<= 150 km) 201,000$ $0

#11.10 Mobilisation & Demobilisation - Large Fleet (> 150 km and <= 500 km) 368,500$ $0

#11.11 Mobilisation & Demobilisation - Large Fleet (> 500 km and <= 1000 km) 697,000$ $0

#11.12 Mobilisation & Demobilisation - Large Fleet (> 1000 km) 858,000$ $0

226,000$



Figure 4-31 Mobilisation and Demobilisation Default Rates

The number of mobilisation / demobilisation units entered is dependent on the activities selected throughout the Calculator. Typically, the expectation is for only one entry with the fleet size reflecting the predominant size used through the calculation. For large projects, two entries may be required, for example a small fleet is sourced from a local centre and a large fleet is sourced from a major centre. The User should justify the distance and fleet size selected in the User Comments section of the Mobilisation and demobilisation User Sheet or the Assumptions Sheet. Irrespective, at least one of these rates must be applied once for every submitted ERC. Figure 4-31 shows a typical example (with only one unit entered). This Sheet requires only the input of quantities next to the appropriate line. If Alternate Rates are justifiable they can be entered to the yellow cells with an explanation in the Rationale for Alternate Rate section of each line.

For small projects (total ERC < $1,000,000 before mobilisation costs), the User may choose to apply mobilisation and demobilisation costs by using the 10% flat rate option contained on the Summary Screen. The User can choose this option by entering a ‘1’ into the line ‘Mobilisation & Demobilisation – small projects’. Using this functionality will apply mobilisation and demobilisation costs of 10% of the total ERC amount. If using this approach the User should not enter quantities into the Mobilisation Sheet.

Figure 4-32 Mobilisation & Demobilisation – small projects

4.9.14 Disturbance Sheet

The disturbance sheet allows for Users to enter free text data, which may include granular disturbance quantities and other miscellaneous supporting information.

It is important to note that the values entered into this sheet are not linked through the workbook, and the User must ensure that all disturbance values are separately entered into the relevant Sheets.

Figure 4-33 Disturbance Sheet



5 Information on Rates

5.1 Bottom-up, First Principles Calculation Method

The Unit Rates for an activity are constructed using “bottom-up, first-principles” whereby costs for relatively complex activities are built starting from basic singular values such as cost ($) per hour for machinery hour and productivity of that machinery. The build of Unit Rates is illustrated in Figure 5-1.

The bottom-up, first principles method is generally:

A scope for an activity is defined.

Productivity values are used to estimate the time an activity may take.

The time is multiplied by an hourly rate (encompassing Labour and Equipment rates) to obtain a cost for that activity.

Labour Costs, Equipment Costs and Productivity Rates are the most fundamental values (base rates) underpinning the Unit Rates and these are discussed further below.

5.2 Labour Costs

The Labour costs (e.g. cost per hour for equipment operator) are calculated by adding the following allowance to a base rate:

Annual leave

Long service leave

Paid notice

Severance / retrenchment

Payroll tax

Workers compensation

Superannuation

Profit

Operating hour proportion

5.3 Equipment Costs

The Equipment costs (e.g. cost per hour for an excavator) are built assuming:

The capital (ownership) cost of new equipment is depreciated over a much longer life within the Calculator than what it is likely for used equipment.

The new equipment would be depreciated (and used) over several contracts by a typical earthmoving contactor unless they are long term contracts.

Operating time of 3,723 hours per year for closure works.

The new equipment ownership (depreciation) rates per hour are anticipated to be similar to used equipment ownership (depreciation) rates per hour a contractor would apply to a typical earthmoving contract based on the typical age of used equipment proposed for the contract.

The following depreciation periods for new equipment are used in the Calculator rates:

Dozers 35,000 hours

Graders 55,000 hours

Excavators 54,000 hours

Front End Loaders 35,000 hours

Haul Trucks 75,000 hours



The Equipment costs are calculated by adding the following allowance to a base rate:

Rolled-up labour cost as described above.

Fuel is a set price per litre. The fuel cost per hour is calculated using fuel consumption rates from the Caterpillar™ manual.

Preventative maintenance and wear.

Contractor profit and administration of 16%.

5.4 Productivity

Productivity (e.g. cubic metres of soil a dozer can push over a specific length range) defines the performance capability of a machine or equipment and is used to estimate the time an activity may take so that an hourly rate can be applied to obtain a cost for that activity. Productivity rates are generally sourced from the Caterpillar™ earthmoving manual.

5.5 Scope and Unit Rates

The scope for a Unit Rate is the sequence of events or activities (which could be thought of as sub-activities) required to be undertaken to complete an Activity. For example, sourcing rock to fill a void comprises loading the rock, transporting the rock and placing the rock. Each activity has a Unit Rate and these are summed to obtain the Unit Rate for the Activity.

Depending on the complexity of the Activity, Unit Rates either are a rate in the TOV (or Default Rate) directly or are combined with other unit rates to form a rate in the TOV. Instructions on appropriate application of each rate in the TOV are included in the Use and Scope and Key Assumptions columns in the TOV Sheet.

The scope for each activity was developed by a team of engineers with mine closure and engineering cost estimation experience ranging from 20 to over 35 years. The base costs (e.g. cost per hour for an excavator) are based on contemporary third-party rates.



Figure 5-1 Inputs to Table of Values (Build-up of Unit Rates)

5.6 Alternate Rates

Users must review all Default Rates and ensure they are applicable to their site conditions. If not, they can specify an Alternate Rate and insert this rate into the Calculator. Alternate rates and additional items include third-party quotes or contracted rates.

Third-party quotes or contracted rates used in the Calculator must meet the requirements in the ERC Guideline (ESR/2018/4425).

Users must provide justification for any Alternate Rates or additional items provided in the Calculator.

5.7 Contractor Rate Inclusions

The contractor rates (e.g. $/h for an excavator) that form the basis of the Unit Rates include built-in allowances for:

Health and safety plans and personnel protective equipment.

Passenger vehicles / utilities for crew, support staff (e.g. fitters) and supervisors.

Service vehicles for fueling, oiling and greasing primary machinery.



Ancillary equipment such as power generators, air compressors and hoses, lighting units.

Signage and fencing.

Consumables including fuel, oils and greases, other consumables.

Maintenance personnel and tools.

Temporary accommodation camps, workshops, offices and stores and equipment and consumables therein.



6 Focus Items

6.1 Capping of Waste Rock Dumps, Heap Leach Pads and Tailings Storage Facilities

The Calculator has separate User Input Sheets for Overburden Dump/Waste Rock Dumps, Heap Leach Pads and Tailings Storage Facilities.

For all three of these domains, the Calculator provides two options:

1. Default, “Rolled-up” rates that use unit rates and sub-activities to generate a single rate value (typically as $/ha); or

2. User Defined table. These tables allow the user to enter site-specific details of the structure and use the unit rates to generate a single rehabilitation value.

The User can enter quantities into both tables for different structures. The User does not enter details into both tables for the same structure. In each Sheet, the sum of the Default and User-Defined entries is shown at the top (Figure 6-1). The title ERC is also shown for reference.

Figure 6-1 Total for Input Sheet

The method to calculate the cost of the structure is the same for the Default and User Defined cases but in the User Defined option, the User has more flexibility to match the specific design / approach for the site.

Both the default and User Defined options consider the following capping features:

A working rock layer over the tailings to provide a stable surface for the cap. Note that a working layer is not required for Waste Rock Dumps or Heap Leach Pads.

Capillary break layer to mitigate salt uptake into the vegetation surface.

Low permeability layer (typically clay) to prevent infiltration of surface water into the waste.

Growth media (typically top soil) and vegetation.

The key entry for review by the Department is the Risk Category selected by the User, which should reflect the risk the element poses to the environment. The User should provide notes to inform the Department of the rationale behind the selection and Table 4-1 provides a guide for the characteristics of Waste Rock, Heap Leach and Tailings for each category.


WASTE ROCK DUMPS, OVERBURDEN DUMPS, SPOIL PILES AND STOCKPILES

Back to Contents

Total Cost for this Input Sheet -$ $0 Total ERC (from Summary Sheet)



Table 6-1 Risk Category Characteristics

Risk Category

Waste Rock Dumps Heap Leach Pads Tailings Storage Facilities

High

Select this category if the waste structure has one or more of the following characteristics:

Potentially acid forming material (PAF)

Other highly reactive materials including (ARD/AMD/NMD)

Observed contaminated seepage capable of causing environmental harm

Potentially acid forming material (PAF)


Observed contaminated seepage capable of causing environmental harm.

Potentially acid forming (PAF) material


Poor consolidation and low shear strength tails materials

Requiring composite liners (e.g. HDPE)

Embankments > 30 metres high

Observed contaminated seepage capable of causing environmental harm.

Medium Moderately reactive materials (ARD/AMD/NMD)

Hypersaline tailings that could impact on the proposed end land use

Moderately reactive materials (ARD/AMD/NMD)

Hypersaline tailings that could impact on the proposed end land use

Moderately reactive materials (ARD/AMD/NMD)

Hypersaline tailings that could impact on the proposed end

Low strength consolidated tailings land use objectives for the facility

Embankments 15 to 30 m high

Low Low reactive materials (ARD/AMD/NMD)

Low reactive materials (ARD/AMD/NMD

Low reactive materials (ARD/AMD/NMD)

Moderate to low salinity

Moderate strength consolidated tailings

Embankments less than 15 m high

Very Low Benign materials Benign materials Zero reactive materials (ARD/AMD/NMD)

Low salinity

Moderate strength consolidated tailings

Embankments less than 15 m high

An allowance for engineering and design of Waste Rock Dumps, Heap Leach Pads and Tailings Storage Facilities is included in the Default and User-Defined rates.

The engineering costs and default minimum thicknesses of each cap item are shown in Table 6-2.



Table 6-2 Capping Engineering Cost and Default Minimum Thicknesses

Risk Category

Waste Rock Dumps Heap Leach Pads Tailings Storage Facilities

High Engineering $2,000/ha

Working layer 0 m

Capillary break 0.6 m

Low permeability layer 0.5 m

Top Rock Layer 1.5 m

Engineering $2,000/ha

Working layer 0 m





Working layer 0.5 m




Medium Engineering $2,000/ha

Working layer 0 m


Low permeability layer 0 m



Working layer 0 m





Working layer 0.5 m




Low Engineering $1,500/ha

Working layer 0 m

Capillary break 0 m




Working layer 0 m

Capillary break 0 m




Working layer 0 m

Capillary break 0 m


Top Rock Layer 1 m

Very Low Engineering $500/ha

Working layer 0 m

Capillary break 0 m


Top Rock Layer 0 m

Engineering $500/ha

Working layer 0 m

Capillary break 0 m


Top Rock Layer 0 m

Engineering $500/ha

Working layer 0 m

Capillary break 0 m


Top Rock Layer 0 m

The default thickness for growth media is 0.15 m for all cases.

A worked example illustrating how to calculate the cost of capping of a Waste Rock Dump using the Default and User Defined options is shown in Section 7.

For High Risk Waste Rock Dumps, Heap Leach Pads and Tailings Storage Facilities, the default minimum top rock, capillary break and low-permeability layer thicknesses are locked. This means if the User enters a value below the minimum, it will not be accepted, and the Calculation will default to the minimum. If the User enters a thickness greater than the default minimum, the Calculator uses the User-entered value. The default thickness is not fixed for elements of Medium, Low and Very Low Risk Category. See the worked example in Section 7.4.

6.2 Pasture and Native Seed

Most activities require re-vegetation of the land surface and the Calculator allows for native or pasture type seed. The Calculator typically includes a drop-down menu to allow the selection of native or pasture seed. The Calculator applies the appropriate rate to area required to be seeded. If an area covers both native and pasture land, the User must input separate lines (

Figure 6-2).



Figure 6-2 Seeding Example

6.3 Haulage Distances

The haulage distance is the round-trip distance to/from a source of material (e.g. gypsum) or to an end-use / disposal location (e.g. void for rock placement). (Note this is different to the mobilization / demobilization costs).

6.4 Fleet Sizes

A range of fleet sizes is included in the Calculator to reflect the varying size of earthmoving projects. For large projects, economies of scale can be realized by using larger fleets. It is important the right size fleet is used for each activity to improve the accuracy of the calculation. Table 6-3 provides examples of the fleet size for various activities.

Table 6-3 Fleet Sizes for Various Activities

Fleet Size Typical Composition Activities

Small 740C (ADT) Truck

980M Loader

14M Grader

19kL water truck

D9R Dozer

Load, haul and spread top soil and other growth media materials

Load, haul and dump bitumen, stabilised materials, demolition rubble and concrete

Load, Haul, Dump Spread Fill (small scale) - Waste Rock Landforms, Spoil Piles, Roadways, contaminated soil footprints, ponds, dams, shallow voids, in-pit and other tailings storage facilities and other fill areas – volumes of materials up to 1.0M m3.

Excavate, load, haul, dump and spread water storage sediment and silt

Medium 777G Truck

PC 1250 Excavator

16M Grader

777G Truck

D10T Dozer

Load, Haul, Dump Spread Fill (medium scale) - Waste Rock Landforms, Spoil Piles, Roadways, contaminated soil footprints, ponds, dams, shallow voids, in-pit and other tailings storage facilities and other fill areas – volumes of materials up to 5.0M m3.

Large 793F Truck

EX2500 Excavator

16M Grader

785D Water Truck

D11T Dozer

Load, Haul, Dump Spread Bulk Material including Fill - Waste Rock Landforms, Spoil Piles, Roadways, contaminated soil footprints, ponds, dams, shallow voids, in-pit and other tailings storage facilities and other fill areas – volumes of materials up to 10M m3.

Truck/ Shovel 797F Truck Source, Load, Haul, Dump Spread overburden for pit backfill and recontouring –

HEAP LEACH PILE REVEGETATION

#10.58 #10.59

1,415$ 3,635$

Area of seeding

required (ha) Type of seed

Area requiring

rehab in Pasture

(ha)

Area requiring

rehab in Native

(ha)

Cost for Seeding

($)

100.0 Pasture 100.0 0.0 141,500$

1.0 Native 0.0 1.0 3,635$

101.0 100.0 1.0 145,135$



Fleet Size Typical Composition Activities

CAT 6090 Hydraulic Shovel

16M Grader

785D Water Truck

D11T Dozer

Waste Rock Landforms, Spoil Piles, Stockpiles, Run of Mine pads, Heap Leach piles, Tailings Storage Facilities - Source local material, cart and spread to cap and/or cover

Small Dozers D6R or D7R Push / rip lengths <= 100 m

Clear vegetation

Low height Waste dumps and spoil dump, TSF embankment slope re-profiling and shaping

Medium Dozers D8R Push / rip lengths <= 250 m

Clear vegetation

Waste dump, spoil dump, TSF embankment slope re-profiling and shaping

Shape and doze to establish drainage, spread cover/topsoil/rock mulch layer slopes and flats

Capping of Waste Rock Dumps, Heap Leach Pads and Tailings Storage Facilities

Large Dozer D9R, D10T or D11T Bulk Push / rip lengths <= 500 m

Waste dump, spoil dump, TSF embankment slope re-profiling and shaping

Shape and doze to establish drainage, spread cover/topsoil/rock mulch layer slopes and flats

Capping of Waste Rock Dumps, Heap Leach Pads and Tailings Storage Facilities

Small Grader 12M Rip / grade to match fleet activities

Medium Grader 14M Rip / grade to match fleet activities

Large Grader 16M Rip / grade to match fleet activities



7 Worked Examples

7.1 Seismic Easements

To calculate the cost for rehabilitation of seismic easements, the User should follow the steps below.

1. Enter the length of easement in each land type (native and pasture).

2. The Calculator multiplies the User Entered length by a default 5% calculate the length of easement to be rehabilitated. If 5% is not correct for the site, the User enters the easement length to be rehabilitated. The screen shot below shows the calculated 1.0 km length over-ridden by the User Entered 0.5 km.

3. The length is multiplied by the rate for pasture or native to obtain a total cost for that disturbance.

4. The total easement length (20 km in this example) and the total length to be rehabilitated (0.5 km in this example) are reported as below.

5. The total cost for the individual disturbance ($18,029 and $167,844 in the example below) and total for all the seismic disturbances are reported as shown below


5%

Map ID Land type

Total Length

(km)

Rehab length

(km)

In Pasture 20.0 1.0

In Native 0.0


5%

Map ID Land type

Total Length

(km)

Rehab length

(km)

In Pasture 20.0 0.5

In Native 0.0

5%Total Length

(km)

Rehab length

(km) TOV# Default Rate Alternate Rate Total Rationale for Alternate Rate

20.0 0.5 #1.01 901$ $ 18,029

0.0 #1.02 1,678$ $ -

0.0 $ -

0.0 $ -

20 0.5 18,029$ 36,058$

5%Total Length

(km)

Rehab length


20.0 0.5 #1.01 901$ $ 18,029

0.0 #1.02 1,678$ $ -

0.0 $ -

0.0 $ -

20 0.5 18,029$ 36,058$



($185,873 in the example below). The average cost per unit distance is also reported ($33,795 in the example below).

6. If required the User can enter and Alternate Rate and justify it in the Rational for Alternate Rate column.

7. As with the other User Input Sheets, the User can enter site-specific entries at the bottom of the table. The example below shows the entry of a specific area and using the Default Rate and a second specific area with an Alternate Rate.

7.2 User Defined Roads in Infrastructure User Input Sheet

To calculate the cost for rehabilitation of a road, the User should follow the steps below.

1. Enter the name of the road (or group of roads) and the length of the road (or total length of the group of roads). Enter the width of the road or leave this cell blank. If the User leaves the cell blank, the default quantity (6.0 m in this example) is used in the calculation.

2. Select the surface covering of the Road from the drop-down menu. The total length defaults to the next column (Length of Road surface covering to be removed or rip) though the User can enter a site-specific length with justification.

5%Total Length

(km)

Rehab length


20.0 0.5 #1.01 901$ $ 18,029

100.0 5.0 #1.02 1,678$ $ 167,844

0.0 $ -

0.0 $ -

120 5.5 185,873$ 33,795$ per km (average)

5%Total Length

(km)

Rehab length


20.0 0.5 #1.01 901$ $1,000 $ 20,000 Supplied by third-party

0.0 #1.02 1,678$ $ -

0.0 $ -

0.0 $ -

20 0.5 20,000$ 40,000$ per km (average)


5%

Land type

Total Length

(km)

Rehab length


In Pasture 20.0 0.5 #1.01 901$ $ 18,029

In Native 100.0 5.0 #1.02 1,678$ $ 167,844

Seismic in area X 10.0 0.5 $1,000 $ 10,000 Thiird-party quote (details attached)

Other (used entered) 0.0 $901 $ - Seismic in pasture using TOV rate #1.01

130 6 195,873$ 32,645$ per km (average)



TOV #

Default value 6.0

Map ID


Total Length

(km)

1

Add Roads/Tracks



3. The User can enter a thickness for the surface covering or accept the defaults (by leaving the cells blank). The defaults reference the surface covering selected in the previous step. The Calculator calculates the volume of material to remove (90,000 m3 for the waste rock road in the example below).

4. From the drop-down menu, the User selects the distance to haul the surface cover material for disposal. The Calculator multiplies the appropriate Default Rate for haulage by the volume to haul to calculate the total cost for removal.

5. The next section, for replacement of surface covering, is an optional and the User should only enter information if required. Examples of where this may occur are a) the road was to be retained but contaminated material had to be removed and b) the road was earthen but the agreement with the land-owner is to install a hardstand road. The default length of surface covering to replace is 0 km (first line in the

ROAD DIMENSIONS AND COVER REMOVAL OF COVER

6.0

Road/Track Width (m)

Total Length

(km) Type of Surface Covering

Length of Road

surface covering

to be removed

or rip (if earthen

(km)

Earthen 0.0

0 0

Add Roads/Tracks

REMOVAL OF COVER

Type of Surface Covering

Length of Road

surface covering

to be removed

or rip (if earthen

(km)

Thickness of

surface covering

(mm)

Surface covering

thickness used

in calculations

(mm)

Volume of

surface covering

to remove (m3)

Earthen 100.0 0 0

Waste Rock 100.0 150 90000

Haul distance to surface material (km) TOV#

Default Rate

($/km)

Cost to remove

surface covering

($)

<=200 m #2.13 2.99$ -$

<=200 m #2.13 2.99$ 269,270$

269,270$



example below) and the User must enter a value if material is to be replaced (second line in the example below).

From the drop-down menu, the User selects the distance to the source of surface cover material. The Calculator multiplies the appropriate Default Rate for haulage by the volume to haul to calculate the total cost for replacing surface cover.

6. Grade and seed is calculated in a similar manner to other Domains. The Default area to seed is the total length by the width of the road, but the User can enter a site-specific area with justification. The User selects the type of seed from the drop down menu and the Calculator places the area in the appropriate column. The Calculator multiplies the Unit Rate for the seed-type by the area for seeding to calculate the total cost for seeding.

7. The Calculator sums all the totals described above to calculate the total cost for the Element (a road in this case), sums all the Elements to get the total cost for the Disturbance type and divides the total cost by the total length to obtain the cost per kilometer.

REPLACEMENT OF COVER (IF APPLICABLE)

150

Length of road

to replace rock

(km)

Thickness of

rock to replace

(mm)

Volume of rock

to replace (m3) Distance to return rock (km) TOV# Default Rate

Cost to replace

rock ($)

0.0 0 <=200 m Return #2.24 3.81$ -$

10.0 9000 <=200 m Return #2.24 3.81$ 34,245$

10 0 9000 34,245$

GRADE AND SEED

TOV# TOV# >> #10.58 #10.59

385$ 1,415$ 3,635$

Length of track /

bare road to rip,

grade, seed

(km)

Area of track /

bare road to rip,

grade, seed (ha)

Cost to rip road /

track and grade

Area of seeding


Area requiring rehab

in Pasture (ha)

Area requiring rehab

in Native (ha) Cost to re-seed ($)

100.0 60.00 23,100$ 60.00 Pasture 60.0 0.0 84,900$

90.0 54.00 20,790$ 54.00 Pasture 54.0 0.0 76,410$

190 114 43,890$ 114 0 114 0 161,310$

Cost to re-seed ($) Total Cost ($)

84,900$ 108,000$

76,410$ 400,715$

161,310$ 508,715$

Cost per km 2,544$



7.3 Default Rates for Waste Rock Dumps

To calculate the cost for capping a Waste Rock Dump using the default rate option, follow the steps below. The process for Waste Rock Dumps is similar for Heap Leach Pads and Tailings Storage Facilities.

1. Enter the name or identifying reference for the element (e.g. Waste Rock Dump East) into the ‘Waste Rock Dump Name’ column.

2. Enter the total footprint area (ha) of the element into the ‘Area (ha)’ column. 3. Select the Risk Category from the drop-down menu.

The selected Risk Category references a Default Rate ($/ha) from the Table of Values. This is multiplied by the total footprint area to calculate the total cost for the element.

4. Enter an explanation for the Risk Category selection in the ‘Justification for Risk Category Selection’ column (see below).

5. If required, the User can enter an Alternate Rate in the yellow ‘Alternate Rate’ column. In this event, the calculation uses the Alternate Rate over the Default Rate and the Alternate Rate cell turns red (see below) to alert the Department.

If the User enters an Alternate Rate, the User must provide justification in the ‘Rationale for Alternate Rate’ column (see below).

6. The User must determine whether top soil or amendment materials (i.e. lime and clay) are required to be transported from > 6 km from the Element and if so, click on the appropriate hyperlinks (see below) to access the long-distance haul sections of the Miscellaneous Activities User Input Sheet (Section 4.10.11).



Default Rate

($/ha)

Alternate Rate

($/ha)

Total cost for

WRD ($)

1 High Risk WRD/OB #4.01 161,317$ -$


Justification for Risk Category Selection



Default Rate

($/ha)

Alternate Rate

($/ha)

Total cost for

WRD ($)

1 High Risk WRD/OB #4.01 161,317$ $100,000 -$


Rationale for Alternate Rate

Total cost for

WRD ($)

Long Distance

Haul of Clay

Long Distance

Haul of

Limestone

Long Distance

Haul of Top-

soil Justification for Risk Category Selection

-$ Clay off-site Lime off-site Soil off-site

-$ Clay off-site Lime off-site Soil off-site



7.4 User-Defined Rates for Waste Rock Dumps, Heap Leach Pad and Tailings Storage Facilities

To calculate the cost for capping a Waste Rock Dump using the User-Defined rates option, follow the below steps:

Dimensions

1. Enter the name or identifying reference for the element (e.g. Waste Rock Dump East).

2. Enter the total footprint area (ha) of the element. 3. Select the Risk Category from the drop-down menu. 4. For the User-Defined option, the selected Risk Category references default

thicknesses for capping elements (see Table 6-2). These defaults are shown in other areas of the table as discussed below.

5. Enter the flat area (ha) of the element and average doze thickness for soil to push during re-shaping.

6. Enter the sloped area (ha) of the element and average doze thickness for soil to push during re-shaping.

7. Enter the ramps area (ha) of the element.

Re-shaping

8. Select the target slope angle for the re-profiled surface. This selection determines which push rate to apply.

9. The User can enter the volume of material to push (for the flat and the slopes) if they have this information, otherwise that cell is left blank and the calculation accepted.

10. The User selects the length of dozer push and dozer size from the drop-down menus based on the size of the element and specifics of earthmoving at the site.

11. The Calculator then multiplies the Unit Rates by the quantities to calculate the total cost for re-shaping of the flat and sloped (including ramps) areas.

Rock Armouring

12. The User can enter the thickness of rock armour for the slopes or accept the default (1.0 m in the example below).

Waste Rock Dumps (User Defined)

WRD DIMENSIONS

TOV#

Default value

# Name


WRD (ha)


from dropdown)

Rehabilitation of flat

areas (tops,

benches, berms etc)

area (ha)

Average doze

thickness flat

areas (m)

Rehabilitation of

slope/batter

areas(ha)

Average doze

thickness slope

areas (m)

Rehabilitation of

WRD access

ramps (ha)

1 Medium Risk WRD/OB

0.0 0.0 0.0 0.0

Add Waste Rock Dump

WRD RESHAPE AND DOZE

Reprofiled slope angle

User entered

volume to push

on flat surfaces

(m3)

Volume to push

on flat surfaces

used in

calculations

(m3)

User volume to

push slopes

(m3)

Volume to push

slopes used in

calculations

(m3) Length of Dozer Push Dozer TOV #

Flat Areas Unit

Rate ($/m3)

Cost for Dozer

Push All Areas

($) TOV #

Slope Areas Unit

Rate ($/Ha)

Cost to Doze

and Shape

slopes and

ramps ($)

>10<=15 degrees - - > 150m push D9R Dozer #4.50 1.47$ -$ #4.68 2,148$ -$

- - - - -$ -$



13. From the drop-down menus, the User selects the haulage distance to the source of rock and the fleet size based on the specific of the site. Guidance on fleet size selection is included in the User Guide.

14. The Calculator then multiplies the Unit Rates by the quantities to calculate the total cost for rock armouring of the slopes.

Capillary Break Layers

15. The User can enter the area of the surface to be capped but generally the default is the total footprint or flat area depending on the element.

16. The User can enter the thickness of capillary break layer or accept the default (see Table 6-2). For High Risk: Waste Rock Dumps, Heap Leach Pads and Tailings Storage Facilities, the default minimum capillary break thickness is locked. This means if the User enters a value below the minimum, it will not be accepted, and the Calculation will default to the minimum. If the User enters a thickness greater than the default minimum, the Calculator uses the User-entered value. The default thickness is not fixed for elements of Medium, Low and Very Low Risk Category.

17. The User can enter the volume of material to be used for the capillary break layers (if they have this information, otherwise that cell is left blank and the calculation accepted.


19. The Calculator multiplies the Unit Rates by the quantities to calculate the total cost for preparing (screening to produce the required size) the capillary break materials.

20. From the drop-down menus and based on the specific of the site, the User selects the push distance and the dozer size for pushing out the capillary break materials.

21. The Calculator then multiplies the Unit Rates by the quantities to calculate the total cost for pushing out the capillary break materials.

22. The Calculator then sums the totals for preparing; transporting; and placing the capillary break materials to calculate the total for this activity (installing the capillary break layer of the cap).

Low Permeability Layers


WRD ROCK ARMOUR FOR STABILITY

1.00

User Slope Rock

Armour Cover

Thickness (m)

User Slope Rock

Armour Cover

Volume (m3)

Rock armour

volume used in

calculations

(m3)

Haulage

Distance for

Slope Rock

Armour (m) Fleet Size TOV # Unit Rate ($/m3)

Cost for Rock

Armour ($)

- >2500 m to <=3000 m Rock Small Fleet #4.95 6.05$ -$

- - -$

WASTE ROCK DUMP CAPILLARY BREAK LAYERS

#6.08

4.40$

WRD Surface

area (ha)

Default

Thickness of

Capillary Break

Layer (m)

User Input

Thickness of

Capillary Break

Layer (m)

Thickness of

Capillary Break

Layer used in

Calculations

(m). Cannot be

below

mandatory

minimum for

High Risk

User Input

Volume of

Capillary Break

Layer (m3)

Volume Used in

Calculations for

Capillary Break

Layer (m3)

Source and

prepare

Capillary Break

Layer Material

($)

Haulage

Distance for

Capillary Break

layer (m) Fleet Size TOV # Unit Rate ($/m3)

Cost for source,

load haul and

dump capillary

break layer ($)

Length of Dozer

Push Capillary

Break Layers Dozer TOV # Unit Rate ($/m3)

Cost for Dozer

Push Capillary

Break Layers ($)

Total Cost for

Capillary Break

layers ($)

- 0.3 0.3 - -$ >2000 m to <=2500 m Rock Large Fleet #4.116 1.94$ -$ > 75m to <= 100m push D9R Dozer #4.32 0.80$ -$ -$

- - - -$ -$ -$ -$



24. The User can enter the thickness of low permeability layer or accept the default (see Table 6-2). For High Risk Waste Rock Dumps, Heap Leach Pads and Tailings Storage Facilities, the default minimum low permeability thickness is locked. This means if the User enters a value below the minimum, it will not be accepted, and the Calculation will default to the minimum. If the User enters a thickness greater than the default minimum, the Calculator uses the User-entered value. The default thickness is not fixed for elements of Medium, Low and Very Low Risk Category.

25. The User can enter the volume of material to be used for the low permeability layer (if they have this information, otherwise that cell is left blank and the calculation accepted.

26. The Calculator then multiplies the Unit Rates by the quantities to calculate the total cost for sourcing, placing and compacting the low permeability materials.

Top Rock Layer


28. The User can enter the thickness of top rock layer or accept the default (see Table 6-2). For High Risk Waste Rock Dumps, Heap Leach Pads and Tailings Storage Facilities, the default minimum top rock thickness is locked. This means if the User enters a value below the minimum, it will not be accepted, and the Calculation will default to the minimum. If the User enters a thickness greater than the default minimum, the Calculator uses the User-entered value. The default thickness is not fixed for elements of Medium, Low and Very Low Risk Category.

29. The User can enter the volume of material to be used for the top rock layer (if they have this information, otherwise that cell is left blank and the calculation accepted.


31. The Calculator multiplies the Unit Rates by the quantities to calculate the total cost for preparing (screening to produce the required size) the top rock materials.

32. From the drop-down menus and based on the specific of the site, the User selects the push distance and the dozer size for pushing out the top rock materials.

33. The Calculator then multiplies the Unit Rates by the quantities to calculate the total cost for pushing out the top rock materials.

34. The Calculator then sums the totals for preparing; transporting; and placing the top rock materials to calculate the total for this activity (installing the top rock layer of the cap).

WASTE ROCK DUMP LOW PERMEABILITY CLAY LAYERS

#6.09

7.80$

WRD Surface

area (ha)

Default

Thickness of

Low

Permeability

(Clay) Layers

(m)

User Input

Thickness of

Low

Permeability

(Clay) Layers

(m)

Thickness of

Low Perm Layer

used in

Calculations

(m). Cannot be

below

mandatory

minimum for

High Risk

User Input

Volume of Low

Permeability

Layer (m3)

Volume Used in

Calculations for

Capillary Break

Layer (m3)

Source, prepare,

place and

compact Low

Permeability

Layer Material

($)

- 0.0 - - -$

0.0 - - -$



Additional Capping and Drainage

35. Typically, the build-up described above is sufficient for a cap cost estimate. If additional or replacement materials are required, they are entered in the cells shown below. A company may elect to replace the low-permeability clay layer with a geosynthetic clay liner that would likely also need geofabric (typically 2) and a geomembrane. The Calculator sums these additional capping layers as shown below.

36. Drainage is typically required on the finished cap to ensure surface water drains off the cap. The User enters the area to drain in the cell shown below. The Calculator multiplies the area required to drain by the unit rate to calculate the total for drainage.

Top Soil / Growth Media

37. The User can enter the thickness of top soil / growth media or accept the default. 38. The User can enter the volume of material to be used for top soil / growth media (if

they have this information), otherwise the cell is left blank and the calculation accepted.

39. From the drop-down menus, the User selects the haulage distance to the source of top soil / growth media and the fleet size based on the specific of the site.

40. The Calculator multiplies the Unit Rates by the quantities to calculate the total cost for sourcing, hauling and placing top soil / growth media.

Amendment

Amendments may be required to adjust the chemistry of growth media / top soil or the waste rock materials.

WASTE ROCK DUMP TOP ROCK COVER LAYER

WRD Surface

area (ha)

Default

Thickness of

Rock Cover

Layer (m)

User Input

Thickness of

Rock Cover

Layer (m)

Thickness of

Rock Layer used

in Calculations

(m). Cannot be

below

mandatory

minimum for

High Risk

User Input

Volume of Rock

Cover Layer

(m3)

Volume Used in

Calculations for

Rock Cover

Layer (m3)

Haulage

Distance for

Rock Cover

layer (m) Fleet Size TOV # Unit Rate ($/m3)

Cost for source,

load haul and

dump rock cover

layer ($)

Length of Dozer

Push Rock

Cover Layers Dozer TOV # Unit Rate ($/m3)

Cost for Dozer

Push Rock

Cover Layers ($)

Total Cost for

Rock Cover

layers ($)

- 1.0 1.0 - >2500 m to <=3000 m Rock Medium Fleet #4.106 4.67$ -$ > 50m to <= 75m push D9R Dozer #4.26 0.55$ -$ -$

0 - - -$ -$

WASTE ROCK DUMP ADDITIONAL CAPPING WRD DRAINAGE

#6.05 #6.06 #6.07 #4.159 #4.160

2.00$ 12.00$ 13.00$ 3,000$ 23,419$

Geofabric area

(m2)

Geosynthetic

clay liner (m2)

Geo-membrane

(m2)

Total for Geo

layers ($)

Cost For Water

Management

Earthworks On

Dump ($)

Major Drains

and Drop

Structure

footprint on

dump (Ha)

Costs for major

drains and drop

structures on

dump ($)

-$ -$ -$

- - - -$ -$ 0 -$

WRD GROWTH MEDIA/TOPSOIL / AMMENDMENT APPLICATION

0.15

User Growth

Medium

Thickness (m)

User growth

media volume

(m3)

Growth media

volume used in

calculations

(m3)

Haulage

Distance for

Growth Media

(m) Fleet Size TOV # Unit Rate ($/m3)

Cost for Growth

Media ($)

- <=200 m GM Small Fleet #4.126 3.81$ -$

- - -$



41. The User can enter the area to be amended with lime for pH adjustment or accept the default equal to the flat area. (Note: the user must set this cell to zero if no pH adjustment is required).

42. The Calculator multiplies the Unit Rate by the quantities to calculate the total cost for pH adjustment.

43. From the drop-down menus, the User can select type of top soil amendment (e.g. gypsum).

44. The User can enter the area of top soil to be amended or accept the default equal to the flat area. (Note: the user must set this cell to zero if no amendment is required).

45. The Calculator multiplies the Unit Rate by the quantities to calculate the total cost for soil amendment.

46. The Calculator sums the totals for pH adjustment and soil amendment to calculate the total for these activities.

47. The User must determine whether amendment materials are required to be transported from > 6 km from the site and if so, click on the appropriate hyperlinks (see below) to access the long-distance haul sections of the Miscellaneous Activities User Input Sheet (described in another section).

Re-vegetation

48. The area to be seeded defaults to the sum of the flat and sloped areas of the element.

49. From the drop-down menus, the User selects the type of seed (e.g. native). 50. The Calculator multiplies the Unit Rate for the seed-type by the area for seeding to

calculate the total cost for seeding.

#10.45

860$

pH Control add

lime (top of WR)

(ha)

pH Control add

lime (top of WR)

($) Amend soil?

Area to amend

(ha) TOV # Rate ($/ha) Amend Cost ($)

Cost for Growth

Media /

Amendment ($)

Long Haul

Sourcing (click

to go to other

activities if

required)

0.0 -$ Recycled gypsum 0.0 #10.47 125$ -$ -$ Long Haul >

0.0 -$ 0.0 -$ -$

WRD REVEGETATION

#10.58 #10.59

1,415$ 3,635$

Area of seeding


Area requiring

rehab in Pasture

(ha)

Area requiring

rehab in Native

(ha)

Cost for Seeding

($)

0 Native 0.0 0.0 -$

- 0 0 -$



Other Activities

51. Permeability testing. The User can enter the total number of points (for the whole flat area) for permeability testing or accept the default (1 point per hectare shown below).

52. The calculation assumes 10 points can be completed per day. The shown Unit Rate is a day rate for a Geotech rig. The Calculation divides the day rate by the number of points per day to calculate the cost per point and then multiplies by the number of points to get the total cost for testing.

53. The Engineering / Design cost is set to the defaults shown in Table 6-2. 54. The User can enter a lump sum cost to account for activities not covered elsewhere

in the calculation and should provide explanation in the User Notes section at the top of the Sheet.

Total Cost for Element

55. The Calculator sums all the totals described above to calculate the total cost for the element (a Waste Rock Dump in this case) and divides by the total footprint display the cost per hectare.

Additional Elements and Total Cost for User-Defined Rates

56. The User can repeat the process for additional elements by clicking on the Add (in this case Add Waste Rock Dump) button.

Total Cost for

WRD ($)

Cost per Unit

Area ($/ha)

-$ -$

-$ -$



7.5 Pits – Safety Bund

To calculate the cost for installing a Safety Bund around a Pit, follow the steps below.

1. The User enters the Name of the pit and the Safety Bund Length. For this treatment, the open pit void area is used only to calculate the cost per unit area. If this is the only treatment being applied to the Pit, it is not necessary to explain how the pit area was derived.

2. The User can enter dimensions for the safety bund (second line in the example below) or accept the defaults (by leaving the cells blank) (first line in the example below). The Calculator calculates the specific volume (per unit length) and multiplies by the total length of the bund to obtain the total volume of soil or rock required. A default of 15% is allowed for rock swell. The Calculator multiplies the bund dimensions by a Default Rate to obtain the cost for surface preparation.

3. From the drop-down menu, the User can select the construction method for the safety bund. If Excavate and Place is selected, the length of the bund is multiplied by the Default Rate to obtain this cost. If Haul and Place is selected, the User either accepts the 4 km default by selecting N in the User Input Haulage Distance (as in the second line below) or specifies the distance (see next step).

Waste Rock Dumps (User Defined)

WRD DIMENSIONS

TOV#

Default value

# Name


WRD (ha)

1

2

0.0

Add Waste Rock Dump

Long Distance Carting of Lime

Name of Area

Volume to import

(t)

Distance to source

(km). Select Rate ($/t-km)

Alternate Rate ($/t-

km) Total cost ($) Rationale for Alternate Rates

1 Waste Rock Dump East 200 0.19$ -$

Basic Pit Information

# Map ID Name

Open Pit Void

Surface Area

(ha) Explain how the pit area is derived

Safety Bund

Length

(m)

1 West Pit (defaults) 20.0 3,000

2 West Pit (user) 20.0 3,000

40.0 6,000

Add Basic Pit Information

Safety Bund, Fencing and Signs

SAFETY BUND DETAILS SAFETY BUND CONSTRUCTION

TOV # #4.159

Default value 2.5 5.0 2.0 15% 3,000$

# Map ID Name

Open Pit Void

Surface Area

(ha)

Safety Bund (or

highwall) length

(m) Bund Height (m)

Bund Base Width

(m)

Bund Top Width

(m)

Bund Volume

(m3/m length)

Volume of bund

(m3)

Bund Surface

Preparation

(dozing, clearing

and access)

($)

1 West Pit (defaults) 20 3,000 9.13 27,375 4,950$

2 West Pit (user) 20 3,000 2.0 4.0 1.0 5.15 15,450 3,960$

40 6,000 42,825 8,910$



4. If the User selects Haul and Place and selects Y to User Input Distance, they must select the distance to the source of the rock for bund construction and the size of the fleet to load, transport and place the rock. The Calculator multiplies the appropriate Default Rate by the bund volume to obtain the cost to construct the safety bund by Haul and Place with User Entered distance to the source of the rock.

5. The Calculator sums the individual items to obtain the total cost for safety bund construction.

7.6 Water Treatment

To calculate the cost for rehabilitating a Process Water Storage structure, follow the steps below.

1. The User must list all the areas requiring pumping and water treatment. For each area the User enters quantities reflecting the treatment required. In the example below:

a. Line 1: Pit 1 has 1,000 ML of water requiring treatment by reverse osmosis. The water is saline and will produce 10,000 tonnes of salt. The default for transport of salt is 250 km (circled). If reverse osmosis is selected and the plant will be mobilized to the site, an entry must be made to the Mobilise Portable Reverse Osmosis Plant (return) column as shown below.

b. Line 2: There are four structures where the water will be evaporated by solar energy.

c. Line 3: Oily water ponds contain 10 ML of oily water requiring petroleum hydrocarbon removal only.

2. The total volumes and salt mass are multiplied by the corresponding Default Rates to obtain the treatment costs.

SAFETY BUND CONSTRUCTION

#4.159 #3.02 #3.03

3,000$ 23.23$ 46.10$

Bund Surface

Preparation

(dozing, clearing

and access)

($)

Safety Bund

Construction Method

Default

Excavate and

Place

($)

User input Haulage

Distance

Default Haul and

Place (4km haul)

($)

4,950$ Excavate and Place 69,687$ Y -$

3,960$ Haul and Place -$ N 138,291$

8,910$ 69,687$ 138,291$

Haulage Distance for Safety Bund Rock (m) Fleet Size Unit Rate # Unit Rate ($/m3)

Cost for Safety Bund

Rock with User

Haulage Distance

($)

Total Cost for Safety

Bund Construction

($)

>2000 m to <=2500 m Rock Small Fleet #4.94 5.57$ -$ 74,637$

>2000 m to <=2500 m Rock Small Fleet #4.94 5.57$ 86,070$ 90,030$

86,070$ 164,666$

Water and Salt Management TREATMENT

250

Map ID Name / Area

Evaporate Water in

Water Structure or

Pit with Natural

Solar (per structure

or pit)

Evaporate Water in

Water Structure or

Pit with Fine Mist

Spray (per structure

or pit)

Mobilise Portable

Reverse Osmosis

Plant (return)

Operate Reverse

Osmosis Plant (ML)

Load Salt

(tonne)

Transport Salt

(t-km)

Dispose salt

(tonne)

Treat Organics

only (ML)

1 1 1000 10000 2500000 10000

2 4 0 0

3 0 0 10



3. The User must enter quantities for the additional activities shown below (see Section 4.9.9.2). The unit in each case is ML and the User enters the total volume of water to be treated for each area and this multiplies by an allowance in $/ML.

4. The User must enter the volume of water to be pumped and the pumping details. In the example below the volume to pump for Pit 1 is made equal to that treated by reverse osmosis. As the water to be evaporated treatment rate is based on per pond, the User must enter the volume of water to be pumped (circled below). A volume must be specifically entered for the oily water pond(s). The User selects the pump size from the drop-down menu and the number of pump sets. These are selected based on the User’s knowledge of the required pumping conditions (e.g. depth to water in the pit, length of piping to the treatment system).

5. The Calculator calculates the pumping duration and multiples this by the number of pump sets to get the total hire days. The total hire days is multiplied by the hire rate for the pumps to get a pumping cost.

Evaporate Water in

Water Structure or

Pit with Natural

Solar (per structure

or pit)

Evaporate Water in

Water Structure or

Pit with Fine Mist

Spray (per structure

or pit)

Mobilise Portable

Reverse Osmosis

Plant (return)

Operate Reverse

Osmosis Plant (ML)

Load Salt

(tonne)

Transport Salt

(t-km)

Dispose salt

(tonne)

Treat Organics

only (ML)

Adjust pH

using

Neutraliser (ML)

1 1000 10000 2500000 10000

4 0 0

0 0 10

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

0 0

4 0 1 1000 10000 2500000 10000 10 0

#7.02 #7.03 #7.04 #7.05 #7.06 #7.07 #7.08 #7.09 #7.10

4,899$ 51,750$ 45,455$ 2,680$ 8.93$ 0.07$ 95$ 1,995$ 1,995$

19,597$ -$ 45,455$ 2,680,219$ 89,333$ 179,202$ 950,000$ 19,954$ -$

Site

Establishment

and

Engineering

(ML)

Infrastructure

Construction

(ML)

Operations

Management

(ML)

Power/Water

(ML)

0 0 0 0

#7.11 #7.12 #7.13 #7.14

1,000$ 1,500$ 150$ 50$

-$ -$ -$ -$

Total Volume

of Water to

Pump (ML) Pumps and hoses (select)

Number of

Pump Sets

Total Pumping

Rate (ML/day)

Pumping

Duration

(days)

Pump Days for

rental cost

calculation (days)

Pump and hoses

Rate ($/pump per

day)

Total cost for

pumps ($)

1,000 4" pump with hoses 8 28.8 35 280 $ 392.70 $ 109,956

500 3" pump with hoses 2 3.4 147 294 $ 392.70 $ 115,454

10 2" pump with hoses 1 1.2 8 8 $ 289.48 $ 2,316



6. The pumping costs are added to the treatment costs to obtain the total cost for each water management area and these are summed to obtain a total for all water management. If required the User can enter an Alternate Rate and Rationale in this area of the table.

7.7 Underground Mines

To options for calculating the cost of rehabilitating an Underground Mine are illustrated below.

1. When the User enter a name for the mine, an electrical disconnection fee is automatically applied ($35,000 per mine) and the Calculator populates the ‘Terminate and disconnect all services to the U/G workings?’ column with a 1 (as shown for the first two lines in the example below). If services have been terminated and disconnected already, the User can enter a ‘0’ in this column (line three of the example below) and the electrical disconnection fee is not applied.

Pump Days for

rental cost

calculation

(days)

Pump and

hoses Rate

($/pump per

day)

Total cost for

pumps ($)

0 $ 289.48 $ -

0 $ 392.70 $ -

0 $ 392.70 $ -

0 $ 504.90 $ -

0 $ 289.48 $ -

0 $ 289.48 $ -

0 $ 289.48 $ -

0 $ 289.48 $ -

0 $ 289.48 $ -

0 $ 289.48 $ -

User entry

Alternate Rate

(total $)

Total cost per

area Rationale for Alternate Rate

3,944,209$

19,597$

19,954$

-$

-$

-$

-$

-$

-$

-$

0

-$ 3,983,760$ ok ok



2. The User enters quantities to the top table as required. For ventilation and hoisting shafts, the User has an option to backfill, cover or plug. These three options are shown below. The User must enter the number of shafts and the total depth (sum of all the shaft type) to calculate a cost.

3. The User enters the number of adits and historical shafts to manage.

4. Costs are calculated based on the inputs in the top table. The cost results are shown below for the above example.

UNDERGROUND MINE INFORMATION

# Map ID Name

Number of

Ventilation

Shafts

Total Depth of

Ventilation

Shafts

(m)

Backfill, plug or

cover ventilation

shafts

Number of

Hoisting Shafts

(persons and/or

materials)

Total Depth of

Hoisting Shafts

(m)

Backfill hoisting

shafts or cover

with steel plate

UG1 Bounty example Backfill and adits 4 100 Backfill 2 200 Backfill

UG2 Bounty example Cover 4 100 Cover 2 200 Cover

UG3 Bounty example plug 4 100 Plug 2 200 Plug

Number of

small Adits

(<2m in

diameter)

proposed to

cover

Number of

small Adits

(<2m in

diameter) to

seal

Number of

Declines/ Drifts

Number of

Drifts/Declines

with conveyors

Number of

small (historic)

shafts

proposed for

closure

10

2

2

UNDERGROUND SURFACE INFRASTRUCTURE REMOVAL

TOV X #2.01 #9.01 #9.02 #9.03

Default value 35,000$ 25,000$ 1,200,000$ 75,000$

Name

Terminate and

disconnect all

services to the

U/G workings

($)

Remove

Ventilation fans

including

electrics

($)

Remove

hoisting shaft

headframe and

support

infrastructure

($)

Removal of U/G

Drift/Decline

Conveyor and

services down

decline

($)

Bounty example Backfill and adits 35,000$ 100,000$ 2,400,000$ -$

Bounty example Cover 35,000$ 100,000$ 2,400,000$ -$

Bounty example plug 35,000$ 100,000$ 2,400,000$ 150,000$



5. The Calculator sums all the individual costs to obtain the total for the mine and sums those to get a total cost for all the Underground Mines. If required an alternate rate can be entered and justification must be provided in the space below the cost table.

SEALING OF UNDERGROUND OPENINGS

#9.04 #9.05 #9.06 #9.07 #9.08 #9.09 #9.10 #9.11 #9.12

7,000$ 26,574$ 276,148$ 123,181$ 220,806$ 53,181$ 96,362$ 256$ 1,023$

Cover small

adits (< 2 m in

diameter)

Seal small

adits (< 2m in

diameter)

($)

Seal portals,

declines, adits,

drifts, (width >2

m)

($)

Plug to seal

(concrete plug)

and rehabilitate

ventilation

shafts (up to

4m diameter)

($)

Plug to seal

(concrete plug)

and rehabilitate

hoisting and

man haulage

shafts (up to

8m diameter)

($)

Cover to seal

(steel plate)

and rehabilitate

ventilation

shafts (up to

4m diameter)

($)

Cover to seal

(steel plate)

and rehabilitate

hoisting and

man haulage

shafts (up to

8m diameter)

($)

Backfill

Ventilation and

small shafts

using suitably

sized

(screened)

material (up to

4m diameter)

($)

Backfill hoisting

and man

haulage shafts

using suitably

sized

(screened)

material (up to

8m diameter)

($)

70,000$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ 102,312$ 409,248$

-$ -$ 552,295$ -$ -$ 212,723$ 192,723$ -$ -$

-$ -$ -$ 492,723$ 441,612$ -$ -$ -$ -$

Total Cost for

underground

mines using

defaults

($)

Alternate Rate

($/mine)

Total Cost for

underground mines

($)

3,116,560$ 3,116,560$

3,492,742$ $2,000,000 2,000,000$

3,619,335$ 3,619,335$

-$ -$

-$ -$

-$ -$

-$ -$

-$ -$

-$ -$

-$ -$

$10,228,638 $2,000,000 $8,735,896



8 Glossary

Table 8-1 shows the terms referenced throughout this document and their specific definition.

Table 8-1 Definitions

Word Definition

Activity A general term applied to simple and singular items such as excavating soil, and more involved, multi-faceted items such as capping a Tailings Storage Facility.

Alternate Rate A site-specific rate entered by the User which over-rides the Default Rate (see Section 5.6 for requirements).

Benign Benign waste material is material that is geochemically stable (non-acid Forming) and is suitable for rehabilitation purposes with low risk of generating any environmental harm.

Bottom-up, first principles cost method

The process of building Rolled-up costs for relatively complex, multi-faceted activities using basic singular values for plant, equipment and labour and productivity (e.g. cubic metres of soil excavated per hour) to estimate the time to complete an activity.

Calculator The Excel™ workbook that calculates the ERC for the site

Department Refers to the Queensland Department of Environment and Science

Default Rate A standard (default) cost rate for an activity in the Calculator

Domain Discrete operational areas within a site, usually with unique function and purpose and therefore similar geophysical characteristics. Domains could include:

Infrastructure

Underground workings (e.g. adits and shafts)

Tailings Storage Facilities

Overburden and waste rock dumps

Water management

Pits

Eligible Mining Activities

Mining activities that are authorized with standard conditions and eligibility criteria under the EP Act (i.e. EAs approved through a standard or variation application).

Process equipment

Equipment used in the mine operations to transport and stack (e.g. conveyor, stacker), store (e.g. silo) and prepare (e.g. coal handling preparation plant) raw and processed materials.

Productivity The performance capability of a machine or equipment. For example, the volume of soil an excavator can move per unit time.

Rolled-up With respect to unit cost rates Rolled-up means a single value generated from smaller activities and cost rates. Bottom-up, first principles are used to generate Rolled-up rates.

Sheet The individual worksheet within the Calculator.

User The applicant or holder of an environmental authority and the individual who prepares the ERC.


Queensland Department of Environment and Science

APPENDIX A USER INPUT SHEETS OPTIONS, INPUTS, DEFAULTS AND CALCULATED QUANTITIES



Table A-1 Exploration User Input Sheet

Activity Options Inputs Defaults Calculated Quantities

Seismic surveys, grid-lines and minor tracks

Easement in native or pasture vegetation Total easement length (km) and the length of easement requiring rehabilitation is required.

If no rehabilitation length is entered, the calculation assumes a default of 5% of the total length. This approach recognizes that the disturbance to land caused by such activities is minor.

None

Drill-holes Exploration drill-holes (coal / mineral sands / large impact drilling).

Exploration drill-holes (metalliferous / low impact drilling).

Number of drill-holes None None

Tracks and roads Track (earthen) - rip, grade and re-seed.

Road (gravel / crushed rock) - remove rock, grade and re-seed.

Road (gravel / crushed rock) - remove rock and replace1.

Total length (km). None None

Small water structures

Lined Ponds ranging from <=1 ML to >10 and <= 20 ML.

Unlined Ponds ranging from <=1 ML to >10 and <= 20 ML.

Number of ponds in each category

None None

Camps and Water Treatment Plants2

Demountable camps (not owned by company) - pasture land.

Camps (not owned by company) - native land.

Water treatment plants (not owned by company) - pasture land.

Water treatment plants (not owned by company) - native land.

Disturbance area (ha) None None

Notes: 1. This option would be used where the track or road is to be retained but where in either the road surface is contaminated, or the quality of the surface is insufficient to

support future use. In both cases, this option assumes the surface material will be removed and replaced.

2. For Exploration activities, it is assumed the facilities are owned by third-party contractors and that they bear the cost of removing the facilities. The only liability for the EA holder in these cases is rehabilitation of the land (grade and seed). In cases where the EA holder owns the facilities, entries must be made to the appropriate User Input Sheet (e.g. Infrastructure for Camps) or a specific rate added to one of the “Other (user entered)” rows.



Table A-2 Infrastructure User Input Sheet


Roads and Tracks (Defaults)

Track (earthen) - rip, grade and re-seed.

Road (gravel/crushed rock) - remove rock, grade and re-seed.

Road (gravel/crushed rock) - remove rock and replace1.

This table allows input in distance (km) or area (ha) recognizing that companies measure their disturbances differently. Only one option should be used.

None None

Roads and Tracks (User-Defined). This option allows the user to design their own road with intent to represent those on the site

Surface covering (earthen, rock, gravel, waste rock).

Distance to haul removed surface material for disposal (typically a void on-site). Ranges from < 200 m to > 6 km.

The distance from which re-surface material is sourced. Ranges from < 200 m to > 6 km.

Type of seed (native or pasture).

Key input is the length of road (km). If only the length is input a cost will be calculated using the defaults settings.

Width of the track or road.

Length of road to be ripped (if earthen) or surface to be removed (if gravel, rock or bitumen).

Thickness of surface covering.

Length of road that will be re-surfaced.

The thickness of surface material that will be replaced.

Area of re-seeding required. The default calculation assumes the entire length and width will be re-seeded.

The default calculation assumes the entire length of the road is ripped (earthen) or surface removed (rock) and graded and seeded.

Width of road = 6 m

Thickness of surface covering to be removed = 150 mm

Length of surface to be replaced = 0 km

Thickness of surface covering to be replaced (if user enters a length) = 150 mm

Volume of surface covering removed (m3)

Volume of surface covering to replace (m3)

Area requiring rehabilitation (ha)

Mine Haul Roads (Defaults)

Haul road - decompact doze, shape and rip only.

Haul road - remove contaminated surface and replace.

Haul road - remove rock cover and replace.

This table allows input in distance (km) or area (ha) recognizing that companies measure their disturbances differently. Only one option should be used.




Mine Haul Roads (User-Defined). This option allows the user to design their own road with intent to represent those on the site



The distance from which re-surface material is sourced. Ranges from < 200 m to > 6 km.


Key input is the length of road (km). If only the length is input a cost will be calculated using the defaults settings.

Width of road.

Length of road to be ripped (if earthen) or surface to be removed (if gravel, rock or bitumen).

Thickness of surface covering (or accept default).

Length of road that will be re-surfaced.

The thickness of surface material that will be replaced (or accept default).



Width of road = 25 m


Length of surface to be replaced = 0 km

Thickness of surface covering to be replaced (if user enters a length) = 150 mm


Volume of surface covering to replace (m3)


Laydown Yards (Defaults)

Earthen.

Gravel/crushed rock.

Area of laydown yard (ha). None None

Laydown Yards (User-Defined). This option allows the user to design their own laydown yard with intent to represent those on the site




Key inputs are the length and width of the laydown area (m). If only these are input a cost will be calculated using the defaults settings.

Area to be ripped (if earthen) or surface to be removed (if gravel, rock or bitumen).

Thickness of surface covering (or accept default).






Borrow Pits None Area of borrow pit (ha). None None

Pipelines Below-ground piping Plastic Pipe 3/4 in (20mm) - 4 in (100 mm) diameter.

Below-ground piping 6 in (150 mm) - 8 in (200 mm).

Below-ground piping 10 in (250 mm) - 18 in (450 mm).

Length of pipe (m).

Number of cut and caps (below ground pipes left in place are typically flushed, then cut and capped).

Thickness of top soil (or accept default).

Volume of top soil (or accept calculation).

Number of cut and caps = 2

Width of easement (for re-seed) = 1 m

Thickness of top soil = 150 mm

Area to re-seed (ha)

Volume of top soil (m3)




Below-ground piping 20 in (500 mm) - 36 in (1 m).

Above ground piping Plastic Pipe 3/4 in (mm) - 4 in (102 mm) diameter.

Above ground piping 6 in (150 mm) - 8 in (200 mm).

Above ground piping 10 in (250 mm) - 18 in (450 mm).

Above ground piping 20 in (500 mm) - 36 in (1 m).

Conveyed substance (tailings, water, ash).

Is pipeline to be flushed.

Is pipeline to be removed.

Distance to source growth media (m).

Fleet size for sourcing growth media (small, medium or large).


Borrow Pits None Area of borrow pit (ha). None None

Camps Temporary and permanent camps with capacity ranges <20 to 451 to 500 persons.

Number of camps in each category. None None

Buildings Portable (e.g. 6 m X 2.4 m skid-mounted office).

Small Permanent (e.g. 400 m2 offices with ablution block, diesel genset and surrounded by 500 m2 gravel surface cover).

Medium Permanent (e.g. 800 m2 light vehicle workshop, warehouse /store, with ablution block, diesel genset and surrounded by 1000 m2 gravel surface).

Large Permanent (e.g. 1200 m2 workshops, tyre change and servicing area with multiple ablution blocks, diesel genset and surrounded by 1500 m2 gravel surface).

Number of each type of building. None None




Communications Towers

None. Number of communications towers None None

Disconnect services

Services site.

Services remote.

Number of services to disconnect None None

Power Distribution Steel tower.

Wooden pole.

Concrete pole.

Length of distribution lines using each type of pole

None None

Power Generation Switchyard.

Substation.

Area of substation or switchyard (m2) None None

Concrete pads (not associated with facilities, camps etc1)

Thickness of slab <= 0.3m.

Thickness of slab > 0.3m.

Area of slab (m2) None None

Rail infrastructure Remove rail loop and spur, ballast etc.

Collapse, cut and remove rail loading bins.

Remove train loading facilities.

Reshape rail spur and load out areas.

Length of rail (m)

Number of bins

Area of facilities (m2)

Area of load-outs (ha)

None None

Landfills Landfill. Area of landfill (m2) None None

Sewage Treatment Plants

Sewage Treatment Plants Area of plant (m2) None None

Notes: 1. This activity allows for concrete pads that are not included in another rate. All facilities, buildings and camps include concrete pads in the rate and therefore an entry to

this table is not required.



Table A-3 Overburden Dumps Piles User Input Sheet



High Risk.

Medium Risk.

Low Risk.

Very Low Risk.

With characteristics determining risk level listed in the TOV.

Hyperlinks for any long-distance hauling of capping materials (follow the link and enter quantities in Miscellaneous Activities User Input Sheet.

Number of Waste Rock Dumps in each category

None None

Waste Rock Dumps (User-Defined). This option allows the user to design their own Waste Rock Dumps with intent to represent those on the site

High Risk.

Medium Risk.

Low Risk.

Very Low Risk.

With characteristics determining risk level listed in the TOV. Selection of risk category determines the capping design. For high risk caps, the minimum thicknesses are set at the default and the user cannot set lower values.

Re-profiled slope angle (<=2.8o to > 17.5o).

Length of dozer push (< 20 m to <= 500 m) for earthmoving components.

Dozer size (D6 to D11).

Haulage distances for rock for armouring of slopes, capillary break materials, top rock cover, growth media. Ranges from < 200 m to > 6 km.

Fleet size (small, medium, large or truck/shovel) for hauling rock for amour and capillary break materials, top rock layer, growth media. Ranges from < 200 m to > 6 km.

Amendment of top soil (no amend, lime, gypsum, biosolids).


Key inputs are:

area of total footprint, flat, slope, ramps (ha) and to cap (ha) (or accept calculation default to total footprint).

average doze thickness for pushing on flat and slope (m)

If only these are input a cost will be calculated using the defaults settings.

Volume of material to push on flat and slopes, of rock to place, or capillary break materials, of low permeability layer materials, of growth media, of top rock layer (or accept calculation).

Thickness of rock armour to place on slope, thickness of capillary break layer, of low permeability layer, of top soil layer (m) (or accept default).

Area of additional capping materials (geosynthetic clay liner (GCL), geofabric, geomembrane) (ha). These are optional and in certain instances may replace other layers (e.g. GCL replacing low permeability clay layer).

Area for drainage (ha).

Area for top soil amendment.

High risk – working layer 0 m, capillary break minimum thickness 0.6 m (2 x 0.3 m), low permeability layer minimum thickness 0.5 m, rock cover layer minimum thickness 1.5 m.

Medium risk – working layer 0 m, capillary break minimum thickness 0.3 m, low permeability layer 0 m, rock cover layer minimum thickness 1.0 m.

Low risk – working layer 0 m, capillary break 0 m, low permeability layer 0 m, rock cover layer minimum thickness 0.5 m.

Very Low risk – working layer 0 m, capillary break 0 m, low permeability layer 0 m, rock cover layer 0 m.

Thickness of rock armour to place on slope (1.0 m)

Volume of material to push on flat and slopes (m3)

Volume of rock armour to push on flat and slopes (m3)

Volume of material used in capillary break layer (m3)

Volume of material used in low permeability layer (m3)

Volume of materials used in top rock layer (m3)

Volume of grow media (m3)

Area requiring re-seed (ha)




Long haul sourcing of top soil, lime or clay (click to go to Miscellaneous Activities User Input Sheet).


Number of geotech holes per hectare (or accept default).

Other activities – space for User to enter any other costs not included elsewhere.

Area to cap = to WRD (Waste Rock Dump) flat surface (ha)

Thickness of growth media (0.15 m)

Number of geotech holes per hectare (1)

Overburden Dumps and Spoil Piles (User-Defined). This option allows the user to design their own dumps and piles with intent to represent those on the site.

Re-profiled slope angle (<= 2.8o to > 17.5o).



Haulage distances for rock for armouring of slopes, top rock cover, growth media. Ranges from < 200 m to > 6 km.

Fleet size (small, medium, large or truck/shovel) for hauling rock for amour and top rock layer, growth media. Ranges from < 200 m to > 6 km.




Key inputs are:

area of total footprint, flat, slope, ramps (ha) and for top rock cover (ha) (or accept calculation default to flat area).

average doze thickness for pushing on flat and slope (m).


Volume of material to push on flat and slopes, of rock to place, of growth media, of top rock layer (or accept calculation).

Thickness of rock armour to place on slope, thickness of top soil layer (m) (or accept default).





Thickness of rock armour to place on slope (1.0 m)

Volume of material to push on flat and slopes (m3)

Volume of rock armour to push on flat and slopes (m3)




Topsoil stockpile (User-Defined). This option allows the user to design their own stockpiles and piles with intent to represent those on the site.



Haulage distance for growth media. Ranges from < 200 m to > 6 km.

Fleet size (small, medium or large) for growth media. Ranges from < 200 m to > 6 km.


Key inputs are:

area of total footprint, flat (ha).

average doze thickness for pushing (m).


Volume of material to push on flat and of growth media (or accept calculation).



Volume of material to push (m3)






Long haul sourcing of top soil (click to go to Miscellaneous Activities User Input Sheet).

Other activities defined by User.



Table A-4 Heap Leach Pad User Input Sheet


Heap Leach Pads (Defaults)

High Risk.

Medium Risk.

Low Risk.

Very Low Risk.



Number of Heap Leach Pads in each category

None None

Heap Leach Pads (User-Defined). This option allows the user to design their own Heap Leach Pads with intent to represent those on the site.

High Risk.

Medium Risk.

Low Risk.

Very Low Risk.


Re-profiled slope angle for embankments and ramps (<=2.8o to > 17.5o).


Haulage distances for rock for armouring of slopes, working layer, capillary break materials, top rock cover, growth media. Ranges from < 200 m to > 6 km.

Fleet size (small, medium or large and dozer sizes) for hauling rock for amour and capillary break materials, top rock layer, growth media. Ranges from < 200 m to > 6 km.



Key inputs are:

Area of total footprint, embankment and ramps (ha) and to cap (ha) (or accept calculation default to total footprint).


Volume of rock to place on embankment, of capillary break materials, of low permeability layer materials, of growth media, of top rock layer (or accept calculation).

Thickness of rock armour to place on embankment and ramps, of rock working layer, of capillary break layer, of low permeability layer, of top rock layer, of top soil layer (m) (or accept defaults).

Area and thickness of pile for flushing.

Area of additional capping materials (GCL, geofabric, geomembrane) (ha). These are optional and in certain instances may replace other layers (e.g. GCL replacing low permeability clay layer).



High risk – working layer 0 m, capillary break minimum thickness 0.6 m (2 x 0.3 m), low permeability layer minimum thickness 0.5 m, rock cover layer minimum thickness 1.5 m.

Medium risk – working layer 0 m, capillary break minimum thickness 0.3 m, low permeability layer 0 m, rock cover layer minimum thickness 1.0 m.



Thickness of rock armour to place on embankment (1.0 m)

Volume of rock armour for embankment and ramps (m3)

Volume of material used in working layer (m3)




Volume of pile to be flushed (m3)










Area to cap = to HLP flat surface (ha)





Table A-5 Tailings Storage Facilities User Input Sheet


Tailings Storage Facilities (Defaults)

High Risk.

Medium Risk.

Low Risk.

Very Low Risk.



Number of Tailings Storage Facilities in each category

None None

Tailings Storage Facilities (User-Defined). This option allows the user to design their own Tailings Storage Facilities with intent to represent those on the site.

High Risk.

Medium Risk.

Low Risk.

Very Low Risk.


Re-profiled slope angle for embankments and ramps (<=2.8o to > 17.5o).

Length of dozer push (< 20 m to <=500 m) for earthmoving components.

Haulage distances for rock for armouring of slopes, working layer, capillary break materials, top rock cover, growth media. Ranges from < 200 m to > 6 km.

Fleet size (small, medium or large and dozer sizes) for hauling rock for amour and capillary break materials, top rock layer, growth media. Ranges from < 200 m to > 6 km.

Amendment of top soil (no amend, lime, gypsum, biosolids)


Key inputs are:

Area of total footprint, embankment and ramps (ha) and to cap (ha) (or accept calculation default to total footprint).


Volume of rock to place on embankment, of capillary break materials, of low permeability layer materials, of growth media, of top rock layer (or accept calculation).

Thickness of rock armour to place on embankment and ramps, of rock working layer, of capillary break layer, of low permeability layer, of top rock layer, of top soil layer (m) (or accept defaults).

Area of additional capping materials (GCL, geofabric, geomembrane) (ha). These are optional and in certain instances may replace other layers (e.g. GCL replacing low permeability clay layer).



High risk – working layer 0.5 m, capillary break minimum thickness 0.6 m (2 x 0.3 m), low permeability layer minimum thickness 0.5 m, rock cover layer minimum thickness 1.5 m.

Medium risk – working layer 0.5 m, capillary break minimum thickness 0.3 m, low permeability layer 0 m, rock cover layer minimum thickness 1.0 m.



Thickness of rock armour to place on embankment (1.0 m)

Volume of rock armour for embankment and ramps (m3)

Volume of material used in working layer (m3)













Area to cap = to TSF flat surface (ha)





Table A-6 Pits User Input Sheet


Basic Pit Information

None Name of the pit

Area of the pit (ha)

Explain how the pit area is derived.

Details for the required treatment(s) for that pit. Available treatments are:

Safety bund length (m).

Highwall / bench blasting area (ha), volume to bulk push (m3), volume of highwall to blast (m3), volume of benches to blast (m3).

Low wall area to make safe (ha), volume to bulk push (m3), volume to load and haul (m3).

Open pit backfill volume (m3).

None None

Safety Bund, Fencing and Signs

Safety Bund Construction Method – Excavate and Place or Haul and Place.

User Input Haulage Distance – Y or N, if Y is selected the User then selects the rock haulage distance (ranges <= 200 m to > 6,000 m). If N is selected, the default is taken.

Fleet size for rock haulage (small, medium, large).

Bund height, width at base and width at top (m) (or accept defaults).

Standard fencing length and signs (m) (or accept default).

High wall security fencing length and signs (m).

Bund height (2.5 m), width at base (5.0 m) and width at top (2.0 m)

Allowance for rock “swell” = 15%

If Haul and Place is selected, haul distance = 4 km

Standard fencing length = 1.2 X safety bund length

Bund volume per unit length (m3/m), Bund volume (m3)

Benches and Highwall Drill and Blast and Doze to Make Safe


Length of dozer push (ranges <= 20 m to <= 500 m).

Dozer size.

Haulage distance for growth media.

Fleet size for growth media haulage (small, medium, large).


Highwall / benches volume to bulk push (m3) (or accept calculation).

Growth media thickness (m) (or accept default).

Growth media volume (m3) (or accept calculation).

Growth media thickness = 0.15 m

Highwall / benches volume to bulk push (m3)

Growth media volume (m3)




Backfill Open Pit with Waste Rock

Haulage distance for rock and growth media (ranges <= 200 m to > 6,000 m).

Fleet size for rock and growth media haulage (small, medium, large or truck/shovel for rock).


Dozer size.






Low Walk Shaping / Load and Haul to Make Safe



Dozer size.

Haulage distance for low wall material (ranges <= 200 m to > 6,000 m).

Fleet size for low wall material haulage (small, medium, large).

Haulage distance for growth media (ranges <= 200 m to > 6,000 m)

Fleet size for growth media (small, medium, large).


Bulk volume to push (m3) (or accept calculation).

Volume to load and haul (m3) (or accept calculation).





Open Pit Ramp Backfill (used for coal mines)

Length of dozer push for contaminated material and backfill (ranges <= 20 m to <= 500 m).

Dozer size.

Haulage distance for contaminated material, backfill and growth media (ranges <= 200 m to > 6,000 m).

Fleet size for contaminated material, backfill and growth media haulage (small, medium, large or truck/ shovel for backfill).


Average Ramp Depth, Average Roadway width, Average ramp length (m).

Number of ramps in-Pit.

Volume of backfill (m3) (or accept calculation).

Ramp Average Roadway Contaminated material thickness (m) (or accept default).

Ramp Volume of Contaminated material (m3) (or accept calculation).



Ramp Average Roadway Contaminated material thickness = 0.5 m


Volume of backfill (m3).

Ramp Volume of Contaminated material (m3).

Growth media volume (m3).



Table A-7 Water Storage and Management


Process Water Storage, Raw Water Storage, Evaporation and other Unlined Water Storage and Other (e.g. weirs)

Lined or unlined

Haulage distance for silt (m). Ranges <=200m to > 6,000 m.

Pond name.

Size (capacity) (ML). Note this entry is for reference only and does not feature in the calculation.

Top of pond area (ha).

Wall Height above ground surface, wall width at top (m).

Slope of wall (1 in X). User enters the X (i.e. if slope is 4 m long for every 1 m high, the entry is 4).

Sediment thickness (m) (or accept default).

Proportion of land investigation costs. This is either 0, 1 or a fraction and accounts for number of structures that could be investigated in one campaign. If only 1 pond is to be investigated, the number is 1. If 5 ponds can be investigated in one campaign, the number is 0.2 (1/5).

Multiplier for liner area to account for side walls = 1.2

Sediment thickness = 0.5 m

Liner area (ha)

Width at base (m)

Cross sectional area of wall (m2)

Length of bund walls (m)

Volume of soil in bund walls (m3)

Sludge Removal (this is for sludge or sediment not associated with water structures).

Haulage distance for sludge / sediment (m). Ranges <=200m to > 6,000 m.

Name of area

Sludge thickness (m)

Volume of sludge (m3) (or accept calculation)

Volume of sludge (m3)

user guide for estimated rehabilitation cost calculator ... · the calculator, which replaces the...

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