Information
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Areas inspected
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Buisness
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Department
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Review Period
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Manager
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Conducted on
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Prepared by
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Inspection team
Scope and/or intent of the standard
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This standard is applicable to all business units and managed operations; and all phases of their lifecycle from exploration through post closure. It applies to all lands owned, leased or managed by the business or for which the business may have liability. This includes both lands directly disturbed by our activities and undisturbed lands held as a buffer or for some other reason such as biodiversity offsets.
Control requirements
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Specific management requirements in this performance standard apply in addition to any
general requirements defined in the management system standard.
Other relevant documents:
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• Management system standard
• Closure guideline
• Annual Social and Environment (S&E) survey guideline
• E14 Land disturbance control and rehabilitation guidance note
• Management of pit slopes, stockpiles, spoil and waste dumps (Surface mining standard) and related guidance
E14 – Land disturbance control and rehabilitation
2. Planning
Clause number 2.1
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The level of effort required to meet subsequent clauses in this standard is determined by materiality thresholds, described in guidance to this standard.
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Additional information on the intent/interpretation of the clause
The purpose of this clause is to ensure that the level of management effort and assurance scrutiny is consistent with the risk posed by land disturbance and total land holdings.
Materiality Thresholds for land disturbance control and rehabilitation
This standard applies to all businesses that meet the following criteria:
Cumulative land disturbance of 100 ha or greater
Total land holdings of 200 ha or greater -
Evaluation steps
[O] Conduct an orientation tour of the business and surrounding area with the intent of gaining a basic understanding of the operation and its associated land disturbance potential and its land holdings.
[[I] Ask the designated representative from the business whether or not the business is above or below threshold per the Materiality Thresholds for this standard.
[D] For business units below threshold, an approved statement that indicates no significant land is disturbed is sufficient to demonstrate compliance with all subsequent clauses of this standard. -
Repeat Finding
Clause number 2.2
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Identify, characterize and document all past, current, and predicted future disturbance, land use, impacts and risks for all land owned or managed by the business, or for which the business may have responsibility.
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Additional information on the intent/interpretation of the clause:
The business should have an understanding of their current disturbed area footprint and the general characteristics of the lands which have or may be disturbed in the future. -
Evaluation steps
[D] Obtain and review documentation characterising all current and future land use impacts and risks.
[A] Ask the designated representative from the business whether or not the business maintains a Land Use Management Plan (LUMP). If so, obtain and review a copy of the plan.
[I] Ask the designated representative from the business about any observed disturbance, use, or impacts that are not included in the documentation. -
Repeat Finding
Clause number 2.3
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Document known past and current impacts and predict future impacts to biodiversity and ecosystem services for disturbed lands.
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Additional information on the intent/interpretation of the clause:
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Evaluation steps
[D] Obtain and review documentation characterising past current and predicted land disturbance and if applicable reclamation plans.
[I] Ask the designated representative from the business if current and predicted impacts to biodiversity and ecosystem services are understood. If yes, ask to see supporting documentation. -
Repeat Finding
2. Implementation and operation
Clause number 2.4
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Delineate and implement land use zones with clearly defined allowable activities.
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Additional information on the intent/interpretation of the clause:
For below threshold business units, demonstration of compliance with constraints placed on land use by local or other authorities is sufficient to meet the intent of this clause -
Evaluation steps
[I] Ask the designated representative how the business delineates land use zones and how allowable activities are determined for each zone.
[I] Ask how the land use zoning is implemented and documented.
[I] Ask the designated representative from the business if the business is subject to legal, regulatory and/or license conditions guiding land disturbance activities. If so, ask what the requirements are and to see documentation of how the business complies. -
Repeat Finding
Clause number 2.5
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Implement and maintain an internal land disturbance approval procedure.
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Additional information on the intent/interpretation of the clause:
The purpose of a land disturbance approval procedure is to ensure that those with accountability for control of land use are consulted prior to any ground disturbance. -
Evaluation steps
[I] Ask the designated representative from the business to describe the approval process for land disturbances.
[D] Obtain and review the business’ land disturbance approval procedure(s).
[D] Review a representative sample of recent land use approvals. -
Repeat Finding
Clause number 2.6
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Recover topsoil and suitable growth media from safely accessible areas before disturbance.
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Additional information on the intent/interpretation of the clause:
As a matter of best practice, top soil should be salvaged and stockpiled for reuse in rehabilitation or other areas. Small sites that will have indefinite or continuing occupation post closure for alternative uses are not required to recover and stock pile topsoil or other growth media. -
Evaluation steps
[I] Ask the designated business representative if there is a process for salvaging top soil and suitable growth media before areas are disturbed and if the amount salvaged is documented.
[D] Review soil reconciliation documentation, if applicable.
[O] If applicable, make field observations of recent land disturbance to confirm topsoil has been salvaged. -
Repeat Finding
Clause number 2.7
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Manage topsoil and suitable growth media stockpiles to preserve viability for subsequent rehabilitation activities.
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Additional information on the intent/interpretation of the clause:
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Evaluation steps
[I] Ask the designated business representative how topsoil and growth media stock piles are managed.
[D] Obtain and review documentation to support the business unit’s topsoil and growth media management strategy. This may include a soil stockpile management procedure and/or a soil stockpile inventory. -
Repeat Finding
Clause number 2.8
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Consider and document land, biodiversity, ecosystem services and rehabilitation risks and impacts during management of change, including opportunities to avoid or reduce impact, prior to implementing a change.
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Additional information on the intent/interpretation of the clause:
The level of complexity ibn addressing land disturbance risk should be commensurate with the onerousness of land use regulation and the criticality of biodiversity risk for a site -
Evaluation steps
D] Obtain and review the business unit’s management of change procedures; verify that it includes evaluation of land, biodiversity, ecosystem services and rehabilitation risks and impacts.
[I] Ask how land, biodiversity, ecosystem services and rehabilitation risks and impacts are evaluated during management of change.
[D] Review a sample of outputs from the business unit’s management of change process. For “above threshold” operation’s specific consideration should be given as to how impacts can be mitigated; impacts and alternatives should be clearly documented. -
Repeat Finding
Clause number 2.9
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Consider and document land, biodiversity, ecosystem services and rehabilitation risks and impacts as part of the technical and financial evaluation of capital projects.
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Additional information on the intent/interpretation of the clause:
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Evaluation steps
[I] Ask how the business unit considers and documents land, biodiversity, ecosystem services and rehabilitation risks and impacts as part of the evaluation of capital projects.
[D] Obtain and review a sample of the business’ capital project evaluation documentation and determine whether there has been a specific assessment of land, biodiversity, ecosystem services and rehabilitation risk and impacts. -
Repeat Finding
2. Monitoring
Clause number 2.10
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Monitor rehabilitation performance to ensure it meets established success criteria and to identify opportunities for improvement in future rehabilitation efforts.
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Additional information on the intent/interpretation of the clause:
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Evaluation steps
[I] Ask the designate representative how the business monitors rehabilitation performance to ensure it meets established success criteria.
[D] Obtain and review documentation of the business’ rehabilitation monitoring program.
[I] Ask the designated representative the basis for the business’ rehabilitation monitoring program and related performance criteria.
[I] Ask whether the business unit must comply with local or other legal, regulatory or licence requirements for rehabilitation monitoring, obtain and review required documentation to determine compliance.
[D] If the business is required to monitor rehabilitation efforts review documentation to determine compliance. -
Repeat Finding
Summary of actions
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Are actions required to be raised?
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Action number and description
Inspection action
Sign offs
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Area owner representative
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Environmental representative / Auditor
Summary
