Introduction

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

The in principle support of a Plan ensures that I&I NSW - MR supports only responsible mining and petroleum developments. Once in principle support of the Plan is obtained, I&I NSW - MR formally notifies the planning consent authority (which may be the NSW Department of Planning or the local Council - depending on the type and scale of the proposed mining/petroleum development) of I&I NSW - MR’s support. The consent authority may wish to initiate the Government’s development assessment and approvals process by calling for a Planning Focus meeting.

Conceptual Project Development Plan Requirements

A Plan should aim to demonstrate to I&I NSW - MR that the project is practical and feasible, can be achieved within existing environmental and other constraints, and optimises resource recovery and use.

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

The greater the level of potential constraints on a project, the greater the need for detail in the proposed mining/production scheme.
The Plan should be supported by the following technical information:

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

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

Presentation

To gain approval for a Plan it must be presented to an I&I NSW - MR technical group comprising relevant representatives of the Environmental Sustainability, Mine Safety Operations, Geological Survey/Coal Advice/Petroleum Geoscience and Industry Coordination units within I&I NSW - MR. The Plan is generally provided as a Power Point presentation to I&I NSW - MR’s technical group. Arrangements should be made for the presentation by contacting the Industry Coordination Unit of I&I NSW.
Contacts:

General Inquiries:

William Hughes, Director, Industry Coordination, I&I NSW on (02) 8289 3931, e-mail william.hughes@industry.nsw.gov.au

Coal Projects

Julie Moloney, Principal Adviser, Industry Coordination, I&I NSW, on (02) 4931 6549, e-mail julie.moloney@industry.nsw.gov.au

Petroleum Projects

Steve Cozens, Senior Project Officer, Industry Coordination, I&I NSW on (02) 8289 3932, e-mail steve.cozens@industry.nsw.gov.au

Mineral Projects

Vince Fallico, Project Officer, Industry Coordination, I&I NSW on (02) 8289 3930, e-mail vince.fallico@industry.nsw.gov.au

Conceptual project development plan for mining developments

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

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

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

The plan should be supported by:

• Broad parameters of the project (proposed scale, type and rate of mining/production, related infrastructure and transport, likely employment and capital cost).
• Identification of all key issues and any major constraints to the project.
• Draft Resource / Reserve statement or an independently certified resource/reserves report.
• Outline of project viability consistent with current safety and environmental standards.
• Demonstration of optimised resource recovery and use.

Why is a Conceptual Project Development Plan needed?

The plan demonstrates to I&I NSW - MR, that the proposal is practical, feasible, optimises resource utilisation and can be achieved within known environmental and mining/production constraints. In principle support of the plan by the I&I NSW - MR initiates the development assessment and approval process for the project with other key Government agencies.

How is the project proposal assessed by I&I NSW -MR?

I&I NSW -MR assesses the proposal in relation to:

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

Updated and Approved by William Hughes, Director, Industry Coordination - August 2010