ENVIRONMENTAL & SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
BNPL is acutely aware of its responsibilities to maintain the integrity of the local environment, to observe regional heritage sensitivities and to protect the safety of its employees and the community.
BNPL is currently developing clear policies for the proposed Technical Ammonium Nitrate Production Facility (TANPF) in conjunction with expert consultants and Government departments. These policies will be strictly observed during construction and commissioning, and closely followed in the company's day-to-day operations of the TANPF.
Maintaining the integrity of the local environment
BNPL is currently involved in the preparation of the draft Preliminary Environmental Review (PER), with the EPA confirming BNPLs scoping document (used to scope the information to be dealt with in the draft PER) on 26 October 2009. The preparation of the draft PER follows the level of assessments set by the EPA/ WA Minister for the Environment and the Commonwealth Department of the Environment, Water, Heritage and the Arts (DEWHA), see Project Updates page.
The draft PER is to be assessed by the EPA and State and Commonwealth Environment Ministers. The EPA approved PER will be available for public review over an eight week period to allow public comment and input on the work undertaken by BNPL. A copy of the approved PER will be provided on this website upon approval from the EPA to proceed with the public review period.
It is expected that the impact assessment process will demonstrate a low risk of significant impact through the use of Best Available Technology, locating and designing the facility appropriately and incorporating mitigation measures to minimise any potential impacts.
BNPL will meet the conditions set by the Commonwealth and the State to minimise any environmental impacts during the construction and operation of the TANPF. This will include the development, in conjunction with leading environmental consultants, of a Construction Environmental Management Plan (CEMP) and Operations Environmental Management Plan (OEMP) to ensure the desired environmental standards are achieved during the life of the facility.
In addition to meeting its commitments under Commonwealth and State legislation, BNPL is committed to using best practice environmental management to avoid, minimise or mitigate any potential environmental impacts.
Observing regional heritage sensitivities
BNPL recognises and values the richness of Aboriginal culture in the Burrup Peninsula, where indigenous communities have lived for thousands of years. Accordingly, the company will be working with expert consultants to develop a Aboriginal Heritage Management Plan to help avoid or minimise any impact on Aboriginal Heritage sites within the lease area (the Site).
As part of the impact assessment process, an aboriginal heritage review of the Site is being undertaken in accordance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act to determine the full extent of the Aboriginal heritage located within the Site.
During construction, indigenous workers will be engaged to ensure that all Aboriginal heritage within the Site is protected and preserved. All work in sensitive areas will be carried out strictly in accordance with the Aboriginal Heritage Act as specified by the Minister for Indigenous Affairs.
Protecting the safety of employees and the community
Safety of staff and the local community is of paramount importance to BNPL. A preliminary (Coarse) Quantitative Risk Assessment (CQRA) will be submitted to the Department of Mines and Petroleum (DMP) to evaluate the potential risk that the TANPF could pose to the surrounding area and local community. A detailed QRA will follow this initial assessment to ensure the TANPF is developed and operated in the safest manner possible in accordance with all Major Hazard Facility regulations.
When construction begins, BNPL will have in place a comprehensive Health and Safety Management Plan to guide all parties associated with the project to achieve the objectives and standards in the Corporate Health and Safety Policies of BNPL. The Health and Safety Management Plan will establish safe work practices and safety procedures, safety inspections and audits, incident and accident management and information concerning occupational health. The Plan will detail actions required to establish and maintain high health and safety standards throughout the life of the project.
Safety standards and general management procedures at the facility will be regularly audited to statutory standards by independent, authorised auditors, who will provide inspections and audit data for risk assessment purposes.