Guidance Note Released on Coal Washery Reject
 
The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water NSW has released a guidance note on coal washery reject, following the introduction of the Coal Washery Rejects Levy from 1st November 2009.

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/waste/CWRlevy.htm

http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/waste/09697CWRlevyguidance.pdf

Coal washery reject levy

Under section 88 of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act), occupiers of certain facilities are required to pay a contribution in respect of each tonne of waste received at the facility. The Protection of the Emvironment Operations (Waste) Regulation 2005 specifies different contributions based on waste type and location of generation or disposal.

From 1 November 2009, the coal washery rejects levy applies to each tonne of coal washery rejects that is received from off-site and applied to land. Coal washery rejects are the waste resulting from washing coal, including substances such as coal fines, soil, sand, and rock resulting from that process. The coal washery rejects levy is applied at a concessional rate of $15 per tonne. It will be adjusted annually from 1 July 2010 according to the Consumer Price Index (CPI).

Emplacement of coal washery rejects can involve the clearing of native vegetation and the use of virgin land for the disposal of the coal washery rejects. The purpose of the coal washery rejects levy is to stimulate improved environmental management of coal waste by making disposal more expensive i.e. to provide an economic incentive for mine operators to develop alternatives to disposal.

The Coal Washery Rejects Levy Operational Guidance Note provides details about the operation of the levy.

Exemptions from the coal washery rejects levy

Exemptions from the levy may be available in certain circumstances with approval from the Department. Two general exemptions have been approved by the EPA, for reuse of coal washery rejects in off-mine fill applications and when coal washery rejects are used to rehabilitate a coal mine void only.

Reuse of coal washery rejects which does not meet the criteria included in the general exemptions above may be considered for approval through a specific exemption. Proponents of a specific exemption should contact the Department on 9995 5756 for information on requirements for a specific exemption. The Guidelines on Resource Recovery Exemptions (Land Application) would assist in preparing a proposal for an exemption.

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