Soil erosion, water pollution, and dust dispersal are expected to occur at overburden dumping sites if earthwork management and demarcation controls are not implemented properly. Impacts on traffic and transportation, such as damage to public roads, contamination of roads with dirt, road congestion, etc., can be anticipated during the transport of earth materials from the development site to the overburden disposal area.
Target
To control overburden dumping activities to minimise air and water pollution, traffic, and transportation impacts, as well as impacts to the neighbouring land.
Standard Operating Procedures
5.1 Refer to the EIA/PMM and AEC/MD for the establishment of the overburden dumping site. Check and identify:
i. Runoff management and sediment control facilities to be provided at the dumping site i.e., temporary earth drains, check dam, silt fences, silt traps or sediment basin, etc.
ii. Specification, location, and sequence in providing runoff management and sediment control facilities based on the EIA/PMM and AEC/MD.
5.2 Construct runoff management and sediment control facilities at the dumping site. Below are the general sequences in providing the facilities.
i. Mark dumping site boundaries based on the SOPs contained in Environmental Condition: Control of Site Development.
ii. Construct the temporary perimeter earth drains and sediment basin prior to carrying out site clearing and dumping activities. Refer to Figure 10.
iii. Connect temporary earth drains to the sediment basin to divert all surface runoff into it.
5.3 No direct discharge of surface runoff from the disturbed area into public drains, rivers, or watercourses.
5.4 No construction of runoff management and sediment control facilities in rivers or watercourses
5.5 Conduct site clearing within the active working area only.
5.6 Conduct disposal activities by stages and avoid activities during rainy days.
5.7 Compact overburden materials at least twice per week to reduce soil erosion.
Figure 10: Illustration of overburden dumping stages.
Plate 18: Example of compacted overburden materials.
Plate 19: Example of compacted overburden materials.
5.8 Locate overburden dumping site in an area more than 30 meters away from any riverbank or waterway.
5.9 Prohibit dumping of overburden outside the dumping site boundary.
5.10 No disposal of overburden into any river, waterway, or within the riparian buffer.
5.11 Erect suitable speed limit and safety signs at the dumping site entrance to notify public road users.
5.12 Construct a wash bay / wash through with a silt trap of not less than 1m x 1m x 1.2m (depth) in size (based on Drawing design) at the location shown in the approved EIA/PMM and AEC/MD.
5.13 Clean tyres and undercarriage of transportation vehicles at the wash bay / wash through before leaving the dumping site to avoid formation of bulky deposited dirt and earth on public road surfaces.
5.14 Refer to requirements from the Local Authorities for transportation routes and/or JKR for access involving road reserves (application of wayleave).
5.15 Obtain consent from private landowners if access through their land is required.
5.16 Cover transported overburden materials with canvas or tarpaulin sheets.
5.17 Avoid off-site transportation activities during peak traffic hours stated in the AEC/MD.