RE: New bat guidance24 Jan 2022 15:23
Appreciate your post Greeno, but the Bat/Otter issue can be put to bed. No need to speculate or worry.
Alba jumped through every hoop to avoid a bat/otter problem. Including, they readily agreed not to work in the mine during certain months "Works will not be permitted to take place within the known bat-inhabited areas of the mine between November – March (inclusive), eliminating potential effects to hibernating bats"
One thing was responsible for the dewatering permit being denied.
Failure to provide data on mine humidity levels, because Albas data humidity loggers had failed, well they in been in for a couple of years and when it was time to remove them they were found to be damaged, and the data was lost.
“There is no information to support the application as to whether the de-watering of the mine will impact humidity levels? High humidity levels are key for successful hibernation; it prevents dehydration and prevents more frequent arousal from torpor so this will need to be assessed to ensure no likely significant effect. There is no baseline data as a result of the data loggers being moved.”
"The decision to refuse the permit application is based on our assessment of the potential environmental impact on the EPS/SAC features of Lesser Horseshoe bat and Otter. It cannot be demonstrated that the proposed water discharge would not have an ‘Adverse Effect’ on Lesser Horseshoe Bats and Otter "
“In the absence of adequate survey information, the current proposal does not satisfactorily evidence no loss, damage or deterioration of these features….
It is therefore concluded that the application fails to demonstrate that bats/otter ….. will not be adversely affected.”
"With the Clogau mine forming part of the Lesser Horseshoe bat/otter habitat and any changes in humidity ventilation, temperature and disturbance could cause deterioration on the functionality of the mine for bats/otter"
Alba report stated clearly that the dewatering would not affect the humidity levels, as the conditions will not change during dewatering. They just needed the baseline data to get the box ticked.
"Effects to bats from any change in airflow and humidity levels are predicted to be of No
Change and therefore not significant. This will in no way affect the FCS of lesser
horseshoe bat or Otter within the SAC."
"The flow of water from the Llechfraith adit to the drainage adit has already been isolated, with the current conditions inside the mine mirroring those during the de-watering process and the exploration in the lower workings when dry"
Alba did put in new data loggers but they did not have long enough to gather the data before the report was due.
Looks like an easy fix to me to get the permit, mainly get some more baseline data and bobs your uncle.
Alba have been pushing the Liechfraith shaft gold exploration in the last two videos, would they do this if they thought they may not get the permit. Its not if, its when, soon I think!
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