​Bulga Coal blasts between 9am and 5pm, Monday to Saturday, with the majority of blasts fired around lunchtime. Blasting is managed in accordance with the approved Blast Management Plan and complies with the conditions outlined in the Environmental Protection Licence 563 and in our development consent.

Before mining can begin, topsoil is removed and stockpiled so that it can be reused during the rehabilitation process. Once the topsoil has been removed, it is necessary to blast the underlying rock so it is broken into a manageable size which can be handled by either the dragline or excavators.

Blast management aims to minimise the impact to the community through blasting activities. Noise, overpressure, vibration and dust exposure from blasting activities must comply with limits that are set by regulatory authorities for neighbouring residential properties.

Monitoring is undertaken to record:

• Measured air blast overpressure;
• Measured ground vibration; and
• Noise.

Results from the blast monitoring are reported quarterly on the website in the Environmental Monitoring Report and also reported in the Annual Review.

Blast schedule

For the months of October & November 2020, blasts are scheduled for the following dates:

• October: 9, 12, 16, 19, 21, 23, 27, 30.
• November: 3, 6, 9, 16, 18, 20, 24, 25, 30.

The firing window is between the hours of 9.00am and 5.00pm.

This schedule may be subject to delays from production constraints or unsuitable weather conditions on the day of the blast.

Temporary road closures

Charlton Road or Broke Road may be closed between 9am - 5pm from Monday to Friday for the purposes of blasting. The closure could be up to 15 minutes in duration. If either of these roads are closed, an alternative route to/from the Putty Road is available on the other road.  Broke Road will be closed 3km north of the Bulga Open Cut entrance and 1km north of the Charlton Rd intersection. If the weather conditions are unfavourable, blasting will be delayed until the first day of fine weather. Bulga Coal apologises for any inconvenience caused.   

For more up to date information about our blasting activities, please call 02 6570 2400.