Noise monitoring

KCGM aims to minimise the impact in residential areas of noise generated from KCGM's operations and to undertake monitoring of noise levels in residential areas near KCGM's operations.

KCGM carries out extensive noise assessment and modelling work to determine the best means of reducing nuisance noise from the Fimiston open pit operation. At the onset of open pit development modelling work indicated that an earthen bund between the Fimiston operation and Boulder, would significantly reduce nuisance noise. Noise monitoring results from before and after the bund was built show that it is effective in shielding residential areas from mine noise.

Continuous noise monitoring for KCGM operations occurs at two permanent sites in Kalgoorlie-Boulder. To establish the contribution of mining noise at the monitoring sites, a tape recorder tripping mechanism is used.

Mining noise can be most noticeable when traffic noise is at a minimum, ie. in the evening or early morning hours. The tape trigger is set to operate during this time (1900 hours to 0700 hours). Tape recordings are retrieved and reported at monthly intervals and the dominant noise identified, where possible, for each noise event.

Where noise monitoring results show that mining noise is causing tape trigger events, this is interpreted by KCGM as an indication of a potential concern for residential areas (even if no complaints are received). Mining noise triggers are investigated to determine the source of the noise and when the source is identified, action is taken to reduce the noise where possible.

Actions taken by KCGM to manage noise include:

• Upgrading reversing alarms on all equipment.
• Extension of the environmental noise bund.
• Restricting some activities to daytime only.
• Constructing other noise bunds within the operations.
• New trucks are fitted with quieter running fans and engines.
• Upgrading old trucks with quieter engines.

KCGM continues to undertake monitoring and modelling of equipment to identify further opportunities for noise reduction at the operation.