In 1992 environmental audits were carried out at seven coal mines
operated by Oakbridge Limited in the Hunter Valley and Lithgow areas of
NSW. The audit reports recommended a course of action designed to
improve the environmental management system already in operation at
the mines. This program started with training in environmental awareness
for the Board of Directors, and the development and authorisation of an
environmental policy. On-going programs at each mine were expanded to
include environmental awareness training for all 2000 employees at the
mines, and the development of a 20-module environmental training
program which included air, water, soil and noise management, oil and
chemical handling, sampling and monitoring, rehabilitation techniques
and many more. Environmental incident reporting was introduced, and a
system of reporting from the coal face through individual mine site
environmental committees, to a Corporate Environmental Committee and
up to the Board Environmental Committee became an effective part of a
due diligence program. The Board resolved to undertake external
independent environmental audits every two years, with internal reviews
in the alternate years. An Environmental Management Group was
formed, consisting of four internal environmental personnel and
Oakbridge's appointed environmental consultant, to effectively resolve
many of the environmental issues facing the Group. This program is
continuing to evolve as an industry leader in environmental management
Practice.