Waste

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Waste

Tarong Energy aims to effectively manage our wastes and commits to reducing, reusing and recycling wastes where possible.

Ash is our biggest waste product in our operations which is produced through burning coal.
Tarong and Tarong North Power Stations produce about 1.9 million tonnes of ash each year as a by-product.

Ash is primarily the non-combustible mineral component of coal and comprises largely aluminium and silica oxides, which are two common elements that exist naturally in significant quantities.

As a method of reuse, Tarong Energy sells a portion of the ash to manufacturers for use as an additive material in cement (refer to supporting data tables [Tarong] [Tarong North] for details on ash quantities sold). Tarong Energy continues to seek potential new markets for any unsold volumes. Tarong Energy is a member of the Ash Development Association of Australia (ADAA). This association comprises producers and marketers of coal combustion products, including ash.

Any unsold ash is currently stored in the ash dam. The existing ash dam is expected to reach its maximum capacity by the end of 2009 and a new ash storage area must be operating prior to this date. During 2007-2008 approval was obtained from the Coordinator General for a new ash storage area, the Northern Land. However, with the recent purchase of Meandu Mine, Tarong Energy has been investigating the option of disposing ash to the mine void in order avoid any disturbance to the Northern Land. Approval was also obtained for this mine void disposal option and Tarong Energy will proceed with this as a trial.

Tarong Energy also produces other waste products such as paper, oil, steel and general domestic refuse. Large volumes of waste such as oil, metal and drums continue to be recycled. A new and improved recycling program has also been implemented at Tarong Power Station which now allows for 100% of cardboard, paper and consumer recyclable products such as aluminium cans and plastic bottles to be recycled.

Arrangements have also been made to ensure that our fluorescent and other light bulbs from Tarong Power Station and Wivenhoe Power Station are collected and recycled. This recycling initiative will prevent potentially damaging material (such as mercury) being disposed of in landfill.