7/28/2019 Fine Issued for Dust Emissions From Upper Hunter Coal
Mine 23 May 2013
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Wednesday, 23 May 2012
Fine issued for dust emissions from Upper Hunter coal mine
An Upper Hunter coal mine has been fined $3,000 by the
Department of Planning andInfrastructure for a breach of its
consent conditions, which require the mine to implementmeasures to
minimise the emission of dust.
The penalty notice was issued following an investigation by the
department into signficantdust emissions from the Mt
Thorley-Warkworth mine, near Singleton, on Sunday 13 May.
The mine has been warned that further breaches for dust
emissions are likely to attractstronger enforcement action by the
department, including the potential for criminalproceedings in the
Land and Environment Court.
The departments Executive Director for Major Development
Assessment, Chris Wilson,said the mine had failed to minimise
offsite dust emissions and had not suspended ormodified
operations.
Both the Upper Hunter Air Quality Network and the mines own
real-time air quality monitorshowed a spike in dust levels above
the permitted 24-hour average, Mr Wilson said.
Our investigations have indicated that the mines air quality and
dust mitigation measures,required under the mines planning
approval, were not adequate on that day.
The mine received complaints about the dust from nearby
residents and although it was aweekend, an officer from the
Singleton compliance unit immediately attended the mine.
The compliance officer observed that the mine was continuing to
operate a dragline andexcavator, despite the dust being generated.
These activities should have been suspendedby the mine in the windy
conditions, Mr Wilson said.
Under its approval, the mine is required to implement best
management practice to
minimise odour, fume and dust emissions. This includes
commitments by the mine tominimise wind-blown and traffic-generated
dust from from coal handling and coal stockpiles,using water sprays
on coal stockpiles to reduce airborne dust and using water trucks
tominimise dust on roads.
The inspection found these commitments were not being complied
with on 13 May.Consequently large volumes of dust from mining
operations flowed across the Putty Roadand the dust was also
visible from the Golden Highway, Mr Wilson said.
He said the decision to issue a penalty notice to the mine
followed two previous warningletters to the mine last year in
relation to dust, and site inspections where the departmenthad
requested the mine take action to reduce dust emissions.
Department media contact: Laurel-Lee Roderick, (02) 9228 6128 or
0429 153 139
Media release
