FACT SHEET
Air Quality
FACT SHEET
Where does the dust come from?
Scientists and regulators refer to the term particulate matter (or PM) to describe the range of particles (or dust) that exists in the air we breathe.
Air Quality
PM can be increased due to human activities such as vehicle exhaust, industrial processes, power stations, mining, farming, wood
heaters, or smoke from bushfires.
PM is measured in micrometres (sometimes called microns) which relates to the diameter of particles. A micrometre is one-millionth of
a metre and its symbol is µm.
Some dust is unavoidably generated by mining activity.
Both large and small scale dust particles (PM10 and PM2.5) can be generated by bulldozing, dragline removal of overburden, shovel
excavation, blasting, vehicles travelling on unsealed roads, and emissions from vehicles.
We understand community concerns about visible dust, particularly from open cut mining operations, and the health impacts of finer
particles (PM2.5).
The Upper Hunter Air Quality Study, undertaken by the CSIRO on behalf of the NSW Office of Environment & Heritage and NSW
Health, found that smoke from domestic wood heaters (woodsmoke) and emissions from power stations (secondary sulphate) were the
main source of PM2.5.
The full report can be found here: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/aqms/uhaqmnfpcs.htm
We are also supporting the Lower Hunter Particle Characterisation Study, initiated by the NSW Environment Protection Authority in
2013. More information about the study can be found at: http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/aqms/lowhunterparticle.htm
Results from the 2013 Upper Hunter Air Quality Study
Singleton
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il
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* Mining contributes a proportion of ‘soil’ and ‘vehicle/industry’ categories
What are the health concerns?
Generally, it is thought that fine particles below
2.5 μm in diameter may be of a greater health
concern than larger particles as they can reach air
sacs deep in the lungs. However, coarse particles
(PM2.5-10) could also be associated with adverse
health effects.
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We are one of the largest coal producers in Australia, with
13 mining complexes across NSW and Queensland.
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oo
Headquartered near Singleton in the NSW Hunter Valley,
GCAA operates a mixture of open cut and underground
coal mines across NSW and Queensland, and has further
interests in projects at various stages of development across
both States.
stry 17%
Muswellbrook
Glencore Coal Assets Australia (GCAA) is part of the
broader Glencore group, one of the world’s largest global
diversified natural resource companies.
Smo
20%
ke 8
%
We act at all times to mine responsibly and to identify,
reduce and effectively manage potential impacts
arising from our operations.
We have been proactive in implementing systems
and procedures to address concerns raised by our
local communities and to ensure compliance with our
environmental conditions.
To effectively manage air quality issues, we use realtime monitoring, transparent reporting and emerging
technologies to assess our actions and performance.
We are also playing a leading role in work with our
neighbouring communities, peak industry groups and
regulatory authorities to study and respond to the potential
impacts of cumulative air quality impacts on the regions in
which we operate.
Many people are susceptible to the health effects
of fine and coarse particles, particularly children
of all ages, the elderly, and those with respiratory
or heart conditions.
That’s why we remain committed to working with
communities in which we operate to minimise and
effectively manage impacts from our operations.
www.glencore.com.au
www.glencore.com.au
GCAA FACT SHEET
Air Quality
Minimising dust from our operations
GCAA’s Air Quality Control System
A diverse range of management procedures and controls have been put in place at each of our operations to ensure that dust generated
from mining activities is minimised and effectively managed.
Development of GCAA’s Air Quality Control System (AQCS) arose from an air quality improvement project we initiated in 2010.
Our management strategies apply to all levels of our workforce. We train our people to take proactive steps to manage dust within our
operations, before it becomes a problem for those outside our operations.
This is reinforced by GCAA’s Air Quality Management Protocol, which provides sites and projects with clear guidelines on what is
required to ensure best practice dust management.
Key initiatives include:
While the air quality improvement project identified procedural and engineering measures to be implemented for improvements in air
quality management, additional tools were also investigated including camera technology and the ability to forecast conditions to assist
in planning operational activities.
The AQCS assists Glencore operations in minimising impacts from blasting, air quality and noise management activities.
The AQCS, believed to be a first in the Hunter coal mining industry, is a fully automated system that provides site personnel with
information on daily environmental risks associated with air quality, noise and blasting.
The system is in place across GCAA’s Hunter open cut mining operations, delivering the following benefits:
• Minimising our active mining footprint to the smallest area practicable
by promptly rehabilitating disturbed areas
a Higher employee awareness of potential environmental issues.
• Installation of almost 100 real-time air quality and noise monitors, both
on-site and within our neighbouring communities
a An increase in the number of employees empowered with responsibility for environmental management.
• Using continuous dust monitors, with pre-determined levels triggering
an alarm to notify mine supervisors to review operations
a Productivity improvements due to identification of favourable environmental conditions.
• Using environmental cameras to monitor operations and dust levels
• Running 24-hour hotlines for residents to report concerns, and
initiating immediate investigations into each complaint received
• Altering or stopping operations at open cut mines in adverse weather
conditions
• Compulsory dust and noise management education for employees
• Having access to daily site specific noise and dust forecasts that predict
potential impacts over the next 48 hours
For more details, see our Case Study on the Air Quality Control System.
• Regular watering of unpaved roads
• Managing vehicle speeds
• Water sprays on conveyors and stockpiles
• Using water trucks, wheel washers, road sweepers and dust suppressants
• Using appropriate equipment that is regularly maintained
• Planting trees as buffers to minimise wind-blown dust
• Building mine infrastructure away from sensitive community and
public areas
Workforce education a key to dust management
Our employees are playing an important role in
managing dust at our open cut mining operations.
Dust and noise management is a compulsory
element of workplace training.
Specially-designed software is used in training
simulators to test the knowledge and skills of our
operators in identifying issues and responding
appropriately when it comes to dust management.
This includes requests for additional water carts
or even stopping operations if required.
The aim is to control dust at the source before it
becomes an issue for our communities.
www.glencore.com.au
www.glencore.com.au
Simulators are being used to educate GCAA’s workforce on dust management.