Upper Hunter coal mines are being put on notice as the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) steps up its fight against dust.
The NSW EPA has launched its annual Bust the Dust campaign, with officers conducting unannounced inspections across the region.
The inspections began on Tuesday, 25 August, and will continue until mid-December.
Officers visited seven open-cut mines on the first day of the campaign and were checking whether operators had appropriate measures in place to control dust and protect local air quality.
The blitz follows last year’s campaign, when the EPA carried out 34 inspections across 12 open-cut mines.
The EPA said appropriate dust controls were in place during those inspections; however, it has warned operators not to become complacent as spring and summer bring warmer and drier conditions.
EPA Executive Director of Field Operations Steve Beaman said mines needed to be ready to respond when conditions changed.
“Last year we saw mines responding appropriately to the changing season, including slowing vehicle speeds, operating at lower elevations and standing down equipment when conditions were unfavourable,” Mr Beaman said.
“It’s a positive sign that community reports to the EPA about dust and air pollution have halved since 2023, but there is no room for complacency as the region becomes warmer and drier.”
Dust can travel beyond mine boundaries and affect nearby communities.
The EPA said operators should constantly monitor weather conditions and adjust their activities when needed, that could mean using water carts on roads and stockpiles.
Mines may also change where or how work is carried out.
In dry and windy conditions, some activities may need to stop altogether.
“Dust can travel beyond mine boundaries and impact surrounding communities, so operators need to be constantly monitoring the weather and ready to act when it changes,” Mr Beaman said.
The EPA regulates dust emissions year-round.
Mines that breach their licence conditions can face penalties of $30,000 for a first offence and $45,000 for subsequent offences.
The campaign is part of the EPA’s broader regulation of the coal mining sector.
Earlier this year, the EPA also announced strengthened requirements aimed at reducing fossil methane emissions and improving transparency around greenhouse gas emissions.
A community drop-in session will be held in Singleton on 14 September where residents will be able to ask questions and find out more about the campaign.
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