Dust Emissions
The majority of dust particles at mine sites are large dust particles created from activities such as the mechanical disturbance of rock and soil materials, bulldozing, blasting, and vehicles travelling on dirt roads. Large particles are also created by wind blowing over the surface of bare land and stockpiles. Finer particles, which have a higher health concern, account for around 5% of mine dust emissions and are mostly generated from vehicle exhausts and combustion processes, similar to urban areas.

Dust can have some health and amenity impacts for local communities, so steps are taken to minimise the level of dust emissions. Dust emissions are managed through a combination of mine planning, minimising disturbed areas, undertaking continuous rehabilitation, minimising road haul distances and traffic, use of enclosed conveyors, and methods such as water sprays on stockpiles and the use of dust watering carts on unpaved roads. Dust emissions are regularly monitored and communicated through Community Consultative Committees.

The NSW Minerals Council, in association with NSW Health, has produced a Dust Fact Sheet for local mining communities.

Click here to view/download Dust Fact Sheet.

Noise
Mining and minerals processing operations can generate noise from a range of activities including transport, draglines, blasting, conveyors, crushing, screening and process plants. Noise impacts need to be managed carefully, particularly where mines operate in close proximity to other landholders and local communities.

The NSW Minerals Council has prepared a Fact Sheet to explain what noise is, how noise is regulated and what is done to manage noise in the NSW minerals industry.

Click here to view/download Environmental Noise and the NSW Mineral Industry Fact Sheet.

Blasting
Blasting is used extensively in the NSW minerals industry to fracture rock, allowing mining to take place. The two main impacts from blasting, apart from noise and dust, are overpressure and ground vibration.

The NSW Minerals Council has prepared a Fact Sheet to inform the community of the potential impacts, regulation and management of blasting impacts in the NSW minerals industry.

Click here to view/download Blasting and the NSW Minerals Industry Fact Sheet.