GRT calls for tighter dust pollution controls within mining areas

Press Release: August 22, 2022

A recent report in the Newcastle Herald shows that the 10 most polluted postcodes in Australia are in regional areas where metalliferous and coal mining are big industries prompting leading dust control specialists Global Road Technology to call for a stronger focus on dust pollution prevention at mine sites. 

This report compiled by the Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) is showing that the worst places for air pollution are in rural and regional areas where large industrial facilities are operating. 

In Australia, the National Pollutant Inventory requires large industrial facilities to report data for certain pollutants on an annual basis. It found five dangerous pollutants, coarse particles, fine particles, sulphur dioxide, mercury and nitrogen oxides in the air of locations such as Muswellbrook in the NSW Hunter Valley, Traralgon in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley, Queensland’s Gladstone on the Great Barrier Reef, Stanwell and Tarong, and Collie in Western Australia. 

For Global Road Technology Managing Director Troy Adams research linking chronic illnesses like lung cancer, silicosis, respiratory disease, black lung disease, stroke and heart disease to dust-related pollution validates the company’s focus on onsite dust suppression to mitigate dust pollution at its source. 

“Our focus on delivering comprehensive onsite dust suppression solutions for mining sites is driven by warnings from health professionals saying that pollution can impact every system in the human body,” said Mr Adams.

“Due to this potential for human harm GRT is in constant communications with Australian companies involved in the resource extraction and construction sectors, to showcase how we deliver our comprehensive suite of preventative measures to reduce the exposure of their workers and nearby communities to particulate pollution. This report drives home the dangers of particulate pollution for communities located near industrial mining sites and the need for resource companies to focus on comprehensive dust pollution suppression programs to reduce the potential for human harm.” 

With data sourced from the Australian government’s National Pollutant Inventory, the following postcodes are ranked as the most polluted in the country with six of the top 10 postcodes for poor air quality also being home to coal mines or coal-fired power stations. 

The most polluted postcodes in Australia ranked:

1. Mount Isa, Qld
2. Newman, WA
3. Muswellbrook, NSW
4. Tom Price, WA
5. Traralgon, Vic
6. Gladstone, Qld
7. Stanwell, Qld
8. Collie, WA

As an international, engineering technology company focussing on providing innovative products and solutions for the mining, civil, agricultural, resources, land development, and environmental management sectors, GRT is investing significantly in R&D and innovation to make it a leader in air dust pollution reduction.

Its specialisations in dust control, soil stabilisation, erosion control, and water management and investments in innovation have helped to build its reputation as a global leader in dust suppression and reducing particulate pollution caused by mining and construction activity. 

GRT Managing Director Troy Adams, who is the architect behind the company’s ‘whole-of-site’ approach to dust suppression believes that mining companies need to focus on stopping air dust pollution at its source. 

“We need to look at following the recommendations from the National Dust Disease Taskforce to develop a national approach to managing occupational dust diseases through onsite dust suppression,” Mr Adams said.

“As part of this, there needs to be enforceable requirements around ensuring that whole-of-site dust management and suppression plans are in place for any workplace where everyday activities cause this type of dust pollution.”

Source: AustralianMining