Through dust or snow, the compliance show goes on

EPA operations staff in the Hunter Region are tackling mine dust through a targeted Bust the Dust compliance campaign this spring. On warm, dry, windy days, drones are helping EPA officers see the source and impact of dust plumes on air quality.

Each week, EPA officers review weather forecasts and select days when there is a greater risk of dust is expected. A professional drone pilot travels with an EPA Authorised Officer on the selected days to do checks.

EPA North Branch Operations Officer Jenny Lange said the drone allows EPA officers to see over trees, bunds, ridges and other obstacles to determine what might be causing any dust and whether the mine has any dust mitigation measures in place.

“If a mine is not minimising its dust emissions, the drone can record video footage that may be used as part of an investigation,” Jenny said.         

“Despite recent decreases in coal mine particulate emissions, dust from mines continues to be a significant concern for the community.

“The EPA received over 200 complaints about dust from Hunter mines in 2018 so this campaign will really help to assess the problem and to inform and support any regulatory action needed.”

A sound solution

Meanwhile, in the State’s south, the EPA’s Technical Advice Noise Unit is carrying out long-term monitoring of noise emissions from a licensed premises – at times in very chilly conditions.

Unit Head Paul Maddock reports that as part of an ongoing campaign of compliance monitoring a directional noise monitor, called a BarnOwl, was deployed at a nearby residence over the winter period.

“By using an array of multiple microphones a BarnOwl is able to measure noise from specific directions to better isolate where a noise might specifically be coming from,” Paul told EPA Connect.

And yes, both the BarnOwl noise monitoring equipment and the Noise team kept working despite the chilly conditions in September.