Tackling coal mine dust
Improving air quality and reducing community exposure to particulate pollution are key priorities for the EPA.
As part of this commitment, we undertake targeted compliance activities to regulate dust generation from coal mining operations in the Upper Hunter.
All coal mine operators are required to minimise dust emissions and comply with conditions in their Environment Protection Licences. Operators are expected to implement effective dust controls and modify operations where necessary to prevent and reduce dust impacts on the community and environment.
We continue to undertake targeted compliance activities in the Upper Hunter to assess dust management practices and ensure coal mine operators meet their regulatory obligations.
Dust Assessment Handbook
The Dust Assessment Handbook (PDF 792KB), developed by the EPA in consultation with industry and government stakeholders, helps mine operators in the Hunter Valley to improve air quality outcomes.
The handbook:
- includes photographs that illustrate when operational changes should be considered to minimise dust
- helps operators assess whether mining activities are being conducted in a proper and efficient manner
- lists factors to consider when assessing whether operational changes are required
- applies to vehicles on haul roads, drilling rigs and excavators.
Upper Hunter Bust the Dust 2026 Campaign
Bust the Dust returns to the Upper Hunter in 2026 as part of the EPA's ongoing focus on improving air quality, reducing dust impacts from coal mining operations and protecting the health and wellbeing of local communities.
The campaign will be undertaken from late winter/early spring through to early summer, when hot, dry and windy conditions can increase the risk of dust generation.
The campaign aims to:
- influence coal mine operators to proactively modify operations to minimise dust emissions during adverse weather conditions
- increase regulatory oversight of coal mine operations during periods of elevated dust risk
- support continuous improvement in dust management and regulatory practices.
Throughout the campaign, EPA officers will undertake a program of unannounced inspections at open-cut coal mines across the Upper Hunter.
Inspections will focus on whether operators are:
- implementing effective dust control measures
- responding appropriately to weather conditions that increase dust risks
- complying with Environment Protection Licence requirements
- minimising potential impacts on neighbouring communities.
A range of regulatory tools and technologies are used to support compliance activities. Where appropriate, officers may use monitoring equipment, roadside surveillance and drones to identify dust sources and assess the effectiveness of dust controls.
The campaign will be supported by community and stakeholder engagement activities to help increase awareness of the EPA's regulatory role and dust management requirements.
A community information drop-in session will be held during the campaign period to give stakeholders and community members the opportunity to speak with EPA Officers about the campaign.
Community feedback
Community feedback plays an important role in helping the EPA identify areas of concern and target regulatory activities.
You can report dust concerns to the EPA Environment Line by emailing [email protected] or by calling 131 555.
Previous dust compliance programs
Operation Bust the Dust campaigns have previously been delivered in 2019, 2020, 2023, 2024 and 2025. Campaigns focused on monitoring dust management practices during periods when seasonal conditions increase the likelihood of dust generation.
They involved unannounced inspections, roadside surveillance and the use of regulatory technologies to assess dust control measures and compliance with licence conditions.
Starting in 2013, the EPA worked with Hunter Valley coal mines to rationalise air quality monitoring and implement real-time continuous monitors upwind and downwind at each mine.
We also worked with the (then) Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) to develop models to predict days likely to result in high levels of dust emissions.
Using the model, the EPA ran operation Dust Patrol in spring and summer of 2018/19, undertaking targeted coal mine inspections on days where a high risk of dust generation was predicted. The program reduced dust emissions but found that the model was not able to accurately predict high-risk days.
The Dust Stop Program started in 2011, in response to a key recommendation from the NSW Coal Mining Benchmarking Study (PDF 4.8MB). The Dust Stop Program required mines to:
- compare current operations with international best practice and report on the practicability of implementing each best practice measure with a timetable for implementing suitable measures
- achieve 80% control of wheel generated dust
- manage mining activities to ensure elevated dust levels were not experienced during adverse weather conditions
- trial best practice measures for reducing dust when disturbing and handling soil and rock waste
- assess wind-erosion exposed areas against pre-determined benchmarks with three mines required to undertake extra stabilisation works.
In 2011 a NSW Coal Mining Benchmarking Study (PDF 4.8MB) was commissioned to identify the major sources of particulate matter and best practice measures to minimise emissions from coal mines. The study made the following key conclusions:
- Significant reductions in emissions of particulate matter could be achieved by applying best practice control measures that were technically and economically feasible .
- The top 5 sources of PM10 from GMR coal mines were wheel-generated dust, wind erosion of overburden (rock and soil), bulldozers on overburden, blasting, and trucks loading and dumping overburden.
- PM10 emissions from GMR coal mines could be reduced by almost 50% with application of best practice, but at significant cost.
- Haul roads accounted for almost 40% of PM10 emissions from mines
This study informed a range of EPA initiatives, including those listed above.