HVO 2009 Annual Environmental Management Report - Final

Coal & Allied – Hunter Valley Operations
3.2 AIR QUALITY
3.2.1 Environmental Management
The objective of air quality management at HVO is to control the generation of dust from the site in order to
minimise concentrations of atmospheric particulates in the surrounding area, particularly at the nearest
privately owned residences. This includes deposited dust, Total Suspended Particulate matter (TSP) and
Particulate Matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 microns (PM 10 ).
The HVO dust management programme aims to maintain dust (insoluble matter) deposition rates at adjoining
residences below an annual average of 4.0g/m 2 /month. To monitor regional air quality, HVO operated and
maintained a network of 10 depositional dust gauges on private land. Depositional dust was monitored
monthly in accordance with AS 3580.10.1 (2003). These sites were analysed to determine the fallout rate of
total mass, total insoluble matter, combustible matter and ash.
The HVO air quality monitoring network is shown in Figure 19.
Suspended particulate dust was measured in 2009 by a network of High Volume Air Samplers (HVAS). Seven
of these were fitted with standard inlets to measure TSP and six were fitted with size-selective inlets to
measure concentrations of PM 10 . A data share arrangement is in place for a TSP unit at Jerrys Plains School.
In addition the network included six monitors to measure PM 10 concentrations in real time (refer to Appendix 7
Real Time Air Quality Monitoring data).
Each HVAS was run for 24 hours on a six-day cycle in accordance with DECCW requirements. When
equipment malfunctioned eg power was interrupted, or problems occurred with filter papers etc, a make-up
run was performed to ensure the required number of annual DECCW runs occurred. The HVAS machines
were calibrated every two months.
TSP monitors were sampled and analysed in accordance with AS 3580.9.3 (2003). The HVO dust
management programme aimed to maintain total suspended solids below an annual average of 90μg/m 3 . No
short term (24 hour) impact assessment criterion has been set for TSP concentrations.
PM 10 monitors were sampled and analysed in accordance with AS 3580.9.6 (2003). The HVO dust
management programme aimed to maintain particulate matter below the short term (24 hour) value of
50μg/m 3 and an annual average of 30μg/m 3 .
The dust monitoring network illustrated in Figure 19 provided site management with monitoring data to assist
in the management of air quality. Detailed air quality monitoring results for the reporting period are presented
in Appendix 6 and are discussed below.
Dust is controlled and managed at HVO in accordance with Coal & Allied EMS Environmental Procedure 8.1
Dust Management CHPP and Environmental Procedure 8.2 Dust Management – Mobile Equipment. The main
method of dust suppression used on site is spraying mine water on active areas having the potential to create
dust. Typical control procedures used at HVO were:
The use of water carts to deliver water to active mining areas, active spoil emplacement areas, coal
stockpiles, haul roads and other areas that are subject to frequent vehicle movements;
Dust control systems are maintained in good working order;
Coal dump hoppers are fitted with automatically activated sprays that operate whenever trucks dump into
the hoppers;
Topsoil stripping is confined to periods when there is sufficient moisture contained in the soil to minimise
dust generation, where practical;
Correct operation of equipment to minimise dust generation;
Mine spoil is rehabilitated as soon as practicable after mining to reduce exposed areas;
Operations are restricted during windy and dry weather; and
Conveyor covers (partially and fully enclosed).
AEMR 2009 55