Dust is a general term used to describe small solid particles suspended in the air. Monitoring and minimising dust emissions from our operations is a key focus for Pilbara Ports. Pilbara Ports operates four of the Port of Port Hedland’s 19 berths, which include the Utah Point Multi-User Bulk Handling Facility (Utah Facility) and three berths on the eastern side of the inner harbour (Eastern Operations).
In Western Australia, emissions from industry are regulated by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) under the Environmental Protection Act 1986.
Industry operating in the Port of Port Hedland are regulated under Part IV and/or Part V environmental licences issued under the Act. These licences set out the requirement to manage, monitor and report dust levels to minimise the impact on the environment and the Town of Port Hedland.
Environmental licences have been issued to Pilbara Ports for operations at Berths 1 and 2 (L4432) and Utah Facility (L8937). These facilities provide junior and mid-tier mining companies with access to port facilities for the export of bulk materials such as iron ore, other ores and metal concentrates.
Tonnage through these three berths represents less than five per cent of total throughput at the Port of Port Hedland.
Pilbara Ports is required to investigate and report to DWER any *PM10 and metal concentration results which exceed levels set out in our Part V environmental licences. These are known as Reportable Events.
*PM10 refers to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter less than 10 microns (μm).
Image source: United States Environmental Protection Agency
The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) operates Port Hedland's ambient air quality monitoring network consisting of eight monitoring stations.
Visit their website to view live data and find out more about the Port Hedland Ambient Air Quality Network.