[Greens-Media] Coal giants breach operating conditions: wind covers Hunter in coal dust

[Alison Orme]

MEDIA RELEASE - 25 September 2006

Coal giants breach operating conditions: wind covers Hunter in coal
dust

Greens MP and mining spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said despite vicious
winds over the weekend whipping up huge plumes of coal dust in the
Hunter Valley, BHP Billiton, Rio Tinto and Anglo Coal failed to comply
with conditions of operation that require the use of water to dampen the
dust.

All open cut coal mines in the Upper Hunter kept up operations on the
weekend, despite fierce winds sending a cloud of dust down the Hunter
Valley, that created health risks and obscuring visibility on local
roads, Ms Rhiannon said. 

BHP Billiton at Mount Arthur thumbed its nose at conditions of
operation that require automatically activated water sprays be used on
bins where mined coal is deposited to dampen dust at the mining site.

The Greens understand at least four complaints were received but
operations kept up regardless. 

Coal mining also kept up unabated at Rio Tintos Bengalla operations and
Anglo Coals Drayton operations.

At Scone Airport, about 30km from Mt Arthur, wind reached a gust speed
of 104km an hour three times between 3.20 and 3.40 pm yesterday. 

No mountain ranges or wooded areas lie between the airport and coal
mines that would reduce this wind force.

BHP Billiton just posted a record $13 m annual profit. But it seems it
and other wealthy companies couldnt be bothered to protect the health of
local communities by acting to reduce this dangerous dust cloud.
People living in Mussellbrook and surrounding areas are at risk of
respiratory diseases from this dust but face the inaction of coal
companies and the NSW government.

The government should be cracking down on these kinds of blatant
infringements that are putting locals health and safety at risk, Ms
Rhiannon said. 

More information: 9230 3551 or 0427 861 568
Digital photos available on request.



Alison Orme
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Tues, Wed and alternate Mons)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0432 332 104
Email alison.orme at parliament.nsw.gov.au 
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au