[Greens-Media] 50,000 tonnes of coal mine dust – time for Coal Mining Health Impacts Inquiry

[Susie Gemmell]

MEDIA RELEASE
28 April 2008 

50,000 tonnes of coal mine dust – time for Coal Mining Health Impacts
Inquiry
 
Greens MP and mining and health spokesperson Lee Rhiannon said today
that the NSW government’s failure to crack down on polluting coal
companies has contributed to the 50,000 tonnes of fine coal mine dust
emitted in the Hunter in 2006-7, and called for the Government to hold
an Inquiry into the health impacts of people living in coal mining
areas.
 
“Coal companies are clearly being reckless with people’s health but
the NSW government has to accept much of the responsibility for the
tonnes of dust dumped on communities across the Hunter,” Ms Rhiannon
said. 
 
“Many people in the Hunter are living in unhealthy conditions because
the NSW government is not forcing coal companies to abide by the rules.

 
“The Greens will move a motion next week in NSW Parliament calling
for a Legislative Council Inquiry into the health impacts of coal mining
on people living alongside the coal industry.
 
“Everyone knows that coal companies are willing to break the rules on
dust and noise levels. The mine managers want to keep operations going
to maximise profits. 
 
“The NSW government talks tough about the rules for coal mining
operations but the National Pollutant Inventory figures suggest that
coal companies rarely comply. 
 
“The fact that one mine, Coal & Allied's Singleton operation, emitted
12,000 tonnes of fine dust in 2006-7 is a scandal. The NSW government
cannot stay silent on these figures. 
 
“The Greens released research last year showing that Hunter coal
mines do not comply with the their EPA pollution licences, and called
for a full time EPA office in the Upper Hunter.  
 
“Across NSW in 2005-6 there were 2,639 reported pollution incidents
where 75 coal companies failed to comply with their EPA pollution
licences and Hunter coal mines were amongst the worst.
 
“EPA officers need to be on the ground where the mines are located so
they can investigate their operations and where necessary prosecute when
dust, noise and water pollution occurs. 
 
“The Health Minister and the Environment Minister need to do the
right thing by the people of the Hunter and respond today to this report
about excessive coal mine pollution,” Ms Rhiannon said. 
 
For more information:       Lee Rhiannon  92303551     0427 861 568 



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Susie Gemmell
Adviser, Greens MLC Lee Rhiannon (p/t Mon-Wed)
Macquarie St, Sydney 2000
Tel: +61-2-9230 3551 Fax: +61-2-9230 3550
Mobile: 0431 458 102
Email susie.gemmell at parliament.nsw.gov.au
Web www.leerhiannon.org.au