The “Dust Stop” program has been introduced to local coal mines at Moolarben and Charbon.

NSW Minister for the Environment, Robyn Parker, said the program is based on recommendations from the International Emissions from Coal Mining report.

“What it found was that by undertaking measures like, preventing wind erosion from exposed areas, improved suppression of dust on coal haul roads and strict monitoring of weather conditions before blasting, coal mines could reduce their particle emissions by almost 50 per cent,” she said.

“Overall many coal mines had already adopted many elements of best practice.”

It is expected by April 2012 all 68 coal mines in NSW will be on the program.

On Friday Charbon mine manager Brian Nicholls said the monitoring would not change current practices.

“Dust is not a major issue for Charbon Colliery, as we already carry out best practice air quality management, [but] we are pleased to be one of the first cabs off the rank to participate in the Government’s audit process,” he said.

NSW Minerals Council Deputy CEO, Sue-Ern Tan, said the Pollution Reduction Programs complement other actions the industry is taking including “Australian first” research underway into reducing dust from haul roads, which is the biggest source of dust emissions at coal mines.

“We know we have to do better on dust management. It’s especially important in the Upper Hunter where the scale of the industry’s growth means there is a cumulative impact. That’s why the industry is taking action to minimise dust and coal miners are working with regulators to assess practices at individual mine sites against the best practice review,” Ms Tan said.

“The benchmarking study also found unsealed roads account for about 40 percent of dust emissions at NSW coal mines. We have measures in place to reduce those emissions and we’re now also investing in research to test the effectiveness and feasibility of new chemical dust suppressants.”

The Minerals Council raised concerns the name “Dust Stop” gave an impression dust would be stopped at all mines.

Moolarben Coal had not responded at time of print.