Open Cut » Environment
The objective of this project was to determine particulate emission rates for the PM2.5 dust fraction for a range of open cut mining activities in Australia.
The project methodology was based on previous research completed in the Hunter Valley. This methodology was modified to utilise up to date sampling techniques that provide for improved data resolution. The quality rating for the sampling method adopted is A or B according to the emission factor rating quality scheme developed by the US EPA.
Particulate sampling was completed in four open cut coal mines in New South Wales and Queensland during 2012, 2014 and 2015. Results of the sampling completed in 2012 have previously been reported, however, it was concluded that the 2012 dataset provided insufficient data to develop robust PM2.5 emission rates. For this reason, further data was collected in an extension (Stage 2) to the original project in 2014 and 2015.
The combined dataset has allowed the development of default PM2.5 emission rates for a range of Australian Mining Activities. Regional specific emission rates have also been developed for key activities.
The data set that has been developed in this research provides the most extensive dataset currently available for PM2.5 emissions from coal mining in Australia.
It is concluded that the PM2.5 emissions dataset is high quality, and appropriate for adoption as emission factors for PM2.5 for future emissions estimation and modelling studies. Should the National Pollutant Inventory include PM2.5 as a Class 1 reportable substance in the future for non-combustion sources, the PM2.5 emission rates presented in this report could be utilised as emission factors.