The NSW Environment Protection Authority says Hunter open‑cut mines are effectively managing dust, following its latest Bust the Dust campaign. Beginning on September 1, 2025, the annual operation involved 34 unannounced inspections across 12 mines to assess compliance with dust‑mitigation rules.
EPA Director of Operations David Gathercole said the findings were positive for both industry and nearby communities. He said officers used powers of entry to visit sites during weekends and evenings, allowing the regulator to see how mines adapted to rapidly changing weather conditions.
“We know people in the Hunter are concerned about the potential impacts of particulate pollution, and we take these issues seriously,” Mr Gathercole said.
“That’s why we ramped up our fifth Bust the Dust campaign, increasing the use of unannounced inspections, using our powers of entry and visiting mines on weekends and evenings.
“The EPA found that the mines had appropriate dust mitigation measures in place and were responsive to changing weather conditions.
“We saw mine workers using slower vehicle speeds, operating at lower elevations and standing down equipment during unfavourable weather, which is what we want to see to ensure the community remains protected.”
The EPA says dust‑related complaints from the community have dropped by half since 2023, reflecting both improved environmental conditions and better on‑site management. In 2025, Warkworth mine entered a legally binding agreement with the EPA after non‑compliances detected during the 2023 campaign, including a $120,000 payment to a local environmental project.
The EPA says Bust the Dust will continue as an annual compliance program to maintain scrutiny on dust impacts in mining communities.
