We have completed numerous projects for mining operations (coal, bauxite, iron ore, mineral sands etc) and smelters (including aluminium and steel) plus the associated activities related to their development such as rail-links, roads and supporting infrastructure.
Typical sources of emissions in mining operations include: grading, drilling, blasting operations, loading, wind erosion from disturbed soils, unloading of materials, transferring on conveyors to hoppers and crushing plants, loading and unloading for train haulage and wheel-generated dust from road haulage.
Emissions of interest relate predominantly to particulate matter including TSP, PM10, PM2.5 and deposited dust. As mining operations typically involve considerable vehicular movement, emissions related to fuel combustion from trucks, excavating machinery and other diesel/petrol driven vehicles are also investigated.
Some of the work we do for this sector include:
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Air quality assessment studies involving dispersion modelling – usually when sites expand or new sites are proposed for development
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Reviewing and verifying emissions inventories to ensure they comply with national and international standards and protocols, especially in the area of greenhouse gas emission
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Producing NPI reports covering pollutants released onsite that exceed reporting thresholds. PAE typically would use site-specific inputs along with default emission factors to compile the reports. Emissions would be quantified using methodologies stated in the Emissions Estimation Technique manuals relevant for the industry
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Managing dust monitoring programs
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Process analysis
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Technical reviews of environmental management programs and impact studies. PAE is often called on to review and assess EMPs and EISs to confirm whether they meet best practice.
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Expert advice. In some projects of national significance, as with the Anvil Hill coal mine project in NSW, PAE have participated on ‘Panel of Experts’ committees to provide advice to the government on air quality issues, and to verify the quality of assessments undertaken on the project.
Clients in this sector include Consolidated Rutile (CRL), Rio Tinto, BHP Billiton, Citic Pacific, Xstrata, Southern Pacific Petroleum, Sun Metals Corporation and Fortescue Metals Group.