A ‘dust stop’ program was announced on Tuesday by Environment and Heritage Minister Robyn Parker.

The move will see all 68 NSW coalmines on the program by April 2012.

Of the first nine mines chosen to be issued with PRPs, only Liddell is located in the Singleton area.

Of the 331 coalmine air quality complaints received by the Office of Environment and Heritage (OEH) between 2007 and 2009, sixty per cent came from residents in Muswellbrook, Singleton and Camberwell.

An OEH spokesperson told The Singleton Argus yesterday that all coal mines must provide a report to the OEH within six months outlining assessment of their operations and measures that will implemented to reduce dust.

OEH officials will assess these reports.

A second round of PRPs will be negotiated with mine operators, requiring mines to undertake measures that are practical, effective, and include a timetable for completion.

Mine operators could face penalties, including prosecution if they don’t comply.

Mines are also required to self-report any non-compliance with their PRPs.

The OEH will also undertake compliance checks throughout the year as part of its regulatory works program.

The PRPs was a recommendation in the NSW Coal Mining Benchmarking Study: International Best Practice Measures to Prevent and/or Minimise Particulate Matter from Coal Mining conducted by Katestone Environmental in December last year.

Following a period of consultation the Office of Environment and Heritage commissioned an extension of the survey of mine operations providing a better idea of current management practices of mines, reflected in a final report released in June.

Minister Parker said the report studied dust suppression techniques used by 54 operational coal mines in New South Wales and then benchmarked them against local and international best practice.

NSW Minerals Council deputy chief executive officer Sue-Ern Tan said the PRPs compliment the industry’s other actions including an ‘Australian First’ research into reducing dust from haul roads.

“We have measures in place to reduce those emissions and we’re now investing in research to test the effectiveness and feasibility of new chemical dust suppressants.

However Ms Tan said it is concerning the program is called ‘Dust Stop’ as it sets expectations that are unachievable.