New regulations should bring about a healthy change in New South Wales mining operations, with adjustments to the state’s dust control protocols.

The NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) says its new standards under the ‘Dust Stop Program’ will bring about an 80 per cent reduction in the dangerous dust drifting from mines by this time next year.

The new standards will be implemented in stages, with the third stage to contain the focus on reduced emissions from haul roads and better standards for poor weather conditions.

NSW EPA acting CEO Mark Gifford says: “For some mines, they might already be operating at best practice and achieving up to, or beyond, 80 per cent control... it depends on their operations... for some other mines they might find that a challenge and may need to change their operating practices.”

The new amendments to the ‘Dust Stop Program’ will be accessible to the public soon.