The EPA will be monitoring the air quality near the Sellicks Hill Quarry in Adelaide’s southern suburbs over summer when dry conditions could result in higher levels of dust.
It has been working closely with the company that operates the site - Southern Quarries - over the past two years to monitor and manage dust emissions, while also reinforcing a commitment to remain transparent by keeping the local community informed.
For more than 4 decades, the quarry has been a significant supplier of dolomite aggregates and crushed rock suitable for use in concrete as well as asphalt grade aggregates and road base materials.
It is licensed by the EPA with conditions requiring Southern Quarries to minimise dust emissions from its operations.
The company’s licence conditions also requires it to use enclosures and water sprays at transfer stations, a water cart and sprinklers to wet down areas of the site, place covers and lids on conveyors and other equipment and provide a shed for a sand plant hopper.
EPA Director, Mining, Radiation and Regulatory Support, Keith Baldry said a temporary air monitoring unit has been placed near the quarry to gather dust data.
“The EPA’s independent monitoring program is valuable to all parties as it helps us work closely together as part of an environmental management strategy to implement further improvements if required,” he said.
The air-monitoring caravan will be located on Arcadia Crescent in the Blue Water Estate near Sellicks Beach to assess dust over the coming months during drier seasonal conditions when nuisance dust can be more prevalent.