Air quality in Mount Isa Community information about sulphur dioxide management at Mount Isa Mines Third Edition, January 2016 About sulphur dioxide Sulphur dioxide (SO2) is an odorous Health effects of sulphur dioxide gas generated through natural and Our senses easily detect SO at concentrations industrial processes. In nature, it is a 2 well below the level that may cause irritation gas released by volcanoes or hot springs or discomfort. At higher concentrations, SO and is also produced when vegetation 2 can irritate the throat, lungs, eyes, and to a on land, in wetlands or oceans, decays lesser extent, the skin. The effects of SO can or breaks down. 2 be felt very quickly, with most people feeling In Australia, the largest source of SO2 in the worst symptoms within 10 to 15 minutes the air is industrial processing of materials after exposure. containing sulphur, such as the smelting of Symptoms can include: sulphide ores, or electricity generation from coal, oil or gas. SO2 is also present in emissions • Coughing, wheezing, or shortness of breath from cars, buses and trucks as the result of • Dry or irritated throat fuel combustion. • Watery, itchy eyes Initiatives like the introduction of national fuel When there are higher levels of SO in the air quality standards, tighter vehicle emission 2 and a person feels they are being affected in standards and alternative fuels have helped some way, they should limit their physical reduce the amount of SO produced in our 2 activity, particularly outdoors, as this increases communities. the volume of air breathed in. SO is widely used to manufacture a number 2 If it is possible to move indoors, people can of household goods: also close windows and doors, and use • Added as a preservative in dried fruits air conditioning on recirculation mode (if because of its antimicrobial properties available) until outside air quality improves. (preservative 220) Unless consistently exposed to very high • In wine making as an antibiotic and concentrations, in most instances, exposure to antioxidant SO2 does not cause long-term health impacts • As a bleach or reducing agent when to people. Some people may be more sensitive mixed with water (e.g. laundry bleach and than others to exposure to SO2 in the air. bathroom cleansers) Those who have lung conditions such as • In chemical processes, for example, asthma, chronic bronchitis or emphysema as a feedstock in making fertiliser may find their conditions aggravated by SO2. If you experience respiratory discomfort from SO2, please consult a medical professional. Air Quality in Mount Isa 1 Typical wind speed and direction Annual (2015) How do we manage Wind direction N 30% sulphur dioxide emissions? in Mount Isa 20% 10% W E The copper and zinc-lead ores found in For information on the steps we have taken to Throughout the year, Mount Isa receives the majority of our region contain sulphur, and when they improve SO2 management in Mount Isa, refer wind from the east and south-east. This means for most of S are processed, sulphur dioxide (SO2) is to page 8 of this brochure. the year, the wind blows emissions away from Mount Isa released. Most of the copper smelter gases are township to the west, limiting impacts to the community. captured and transferred to the Incitec Pivot Jan-Mar 2015 Air Quality Control During summer and spring, the incidence of westerly winds Acid Plant, which treats the SO to produce 2 Mount Isa has one of the most intensive (blowing emissions to the east) can increase the potential sulphuric acid. 30% air quality monitoring systems of any city impacts to our community. During these months, AQC works 20% in Australia. closely with our smelter operations to ensure we continue 10% Our obligations to minimise the impact of our smelting activities on the Established in 1975, our Air Quality Control Our operations are managed under the communit y. (AQC) uses real-time air quality data to Queensland environmental regulatory monitor SO emissions and observe emerging The windrose diagrams (right) show wind speed and direction regime and we have numerous air quality 2 weather patterns. AQC works both predictively on an annual and quarterly basis in Mount Isa. The arrow management systems in place to minimise the and reactively to minimise impacts to our indicators show the direction from which the majority of wind impacts of our operations on our community. Apr-Jun 2015 community and ensure compliance with our blows. Note that between October and March, there are more Our amended Environmental Authority (EA) regulatory limits. AQC provides daily forecasts instances of wind blowing from the west to the east. was granted in August 2015, supported by 30% and planning advice to our smelter operations 20% extensive environmental and health impact and also monitors real-time air quality data 10% studies. We strive to achieve a management and conditions at ground level to ensure standard above what is stipulated by our EA. smelter operators can respond appropriately to any unexpected weather events. Jul-Sep 2015 What does Air Quality Control do? How does that AQC alert process AQC alert process 30% affect our smelter 20% Analyse and predict operations? Unrestricted Reduced 10% weather conditions AQC collaborates with operations operations smelter operators and the Provide advice to smelter Incitec Pivot Acid Plant Standby, pending Shutdown operations to reduce emissions. This restrictions is achieved by reducing Oct-Dec 2015 Monitor real-time or shutting down smelter operations if emissions In 2015, AQC restricted our smelting operations 30% air quality data and can’t be managed within (complete and partial shutdowns) for a total of 20% conditions at ground level acceptable limits. 1,829 hours, or more than 76 days. 10% Air Quality in Mount Isa Air Quality in Mount Isa ≥ 20 m/s 10–15 m/s 2.5–5 m/s 2 3 15–20 m/s 5–10 m/s 0.5–2.5 m/s Calms: 0.00% K Black Star IN Open Cut G May Downs Station G If you experience respiratory discomfort from S U T Mount Isa L M A L SO , please consult a medical professional. R i 2 Y n G Mines e Lead A U c Smelter Copper L c Acid e L s Smelter Y Plant s Mount Isa Golf Club R Incitec Pivot d Diamantina Development Rd Barkly Highway Railway Ave Parkside Flats RSL Wau St Spinifex State College Grace St Isa St Bridge Nineteenth Ave Fourth Ave Bridge LEICHHARDT RIVER Twentythird Ave Old Mica Creek Rd Credit Union Mary St LEICHHARDT RIVER Racecourse Healy State School Mount Isa Duchess Rd Transmission St W Suter Rd Cemetery S N BREAKAWAY CREEK E Sunset State School Corella St For most of the year, wind from the east and south-east blows emissions away from Air quality monitors in the community Mount Isa to the west. Network of Legend How many monitors in the network? SO2 Monitors We have a number of monitors and Real-time SO2 monitoring stations 13 real-time air High Volume Air Sampling monitors: gauges we can deploy at specific † PM10* Passive SO2 monitoring stations 6 sites to monitor our performance Total Suspended Particulates quality monitors High Volume Air Sampling monitors 14 and target improvements. Dust monitors: We have expanded our air quality PM10* Continuous dust monitors 6 * Measures particulate matter monitoring network to improve PM2.5** 10 micrometres or less in diameter. Xact metals monitor Dust deposition gauges† 7 coverage of Mount Isa and the ** Measures particulate matter 2.5 micrometres or less in diameter. surrounding district. Roads Xact metals monitor 1 Railway † Not displayed on map. Air Quality in Mount Isa Air Quality in Mount Isa 4 5 AQC employees develop smelter emission forecasts for our smelter operations based on weather conditions Our AQC staff are trained in meteorology to understand and predict weather specific to the Mount Isa region and the availability of the Incitec Pivot Acid Plant Unpredicted changes to AQC alert process Inside Air Quality Control air quality At times, weather conditions can change Unrestricted operations Weather conditions indicate no changes rapidly from our forecasts to create required to operations unanticipated impacts to air quality Air Quality Control (AQC) employees are What does AQC do? within our community. This may trained in meteorology to understand and • Analyse weather forecasts increase short-term exposure to SO and Standby, pending restrictions predict weather specific to the Mount Isa 2 lead to temporary discomfort for some Potential need to reduce operations or region. Our people have extensive experience • Predict air quality conditions at ground level members of the community. Through shut down to manage emissions due to in understanding the interaction of weather • Provide our operations with daily reports on our monitoring systems, we aim to react pending change in weather conditions patterns with our operations and across our weather predictions and likely impacts to these situations as quickly as possible, community. • Monitor our comprehensive network advise smelting operations of the changes Reduced operations Our AQC employees are responsible for of sulphur dioxide (SO2) monitors and and implement the AQC alert process to Smelters must reduce operations minimising air quality impacts to our local meteorological stations minimise impacts as much as we can. to lower emissions and prepare to community and ensuring our environmental • Provide ongoing advice to smelter potentially facilitate an immediate If you are being impacted by exposure obligations are met. operations on real-time weather shutdown to SO , move indoors if possible and conditions and air quality data. 2 AQC operates seven days a week, with report the issue to the Mount Isa Mines Shutdown extended and overnight coverage, to manage AQC collaborates with smelter operations and 24-hour Community Feedback Hotline Smelters must cease operations unfavourable weather conditions and potential the Incitec Pivot Acid Plant via an internal by phoning 1800 982 982.