An officer from the Department of Environment and Conservation will be present during a nickel loading process at the Esperance port next Monday, as concerns rise over dust emissions from the facility.
The full text of an announcement from the Department is pasted below
The Department of Environment and Conservation will be closely monitoring nickel loading at the Esperance port next Monday.
DEC spokesman Robert Atkins said an officer would be present during the ship loading process to monitor air quality and detect any dust emissions, given concerns about dust and odour.
"We've formally advised the Esperance Port Authority that we'll have DEC officers on site to watch the loading process," he said.
"If it appears that dust or odours are being emitted from the port area and that these are in breach of either the conditions of the licence or provisions under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, DEC will take action."
Mr Atkins said the Department had also recommended the port increase the number of high-volume air samplers in operation during loading.
DEC is reviewing the port's licence covering all metal shipments and will take action to prevent loadings if it considers there is a risk of odours and dust causing health problems.
The port was issued with a prevention notice under the Act last week to stop it receiving and shipping lead.
In the meantime, DEC is waiting for test results of swabs and samples taken in Esperance. The results will be released as they become available.
