Concentrate Products at Geraldton Port

The following products are exported through Geraldton Port:

Product	Product Owner	Loading Method
Ores	Iron Ore	Bulk via Berth 7 & 5
Ores	Manganese	Bulk via Berth 5
Heavy Metals & Concentrates	Lead Sulphide Concentrate (HMC)	Bulk via Berth 4 Containers via Berth 6
	Copper Concentrate	Bulk via Berth 4 Containers via Berth 6
	Zinc Concentrate	Bulk via Berth 4 Containers via Berth 6
	Nickel Concentrate	Containers via Berth 6
	Mineral Sands Concentrate	Containers via Berth 6
Sands	Clean Fill & Construction Sands	Bulk via Berth 5 & 4
Sands	Mineral Sands	Bulk via Berth 4
Other	Fertilisers including Urea, Soda Ash, Phosphates (DAP, MAP)	Discharge via Berth 6 / Berth 2

Container loading of concentrate products was introduced into Geraldton Port in 2012. This method is considered to be the best practice handling method for dry and or finer diameter granular products. The method involves half height containers lowered into the hold of the ship via shore based crane. The lid is lifted off the container rotated 180° and the contents poured into the ships hold. The lid is placed back on and the container is lowered back onto the wharf.

Environmental Measures

Mid West Ports Authority (MWPA) is committed to the management of environmental risks, prevention of pollution and compliance with environmental regulations. This commitment is set out in MWPA's Environmental Policy and underpins the Port's environmental management system which is certified to AS/NZS ISO 14001 Environmental Management Systems.

Following is a summary of the specific measures in place at Mid West Ports for concentrate product loading over the Berth 4 shiploader or via containers over Berth 6:

Wind limits are in place and monitored by a wind speed/wind direction sensor during the entire concentrate shiploading event. Loading is suspended if wind limits are reached.
Limits restricting the amount of concentrate that can be loaded in a 24 hour period (depending on the risk profile of the product).
Product moisture is carefully maintained and monitored by the product owner to minimise the risk of dust during handling and transfer.
When product is loaded onto vessels via Berth 4 shiploader, a foaming agent is applied to the product at several key locations on the conveyor system to further mitigate potential dust.
The berth and ship are cleaned continually during loading to reduce dust.
Loading events are supervised on a 24 hour basis by MWPA's Operations Supervisor.
Staff involved in loading concentrates hold formal consultation meetings during loading operations and cooperate to address any concerns or issues that emerge.
Dust is monitored by MWPA at four air quality monitoring stations during and after shiploading events. Results are analysed at a NATA approved laboratory.
All MWPA air quality monitoring results are reported to the Department of Water and Environment Regulation (DWER) in accordance with Environmental Licence Conditions.

MWPA is certified to ISO9001 Quality Management Systems and to ISO14001 Environmental Management Systems.

Environmental Air Quality Monitoring

MWPA holds an Environmental Licence issued by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER), under the Environmental Protection Act 1986, which sets out the requirement to manage, monitor and report ambient air quality within the Geraldton Port. The Licence stipulates the monitoring of ambient air quality during concentrate product shiploading events. Air quality monitoring is conducted using a network air quality monitoring stations at the Port’s boundary. The Licence outlines air quality parameter targets/limits listed in Table 1.

emission	criteria	averaging period
Particulates as TSP	90 µg/m3 target	24 hour average
Particulates as PM10	50 µg/m3 target	24 hour average
Lead as TSP	0.5 µg/m3 limit	3 month rolling average
Lead as PM10	2 µg/m3 target 0.5 µg/m3 target	24 hour average for Connell Road monitor only 24 hour average for Lemmon Road, Port Way and Berth 1 monitors
Copper as PM10	1.0 µg/m3 target	24 hour average
Nickel as TSP	0.14 µg/m3 target	24 hour average
Manganese as PM10	0.15 µg/m3 target	3 month rolling average

Table 1 - Environmental Licence Ambient Air Quality Emissions Criteria

It is important to note that a ‘limit' and a ‘target' are treated differently by DWER. A limit must never be exceeded and is considered a direct breach of the Environmental Licence condition and accordingly a breach of the Environmental Protection Act 1986. A target, whilst it should not be exceeded, is not considered a breach of the Environmental Licence, although an investigation into the circumstances, and implementation of corrective and preventative action, are required to ensure it does not routinely occur.

MWPA reports air quality monitoring results and comparisons against the specified criteria to DWER quarterly. In addition to comparison to these licence criteria, spatial and temporal aspects of the data are also assessed to identify any emerging trends that may require management action.

Air quality is important to us all, and poor air quality can affect human health and the environment. DWER also has a role in protecting and maintaining air quality in Western Australia. Hourly updates on the air quality of Geraldton can be found at the DWER website - https://www.der.wa.gov.au/your-environment/air/air-quality-index

Air Quality Monitoring Reports

We have a comprehensive program to monitor the air quality within the Geraldton Port. Reports are provided to DWER on a quarterly and annual basis. Twelve months of reports are available on our website. For reports further back, please contact us.

Questions

Any questions relating to the environmental aspect of the port operations can be directed to the Port's Environment and Sustainability Manager, sarah.barron@midwestports.com.au or (08) 9964 0534.