WA Government to review BHP’s environmental licences in dusty Pilbara town of Newman

The WA Government will review the environmental licences of two BHP mines in the Pilbara amid concerns around rising dust levels.

The town of Newman, described as a “dome of dust” by residents, is bordered by the iron ore operations Mount Whaleback (one kilometre away) and Eastern Ridge (five kilometres to the north-east).

The review by the Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) would look at dust sources, emissions, pathways, management measures and historic…