How Our Mining Dust Collection System Delivered Clean Air for Pilbara Minerals

Case Study: Mining Dust Collection System in Western Australia

July 2025

Mining dust collection system engineered & installed at Pilgangoora

Project Overview:

Client: Pilbara Minerals

Location: Pilgangoora, Western Australia

Timeline: March 2024 – January 2025

Lead Contractor: The Environmental Group – Clean Air Division

Disciplines involved:

Clean Air Division: Dust and fume control specialists
Engineering Division: Structural design, drafting and logistics coordination
Project Delivery Team: Turnkey project management, offshore manufacturing oversight

Why Dust Control Matters in Mining

Protecting local Communities with Mining Dust Collection Systems

Pilbara Minerals operates in a complex environment at Pilgangoora. The company faces high expectations around dust control, environmental responsibility, and Indigenous heritage. However, it has taken clear steps to address these challenges. Its Environment Policy outlines a strong commitment to compliance and continuous improvement under the Environmental Protection Act 1986.

Importantly, Pilbara Minerals also works closely with Traditional Owner groups. These partnerships focus on protecting heritage, supporting cultural values, and delivering better outcomes for Indigenous communities. This approach helps the company maintain its social license while building long-term community trust.

At the same time, dust emissions in WA are now under stricter regulatory control. The Department of Water and Environmental Regulation (DWER) continues to update guidelines around fugitive emissions and community health thresholds. Operators must meet tighter monitoring and reporting standards, particularly in regions like Port Hedland. For example, the Pilbara Ports Authority requires ongoing dust mitigation as part of its environmental compliance framework.

Our Tailored Mining
Dust Collection Solution

The Environmental Group’s Strategic Solution

The Environmental Group’s Clean Air Division responded by engineering a bespoke Baghouse System, supported by up to 20m of ducting and a 20m exhaust stack. Engineered to reduce dust emissions to ≤50 mg/Nm³, this 30‑tonne system was designed, fabricated and managed entirely in‑house—ensuring full compliance and traceability under evolving regulatory regimes.

A fully engineered Baghouse System, 14 metres of internal ducting, 20-metre exhaust stack and Emission reduction to ≤50 mg/Nm³

Results & Impact

Emissions confirmed under 50 mg/Nm³ (dry), achieving regulatory compliance
Project executed end‑to‑end by EGL’s internal teams, ensuring integrity and traceability
Delivered on time and optimised for Pilbara’s harsh environment

Environmental & Community Outcomes

This Baghouse system does more than meet compliance requirements. In fact, it reflects Pilbara Minerals’ broader mission to minimise environmental harm and support the global clean-energy transition, as outlined in their Environment Policy.

By significantly reducing dust emissions, the system helps protect community wellbeing, especially for Indigenous and local residents. Additionally, it safeguards nearby ecosystems, reinforcing the company’s commitment to nature-positive mining. This aligns with broader ecological initiatives, such as the Pilbara Conservation Project led by the Western Australian Government.