Non-GHG air emissions associated with our activities included gaseous air emissions such as sulphur oxides (SOx), nitrogen oxides (NOx) and fluoride, and particulate matter such as dust.
Monitoring and mitigation
Our air quality monitoring programs include both real-time and compliance monitoring capabilities.
Community health
We convene an internal working group comprising cross-functional representatives to guide our approach to mitigating community health risks associated with air emissions.
Partnering with others
We seek to participate in partnerships and industry collaborations that drive cleaner technologies, improve transport practices, and reduce emissions within and beyond our operational boundaries.
Data from our air quality monitoring programs is integrated into our global environmental data management platform which supports performance analysis, trend identification, and more informed decision-making to enhance air quality protection.
You can find out more about this in our Sustainability Databook 2025 or read more about our air emissions work in our Annual Report 2025.
Our internal environment and climate change standard outlines the requirements for our operations relating to air emissions. Key aspects of our approach are outlined below.
We use the Source Pathway Receptor Method to identify air emissions sources and assess potential impacts.
This starts with locating where the air emissions originate (source), followed by assessing how they can travel through the environment (pathway). Lastly, consideration is given to who or what could be affected (receptor), being workers, communities or the environment.
This enables us to focus on our most material air emissions, which include manganese dust and hydrogen fluoride associated with aluminium smelting.
Our air quality monitoring programs include both real-time and compliance monitoring capabilities.
For example, at GEMCO E-Samplers are installed along the peripheries of nearby communities to enable continuous ambient air quality monitoring and real-time responses to exceedances of particulate matter trigger levels.
We also use high-volume air samplers to monitor fugitive dust. When compliance monitoring detects a dust exceedance, we investigate the root cause and contributing factors, and implement corrective actions to prevent recurrence.
Data from our monitoring programs is integrated into our global environmental data management platform, EQuIS, which supports performance analysis, trend identification, and more informed decision-making to enhance air quality protection.
Our operations implement a hierarchy of controls to mitigate air emissions risk, minimise impacts and support compliance with internal and regulatory requirements.
Depending on the location and nature of an operation’s activities, these controls may include:
We adhere to national and global regulatory requirements for assessing ambient air quality.
This includes the Australian National Environment Protection Council's National Environment Protection Measures.
Our membership in industry associations, such as the ICMM, provides access to valuable guidance and research that supports effective air emissions management.
We convene an internal working group comprising cross-functional representatives to guide our approach to mitigating community health risks associated with air emissions, particularly manganese dust. This group identifies health risks, sets exposure limits based on legislation, research and best practices, monitors ongoing developments, and enhances risk management strategies.
