Port Hedland is in the mineral-rich Eastern Pilbara region, perched on the extreme north-west tip of Australia, where it’s as hot as it’s dry. Conditions for creating dust are therefore perfect, and there’s not much water with which to control it. Even if there were, it wouldn’t necessarily help; iron ore is notoriously difficult to handle when wet.

But iron ore mining company BHP Billiton is tackling the problem using a different approach. Recognising dust management as the largest blip on its environmental radar screen, the company has come up with a plan including significant involvement of, and communication with, the public and government agencies.

That the Port Authority is owned by the government of Western Australia might be part of the reason for a hearts and minds approach, but it nevertheless seems to be paying off, and presents an opportunity for the shipping industry to borrow good practice from elsewhere.

BHP Billiton has out in place a series of capital projects to deliver the very latest in crushing and screening equipment, decommissioning of old stockpiling and processing facilities, direct loading of ships and rehabilitation of old stockyards.

Alongside that it’s working on more efficient means to use water, one of its most precious resources.

But crucially, it has embarked on an involvement programme to reach members of the public and the business community. Starting with detailed surveys to identify key issues, impacts and options for improvement, the company has set priorities to develop communication with the public, as well as information and response strategies – and it has taken on board areas for concern defined by community representatives.

As a result the company will have to deliver by reducing dust emissions, cleaning the central business district, cleaning and painting the outside of buildings, landscaping and tree planting, and a scheme to clean cars.

A seven-point list of performance targets includes, as one would expect, detailed scientific monitoring of airborne particulates, but alongside those sit ‘improvement in amenity’ within the western end of Port Hedland, and improvement in community satisfaction with company management of dust impact.

Furthermore, the company has committed to long-term health studies alongside the Western Australian Department for Health and the Department for the Environment and Conservation to further understand the impact of dust on human health. Using results so far during the ongoing investigation, the company has been able to demonstrate that iron ore dust presents a low risk, but it has nevertheless pledged to continue working with the government agencies to further scientific knowledge in this area.

The Mayor of Port Hedland is Stan Martin, who is a reasonable barometer of public opinion. Because of the way the community has been involved, he recognises that steps are being taken towards improvement, and therefore takes an apparently relaxed view of the ever-present dust. He says: “Dust has been an issue in Port Hedland for more than 40 years. It won’t be solved overnight, but I think the programme put in place by BHP Billiton is making some progress. At the same time, people have a much better understanding of the problem and the way in which it is bring tackled.”

And that understanding that something is being done, it seems, makes neighbours more tolerant of the issues.