Mining dust in WA's Pilbara costs $300m

Dust pollution from mining in the WA Pilbara town of Port Hedland has cost $300 million in missed opportunities and also 280 jobs per year, a study has found.

The study, commissioned by the Port Hedland Esplanade Hotel, found that dust levels were linked to the tourism industry losing out on $23 million per year and residential property values depreciating by $24 million per year.

The report was commissioned to counteract BHP Billiton's application for a 20 million tonne per year increase to their iron exports from Port Hedland.

Results of the study will be submitted to the Department of Environment Regulation.

It's claimed in the report that increasing tonnage would create more dust emissions in the area, and the local community, local and state government would bear the associated costs.

The Dust Costs Report also found businesses spent around $1 million, and residents $1.3 million each year, on cleaning and replacing infrastructure due to dust pollution.