The Camberwell cumulative impacts study, made up of three expert reports, said a lack of consideration for the overall effects of mining on an area was a ‘‘weakness in environmental assessment methods’’ for individual mining projects.

There were also problems with expecting conditions on mine approvals and environmental protection licences to manage ambient air quality and noise.

But dust experts said reduction of airborne particle concentrations and the ‘‘associated health risks’’ was possible.

It would require ‘‘proactive, tailored and co-ordinated air-quality management and planning’’, ‘‘robust and enforceable’’ consent conditions on mines and ‘‘significant financial and time commitments’’ from regulators and the mining industry.

In a response made public yesterday, the Department of Planning acknowledged there were ‘‘hot spots’’ in the Hunter where the combined effects of mining operations were a challenge, but that Camberwell was unique in the extent of the effects it experienced.

Annual average dust levels at Camberwell between 2007 to 2009 were found to be acceptable, but were close to the limit. Daily dust concentration limits were found to have been breached at village monitoring stations up to 30 times in 2008, which has been in part blamed on drought conditions.

The dust report reveals some of the breaches recorded were almost three times the acceptable daily limit.

Only two mining complexes near Camberwell, Ashton Coal and Mount Owen, had predictive and real-time noise and dust monitoring systems.

As part of the government’s response, other mines near the village would be required to introduce similar systems and revise their noise and air-quality management plans.

The Department of Environment, Climate Change and Water would commission consultants to ‘‘benchmark’’ Hunter mines against international best practices to prevent or minimise dust emissions.

As well, it would carry out ‘‘strategic audits’’ of open-cut coalmining in the region, and mines would be required to take part in a regional consultative committee.

The study’s findings have not convinced the planning department to quash just yet three proposals before it for mines or mine expansions near Camberwell.

The department replied it would consider a specific project’s effects and its potential contribution to the overall effects of existing mines.