PERTH (miningweekly.com) – The New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on Monday launched a new investigation at gold miner Newcrest Mining’s Cadia operation, less than a year after fining the miner a maximum of A$15 000 because of dust pollution.
The EPA has issued a draft Pollution Prevention Notice and a draft licence variation regarding the management of emissions of dust and other pollutants as part of its new investigation, and has written to the New South Wales Chief Health Officer requesting a full health risk analysis to determine if mine dust is impacting the health of the community.
“Last week, the EPA received new evidence from the community to suggest actions by the mine to reduce dust pollution have not been effective,” said EPA CEO Tony Chappel on Monday.
“Understandably, this community needs answers and so too does the EPA.
“As part of the notices, we are requiring immediate re-testing of the mine’s main vent and an extension of the ambient air sampling network to deliver expanded air monitoring.”
Late last year, the EPA also commenced a separate investigation into Cadia, also related to air quality concerns which will run in parallel to this new investigation.
Newcrest recently signed a binding scheme implementation deed with US major Newmont, with the company’s board unanimously recommending that shareholders vote in favour of the proposed A$26.2-billion takeover offer.