MACH Energy Australia Pty Ltd has been slapped with a penalty notice for $15,000 after a pungent smelling blast fume occurred at Muswellbrook’s Mount Pleasant Mine last year.
The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) issued the fine this week for the incident, which took place on 15 June, 2020.
The Muswellbrook community acted immediately, reporting their concerns and photos to the EPA’s Environment Line for investigation, following the blast, which could be seen and smelt in the vicinity.
Neighbouring properties were impacted with residents reporting they needed to seek shelter from the noxious fume.
EPA acting director operations Brett Nudd said there were a number of issues investigated that the organisation was concerned about, including effects on the neighbouring community.
“Blast fumes from mine sites must be contained within the mine boundary, as they contain oxides of nitrogen that may be harmful to human health at high concentrations,” he explained.
“This alleged blast happened under weather conditions that resulted in blast fume going beyond the mine site and dispersing across neighbouring properties.
“In addition, MACH Energy Australia failed to warn their neighbours of the potential of exposure to blast fume.
“Unfortunately, members of the Muswellbrook community were either exposed or sought shelter to avoid the blast fume.
“This incident was predictable and preventable, and the residents should not have been impacted in this way.
“The mining industry must carry out blasts so that they do not cause harm or interfere with the comfort of the community.
“The EPA thanks the concerned Muswellbrook residents who called our Environment Line so quickly.”
Blast fumes from mines are reddish orange-coloured gases with a pungent odour that may be generated during blasting.
Normally, gases produced during blasting disperse rapidly within the mine site and pose no acute health risk.
Under certain conditions, the plume may persist and can affect nearby people or residents who are downwind of the blast site.
Residents are encouraged to contact the EPA on the Environment Line on 131 555 with reports or concerns about blasting.
Penalty notices are one of a number of tools the EPA can use to achieve environmental compliance, including formal warnings, licence conditions, notices and directions, mandatory audits, legally binding pollution reduction programs, enforceable undertakings and prosecutions.
A fact sheet on blast fume is available on the NSW Health website at https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/factsheets/Pages/mine-blast-fumes.aspx
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