Whitehaven Coal Maules Creek coal mine fined by EPA for failing to hand over documents

The NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) reviewed the Maules Creek coal mine dust and fume data from blasting events in October 2015 and February 2016, but found the company had not handed over a “complete set of documentation”.

“There were no specific records that the mine had failed to provide,” an EPA spokesperson said.

“As the EPA investigation proceeded, officers found that not all the relevant information had been made available in the first instance.

“The mine accepted that more information needed to be submitted and subsequently provided those documents.”

The investigation found the mine had not breached the conditions of its licence.

The fine comes as EPA completes an independent audit of the mine’s noise management, which found its systems and procedures were consistent with good practice. However, the audit also recommended the mine review the location of its real-time noise monitors and what noise level constitutes a “trigger” to change the mine’s operations.

EPA northern manager Lindsay Fulloon said the mine must now submit a proposal for how it will implement the audit’s recommendations, while its Environmental Protect Licence may be amended to include the recommendations.

Whitehaven Coal was approached for comment.