Update:
A Whitehaven Coal spokesperson has confirmed the blast came from its Maules Creek Coal Mine.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
"We can confirm a blast occurred today [Thursday] at our Maules Creek mine and we have received a number of complaints," the spokesperson said.
"We are co-operating with the EPA, and a range of other stakeholders, on this matter.
"We are undertaking a comprehensive review covering all relevant contributing factors."
An Idemitsu spokesperson confirmed "that no blasting activity occurred at its Boggabri Coal Mine on Thursday, August 20.".
Earlier
THE state's environmental watchdog has launched an investigation into a reports of an explosion near Gunnedah.
The NSW Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) is investigating claims of a major explosion at a site near Whitehaven Coal's Maules Creek and Tarrawonga coal mines, and Idemitsu's Boggabri Coal Mine.
Reports of the incident surfaced on Thursday morning and were quickly reported to the EPA, who is investigating where the blast occurred.
Read Also:
The Leader understands some witnesses heard the blast up to 14km away.
An EPA spokesperson confirmed to the Leader an investigation had started.
"We can confirm the NSW EPA has received a complaint regarding an explosion in the vicinity of those three mines," the spokesperson said.
"The explosion could have come from any of those three locations, however we are still investigating."
The investigation is expected to take a few weeks.
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
