The New South Wales Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) on Monday has 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.
New South Wales Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has told millions of residents to prepare now for an expected surge of COVID-19 infections in "coming weeks".