The Environment Protection Authority is continuing its investigations in to the Rio Tinto owned Bengalla mine, near Musswellbrook.
The overflow follows heavy rainfall in the Hunter earlier this month.
EPA officers began interviews on Monday, while also carrying out an inspection and gathering water and sediment samples for testing.
So far, no pollution to water sources has been found.
EPA Hunter General Manger, Adam Gilligan says both parties have been able to coperate.
“Our officers worked with the mine on Monday and were pleased to see that they commenced dewatering of those dams so that they could get the water levels down.
“Particularly that’s important before any further rainfall or storm event that might cause further overflowing.”
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A section of Bengalla’s sediment dam |
The EPA have also confirmed they are looking for additional information from the mine operator, including monitoring records and incident response details.
It’s the third Hunter mine this month which has seen overflowing, with Warkworth mine (also Tinto owned) and Wambo mine being investigated for potential pollution.
“Certainly [it’s] a concern to us that we’ve had a spade of these issues arising following the recent heavy rainfall” said Mr. Gilligan.
“What concern’s us is making sure the sediment dames, etc on mine sites are constructed properly.”
Image courtesy of John Crey, via The Singleton Argus (
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