<
https://reneweconomy.com.au/coal-miner-cops-substantial-penalty-for-polluting-blue-mountains-waterways/>
"The New South Wales Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) on Monday ordered
Australian coal mining company Centennial Coal to pay $815,000 in fines and
penalties after it was found to have discharged untreated water into the
Wollangambe River near the Blue Mountains World Heritage Area.
Clarence Colliery Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Centennial Coal Company Pty Ltd, was
ordered on Monday to pay $815,000 in fines and penalties after being convicted
of five environmental offences linked to discharges of untreated mine water
into the Wollangambe River.
The NSW EPA successfully prosecuted the company for all charges under the
Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act) following guilty
pleas relating to pollution incidents from its Clarence coal mine near Lithgow
in December of 2023 and April of 2024.
Clarence is an underground coal mine that Centennial Coal says services “the
export market and boutique domestic customers” and extracts up to 3 million
tonnes of coal each year.
“This is a substantial penalty, and it should serve as a warning that pollution
comes at a cost – not only to the environment and communities, but to licence
holders who break the law,” said Tony Chappel, NSW EPA CEO.
“Sediment and coal material entering waterways has the potential to cause
serious environmental harm. This runoff contained elevated levels of nickel and
zinc and should not have been released into the environment. All mine operators
are responsible for ensuring robust systems are in place to prevent this from
happening.
“In this case, the company not only allowed large volumes of turbid,
contaminated water to overflow into the Wollangambe River, but it also failed
to properly test its pollution incident response plan and comply with a
prevention notice. That is simply not good enough.
“Those obligations exist to protect the environment and the community – they
are not optional. When licence holders cut corners or fall short of their
responsibilities, we will take strong enforcement action. This prosecution is a
clear example of that.”
The NSW Land and Environment Court handed down a $543,500 fine, ordered the
company to pay the EPA’s legal and investigation costs of around $185,000, and
also required Clarence Colliery to contribute an additional $86,500 towards
rehabilitation works for Long Swamp near Lithgow.
Centennial Coal will also be required to publish notices in nominated
newspapers, on its website, and on its LinkedIn page."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
