Local residents from Jerrys Plains and surrounds reported a mine blast plume travelling over the village and heading towards Doyles Creek just after 1:00pm on Wednesday, January 17.
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The dust and odour from the plume greatly concerned the residents as it headed up the Valley towards Doyles Creek and in the process passed over one of the world’s leading thoroughbred studs Coolmore.
Locals believe the blast came from Yancoal’s Hunter Valley Operations (HVO) – who are currently seeking approval to increase annual production from the open cut mine and in the process increase the size of their overburden dump, highwall and final void.
Yancoal have confirmed they did conduct a blast on Wednesday afternoon at HVO but at this stage they cannot confirm whether that blast’s plume left the mine site.
NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) said they have received two complaints from the public regarding the mine blast at Yancoal’s Hunter Valley Operations open cut mine on the day of the incident.
The EPA is investigating the incident and is in the process of reviewing a report on the blast provided to them by HVO.
Yancoal purchased HVO and the neighbouring Mount Thorley Warkworth open cut from Rio Tinto last year in a deal worth and estimated $3.5 billion.
Not long after finalising that deal Yancoal and Glencore announced a $US1.1 billion deal, that is still to be formally signed-off, whereby Glencore gained a 49 per cent interest in HVO and will manage the operations of the mine from its adjoining Ravensworth complex.
The Department of Planning and Environment has recommended the HVO Modification 5 be approved and it has been referred to the Planning and Assessment Commission (PAC).
PAC will hold a public meeting at Singleton’s Civic Centre on Tuesday, February 6 starting at 3:30pm.
Anyone wishing to speak at the meeting must register to speak before 1 pm on February 2, by: Phoning (02) 9383 2112 or Emailing pac@pac.nsw.gov.au .