Xstrata's Bulga Coal Complex is in the process of cleaning a section of Nine Mile Creek after being investigated by the Environment Protection Authority (EPA) following the discharge of contaminated water from the site in to the creek.
Mine workers from the complex near Singleton identified the discharge into the creek over the weekend of October 8 and 9 and a report was made to the EPA the following Monday.
EPA deputy chief executive of environment regulation Greg Sullivan said a full investigation by the EPA is taking place and a clean-up effort by the mine has begun.
“The Bulga Coal Complex reported to the EPA that a tailings transfer line had failed on the site, which resulted in water contaminated with coal tailings entering Nine Mile Creek, which is a tributary of Loaders Creek,” Mr Sullivan said.
“The EPA has required Xstrata to immediately clean up the contaminated area and take measures to stop any further contamination.”
Water samples from the creek revealed between 300 and 500 metres had been contaminated by the coal tailings.
Investigations involving the incident and clean up are continuing.
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