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A TALLY of explosions at Upper Hunter coalmines has found almost 2500 blasts rocked the region last year.
The count was done by Camberwell resident Deidre Olofsson using figures contained in environment management reports from 15 open-cut mines.
Ms Olofsson said she was forced to do her own analysis of mining explosions because no government department could provide the information.
She and other residents are calling on the government to introduce regulations limiting the cumulative impact of mining.
Bulga-Milbrodale Progress Association spokesman John Krey said communities were tired of mines and government departments averaging out the effects of blasting, such as noise and dust.
‘‘It’s not the average figures we are worried about but the peaks,’’ Mr Krey said.
But a Department of Planning spokesman said the cumulative impacts of blasting were considered when assessing specific mining operations.
About 200 representatives from mine-affected communities will meet at Kurri Kurri at the weekend to demand greater protection from the impacts of mining.
