RIO Tinto has been fined $15,000 after a blast that went wrong at its Hunter Valley Operations mine near Jerrys Plains.
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The mine exceeded approved blasting limits on February 25 when an airblast wave measuring 125.78 decibels was recorded at the Warkworth village monitor.
The mine is required to ensure blasts are below the approved airblast limit of 120 decibels.
“The mine has advised the Department of Planning it is updating its procedures to reduce the risk of similar incidents happening in the future,” a department spokesperson said.
Department compliance officers inspected Hunter and Central Coast industry, mine, quarry and major project sites in April, including Macka’s Sand at Salt Ash, and Bengalla, Wambo, Mount Arthur and Mount Thorley Warkworth mines.
Compliance officers also inspected Central Coast Cancer Clinic at Gosford Hospital and Karuah Quarry.