The NSW Environment Protection Authority will foist stringent limits on mine water discharges into the Wollangambe River as part of a new pollution reduction program on the licence for Clarence Colliery.
The program which has been 12 months in development, follows revelations in February from Western Sydney University researchers who discovered pollution 22 kilometres downstream from the mine site’s discharge point, and showing insect numbers had dropped by 90 per cent in parts.
The program sets stringent new limits for the Lithgow colliery on 13 metals, including zinc and nickel.
The Wollangambe River runs into the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage-listed area approximately two kilometres downstream of the mine and is a popular spot for canyoning and bushwalking. The EPA has been taking legal action against the company through the Land and Environment Court over discharging of coal fines into the Wollangambe River in July, 2015. That legal action is still underway and comes with a maximum penalty of $5,000,000 for a corporation.
EPA regional director for south and west Gary Whytcross said the revised licence was a major step forward in improving the river’s health.
“We have worked closely with local community groups, researchers and other agencies to bring about these important changes that will help protect the Wollangambe River for future generations,” Mr Whytcross said.
“The EPA is committed to improving the quality of Clarence Colliery’s water discharge so that it matches the sensitive ecology of the nearby Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. We will continue to talk with all of our partners as we monitor the recovery of the river.”
The EPA will also be issuing Clarence Colliery with another legally-binding pollution reduction program in the coming months that will focus on reducing the salinity levels discharged into the river, Mr Whytcross said.
Centennial Coal operates the underground coal mine which has been operating since 1979 and employs 240 people.
Spokeswoman Katie Brassil said Centennial welcomed the review of the licence.
“This process included extensive aquatic ecology, ecotoxicology and macroinvertebrate investigations and monitoring in consultation with the EPA, Office of Environment and Heritage, and community stakeholders,” Ms Brassil said.
“As a result of this review Clarence will operate under a new EPL which will include agreed reductions in metal concentration limits for all water discharged to the Wollangambe.”
She said the program would see their company “formalising options to address all water quality issues and to meet specific water quality milestones”.