Cate Faehrmann calls for inquiry into impact of mines on human health, environment

It follows recent revelations dust pollution from Cadia Gold Mine near Orange potentially contributed to the presence of lead and other heavy metals in nearby residents' blood and rainwater, with other similar projects in the pipeline.

"There's never been a more important time to inquire into the way in which the mining sector is regulated, and whether or not communities and the environment are adequately protected", said Ms Faehrmann.

"The current situation is outrageous with local communities having to undertake blood tests simply to justify their concerns," Ms Faehrmann said.

"These are concerns that should have been addressed prior to approval. Now the Government is trying to shut the gate after the horse has bolted."

Cadia Gold Mine opened in 1998, but other operators are seeking to undertake similar projects in NSW, with McPhillamys gold mine near Blayney and Bowdens lead and silver mine in Lue near Mudgee both having received approval within the last year.

"If approved, these mines will have irreversible impacts on local communities including families who have farmed the area for generations as well as on critical water supplies, including in the Murray-Darling Basin. Enough is enough," she said.

Ms Faehrmann believes an inquiry is long overdue in NSW.

"We've got ... local residents having to stop relying on their rainwater tanks because of pollution concerns, and government agencies acting too slowly and too softly," she said.

"Meanwhile we've got more companies looking to go digging for gold and other non-critical minerals in the Central Tablelands.

"In this rush for metals and critical minerals, we have to get the balance right because just as critical, in fact more so, is human health and a healthy and productive environment that sustains us for many generations to come."

This week, Cadia Valley Operations general manager Mick Dewar conceded Newcrest's operations near Orange had a "point source emission compliance issue" with its ventilation.

But Mr Dewar said the mine was determined to right the issue.

"We remain focused on expanding dust mitigation equipment across our operations including dust filtration units and changes to the ventilation system to comply with the recent direction by the EPA," he said.

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