The NSW Environmental Protection Agency is investigating potential blast fumes from Peabody’s Wambo coal mine.
The department stated that it has been made aware of “large orange plumes” that have emanated from the coal mine, and been advised that they have drifted across local residents’ properties.
"The EPA was made aware of the incident around 4pm yesterday afternoon," it told Australian Mining in a statement.
"Our officers have requested a detailed report from the company and are conducting an investigation of the incident. Once the investigation is complete the EPA will consider the possibility for regulatory action."
It has approached the mine and requested more information regarding blasting at Wambo.
Peabody Energy, the operators of the mine, told Australian Mining "the blast was observed to generate higher than usual levels of blast fume. Peabody Energy responded promptly to community enquiries regarding the blast and self-reported the incident to the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) and other NSW regulatory bodies in accordance with the Protection of Environment Operations Act 1997".
The mine is located approximately 30 kilometres west of Singleton, in the Hunter Valley.