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The suspension notice was issued by the Department of Employment, Economic Development and Innovation regional inspector of mines, under the Queensland Coal Mining Safety and Health Act 1999.
“The directive suspending blasting operations will remain in place until mine management can demonstrate to the satisfaction of the issuing mines inspector that it has implemented actions to ensure blasting operations are conducted at an acceptable level of risk,” a DEEDI spokesman said.
The spokesman said the notice was issued after a “fume” event occurred at the mine on September 5 during blasting operations.
According to The Australian the nitrogen gas produced by the blast spread onto a nearby public road, exposing residents to the potential toxic fumes.
A New Hope spokesman told ILN it would comply with the notice and cooperate with any actions imposed by the state.
