The fine, issued by the NSW Department of Planning, followed an unscheduled site inspection in November to assess whether the mine’s dust management practices were adequate in the hot, dry weather.

Department officials observed unacceptable levels of wheel-generated dust within the Ravensworth North pit, which was in breach of the mine’s environmental assessment commitments.

The mine was previously issued a warning letter for wheel-generated dust on September 10.

“The mine advised the department that it had voluntarily ceased operations for 85 hours over the past three months to ensure effective dust management during adverse weather conditions,” the department said in its latest monthly report.

Ravensworth North advised the department that following the incident, the mine ceased operations in the area, verified that dust levels at the boundary air quality monitors were compliant, held a training and debriefing session on dust management and spoke to the machinery operators.

“The mine co-operated with the department during the investigation and subsequent response to the incident,” the department said.