The report "Threatened and pest animals of Greater Southern Sydney" was released by the NSW Department of Environment and Climate Change in December and covers the southern Blue Mountains to the Illawarra coast.

It recorded the distribution and abundance of, and threats facing, native animals in the area with data collected between 2002 and 2007.

However, the Total Environment Centre said the report showed more than 20 fauna species were under threat from underground coal mining in Greater Southern Sydney.

"This major study further advances the case for the protection of rivers and upland swamps from longwall mining. It is pivotal that protection zones are established to prevent longwall mines from having significant impacts on these environments," TEC spokesperson David Burgess said today.

However, NSW Minerals Council CEO Nikki Williams said the TEC's comments were a beat-up "to push its agenda for arbitrary buffer zones around rivers and unreasonable restrictions around mining activities".

"The DECC report is important as it aims to build on our knowledge of which species exist and where they occur, so that better management of native ecosystems, threatened species and their habitats can be achieved.

"The DECC has rightly pointed out that there are a number of species which could be under threat from a range of activities including urban development, logging, land clearing for agriculture and mining, if they were to proceed unregulated and uncontrolled. Mining proposals are assessed against the strictest criteria in relation to potential environmental impacts including flora and fauna."

The TEC said the report highlighted the importance of protecting upland swamps, which it says the threatened species listed in the report are totally or partially dependent on.

"We have already seen a number of swamps drain and erode as a result of mining and the evidence from the Blue Mountains shows a dramatic fall in the water table once mining has passed through," Burgess said.

"We have seen the devastating impacts this form of mining has had, with cracked rivers and cliff falls within Sydney's drinking catchment and damage to man-made infrastructure. Far more subtle, though no less important, is the undermining of swamps.

"It is high time Premier Iemma listened to the advice of his own agencies and steps in to resolve this issue," Burgess said.

However, Williams said the rigorous environmental assessments and controls that are in place for mining ensure these species are protected.

"The mining industry, through regulation and its commitment to minimising its impacts, adds considerably to the knowledge of threatened species and much to the pro-active management of risks and threats to animal habitats."