NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) has issued MACH Energy Australia Pty Ltd with a penalty notice for $15,000 after an alleged pungent smelling blast fume occurred at Mount Pleasant Mine on June 15, 2020.

The Muswellbrook community acted immediately, reporting their concerns and photos to EPA's Environment Line for investigation, following the blast, which could be seen and smelt in the vicinity.

Neighbouring properties were impacted with residents reporting they needed to seek shelter from the noxious fume released by the blast.

EPA Acting Director Operations Brett Nudd said there were a number of issues investigated that the EPA was concerned about, including effects on the neighbouring community.

"Blast fumes from mine sites must be contained within the mine boundary, as they contain oxides of nitrogen that may be harmful to human health at high concentrations", Mr Nudd said.

"This alleged blast happened under weather conditions that resulted in blast fume going beyond the mine site and dispersing across neighbouring properties".

"In addition, MACH Energy Australia failed to warn their neighbours of the potential of exposure to blast fume, and members of the community were either exposed or sought shelter to avoid the blast fume".

"This incident was predictable and preventable, and the community should not have been impacted in this way".

"The mining industry must carry out blasts so that they do not cause harm or interfere with the comfort of the community".

"The EPA thanks the concerned Muswellbrook residents who called our Environment Line so quickly."

Commenting on plans for the mine's expansion Local The Gate argue Hunter locals and health professionals are horrified at a new Environmental Impact Statement lodged by Mount Pleasant coal mine as it would drastically worsen the region's already unacceptable air quality.

This week, Salim subsidiary MACH Energy Australia lodged an Environmental Impact Statement that, if approved, would extend the mine's operations to 2046, double coal production, and double the number of coal trains - all on Muswellbrook's doorstep.

MACH purchased the mine from Rio Tinto in 2016, and is not believed to have any other experience operating a coal mine in Australia.

The EIS contains health data for the Upper Hunter region (attached) which shows rates of cardiovascular and respiratory diseases, as well as the general death rate, are much higher than NSW generally.

Singleton doctor Bob Vickers desperately urged the NSW Government to flatly refuse the extension based on the health threat alone.

"We know large coal mines in the Hunter are directly responsible for higher rates of a variety of diseases here than in other parts of the country not impacted by coal mining," he said.

"I am sick and tired of seeing the diseases caused by the coal mines of the Hunter Valley and the government's total unwillingness to do anything to help.

"Our government introduced lock downs when the coronavirus was an immediate threat. The coal dust in the Hunter Valley has been a present and ongoing threat for many years now and nothing has been done.

"I would like to see the government listen to doctors on not just the public health threat of a pandemic but also the public health threat of air pollution and climate change."

Members of the community are encouraged to contact the EPA on the Environment Line 131 555 with reports or concerns about blasting.