NSW’s Cadia gold mine confirms groundwater affected by potentially toxic mining waste

Local campaigners call for testing of nearby waterways but mine owner says potentially affected groundwater unlikely to ‘represent a risk’

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A gold mining operation in the New South Wales’ central west has confirmed groundwater has been affected by potentially toxic mining waste.

The most recent Cadia Valley Operations annual review described an increase in arsenic concentrations in two decommissioned monitoring bores in the mining pit at Cadia Hill, attributed to tailings deposition, or discharge at the mine site. Indicators of seepage at the tailings storage facility were also detected.

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