3 days ago
NSW Health probe finds 'no definitive evidence' of health impacts from Cadia gold mine
An investigation has found no definitive evidence of health impacts from exposure to heavy metals in emissions from one of the largest gold mines in Australia.
New South Wales Health has released the findings of an 18-month investigation into dust exposure from Cadia Valley Operations (CVO) near Orange in the state's central west.
It was triggered by concerns among neighbouring farmers who worried heavy metals from the mine were contaminating their properties and posing health risks.
CVO's owner, Newmont Mining, pleaded guilty to breaching air pollution regulations between 2021 and 2023 and was fined in the Land and Environment Court earlier this year.
The Environment Protection Authority, which initiated the legal proceedings, adjusted the mine's environmental protection licence in late 2024, which saw changes to its requirements for monitoring air, surface water and groundwater.
Eight adults and six children from seven properties were selected to take part in the NSW Health investigation, and the volunteers were identified through the local group Cadia Community and Sustainability Network.
NSW Health acknowledged that the results did not represent "a population-level epidemiological assessment" but provided insights based on the sample.
"A NSW Health investigation into the potential health risks of dust exposure from the Cadia gold mine … has found low community exposure to heavy metals, and no definitive evidence of health impacts from heavy metal exposure among volunteers who were assessed," NSW Health said in a statement.
Samples were collected from indoor dust, water, soil and homegrown produce, and clinical assessments were also conducted on the 14 participants.
A small group of people returned "slightly elevated concentrations of arsenic and mercury in their blood", but NSW Health concluded the levels were not considered to pose any health risks, and were likely a result of dietary intake rather than environmental exposure.
However, NSW Health suggested follow-up testing for those participants.
"In one case, repeat and alternative testing through an existing specialist was suggested to further explore a health concern."
One of the key concerns initially raised by the community was that people may be ingesting heavy metals through dust that was contaminating their rainwater tank supplies.
NSW Health's investigation found copper and zinc were detected in most samples, while lead, manganese, arsenic, chromium, cobalt and nickel were found in some of the samples collected, and close to the reporting limit.
But it said the levels were at or below drinking water guidelines and consistent with other metal concentrations found in other sampling events in the area.
NSW Health established the Cadia Mine Expert Advisory Panel, which reviewed the investigation's results.
The panel concluded no evidence of significant contamination at volunteers' properties was found, and there was no indication that broader community testing was required at this time.
The ABC has contacted Cadia Community and Sustainability Network and Newmont Mining for a response.
