Minding Mitchell mines: Earth Resources Regulator to visit

These visits are part of a wider effort to assess how well operators handle risks, helping to plan future checks and audits.

Operators must follow their work plans; however, recent checks found issues such as inadequate fuel management, improper waste storage and missing boundary markers at some sites.

Operators should be aware of their boundaries and extraction limits, as well as their obligations to manage dust and noise.

During the inspections, operators will be reminded of their responsibilities and commitments.

Acting Resources Victoria chief inspector Rebecca Carlton said operators would be required to address unmanaged or poorly managed risk.

“We’ll be checking things like site boundaries and extraction limits, as well as ensuring operators are properly managing dust and noise,” Ms Carlton said.

“Our inspectors will be reminding operators of their responsibilities and gathering information to guide future audits.

“If required, we’ll take enforcement action to ensure behaviour is changed to protect nearby communities, infrastructure and the environment.”