A MINE operator has been forced to pay $100,000 following an investigation and prosecution by the Resources Regulator, relating to mining without authorisation at the Oberon White Granite Quarry.
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Mudgee Stone Co Pty Ltd was convicted of the offence under Section 5 of the Mining Act 1992 for mining feldspathic material without authorisation, fined $60,000 and ordered to pay the prosecutor’s costs in the amount of $40,000.
Feldspar is a mineral used in the production of glassmaking, ceramics, paint, plastics and rubber.
The court found that, between February 2, 2015 and March 31, 2016, Mudgee Stone mined over 36,000 tonnes of the material from the quarry.
In addition, the court also found that Robert Murdoch, a director of Mudgee Stone Co Pty Ltd, contravened Section 378A of the Mining Act by obstructing an inspector.
The court released Mr Murdoch, without conviction, pursuant to a conditional release order for a period of two years. Mr Murdoch was ordered to pay the prosecutor’s costs of $8000.
The Resources Regulator’s chief compliance officer Anthony Keon welcomed the judgment.
