EPA Victoria has fined Victory Minerals Pty Ltd more than $6,000 for a discharge of sediment from the Ballarat Gold Mine into the Yarrowee River, in October last year.
The fine of $6,105 was for the unlawful deposit of waste, specifically sediment laden water, of between 50 and 1,000 litres.
The investigation began on 31 October when a member of the public reported to the mining regulator Resources Victoria (RV) that there was turbid water leaving the mine site on Woolshed Gully Dr, Mount Clear
RV officers called EPA Victoria when they found the water flowing off the site and into a drain that discharged into the Yarrowee River.
EPA Southwest Regional Manager Martha-Rose Loughnane says this is not the first time a sediment discharge into the Yarrowee has called for compliance action.
"Any industry undertaking works must have effective controls in place to prevent pollution or waste from escaping their site," Ms Loughnane said.
"EPA expects all operators to manage stormwater, sediment and waste risks proactively, and will take decisive action where they fail to meet their responsibilities," she said.
"EPA Victoria and Resources Victoria work together all the time. In this case, RV had the on-ground presence, confirmed the initial report and provided expert evidence that contributed to a coordinated regulatory response to protect the river and the community."
Following the report from Resources Victoria, EPA took action to ensure Victory Minerals sampled the water in the river to determine the harm, and installed appropriate controls to ensure it wouldn't occur again.
"Fortunately, the sediment that entered the Yarrowee was not found to be contaminated by some of the heavy metals and minerals commonly found at a gold mine," Ms Loughnane said.
Sediment entering a waterway from an industrial site affects fish and other aquatic life, water quality and the community's confidence in the way industry is managing its environmental duties.
The Yarrowee River is also a waterway that holds significant cultural value to the Wadawurrung Traditional Owners.
"Our stance is simple; polluted runoff is unacceptable. We will act consistently and decisively to protect Victoria's waterways, and this infringement demonstrates that commitment," Ms Loughnane said.
Under the Environment Protection Act 2017 and the Infringements Act 2006, the operator has the right to have the infringement notice reviewed or be considered by a court.
Members of the public can report pollution by calling EPA's 24-hour hotline on 1300 372 842 or providing details online at epa.vic.gov.au/report-pollution/reporting-pollution
