Cadia Goldmine Confronts Major Environmental Class Action Over Pollution Allegations
Residents living near the Cadia goldmine in central western New South Wales have launched a significant environmental class action, alleging exposure to what they describe as a 'toxic trifecta' of air, land, and water pollution emanating from the mining operations. The supreme court challenge targets Cadia Holdings, which trades as Cadia Valley Operations and is owned by global mining giant Newmont.
Community Allegations and Legal Proceedings
The Cadia Community Sustainability Network, represented by William Roberts Lawyers, filed the legal action seeking compensation for property value reductions and an injunction to prevent further pollution. The claim follows years of mounting community concerns about dust and heavy metal contamination, with residents reporting contamination in water supplies, impacts on livestock, and medical worries.
Lead litigant Jann Harries, who resides on a property approximately 3km from the mine, stated: 'I've got heavy metals in my water, in my dams, my water tanks are testing extremely high for heavy metals. We're getting dust all through our grasses, which is probably affecting our stock.' She emphasised that residents don't want the mine to close but demand better environmental stewardship from their industrial neighbour.
Scientific Evidence and Regulatory Context
The community group's claim includes allegations that independent testing commissioned by residents found pollution in creeks and groundwater flowing into the Belubula River at levels threatening local ecosystems and agriculture. The group believes contaminants including heavy metals and PFAS originate from Cadia's mining operations.
Oliver Gayner, principal lawyer at William Roberts, described the class action as a 'last resort' after years of unsuccessful attempts to address concerns through scientific evidence submitted to Newmont and the Environment Protection Authority (EPA).
A Newmont spokesperson confirmed proceedings had been served, stating: 'Cadia will respond through the appropriate legal processes. As the matter is before court, it is not appropriate to comment further at this time. Newmont takes its legal and regulatory obligations seriously and is committed to environmental stewardship.'
Recent Regulatory Actions and Investigations
The legal challenge comes against a backdrop of regulatory scrutiny. In 2025, the mine was ordered to pay $350,000 in fines after an EPA prosecution for breaches of clean air regulations in 2021, 2022, and 2023. This followed an EPA investigation into dust emissions management in response to community air quality concerns.
Also in 2025, an independent review of Cadia's water monitoring programs commissioned by the EPA found 'no conclusive evidence linking Cadia Valley Operations to significant degradation of waterways' but identified elevated heavy metal levels in some groundwater deposits. The review criticised monitoring program quality, citing gaps in the network, limited data integration, and insufficient trend analysis.
Health and Air Quality Assessments
In August, NSW Health released findings from an investigation involving 14 community volunteers from seven properties near the mine. After reviewing environmental and clinical assessments, the panel found 'no definitive evidence of health impacts from heavy metal exposure among volunteers who were assessed.'
Additionally, a 22-month air quality monitoring program launched by the EPA in 2023 concluded in June last year, finding that air quality detected at monitors around the mine site was generally good to fair.
The class action represents a pivotal moment in the ongoing tension between mining operations and community environmental concerns in regional NSW, with potential implications for how large-scale industrial activities are regulated and held accountable for their environmental impact.
