Corindi Quarry: Mining company, director cop $247,500 in fines after illegal activity

A Mid-North Coast mine has learnt a quarter-of-a-million dollar lesson after the court determined it had illegally dug up over 60,000 tonnes of materials.

A Mid-North Coast mine has been slugged with a massive fine – to the tune of $247,000 – after a court determined it had illegally dug up over 60,000 tonnes of materials.

Aerial shot of Corindi Quarry.

The Land and Environment Court found Corindi Quarry had stored materials that had been removed from the earth without a licence.

Crush and Haul Pty Ltd, and its director Luke Cauchi, were ordered to pay $247,500 in fines for the 90,000 tonnes of rock and clay they mined without permission.

At the time of the offence, the extraction of more than 30,000 tonnes of materials annually was only allowed after a licence from the NSW Environment Protection Authority (EPA) was acquired.

NSW EPA’s Carmen Dwyer said the action was a blatant disregard for licencing requirements and the environment.

“The severity of this fine should serve as a stern warning to others – to know their responsibilities and do the right thing,” Ms Dwyer said.

The court determined illegal activity had taken place at Corindi Quarry.

“Limits are enforced on what can be quarried to ensure operations implement effective controls that reduce the impact of erosion, noise or blasting.

“It is disappointing when individuals or companies intentionally disregard their responsibilities and, in doing so, put the environment at risk.

“These conditions of the EPA licence are fair and designed to ensure that activity can occur while minimising the impact to the wider environment.”

The court convicted the defendants, issuing a $225,000 fine to Crush and Haul and an additional fine of $22,500 to Mr Cauchi personally.

Members of the public can report concerns regarding pollution and other environmental incidents to the EPA on 131 555.