The NSW Resources Regulator has commenced prosecution proceedings against a 36- year-old man and 65-year-old man, both of Inverell, for alleged breaches of the State’s mining laws.
The proceedings relate to an inspection undertaken by the Regulator on 16 November 2020 at a property on Rickey’s Lane Sapphire (near Inverell) after it was suspected that illegal mining was taking place.
The inspection identified two men on the property allegedly using a large excavator and a truck to transport material to a trommel (a rotating cylindrical sieve or screen used for washing and sorting earth and minerals) to extract sapphires. It is alleged that Inspectors identified a number of locations on the property where mining had occurred without a mining authorisation.
Each of the men have been issued with three separate court attendance notices for mining without authorisation in contravention of section 5 of the Mining Act 1992.
The matters are set down for mention in the Inverell Local Court on 28 October 2021. Each offence carries a maximum penalty of $220,000.00 for individuals.
As the matter is now before the Court, further details will not be released.
