Newcrest has been forced to begin aerial bombardment of its two tailings dams to avoid clouds of white dust spreading to neighbouring properties.
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Both the northern and southern dams at the Cadia Valley Operations have dried up after the company stopped pumping liquid waste into them when the wall between them partially collapsed on March 9.
Residents have contacted the Central Western Daily concerned about the dust, which they said was particularly bad last Sunday.
One, who did not give his name, said the dust was powdery.
“There was a white haze in the sky,” he said.
Another resident has complained about the noise from the planes which started flying from Orange Airport to the tailings dams on Monday.
Alison Simmons of Forest Reefs said they were flying low over houses.
“For over eight hours a day, today close to 10 hours, these planes are flying in extremely close proximity to farm dwellings or houses on rural residential blocks,” she said.
They were flying over my roof. They don't need to fly over our houses.
- Alison Simmons, resident.
“These planes are having an unpleasant impact here, suddenly this quiet rural area is temporarily under a noisy flight path.
“You are getting one every eight minutes.They were flying over my roof. They don’t need to fly over our houses.”
A Newcrest statement said the planes were spreading a dust suppressant over both dams.
Coloured dye has been added to the suppressant so the pilots can see where it has already been sprayed.
“To mitigate the risk of dust generation Cadia has engaged four fixed-wing bombing aircraft to spread a polymer dust suppressant to the surface of both facilities,” the statement said.
“The suppressant binds fine dust particles together to create a crust across the surface.
“The suppressant is non-hazardous and non-dangerous according to the National Occupational Health and Safety criteria and Australian Dangerous Goods Code.
“Cadia commenced the aerial application on Monday and expects that it will continue for at least another week.”
The statement said the planes were flying at a minimum height of 500 feet.
It said people could contact the Cadia Community Hotline 1800 063 043.