Newcrest Mining Ltd., which is being acquired by Newmont Corp., is being investigated by Australian environmental regulators after locals near one of its major gold mines in New South Wales complained about dust pollution. 

After discovering that prior pollution-control measures were ineffective, the state's Environment Protection Authority said it will adopt new steps to reduce dust emissions and conduct more tests on the company's Cadia mine to assess health concerns to the community.

In a statement, NSW EPA Chief Executive Officer Tony Chappel said, “Industry has strict obligations to meet clean air standards and currently Cadia appears to be falling well short of our expectations.” 

“Everyone in NSW has a right to clean air no matter where they live,” the statement added.

In August of last year, Newcrest, Australia's largest gold producer, was fined A$15,000 ($10,000) for failing to appropriately reduce dust pollution at Cadia, which is expected to produce at least 560,000 ounces in fiscal 2023.

The mine's promising potential drew the attention of US gold giant Newmont, which agreed to purchase the Melbourne-based firm for about $20 billion earlier this month despite its controversial impact on the environment and locals.

Authorities have given Newcrest until Tuesday to reply to the probe. 

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