The investigation by the Regulator alleged that a number of Mining Operation Plans submitted for open cut mining operations by Bloomfield did not have the required development consent.

It also alleged the information included in the MOPS had purported to describe mining operations and surface disturbance other than that presented in the Development Consent.

The Regulator alleged this conduct was a breach of section 378C of the Mining Act 1992, which carries a maximum penalty of $55,000.

On June 19 Bloomfield submitted a signed enforceable undertaking proposal to the regulator, which was accepted by Department of Planning and Environment secretary Carolyn McNally on June 23. 

The agreed terms proposed by Bloomfield included $50,000 in donations, together with the costs associated with the audits and trainingm which were estimated to cost more than $85,000.

Bloomfield has also undertaken to pay the Regulator’s costs of $17,575 to cover investigation and monitoring. 

The enforceable undertaking does not constitute an admission of guilt by Bloomfield. 

If Bloomfield does not adhere to the conditions in the enforceable undertaking it is liable to $1.1 million in fines and possible prosecution.