These were the two vastly different responses when The Singleton Argus made enquiries after yet another blast shed orange substances into the atmosphere.

Local residents know it is not a rarity, the orange plumes are common.

But it has since been said that when this happens, it is a blast that has not gone according to plan.

Now the concern number one is for the people on the ground. If there was ever an occupational health issue worth worrying about, it would certainly have to be around the obvious danger of setting off mine blasts.

You only have to look at the incident at Drayton to see the potential human cost should something go wrong.

The mining industry seems to understand the implications and the concern by Integra Coal about yesterday’s incident was genuine.

The state government response was sadly lacking any concern.

It is this sort of response that has frustrated residents for so long.

Concerned about potential impacts of mining, it is the contents of these sorts of blasts that needs to be identified and revealed.

The one thing that can be sure is the two compliance officers set to start work in the Upper Hunter by the end of August are certainly going to be busy.

They will be employed by the Department of Planning and lets hope they are given the teeth to be able to take appropriate action when conditions of consent are breached and dust and noise levels exceeded.

The issue is the Upper Hunter can probably handle the one or two small compliance breaches and most residents accept that mistakes will happen in such an industry from time to time.

But with so many mines operating and so many more on the drawing board, the margin for error is getting smaller and smaller.

These sorts of blasting errors are not a part of best practice and no DECCW, they are not acceptable.