He suspects it will take “several months” after the union demanded action when an internal investigation into eight alleged cases at Rio Tinto’s Mt Thorley Warkworth mine found the claims had no substance.

The complaints were lodged back in June 2014 with the department’s division of mineral resources and allege bullying and harassment took place in the mine’s production and maintenance areas.

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Mr Jordan says the way the original investigation was conducted was unsatisfactory and they are pleased the department has now appointed special investigators to examine the cases.

“We were also notified of some other cases at Glendell and Bengalla that will be re-examined,” he says.

“The investigators are people who have nothing to do with the day-to-day running of the mines and will be going through each individual case.

“They will be interviewing the employees and company – and we are happy with this outcome.”

He says one complainant is no longer employed at MTW but his claims will still be investigated.

The NSW Division of Resources and Energy’s Mine Safety Investigation Unit has confirmed they are still examining complaints in relation to bullying and harassment at the Mount Thorley Warkworth mine.

A spokesperson says the division is mindful of the serious risks to health and safety that can arise from bullying and harassment in the workplace and the need to investigate and resolve complaints quickly.

“Anyone who has made a formal complaint to the Division’s Mine Safety Branch about bullying and harassment can seek information on the progress of their specific complaint,” he says.

“Those people should contact the manager of the Mine Safety Investigation Unit on 4924 4024 or email iuwhs.investigators@trade.nsw.gov.au”