The NSW government should suspend all coal seam gas (CSG) exploration licences following reports toxic chemicals were detected in Pilliga State Forest, the opposition says.
Soil and water samples taken six months after a 10,000 litre saline water spill at Pilliga Forest, in northern NSW, showed high levels of a number of metals, the ABC reported on Wednesday.
The samples, taken by the Wilderness Society and tested by an independent lab, showed lead at five times the acceptable drinking water standard, arsenic at twice and chromium at 3.74 times the acceptable standards.
Last month, mining giant Santos reported 10,000 litres of saline water leaked in June 2011 at the Narrabri Coal Seam Gas Project, which was operated at the time by Eastern Star Gas.
The incident south of Narrabri was not reported by Eastern Star Gas, despite its obligation to do so under the conditions of its Petroleum Exploration Licence.
Santos took over Eastern Star Gas in November, and a subsequent review of its records identified the pipeline failure.
Opposition leader John Robertson said NSW Premier Barry O'Farrell needed to heed the warning from scientists, experts and local communities and suspend all CSG exploration licences in NSW.
"The impacts of coal seam gas mining on the environment are still not fully understood and the government needs to hit the pause button on this industry before it's too late," Mr Robertson said in a statement.
Santos said it was conducting its own tests and would rehabilitate the affected land.
NSW Minister for Resources and Energy, Chris Hartcher said the department was conducting its own testing of soil samples to determine what, if any, contamination had occurred.
"The department will also investigate whether any other incidents of this nature have occurred and any other related circumstances," Mr Hartcher said in a statement.
"All available enforcement responses will be considered when the full facts are known."
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