The inspections will continue every month until November .

They usually last about four or five days, with different fields randomly selected for inspection.

The inspector looks for such environmental problems as rubbish, old car bodies, oil spills, illegal structures and shaft collar erosion.

Safety issued focused on include unsafe auger holes and mine shafts which account for between 60 to 80 per cent of violations.

The sweeps have been conducted for the past two years and are aimed at ensuring Lightning Ridge miners effectively manage the local environment by rehabilitating mines once mining is complete and keep the impact to the environment to a minimum.

Director-General of the NSW Department of Mineral Resources, Alan Coutts, said the inspections were to ensure the Lightning Ridge mining fields were up to standard.

"This is part of an overall departmental campaign aimed at bringing environmental standards at Lightning Ridge up to community expectations and into line with the rest of the State's mining industry," he said.

Mr Coutts said the environmental and safety standards of miners at Lightning Ridge had improved in recent years with the mines department inspecting 1758 mineral claims in the past two years.

"There are encouraging signs that miners are becoming more diligent.

"They are taking more care of the environment and ensuring their claims are safe."

"There is a high level of co-operation among the Lightning Ridge miners and the two miners' associations, the Lightning Miners' Association and the Glengarry, Grawin, Sheepyards Miners' Association, an indication of the effectiveness of our ongoing campaign."

If a mine is found to have an environmental or safety violation the claimholder will be sent a notice by mail and must advise the 'field sweep' co-ordinator within 28 days that they have rectified the situation.

Random re-inspections are carried out after two months and a further notice is sent if the leaseholder fails to carry out the appropriate work.

According to information compiled by the department 57 per cent of claimholders comply at first inspection, 89 per cent after the first notice to comply and 96 per cent after the second notice.

Mr Coutts said the department would take a tough line against those claimholders who refused to comply.

"While the positive response to our campaign is pleasing, the department will consider penalties against claimholders who refuse to correct breaches," he said.