Coal miner South32 is battling an outbreak of COVID-19 at its Appin operation, where the virus has now infected 17 people in the workforce, the company said.
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After a small number of cases were identified over the weekend, the infected cluster has now increased and is likely to grow further over the coming days before Christmas.
A significant number of workers will have to isolate and get tested.
A spokesman for the miner said safety practices were being followed but would not say how many workers have been ordered to isolate.
"South32 is working with NSW Health on a number of COVID-19 cases in our workforce," the spokesman said.
"Support is being provided to the workforce and we continue to follow all NSW Health directions to ensure the safety of our people.
"We have maintained our proactive controls over the past 12 months including Rapid Antigen Testing for members of our workforce and mandatory masks across our sites. We continue to operate under safe COVID-19 controls."
The Mercury had earlier been told hundreds of workers had been told to get tested after cases were identified on the weekend.
The Mercury asked South32 whether how many of the workforce had been ordered to isolate and whether production had been affected at Appin, but these questions were not answered other to say it was "everyone that needs to".
Bob Timbs from the Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union said it was a blow to workers so close to Christmas.
"If it's anything like what's happened in the community, the union expects that it may possibly grow," he said.
"That is the trend in the community so I don't think it would be any different there. They're trying to put systems in place but it's problematic in a coal mine.
"I wouldn't say everyone's happy with it (how the situation is being handled). Our safety officers have met with the company on a couple of occasions now, and are still working through some issues.
"I'm really feeling for our members - they've always put their utmost into that mine, and it's difficult times for them. They've got concerns around their own health and safety and the health and safety of their families, and they have to try and balance that with their employment."
The spokesman said South32 was keeping the workforce informed.
Containing the virus underground environment becomes particularly difficult, and South32 said it had been implementing staggered shift times, temperature testing and social distancing.
Production continues as usual according to South32's announcements to the Australian Securities Exchange - the miner has not posted any advice to investors regarding adverse impacts to production.
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