Former lawyer chained to NSW mine site

A former prosecutions solicitor has her neck chained to a water pump as part of a mine protest in northwest NSW.

Marion Rose, who spent her early career working as a solicitor for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, now faces being on the other side of the bar table if charged with trespassing or other offences.

Since retiring a year ago Ms Rose has been researching Whitehaven Coal's Maules Creek mine development and its potential environmental impacts.

The Sydney mother, who spent about 20 years in law, says she's so moved by her findings she has volunteered her time - and her neck - to an ongoing protest at the site.

The Maules Creek mine is a huge development and not completed yet so there's a chance activists could stop it, Ms Rose says.

"Who knows what the world my little granddaughter is going to be in will look like?"

"I don't want to be the person who didn't try to do something to turn it around."

Protesters at the site oppose clearing part of the Leard State Forest for the new $767 million mine near Boggabri.

Whitehaven Coal has previously said protests are a nuisance but they won't deter the company from building Maules Creek and "delivering substantial benefits to the region".

Ms Rose chained herself to a water pump at the mine site on Sunday morning and vowed to stay as long as required.

"I believe (this is) the right thing to do," she said.