The Victorian Government is being pushed to extend the buffer-zone between home and coal mines in the Latrobe Valley.

The Community Over Mining Group says the Government must protect residents from potential new open-cut mines, Deputy Premier Peter Ryan has confirmed the State Government is approaching mining companies over concerns.

Some environment groups have suggested there is not enough interest in Victoria’s coal reserves, with the Government twice extending its deadline for announcing allocations.

Tracey Anton from the Community Over Mining Group says even without massive interest in projects, the proposed buffer between residences and possible mine sites is not far enough; "They are not aware that they potentially could be living one kilometre, within the boundaries, the buffer zone of an open-cut mine, and that's just not good enough," she said, "Yet a wind turbine can be two kilometres ... so that's one thing that we've been talking to the Government about, coal seam gas rigs can be 100 metres from a house, so that's one thing the Government needs to come and address."

Victorians living one kilometre away from a mine would have it easy compared to residents of Mt Isa in Queensland, the city is built directly around a very productive mine for copper, lead, zinc and silver.