SAFE noise limits have been discarded so Australia's largest gold mine can expand to within 200m of Kalgoorlie-Boulder.

Joint-owners of the Super Pit, US companies Newmont Mining and Barrick Gold, last month received WA Government approval to extend the depth of their open-cut mine to 600m -- releasing billions of dollars of gold.

The decision has been greeted with dismay by some residents, who accuse WA Environment Minister David Templeman of putting money before people's health and wellbeing.

Legal noise limits in the mine's licence have been raised to accommodate the mine site.

Previously, the maximum daytime level was 51 decibels -- but it was breached frequently.

Now the mine is allowed to emit up to 65dB -- double the level stated as "unacceptable'' in a report by the Environmental Protection Authority for the expansion of a nearby airport.

Since 1992, residents have made formal complaints about the noise and dust from the mine.

The EPA, which advises the minister on development applications, stated last year that it "recognised noise levels have not been met and this has led to a level of frustration within the community''.

It said an appropriate response to the noise problem would be to increase the maximum noise limits.

"That sort of noise (65dB) would put a constant stress on your body,'' Murdoch University environmental scientist Peter Dingle said.

"If the (mine) has been operating outside of its licence, why bother having the licence at all?''

Last month, Mr Templeman said he realised the Super Pit "is a bone of contention for some people in Kalgoorlie, but it is also an extremely lucrative and iconic operation with huge benefits to the local and national economy, and the tourism industry''.