those people that work at the mining operation must be lying to the press when they say that they didn't notice the loud noises then

either that or they have severe hearing loss and that's why they don't notice but it sounds like somewhere that would be unbearable to work. job benefits: $20 per hour plus hearing loss
I don't know the whole context, but it is possible that they meant they were not aware that the noise reaches that far, maybe they park their car right next to the farm, wear those heavy ear protection, walk in, do the work, jump back to the car.
I mean unless they stand near those houses -- they won't be able to tell, but to say they did not know that miners make a ton of loud noise would be a straightout lie.
@phill, yup the more you try silent them, the hotter they get, at 7000 rpm even a single miner can make up to 90 decibles at 10 meter distance.