State Significant Development
Bowdens Silver
Mid-Western Regional
Current Status: Determination
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- SEARs
- Prepare EIS
- Exhibition
- Collate Submissions
- Response to Submissions
- Assessment
- Recommendation
- Determination
Development of an open cut silver mine and associated infrastructure. Link to Independent Planning Commission's page for the Project https://www.ipcn.nsw.gov.au/cases/2022/12/bowdens-silver
Attachments & Resources
Notice of Exhibition (2)
Request for SEARs (2)
SEARs (3)
EIS (25)
Response to Submissions (14)
Agency Advice (42)
Amendments (18)
Additional Information (32)
Recommendation (2)
Determination (3)
Approved Documents
There are no post approval documents available
Note: Only documents approved by the Department after November 2019 will be published above. Any documents approved before this time can be viewed on the Applicant's website.
Complaints
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Make a ComplaintEnforcements
There are no enforcements for this project.
Inspections
22/08/2023
Note: Only enforcements and inspections undertaken by the Department from March 2020 will be shown above.
Submissions
Name Withheld
Object
Name Withheld
Message
PLEASE do not let this mine go ahead!
Craig Picklum
Object
Craig Picklum
Message
Paul Kukula
Object
Paul Kukula
Message
Lead,leaching into waterways (Cudgegong River) & all catchment/aquafer may well pollute for generations to come.
As an ex employee of Mount Isa Mines/Lead Smelter,in the Queensland Gulf country for almost four years,I have personally seen & experienced the ill effects of pollution 1st hand.
The Ore that is mined from either open cut or underground tunnelling,contains-Silver,lead & usually Zinc as well.
All local residents will undoubtedly inherit a much higher Blood lead count.
50 parts per million,used to be World Health Authority Maximum.
This Lead count may well affect Residents,Livestock & all Native Wildlife.
As a long time & regular Visitor & farm assist helper, I would urge the Government to not allow the project to proceed.
Thank You,Paul Kukula.
Lynette Purcell
Object
Lynette Purcell
Message
I wish to make a submission concerning the Bowden Silver Project,Project 9641.
I oppose the Bowden Silver Project because of the serious risk to the community from lead pollution.
The mine is little more than 2 kms from the Lue school and township.
Airborne pollution, dust containing lead so close to community will not only be inhaled, handled, but in drinking water via the roofs that fill the water tanks.
We know there is no safe level of lead exposure. Reduced IQ in children , ADD and violent behaviour in adults are well documented results of exposure.
I am also concerned about lead entering the waterways and causing dangerous contamination downstream. I do not consider the the so called safeguards sufficient. A recent risk review into the frequent failure of tailings dams , with the potential serious consequences , noted this record would not be acceptable in any other area of geo technical engineering.
The risk to subterranean water table is likely to impact surrounding long-standing farming enterprises where irrigation and stock will suffer.It is expected water levels will drop significantly and there is the likelihood of aquifer contamination from sulphide exposure in the open cut that will slowly fill with water .
There is no provision for any restoration of the environment.
This mine is a danger to health and environment, to the sustainable farming of the area.
How can the State Government justify this ‘grab the money and run?
How can we sell our grandchildren’s future?
COLIN HENDY
Object
COLIN HENDY
Message
Nicole Hendy
Object
Nicole Hendy
Message
Apart from that my main objection is the tailings dam full of toxic waste which will be around forever - long after the owners of Bowdens have grown fat on their profits and retired - what happens when it breaks down or even springs a leak or we have major flooding and it spills out over the top - who will be responsible then? We have all seen on the news how a big company just dissolves or goes into bankruptcy to avoid facing responsibility or the cost or cleaning up after themselves.
Apart from the monetary cost of clean up what about the cost to the environment - this toxic mess will get into Lawson Creek then flow on to Mudgee and into the Cudgegong River devastating the water supply to countless families, livestock, wildlife and vegetation right through the area - not to mention ruining the wine industry too! - its just not worth the risk.
It's not fair to leave this mess as an inheritance to our children and their children for the sake of a few jobs in the area - surely the government could find something not so dangerous for the area to create jobs for the locals.
Thank you for listening to my objections - I hope they reach the right ears.
Kind regards, Nicole
Susannah Lang
Object
Susannah Lang
Message
Attachments
cody hulme
Support
cody hulme
Message
Name Withheld
Support
Name Withheld
Message
As a small share holder in Silver Mines Limited, and previously a regular visitor to the Mudgee area, I would like to add my support to the proposed Bowdens Silver project located near Lue in NSW.
The broader Mudgee area is a unique and beautiful regional area within NSW with a number of the towns and villages emanating the quintessential Australian ‘small town’ country charm. In my opinion these areas are being transformed, and some of the uniqueness lost, in the name of progress in our fast changing world. Having said that, it is imperative that regional Australian towns remain economically and socially viable. To this end, I believe the Bowdens Silver project will strike the necessary balance between preserving the amenity and uniqueness of the area while ensuring the survival of the region and, more broadly, secure Australia’s access to a high quality source of silver.
While there already exists a number of mines in the area, I believe the significance of the Bowdens Silver project is that it is primarily centred around the extraction of silver. Silver is essential in the development of new industrial and technological applications, not least of which is in the environmental sphere, but also significant in regards to the long history of silver as a precious metal and store of wealth. In the current uncertain economic climate, and with political tension increasing with China, I believe it is imperative that Australia has access to a high quality long term supply of silver. This is not just from the standpoint of it’s industrial application and its use in emerging technologies, but also undeniably in terms of its position as a precious metal. I appreciate that this last point may not resonate with parties depending upon their view of the mechanics of the the world economy, however I feel the strategic potential of silver to re-emerge as an economic store of wealth should not be dismissed.
I believe the successful development of the Bowdens Silver project is a matter not just of local and State importance, but more broadly a matter of significant national security. It is my opinion that Silver Mines Limited has been very thorough in developing this project to date and I remain confident that should approval be granted for construction of the proposed mine, it will be operated with appropriate sensitivity to the local community and the surrounding environment. The project has the potential to bring significant economic benefit to the region specifically, and Australia more broadly, and to this end I believe the Bowdens project should be endorsed by the NSW Department of Planning, Industry, and Environment.
Kind Regards
Name Withheld
Support
Name Withheld
Message
The silver mine will create jobs for generations to come in an area where job opportunities are quite limited. Thus in turn promotes spending within and growth of the local communities.
The silver produced from the mine isn't just a valuable metal it is also used in many industries and I believe with the rate of current technological advancement and the properties silver holds, it could be the key in the discovery of new inventions towards a cleaner more sustainable world we live in.
Maria Battista
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Maria Battista
Message
Attachments
rex c plummer
Object
rex c plummer
Message
Attachments
Camilla Graves
Object
Camilla Graves
Message
Attachments
Name Withheld
Support
Name Withheld
Message
Michelle Cardoso
Support
Michelle Cardoso
Message
Name Withheld
Support
Name Withheld
Message
Joaquim Cardoso
Support
Joaquim Cardoso
Message
Justin Petersen
Object
Justin Petersen
Message
Name Withheld
Support
Name Withheld
Message
This mine is owned by an Australian company which during these tough times should be supported.