Bowdens Silver

Support

Planning and Assessment
Department of Planning, Industry and Environment
Locked Bag 5200
Parramatta NSW
2142

18/07/2020
Re :- Bowdens Silver Project.

I submit this correspondence in objection to the proposed Bowden Silver Mine. Application Number – SSD-5765. Open cut mine, with the intention of mining and blasting Zinc. Lead and a small percentage of Silver.
Approximately 26 Kilometres (KM) east of Mudgee and 2 – 3 Km North – East (NE) of the village of Lue.
I take the opportunity to state that I am not adverse to development, employment or mining.
My major concerns are for public health, biotic effects of water ways, the increase of heavy traffic on existing roads, which are not currently user friendly to heavy trucks, which the business is proposing an increase to up to 18 B-Double trucks per week.

Public health issue which are of immense concern to me as a health worker are:-
• Lead poisioning from dust and potential water contamination to Lue village and surronding water catchment.
• Crystalline Silica (which is found in rock) dust which can travel up to 10Km away, creating potential water contamination to Lue village and surronding water catchments.
Potential exposure is created from dust which occurs from increased activity due to mining, rain events casusing the dust to settle in water catchment areas, and wind events.
World Health Organisation (WHO) has recorded key facts re health issues associated with exposure to both Lead and Crystalline Silica.
Residents of Lue, both drinking and bathing in rain water contaminated with lead and silica dust collecting on home catchment areas exposes then to the WHO documented health issues as set below
Lead is a cumulative toxicant that affects multiple body systems and is particularly harmful to young children. At lower levels of exposure that cause no obvious symptoms lead is know to produce a spectrum of injury across multiple body systems. In particular lead can affect children’s brain development. Resulting in reduced Intelligence quotient (IQ), behavioural changes i.e. attention span. Lead exposure also causes anaemia, hypertension, renal impairment and toxicity to the reproductive organs. The neurological and behavioural effects of lead are believed to be irreversible
Lead in the body is distributed to the brain, liver, kidneys and bones. It is stored in the bones and teeth and accumulates over time.
Lead in bone is released into blood during pregnancy then becomes a source of exposure to the developing fetus. There is no level of exposure to lead that is known to be without harmful effects.
Crystalline Silica causes Silicosis, lung cancer, Pulmonary Tuberculosis, airway disease, autoimmune disease and renal disease.
• Arsnic effects, no measurements of Arsenic have been used in the Environmental Impact Study (ESI). Potential contamination to water, crops and animals/farm stock.
• Cyanide effects, prevents the cells of the body from using oxygen. When this happens the cells die. Cyanide is more harmful to the heart and the brain than other organs due to the brain and hearts high oxygen use.
Collectively the potential effects of chemical pollutants from the mine, pose a major risk to the residents of the Mid-Western Region.
An Industrial Hygienist should be considered for consultation for the protection of the current and future population of the area.
The transportation of materials from the Bowden mine on B-Double trucks may cause contamination to a much greater area than the Mid-Western Region due to dust from loads, if not sealed.
Has there been consultation with the local Health and Emergency Services re potential Work Health and Safety (WHS) issues, which may occur at the open cut mine?
There are a number of precautions which health workers and emergency workers must be aware of, for there own protections when dealing with possible contaminates on injured workers. i.e. specialised chemical resistant Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Biotic effects on waterways –
Bowen Mine indicates that they will use 1,857 mega litres (ML) of water per year for processing and dust suppression.
Concerns are: -
Lawson Creek is a rain feed creek.
Any bores, which the mine creates, will more than likely disturb the water table reducing the water flow to Lawson Creek.
Any contamination to the creek and water table will create potential devastation to crops, which are irrigated, and stock, which drink from the creek. Stock and crops will not be saleable creating economic downturn for the farmers who depend upon the water for just that stock/crop hydration.
Contamination of the creek and water tables from Arsenic, Lead Crystalline Silica and Cyanide will create Acid Mine Drainage (AMD).
AMD causes stress on stream organisms such as the platypus, which is already on the endangered list, other creatures of importance to maintain water viability are yabbies, native fish, dragon flies, and a multitude of vegetation, especially in the riparian zone.
Tailings Dam –
Tailings dams have proven in the past to be cost effective for mining operations (cheapest option) to dispose of their mining waste. In the last decade alone, there have been 35 tailings dam failures globally. With environmental sustainability at the forefront of the mining industry, alternatives to tailings management and tailings dams are now being drawn into the spotlight
Bowden Mining has proposed a tailings dam of 107Ha.
18 test pits only, have been done over such a vast area, which may not be a qualifying indicator to build such a dam with a 1.5mm - 1.75mm Geofabric to assist with retention of the tailings.
Possibly 2 x membranes of 4.5mm thick HDPE (sandwiched between 2 layers of bentonite impregnated geo fabric layers.
Independently assessed as being installed and compliant with design premise.
Membranes separated by >1m of compacted clay or stabilised sand (sand and ~8% cement)

Inclusion of pH sensors at multiple locations across the 107ha tailings dam bottom ‘cap’- in the stabilised sand/clay -(“inter spatial zone (between inner/outer HDPE & bentonite: geofab sandwiches) to act as warning signals to flag possible breach of inner membranes by Acid Mine Drainage. (AMD) these types of pH sensors are available in most pool shops and would be a relatively inexpensive but extremely innovative and accurate early warning system not dissimilar to a weaker (ambit claim) Bowden’s representatives have proposed (1.5mm HDPE + w 500mm of crushed rock before they dump tailings juice into the dam! - Extremely weak.
Will the mine be providing regular water test result to the Lue Action Group and general public within the greater Mudgee basin who will potentially be affected by water quality?
In turn AMD events will create biotic destruction and loss of livelihood along Lawson creek. Who will compensate?
AMD events are difficult to correct and do not occur without creating other issues.
Has the mine considered the employment of an environmental hygienist for the ongoing care of the community and environment?
Water pipe 58km from Ulan mine: - Has there been a flora and fauna study done along this line?
Increased traffic on Lue road: -
Lue road is a difficult narrow road to negotiate at the best of times.
There are a number of driveways onto the road; the users of these driveways will be placed at risk with the increase of 18 B-Double of trucks each week.
Some users come out onto the Lue Road over double which lines, the vision is poor and distances are short if/when vehicles are travelling quickly towards those driveways of concern.
There have been a number of serious accidents on this road over the past few years for such a road.
Some of these accidents have occurred at the bottom of our property. We have been required to assist injured persons, which is both distressing and sombre. With the increase of large vehicles the state of the road and bridges (no sides/barriers on bridges) is even more highlighted.
We have had boundary fences destroyed when some accidents have occurred, the culprits not informing us, leaving stock to wander onto the road creating further potential fatal incidents to road users.
Again I will express concern, if the loads are not adequately covered with well secured covers the potential for dust from those loads will further place the community at risk of contamination by dust.
Has Bowden Mine representatives made contact with the Roads and Martine Services re the condition/use of the road and will they be assisting with potential upgrades to the roads?

Is that information available to the general public? If so where may it be obtained?

Thank you for you considering the points of concern in this submission to the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment.


Yours Sincerely

I declare I have not made a reportable political donation in the previous 2 years.

The Bowden's Project is a significant mineral resource project development. Such projects are the basis for much of Australia's wealth by the receipt of foreign currency, royalties to the state, local job creation in a depressed rural area and increased shire rates. The project will utilise poor, highly degraded agricultural land that has been consolidated into a meaningful area. Strict environmental studies over many years has resulted in a strong management plan which includes the high value use of waste water from a coal mine in the Hunter Valley.

Support

I strongly object to Bowdens Silver mine proposal due to adverse effects it will definitely have upon the environment and families who live in the area.
The proposal will use an unsustainable amount of water (1857 megalitres of water annually) taken predominantly from our valley when we are only just recovering from the devastating effects of drought.
The toxicity of lead is highly concerning as there is no safe level of exposure to lead. 42% of extracted material will be lead. In comparison to 0.05% silver which is the main reason for the operations.
I do not see any sustainable, worthwhile or beneficial effects this mine could have for Lue and its surrounds.

Bowdens Silver Mine Submission

Catherine McNeill
“Aloma”
945 Lue Road
Mount Knowles, 2850

To Whom it May Concern,
Re: Concerns Regarding Bowdens Silver Mine at Lue

My name is Catherine McNeill, farmer, and mother of three, living downstream from the proposed silver mine at Lue. Thank you for the opportunity to air my concerns.

My concerns regarding this project involve my family, my family’s livelihood, and the impact on the environment along Lawson Creek. These will be further outlined in the points below.
1. Health and Welfare of people living along Lawson Creek.
Our property, Aloma, is bordered to the north by Lawson Creek. The water from the creek is used to support living in our house, providing water for: the toilets, shower and washing (clothes and people). The creek is also a source of water for our swimming pool and a favorite place for recreational activities in summer. I am concerned about the lead content and traces of cyanide, used in mine processes, that may leach into this water way and cause health and well being issues for my family.
Will I need to be constantly testing the health of the water to ensure I am not causing any long-term health concerns for my children and husband?
How can the mine owners ensure that there will be no leaching into the Lawson Creek?
This is a grave responsibility, that can have long term impacts, on the health of people who have lived along this creek for many years. The World Health Organization clearly states that there is no safe level of exposure to lead, particularly for young children. Cyanide, also, has negative long-term impacts on human health, particularly cyanide found in water ways as outlined by NSW Health:
Cyanide in drinking water
In Australia, background levels of cyanide in drinking water range up to 0.05 mg/L, and are usually less than 0.02 mg/L.

Short term health effects
The World Health Organisation recommends that people should not consume water with a cyanide concentration above 0.5 mg/L for more than 5 days. This is to protect against short term health risks. This guidance is very conservative and includes a one hundred-fold safety factor.

Long term health effects
The Australian Drinking Water Guidelines 2011 recommend that drinking water contain less than of 0.08 mg/L of cyanide. This value is based on a lifetime of consumption and is also a very conservative figure with large safety factors built into it.
https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/environment/water/Pages/cyanide.aspx

Can Bowdens guarantee that there will be no leaching of either lead or cyanide from the mining operations?
Will they provide thorough water and sediment testing along the creek to ensure all water users are safe from their activity upstream?
Will they take responsibility for any long-term health issues encountered by families due to lead or cyanide?

2. Environmental Concerns – the Platypus
Platypus on Brink of Extinction: UNSW research calls for national action to minimize the risk of the platypus vanishing due to habitat destruction, dams and weirs. https://newsroom.unsw.edu.au/news/science-tech/platypus-brink-extinction

Lawson Creek is home to platypus. We have observed platypus in two different sections of the creek. The Platypus is currently listed as ‘’Near Threatened” by the IUCN (The International Union for Conservation of Nature) and under the EPBC Act (Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act). The University of NSW are working to list the platypus as vulnerable.
It has been noted in mining technology articles such as –
https://www.mining-technology.com/features/featureshould-cyanide-still-be-used-in-modern-day-mining-4809245/
“Is cyanide as harmful as people perceive?
Cyanide is acutely toxic to humans, other mammals, and aquatic species at relatively low dosages, as it interferes with oxygen utilization. However, cyanide is not carcinogenic and does not bioaccumulate – build up within the tissues of organisms – and a non-lethal dose is metabolized in the body.

“There is no doubt that a lot of communities’ concerns over cyanide are legitimate,” says Gavin Mudd, a lecturer in the Department of Environmental Engineering at Monash University, Australia. “It’s a real problem, a real issue.”

Given that this beautiful mammal is vulnerable to changes in water quality, can Bowdens guarantee that their activities WILL NOT impact on these animals in our creek?
Are Bowdens willing to take responsibility for the destruction of habitat, through water quality, and the impact this will have on one of Australia’s unique animals?

The concerns I have regarding this mining venture are not personal to Bowdens nor mining in general. However, has the placement of the mine and water treatments that are, more than likely, going to leach into Lawson Creek been adequately and authentically researched and provided for.

I love living on Lawson Creek.
I love that my children have had the opportunity to engage with the unique natural environment it supports.

I strongly request that this mining proposal be scrutinized based on what the Lawson Creek provides for the humans and animals that live along it.


Regards

Mrs Catherine McNeill