Bowdens Silver

Re Proposed Amendment: Power Line Siting

The submission has been removed from publication due to potentially defamatory content, however the Department in assessing and making any recommendations in relation to this development application will take into consideration such of the submission that is of relevance.

the project represents great economic benefits for the region, NSW and Australia. I feel comfortable the company (Silver Mines Ltd) demonstrates best practice ESG responsibilities, which is my primary criteria for support.

Re Comparison with Cadia: Crystalline Silica at PM 2.5

Please see attached

My family have grown up and live in the local area for over 50 years and within the last 10 years we have seen many businesses closed in Rylstone and Kandos such as the Kandos Cement Works, Charbon Colliery, Maceco and many other smaller businesses. Within that time there hasn't been any new businesses to replace the jobs that have been lost. I fully support any new businesses to the area that offer jobs to the local people, support the community and have minimal impact to the environment.

Being from a regional area, I know first-hand how important large projects like this are. We need more employment opportunities for young people, and Bowdens Silver will provide many jobs for an area that really needs it.

I object strongly to this mine as someone who generally supports the mining industry, I find the type, location and ramifications of this mine beyond the call of jobs and growth.
The environmental implications of a lead mine, in this location are too risky including lead poisoning, toxic tailings dam and acid forming rock just above the Lawson Creek table. This area already has a strong tourism industry, viticulture, farming, hospitality industry so the argument for jobs does not weigh up against the risks.
Please reconsider this project. Not all local economies need to reliant on mining.

Bowdens Silver Project - Lue

I wish to object this project.

This is a highly polluting project that raises a large number of concerns. The EIS does not adequately address many of these concerns.

My concerns, to list just a few, include:
• Impact of lead dust pollution. There is no safe amount of lead exposure and to have a mine like this just 1.9km from a primary school is madness.

• The company does not have enough water to operate this mine. The proposal to pipe water from Ulan and/or Moolarben mines is seriously flawed: 1) It will only provide about 15% of needs anyway; 2)Those mines tap into the Goulburn River aquifer and the water “mined” should be returned to that river and the downstream river system; 3) Water from Ulan and Moolarben is Eastern water and should remain in the Eastern catchment [Lue is in the Western catchment]; 4)There is no guarantee from those mines that they will send the water, and there is no guarantee that approval will be given to transfer that water.

• The groundwater drawdown (25m on site alone) will have an unacceptable effect on the Lawson Creek and other local waterholes and springs.

• Acid Mine Drainage which impacts the ground and surface water systems is a major problem that will be remain for generations to come and I note The United Nations recently labelled Acid Mine Drainage as “the second biggest problem facing the world after global warming” (Engineers Australia, 2019). This is extremely concerning.

• The vehicle movements created are unacceptable;

• The noise impacts on residents in the valley are unacceptable;

• The Project Capital and operating costs are understated as they do not include contract mining, mining equipment or relocation of the High Voltage Transmission Line;

• The Mine Closure and Rehabilitation cost allocation is inadequate.

• The impacts on biodiversity, flora, fauna and aquatic species, are unacceptable.

• The mine will leave a final void which will produce environmental pollution problems for generations to come.


I am aware that the Lue Action Group has commissioned a number of scientific experts to review the EIS and I refer you to these reports for the scientific details which support the claims I have made above. These expert reviews have pointed out numerous defects and inadequacies in the EIS.

This silver/lead mine has serious environmental and social impacts which are unacceptable. The project should not go ahead.

I object to this project due to the damage it will cause the local environment and following on from that, local industries including food and wine production, dining and tourism.

The Lue area is beautiful and is home to many people and businesses that have worked tirelessly to put Lue and Rylstone on the map. The area produces beautiful wine, world class olive oil and many other quality products including wool, which is currently having a well deserved resurgence in popularity. There are many people who enjoy living in and visiting this area for its pristine environment and world class produce. Visitors come bringing essential money to the local economies of Mudgee, Rylstone and Lue and this will stop if the area is polluted by an open cut mine producing lead dust.

If this mine goes ahead the whole area will be poisoned beyond repair. Grapes and olives will not be able to be used due to lead dust in the air. Animals and humans alike will be poisoned. The water supply (both table water and precipitation), already reduced due to drought, will be poisoned. Even the local creek will be poisoned and this will not be able to be enjoyed in summer any longer. In short, the mine will destroy many local industries and the environment and not benefit the local area in any way. The mine has made clear that no compensation will be made to nearby property owners or businesses for the irreversible damage it will cause.

Furthermore, children at the local schools will be immeasurably impacted by the hundreds of trucks rumbling past their classrooms every day and polluting the air. Businesses and residents along the truck route will also suffer from the noise and particulate pollution.

Please see attached document

Bowdens Silver Mine is a project i support. I wish them all the best

I think it is good for Australia to be self sufficient in Silver and any commodity due to present global economic instability.

There is existing a Lue Action Group which is made up of exteremly concerned property owners. This group meets each Tuesday in Lue at 6PM. May I suggest that is would be worthwhile for a member of the NSW Government Major Projects to attend.

I support the application for several reasons, the main being the economic benefit and employment opportunities it will bring to the region. Not only will there be 220 + permanent positions created at the mine, this will have a flow on effect to the local community creating even more jobs in the local towns and surrounds. Small businesses will grow as they will supply goods and services to support the mine. Locals will have the option to stay local, instead of having to leave town or travel long distances to obtain work. Apprenticeships, graduate programs and skilled positions with preference given to locals will be on offer. As a mother of a young boy, I want to be assured there are quality employment opportunities for young children growing up in the region. Bowdens Silver already generously support local community groups and sporting bodies and this will only increase with the growth of the company. The local towns, people and surrounds will all benefit. It's a beautiful region to live and work, and I believe it will stay that way due to the extensive rehabilitation programs and responsible mining methods that the company adopts for the duration of the project life.

This is a great project, it will greatly benefit the local area through development, jobs and many other different forms of community benefits. I also appreciate the way the company has engaged with the community and kept them informed on relevant information.

I support the project because it will create many jobs for local families for 16+ years and will also boost Australia’s economy.

With the current unprecedented global economic and political uncertainty, the development of the Bowdens Silver project could not have come at a better time. With the recent pandemic, if the disease is a recession, then the cure is jobs. And with the devastating impact this pandemic has had on jobs, together with increased trade tensions with China, we as a nation need to take steps to increase our sovereignty and personal liberty. This is difficult to do when the only thing maintaing your job during this pandemic is a Jobkeeper payment, curtosy of the taxpayer.

NSW (and more generally Australia), needs projects like these to help us come out of this pandemic induced recession stronger than ever. The jobs and economic activity this proposed Bowdens Silver project will bring to the Mudgee communities will be invaluable in getting us through these tough times. And now with the NSW/VIC border closed, putting even more pressure on local communities in the area, its time we stop focusing on what we’re closing down, and start looking towards supporting the initiatives that want to open up.

Given the above, it is clear we need to support the Bowdens Silver project. As Australians, we need to look towards retooling for a future that involves taking our sovereignty back. And this project is one of many we will need to stay ahead.. before we become the next Vanuatu of the region, and indebted to a ruthless foriegn power.

Daniel G