Bowdens Silver

CBased Environmental supports the Bowdens Silver project due to the many benefits this project will have for the local economy, for the State of NSW and for Australia. Some major benefits include creating jobs, which will support local employment and increase spending in the local community and NSW. Another is the injection of money into the economy to build and operate the project. Still another is mining and producing silver, a valuable commodity for industrial use, which may further stimulate the Australian economy.
Providing jobs, injecting money into the local and NSW economy and increasing our production of valuable products is critical in the current financial situation in Australia due to the Coronavirus pandemic and this is why we support this project.

I live approximately 2 kilometres from the processing plant of this proposed lead mine. I have resided at this address for about 40 years and I appreciate the beauty and quietness of this area. Our property is a beef cattle enterprise. We depend on bore water for the cattle and irrigation, especially during the recent drought.
My main concerns are NOISE, WATER and CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION.
NOISE.
The proposal is that this mine will operate 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at very loud and intrusive noise levels. This noise will be from the processing plant, heavy machinery, trucks and intermittent blasting. This is totally unacceptable in this quiet rural environment.
WATER.
Due to mine usage of underground water and cutting into aquifers from the open cut mine, water levels in farm bores will be diminished removing our guarantee of water for stock and irrigation especially in droughts as we have had recently. This would diminish production of our property and therefore the value. Water collected from house and shed roofs would be contaminated by lead and will not be fit for drinking and other domestic use. Water would have to be purchased.
CHEMICAL CONTAMINATION.
CYANIDE will be used in the extraction of silver. There are risks in transportation, handling in the process plant and permanent contamination in the tailings dam.
LEAD dust will contaminate soil and water, getting into the human food chain via water and home grown vegetables.
Lead is highly toxic to children causing decreased IQ and behavioural problems. Once lead is in the body it stays permanently. Current medical opinion/WHO is that there is no safe level of lead for children. It is criminal to allow a new lead producing mine where children are growing up in a nearby small town and properties. The proposed lead mine is approximately 2 kilometres from Lue Primary School.
Why would you allow this lead exposure when lead has been removed from petrol, paint and all other lead-containing substances that the community is exposed? Is this a special type of double standard where the residents around this mine are second class citizens and can have this exposure?
ACID MINE DRAINAGE is considered to be the second most important problem to our civilisation after climate change. Sulphides exposed by the mine will be changed to sulphuric acid which is highly toxic and allows heavy metals to leach into the environment. This process will add to the permanent toxicity of the tailings dam, the overburden pile and the water in the open cut as it fills with water.
The TAILINGS DAM will be 107 hectares (apparently the largest in Australia)l lined by a thin 1.5mm plastic membrane that is very likely to be pierced by rocks or later vegetation allowing toxins (lead, zinc, arsenic, cyanide etc) to seep out and down to the Lawsons Creek. This dam is a complex engineering structure with risk of failure. Andrew Mackenzie, CEO of BHP, stated that tailings dams do fail with certain regularity. This tailings dam, part of the lead, zinc and silver mine, will stay forever full of toxins waiting to be an environmental disaster.
A short sighted, irresponsible approach puts more value on 15 years of some extra jobs and government royalties at the expense of permanent and certain environmental disaster.
The Silver Mines Limited has never developed a mine to operational level and this lack of experience adds to the risks. There is a high likelihood that the mine will be sold on to overseas interests
Who will bear the legal responsibility for this:- the government? the planning authorities? the mining company?

I am opposed to this mine. There are many many reasons why but i am sure that you have already been advised the numerous problems by the people who are against it.To put it simply this project WILL desecrate the surrounding countryside forever, this is even without any major catastrophes that I believe WILL happen.The other major issue is the disruption to people who live nearby, destroy their livelihoods and everything they have worked hard for.Living near this mine will be a living hell.

Excellent project for local area and Environmentally responsible.

The EIS is a comprehensive and favourable analysis on the Bowden's silver project which will serve the locals, NSW and Australia's national interest for self sufficiency, ethical mining and leading the world in renewables .

Silver is a critical component in solar panels, and generally a 'Tech' metal which , globally is going to enter a substantial shortfall in the coming years due to a decade of poor pricing, lack of investment in new mines and resource depletion. Australia is in a highly favourable position to benefit from the wholesale uptake of renewables as the world moves to electric vehicles, solar generation and energy storage solutions.

Australia is also in a position where it needs to take hold of and get behind projects like Bowden's Silver and drive Australia's economic recovery in a post Covid-19 environment.

I wholly support the project and look forward to seeing this come to fruition.

I am in full support of this project and believe it will bring great benefits to the local community

My children and grandchildren live in Mudgee. I support environmentally sound mining and industry in and around regional townships in NSW. I grew up in a town slightly larger than Mudgee and I understand the problems in towns where employment and job opportunities are dwindling. I understand that the Project is expected to directly generate employment for approximately 246 on-site workers and 74 off-site workers for the construction phase, and between 192 and 228 workers over 15 years as part of the operational workforce.
This sort of project would also have significant ‘knock-on' effects in the ongoing benefits for local and regional communities not just through employment, but also financial boost of local services, community participation, local and regional expenditure, community investment and payment of royalties, taxes and rates. Given the current economic climate from the loss of significant jobs from COVID-19 all employment growing industries should be welcome.
A financially prosperous region usually reflects into well maintained community facilities, stable house and land prices and growing schools and higher education. Something all residents in and around Mudgee would appreciate.

Bowdens Silver Mine Project
My name is Bronwen Dowler, I live 14 kilometres away from the mine site alongside the Lawson Creek,
and I wish to thank you for this chance to make a submission against the building of the mine.
My particular concerns are:-
1) the establishment of a lead mine, I was under the impression it was a silver mine. Lead is very toxic
and is particularly dangerous to children who live in the vicinity
2) the potential for cyanide and other toxic tailings to pollute the water in Lawson Creek which is
essential for farming further upstream. Lawson Creek frequently floods because of heavy rains falling and
the amount of water which gushes down the hills is very damaging to dams causing land erosion. The tailings
dam would need to be highly protected, perhaps a second dam to provide more catchment for these wild weather
events.
3) I am also concerned about the local fauna and flora which will be affected by the silver mine.

Support

I oppose the proposal for the Bowden’s Silver Mine near Lue. This mine must be rejected.
Firstly, this mine is proposed less than 3 km from the village of Lue which is a beautiful, quiet and vibrant village with a notoriously good little school, which is accessed by families in the wider community. Lue is also on a popular tourist route between Rylstone and Mudgee. This route is also the main access for many locals in these towns. Many locals live off the land and rely on agriculture and farming for income. Tourism in this region relies on the picturesque, clean country landscape, which brings people to the area for camping, farm-stays, and ‘getting out of the city’. Locals supply fresh produce to the local cafes, hotels and pubs in the form of wine, olives, cheese, beef and lamb to name a few. Being such a beautiful and popular location also means that there are many families with children living in close proximity to the proposed mine.
The local families would be most at risk from contaminants inadvertently released from mine in the form of dust and contaminated water. Not to mention noise from operation and increased traffic. Additionally, the health of people on Lawson creek and downstream toward Mudgee (only 27km away) is at risk. The agriculture and tourism industry would be damaged, and the mine site would leave a legacy of contamination for 100s of years after the mine has ceased operation. This is a disastrous place to start a silver/lead/zinc mine.
It is well known that exposing the ore containing pyrite (Iron Sulfide) for the purpose of extracting metals creates sulfuric acid and subsequently liberates heavy metals such as lead, zinc, copper and cadmium, which are highly toxic to aquatic systems. Any release of such contaminated water would be disastrous for the ecosystem health of Lawson creek and the people relying on it for livestock and recreation. It would potentially impact on the river all the way to Mudgee.
Sunny Corner Mine at Portland was a silver mine that ceased operation in 1922, yet it is still generating acid leachate (pH2.8), laden with heavy metals, which is still contaminating the creek downstream for more than 20km 100 years after it stopped operation. We know the catastrophic, long-lasting contamination which results from digging up sulfide metal ore. There are metal mines in Europe that have been contaminating rivers for 1000s of years since operation because of acid mine drainage.
Any seepage from, or other failure of the tailings dam would be catastrophic and pose irreversible contamination to surrounding land and aquatic systems.
The presence of the mine will also reduce groundwater and surface water flows in the catchment which is unacceptable in a community relying on this water, especially in times of drought which are becoming more frequent and prolonged with climate change. Long term negative effect on groundwater is not acceptable.
The economy that relies on tourism and agriculture of the area will be threatened by the mine, as will the communities of Lue, Kandos, Rylstone and Mudgee. This region cannot afford a dangerous and polluting mine such as Bowden’s.
The long term implications of the mine is of a contaminated site for hundreds of years after the mine has ceased operating. The cost of this long term contamination to the land and water in the area is not acceptable.
The Bowden’s EIS does not address the long term effects of acid mine drainage and potential leaking of the acidic, heavy metal laden water into the waterways and creeks of the Lue/Mudgee area. Any failure to contain such contaminants would be disastrous for the local area. This would seriously effect the health of people living in the region, as well as river health, the environment and resulting agricultural and economic impacts. The mine would also create a contamination problem for 100s of years so must be rejected.

23 July 2020
Submission by the registered proprietor of “Bara Valley” of 874 Bara Road, Bara NSW 2850 and other nearby farming properties (the Property) in respect to the Bowdens Silver Project (BSP).
The Property is located about 2.5kms from the proposed north western boundary of BSP. There are three residentials dwelling on the Property. From time to time all three homes are occupied. My family and I love living on the Property as it is a very peaceful, quiet and picturesque place. Although the Property is a source of income, we live where we live due to the Property’s beauty. My countless Sydney friends who visit the Property always communicate whilst at the Property and more so on their return to Sydney, is how fortunate my family and I are to be able to live on such a beautiful peaceful place. That said, the most guests at the Property cannot stop commenting on the quietness of the place. Often our friends will retire to bed and say, “I am an early riser, so I will see you at 6am”. Often I won’t see my friends until after 9am.” My friends then often state, “It was so quiet and peaceful, I just could not get out of bed. My body started to relax and unwind”.

Due to the close proximity of the Property to the BSP site I understand that the Property is going to be affected by dust contaminates and noise which will be emitted from the proposed site of the BSP. This is not satisfactory to my family and I. Our drinking water comes from the rain falling on our iron roof and draining into rainwater tanks. It is not acceptable that dust contaminates emitted from the BSP end up in my children, wife, guests, workers and my bodies. I understand that even low levels of lead are a risk for people and a greater risk for children.
We have a koala group living on the Property. I am not a specialist in koala habitats or breeding but I am sure the noise emitted from the proposed BSP site will interfere with the koala group. Perhaps the dust contaminates falling on the gum leaves will affect the leaves so that the koalas can no longer consume them.
I have not been contacted personally from anyone from BSP. As far as I am aware BSP has not carried out any tests about the Property being effected by the BSP. I think that BSP should pay for any reasonable tests I wish to carry out on the Property as it is the project that is the cause for me wanting to carry out the tests. Although I may use the test results in future litigation against the BSP (as a benchmarks) I still request that BSP should pay for them as it is their project that is causing me this expense.
I understand that the lead to be mined at the BSP has a much higher absorption rate then other leads found at other similar mines around Australia. This should be sufficient to hold that existing safety measures at other Australian silver/lead mines are not suitable for the BSP.
The big issue is what is our local area going to be left with after the mine has finished. The area is going to the at risk of deadly contaminates for over a 100 years.

If the BSP is approved and goes ahead it will lower my family’s quality of life on the Property and will reduce its value.
For the abovementioned reasons and concerns I do not support the consent of the BSP and encourage the Minister not to approved it.

Regards

To Whom It May Concern

RE: Opposition to Bowdens Silver Mine

My name is Julie Reynolds. I have lived at Cassilis my whole life and I work full time in Mudgee. I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed Lue Silver Mine.

My main concern is the risk the mine poses to the health of the environment and to the health of our population.

These concerns include, but are not limited to:

• Destruction of critically endangered ecosystem:
The project will destroy 381.7 ha of native vegetation including 182.3 ha of the critically endangered Box-Gum Woodland. With less than 5% of Grassy Box Woodland remaining it is more important than ever to protect this ecosystem (Commonwealth Profile: Grassy Box Woodland). This ecological community provides habitat for a large number of endangered species listed under NSW and Federal environmental legislation. Koalas have been sited beside the project site however the mine site is suitable for koala occupation.

• Water:
The project proposes to access up to 5.5 ML/day of water from coal mines on the top of the Goulburn River, transferred via a 60km pipeline. The excess water from Ulan Coal mine is legislated to maintain flows to the eastern flowing Goulburn River. Redirecting for the use of this mine creates issues of secure supply and the reduction of flow from the Goulburn River system. This water is critical for the health and viability of the Goulburn. The top priority for its use is maintaining environmental flows in the Goulburn especially during extended dry periods, when most pressure is on water access. Ulan/Moolarben water is Goulburn water and should stay there. This is particularly important to me as a resident of the Hunter region. I would hate to see the tourism and environmental value that is so important to the towns of the Hunter, in particular, Merriwa, impacted by the diversion of water from the Goulburn river.

The EIS outlines the ground water draw down that will occur with the creation of the pit. It shows that the drawdown within the Lawson’s Creek flow line with be at least 1 metre. This will interrupt the flow of the creek further downstream ensuring that downstream landholders will have reduced surface flow from the creek. This will severely affect the hydrology of the Lawson Creek and threaten the community below the site who rely on this water for themselves and livestock for not only the life of the mine but for at least 100 years while the drawdown continues into the mining pit. This is especially relevant in light if the horrific drought circumstances that we have experienced in the last few years. And in the light of climate change predications for the future.

The pipeline will also increase the footprint of the dam with the required clearing and disturbance that would be required to bring a water pipeline through farm land and native vegetation. Thus destroying even more valuable native vegetation.

• Rehabilitation of the site: The void of the mine will not be filled when mining is finished. Estimates indicate there will be a hole approximately 1.5km wide by 300 meters deep and a health risk to the surrounding environment forever. The tailings dam will cover 117 hectares with a 56m high wall and contain cyanide, cadmium, arsenic, zinc and lead. There will be no secondary wall, and the dam will be less than 1km from Lawson Creek. Lawson Creek joins the Cudgegong at Mudgee, and flows on to join the Macquarie at Burrendong Dam. There is no rehabilitation available for these dams. They are capped and remain in place forever - that is, until they leak or collapse. What a dangerous legacy to leave our children!

• Lead dust: there is no safe limit for lead exposure. The risks of health effects are highest in unborn babies, infants and children. Lue Primary School is less than 2km from the mine site. This distance does not provide a significant enough buffer to protect the health of the children at the school nor the rest of the 800 people that live in Lue area.

At a time when the world, particularly people living in big cities, are valuing our open spaces and clean air more than ever it would be short sighted not to invest and promote those assets, instead of looking to destroy them. The bucolic nature of Mudgee and Lue is drawing more and more people to the town looking for a better quality of life. Those people will invest in the area for the long term, their children will go to school here and they will work and spend their money here. This represents a real and significant investment in our region, one that is not reliant on damaging our health and destroying our natural assets.
The decision for this mine to go forward would be a decision that generations would regret into the future.

Thank you for the opportunity to present my submission opposing Bowdens Silver ,Lead, Zinc Project
I am a long term resident of Lue. My property, 37R is 1880metres from the site. For decades I have been caring for the land with regeneration practice that provides wildlife habitat I also have a rosemary and lavender plantation for distilling of essential oils, but this project would not be able to continue if mining commenced due to heavy metals and dust affecting plants. According to VLAMP policy, my category is negligible for noise. I am extremely concerned of the impacts to my property, neighbours.community local business, watercourses and environment. This project will leave a negative legacy forever.
Bowdens Project is too close to Lue and surrounds to be compatible, and risk to further locations. Exposure to lead and dust has been underestimated as not all sources of lead and dust are identified in the EIS. Compliance level for community exposure is outdated.
The EIS fails to address many criteria of SEARS.There is insufficent data, lack of risk assessment, lack of clarity around modelling, out dated guidelines eg lead, inconsistencies and conflicting information.
On behalf of the Lue community and district, Lue Action Group has submitted technical reports from experts.
Bowdens silver has clearly demonstrated lack of interest and concern for the Lue community and district with their management of the serious issue of lead results at Lue public school.
Lue and district is associated with the vibrant tourist industry in the midwestern area. It provides good quality accommodation, which is always heavily booked, providing quietness and easy access to activities in Mudgee and Rylstone. There is a thriving agriculture industry with award winning studs, olive groves that have international awards ,a unique bonsai business.The communities preference is for the local economy and landuse to remain based on tourism and agriculture.
As for SVL and previous owners this project has never been financial viable.Silver price has always historically and presently been very volatile, this puts the project at risk. The environment should not be sacrificed for this risk.
Noise...I do not accept that noise will not exceed the modelling data presented in the EIS.There are properties who have no physical protection from the site. Exploration activity is clearly heard at my property.Does the number of machinery equate with activity required? The noise source from the haul road from the pit to tailings storage facility (TSF )has not been discussed.Noise assessment does not provide noise spectra for power sound levels and source heights to ensure noise predictions are acceptable.There is no modelling data for satellite pits which are south of the main pit and closer to Lue.
Demise of Ulan,Wollar and Cumbo valley in our municipality has occurred due to noise from mining.
Tailings Storage Facility (TSF)... Can one be assured that the TSF will be built to the complex plan specifications.TSF is planned to be built on a fault with leakage of 1.6 megalitres per day without considerating fault risk and no contingency plan to remediate leakage. Assessment of impact of acid mine drainage from the TSF should be included.Treatments of contaminants in the TSF are not presented. There is no reference to faults in section 7 and TSF design , monitoring plan.
Waste rock... Fifty seven percent of the rock is potential acid forming rock (PAF). The EIS has failed to address acid mine drainage. This is a major concern as the effect is permanent and serious After climate change this is the second largest environmental problem affecting the world. Risk assessment is clearly missing. Mitigation measures to reduce risk of contaminating groundwater do not exist. There is no monitoring for leakage, triggers or contingency plan to remediate leakage in leachate management plan. Leachate management dams and sumps to capture leachate from PAF rock does not address the issue of a fault line The remaining forty three percent of waste rock is expected to be used in TSF construction, sound barriers. roadworks. turkey nest dam and to cover the PAF rock
Water..A major issue is that the project is in the catchment of Blackmans,Hawkins,Price ,Walker and Lawson creeks. I have a 1km frontage to the Lawson creek. The streamflow of Lawson creek is grossly overestimated. In my discussions with Bowdens it was stated that collectively ground and surface water reduction will reduce the flow of Lawson creek at my propertyby 0.5megalitre per day and this would be 2.5 percent of average daily flow. So this means my average daily flow would be 20 megalitres per day. For most of the year the creek does not flow but consists of water holes..In 2019 the creek was completely dry, see attached photo The data used for estimating Lawson creek streamflow was from the Cudgegong River above Rylstone. There is no similarity in rainfall, vegetation or geological issues...this is highly inappropriate.
Ecology..495.54ha disturbed,381.71ha... native vegetation disturbed,147.6h. Threatened box gum woodland.The region can not be subjected to further loss of native vegetation. the recent drought and devastating fires in our region have had a huge impact on wildlife and native vegetation. It should also be taken into consideration the cumulative impact of loss of native vegetation, especially box gum woodland in our region by coal mining which has cleared very large areas of vegetation.
Koalas...139.59ha Unacceptable that koala habitat destroyed.
Conclusion.Bowdens project should not be approved due to the negative impacts it will provide...it threatens the very being of the area ,the community,homes,environment,achievements and hopes. For almost 30yrs this proposal has provided us with stress, anxiety and uncertainty.
I would not be able to remain at my home. this is where I want to live. I will have a stranded asset therefore not the financial capability to buy another property.
If this project was approved it would be essential that as part of the conditions that there is a 5 km buffer zone, reticulated water supply and no night operations.
Yours Sincerely Lyn Coombe

I object to this proposal .
The issue of water supply to the proposed mine is problematic . This region is still on level 2 water restrictions and the prolonged drought highlights that water is a scarce resource.
The Lue region is prime agricultural land and the possibility of water contamination is critical.
My second objection is the danger of lead contamination in both the mining and transport process .
The proximity to Lue school is not acceptable .
Transportation through the communities of Lue and Mudgee also poses an unacceptable level of risk to these communities.
I object to the proposed water usage and the potential danger of lead contamination to the region
Sharelle Fellows

I object to the proposed Bowdens Silveer mine near Lue, NSW.

Submission attached.

Bowden Silver project 9641

To Whom it may concern,

Thank you for reading this submission and for the opportunity to write one.
Let me introduce myself. I am a 51 year old woman, with a strong connection to the earth. I work as a gardener, using organic practices. I also teach and practice yoga. I have a keen interest in health and holistic practices, both personally and on an environmental level. I recycle a lot of paper, cardboard, coffee grounds, and kitchen scraps from local cafes, and make compost for our gardens. I grow food. What I can’t grow or produce myself, I buy locally where possible, to cut down on food transportation costs (to the environment) and to support our local economy. I buy second hand clothes to help the environment. If I buy new clothes, I buy fabrics that will break down and compost. As a child I was ill with Asthma and Eczema, both conditions now managed with my healthy diet/lifestyle.

I live on a grazing property, growing fine wool merinos (a sustainable product), close to the proposed project. It is beautiful, peaceful and fragile. People who visit this area, appreciate the natural beauty and tranquility. As I work in my gardens, I can hear the wings of the birds flapping as they fly overhead. I came to live in the countryside after a trip to central Victoria as a fifteen year old. I returned to school vowing that I would move to the country! At age 19, I did just that and have been living in a rural environment ever since.

My initial concerns regarding the project, were about lead dust (and other potential airborne particulates), and also about loss of groundwater as the whole farming enterprise where I live, runs on groundwater. After seeing the presentations by several industry experts, I now also hold grave fear for the Lawson Creek, the Cudgegong river, Burrandong Dam, the Macquarie Marshes and beyond. The environmental impacts, in the event of leaching from, or spillage at the site, will be devastating. Also, the amount of water to be used by the project is phenomenal. I am not at all sure that volume of water is sustainable from what is actually available. Especially not for two hundred years. And the modelling shown in the EIS doesn’t accurately account for this. The tailings dam will kill anything that lands on it. When times are dry, it will look like an oasis for birds – they won’t know the difference. The constant noise is another huge issue. Nobody wants to live with that 24 hours a day. Especially people who have chosen a lifestyle, as we have, based around a natural environment. Part of the future plan for us is an eco-farm stay or yoga retreat on the farm, although that’s probably not really viable if the Bowdens Project goes ahead.

Another concern that has come to mind is how will my partner cope with such a massive challenge to his farming operation, which has so many difficulties already? Since he has become the owner of his land, he has used regenerative systems, in order to build healthier soil, without the use of chemicals. Chemicals in soils kill the soil microbes, which are necessary for optimum soil health, which then continues on for optimum animal health. He also reduces numbers of stock, in dry periods, to ensure 100% ground cover and avoid land degradation owing to overstocking.

There is also the concern of land devaluation. We have always though that our retirement plan would include being able to sell some land to enable us to travel or build a new home. But who wants to purchase a lifestyle block with lead dust, water and noise issues?



Allow me to address some of these issues separately.

Dust.

We saw many dust storms last summer so we know that dust definitely can come from the Bowdens Project. We will have dust in our soil, on the sheep, on our fruit trees, our vegetables, and in our home. The work we have done on our farm to increase the soil health, to build food systems, will be at risk. Our plans for expanding our personal food system – attempting to be largely self-sufficient may no longer be viable. There are no steps we can take to stop or minimize this. We enjoy family and friends visiting our farm for social events, especially my grandchildren, but would be concerned about exposing them to lead. There are no safe levels of lead.

Groundwater.

As the whole of our property runs on groundwater, what will happen if it becomes exhausted? Where will we get water from? It’s not as though each property has our own separate groundwater – it is a large reservoir that is connected underground. There is every likelihood that excessive usage will affect a wide area. We will have to use more water than ever to wash our food and homes. I have one small tank for drinking water – I will have to buy drinking water. It would cost me a lot of money to buy the vegetables and fruit that I currently grow. Organic food is expensive and often comes wrapped in plastic, which I don’t agree with, (I can’t see how it can remain organic once it has been wrapped in plastic). Last summer, during the drought and subsequent bushfires, we filled our birdbaths every day. We watched the bird numbers visiting the bath increase immensely. Several varieties drank and bathed at the same time, which generally does not happen. We saw a Regent Honeyeater here for the first time (an endangered species around here), possibly moving in from a bushfire area. We also saw a lyre-bird come down to drink, which is unheard of. We hear them in the rocky amphitheatre behind the house, but in the thirty years my partner has lived here, they have never come down into the open, in broad daylight.


Environmental Impacts
.
The United Nations has recently stated that this type of Acid Mine Drainage, (as proposed to be used by Bowdens Silver Project) is the second biggest environmental problem facing the world today. Can we afford this on our doorstep? Or anywhere? Who is held personally responsible for environmental disasters on the mine site? Once there is a spill – it can’t be cleaned up like spilt milk. The Mining Engineer Michael White doesn’t have confidence in the design for the tailings dam, especially on a sloping site and such close proximity to the water table and the village of Lue, not to mention how far the leaching could travel once it gets into Lawson Creek. He stated that “there is no performance history on these containment designs”. We really need to start looking after our planet very quickly. Time is running out for the human race. We are losing the environments we need to sustain ourselves as a species. We have started to realize that even the smallest creatures are part of the system, and we need to protect all the environments that we have left. As an example, we now know that if bees disappear, then we also will disappear. There are enough environmental problems facing the world today, I think it’s better not to add to that.




Mental Health

My partner has a healthy lifestyle and enjoys farming a lot of the time, however it can be a struggle when there are situations that are out of your control - unpredictable markets, drought, and wild dog attacks to name a few. As farming is a live-in situation, the problems don’t go away when the day ends. I am concerned for him and many others like him who are trying to make a living of the land in a sustainable way, who will be forced to live with so many impositions from another business that can potentially undermine their entire lives.

In conclusion, I would like to say that I don’t think the proposal should go ahead. This project has the potential to negatively affect, our physical and mental health, health of the environment we live in, the health of our animals, the value of our property, the availability of water, and a huge area beyond the mine. I believe we can use/develop more environmentally effective technologies and applications to suit our needs. I have been to several meetings at Lue Community Hall and could put lots more facts and figures into my submission, but there are learned experts succinctly doing that already, so I will leave you with just one more thought – What do we want to leave for the next generation? Clean soil and Water? Or Money? Thanks again for reading this submission.

Bowdens Silver Project
I am Dean Knott and my family and I live at 2883 Lue Road, Lue (neighbouring property less than 2kms from the proposed pit).
I thank you for this opportunity to make a submission.
- I have had no consultation from any Bowden representative up to this point but I would welcome a conversation.....perhaps on my back verandah, looking at the view I am about to lose if the mine goes ahead.
- I am very concerned about the potential decrease in the value of my property, my family and I have no wish to reside anywhere near a mine site and will be forced to sell up and move from what has been our family home for 11 years.
- Extremely concerned about the health ramifications from the lead, zinc and cyanide dust. I believe being less than 2kms from the pit that the control measures in the EIS will not be sufficient to stop dust settling on my roof, in my paddocks and contaminating my water supply. Not being on town water supply means this is the water I rely on for myself, my family and the stock on my property.
- I have a bore on my property for household and stock use which has never been tested by Bowdens and I am concerned the mine will suck the water table dry.
- Will be severely impacted by the noise and dust from workings at the mine and increased traffic on the road.
- The safety of my family and friends is at risk with the increased volume of B-Double trucks and the like transporting the mined materials on a road which is currently not suitable for the increased size and weight of the vehicles.

Thank you again for the opportunity to make a submission.
Regards,
Dean Knott

I believe that this project will provide jobs to the local area, jobs are always crucial but even more so during this challenging time.

The towns of Lue and Rylstone were both established in the nineteenth century based on farming enterprise which still thrives growing some of the best Beef, Lamb and Wool in the state not to mention the ever-flourishing Grape growing and wine making venues.
They have developed into peacefully quiet and charming country hamlets frequented by a large and welcome number of tourists who enjoy the tranquil surroundings as well as quiet country roads and highways.
The businesses in these towns are comfortably financed by the requirements of the farming and tourist industries and have survived Drought, Bush Fires and even Covid Virus.
The Tourist industry will not survive the bedlam of the Bowden Virus.
If the NSW Government is to approve the Bowden Onslaught, they must ask themselves if they have budgeted for the necessary increase in Police, Schools, Medical Facilities, Sewerage, Water and many more utilities that we take for granted but will not be able to survive the onslaught of Bowdens employees.
The demise of our utilities is the price we would have to pay for the poor uniformed, uneducated protagonists who only have a vocabulary limited to the one word “JOBS”
Please do not destroy our towns by allowing a thief in our mouth who will steal our brain.