Bowdens Silver

I object to the Bowden silver mine. I have many concerns about this project. I bought my property for the view and the country peace and the Bowden silver mine will ruin all of this . My property looks out over beautiful rural areas that are going to be the tailings dam and also the road into the mine. I also have concerns about the air quality being contaminated and also the water in the Lawson creek. I really see no positives in mining Lue the risks are very high that it will contaminate the air and water in the area and effectively the whole of the Mudgee region.

I am strongly in favor of this project. I think it can have a tremendous impact on the Mudgee region, like a similar project in Neighbouring Orange had.
As an Orange resident, I’ve seen the positive impact the Cadia mine has had on the region. Prior to Cadia, Orange was any other run of the mill country town, with little tourism, high unemployment and little really going for it. Cadia brought money into the region which saw the growth of vineyards, investment in food and wine etc. this had an amazing effect on tourism in the area, which is now one of the regions strongest industries. It also gave young people jobs so they didn’t leave for the city, this has the flow on effect of more young families, childcare and schools getting bigger, increased community involvement in sport etc. the Mine also helped stimulate the Orange region’s economy, brings in all sort of industry (Trades, health, hospitality).
Mudgee is a similarly spectacular area, with a tremendous potential. A mine there will encourage investment in the area, which can only help our beautiful central west grow.

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I live in Sydney now but for many years I owned and operated a sheep and cropping farm at Narromine and I travelled often around the Central West of NSW. More recently I have spent considerable time on a cattle property on the Lawson Creek just west of Lue. I lived here for three months during the corona virus pandemic and was made aware of the issues relating to the proposed Bowdens Silver Mine
The reasons why I object to this proposal are
1. The mine’s proximity to the village of Lue and its infants and primary school is far too close is only two kms from Lue School, it will operate 24 hrs /7 days per week.
2. The open cut mine will produce Lead and I’m worried about the dust affecting children as Lead is particularly dangerous for children. The mine will produce 95000 tonnes of lead - a highly toxic mineral. There is no safe level to exposure of lead especially for children and this mine is just 2kms from Lue School. Lead is a cumulative toxicant that affects multiple body systems.
3. The tailings dams is in the catchment of Lawson Creek and tailings dams do fail. If they do they will pollute the waterway permanently.
4. The economics of this mine are based on an assumed silver price in the EIS is US$20.91/oz, a price that hasn’t been reached over the last 5 years. A financially unviable mine represents an even greater threat as they may look for ways to cut corners which could affect safety.
5. Lue is a peaceful village with 200 residents who enjoy the quiet village life it offers. This will be destroyed by the mine. Also Lue Road is narrow and winding and will not handle safely the large increase in traffic, many of which will be trucks.

I strongly object to this mine and ask the Department to consider my objection.

I fully support the project. This project will ensure additional employment in our local area which it vital if our small communities are to survive. I am totally satisfied that all ethical and safety measures have been fulfilled and that the project is being managed with a keen eye on the impact to the environment.

We the undersigned wish to convey our deep concerns regarding the establishment of a silver/lead mine by Bowdens Silver near (2kms) our lovely village of Lue NSW. There are many problems that can manifest from such an undertaking as proposed but our concerns are, and not in any particular order:
- Close proximity to village.
- Devaluation of home and land.
- Lead Dust is injurious to health.
- Noise pollution day and night.
- This type of mine uses a lot of water, which is in short supply.
- Is there an absolute assurance that the proposed measures to alleviate the pollution of water ways are sufficient?
- Increased heavy vehicular traffic on the country road.
We believe that this major mining undertaking should be thoroughly scrutinised and all factors considered before approval.
We have made Lue our home since 1985 and have come to love our lifestyle and tranquillity.
We would be very unhappy to see this change because of a mine only 2 kilometres away.
Peter and Carol Kurtz

To whom it may concern
My family have been residence of this beautiful valley for 6 years, we have 173 acres on which we have cattle, grow grapes that produce award winning wines and have a 5 bedroom guest house. We love this valley for its beauty and quite. We have wonderful native species and bird life. After leaving Sydney with its noise and pollution this is heaven.
Our first major concerns regarding this project is lead dust in our dams and tank water. We will only be 4km away from the mines pit if construction should go ahead. This is way to close. All our drinking , stock and irrigation water comes from rain collected from our roof and run off from the land. We have Lawson creek running at the rear of our property which only run intermittently.
We have 8 grandchildren, who visit on a weekly basis and have been made aware of the severe damage lead dust can do to their brain development over a very short period of time. How can we allow this sort of mining to go ahead when our grand children's futures could be badly affected.
Our wine grapes are irrigated from water from our dam, which up until feb 2020 was dry because of the severe drought that has affected most of Australia for 5 or more years. If there is lead dust in the dam we will be unable to irrigate as there is little tolerance for lead in wine.
We also have to consider that we have to supply clean drinking and showering water to our guests.
There are no safe levels for lead in our industry.
Our second concern is the use of water from the aquifer. We have very little water in this valley. If 85% of the water is to be taken from the underground water table our bores will dry up even further than they have at present and if the drought continues we will have to drill further down at a huge cost. Who will pay for this?. Lawson creek originates from a spring with run off from surrounding hills. Some of the springs are within the mine site. Our ground water and creek are all connected and will both be contaminated by the mining. Where will we get clean water from if this mine goes ahead.
The tailings dam is only 700m from the creek, this will be full of poisonous sludge. Never to rehabilitated or removed. It will be in place forever what a wonderful legacy to leave our next generation.

Our third concern is the noise pollution. Their report has stated they plan to mine 24/7 as we are only 5km from the mine site the noise will be incredible. blasting , processing and machinery noise not to mention the trucks and traffic on the road into and out of the site. People come to stay at our guest house for the tranquility and peace. Our business will be ruined as no one wants to come to visit when they get no peace and quite they may as well stay in a hotel near a freeway in Sydney.
I am writing this submission sitting out on our verandah and the only noise are the bird song, crickets, and bees buzzing. Our little piece of paradise will be gone if this mine is to go ahead.

This area has such natural beauty to have this mine built may bring jobs to the area, but it will leave a lasting scar on the landscape that will never recover. The Lue, and surrounding community has such wonderful people which will be torn apart and we can not let this happen. We are only new to the area by country standards, but have seen first hand how this community cares for each other in time of hardship. The building of this mine will see this community cess to exist and that would be a terrible shame.
Please consider all aspects of how this mine will affect Tourism, primary industry and the community that at present thrive in this area. We deserve to be able to work, play and live in a beautiful area and not see it ruined all for a tiny slice silver that at todays market price is not profitable. Please put pristine land and communities before money.

To Whom it May Concern,
As a long standing tourist to the area, I object to the Bowdens Silver project. The high risk of polluting the environment with lead poisoning and the impact this will have on the surrounding landscape of Lue plus the community and it's people are a grave concern. At a time when we are struggling with climate change and global pandemics, to increase risk to our people and our land, seems incredibly negligent. It overwhelms me this project has got to this stage and flaws have been completely overlooked. There are no considerations around dam leakage into surrounding water tables and the effect this will have on our agricultural industry and our precious indigenous wildlife - wildlife that is already at risk. I strongly and openly object to this project and hope the NSW government can play a role in protecting our incredibly precious environment and wildlife. In the future, I hope to bring my children on annual holidays to the area to educate them on our country - however this will not be possible if the Bowdens Silver Project goes ahead!
Many thanks,
Angie

The project will be great for jobs in the region and bring an economic boost to local businesses.

We (my family) have been visiting and staying at Lue for ~40 years. We recently (early July 2020) had our family reunion in Lue. This involved 3 generations of family members, youngest 2 years old. The property we stay at relies solely on tank water. I firmly believe the proposed mine will create health risks to the residents of Lue and Mudgee as the materials are being trucked through the town. The air borne dust generated will exclude the reliance of Lue residents being able to use their rain water tanks due to contaminates. Will Silver Mines Limited (SVL) pay compensation for say 50 years of water being trucked in from Mudgee, 40 klm's away? I would think not.
Have the Department of Fisheries been contacted ? There are native fish in the local creeks and I have personally caught freshwater catfish from the local creeks.
SVL should also be providing a substantial Bank Guarantee up to the government, say $50M, to guarantee rehabilitation of the site. A Bank Guarantee for say a $1M they may walk away from as it would cost them more for the rehabilitation.
SVL should also be paying for a substantial upgrade of the road between Lue & Mudgee as the mining trucks will have a impact with wear and tear on the road.
Noise will have a major impact for the residences of Lue!
This project is NOT in the interests of the environment.