Bowdens Silver

I am concerned about the mining of lead which will be the major metal being mined here. I am concerned about the possible impacts to the environment and humanity from the effects of this lead mining, which could be catastrophic. It is a possible effect, but because it is lead, there in no undoing to the effects of any leaching of waste products, or effects to the quality of air from dust. If there is no problem with lead, why have we banned leaded fuel, lead paint etc. Why does Mt Isa have the Living With Lead Alliance if there is no problem with lead? Because there IS a problem living with lead. If lead leaches into the Lawson Creek, it will affect Lawson Creek, the Cudgegong River, Mudgee water supply, Burrandong Dam, and the Macquarrie River system. I do not believe the mine should have any access to the Lawson Creek. This Creek more often than not does not even flow. It is used for agriculture, and I believe the water downstream of the proposed mine would be non existent should they have any access.

PLEASE do not let this mine go ahead!

I object to the project of Bowdens Silver Mine going ahead. The damage to Native Flora & Fauna may well be irreversible.
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.

I am Lynette Purcell of 38 Irrubel 4d! Newport,2106.
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?

Royalty Revenue that the government collects will be a good source of revenue for the state especially during such uncertain times. Mining locally also adds to Australia's self-sustainability in a period where global times are being restricted.

I object to the Bowdens mine for a lot or reasons but firstly why are they allowed to call it a silver mine when only 1% of production is going to be silver but 42% is lead - could it be that they know if they called it a lead mine everybody would object to that because we all know how deadly it is to people, animals and the environment??
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

I object the Bowdens mine because of the dust fall out , which say wouldn,t travel more than 2km which is a joke . as last summer the region of Mudgee was covered in dust from Dubbo so you tell me???? And the road from Lue to Mudgee will not handle the regular use of B / Double trucks.... at all.... there will DEATHS... Also the NSW tax payer shouldn,t have to foot the bill for road repairs etc.... Also the containation from the taling dam to the Mudgee region will have a dramatic affect on the area. Mudgee has a huge cattle population and a huge winery industry ....Surely the N S W Goverment wouldn,t destory the above industry for a small mine...

The project is great for NSW Job creation especially following recovery from COVID-19. It also brings in solid royalty revenue to the government which can be used to government spending on the state.

We object to the Bowden Silver Mine for the reasons outlined in our attached submission.

I support the project because I think it will boost the economy in Lue and the surrounding area by creating local jobs they have always sponsored local events and sporting teams and I would like to see more of this in the area as well as supporting local businesses.

This project will bring 300+ jobs to the area. This will greatly help the local community in these tough times but also bring new workers and their families to the area which will benefit the local economy.

I am in support of this project and see great benefit for family and friends in the area.

Please consider the concerns raised in the attached submission.

I am lucky enough to be employed by Bowdens Silver, I can say Bowdens Silver have been an exceptional company to work for with strong ethical values that really promote a great working environment. I believe the company understands the significance that all its activities need to contribute as positively as possible to both the regional environment and local communities.
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.

The proposed project has been factually misrepresented in the EIS and that shows the deceit and contempt that the proponents show for the local and adjacent localities, their environments and their established amenity.

I hereby confirm support of the project as this will be good for the economy and create local jobs.

I definetely support the project to proceed to construction and operational phases as this project will certainly assist to boost the Australian economy and provide local jobs during the construction and operational stages.

I totally object to this project at this location.

Lue is a beautiful town that I have visited my entire life! We can't let the culture of the town be completely changed so that a private company can profit. Country towns are already struggling enough as is in every aspect, let alone when these sort of projects come in and decimate the community.

This projects isre essential for our post Covid recovery and will provide much needed employment in our local area.

This project will bring great value to the community in both the local economy and population growth. The benefits of this project outweigh the negatives and I hope it will be supported as it provides great potential for the future of our small regional community’s.

After all that the NSW people have gone through supporting the government in our response to COVID - 19 we need confidence that major projects with good community consultation and well thought out Environmental Impact Studies are allowed to proceed.
The growth in jobs, revenue and community benefit for Mudgee and the local area will carry through to Newcastle and the greater region allowing the state to continue to grow on the strength of mining.