Bowdens Silver

This project should not be approved, as it will result in the destruction of endangered ecological communities and threaten the survival of threatened species.

In reference to this project I am objection to the potential of power infrastructure of any size being constructed within or within the vicinity of my property at 1857 Castlereagh Highway, Cudgegong.

We have current arrangements and have entered into an agreement with the Biodiversity Conservation Trust and I believe this would directly impact that arrangement.

I believe that any infrastructure associated with this proposal constructed within the vicinity of my property would directly affect the value, our in place conservation agreements and the aesthetics of the area.

Regards.

To Whom It may concern

Bowdens Silver Project

In reference to this project I am objection to the potential of power infrastructure of any size being constructed within or within the vicinity of my property at 1857 Castlereagh Highway, Cudgegong.

We have current arrangements and have entered into an agreement with the Biodiversity Conservation Trust and I believe this would directly impact that arrangement.

I believe that any infrastructure associated with this proposal constructed within the vicinity of my property would directly affect the value, our in place conservation agreements and the aesthetics of the area.

Were has been the community / landholder engagement?

Regards.

I grew up in the Mudgee reason and own a farm in Bylong Valley. There are so many reasons that a mine should not be established 2 kilometres from the Lue town and School. Water is the main one that I would like to address. The Bowdens Mine proposes to use approximately 2 Gigalitres of water EVERY YEAR just to operate their mine. NSW has been in the worst drought of a century - much of the state is still in drought - why would you allow that much water to be wasted when we have towns close to running out of water earlier this year.
The proposal will take more water from the Lawson Creek Valley than ALL the other water users in the valley put together. This water will be contaminated so can not be returned to the aquifers. And further there is significant risk that the contaminated water will leach into the surroundin water supplies - there are many examples of tailings dams leaking. In 2020 we can not allow this to happen.

You must say not to the proposed LEAD mine in Lue

Hello My Name is Gloria Mills and I thank you for allowing me to make this submission regarding the proposed Bowdens silver project.
I am totally opposed to this project because of the information that has been provided by independant experts outlining the affects of lead and the hazards it poses to young children. I live on a farm 4.5km from this proposed mine, our 2 sons have grown up on this property, enjoying healthy , fresh air. My dream has always been that my future grandchildren will enjoy the same lifestyle growing up. Unfortunately all the information I have received indicates that our property will become too toxic for my future granchildren to be able to live here and enjoy the wonderful lifestyle that my children enjoyed.

To the Honorable Minister and relevant authorities
I write in regards to and in support of the Bowdens silver project outside of Lue NSW.
Probably more so at this time than in any other Australia needs to return to significantly greater manufacturing and self sufficiency.
Silver is a major base metal required for virtually every complex machine, due to its use in electronics.
Further, it is essential in sustainable green power such as solar panels.
At present the silver mined p/annum in Australia is approximately 1,400 tonnes, yet our annual use or consumption is well the order of double that.
With the effects of Covid 19, the massive rise in our public debts federal and state, and the inevitable correction and rise in world silver demand and prices, Australia will either produce its own needs, or pay a massive price and sink lower towards third world status if we do not produce our own needs.
It is expected that silver will double in price over the next three years, it has risen 20% this week and this isnt a blip, its a price correction that was inevitable as silver worldwide was undervalued.
As each country scrambles to preserve its interest, please consider the importance of this project not only to NSW, but to the nation as a whole.
its about the best silver deposit we have. The cheapest to mine.
We need it.
Many Thanks
Bradley Wade

Good Morning,

I am deeply concerned about the environmental impacts this mine is going to have on the Lue and surrounding areas. Due to the fact that this mine will be open cut, I worry for the residents of the area coming into contact with lead dust. Lead dust has been scientifically proven to cause issues to the kidneys, nervous system and brain development which can be irreversible. High levels of lead can cause seizures, unconsciousness and death. How can Silver Mines Ltd be considering a mine so close to an existing village which benefits the community in such a positive way (tourism, sustainable farming)?

I worry that there has been little to no consultation with the local community in the concept and planning stages of this mine. Historically, we know that when a mine establishes itself so close to a community that it will have a brief positive economic impact however, looking at the the long term, there will be little to no chance of the generational farming families to reestablish themselves there ever again.

I believe the overbearing negative environment impacts of this proposal are sufficient evidence in order for rejection of the proposal.

Regards,

Jack Green

We still don’t learn that this type of mining is so harmful to our earth. With climate change occurring we need to be wise not foolish like this proposed mine. Water is now such a precious commodity but we still ignore its need by mining.

I object to the Bowden Silver Mine project for a number of reasons:
1 It will have a detrimental impact on the groundwater and surface water
2 Lead dust from the mine would damage children's health, especially intellectual development
3 The mine is likely to destroy the current village of Lue
4 The mine will destroy 182.3 ha of Grassy Box Woodland (critically endangered) and several endangered and vulnerable species.
Please see attachment for details.

I wish to submit my objective regarding the Bowdens Lead/Silver Mine in Lue.

It is with no doubt that you have already been forwarded the compelling information and statistics on how this mine will greatly impact of the lives of the residence of the Lue community.

This mine is to hold no benefit to myself nor family within this village.

I have owned our property at Lue over 40 years as it was our choice to move for the lifestyle that the village provided.

With the Mine our lives will be greatly impacted, mentally, physically, financially and sociably.

The mine being operational 24/7 every day of the year and only being 2klms out of the town would be utterly unforgiving. We can clearly hear traffice approaching the village for many kilometres away, let alone blasting, trucks and machinery constantly day and night.

It has already begun to impact on us financially with our greatest Australian asset being our home, plummeting financially and it just about make it impossible to sell. This also goes along side the environmental impact with the lead, noise and water conditions.

This mine will only prove not just to affect the Lue Village but will be widespread to affect our surrounding communities.

How can anyone, Government body or organisation, see fit to pass a mine which will impact greatly on residence’s health, when such major measures are taken if just the slightest sign of an example of asbestos or lead is found withing a building or area.

I strongly urge you to hear our plea and support our community by not allowing this mine to commence with all the strong evidence on how it is to impact our environment and health.

I'm very concerned about the proposed Bowden's Silver Project at Lue. While I'm not against the project itself and I welcome the jobs and income this project will bring to the region, there are a few things about which I'm very concerned. The first is the amount of water that will be utilised by this project. As we have been in drought in the Central West for a considerable time, I'm not sure our region can spare this amount of water. Will this effect the amount of potable water available for our region's residents and farmers? Secondly, I'm concerned about potential leaks or worse from the tailings dam. How will this risk be minimised and what undertakings have the project made if the unimaginable happens? Can they just declare bankruptcy or similar and have no further responsibility? Do they have to pay a bond to guarantee they will have the necessary funds available if a catastrophic leak or worse happens? Next is the unbelievable announcement that they will not be remediating the area after they have completed their work. Surely the cost of doing this business MUST include returning the site to its original condition. And also, the admission that they will be lowering the water table by 25 metres. I am very concerned about the adverse effect of this. I don't know the answers and I have been unable to find them. Bowden's have not answered these questions in a way that I have been able to find. It's possible that they have publicly answered these questions but I can't find them. This project concerns me greatly. I have no problems with this type of enterprise in principal but concerns such as mine surely need to be addressed. These questions need to be answered. If my concerns are founded, why is there no apparent accountability? Why can Bowden's risk our local area with apparent immunity? I hope I'm wrong but I can't find out. Until these questions are answered satisfactorily, I must object strongly to this project.

I Object to the Mine proceeding

BOWDENS SILVER MINE - my very strong objection!
I object on numerous environmental grounds to this project. I have immediate family living in the area around Lue and visit regularly from Sydney area. I had plans to move to greater Mudgee area sometime in the near future and have my children and grand children visit often. I am passionate about the animals and birds of this beautiful region and am horrified at the thought of the noise and impact trucking and constant blasting would have on the natural environment. Afterall, this beauty and tranquillity is the selling point in all tourism for your entire region. This is where true value from money comes - not blatant commercialism and mining. To say I am concerned for both air and water impact is an understatement. The water plans proposed along with the pit seem to completely be out of sink with the immediate environment and pollution risk should be a concern for everyone in Mudgee Region.No guarantee of professional running of a project as large as this seems at all possible given the seemingly lack of experience of Silver Mines Limited. Objection to this undertaking in my opinion by locals seems entirely reasonable and I believe that because there are so few of them, those from the city like myself need to stand firm with them and ensure there livelihoods and local environment are not destroyed. They deserve a safe and peaceful environment to live in and not have properties devalued.
Please give serious consideration to the complete non-approval of this plan. I strongly recommend the mine move to somewhere where it does pose significant environmental danger for animals and birds, and the locals.
Thank you

The Bowdens Silver Project is an extremely positive project for the local Lue area, the Mid-Western Region and the wider country.
The proponent has completed a comprehensive assessment of the potential risks associated with this project and gone through an iterative process to modify the project to minimise any impacts as far as practicable (over and above legislative requirements in many aspects). The management actions described the EIS are reasonable and achievable and will allow this project to be completed with negligible negative impacts to the environment and community.
The proposed Biodiversity Offsetting Strategy and Rehabilitation activities provides opportunities to not only increase the security of biodiversity in NSW but also provides a pathway for major improvements to habitat that would otherwise continue to be affected indefinitely by agricultural activities.
This project will provide valuable resources to a number of industries not the least of these being the burgeoning renewable power industry, and is essential to the creation of a sustainable renewable power supply industry in NSW and Australia.
The project will provide a stable long term economic boost to the local area through job creation both directly and indirectly and through spending in the community. The added benefit of this project for the local area is diversification of mining activities (the major economic driver of wealth in the mid-western region) which is essential for the long term stability of the area and the ability for the area to continue to thrive in the current changing energy market.