Bowdens Silver

Bowdens Silver Mine Proposal - number 9641
I am making a submission opposing the proposed Bowden’s Silver Project at Lue, project 9641.
I am writing as a resident of a rural area with an understanding of regional communities. I am also familiar with the Mudgee district and surrounds, having visited the locality many times over the past 40 years and have recently spent time in Lue.
I oppose the Bowdens Silver Mine Proposal due to its foreseeable impact on the health, well-being and prosperity of the surrounding community.
Key issues for the community include:
Health issues, due to the close proximity of the mine to the Lue township and school and the potential exposure of the community in the vicinity to lead, cyanide and other toxins, used in processing and mining operations.
Potential exposure would be due to both dust from the processing of the ores and seepage of chemicals and toxins into the water systems used in mining operations.
These can have a harmful effect on communities in the proximity of the mine. The health of children at the nearby Lue school is of particular concern, with lead being shown to cause severe impairment to brain development, even at low levels (Environmental Health Perspectives (EHP) is a monthly journal of environmental health research and news published with support from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences. https://ehp.niehs.nih.gov/doi/full/10.1289/ehp.7688 )
There are additional risks to community health and well-being.
• Disturbance to the amenity of the life of the community over a long period. The propinquity of the mine will create increased traffic, including noisy heavy trucks and safety issues; noise from mining operations and traffic; light spill and noise disturbance at night from overnight operations.
• The surrounding environment will be impacted as the mine operations continue over at least 16.5 years and the natural landscape is destroyed, along with the habitats of native wildlife.
• The extensive use of water by the proposed mining operations will not only threaten the quality of water in the area due to potential toxic contaminants, it will lower the water table and could eliminate local waterholes; landscape elements that characterise the area and support local fauna and vegetation.
• The visual and environmental impact of changes due to mining operations will substantially impact the reasonable enjoyment of home and property-owners surrounding the mine; affect the functionality of land use and the viability of rural properties.
• Stock and crops also may be negatively affected by disturbance and potentially damaging environmental conditions and toxins. This would detrimentally affect property prices due to a reduction in liveability and function. Those who have lived on and worked the land in this area may lose the benefits of their investments and hard work.
• Tourism to the area will also be affected as the natural landscape is destroyed and visitors have to contend with noise, dust and heavy trucks.
• In some cases, mining operations can cause long-lasting community disunity, as parts of the community reap the economic benefits of increased use of commercial facilities, while other residents feel they are bearing the burden of mining, without recompense. If the mine attracts a large workforce, there may be increased competition for community resources, such as healthcare and housing.
In the light of the Covid19 pandemic, regional areas are gaining in importance. Beyond their traditional role in the provision of food and fibre and natural resources, there is a growing interest in regional lifestyles; seen to be a healthier alternative to city living. Employment options are also growing. An entire a workforce, individual or contractor can work from a regional location, assisted by technological links, where once they had to all be at the place of work. This new opportunity to work from a regional location has been successfully tested during the pandemic lockdowns.
Tourism is also mooted to develop in regional areas, as international travel becomes less attractive due to fear of disease or increased costs of travel. It is important that the character and attractiveness of regional areas are sustained.
A regional lifestyle has significantly grown in social and community value and this should increase in the future. It is important that the long-term health and viability of Lue and the well-being and investment of the community in their place, is weighed up, when evaluating the pluses and minuses of the proposed Bowdens Silver Mine

1. the health impacts - there is no safe level exposure to lead, particularly for children and Lue Primary School is only 1.9km from the mine
2. there is not enough water to run the mine
3. I have read comments regarding the possible acidification of the effluent - there is a very real possibility that the resultant acid mine drainage will contaminate water & be a problem for generations to come
4. added value doesn't negate the maintenance of the existing rural enterprises
5. I would like to see mineral rights given back to the landholder

Please see attached

Please see attached

Please see attached

Please see attached

Please see attached

Please see attached

Please see attached

Please see attached

This is my home. I do not object to mining as an industry however this is the wrong location. It should not be allowed in a prime tourism and agricultural area 2km from my great little village and even closer to my property/home.