Bowdens Silver

UNTIL RECENTLY THIS PROJECT WAS TO SOURCE A LARGE PART OF ITS WATER FROM ULAN MINE. SUDDENLY THIS HAS BEEN CHANGED TO GETTING WATER ON SITE FROM RUNOFF, BORES AND CONCENTRATING THE TOXIC TAILINGS DAM WATER. WATER IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN THE LUE AREA, THE LAST DROUGHT LASTED NINE YEARS, LOCAL FARMS DEPEND ON THE ACQUIFERS. THIS PROJECT WILL DECREASE THE WATER AVAILABLE TO LOCAL FARMS ON TOP OF THE HIGH RISK OF TOXIN CONTAMINATION. NOTHING HAS BEEN CHANGED CONCERNING THE RISK OF LEAD DUST TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. THIS IS EVIL AND IT IS BEYOND COMPREHENSION THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD CONSIDER THIS PROJECT WITH THE RISKS IT CARRIES TO PEOPLE LIVING AND GOING TO SCHOOL IN THE AREA.

The development of a new metals mine will provide valuable jobs and is part of the post-coal transition required for the primary resources industry in NSW. The proposal by Bowdens Silver is well thoughtout and will undoubtedly provide innumerable benefits for this region, NSW and Australia.

the Bowdens Silver project is part of a resurgence of silver-base metals mines. New projects and world-class assets come along so infrequently. For NSW to have a primary resources sector, the regulators and committees must say yes to this project. Otherwise, exploration is dead in NSW.

Similarly to Bowdens/Silver Mines, my organisation Marlee Minerals, is testing innovative concepts in project generation and discovery. Bowdens is a testament to 'outside of the box' thinking, and growing a discovery through hard work. I sincerely hope they are successful.

As a community member, employee and shareholder, the amendments to the project could only be viewed in a positive light.
Clearly the company is acting in good faith with interlocuters removing and adjusting visual and physical impacts, while also continuing to optimise outcomes related to water. In short removal of infrastructure has reduced the impacts under assessment. Asides from the changes proposed in the amendment the changing and uncertain geopolitical climate has highlighted that dependence on global supply chains is fraught with risk. Globally there is an accelerating shift from fossil fuels to renewables that will require additional silver production to electrify all parts of our and other societies. For example two ounces of silver are in every Tesla, of which it is proposed to produced multiple millions in the coming years and globally some 55 million ounces is currently used in electric vehicle production, not to mention that consumed in solar panels. This material should be sourced from a first world jurisdiction where corruption is minimal and proper environmental controls are enforced; not approving such projects merely shifts the responsibility from the nations and states who consume it. Surely a state and a nation wishing to persist and thrive locally or globally, should look to build a functioning society over the short and long term. In the longer term Mudgee and the surrounding LGA undoubtably draw great benefit from coal mining and there looms the end of an industry, as more efficient methods of energy production and reducing agents in steel production are utilised. Regional economic drivers such as mining unless approved by the state today will be absent tomorrow.

Mineral exploration discovery and the industry as a whole, can only be successful if there is a clear pathway through to development. Bowdens have done everything they can to reduce harm to the environment, and as such this project can now coexist with stakeholders and provide valuable contribution to the economy of the region and future of mining in NSW.