Cowal Gold Operations Underground Development

The SSD proposed secures the life of mine further which provides positive benefits for the local community and regional areas and secures employment opportunities within the area.

Cowal Gold Operations (Evolution) have proven over time during their open cut operations that they are a community and environmentally responsible miner. The underground extension will continue to tap into the mineral resource which will in turn provide multiple benefits to the local community, businesses and suppliers as well as the state of NSW.
Regional projects like this are vital in providing opportunities for regional communities to thrive and prosper.

I fully support the development of the Cowal Underground mine. The creation of new jobs within regional NSW is wonderful, especially in the field of underground hard rock mining. The limited impact on the surrounding environment, and Evolution's high standards for protecting the environment are to be commended.

Projects like these provide longevity and opportunities to regional communities. Not only do residents from the region see direct employment opportunities there are many more benefits through contracting to small businesses, donations and partnerships with the local councils.

On the back of a global pandemic, we need to see projects like this get fast tracked to get more people employed. This project has little to no environmental impact, occurs on a previously developed site and will provide employment for a number of years that otherwise wouldn't exist.

This project will be great for the small local community and surrounding area it will provide more employment and help small businesses to remain operating well done Evolution Mining.

Cowal Gold Operations and Evolution Mining have demonstrated positive sustainable development over an extended period, including enhancing the local environment and community.

Evolution provides critical economic support to the many towns, families and individuals in the region. Without this support, people living in these areas would not enjoy the many positive flow-on effects from the operation.

I have worked at Cowal for several years and believe Evolution (and Barrick before them) to be companies with integrity and with the communities interests in mind. I believe that environmentally Cowal Gold Mine is one of the most heavily regulated sites in Australia and continues to perform well both environmentally and commercially. They have the balance right and the project should be approved.

What a fantastic opportunity for the local region! This will be huge to keep young people in the area to develop highly specialised skills and attract new professionals to the region. Let's hope they mine underground for 30+ years.

Great for the local region.

BCD advice attached

Crown Lands has the following comments for this proposal:-

- Recommended that Evolution Mining (Cowal) Pty Ltd make application for Landowners consent to Crown Lands for any works on Crown Land due to the underground development (SSD-10367).

For mining operations involving Crown land or Crown Roads, the following requirements apply:
- All Crown land and Crown roads within a Mining Lease (with surface rights), subject to mining or mining related activity, must be subject to a Compensation Agreement issued under Section 265 of the Mining Act 1992, to be agreed and executed prior to any mining activity taking place. The Compensation Agreement may include conditions requiring the Mining Lease Holder to purchase Crown land impacted on by mining activity.
- All Crown land and Crown roads located within an Exploration Licence, subject to exploration activity, must be subject to an Access Arrangement issued under Section 141 of the Mining Act 1992, to be agreed and executed prior to any exploration activity taking place.
- All Crown Land and Crown Roads within a Mining Lease (with sub-surface rights only) must be subject to a Section 81 Consent under the Mining Act 1992 where surface activities are proposed, to be agreed and executed prior to any surface activity taking place.

Such an addition to Cowal's operations provides not only career opportunities and longevity with an extension to life of mine, it benefits individuals, families and the wider community. Cowal brings people to our town, which benefits our local businesses. They also provides assistance to our sporting and community groups.
A great opportunity to further our already promising future for what once was almost a ghost town.

I support the CGO underground development as it brings many benefits to the community , in the local economy, environmentally, socially, always conducted in a responsible manner with supporting benefits to every part of Bland Shire, Tafe. Benefits to villages/schools/traders/skilled workers/apprentices/tourists, and more. The business is conducted in an unobtrusive fashion in accordance with many many external and internal controls, a very professional business enterprise. Also CGO is of state significance as well as national. I can state that neighbours indicate they are similarly impressed and pleased with benefits of having such a major business as CGO providing stability and a prosperous future for the people of Bland shire ... I wholeheartedly support the CGO Underground Development ... yours sincerely Michelle Martin

Please see attached advice. Thanks

Good Evening
Thank you for referring this to the Department of Primary Industries (Agriculture).
We have no comment on this proposal.
Thank you
Mary

See attachement

Please see attached documentation.

Dear Philip,
Thank you for allowing Heritage NSW an extension to provide our comments on this EIS.
Regards,
Jackie
Senior Team Leader, Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Regulation - South

refer to response letter attached previously

See attached.