McPhillamys Gold Project

I object to the project for the following reasons. 1. A toxic waste storage facility being erected on the head waters of the Belubula River and blocking the springs that's feeding the river. I believe that there is an unacceptable risk of contamination of the river and critical reductions of the flow down the Belubula feeding into the Murray/Darling Basin.
2. I object to the destruction and reduction of old growth endangered tree species e.g. White Box, Yellow Box and Blakely's Red Gum and in turn the destruction 77.5 HA of Koala foraging area and habitat in a Known Koala area. I also object to the destruction and removal of habitat of the Squirrel Gliders that have been identified as living in the Project area. I also don't believe that there should be any further reduction of the biodiversity in this area as it has been fragmented enough.
3. I object to the importation of salty water from Lithgow Mining area that is not suitable for the Cox's River catchment and being piped into the project area building up a toxic environment in a closely settled area and close to the Belubula River, with a high likelihood of contamination and leaching of contaminates into the local ground water and river system.
4. I object to the destruction of good agricultural land and the reduction of the productiveness of this land for generations to come when there is a growing need for agriculture for a growing population.
5. I object to the unfair and unnecessary impact on the residents surrounding the project area that will be negatively impacted both Physically, emotionally, mentally and financially, Due to this proposed mine. This includes myself as I am currently stressed by the likely hood of my home and the area that I have grown up in and love being irreversibly effected and degraded. I am also stressed watching my parents being put through this, and having to try and deal with a bad situation..
6. I object to the closure of Dungeon Road that I often use to access Kings Plains.
7. I object to the light pollution that will be caused by the Mine infrastructure that will effect the view of the clear night sky.
8. I object to the 24/7 noise and dust that will be emitted near where I live, causing physical and mental issues and potentially contaminating my drinking water and plants.
9. I object to the way the Mining company has bought up land around where I live without consultation with neighbours. This exhibits a lack of transparency and a lack of care to people likely to be effected.

I Object to this project going ahead for the following reasons.
1. There has been a lack of consultation by Regis with me. They have bought land around my place and I only found out by chance and went to see them at their office to have this confirmed. I spoke to one of the managers about not being happy about the lack of consultation and his answer was “If a farmer bought the land, he wouldn’t have to tell you.” I pointed out to him that Regis as a mining Company had a duty to consult with neighbours. I believe this exhibited a level of arrogance and avoidance. I hadn’t received any newsletters until I approached the Company for information and the proposed Tailings dam will be just over one Kilometre from my house. I didn’t receive any e-mail communications until approximately 12 months after supplying my e-mail address. This only happened after they decided to have a public meeting after one was called by a group opposing the mine. Again, this showed a lack of will to consult and avoiding being upfront.
2. I have concerns that Regis, owning the surrounding country around my land is going severely reduce my land values and cause me financial hardship. There have been no indications from Regis that they intend to compensate me if that is the case.
3. EFFECTS ON BELUBULA RIVER AND WATER RESOURCES
• The dangers to the whole river system associated with any toxic spills into the Belubula River Headwaters that runs through the mine site and will be buried for several kms by the mine tailings. Downstream from the mine the river flows through the town of Blayney, rich alluvial flats grazing land, and into Carcoar Dam. Tablelands Water supply might be polluted via the planned pipeline connecting Lake Rowlands and Carcoar Dam. Below Carcoar Dam the Belubula passes through several rural communities, much grazing and cropping country and ultimately feeds into the Lachlan River west of Cowra.
• Possible disruption to adjacent groundwater supply by bores sunk on the mine site to provide water for construction and operation before the pipeline from Lithgow is operational. Regis until recently denied this was planned. In addition, the rain that falls on the mine site will be harvested far beyond the 10% allowed to farmers and will further reduce the presently available water in the Upper Belubula catchment.
• The plan to bring 13 000 000 litres of dirty saline water from Lithgow to the mine every day. This is water that Sydney does not want in Warragamba Dam, that has its origins in the degrading wetlands of the western Blue Mountains, that is polluted by being filtered through coal seams and by being used in a coal washery, and has its salt content multiplied by addition of brine, the waste product of a desalination plant at Mount Piper Power Station. The net result will be the introduction of a very large volume of poor-quality water and the supply of thousands of tonnes of salt to the already overburdened Murray – Darling Basin.

4. EFFECTS ON THE ‘NEAR NEIGHBOURS’ OF THE MINE
• The proposed mine would have a dramatic effect on the near neighbours of the mine especially, but not limited to, the settlement of Kings Plains that live on the south side of the valley facing the mine that occupies almost the entire opposite northern side. Here the open cut pit will be excavated and a large waste rock disposal area including a high embankment to be constructed over a period of four years. This will be a continuous source of noise, dust, and at night, light pollution during the life of the mine – after the first 6 months of construction on the site it is proposed that mining activity will proceed for ten years, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and fifty-two weeks a year, blasting permitted for 12 hours a day. For most what attracted the residents to settle in the area around what may now become an industrial void and dump mine was the overall amenity of the area: the rural views that will be changed forever, the healthy environment that will be degraded, and the brilliant dark-sky to be gone for more than a decade

5. THE AFFECTS ON BLAYNEY TOWNSHIP
• Blayney town is sufficiently close to experience the noise of blasting, the nightlight and in adverse weather conditions dust from the mine including that from the tailings that are enriched in elements including arsenic, copper, sulphur, zinc, cadmium, and selenium.
• While the proponents of the mine speak of additional residents, business opportunities, employment, and additional rate income, what is to become of the plans for encouraging tourism? Will there be accommodation available for tourists, will business be lost by the shops, cafes hotels and motels? Will tourists still want to come? Will the presence of a mine waste dump be a welcoming sign for those travelling along the eastern entry? What of the cost of renting in Blayney, already short of such accommodation – will the less well - off be squeezed out by well-paid miners? Will local businesses loose skilled workers and potential apprentices for the same reason? The mine life is 10 years – what will happen then to the work force residents of Blayney? Will they find the employment for which they have developed skills, and will businesses buoyed by contracts from the mine survive the inevitable mine-closure bust and will the Shire accommodate easily to the loss of rate income?

6. INTERGENERATIONAL EQUITY
• The planned McPhillamys gold mine is a good example of intergenerational inequity. The present generation reaps the benefit of the sale of the gold won whereas succeeding generations inherit a toxic tailings dam designed to leak into the headwaters of the Belubula River, and a pit that will leak water contaminated to a degree that it is unsuitable for cattle to drink into the groundwater reservoir and possibly to the Belubula River for tens or hundreds of years. Additionally, in the absence of any strategy to minimize greenhouse gas emissions from the site the miners will leave a legacy contributing to global climate change, principally global warming and increased extreme climatic events. The latter increase the possibility of high precipitation events with the risk of deep erosion of the engineered steep embankments and the catastrophic release of mobilized tailings and acid metalliferous drainage.

7. NATIVE FLORA AND FAUNA
• Development of the mine site will lead to the destruction of 44 Ha of critically endangered Blakely’s Red Gum – White Box – Yellow Box grassy woodland and the habitat of at least two colonies of squirrel gliders, and at least one koala colony. Both animals are listed as vulnerable. Threatened bird species reported include the Regent honey eater. The Kings Plains district has a very wide range of commoner bird species as well as kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, echidnas, frogs and reptiles. All such fauna will be to a degree displaced by destruction of habitat and the effects of noise, dust, night light, and destruction of potable water sources. Combined these indicate a risk to local biodiversity and a reason for rejecting the mine.

8. LOSS OF PRODUCTIVE LAND
• The development of the McPhillamys mine site necessarily involves the loss of productive agricultural land, some of this permanently, for example the grassy woodland to be established on the site of the waste rock emplacement where grazing will not be possible. In a world short of food with a population estimated to grow to 9.7 billion by 2050 from the present 7.7 billon but no shortage of gold (over 40% is locked up in vaults) the morality of preferring gold mining over food production in a rich country like Australia must be questioned.

9. DECLINE OR LOSS OF BUSINESSES CLOSE TO THE MINE
• There are numerous small-medium sized businesses in the area around the mine site. Visitors will be reluctant to stay at Airbnb’s near the mine, equine pursuits may no longer be possible, riding tuition will cease because of the danger of blasting frightening horses, horse breeding and agistment cease because of the effect of blasting and toxic dust coating grass ingested by close grazing animals, honey and queen bee production end because of dust, organic and experimental biodynamic farming tuition because of pollution, clients will probably no longer wish to board their domestic animals at kennels/cattery close to the mine.

I object to this proposed mine for the following reasons:

The vast majority of Australia is in the grip of drought, claimed by some to be the most severe and widespread in recorded history. Most expert opinion is that, due to the now unavoidable climate change caused by global warming, such droughts are going to become the new normal. This will result in reduced rainfall, increased evaporation, and consequent scarcity of water for all purposes, including farming, on which we all depend for food production. Yet this project is seriously proposing to construct a tailings dam, full of potentially toxic sludge, on top of the headwaters of one of the few rivers in the country still in reasonable condition.

Tailings dams have been known to fail, with catastrophic consequences. Destroying this agricultural area for a 15 year project to extract gold at a concentration of perhaps 1.05gm/tonne, producing 60m+ tonnes of waste, and leaving a destroyed landscape and toxic legacy that will last forever just cannot be justified to produce a metal that will likely end up as jewellery, or be locked away as bullion. No doubt the financiers and engineers who are promoting and designing this project are highly skilled, but the risks posed by this project are way out of proportion with the benefit to be gained for the country as a whole.

The use of cyanide to process the gold from ore and then pumped into the tailings dam. Cyanide has been banned in nine countries, Korea, Ecuador, Argentina, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Greece, Turkey, Germany and Hungary and some US states and poses a dangerous and toxic threat to the water and land in the region.
Inevitable contamination of the Belubula and Lachlan Rivers, due to seepage though groundwater flows from the tailings dam
Traffic problems and caused by the continuous stream of heavy vehicles, and light vehicles at shift changes
The blot on the landscape caused by the “amenity bunds” and dust
Loss of natural land and environment for wildlife, and the impact of toxicity on surrounding wildlife
Noise, dust, vibrations, particulate pollution from diesel fumes, light pollution 7 days a week and 24 hours a day
The noise, vibrations and risks posed by regular explosions permitted for 12 hours a day. This will impact live stock and dometic animals on neighbouring properties and could damange heritage buildings
Permanent degradation of prime agricultural land and scenery
Loss of trees including high altitude yellow box that may be 200 years old
Impact on bee population due to loss of ground flora and contaminated water
Loss of the forest where the mine is proposed that is considered an ecologically endangered community as defined by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
The high probability that the developer will not be willing or able to rehabilitate the site when the mine eventually becomes unviable, as has happened so many times in the history of mining
The whole project proposes less than 1000 short terms jobs. Other industries in this area, with support a more diversified and resilient economy including tourism, renewables and sustainable agriculture offer far more employment

I object to this proposed mine for the following reasons:

The vast majority of Australia is in the grip of drought, claimed by some to be the most severe and widespread in recorded history. Most expert opinion is that, due to the now unavoidable climate change caused by global warming, such droughts are going to become the new normal. This will result in reduced rainfall, increased evaporation, and consequent scarcity of water for all purposes, including farming, on which we all depend for food production. Yet this project is seriously proposing to construct a tailings dam, full of potentially toxic sludge, on top of the headwaters of one of the few rivers in the country still in reasonable condition.

Tailings dams have been known to fail, with catastrophic consequences. Destroying this agricultural area for a 15 year project to extract gold at a concentration of perhaps 1.05gm/tonne, producing 60m+ tonnes of waste, and leaving a destroyed landscape and toxic legacy that will last forever just cannot be justified to produce a metal that will likely end up as jewellery, or be locked away as bullion. No doubt the financiers and engineers who are promoting and designing this project are highly skilled, but the risks posed by this project are way out of proportion with the benefit to be gained for the country as a whole.

The use of cyanide to process the gold from ore and then pumped into the tailings dam. Cyanide has been banned in nine countries, Korea, Ecuador, Argentina, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Greece, Turkey, Germany and Hungary and some US states and poses a dangerous and toxic threat to the water and land in the region.
Inevitable contamination of the Belubula and Lachlan Rivers, due to seepage though groundwater flows from the tailings dam
Traffic problems and caused by the continuous stream of heavy vehicles, and light vehicles at shift changes
The blot on the landscape caused by the “amenity bunds” and dust
Loss of natural land and environment for wildlife, and the impact of toxicity on surrounding wildlife
Noise, dust, vibrations, particulate pollution from diesel fumes, light pollution 7 days a week and 24 hours a day
The noise, vibrations and risks posed by regular explosions permitted for 12 hours a day. This will impact live stock and dometic animals on neighbouring properties and could damange heritage buildings
Permanent degradation of prime agricultural land and scenery
Loss of trees including high altitude yellow box that may be 200 years old
Impact on bee population due to loss of ground flora and contaminated water
Loss of the forest where the mine is proposed that is considered an ecologically endangered community as defined by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
The high probability that the developer will not be willing or able to rehabilitate the site when the mine eventually becomes unviable, as has happened so many times in the history of mining
The whole project proposes less than 1000 short terms jobs. Other industries in this area, with support a more diversified and resilient economy including tourism, renewables and sustainable agriculture offer far more employment

I object to this proposed mine for the following reasons:

The vast majority of Australia is in the grip of drought, claimed by some to be the most severe and widespread in recorded history. Most expert opinion is that, due to the now unavoidable climate change caused by global warming, such droughts are going to become the new normal. This will result in reduced rainfall, increased evaporation, and consequent scarcity of water for all purposes, including farming, on which we all depend for food production. Yet this project is seriously proposing to construct a tailings dam, full of potentially toxic sludge, on top of the headwaters of one of the few rivers in the country still in reasonable condition.

Tailings dams have been known to fail, with catastrophic consequences. Destroying this agricultural area for a 15 year project to extract gold at a concentration of perhaps 1.05gm/tonne, producing 60m+ tonnes of waste, and leaving a destroyed landscape and toxic legacy that will last forever just cannot be justified to produce a metal that will likely end up as jewellery, or be locked away as bullion. No doubt the financiers and engineers who are promoting and designing this project are highly skilled, but the risks posed by this project are way out of proportion with the benefit to be gained for the country as a whole.

The use of cyanide to process the gold from ore and then pumped into the tailings dam. Cyanide has been banned in nine countries, Korea, Ecuador, Argentina, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Greece, Turkey, Germany and Hungary and some US states and poses a dangerous and toxic threat to the water and land in the region.
Inevitable contamination of the Belubula and Lachlan Rivers, due to seepage though groundwater flows from the tailings dam
Traffic problems and caused by the continuous stream of heavy vehicles, and light vehicles at shift changes
The blot on the landscape caused by the “amenity bunds” and dust
Loss of natural land and environment for wildlife, and the impact of toxicity on surrounding wildlife
Noise, dust, vibrations, particulate pollution from diesel fumes, light pollution 7 days a week and 24 hours a day
The noise, vibrations and risks posed by regular explosions permitted for 12 hours a day. This will impact live stock and dometic animals on neighbouring properties and could damange heritage buildings
Permanent degradation of prime agricultural land and scenery
Loss of trees including high altitude yellow box that may be 200 years old
Impact on bee population due to loss of ground flora and contaminated water
Loss of the forest where the mine is proposed that is considered an ecologically endangered community as defined by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
The high probability that the developer will not be willing or able to rehabilitate the site when the mine eventually becomes unviable, as has happened so many times in the history of mining
The whole project proposes less than 1000 short terms jobs. Other industries in this area, with support a more diversified and resilient economy including tourism, renewables and sustainable agriculture offer far more employment

Please see attached

Please see attached

McPhillamys Gold Project
EPBC ID Number 2019/8421
Application Number SSD-9505

1. These submissions and comments are made on behalf of the Neville and Region Landcare Group Ltd (NRLC) in relation to the McPhillamys Gold Project (Mine).

2. These submissions and comments are made in response to the documents in relation to the project, currently on exhibition through the NSW Planning Portal.

Impact on water table/underground springs

3. The NRLC has been involved in the regeneration of swamps, springs and waterways in the region.

4. The Belubula River is supplied by both surface water and underground springs The Blayney water supply, Lake Rolands, is also supplied from underground springs, from the surrounding area.

5. The tailings storage facility (TFS) will be built over the top of the springs which feed the head waters of the Belubula River, and the Mine pit will be dug approximately 470m into the ground,which is will have an impact on the under ground water table via infill.

6. There is little mapping, survey or information of any kind in relation to how the water table and underground springs in the broader region are interconnected, and how the planned mining operations, the TFS and pit void will potentially affect the underground springs in relation to, the following;
a. potential impacts if the water table is breached, as occurred at Browns Creek Mine near Blayney resulting in the water table dropping (this caused the bores of surrounding landholders to run dry – the mining company was fined in relation to that). Regis claims McPhillamys is a different rock structure, however the breach at Browns Creek occurred from blasting, not a rock structure failure;
b. the potential for contamination of the underground water table from mining operations and in particular the TFS, as it is to be built on top of the River. Regis has claimed it will seal the springs on which the TFS sits with a layer of clay. However, this seal must remain stable for in perpetuity, and given there is not a TFS in the central west that has not leaked or breached, this provides little assurance;
c. potential impacts of the water flow and quality on bore water in the immediate vicinity as well as the broader region.

7. It must be noted that particularly in this era of climate change and an increasingly variable climate, landholders rely heavily during drought on these underground springs for their dams and bores, as well as the Belubula River which has not run dry even during this current drought.

8. The protection of the Belubula River and the surrounding springs should be considered of paramount importance, because once they are contaminated such damage will be difficult, expensive, if not impossible to undo.

Native Vegetation and wildlife – Terrestrial biodiversity

9. The NRLC has been involved in planting and facilitating a koala and native wildlife tree corridors between Kanangra Boyd to Wyangala (K2W Project). It is part of a broader Great Eastern Ranges Initiative. These corridors also provide habitat for other native species.

10. Furthermore, NRLC has an increasing focus on increasing the uptake by local farmers of regenerative agriculture. Such practices are increasingly being recognised as increasing the productivity of farmland, as well as providing important habitat for native species.

11. It has been well documented that kola numbers are in decline primarily due to habitat destruction.

12. Due to past agricultural practices, there are very few established stands of native vegetation large enough to support native fauna habitat in the area.

13. Regis has identified the mine will require the removal of 132.36 hectares of established native vegetation, in particular Gum Woodland, which provides habitat for koalas and other native species.

14. It is presumed any kola or other native species population that is dependant upon this area will be negatively impacted. Regis has not adequately addressed such impacts.

15. Regis has failed to identify what will happen to these native fauna populations that are already vulnerable.

16. Regis has stated a biodiversity stewardship site may potentially meet part of its offset obligations.

17. Its noted this site is over 10km away from the site on the other side of the township of Blayney, therefore it is unlikely existing native fauna populations would relocate.

18. It is also noted Regis has planted 4,400 trees in a tree corridor, however it will take 15-20 years for these to mature to a stage where they can support native fauna populations

19. The removal of 132 hectares of established native vegetation fails to negate the very real and actual impact this will have on existing native fauna populations dependant on this stand in an already heavily cleared area

20. Such a significant stand of native habitat in a region so heavily cleared is arguably of greater significance and should be protected rather than offset as proposed by Regis.

21. Furthermore, Regis has proposed it will potentially open satellite pits throughout the region.

22. In particular concern to NRLC, Regis has failed to identify and address the impact of mining operations at the Discovery Ridge Prospect on the Neville-Mandurama Road. It is noted that the Shaw Road between Neville and Blayney is a potential proposed route for ore to be transported to the Mine for processing. This road is adjacent to the tree corridor where kolas have been sighted, who may potentially be at risk of becoming road kill due to increased heavy traffic.

23. It must also be noted that it is incredibly disappointing to NRLC who endeavour to reforest and re-vegetate our area that has been highly cleared from past agricultural practices, to now be confronted with a project that will remove at least 132.36 hectares of mature Gum Woodland. Such trees take decades to mature and are not easily replaced.

Satellite pits/mines

24. Regis has failed to identify and address the impacts on the local communities such as Neville, Mandurama and Lyndhurst, from potential satellite pits such as Discovery Ridge Prospect on the Neville-Mandurama Road.

25. Regis has stated that such satellite pits will not require state government approval as they will be below the significant/major project threshold.

26. Regis proposes to transport ore from such satellite pits to the Mine for processing. This potentially increases the mine life exponentially, beyond that which is currently under consideration.

27. The potential impacts include, but are not limited to, the impact on local villages from noise, dust, light pollution, increased heavy traffic and environmental impacts.

Intergenerational impacts

28. It must be noted the residue of the TFS and the Mine void will remain for generations after the Mine is closed.

29. The ongoing impacts of closed mining operations, particularly in relation to contamination, are well documented throughout Australia. It then becomes the responsibility of state governments to fund the cost of cleaning up of such contamination.

30. As the TFS is to be built on the springs which feed the Belubula River, and the residue of the TFS will remain in situ in perpetuity, Regis has failed to adequately identify and address who will be responsible for any potential contamination of the surrounding land, springs, and Belubula River, in years or generations to come after Mine closure.

31. It must be noted that Blayney and the surrounding area will live with the residue of this Mine for generations to come. Due to the proximity of the Mine to Blayney and in light of the TFS being upstream from the town, these considerations should be given greater weight over the alleged short term economic advantages proposed by Regis.

32. The surrounding Mine area is not sparsely populated. The impact on future generations has not been adequately addressed, given the proximity of the Mine to the township of Blayney.

Climate Change

33. It is noted that researches have now positively identified the impact reforestation has on the fight against climate change.

34. In particular Australia ranked forth on the list as having land available for potential tree restoration. However, reforestation efforts in Australia are being undermined by land clearing.

35. Regis has stated its greenhouse gas emissions will be minimal making only minor contributions to total emissions.

36. However, this fails to take into account the impact of clearing 132 hectares of established Gum Woodland, and the inability to reforest the areas of the TFS and the Mine void and infrastructure areas.

Affects on communities downstream

37. Regis has failed to identify and address the potential impacts from its Mine operations on communities that live downstream on the Belubula River, for example Canowindra, particularly if the TFS overflows, which may potentially occur during a high rain fall event as occurred in 2016, or if the TFS fails as occurred last year at Newcrest Cadia Valley Operations.

38. Farming downstream is dependent on the Belubula River for irrigation for crops, especially lucerne. The irrigation enables continuing lucerne production even in times of drought, which is essential for fodder production and supply to drought affected farmers.

39. Short-term mining interests should not be given greater weight against the long-term necessity for a clean and stable water supply.

Agriculture

40. It must be noted the proposed Mine will be on top of prime agricultural land.

41. Once mining operations cease, a significant portion of Mine will not be suitable for agriculture, in particular the TFS and Mine void and infrastructure areas (approximately 800-1000 acres).

42. These prime agricultural land areas will be damaged forever, in order to extract 10 years worth of gold from the ground.

43. It is also noted that during this current drought, our area has been able to continue to produce agricultural products. The Belubula River has continued to

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The activities of the project has the potential to cause major environmental damage that will last for generations to come. Gold, is not worth our pollution of water and life.

I object to the MCPHILLAMY’S GOLD project for many reasons:

The vast majority of the country is in the grip of severe drought - yet this project is seriously proposing to construct a tailings dam, full of potentially toxic sludge, on top of the headwaters of one of the few rivers in the country still in reasonable condition.

Some towns in NSW are about to run out of water. It should be criminal that water has been turned into a commodity in this country rather than an essential resource to which everybody has a human right. Human and animal interests should be considered higher than the profits of organisations.

Tailings dams have been known to fail, with catastrophic consequences. Even if the dam does not fail, there would be inevitable contamination of the Belubula and Lachlan Rivers, due to seepage through groundwater flows from the tailings dam.

Loss of natural land and environment for wildlife, and the impact of toxicity on surrounding wildlife

Permanent degradation of prime agricultural land and scenery

Loss of trees including high altitude yellow box that may be 200 years old
Impact on bee population due to loss of ground flora and contaminated water

Loss of the forest where the mine is proposed that is considered an ecologically endangered community as defined by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage

The high probability that the developer will not be willing or able to rehabilitate the site when the mine eventually becomes unviable, as has happened so many times in the history of mining

The whole project proposes less than 1000 short terms jobs. Other industries in this area, with support a more diversified and resilient economy including tourism, renewables and sustainable agriculture offer far more employment.

I'm opposing this proposal on the following grounds:
WE ARE FACING THE MOST SEVERE DROUGHT IN RECORDED HISTORY! Water is our most precious resource and must be protected!
Most expert opinion is that, due to the now unavoidable climate change caused by global warming, such droughts are going to become the new normal. This will result in reduced rainfall, increased evaporation, and consequent scarcity of water for all purposes, including farming, on which we all depend for food production. Yet this project is seriously proposing to construct a tailings dam, full of potentially toxic sludge, on top of the headwaters of one of the few rivers in the country still in reasonable condition.
Many towns and communities INCLUDING ORANGE, in NSW are about to run out of water. It is morally problematic to say the least that water has been turned into a commodity in this country rather than an essential resource to which everybody has a right and human and animal interests are considered higher than the profits of organisations.
The use of cyanide to process the gold from ore and then pumped into the tailings dam. Cyanide has been banned in nine countries, Korea, Ecuador, Argentina, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Greece, Turkey, Germany and Hungary and some US states and poses a dangerous and toxic threat to the water and land in the region.
Permanent degradation of prime agricultural land and scenery
Loss of trees including high altitude yellow box that may be 200 years old
Impact on bee population due to loss of ground flora and contaminated water
Loss of the forest where the mine is proposed that is considered an ecologically endangered community as defined by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
The high probability that the developer will not be willing or able to rehabilitate the site when the mine eventually becomes unviable, as has happened so many times in the history of mining
The whole project proposes less than 1000 short terms jobs. Other industries in this area, with support a more diversified and resilient economy including tourism, renewables and sustainable agriculture offer far more employment.

To Whom it May Concern. I am writing with deep concern about the mining proposal for the McPhillamys Gold Project . The Springs that lead to the Belubula river are right where this proposal is planned to be. These springs are beautiful natural underground waterways which cannot be replaced once damaged. That river is so precious as we are in dia straights when it come to water at the moment, we need every natural Spring and river. Some towns in my area are about to run out of water , and we are determined to damage what little water we have left??? Water is much more precious than gold, we cannot drink gold, please think about the future of our planet before letting this go ahead. The toxic waste that will be created from this mine will leak into the waterways, as the Tailings dam at Cadia already had a leak so they are not safely contained. I have the Borenore creek running through my place which I am so worried will be effected as we have endangered Water rats living in this creek. I also regularly go to this beautiful river, the Belubula, for picnics etc at Junction Reefs , and as there are so few waterways around Orange to go to now, will be devastated if this goes ahead. Please save our water and our beautiful natural areas that are getting so few and far between. Please think seriously about letting this go ahead.....