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I support the project because it will create many jobs for local families for 16+ years and will also boost Australia’s economy.

This is a great project, it will greatly benefit the local area through development, jobs and many other different forms of community benefits. I also appreciate the way the company has engaged with the community and kept them informed on relevant information.

I OBJECT to the Bowdens Silver Mine proposal.
I declare I have have not made a reportable political donation in the previous 2 years.
The reasons why I object to this proposal are

1. My family operates a farm four kilometres downstream of the proposed mine on the Lawson Creek. We have farmed this country for five generations, producing fine wool, beef and fat lambs. We rely on Lawson Creek for all our stock and domestic water as we have a five kilometre frontage to the Lawson Creek.

2. This mine will use a lot of water. It will take groundwater from the Lawson Creek catchment, 5 megalitres every day which is not available in our catchment. After mining begins, the level of water in the Creek will drop by one metre which will mean in dry times we will have no water.

3. Bowdens proposes to take more water from the Lawson Creek catchment than all the existing Lawson water users. What will this do to our water supply?

4. Groundwater will be severely affected with the level on the mine site dropping by 25 metres threatening bores.

5. The tailings dam will be in our landscape forever sitting in the Lawson Creek catchment and these dams are particularly susceptible to breaching and the resulting environmental disaster. This mine poses a serious threat to our environment.

6. Tailings dams fail during significant rain events. We have rain records showing 225 mls overnight in February 2002 which caused major destruction in the Lawson Creek catchment. We regularly have large floods in Lawson Creek which dissipate very quickly. Bowdens would be subject to the same variations and suffer the consequences of extreme rain events.

Public Submission for Bowdens Silver Development

Dear Sir or Madam,
This submission is in favour of granting the application SSD 5765.
The reasons being that if everything is in accordance with the law and no negative impact on the planet it will be beneficial for a lot of people.

I have shares a small number of shares in Silvermines Ltd for over 5 years and I believe it will benefit the community by creating jobs, not only the people working in the mines but also the wider community because the money will be spend locally.
As long as it is done according to the law and morally right, permission should be granted.
In times like this with high unemployment and low incomes everything should be done to A: minimise damage to the earth, B: give people a good salary and C: often the larger companies supporting local social clubs , like football, soccer and other sports and events.

My name is Debbie De Groot. Me and my family of four have a farm in the area around Lue. I want to thank you for giving me the opportunity to have my say about this project.
I object to this proposal.
This mine is very close to where people have their home. We are talking about a mine with hard metals damaging to people’s health. Its is not fair to put people in a situation where they have to choose between living in the property they love and face the very big consequences, or leave their home. The consequences are lengthy: health issues, noise issues, traffic and loss of beauty of the lovely environment to name a few.
This mine is undoubtedly in the wrong place. There is a school at only 2km from this poisonous mine. There is a small town called Lue, but a very much alive and close community only 2km from this open cut mine. Trucks will go through the lovely town of Mudgee and pass schools packed with lead. You can not do this to people and jeopardise health for money. Everyone deserves better. I would think that the health issues we are facing now would make that point clear.
The impact on the environment is huge and the land will never recover from this violent act of human power. People in charge of the mine may say they will rehabilitate some of it. Some of it, is just not good enough. But lets be honest, even if they would rehabilitate the whole site , It is impossible not to leave garbage, poison, and simply, a mess behind. You can not rehabilitate land to what is was before the major destruction done to it.
I do not think the short term financial benefits justify the damage to the environment and the long term health risks of many people in our community. Allow me to ask you a question. Would you put your child in a school with a lead mine only two km away, and/or would you continue to live in the home you love with a lead mine nearby?

I support the project which will provide great economic opportunities for Australian’s.

- With the country likely to go back into its second lockdown period as of today(Victoria already there), due to the CV19 Pandemic. This is a significant project that without question will be creating Australian jobs when most needed. As the country rides a wave of economic uncertainly and peoples lively hoods under threat, this project is a 'no brainer'.
- Local - As with any significant project, such as a silver mine, the effect it has not only on the immediate and obvious who are involved. But its the wider communities that see the benefits long term. This may not bee seen now, but a significant project such as this has real upside for these 'outskirt' communities who are most in need and potentially could almost rely on a project such as this going ahead.
- A silver mine such is this certainly required. How can you prevent the progress of this valuable resource. The use of it in certain medicines, potential healing products and simple wound dressings. Possibilities in this industry are endless, not only from a research perspective, but international trade also. Something that will make this make this country great again.
- just to reiterate on employment. Construction will see 300+ roles for locals. This is something that is required to go ahead.
Thank u

Disclosure - small shareholder
Having been a mine manager (currently mine consultant) most of my 40 year career latterly 8 years with Rio Tinto, I'm impressed with the thoroughness of the EIS submitted to the department (which has been a long time coming). The Bowden opportunity has strategic importance to the mining industry, local community and Australia as a whole having a world renowned undeveloped silver resource. The time is now to progress this development as fundamentals for silver as an industrial metal along with financial hedge precious metal outlook being very positive given the global economic challenges ahead. Primary silver production start up is extremely rare with the majority of global silver as a by product of copper and zinc. Production at Bowden can take advantage of predicated silver shortages and the inevitable price increase ahead providing significant revenue streams for all stakeholders further supporting Australia as a leading supplier of mined commodities.