To whom it may concern,
I am writing with concern of the effects on the Lue community and outlying areas that will be affected by the silver/lead mine going ahead at Lue NSW . The dust from the lead being mined will have detrimental effect on the township,the lead dust will although try to be controlled there will still be an amount that will escape to the community.The noise so close will carry throughout the area and what about Lawson creek and the wash waste that will be streamed into the creek.You just cannot protect every single part of mining.i hope you will listen to my plea as we do not want Lue to become yet another Ghost town.The water pipe going through Hayes Gap Road is an enormous drainage of water from the Goulburn River to enablethis mine and what about the rest coming from Lue town and surrounds itself.The township just will not survive.Please do not let the Bowden Mine at Lue go ahead.thank you for listening to my plea.
kind regards
Thelma Large

see attachment re Bowdens Silver project

I am very much in support of the silver mine going ahead for several reasons. I have been coming to the Mudgee region for over 55 years - to visit friends, relatives and during the last several years to work and for holidays. Over this period of time I have seen what mining has brought to the region with an influx of jobs and money which in turn sprouted increased businesses and tourism and more families moving to the area. By contrast I can see what has happened to Rylstone and Kandos with the closure of the cement works. After that, so many people and businesses then pinned their hopes on Kepco going ahead and that blow has been felt harshly by many families and businesses. The silver mine will bring a lot of jobs to the area and increased spending which in turn brings hope because younger generations can stay in the area with the prospect of finding work and having a future. The Government owes it to these smaller towns and communities to do the right thing. And the right thing is to let an Australian company develop this mine and bring wealth, jobs and a future back into the hands of Australians.

To Whomit may concern,
In reference to the proposal of the said Bowden Silver mine at Lue NSW.As a concerned property owner at 72 Cox Street Lue,it worries me that the mine will be working just two kilometers from my place of residence..
The noise factor of the mine will be deprimental to my health and well being.
I have grave concerns that the lead dust from the mine will also affect my health.
The waste water is also a concern that it will end up in the Lawson Creek which goes through my property,which will affect my stock and property.
I am strongly against this proposal going ahead
In the event that this mine does go ahead (GOD FORBID) i would expect the mine cooperation to buy my property out to the value of purchasing a property elsewhere and also compensation for the loss of my "Golden Life".and the mental anguish for losing my property that i now will not have the pleasure of living at.
The trucks going through the Town of Mudgee will cause havoc to people.
To my knowledge The Silver Mines Limited have never operated a mine before so can they be trusted to operate such a large and dangerous project.
Please do not make Lue another (GHOST TOWN).
Thank You for listening to my plea
your sincerely
Arthur Eno























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To whom it may concern,

I grew up in the Mudgee area and made many visits to the Lue region – particularly around Havilah —throughout my childhood. Despite no longer calling myself a resident, I still feel strongly connected to the land and community that is currently earmarked for mining development by Bowdens Silver Pty Ltd, as per SSD application number 5765.

I am deeply concerned that this important ecological and historic region will be threatened by the open-cut mine if it is allowed to proceed.

I am particularly concerned by the following features of the proposed project:

• The proximity of the mine to the Lue township, including a local primary school, despite the large amounts of toxic material being processed and/or stored, including lead, cyanide, cadmium and arsenic.

• The proximity of tailings storage dam to Lawsons Creek, and the real potential for dangerous chemicals to leach into the creek and on to Cudgegong River.

• The significant amount of water required by Bowdens to operate the mine — up to 2000 megalitres per year. Nearby farmers and residents have already battled many years of increasingly devastating drought due to climate change, and this huge water requirement will undoubtably put further pressure on the area’s water table. This makes it unsuitable and unsustainable in this area.

• The destruction of local wetlands and waterholes caused by the proponent’s annual water use, which their own surveys estimate will reduce groundwater levels by 25 metres at the site. As a child I remember swimming in the series of waterholes bordering the proposed mine site, and I cannot fathom how this diverse and unique landscape could be so casually condemned.

• The destruction of known habitat for critically endangered species, including the Regent Honeyeater and koala. After the destruction of millions of acres of national park and bushland in fires across the State over the 2019-20 summer, it is more important than ever to preserve the country’s remaining habitat for already vulnerable wildlife.

• The social impact on local residents in Lue, Rylstone and Mudgee. Many friends, long-time business owners, investors, property owners, and tourism operators live in the localities directly affected by the proposed silver mine, and they are understandably upset at the thought of a toxic, noisy, polluting eyesore being approved in their backyard. These concerns should be given equal weight to the profiteering of corporate directors and shareholders.

• The insufficient consideration of and consultation with traditional owners of the land, including Wiradjuri and Gallanggabang peoples. Part 13 of the proponent’s specialist consultant study details claims from several Aboriginal Land Councils that Bowdens Silver has not provided adequate planning documents, reports, or opportunities for real consultation about the mine proposal. The Wiradjuri and Gallanggabang people have already suffered significant trauma in the last 230 years throughout the Mid-Western region. The proponent’s repeated assertions that damage to several identified burial sites, scar trees, and places of cultural significance within the mine site will be “minimised” or “mitigated” are grossly inadequatet. This point seems especially salient in light of the recent destruction of significant Aboriginal sites on other mining projects around Australia, and the public outcry that followed. Indeed, Mudgee LALC identified 26 significant cultural sites likely to be destroyed by the silver mine, in addition to the “multiple mining developments” already active in the region. Considered cumulatively, these act to perpetuate the ongoing destruction of traditional cultural heritage and disrespect to Aboriginal people.

Given these specific concerns, I urge the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment to refuse Bowdens Silver Pty Ltd’s application SSD-5765 on the basis of its clear unsuitability due to ecological and cultural concerns.

Yours sincerely,
Lucy Robertson