I have 2 main objections to the proposed Bowden Silver mine at Lue. Firstly as a frequent tourist & lover of the exceptional vineyards & hospitality venues in the Mudgee area, I think this mine will prove to be detrimental overall. There will be an overall increase in traffic, toxic lead dust & noise and the village of Lue will become essentially uninhabitable. The development may boost employment in the area but won’t boost the “serenity”. I think Bowden’s mine will have a negative long term effect on jobs as people like me will choose to go somewhere less industrial. Isn’t there enough mining in Mudgee already? Secondly I object to the destruction of Australia’s Indigenous heritage at the mine site. The Lue environs (from looee - chain of billabongs) will be heavily concentrated with scarred trees and other culturally modified and translocated flora. Farming in the area helps preserve indigenous heritage by protecting the trees from the infernos seen frequently in our National parks. To say early European settlement has degraded the Indigenous values in the area therefor inserting a dirty great mine is somehow excusable is manipulative mining company spin. There are always CMTs at reliable waterholes just like the campfire & canoe scars in the park at Mudgee along the Cudgegong river. There is so little paleo biological knowledge about CMTs that they are easily over looked by white traditionally trained archaeologists and 20 % of the proposed site hasn’t been assessed at all. Give the townspeople, landholders & traditional owners a proper voice in their future, as well as protecting their past. Thanks for listening, Jane Pye

I strongly object to the proposed Bowden’s Silver Project. There are several issues that are very disturbing for the township of Lue. The fact that the proposed mine is only 2 km from the school and township impacts on the local community and especially the children. Lead contamination can have serious health impacts on the development of childrens’ brains. This is an area of huge concern and children are particularly vulnerable to toxins. Drinking water will be contaminated, as will the farm drinking water
The environmental impact of this project on the flora and fauna in this area is immense. This project is located in the koala and regent Honeyeater habitat, so inevitably the habitat will be destroyed.
Another serious impact of this proposed mine that I object to strongly is the contamination of the waterways. Chemicals, cyanide and sulphites used in open cut mining will contaminate the water and cause serious local and downstream pollution.
Noise pollution is another concern as the extraction plant will run 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This mine is just 2 km from Lue village. You wouldn’t want to be a resident there as they will be impacted by noise pollution.
The transportation of ore through the streets of Lue and Mudgee , and past Mudgee school is also a concern for these township.
This proposed development puts the financial benefits ahead of the health of the community of Lue and especially the future generations that live in this area. As a visitor to this township I strongly object to this development proceeding.

My name is David Chandler and I wish to lodge an objection to the Bowdens Project number 9641 which has lodged an environmental impact statement with you. I have been a resident at the above address for approximately 40 years.
The proposed mine will expose the community to lead and it will have a deleterious effect on water in the area.
There is no safe level of lead for children and this mine is located approximately 2 km from the Lue school and township. The risk to the township and nearby rural properties is unacceptable, drinking water is collected from roofs and lead containing dust will contaminate other surfaces leading to increased lead ingestion. This is a high wind velocity area and I do not believe dust mitigation by the proposed mine would stop this contamination. This type of mine should be located far from populated areas. It is immoral to allow this type of development which would lead to people leaving the area. Local families would be mad to send there children to a school that is next to a lead mine. The processing plant will be onsite and not only would it produce noise pollution 24 hours a day seven days a week but it would use toxic chemicals, including cyanide. All toxic by-products are planned to be stored on site indefinitely.
The open cut nature of the mine would expose large amounts of sulphides which on exposure to air and water can convert to sulphuric acid. There would be a tailings dam and hills of overburden as well as a large pit gradually filling with water. These three areas will be loaded with toxic chemicals and I consider there is a high risk of failure where the toxins would be released into the waterways. There have been recent failures of tailings dams run by experienced miners, this applicant has never developed a mine fully and would be expected to sell on the development most likely to an overseas company with little regard for our environment, their lack of experience and the uncertainty of who would be running this highly dangerous and toxic project is another reason for it not to receive approval.
The proposal is for the mine to use collected ground water, subterranean water and dirty water piped from Ulan mine. The proposal concerning water uses extensive jargon and quotes opinions that seem very risky. It is agreed that this project would result in lowering of the water table, this alone is unfair to local farmers who have been dependent on this water. The open cut will cut across water tables and steal water from other users, there is also the risk of contamination of the water. Also whatever impurities are in the dirty water from the Ulan mine will stay on the Bowdens site forever or until it leaks out.
I have a lot more objections to this mine and would be prepared to expand on this objection if necessary.
This proposal is immoral and shortsighted the toxic chemicals and damage to the environment would be permanent and gives no consideration to future generations.

My name is Lesley Robertson and I have been a resident of Mudgee for the past 30 years. I am opposed to the Bowdens Silver Mine Project for the following reasons:
The town of Lue is just 2 kms from the proposed silver and lead mine and this would be disastrous for the residents of the town and also the residents of Mudgee who would have to endure extra trucks through the town.
The problems I have are the increased noise from blasting and mine operations, increased dust, increased traffic along the Lue road and the streets of Mudgee, the visual impact that the mine will have on the environment, the effects it will have on the local fauna and flora, and the potential impact on the water quality in Lawson Creek and the Cudgegong River which is part of the Murray Darling River Catchment.
Please consider the negative affects of this Mine and allow the land to continue to be used for agricultural projects.
To allow this mine to go ahead would be a disaster.

I support Bowdens Silver project 100%.
I have witnessed the devastation that covid, bush fires, drought and unemployment has caused to my community. We need this project to get approval and start as soon as possible. I have read the EIS and honestly believe all impacts on the community have been addressed. I have also witnessed the actions of a few who are opposed and the lengths they will go to to stop a vital project for our region. Bowdens have already proved that they listen the community and support us through sponsorship and educational assistance. They will provide us with much needed employment. Please approve this project.

I fully support this project. It will create employment in a region hard hit by industry closures. Bowdens Silver has listened to the local community and have presented a balanced submission that has taken into consideration environment and economical concerns. They have already supported many organisations in the community, that without their evolvement would have not survived. Our towns needs this to be approved to help with our survival.

I wish to voice my support for the Bowdens Silver Mine. Our small communities have taken quite a hit in the last couple of years with the loss of industry in the area. With the loss of jobs and no prospects a lot of families were forced to leave the area to find work. This has forced a lot of small business to close there doors. Along with the drought and now covid 19 our community has been struggling to stay alive. The Silver mine will give much needed employment opportunities as well as injecting money into our towns local business's, the prospect of families moving back to area helps school, preschool, sports, hospital, real estate and keeps our towns from turning into a ghost town. I hope that this project goes ahead and gives my children some hope for the future.
Thank you S Semple

I used to work at the cement works in Kandos until it shut. I struggled for full time work for a few years after that. My family has been in the area for over 50 years. I have 2 teenage sons looking for work. We need industry in the area to provide employment, training and apprenticeships in industrial fields and support for local businesses.

Due to the significant emotional, physical and environmental this project will have on our community, I object to it proceeding. I have attached a document detailing further, my reasons to support my objection.