Bowdens Silver

I Object to this proposal due to the destruction and community upheaval it will cause to the tonw of Lue and to the surrounding area

A close friend of mine has a beautiful property in Lue. I have visited many times and am distraught that a silver mine is being put in. The toxicity of lead zinc and cyanide will be extremely detrimental to the health of humans, flora and fauna all around, and the water losss will be detrimental. I'm distraught for my friend and all of the Lue community, and urge you to reconsider and keep this beautiful land.

The Bowdens Silver Mining project located in my beautiful little town of Lue, is a project run by an inexperienced company who will in tern ruin what we have as a village. The magical town of Lue will be ruined by the amount of LEAD and ZINC that will make its way into our water tables, and magnificent agricultural environment. Why would you want to destroy somewhere that houses fantastic agricultural land and a community that thrives on the people and its surroundings. STOP this silver mine before it destroys a basin of rich culture and agricultural heritage.

In a district heavily reliant on agriculture, losing viable land is an important consideration. With this project the actual pit site is located in an area with little or no agricultural value. The surrounding "buffer" zone is currently managed as a commercial farmjng operation by the mining company. I believe this is an important and valuable contribution to the district. Not many mining companies worry about this aspect and they should be applauded and encouraged to continue into the future.
With the closure of the Kandos cement works a few years ago, as well as a local coal mine, employment has suffered, as well as all the ancillary businesses associated with this type of project. The flow on effect to schools, hospitals etc is being felt and this project will inject much needed life blood into the community.

The Bowdens Silver Project is essential for the ongoing raw material needs of the Australian renewable energy sector as a whole with the production of 66 Million ounces of Silver. In a consistently more electronic society our reliance on efficient conductor metals is critical and these metals are not in abundance within the earth's crust naturally. Essentially, they need to be extracted from where they exist as synthetic creation of silver is not possible. No other deposit within Australia, and very few globally, has the quantity of silver that is mineable within this project. Silver is also important for the national medical sector with its use as an antibacterial agent and is vital in a post covid 19 Australia.

The local economies of Mudgee, Rylstone and Kandos are mostly reliant upon coal mining for support and wealth generation. With the future negative pressures to be exerted on this sector globally, these local economies will ultimately need significant support from other sources. This project provides for significant job and growth opportunities to be generated in the broader community through direct income, secondary job creation and financial assistance to community groups.

Finally, as a state, NSW is experiencing a very large influx of metal explorers keen to make economic discoveries of raw precious and industrial metals which are vital to the ongoing sustainability of society. If a project such as this does not receive development approval (to follow closely on the Regis Resources McPhillamys Gold Project currently under determination) then the incentive for mineral exploration companies to operate within NSW will be drastically impacted. These companies employ thousands of people within the state with particular centres being "hotspots" for mineral exploration (Orange, Cobar, Wellington, Goulburn etc). Significant downside will be experienced within the state if environmentally benign metal mining projects are constantly rejected.

It will bring much needed work to the area, both directly and indirectly.

Dear Sir ( Name )

I hope you do not mind but I am reaching out to you directly in regard to this new exciting upcoming project that we have read about recently, we at WEG Australia are highly regarded in most industries including Mining , Water , Oil & Gas and the Sugar Industry for supplying a complete range of Motors (LV&HV), VSD’s (LV&HV) and MV /LV Soft Starters over the past 30 years in Australia and even longer globally emanating from Head Quarters in Brazil.

But in saying this I would also like to introduce you to quite a few more products that WEG Aust can offer to your project with what we believe to be of commercial benefit to you and your company, for instance we can now offer our complete E – Switchrooms ( inclusive of MV / LV MCCs, Transformers up to 40 Mva ONAN and 25 Mva in Dry Type.

I do appreciate that this may be quite early in the project timeline but WEG Aust would like to offer any assistance in making this project a success , in saying this if you have appointed and EPC / M at this time for your Engineering study’s we would be more than happy to also engage with them if you are on acceptance to refer my contact details with that company.

Finally, could I refer you to our Global Capabilities Statement (attached ) which I believe you would like to review, and if you require any further information or hopefully a presentation from WEG Aust please contact me directly.


I look forward to your reply
Best Regards
Allan Gossage

TOMRA Sorting strongly supports the Bowdens Silver project.
With the application of ore sorting technology, water consumption can be dramatically reduced, wet tailings and tailings storage dams can be significantly smaller (or have a much longer life), acid mine drainage can be eliminated, the processing plant will use less reagents and chemicals, higher grades and recoveries will be obtained, the plant will consume less electrical power, low grades ores may be treated efficiently (potentially not requiring stockpiling for later use) and the life of the mine will be extended with the ability to process lower grade ores.
All of the above will lead to more robust project economics, lower carbon and environmental footprint and a long term future of the mine.

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

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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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.

see attachment re Bowdens Silver project

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