Bowdens Silver

Lawson Creek is identified in the NSW Stressed River Assessments to be in the most seriously stressed category with a high level of environmental stress as well as a high extraction rate

I am honoured to be part of the team presenting the Bowdens Silver Project for development.

Since the submission of our Environmental Impact Statement, our work has continued to enhance this State Significant development. The quality of work completed by the Bowdens Silver team along with many independent professionals has conclusively demonstrated a robust, responsible and environmentally sound silver mine.

We are very pleased that the latest technical updates confirm that less water will be required for our operations. The water pipeline, which was to bring water from the Ulan area, has now been removed from the application and greater water recycling onsite together with other modifications means the project will be self-sufficient. All of our water requirements are fully licenced. Our objective of limited affects to environmental flows and not competing with agriculture for water resources continues.

It is widely recognised that this silver mine development will be critically important and have a major positive impact for our local communities as well as the wider region. During the construction phase, the Project will employ around 320 people and once the mine is operational it will employ a permanent local staff of around 230. In addition to this, for every one job created directly with the project, another 2.5 jobs will be created through the use of local businesses and services. This kind of boost will not only help these towns survive, but will help them flourish. We will also continue with our mineral exploration efforts which currently employs 25 local people.

The silver mine development is critical for the local communities given that coal mining is under significant pressure and will be substantially reduced over time. Our region needs to continue to diversify with quality and responsible businesses who can create strong and resilient employment and economic outcomes. We are also pleased to add that we are currently assessing new discoveries made during our recent mineral exploration work. These discoveries and our continued exploration efforts bode well for the longer term future of our operations.

Silver’s importance for society cannot be understated. Currently, one of its most significant uses is in the massive growth industry of solar power as a critical component of photovoltaic cells. Silver is used in almost all electronic devices, mobile phones, TVs, electric vehicles, and reaches across most industries and throughout society globally. The primary reason for this is that silver is the best electrical conductor out of all the metals. In addition, silver is used in water purification worldwide due to its antibacterial properties. More recently, silver has been used as the active component in Rapid Antigen Tests for COVID-19. The technological future of silver is secure.

I encourage everyone to either get in touch with us, or to visit the Bowdens Silver website www.bowdenssilver.com.au as there is a considerable amount of interesting, clear and factual information available.

We look forward to continuing our positive contributions and making a substantial difference to our neighbouring communities as well as the region and the State of New South Wales.

Bowden's Lue Silver Mine: acid mine drainage and water quality

A significant environmental problem which has not been discussed in Bowden's EIS in its Silver Mine submission and subsequent amendment is that of acid mine drainage and water quality (Dr Haydn Washington, environmental scientist, UNSW). Dr Washington brought the problem of acid mine drainage and water quality to the attention of NSW Planning in his original EIS submission (July 2020) and later in his comments on Bowden's response to submissions (August 2021). He has expertise in this area (he worked on acid mine drainage from heavy metal mines at CSIRO for seven and a half years) and yet this significant information has been ignored (Washington, presentation to Lue Action Group, 29.3.2022).

The problem of acid mine drainage
'Acid mine drainage (AMD) occurs when mining operations result in sulfide bearing ores ... being exposed to oxygen and water. Over time, sulfides react with oxygen and oxidise to form sulphates. Often this leads to large quantities of water and very low pH having high concentrations in heavy metals. Unfortunately, AMD is expensive and difficult to treat and, as a consequence, large quantities of acid mine drainage is stored at both operational and disused mine sites globally.' (Engineers Australia (EA 2019))

According to Earth Science Australia (ESA n.d.) 'One of the most under-publicised problems facing environmental health in Australia is that of toxic waste emissions or acid mine drainage (AMD) from abandoned mining sites. It threatens the quality of the surface and ground water supply with the contamination of toxic heavy metals and high levels of acidity.'

An example of acid mine drainage not far from Lue is to be found at Sunny Corner near Bathurst. The mine operated from 1875 to 1922 and mined silver and copper. The site was not rehabilitated and, although mining stopped 98 years ago,' there is no sign of the acid mine drainage and heavy metal pollution ceasing' (Washington, presentation to Lue Action Group, 29.3.2022).

A major issue for Lue is that Bowdens has ignored the problem of acid mine drainage in its EIS. As a result, heavy metals such as cadmium could leach into Lawson Creek and have a detrimental impact on flora and fauna along the creek for at least 20 km over many decades.

Would you please read my letter below. This would be greatly appreciated. Thank you

Lawson Creek should not be contaminated

My name is Judy Dale
I have not made a previous submission during this exhibition period.
Why is a company allowed to take water that is supposed to be there for everyone to use. This resource is finite. What are the residents of Lue supposed to do when Bowdens has used all the groundwater and our water bores are no longer working.
Do you expect people and animals can live without water.

The EIS and the proposed amendment demonstrate the Proponents reluctance to be an ecological mining operation. There are substantial uncertainties that may result in unexpected and unacceptable consequences. The mine will provide minimal benefit to the community or the State of NSW but the detrimental impact and cost on future generations will continue for centuries. The impact from this mine will be intolerable for the residents and landowners during the mine life and is at odds with the current preferred land usage of lifestyle, tourism, and agriculture. This is an extremely sensitive and environmentally valuable area; the ecosystem will be permanently damaged.

I support the Bowdens Silver project and the proposed amendments. The water supply strategies implemented significantly reduce on-site water usage with less disturbance to land and biodiversity or heritage impact. The project will provide substantial economic benefits for the local and regional communities including long term employment for around 230 people. I am excited for the project to commence operations.

I support the project because of it will be able create employment and silver is essential for clean energy such as photovoltaic cells for solar power and batteries for EVs and wind turbines. I believe the company will be a great corporate citizen given its focus on being environmentally sustainable, for example becoming self-sufficient for its water needs and commitment to not draw water from Lawsons Creek. I also applaud the realignment of the power lines to reduces the number of towers that would need to be relocated and/or constructed. In summary, I believe the mine would be a boost to the community and would have a net positive impact on the environment.

I believe the amendments to the Bowdens Silver project is in the best interests of the community for multiple reasons, these include:
- Reduced overall water usage and removal of pipeline will reduce potential impact on local ecosystems, residents and infrastructure.
- Recycling of water on-site will reduce risk of seepage from tailings dam.
- Realigned powerlines are not significantly different from current powerline corridor.
- Progressing the project will aid in diversification of local industry, specifically redirecting local mining away from fossil fuels and into identified critical minerals/metals for the renewables sector.

I believe it will be good for the surrounding community, especially in a post-coal, renewable energy world.
The amendment for water reduction is a good thing and I see no downsides to this inclusion.
Looking forward to seeing this get up

My name is Bill Brown and I belong to land within 5km of the Bowden Silver Pty Limited owned land. I had the opportunity to write an objection to the EIS and am now providing comment on the Amendment (SSD-5765).
The proposed project needs water for the construction of the mine and for the proposed mining activities. The surface water and ground water investigations established that these sources could not provide a reliable source to make-up water required for the project. "uncertainties related to on-site water sources".Detailed surface water and groundwater studies have since established that neither source by itself, or collectively could provide a reliable source of make-up water required for the project.
The water pipeline was to fix this issue. Water for the project is still an issue, there is not enough and the water that is caught and used on site cannot leave the site due to contamination issues.
The objectives of Clause 6.4 of the Mid- Western LEP are:
a) to maintain the hydrological functions of key groundwater systems,
b )to protect vulnerable groundwater resources from depletion and contamination as a result of development.
Hawkins and Lawsons creeks are in the area of groundwater drawdown resulting form development of the open -cut pit.
Water level drawdown resulting from dewatering of the open cut pit has the potential to reduce groundwater availability
The construction phase will require water before there is any open cut pit. There is not enough water.
The village of Lue does not have a town water or sewerage, the owners must provide their own.
Some of the bore holes in the area have great drinking water potential . Borehole (BGW 56) located in the rail reserve in Lue is notably fresher (less salinity) This bore has the potential to be used for town water.
To obtain water only from the mine site, surface water groundwater, and later recycled water is not good enough for a development of this nature.
There are so many issues with the proposed development, some I have already pointed out in a previous submission. It would be wrong of me to not think of a solution to the proposed Silver Mine, when investors have invested so much.
I believe the land use for the site and surrounding silver mine owned land could be used for something other than a mine. There is a great need for housing, both affordable and also for relocation of flood affected owners who can no longer build in flood prone areas. Lue Village needs a water supply and a sewerage treatment plant. The Bowdens site could hold the key to such a development. Sell the land back to private landowners,and grow the village. The Job creation would not last for just the duration of a construction phase of a mine.
The mine site is home to a community of koalas, and using Biodiversity offsetting does nothing for the individual Koala.
The sulfuric acid pit which will be the legacy of the mine for eternity is not a viable option for a development. There must be a safer way to extract ore than the proposed plan that Bowdens aim to do. It was bad planning and human error that caused the "Chernobyl"explosion back in 1986.

My name is David White, I am a 28-year-old male engineer living in Sydney with a large amount of Family in the Lue area and most of my childhood spent in the neighboring farms to this proposed disastrous mine.

The reasons why I object to this proposal are
1. This mine is 2km from the Lue township and a primary school
2. The mine will produce 95000 tonnes of lead - a highly toxic mineral. There is no safe level to exposure of lead especially for children and this mine is just 2kms from Lue School. Lead is a cumulative toxicant that affects multiple body systems.
3. The mine will operate 24 hours a day seven days a week with blasting allowed 6 days a week - this is totally unacceptable and reasonable for the residents of Lue
4. A deadly cyanide processing plant will operate on site.
5. A highly toxic large tailings dam will be constructed less than a kilometre from Lawson Creek and will be there FOREVER long after the mine has been abandoned - these dams have been known to fail. The result would be an environmental disaster for Lawson Creek which feeds into the Cudgegong River at Mudgee. It will pollute our water supply forever. Tailings dams regularly fail around the world, in fact there 23 tailings dams have failed in the world in the last five years including the dam at Newcrest Mining’s Cadia Gold Mine near Orange NSW.
6. 227000 tonnes of ore will be trucked along the winding and narrow Lue Road through Mudgee town ship. Our local road is already very busy and quite dangerous as people drive too fast for the road’s conditions. Many people from Rylstone use Lue Road to commute to Mudgee and beyond for work. Currently B Double Trucks are restricted yet I believe that ore will be moved by B Double Trucks. The road must be upgraded significantly should the mine go ahead.
7. The water level in Lawson Creek will drop by one metre rendering much of the Creek dry for all other users. Bowdens Mine will use more water from the Lawson Creek catchment than all current users combined.
8. Ground water levels on the mine site will drop by 25 metres. The open cut pit will continue to draw on ground water for up to 100 years after the mine has been abandoned.
9. The mine will produce two massive dumps of 56 million tonnes of acid forming rock and tailings (crushed ore remnants post processing) above the water table and local creek catchments of Price Creek, Hawkins Creek and Lawson Creek. 26 million tonnes of rock is PAF potentially acid forming which will be stacked over the water catchment covering 77 hectares. These waste dumps will most likely leach into our water table and the surrounding catchment.
10. Over 16 years to extract ore 43,700 tonnes of chemicals will be added (EIS S2.7.3 Reagent Management, Table 2.4, p2-37) to process the ore including 2850 tonnes of Sodium Cyanide. Many of the chemicals are toxic and will end up in the tailings dam along with 30 millions of crushed ore remnants which is 117 ha. This will sit above Lawson Creek catchment forever. Tailings Dams regularly fail around the world. Newcrest’s Cadia Gold Mine at Orange failed in March 2018 – 1.33 million cubic metres of tailings escaped to be contained within another tailings dam on the mine site. I believe it was caused by an earthquake. Bowdens does not plan to have a second tailings dam should the first one fail. I recommend they have a second tailings dam for safety.
11. 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.
12. The economics of this mine do not add up. (EIS Vol 5, Part 16C_ Closure Cover Design, Appendix A, p.24) Assumed silver price in the EIS is US$20.91/oz, (EIS S 4, Table 4.84 Key Assumptions Underpinning the Economic Assessment, p. 4-373) over the last 5 years the silver price has never reached this level and if production costs increase, the mine will be even less viable. A financially unviable mine represents an even greater threat as they may look for ways to cut corners which could affect safety.
13. The mine cannot source enough water locally so is relying on water from Ulan or Moolarben mines via a 58km pipeline through mostly private farm land, this supply has not been guaranteed and most likely will only be available when seasons are good - in drought those mines will not have excess water. (EIS S2.10 Water Supply p.2 -62)
14. 5-16 tonnes of explosives and oxidising agents will be transported along Lue Road (EIS S2.4.3.2 Drill and Blast P2-23)
15. Bowdens does not offer a suitable plan for rehabilitation of the mine. When the mine closes the tailings dam and all the PAF will remain forever.
16. The mine covers areas habituated by koalas and Regent Honeyeater. It is also has Grey Box Grassy Woodland which will be destroyed by the mine.

I hope that you consider my submission and others prior to reaching your decision. The mine is a short-term benefit for an area which many others hope to sustain throughout the long term for future generations. The area will continue to grow and does not need something as destructive as this mine.

Regards,
David White

There is nothing that Bowdens could do that would make a mine acceptable in Lue. It would be too close to the town, and take too much water from a creek that regularly dries up during summer and droughts. The roads around Lue are simply not good enough to accommodate the additional heavy vehicles that would travel in the region. Lue is a place of natural beauty, quiet and clean, this will be destroyed if a mine goes ahead. the local flora and fauna will be impacted negatively as will the health of the local people. This is a terrible idea and should be stopped before it is started.

I object to the Bowdens Silver mine because lead is poisonous for Lue.

If the onsite water is gong to be used it will drain the water table.
Bores will dry up
I use my bore for household use, garden, livestock etc
Lawsons Creek will also dry up. (it is a progression of water holes)
Therefore they should not be allowed to do this.

I object the proposal of bowdens silver in the Lue district.

The community of Lue and surrounding areas don't want the mine. The risk of exposure to lead and effects to water propose a massive risk

The significant effect of ground and surface water in the region is one of the greater risks of the development. The water from lawson creek in Lue flows into the cudgegong river which then flows to the macquarie river. The loss of and potential quality of the water into these river systems would have ever lasting effects on many communities not only Lue. It's easy to forget but we are always one day closer to drought and this is when we rely on the water resource the most.

In closing I object the proposal due to the reasons above.

I OBJECT to the project.

I object because
1. Water use.
Bowdens require 1788 megalitres/year of water to operate the mine and process rock. They estimate that the water will come from rainfall run off and groundwater.
They want to drill down 300meters into the water table and use the water on site.
They also propose to re-use some of the waste water from their processing methods.
We are reliant on a constant flow of water through our property to supply us with water for stock and our houses.
1788ML is an enormous amount of water to take out of one catchment.
We have just recovered from the worst drought on record and to lose so much water every year from our Lawsons Creek catchment would be devastating when the next dry spell or drought hits us. I’m worried that the drilling of such a deep bore will damage the water course and decrease the supply to everyone reliant on that water.
2. Dangers.
-Tailings Dam will sit above the water table at the headwaters of Lawsons Creek. Tailings Dam will house thousands of tonnes of dangerous heavy metals and chemicals including lead, arsenic, zinc, cyanide and cadmium. They will be sitting in this dam besides Lawsons Creek forever. Many tailings dams have failed. This one could too and then where will all these toxic compounds end up? This could impact a much greater area, Mudgee, the Cudgegong River for example.
-Waste Rock Embankment will be 80m high. Bingman Hill, a local landmark is 650m above sealevel. WRE will get to 670m above sea level, 20m higher than a very noted landmark in the Lue landscape.
Acid Mine Drainage from this WRE is another dangerous risk that the mine will create. AMC is the greatest environmental risk of our current times. It’s effects are irreversible and a major danger to human and animal health.
-Lead dust will affect the health of our Lue school children and all residents of the village and farms downwind of the mine. The Lue School is 2km from the mine site.
-Noise, lights for night mining, blasting. Added traffic on the Lue Rd with processed ore being transported via Mudgee on it’s way to port. The Lue Road is already busy with commuter traffic. The road is not designed for such heavy traffic as will be needed by Bowdens to get the ore to its final destination.

Please refer to my attached letter

I support this project fully. The amendments made in regards to water and the power lines can only be a good thing in my opinion. This project will create much needed employment and support for the local communities and will help boost economy.