Bowdens Silver

I appreciate the opportunity to express my concerns on the proposed mine.
The proposed mine will have a detrimental and concerning impact on the local water supply. Bowdens Mine proposes to transfer water licences from further down the Macquarie catchment as well from the Sydney basin catchment, further depleting Lawson Creek.
Given the recent droughts, we've idenitfied the importance water has on the land and we have the opportunity to prevent the impact on the water supply I feel it needs to be better thought out.

I appreciate the opportunity to express my concerns with this project as a whole.

The beauty and tranquility of this rural village and surrounds and all the farms and businesses will be directly affected by this proposed lead/mineral mine during the mine life and well beyond.

I am objecting to the proposed lead mine in Lue for many reasons.
Perhaps the most concerning is the issue of water and the negative impacts the mine will have on the water supply of our community and environment, both locally and across NSW.
I don't see the proposed water catchment ideas as viable or environmentally sustainable. I think negative effects on water flow down stream will be severe.
The Lawson Creek is deemed to be in the category of the "Most Seriously Stressed" under the NSW stressed river assesments.
How can adding to this stress in such a significant and risky way be acceptable.
Water is a precious commodity and we must manage it to the best of our abilities through all seasons, good and bad.

The mine will be using Lawson Creek which is identified in the ‘most seriously stressed’ category of the NSW Stressed River Assessments.
The creek provides an unreliable water source for the mine.
Bowdens mine proposes to extract water from the catchment of Lawson Creek depleting and quite possibly polluting the water available to Lue and district.
The location of this mine near to a small town (which has a primary school) is just not right.

I wish to object strongly to the Bowdens Silver Project (SSD 5765) – Request for Water Supply Amendment.
I regularly visit my friend’s cattle grazing property at Lue (Lochiely Station, which is right on the border of the mine site) and enjoy the natural surroundings of the property and surrounding area. I consider the current proposal to be ill directed and, if approved, will be very detrimental not only to my friend's farm, but the surrounding area and its ecosystem, particularly in the current times of uncertain climate change impact.

I consider that Bowdens Silver has failed to adequately plan the supply of essential resources such as water and power for their proposed mine.
Bowden’s initial EIS submission included a 58.5km water supply pipeline from Ulan to Lue, however this supply has apparently failed because they overlooked the basic step of gaining the approval from Ulan Coalfields and relevant authorities.
Bowden’s recent request to amend the water supply, now proposing that the required water can obtained from the mining site itself reflects the same lack of planning and forethought according to the report provided to the Lue Action Group by water expert Shireen Baguley (see the points extracted from her report below).
Lawson Creek is identified in the NSW Stressed Rivers Assessment to be in the most seriously stressed category (S1) – with the highest level of environmental stress as well as a high extraction rate. Most of times I’ve seen it, the creek has been a series of water holes with no visible flow, so it seems inconceivable that the additional water needed to operate the mine could be drawn from the local landscape without seriously impacting local and downstream farmers.
Further, Bowdens attempt to ‘get by’ by recovering and recycling more water from the tailings dam and leachate dam are very likely to increase the health impacts on the local community and environment. Recovery of this water will clearly reduce the water levels in each dam, exposing more toxic elements in the soil (lead/cadmium/cyanide) to wind events, which will spread these compounds further afield.
Given Shireen Baguley’s findings, it’s clear that if this mine is approved it will often be a heavily water-challenged operation, and accordingly Bowdens will be less able to undertake dust-mitigation activities such as spraying the roads, resulting in more dust movement into the local environment, especially during dry times and droughts when dust is at its worst.
Finally, Bowdens water amendment makes clear that their groundwater licenses have been purchased in the Sydney Water Basin catchment as well as further downstream in the Murray Darling catchment. The Sydney Water catchment is clearly not relevant to western waters and the NSW government has historically indicated a preference not to move licenses upstream within the same catchment, as the water is less likely to be available high up in the catchment and will consequently disadvantage local people and farmers reliant on that water.
Points extracted from Shireen Baguley’s report include:
• “The Bowdens surface water assessment data appears to show a monthly average that exceeds 75mm over summer. This is incorrect…”
• “Many of the other months are also too high when compared to Mudgee and Rylstone rainfall statistics from BOM.”
• “The number of very low rainfall years that has been experienced in this region is not reflected in the Bowdens surface water assessment annual rainfall data”
• “The surface water assessment reports the average annual rainfall as 673 mm/a…. An average annual rainfall of 654 mm/a would be a more realistic estimate.”
• “The analysis here shows that one in every five years, the climatic conditions between Rylstone and Mudgee, which covers the proposed mine site, are semi-arid. This means that any loss of available water in these years severely impacts the land, and the people, plants and animals trying to survive on it.”
• “It is highly questionable that 740 ML/a of rainfall and runoff would be available as an ‘inflow’ in a low rainfall scenario.”
• “Further, the sensitivity analysis appears to be fundamentally flawed... It is considered that the reasons for this are that a true assessment of the low rainfall and runoff’ would show that there is insufficient water to meet the proposed mine’s water demands for an unacceptable duration.”
• “the assessment attempts to quantify the loss of water to the downstream catchment, stating there would be an average annual loss of flow of 177 ML/a. This assertion is misleading as it relates only to the estimated flow from within the ‘containment system’ and overlooks the fact that the water requirements for the whole project are being drawn from within Bowdens land, both that within the ‘containment system’ as well as the Bowdens’ contiguous land holdings. The mean annual flow is 1,955 ML/a comprised of 965 ML/a surface water and 990 ML/a ground water.”
• “…this would equate to a loss of flow from 10.9% of the Lawsons Creek catchment. It is an enormous and unsustainable impact on the water resources within this catchment and a significant impact on all land downstream of the proposed mine site”
From the time I have spent in the Lue/ Mudgee area, I consider it to be an area of important primary production - ranging from cattle and sheep grazing, important food crops and wine growing, and a native animal habitat , all of which would be put at considerable risk if the proposed mine goes ahead, particularily with the flawed water supply assessment as a basis for the project.
I strongly encourage DPIE to reassess the ‘facts’ and assumptions in Bowdens Water Supply Assessment and if confirmed to be questionable or overly optimistic to not approve progression of this mine,

I strongly object to this silver (lead) mine. I am highly sceptical that it could be operated safely leading to irreversable contamination of the land, air and water. I live downstream on Lawson Creek, and regularly see native wildlife around and in the creek, in particular platypus. It would be an enviromental catastrophe for this mine to continue. The potential damage to the waterways from Lawson Creek, into the Cudgegong River, Burrendong Dam, MacQuarrie Marshes and beyond is unthinkable.
Then there is air quality in and around Lue.
PLEASE DON'T LET IT BE OPERATIOAL!!

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, before the approval of this mine, therefore it should not be approved.

This mine has the potential for irreversible and permanent environmental and hydrological damage to the Lawson Creek catchment and therefore the mine should not be approved.

I strongly object to Bowdens Silver project water supply proposal.

I strongly object to the Bowdens Silver project request for water supply proposal.

I object strongly to the Bowdens Silver Project (SSD 5765) - Request for Water Supply Amendment.

I appose the amended submission entirely , personal reasons

Thank you for the opportunity to comment...
Having recently commented on the project, it is frustrating and bewildering to see yet more documents to wade through, making many people simply give up on commenting.
To be brief, i wish to comment on the amendment to the proposed power line, and the changes relating to planned water extraction.
1..The powerline amendment (of which i commented on back in Aug last year)...I find the plan to move the powerline 100 metres will do nothing to assuage the views/opinions of those affected by the original proposal and my thoughts on the original proposal are unchanged. I notice in the current submission, Appendix 8, (Water Supply Amendment), there is commentary regarding the proposal. I notice from page 11 to 19 is a visual analysis on 3 properties close to the proposed mine. I see the images are created by "modelling" and not from real, visual assessment from those properties. Also, the analysis only focusses on the views to the towers themselves, with no mention or expansion of views covering the lines attached to the towers, or, are we to assume the power cables will be invisible !
I also note the images on pages 20, 21 and 22.....These are simply images extracted from Google Street View, and in the interest of accuracy, they are all aligned in the wrong direction, regarding this powerline. All images are aligned towards Bingmans Ridge (which in fact hides some of the existing and proposed lines), and are not indicative of the view over skyline affected by the proposal. What a shame that "boots on the ground" or, an actual area visit and survey didnt take place! Furthermore, one of the images, incorrectly labelled as "East of the hotel", (it is in fact West), is actually a property acquired by Bowdens and as such probably should not be used in any assessment
Whilst the images are somewhat representative of the village (despite their poor alignment), it is interesting that no imagery was supplied from the Western side of the village, where around 10 or so properties have (by virtue of their elevation), commanding views over the area in question. I have attached an image typical of the views.
As far as i am aware, no one, especially those West of Lue have had any visit or consultation...

2...Water supply.
Having knowledge of the water supply issue, Bowdens attempted to obtain water from one of the coal mines near Ulan. Worth noting here is that these mines already have obligations regarding the water encountered in mining, and, also of note is that this water is in another catchment area, being the source of the Goulburn river. I will not going into further detail as to whether Bowdens were able to secure the water or not, but, recently they announced the water was not required due to "technological improvement". They claim a significant reduction in water requirements. However, doubt always remained in the community that they could supply enough water from the mine site alone, with this backed by an article written by Shireen Baguley. This article will be supplied in the submission by LAG (Lue Action Group).
Having been in the area for over 20 years, in close proximity to Lawsons Creek, i do possess some understanding in the behavior of the creek. It has a highly varied flow, rising quickly in heavy rain and subsiding quickly to its normal flow rates. Outside of exceptional seasons like the one just past, the creek regularly ceases flowing above the junction of Bara Ck (some 8km West of Lue). I would estimate a normal average flow of under 20lt/sec when the creek is flowing. Usually in summer it ceases flow and is reduced to several waterholes topped up by groundwater flows through the gravels and along rock shelves. The creek is used for stock and domestic supply by several landholders but has no further capacity for larger withdrawals like irrigation. Couple this with the creeks value as a wildlife habitat in a predominantly agricultural area and its value becomes apparent. i feel the water use/drawdown at the proposed mine would have drastic effect on the creek. Any open cut mine Bowdens would also act as a sink, attracted groundwater which would then be confined to the property. After mining has finished, this will continue, with the water being retained and then lost by evaporation, causing the water to become more saline and unusable. In effect, this means any open cut would then mean a permanent reduction in groundwater flow to the creek, a situation causing a permanent change in the nature of the creek, effectively killing it in any sustained period of dry weather.

UNTIL RECENTLY THIS PROJECT WAS TO SOURCE A LARGE PART OF ITS WATER FROM ULAN MINE. SUDDENLY THIS HAS BEEN CHANGED TO GETTING WATER ON SITE FROM RUNOFF, BORES AND CONCENTRATING THE TOXIC TAILINGS DAM WATER. WATER IS A MAJOR FACTOR IN THE LUE AREA, THE LAST DROUGHT LASTED NINE YEARS, LOCAL FARMS DEPEND ON THE ACQUIFERS. THIS PROJECT WILL DECREASE THE WATER AVAILABLE TO LOCAL FARMS ON TOP OF THE HIGH RISK OF TOXIN CONTAMINATION. NOTHING HAS BEEN CHANGED CONCERNING THE RISK OF LEAD DUST TO THE LOCAL COMMUNITY. THIS IS EVIL AND IT IS BEYOND COMPREHENSION THAT YOUR DEPARTMENT WOULD CONSIDER THIS PROJECT WITH THE RISKS IT CARRIES TO PEOPLE LIVING AND GOING TO SCHOOL IN THE AREA.

As business owners in the area nearby, we have grave concerns for this project. As primary producers and also involved in the tourism of the area, we object to any sort of mining on this proposed area.

Our business relies on clean, safe drinking water, however, this project threatens that. It is also detrimental to the thriving tourism that the community surrounds really on… who would want to visit a place with a lead mine nearby?

There are many other reasons & it seems unfortunate that we need to highlight these issues yet again.

The koala habitat is endangered and this mine will add to the depletion of the population. The indigenous value to this area has been blatantly disregarded. Only time will see us go through another drought, yet this project is still being considered.

We completely reject and object to this mine and intend to continue voicing our concerns until they are fully heard.

Listen to the community of Lue.

Terrible idea would destroy Lawson Creek and kill all the important native fish and wildlife in and around the Creek. It will also affect the local koala populations and all the other threatened species located in that area. Also too close to the township of lue putting lead dust into the air for everyone who lives there to breathe in on a daily basis. I live very close to the proposed mine and am very worried about noise and light pollution.

I strongly object to Bowden's project for following reasons:
It is not fair or just to take that much water from local water table and Lawson creek which we water our stock and vegetable gardens.
Recovering more water from the tailings dam for mining operations will reduce water level exposing toxic soil to wind events spreading lead/cadmium and cyanide dust.
Bowdens are double-counting the harvest-able water.
Bowdens have never carried out any flow studies on Lawson creek. Data used is from stream flow at Cudgegong river upstream from Rylstone.
A significant number of private bores do not function during dry spells which will be a permanent occurrence if project goes ahead.
Ground water draw down has potential reduce stream flow through direct depletion or intercepting groundwater that would otherwise discharge to surface water.
A water challenged mine will be less able to spray for dust mitigation especially during dry spells and drought.
Lawson creek is listed in the NSW Stressed Rivers Assessment in the most category (S1) - with both high environmental stress and a high extraction rate resulting in series of water holes with no visible flow during summer.
The proposed height of overburden stockpile of over 600 meters high is higher than Bingam Hill is ridiculous and will be an eyesore and only 800 meters from our house.
There are known Koala colonies which i have personally witnessed within the proposed project site, that alone is justification to disband and cease this environmentally disastrous project.
Bowdens do not correspond with locals who object to the project and habitually distort the truth about their proposal.

I continue to object to the proposal on aesthetic ands environmental grounds. Asn a regular visitor to the area I am appalled by the proposed desecration of a beautiful area through noise, dirt and pollution.
The project has been amended to remove the requirement for piping water from Ulan, how convenient. Such a large volume of water to run the mine is now supposedly coming from on-site storage and re-use as well as groundwater. if this is feasible why did Bowdens say so in the beginning. the volume of ground water is very large and as time passes such water will be in high demand from better on-going uses including agriculture. The current La Nina weather pattern is illusory going forward, the return to predicted drought conditions will mean the mine is left relying on ever increasing demands (probably to be granted by government) which are not feasible in the longterm. The water problem is insurmountable in that location.
The project still has not addressed the very significant real and potential downstream pollution issues of the tailings dam.
The project still has a smell of kite flying about it with a view to on sale to other entities who may not have the same "claimed" adherence to the environmental sensitivity requirements.

Accordingly, given the propensity of NSW Planning to support and approve such projects I urge that a change be made to the approval making Bowdens pay upfront sufficient dollars of Escrow to cover the full cost of eventual mine rehabilitation. There are too many examples of such mines flipping ownership near the end of productive life to companies that then default leaving the State to fix it and/or the community to suffer the blight of the stranded assets, piles, holes, roads and tailings dams. There are too many such examples to list here.

Not fully realising the importance of silver as a commodity. It's certainly not worth much.
1. The impact on the environment is the worst thing of course.
2. To disrupt such a beautiful place as Lue and It's relatively small amount of residents. Never to return to normality within a generation, is unforgivable. Just for commercial gain. As usual.

Impact on the local water supply / usage
Impact on local business (dust etc from mining )
Impact on views of the local mountains
Impact on resale values on land .
Impact on local wildlife .
Visually unattractive to see and hear .

As a resident on the down stream area of the proposed project ,my concern on removing the pipeline from the project is that this indicates that they will use more of the natural resources from Lawson creek ,which in turn effects everyone down stream . Also with recent rain events that we have witnessed of late ,is what they are proposing to put in place adequate enough (tailings Dam) if we have such an event and all the holes line up,it will be detrimental to not only us ,but areas such as Mudgee , lake Burrendong , Macquarie marsh’s . It will be too late once the horse has bolted, please consider everything ,before giving a green light to a very big disaster.