Bowdens Silver

This is heart-breaking to hear of the beautiful country of Mudgee/Lue.
We visit the area often from Sydney.
Please reconsider.

I love visiting the region as a tourist and don't believe a toxic lead mine should be allowed to proceed

As a frequent tourist to the Mudgee region, I have been fortunate to observe and enjoy the natural wonders of the beautiful landscape and I do not think a toxic lead mine should be allowed to proceed. The Mudgee region is a prime tourist destination as people come to the area to appreciate good wine and food in a pristine location. The development of this project will deter large numbers of tourists from coming to the area and supporting the local economy. I object to the development of the proposed Bowdens lead, zinc and silver mine at Lue because of the potential for lead poisoning, a toxic tailings dam and acid forming rock perched above the water table of the Lawson Creek. The impact this would have on native wildlife including the Regent Honeyeaters and koalas deserves serious consideration and should alone be reason for the project not to proceed.

I fully support the project. This project will ensure additional employment in our local area which it vital if our small communities are to survive. I am totally satisfied that all ethical and safety measures have been fulfilled and that the project is being managed with a keen eye on the impact to the environment.

I object to the proposal on environmental grounds (details attached)

My name is David White, I am a 27-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 neighbouring 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

The Bowden Silver mine would release toxic lead emissions to the surrounding environment and community. Expert evidence overwhelmingly indicates that residents and environment within 2km of the Mine would almost certainly be affected and it was probable that residents and the environment out to 5km from the mine would be affected by Lead. The effect would be from dust blowing from the site. Due to the nature of the open cut mine, there would be no possible way to prevent the lead dust leaving the site and effecting the surrounding community and environment. The community is overwhelmingly opposed to the construction and operation of this mine.

I think the Bowdens Silver project will be great for NSW. Especially in these unprecedented times when jobs are scarce. Construction and mining will be what brings us out of covid and into the future. It will bring many benefits to the local district by way of direct employment, the supply of support industries, economic investment into the local communities and support for local development, educational and sponsorship initiatives.Silver has many industrial, medical, clinical uses and this will only increase in the future with the increase in electric vehincles.

I believe the Bowdens Silver Project will have negligible environmental effects while providing significant economic effect and substantial job creation. They have also shown their great support for the local communities.

To whom it may concern
My family have been residence of this beautiful valley for 6 years, we have 173 acres on which we have cattle, grow grapes that produce award winning wines and have a 5 bedroom guest house. We love this valley for its beauty and quite. We have wonderful native species and bird life. After leaving Sydney with its noise and pollution this is heaven.
Our first major concerns regarding this project is lead dust in our dams and tank water. We will only be 4km away from the mines pit if construction should go ahead. This is way to close. All our drinking , stock and irrigation water comes from rain collected from our roof and run off from the land. We have Lawson creek running at the rear of our property which only run intermittently.
We have 8 grandchildren, who visit on a weekly basis and have been made aware of the severe damage lead dust can do to their brain development over a very short period of time. How can we allow this sort of mining to go ahead when our grand children's futures could be badly affected.
Our wine grapes are irrigated from water from our dam, which up until feb 2020 was dry because of the severe drought that has affected most of Australia for 5 or more years. If there is lead dust in the dam we will be unable to irrigate as there is little tolerance for lead in wine.
We also have to consider that we have to supply clean drinking and showering water to our guests.
There are no safe levels for lead in our industry.
Our second concern is the use of water from the aquifer. We have very little water in this valley. If 85% of the water is to be taken from the underground water table our bores will dry up even further than they have at present and if the drought continues we will have to drill further down at a huge cost. Who will pay for this?. Lawson creek originates from a spring with run off from surrounding hills. Some of the springs are within the mine site. Our ground water and creek are all connected and will both be contaminated by the mining. Where will we get clean water from if this mine goes ahead.
The tailings dam is only 700m from the creek, this will be full of poisonous sludge. Never to rehabilitated or removed. It will be in place forever what a wonderful legacy to leave our next generation.

Our third concern is the noise pollution. Their report has stated they plan to mine 24/7 as we are only 5km from the mine site the noise will be incredible. blasting , processing and machinery noise not to mention the trucks and traffic on the road into and out of the site. People come to stay at our guest house for the tranquility and peace. Our business will be ruined as no one wants to come to visit when they get no peace and quite they may as well stay in a hotel near a freeway in Sydney.
I am writing this submission sitting out on our verandah and the only noise are the bird song, crickets, and bees buzzing. Our little piece of paradise will be gone if this mine is to go ahead.

This area has such natural beauty to have this mine built may bring jobs to the area, but it will leave a lasting scar on the landscape that will never recover. The Lue, and surrounding community has such wonderful people which will be torn apart and we can not let this happen. We are only new to the area by country standards, but have seen first hand how this community cares for each other in time of hardship. The building of this mine will see this community cess to exist and that would be a terrible shame.
Please consider all aspects of how this mine will affect Tourism, primary industry and the community that at present thrive in this area. We deserve to be able to work, play and live in a beautiful area and not see it ruined all for a tiny slice silver that at todays market price is not profitable. Please put pristine land and communities before money.

The EIS at Appendix 9 gives some information on seven options for the route of a transmission line to supply the required electricity for the proposed mine.
It appears any powerline would be considered under Part 5 of the EPA Act, with the relevant power company deciding whether there was likely to be a significant effect on the environment of a route or routes favoured by the mining company.. My understanding is that there have been very few, if any, EISs for powerlines since the introduction of the Infrastructure SEPP. Thus further opportunities for comment may be limited.
It is unfortunate the transmission line was not treated as part of the proposal, unlike the included water pipeline.
I am a part owner of a property that the Queens Pinch (orange) route passes through (Fig. A of Appendix 9, page A-5).
My concerns are that:
• The route appears to parallel our sole access road (with no other feasible route), which is in a narrow valley which already has an 11kV powerline (supplying Windamere Dam). A powerline there would interfere with our management of the property (including leased land and easement) both during construction and operation.
• A 40-45 metre easement would span the entire valley making access for tall machinery problematic.
• The narrowness of the valley may present some technical challenges in achieving clearance.
• We have a conservation agreement with the NSW Government’s Biodiversity Conservation Trust by which we have agreed to preserve defined native vegetation. This agreement is registered on title. The route either passes through the area covered by the agreement or nearby. It is likely the clearing requirements for any powerline easement would require removal of trees and other vegetation within the protected area.
• The route though the shortest option crosses steep and dissected terrain, particularly between the section between the Cudgegong River and just south of the Lue road. This section is heavily vegetated. Construction could be both comparatively expensive, have significant environmental impacts and thus take more time in planning, approval and construction. It appears the existing 500kV line has skirted this hilly country, presumably for similar reasons.
• Possible interference between the 11kV and proposed 132kV line.
• It is not clear if a single or dual circuit is proposed, thus the size and type of poles and any easement cannot be judged.
• A 45 metre easement would span the entire valley making management generally and access for tall machinery problematic.
On this basis I object to the project proceeding using the Queens Pinch (orange) route.

Living in the Kandos/ Rylstone area some 20+ years, my 2 children have had no option to but to relocate to a larger town and to Sydney for employment.
The closure of industries in this area has effected our towns greatly, with many families now socio-economically disadvantaged, vacant shops can be seen as you drive through town.
Our area will benefit greatly with the Bowdens' Silver Mine.
Employees sourced locally will in put money back into this area, keep family dynamics' as a whole, maintain Schools, Health and help and most importantly help Close the Gap with the Indigenous in our Area

I would like this project to go ahead. Chiefly because it is in a first world juristiction where environmental monitoring and enforcement are some of the best in the world.
Australia is a relatively uncorrupt society which will have a large demand for renewable energy, requiring 16tonnes of silver per GW of solar produced.

This project can stand to benefit not only Austrlalians but globally assist in maintining available metal supply to avert larger predicted global catastrpohies and supporty the development of engery supplies in developing countries. https://www.worldbank.org/en/topic/energy

Not approving this project may deny future generations the opportunities to an affordable renewable future. Additionally one way to redress the economic burdens of education/housing/training, unfairly placed on youth today is to provide employment in viable industries where they can also rely on their local support networks. Locally this project provides diversification of income to regions that are susceptable to drought and enables farmers to stay on their farms by providing diverse employment oppotunites who in tern support regional Australian businesses in times of need.

I am writing this submission in support of Bowdens' Silver Mine. I have resided in the Rylstone/Kandos area all my life and have slowly watched the industries dwindle.
Jobs lost and families having to leave the area in search of other employment. This mining industry will have great benefits for many people in the local area with stability of employment, which will economically benefit our local businesses.
I have been a miner for 33 years and witnessed best practice methods to limit environmental damage on the country side. Bowdens' will be supervised by strict government regulations set in place to limit the environmental impact to both flora and fauna within the designated mine site.

The project will be great for jobs in the region and bring an economic boost to local businesses.

We (my family) have been visiting and staying at Lue for ~40 years. We recently (early July 2020) had our family reunion in Lue. This involved 3 generations of family members, youngest 2 years old. The property we stay at relies solely on tank water. I firmly believe the proposed mine will create health risks to the residents of Lue and Mudgee as the materials are being trucked through the town. The air borne dust generated will exclude the reliance of Lue residents being able to use their rain water tanks due to contaminates. Will Silver Mines Limited (SVL) pay compensation for say 50 years of water being trucked in from Mudgee, 40 klm's away? I would think not.
Have the Department of Fisheries been contacted ? There are native fish in the local creeks and I have personally caught freshwater catfish from the local creeks.
SVL should also be providing a substantial Bank Guarantee up to the government, say $50M, to guarantee rehabilitation of the site. A Bank Guarantee for say a $1M they may walk away from as it would cost them more for the rehabilitation.
SVL should also be paying for a substantial upgrade of the road between Lue & Mudgee as the mining trucks will have a impact with wear and tear on the road.
Noise will have a major impact for the residences of Lue!
This project is NOT in the interests of the environment.

I object to this proposal on the following grounds
1. The proposal will produce an unacceptable amount of dust in the mining process and the dust, containing dangerous levels of heavy metals will travel many kilometres and endanger health of local residents.
2. There will be acid mine drainage due to mining of heavy metal sulphides and this will cause heavy metal pollution of Lawson Creek for tens of kilometres.
3. The project requires a pipeline extracting water from an already heavily harvested waterway, the Goulburn River.
4. The project will place large numbers of trucks on the Rylstone-Lue-Mudgee Road which poses an unacceptable risk to other local road users on a rural road which is unsuitable for large volumes of heavy vehicles.
5. The mine is only a few kilometres from a public school and dust and noise pollution will endanger the health of students.
6. The mine is situated in the midst of known koala habitat.
7. For the amount of risk to health of people and environment, there is little compensation in terms of local employment.