Bowdens Silver

We are residents who live beside the Lawson Creek and are totally opposed to a lead mine in the area. Reason... contamination to our creek and the water table.

Hello My Name is Gloria Mills and I thank you for allowing me to make this submission regarding the proposed Bowdens silver project.
I am totally opposed to this project because of the information that has been provided by independant experts outlining the affects of lead and the hazards it poses to young children. I live on a farm 4.5km from this proposed mine, our 2 sons have grown up on this property, enjoying healthy , fresh air. My dream has always been that my future grandchildren will enjoy the same lifestyle growing up. Unfortunately all the information I have received indicates that our property will become too toxic for my future granchildren to be able to live here and enjoy the wonderful lifestyle that my children enjoyed.

Firstly, in the interests of transparency, I was the project manager for preparation of the DFS for the Bowdens Silver Project and continue to provide consultancy services to them.
Through my involvement with the project, I have become aware of some community concern regarding various aspects of the project. Whilst I believe that the EIS addresses all those concerns, it may be useful for the Department to consider the Waihi Gold Mine in New Zealand, (https://www.waihigold.co.nz/) where I was Mine Superintendent from the commencement of modern mining in 1987 until 1993.
The current era of mining at Waihi commenced with the development of the Martha Mine open pit, the construction of a processing plant approximately 1.6 km east-south-east of the mine and a tailings storage facility (TSF) approximately 1.0 km further ESE of the processing plant on the east side of the Ohinemuri River.
As can be seen from the attached photographs, the Martha Mine lies within the town of Waihi, with the towns principal shopping precinct, Seddon Street lying within 70 m of the pit perimeter at its closest point and most of the towns retail outlets, pub’s and café’s lying within a 350 m radius of the pit perimeter.
The Martha Mine is connected to the processing plant and TSF via a conveyor. Crushing takes place at the mine site on a campaign basis, with waste rock being crushed for most of the time and ore for a lesser period. The conveyor belt runs in a trench beneath two roads and via a tunnel through Union Hill. Ore is discharged via a stacking conveyor that is moved into the material stream when ore is being conveyed and withdrawn during the conveying of waste rock. The waste rock continues onto the TSF where it is used to construct an integrated waste landform (IWL) that contains structural zones to contain the tailings, as well as general waste dumping zones, with provision for encapsulation zones for waste rock that may be acid producing.
When the mine recommenced in 1987, the anticipated mine life was approximately 13 years, however, ongoing exploration, including the discovery of a number of deposits that are or have been mined by underground methods, as well as changes in economics has allowed the continuation of mining to the present day.
Throughout its 33-year history, the mine has had to manage many of the same issues that have been raised as concerns regarding the development of Bowdens. Blast vibration, noise, dust, mine traffic, mud on roads, water table impacts, water quality (the mine discharges water to the Ohinemuri River) and of course the use of cyanide.
That management has required a strong commitment to monitoring, analysis of the results and adaptation of operating procedures where monitoring indicates it is necessary. The various owners of the mine have maintained an open dialogue with the community, responding promptly to complaints when made and providing updates on the project’s activities. It is an exemplar of what can be achieved with a project so close to a community.
For me, the key take away from my experiences in New Zealand is that, if Waihi Gold can successfully operate a mining project for 33 years in compliance with its conditions, in a location that is in such close proximity to a community. It is reasonable to believe that Bowdens would be able to operate its mine, without adverse impact on the community of Lue, which is significantly more distant from the mine than the town of Waihi is from the Martha Mine.
I have also attached a copy of Martha Matters, which again illustrates the proximity of the Martha Mine to the town, but also shows how the company keeps the community informed of activities within the mine.

Bowdens Silver Project
I am the owner of Wilgowrah, 499 Lue Road, Milroy, 2850 NSW. I oppose Bowdens Silver Project as it will have a detrimental impact on my current business.
Firstly, my farming, haymaking and cattle operation relies on reliable ground water supplied by Lawsons Creek and wells below the proposed mine. The business has a 60 megalitre water licence attached to Lawsons Creek to provide water for haymaking, cropping and cattle production. Due to the resent drier seasons water from these sources has been unreliable and will be even more so when Bowdens commence using the proposed 2050 Megalitres of water each year including 780 Megalitres of water from Lawsons Creek. It is imperative Lawsons Creek and the entire water table remains pristine without any pollution from the proposed mine. The proposed tailings dam will be built less than 1km from Lawsons Creek providing no guarantee that leakage will not occur in the future. Thus, rendering any farming or livestock production on Wilgowrah impossible without a reliable supply of water and a guarantee future generations will not be subjected to polluted water.
Secondly, our property offers tourist accommodation attracting visitors wishing to experience a quiet, tranquil and pristine environment. Increased noise and traffic from mining equipment and trucks transporting ore from Bowdens Silver Mine along Lue Road will have a negative impact on our tourist business.
Finally, our home is situated 15 metres from Lue Road and any increase of heavy vehicle traffic will have a significant impact on our lifestyle. We will no longer be able to enjoy a quiet country existence with the constant rumbling of trucks, heavy equipment and the increased traffic flow from mine workers.

Although I live in Sydney, I often visit Mudgee to stay with good friends who have a large farm on the Lawson Creek just west of the village of Lue. My friends alerted me to the proposal for Bowdens Mine and this is my response to the Environmental Impact Statement.

The mine will produce two dumps of 56 million tonnes of acid forming waste rock and tailings. 26 million tonnes of this rock is Potential Acid Forming. This dump sits in the catchment of Lawson Creek and above the water table.

Acid Mine Drainage AMD is a serious world- wide environmental issue. It occurs when a sulphide metal deposit is exposed to air during mining, a bacteria breaks down the sulphide metals to sulphuric acid which then liberates heavy metals such as zinc, copper and cadmium. These heavy metals are highly toxic and can leach into ground water and creeks. Iron sulphide ore is widespread at Bowdens.

Bowdens does not present AMD as an issue that applies to them. Bowdens maintains that if leaching occurs it will only make waterways dirty.

Water to operate the mine will come from the open cut pit (ground water), surface water (from Lawson Creek catchment) and Moolarben and Ulan mine via a 58km pipeline. Moolarben is a water deficit mine and can only operate using a water sharing agreement with Ulan. Water they buy from Ulan is highly saline and can only be used for roads. I question whether Bowdens has an agreement with these mines. Water will only be available during times of high rainfall. What may be available is highly saline.

Lue will be a dangerous and unpleasant place to live after the mining commences. Lead mining will render tank water unsafe to drink and make the town dangerous for its children. There is no safe level of exposure to lead. The village and its surrounding rural residents will require reticulated water as their ground water will be depleted and contaminated.

I strongly object to Bowdens Mine going ahead.

Thankyou for allowing me to make this submission- my name is Rowan Mills.
I am the owner of the property "Glendos" who's nearest boundary is approximately 2 kms from the proposed Bowdens silver project. I had a meeting with the previous owners of the Bowdens silver project to voice my concerns regarding the mine, the mine representative stood on my front veranda and looked straight down the valley to where the open cut mine would be , he said quite simply I wouldn't be able to live here because of the noise and dust. I relayed this story to the new owners and their response was "I dont Know why they said that" I said perhaps they were being honest, their reply a deafening silence. I am greatly concerned about my future.

Thank you for the opportunity to make a submission on this project.
I object to Bowdens Silver Project for the following reasons:
- It is too close to the town of Lue, a small, historically significant town of approximately 1000 residents. A huge open-cut mine operating 24 hours a day just 2 km from the town and 30 km upstream from Mudgee is unacceptable for many reasons. It would be hugely environmentally destructive and would damage the lives and livelihoods of the residents of Lue, as well as residents of Mudgee and Rylstone/Kandos.
- As well as silver, the mine would produce approximately 95,000 tonnes of lead during the life of the mine. There is no safe level of exposure to lead and children are particularly vulnerable. Lue school is only 2 km from the mine.
- A cyanide processing plant would operate at the mine. Cyanide is acutely toxic to humans, other mammals and aquatic species even at relatively low dosages. Having a plant like this only 2 km from the town would be extremely risky and dangerous.
- The planned single-wall tailings dam for the mine is less than 1 km from Lawsons Creek. It will contain large quantities of chemicals like arsenic, cyanide, cadmium and lead. There is no second safety wall for the dam so if it leaked, it would flow to Lawsons Creek and then to Mudgee and the Cudgegong River.
- The mine would use around 2000 megalitres of water each year. Most of this water is proposed to be taken from the Lawson Creek Valley. The mine would also use the groundwater from the mine pit and this would reduce the water table by 25 metres on site. It would destroy the local waterholes and springs.
- The mine proposes to operate 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Noise models indicate that both daytime and night-time noise at Lue would increase to a quite unbearable level.
For all of the reasons listed above, I urge you not to approve this mine.

Jane Roberts
17 Robert Hoddle Grove Mudgee NSW 2850

Bowdens Silver Mine
DA Application No SSD- 5765
Location Approximately 2km north east of Lue
Applicant Bowdens Silver Pty Ltd
Council area - Mid-Western Regional

As a Mudgee resident since 1987, parent, grandmother and allied health professional, I strongly oppose the development of the Bowdens Silver Mine.The detrimental effect of this proposed Silver mine is far reaching in every aspect of our lives. I appreciate the opportunity to make a submission against the development of this Bowden Silver Mine.

An individual’s health and wellbeing would be compromised on many levels. However of utmost concern is the preposterously high level of toxic chemical and in particular lead dust fallout from this proposed silver operation. From studies undertaken it appears that the lead byproduct from this Silver mine has a high level of bioaccessibility.

As an experienced allied health professional I am well aware of the adverse effects of lead toxicity on the wellbeing of all ages. In particular as a paediatric physiotherapist working with children with disability for over 30 years the well documented evidence linking lead poisoning with irreversible neurocognitive and behavioural disturbance in children is devastating to me. Such adverse effects are lifelong for not only the child but also for their families impacting all their life dimensions.

WHO states…“Young children are particularly vulnerable to the toxic effects of lead and can suffer profound and permanent adverse health effects, particularly affecting the development of the brain and nervous system. Lead also causes long-term harm in adults, including increased risk of high blood pressure and kidney damage. Exposure of pregnant women to high levels of lead can cause miscarriage, stillbirth, premature birth and low birth weight.In particular lead can affect children’s brain development resulting in reduced intelligence quotient (IQ), behavioural changes such as reduced attention span and increased antisocial behaviour, and reduced educational attainment. Lead exposure also causes anaemia, hypertension, renal impairment, immunotoxicity and toxicity to the reproductive organs. The neurological and behavioural effects of lead are believed to be irreversible.” World Health Organisation - Lead Poisoning and Health August 2019


Not to be ignored is the pollution of the surrounding locality by the mine site’s continuous operational sound, night light, blasting vibration and excessive traffic flow. These factors are not acceptable and would result in mass evacuation and devaluation of the locality.

Community wellbeing and socioeconomic viability.
Local small villages within our region are prized gems preserving our district’s historical past, providing a valued alternative and affordable lifestyle for many and also adding significant tourism wealth to our local economy. At the heart of these villages are our small bush schools such as Lue Public School- so integral to a town’s survival. The risk of Lue Public School closure due to its close proximity to the proposed mine site with inevitable contamination of the byproducts of this silver mine is to be guarded against.The school’s closure would destroy the social fabric of this quaint bush village and should be guarded against at all costs.

The environmental health of Lue and surrounding regions would be sabotaged by this silver mine. Our country and community has just lived through the most severe year of drought and has been ravaged by fire. It is time to protect and restore our environment not to further destroy it. This Silver mine would contaminate and deplete our Mudgee river systems, Lawson Creek valley and watertables with disastrous consequence for residents, agricultural operations and tourism. If the proposed silver mine’s tailing dam is compromised toxins leaked into Lawson creek would be devastating. Just this school holidays my grandchildren and I have marvelled at the opportunity to observe the incredible birdlife on Lawson Creek’s Putta Bucca Wetlands. We have been spotting black swans nesting on the creek’s islands. Koala and Regent Honeyeater habitats are located in this proposed Silver mine’s location. It is imperative that we protect our region’s flora, fauna and natural ecology and not allow Bowdens Silver Mine to destroy it.
Jane Roberts

I object to the project as it fails to adequately address the issues relating to human health with respect to Lead, noise and disturbance to the residents of Lue and landowners who surround the project. Although I now live with my family in the town of Mudgee, we lived on a farm at Lue for 35 years at 1011 Pyangle Road Lue just down from the proposed minesite. I was involved with my wife and family with the Lue Action Group in trying to address the health concerns of a massive lead/silver mine on the doorstop of the Lue village. At no time in the years involved with the Lue action Group did the mining company take seriously any health, noise or disturbance issues that were raised. They were only concerned with getting an EIS approved so they could make a profit and flog the project onto another developer mining company. In my opinion that is all they are interested in and they want Planning to play along with this. If I am wrong then look at the aminosity they have caused local residents with their arrogant attitude towards anything approaching critical analysis of the project.
The EIS does not address how water will be legally piped to the site and should be rejected on that alone. In addition, the EIS does not address how power will be provided to the site. As a local solicitor in Mudgee I have many clients who are landholders who will never grant access for either water or power over their properties so how can a company lodge an EIS without resolving these issues before lodging their EIS?
The impact of lead dust on the village and surrounding landholders will be devastating. Professor Noller an australian leading heavy metal expert in extractive industry has provided expert evidence for several years now to state that lead will travel to the village of Lue and local landholders. Everyone relies on tankwater and once this is contaminated then rainwater will become useless.
The Lue Action Group has engaged numerous experts who will no doubt provide scientific reasons why this project should be rejected. I support their efforts and urge Planning to take their concerns seriously. They have had to raise money to pay for these expert reports whilst the state govt offers no assistance to local communities to rebute consultants paid for by mining companies who merely deliver what is expected from their employers. A very unfair and unjust system to have to work within.
How on earth in today's enlightened world can government approve lead contamination to humans particularly children when society is doing quite the opposite ie removing lead paint, petrol etc.
Planning needs to resist pressure by govt to fast track development approval and resist this type of money grabbing mining project when the health inpacts are effectively going to destroy a village for the sake of profit for a publically listed company whose motive is only $$. Failure to do so will mean NSW has no moral compass for regional communities. I would expect the local council also to lodge objection having considered the grave impacts on the Lue residents. If they didn't then it would be like sacrificing Lue for the greed of other parts of the region. I can't imagine australia in the current health and economic climate stooping that low.
If this mine site was in the middle of nowhere then maybe the downsides could be accomodated but where it is situated no amount of accomodation can remove the dramatic long term effects of lead contaminationto the local polulation.
When considering this project please place yourselves in the shoes of local residents and ask yourselves this quesrtion - " would I live there with my family and children if this project was approved." Not to view this project through this prism will be an abject failure of responsibility.
Thank you,
John Loneragan

To the Honorable Minister and relevant authorities
I write in regards to and in support of the Bowdens silver project outside of Lue NSW.
Probably more so at this time than in any other Australia needs to return to significantly greater manufacturing and self sufficiency.
Silver is a major base metal required for virtually every complex machine, due to its use in electronics.
Further, it is essential in sustainable green power such as solar panels.
At present the silver mined p/annum in Australia is approximately 1,400 tonnes, yet our annual use or consumption is well the order of double that.
With the effects of Covid 19, the massive rise in our public debts federal and state, and the inevitable correction and rise in world silver demand and prices, Australia will either produce its own needs, or pay a massive price and sink lower towards third world status if we do not produce our own needs.
It is expected that silver will double in price over the next three years, it has risen 20% this week and this isnt a blip, its a price correction that was inevitable as silver worldwide was undervalued.
As each country scrambles to preserve its interest, please consider the importance of this project not only to NSW, but to the nation as a whole.
its about the best silver deposit we have. The cheapest to mine.
We need it.
Many Thanks
Bradley Wade

Good Morning,

I am deeply concerned about the environmental impacts this mine is going to have on the Lue and surrounding areas. Due to the fact that this mine will be open cut, I worry for the residents of the area coming into contact with lead dust. Lead dust has been scientifically proven to cause issues to the kidneys, nervous system and brain development which can be irreversible. High levels of lead can cause seizures, unconsciousness and death. How can Silver Mines Ltd be considering a mine so close to an existing village which benefits the community in such a positive way (tourism, sustainable farming)?

I worry that there has been little to no consultation with the local community in the concept and planning stages of this mine. Historically, we know that when a mine establishes itself so close to a community that it will have a brief positive economic impact however, looking at the the long term, there will be little to no chance of the generational farming families to reestablish themselves there ever again.

I believe the overbearing negative environment impacts of this proposal are sufficient evidence in order for rejection of the proposal.

Regards,

Jack Green

I'm very concerned about the proposed Bowden's Silver Project at Lue. While I'm not against the project itself and I welcome the jobs and income this project will bring to the region, there are a few things about which I'm very concerned. The first is the amount of water that will be utilised by this project. As we have been in drought in the Central West for a considerable time, I'm not sure our region can spare this amount of water. Will this effect the amount of potable water available for our region's residents and farmers? Secondly, I'm concerned about potential leaks or worse from the tailings dam. How will this risk be minimised and what undertakings have the project made if the unimaginable happens? Can they just declare bankruptcy or similar and have no further responsibility? Do they have to pay a bond to guarantee they will have the necessary funds available if a catastrophic leak or worse happens? Next is the unbelievable announcement that they will not be remediating the area after they have completed their work. Surely the cost of doing this business MUST include returning the site to its original condition. And also, the admission that they will be lowering the water table by 25 metres. I am very concerned about the adverse effect of this. I don't know the answers and I have been unable to find them. Bowden's have not answered these questions in a way that I have been able to find. It's possible that they have publicly answered these questions but I can't find them. This project concerns me greatly. I have no problems with this type of enterprise in principal but concerns such as mine surely need to be addressed. These questions need to be answered. If my concerns are founded, why is there no apparent accountability? Why can Bowden's risk our local area with apparent immunity? I hope I'm wrong but I can't find out. Until these questions are answered satisfactorily, I must object strongly to this project.

We still don’t learn that this type of mining is so harmful to our earth. With climate change occurring we need to be wise not foolish like this proposed mine. Water is now such a precious commodity but we still ignore its need by mining.

I wish to submit my objective regarding the Bowdens Lead/Silver Mine in Lue.

It is with no doubt that you have already been forwarded the compelling information and statistics on how this mine will greatly impact of the lives of the residence of the Lue community.

This mine is to hold no benefit to myself nor family within this village.

I have owned our property at Lue over 40 years as it was our choice to move for the lifestyle that the village provided.

With the Mine our lives will be greatly impacted, mentally, physically, financially and sociably.

The mine being operational 24/7 every day of the year and only being 2klms out of the town would be utterly unforgiving. We can clearly hear traffice approaching the village for many kilometres away, let alone blasting, trucks and machinery constantly day and night.

It has already begun to impact on us financially with our greatest Australian asset being our home, plummeting financially and it just about make it impossible to sell. This also goes along side the environmental impact with the lead, noise and water conditions.

This mine will only prove not just to affect the Lue Village but will be widespread to affect our surrounding communities.

How can anyone, Government body or organisation, see fit to pass a mine which will impact greatly on residence’s health, when such major measures are taken if just the slightest sign of an example of asbestos or lead is found withing a building or area.

I strongly urge you to hear our plea and support our community by not allowing this mine to commence with all the strong evidence on how it is to impact our environment and health.

I oppose the proposal for the Bowden’s Silver Mine near Lue. This mine must be rejected.
Firstly, this mine is proposed less than 3 km from the village of Lue which is a beautiful, quiet and vibrant village with a notoriously good little school, which is accessed by families in the wider community. Lue is also on a popular tourist route between Rylstone and Mudgee. This route is also the main access for many locals in these towns. Many locals live off the land and rely on agriculture and farming for income. Tourism in this region relies on the picturesque, clean country landscape, which brings people to the area for camping, farm-stays, and ‘getting out of the city’. Locals supply fresh produce to the local cafes, hotels and pubs in the form of wine, olives, cheese, beef and lamb to name a few. Being such a beautiful and popular location also means that there are many families with children living in close proximity to the proposed mine.
The local families would be most at risk from contaminants inadvertently released from mine in the form of dust and contaminated water. Not to mention noise from operation and increased traffic. Additionally, the health of people on Lawson creek and downstream toward Mudgee (only 27km away) is at risk. The agriculture and tourism industry would be damaged, and the mine site would leave a legacy of contamination for 100s of years after the mine has ceased operation. This is a disastrous place to start a silver/lead/zinc mine.
It is well known that exposing the ore containing pyrite (Iron Sulfide) for the purpose of extracting metals creates sulfuric acid and subsequently liberates heavy metals such as lead, zinc, copper and cadmium, which are highly toxic to aquatic systems. Any release of such contaminated water would be disastrous for the ecosystem health of Lawson creek and the people relying on it for livestock and recreation. It would potentially impact on the river all the way to Mudgee.
Sunny Corner Mine at Portland was a silver mine that ceased operation in 1922, yet it is still generating acid leachate (pH2.8), laden with heavy metals, which is still contaminating the creek downstream for more than 20km 100 years after it stopped operation. We know the catastrophic, long-lasting contamination which results from digging up sulfide metal ore. There are metal mines in Europe that have been contaminating rivers for 1000s of years since operation because of acid mine drainage.
Any seepage from, or other failure of the tailings dam would be catastrophic and pose irreversible contamination to surrounding land and aquatic systems.
The presence of the mine will also reduce groundwater and surface water flows in the catchment which is unacceptable in a community relying on this water, especially in times of drought which are becoming more frequent and prolonged with climate change. Long term negative effect on groundwater is not acceptable.
The economy that relies on tourism and agriculture of the area will be threatened by the mine, as will the communities of Lue, Kandos, Rylstone and Mudgee. This region cannot afford a dangerous and polluting mine such as Bowden’s.
The long term implications of the mine is of a contaminated site for hundreds of years after the mine has ceased operating. The cost of this long term contamination to the land and water in the area is not acceptable.
The Bowden’s EIS does not address the long term effects of acid mine drainage and potential leaking of the acidic, heavy metal laden water into the waterways and creeks of the Lue/Mudgee area. Any failure to contain such contaminants would be disastrous for the local area. This would seriously effect the health of people living in the region, as well as river health, the environment and resulting agricultural and economic impacts. The mine would also create a contamination problem for 100s of years so must be rejected.

Please see attachment for my comments

To Whom It May Concern

RE: Opposition to Bowdens Silver Mine

My name is Julie Reynolds. I have lived at Cassilis my whole life and I work full time in Mudgee. I am writing to express my opposition to the proposed Lue Silver Mine.

My main concern is the risk the mine poses to the health of the environment and to the health of our population.

These concerns include, but are not limited to:

• Destruction of critically endangered ecosystem:
The project will destroy 381.7 ha of native vegetation including 182.3 ha of the critically endangered Box-Gum Woodland. With less than 5% of Grassy Box Woodland remaining it is more important than ever to protect this ecosystem (Commonwealth Profile: Grassy Box Woodland). This ecological community provides habitat for a large number of endangered species listed under NSW and Federal environmental legislation. Koalas have been sited beside the project site however the mine site is suitable for koala occupation.

• Water:
The project proposes to access up to 5.5 ML/day of water from coal mines on the top of the Goulburn River, transferred via a 60km pipeline. The excess water from Ulan Coal mine is legislated to maintain flows to the eastern flowing Goulburn River. Redirecting for the use of this mine creates issues of secure supply and the reduction of flow from the Goulburn River system. This water is critical for the health and viability of the Goulburn. The top priority for its use is maintaining environmental flows in the Goulburn especially during extended dry periods, when most pressure is on water access. Ulan/Moolarben water is Goulburn water and should stay there. This is particularly important to me as a resident of the Hunter region. I would hate to see the tourism and environmental value that is so important to the towns of the Hunter, in particular, Merriwa, impacted by the diversion of water from the Goulburn river.

The EIS outlines the ground water draw down that will occur with the creation of the pit. It shows that the drawdown within the Lawson’s Creek flow line with be at least 1 metre. This will interrupt the flow of the creek further downstream ensuring that downstream landholders will have reduced surface flow from the creek. This will severely affect the hydrology of the Lawson Creek and threaten the community below the site who rely on this water for themselves and livestock for not only the life of the mine but for at least 100 years while the drawdown continues into the mining pit. This is especially relevant in light if the horrific drought circumstances that we have experienced in the last few years. And in the light of climate change predications for the future.

The pipeline will also increase the footprint of the dam with the required clearing and disturbance that would be required to bring a water pipeline through farm land and native vegetation. Thus destroying even more valuable native vegetation.

• Rehabilitation of the site: The void of the mine will not be filled when mining is finished. Estimates indicate there will be a hole approximately 1.5km wide by 300 meters deep and a health risk to the surrounding environment forever. The tailings dam will cover 117 hectares with a 56m high wall and contain cyanide, cadmium, arsenic, zinc and lead. There will be no secondary wall, and the dam will be less than 1km from Lawson Creek. Lawson Creek joins the Cudgegong at Mudgee, and flows on to join the Macquarie at Burrendong Dam. There is no rehabilitation available for these dams. They are capped and remain in place forever - that is, until they leak or collapse. What a dangerous legacy to leave our children!

• Lead dust: there is no safe limit for lead exposure. The risks of health effects are highest in unborn babies, infants and children. Lue Primary School is less than 2km from the mine site. This distance does not provide a significant enough buffer to protect the health of the children at the school nor the rest of the 800 people that live in Lue area.

At a time when the world, particularly people living in big cities, are valuing our open spaces and clean air more than ever it would be short sighted not to invest and promote those assets, instead of looking to destroy them. The bucolic nature of Mudgee and Lue is drawing more and more people to the town looking for a better quality of life. Those people will invest in the area for the long term, their children will go to school here and they will work and spend their money here. This represents a real and significant investment in our region, one that is not reliant on damaging our health and destroying our natural assets.
The decision for this mine to go forward would be a decision that generations would regret into the future.

The Bowdens Silver Project is an extremely positive project for the local Lue area, the Mid-Western Region and the wider country.
The proponent has completed a comprehensive assessment of the potential risks associated with this project and gone through an iterative process to modify the project to minimise any impacts as far as practicable (over and above legislative requirements in many aspects). The management actions described the EIS are reasonable and achievable and will allow this project to be completed with negligible negative impacts to the environment and community.
The proposed Biodiversity Offsetting Strategy and Rehabilitation activities provides opportunities to not only increase the security of biodiversity in NSW but also provides a pathway for major improvements to habitat that would otherwise continue to be affected indefinitely by agricultural activities.
This project will provide valuable resources to a number of industries not the least of these being the burgeoning renewable power industry, and is essential to the creation of a sustainable renewable power supply industry in NSW and Australia.
The project will provide a stable long term economic boost to the local area through job creation both directly and indirectly and through spending in the community. The added benefit of this project for the local area is diversification of mining activities (the major economic driver of wealth in the mid-western region) which is essential for the long term stability of the area and the ability for the area to continue to thrive in the current changing energy market.