McPhillamys Gold Project

Water Usage:

The McPhillamy’s Gold Project Environmental Impact Statement Executive Summary states that:

• Up to 8.5 Million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of ore will be extracted from the McPhillamys gold deposit over a total project life of 15 years, and that
• Water will be supplied to the mine site via an approximate 90 kilometre (km) long pipeline, transferring surplus water from Centennial Coal's Angus Place Colliery (Angus Place) and Springvale Coal Services Operations (SCSO), and Energy Australia's Mount Piper Power Station (MPPS) near Lithgow, to the mine.

The Executive Summary further states that:

• Approximately 13 ML/day (up to a maximum of 15.6 ML/day) will be transferred for mining and processing operations.
Nearby Cadia Mine extracts 13 Mtpa of ore (Attachment A) requiring 160 ML/day of water to operate (Attachment B).
Regis states that it will be extracting 8.5 Million tonnes per annum (Mtpa) of ore with a water usage of 13 ML/day (up to a maximum of 15.6 ML/day whilst Cadia extracts 31.7 million tonnes of ore per annum (Mtpa) requiring 160 ML of water a day to operate.

Accepting that Regis will only produce 30% of the ore that Newcrest is producing (8.5 Mtpa compared with 31.7 Mtpa) , Regis will require 48 ML/day of water (30% of 160 ML) and yet they claim that they will only require 13 – 15.6 ML/day. This is simply not credible.

Water is gold and it is unacceptable that a mining company can waste this invaluable resource for a limited number of jobs for up to 15 years. Their water usage alone will result in the permanent destruction of the agricultural industry in this area.

Further, the 13 – 15.6 ML/day that Regis claims it requires is highly saline and farm land close to the site will be lost to agriculture as it is inevitable that the water will be distributed throughout the environment through leeching and spraying.

This water could be put to better use by being desalinated.

Tailings Dam:

The mine is located at the headwaters of the Belubula River. It is inevitable that there will be seepage from the tailings dam through underground springs resulting in the contamination of the Belubula River, Carcoar Dam and the Lachlan River.

Regis must be required to build a 300mm thick (the same as a swimming pool) fully reinforced concrete dam, floor and all sides, to contain their tailings.

Further the tailings dam will prevent runoff water and spring water flowing downstream even if it is concrete lined.

Conclusion:

These critical risks of irreparable damage to our land and water alone have not been addressed adequately in the Environmental Impact Statement.

These grounds alone are sufficient for me to request that the application be rejected.

As a medical practitioner and experienced public health physician I object to the project because of its impact on human health. The impacts are described in the following points:
1. Water security. The current severe drought affecting Western NSW has highlighted the impact of climate change and in particular the threat to our water supplies. Water is essential for life not only in regard to direct consumption but also for the irrigation of crops and watering of livestock. This project represents a severe threat to water security not least because the gold is low grade requiring more sodium cyanide to dissolve the gold. This and other chemicals are very toxic and impact both surface and ground water. The risk of a toxic spill is a further hazard that could poison the Belubula River. Even Wikipedia tells us that 'gold ore dumps are long term, highly hazardous wastes second only to nuclear waste dumps'
2. Food security. The mine site is extensive and will destroy once productive farming land. As Australia loses more and more of its productive top soils we cannot afford to further jeopardize our ability to produce food for human consumption.
3. Clean air. The mine site will produce dust and fumes that may affect neighbouring properties and in particular threaten the water collected and used from rain water tanks.
4. Noise pollution. The blasting that is understood to take place over a 12 hour period each day of the year represents a significant noise pollution burden for nearby residents. It is well known that noise pollution is a contributor to poorer health outcomes.
5. Employment. We all know that employment is a positive contributor to human health. However, we also need to be cognizant of the fact that mines are becoming increasingly mechanised and that the work itself for miners is hazardous.
6. The intrinsic value of gold. Gold is not essential to life. 90% of the gold that is mined is used for either jewelry (trinkets) or as gold bars for investment. Only 10% is used for industrial purposes including electrical connectors.
This mine is about making the best and safest choices for rural Australia and recognising that the increasing impact of climate change on the region will see worsening drought characterised by higher temperatures and less rainfall. We must secure our water and opportunity to produce food as the highest priority. Gold mining in the proposed location represents a low value operation because of the jeopardy to human health and also because the gold itself is low grade and does not warrant the enormous environmental destruction that will be required.

Please see attached

Because of the clarity of the science on climate change, biodiversity and water management, I object to this proposed mine for the following reasons:
- The vast majority of Australia is in the grip of drought, claimed by some to be the most severe and widespread in recorded history. Most expert opinion is that, due to the now unavoidable climate change caused by global warming, such droughts are going to become the new normal. This will result in reduced rainfall, increased evaporation, and consequent scarcity of water for all purposes, including farming, on which we all depend for food production. Yet this project is seriously proposing to construct a tailings dam, full of potentially toxic sludge, on top of the headwaters of one of the few rivers in the country still in reasonable condition.
- Tailings dams have been known to fail, with catastrophic consequences. Destroying this agricultural area for a 15 year project to extract gold at a concentration of perhaps 1.05gm/tonne, producing 60m+ tonnes of waste, and leaving a destroyed landscape and toxic legacy that will last forever just cannot be justified to produce a metal that will likely end up as jewellery, or be locked away as bullion. No doubt the financiers and engineers who are promoting and designing this project are highly skilled, but the risks posed by this project are way out of proportion with the benefit to be gained for the country as a whole.
- Some towns in NSW are about to run out of water. It is morally problematic to say the least that water has been turned into a commodity in this country rather than an essential resource to which everybody has a right and human and animal interests are considered higher than the profits of organisations.
- The use of cyanide to process the gold from ore and then pumped into the tailings dam. Cyanide has been banned in nine countries, Korea, Ecuador, Argentina, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, Greece, Turkey, Germany and Hungary and some US states and poses a dangerous and toxic threat to the water and land in the region.
- Inevitable contamination of the Belubula and Lachlan Rivers, due to seepage through groundwater flows from the tailings dam
- Traffic problems and caused by the continuous stream of heavy vehicles, and light vehicles at shift changes
- The blot on the landscape caused by the “amenity bunds” and dust
- Loss of natural land and environment for wildlife, and the impact of toxicity on surrounding wildlife
- Noise, dust, vibrations, particulate pollution from diesel fumes, light pollution 7 days a week and 24 hours a day
- The noise, vibrations and risks posed by regular explosions permitted for 12 hours a day. This will impact livestock and domestic animals on neighbouring properties and could damage heritage buildings
- Permanent degradation of prime agricultural land and scenery
- Loss of trees including high altitude yellow box that may be 200 years old
- Impact on bee population due to loss of ground flora and contaminated water
- Loss of the forest where the mine is proposed that is considered an ecologically endangered community as defined by the NSW Office of Environment and Heritage
- The high probability that the developer will not be willing or able to rehabilitate the site when the mine eventually becomes unviable, as has happened so many times in the history of mining
- The whole project proposes less than 1000 short terms jobs. Other industries in this area, with support a more diversified and resilient economy including tourism, renewables and sustainable agriculture offer far more employment.

Please see attached

Please see attached

Please see attached

EFFECTS ON BELUBULA RIVER AND WATER RESOURCES
● The dangers to the whole river system associated with any toxic spills into the Belubula
River Headwaters that runs through the mine site and will be buried for several kms by
the mine tailings. Downstream from the mine the river flows through the town of
Blayney, rich alluvial flats grazing land, and into Carcoar Dam. Tablelands Water supply
might be polluted via the planned pipeline connecting Lake Rowlands and Carcoar Dam.
Below Carcoar Dam the Belubula passes through several rural communities, much
grazing and cropping country and ultimately feeds into the Lachlan River west of Cowra.
● Possible disruption to adjacent groundwater supply by bores sunk on the mine site to
provide water for construction and operation before the pipeline from Lithgow is
operational. Regis until recently denied this was planned. In addition the rain that falls
on the mine site will be harvested far beyond the 10% allowed to farmers, and will
further reduce the presently available water in the Upper Belubula catchment.
● The plan to bring 13 000 000 litres of dirty saline water from Lithgow to the mine every
day. This is water that Sydney does not want in Warragamba Dam, that has its origins in
the degrading wetlands of the western Blue Mountains, that is polluted by being filtered
through coal seams and by being used in a coal washing, and has its salt content
multiplied by addition of brine, the waste product of a desalination plant at Mount Piper
Power Station. The net result will be the introduction of a very large volume of poor
quality water and the supply of thousands of tonnes of salt to the already overburdened
Murray – Darling Basin.
EFFECTS ON THE ‘NEAR NEIGHBOURS’ OF THE MINE
● The proposed mine would have a dramatic effect on the near neighbours of the mine
especially, but not limited to, the settlement of Kings Plains that live on the south side of
the valley facing the mine that occupies almost the entire opposite northern side. Here
the open cut pit will be excavated and a large waste rock disposal area including a high
embankment to be constructed over a period of four years. This will be a conntiuous
source of noise, dust, and at night, light pollution during the life of the mine – after the
first 6 months of construction on the site it is proposed that mining activity will proceed
for ten years, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and fifty-two weeks a year, blasting
permitted for 12 hours a day. For most what attracted the residents to settle in the area
around what may now become an industrial void and dump mine was the overall
amenity of the area: the rural views that will be changed forever, the healthy
environment that will be degraded, and the brilliant dark-sky to be gone for more than a
decade
THE AFFECTS ON BLAYNEY TOWNSHIP
● Blayney town is sufficiently closed to experience the noise of blasting, the night -light
and in adverse weather conditions dust from the mine including that from the tailins
that are enriched in elements including arsenic, copper, sulphur, zinc, cadmium, and
selenium.
● While the proponents of the mine speak of additional residents, business opportunities,
employment, and additional rate income, what is to become of the plans for encouraging
tourism? Will there be accommodation available for tourists, will business be lost by the
shops, cafes hotels and motels? Will tourists still want to come? Will the presence of a
mine waste dump be a welcoming sign for those travelling along the eastern entry?
What of the cost of renting in Blayney, already short of such accommodation – will the
less well - off be squeezed out by well-paid miners? Will local businesses loose skilled
workers and potential apprentices for the same reason? The mine life is 10 years – what
will happen then to the work force residents of Blayney? Will they find the employment
for which they have developed skills and will businesses buoyed by contracts from the
mine survive the inevitable mine-closure bust and will the Shire accommodate easily to
the loss of rate income?
INTER GENERATIONAL EQUITY
● The planned McPhillamys gold mine is a good example of inter generational inequity. The
present generation reaps the benefit of the sale of the gold won whereas succeeding
generations inherit a toxic tailings dam designed to leak into the headwaters of the
Belubula River, and a pit that will leak water contaminated to a degree that it is
unsuitable for cattle to drink into the groundwater reservoir and possibly to the Belubula
River for tens or hundreds of years. Additionally, in the absence of any strategy to
minimize greenhouse gas emissions from the site the miners will leave a legacy
contribution to global climate change, principally global warming and increased extreme
climactic events. The later increase the possibility of high precipitation events with the
risk of deep erosion of the engineered steep embankments and the catastrophic release
of mobilized tailings and acid metalliferous drainage.
NATIVE FLORA AND FAUNA
● Development of the mine site will lead to the destruction of 44 Ha of critically
endangered Blackley’s Red Gum – White Box – Yellow Box grassy woodland and the
habitat of at least two colonies of squirrel gliders, and at least one koala colony. Both
animals are listed as vulnerable. Threatened bird species reported include the Regent
honey eater. The Kings Plains district has a very wide range of commoner bird species as
well as kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, echidnas, frogs and reptiles. All such fauna will
be to a degree displaced by destruction of habitat and the effects of noise, dust, night
light, and destruction of potable water sources. Combined these indicate a risk to local
biodiversity and a reason for rejection the mine.


OTHER POTENTIAL LOSSES


● The development of the McPhillamys mine site necessarily involves the loss of
productive agricultural land, some of this for permanently, for example the grassy
woodland to be established on the site of the waste rock emplacement where grazing
will not be possible. In a world short of food with a population estimated to grow within
a couple of generations to in excess of 7 billion but no shortage of gold (over 40% is
locked up in vaults) the morality of preferring gold mining over food production in a rich
country like Australia must be questioned.
● There are numerous small-medium sized businesses in the area around the mine site .
Visitors will be reluctant to stay at Air B and B’s near the mine, equine pursuits may no
longer be possible, riding tuition will cease because of the danger of blasting frightening
horses, horse breeding and agistment because of the effect of blasting and toxic dust
coating grass ingested by close grazing animals, honey and queen bee production by the
effect of dust, organic and experimental bio dynamic farming tuition because of pollution,
clients will probably no longer wish to board their domestic animals at kennels/cattery
close to the mine.

My apologies to the DPIE and the IPAC for using a ‘form’ response. I have read it through and it
does express my main reasons for objecting to the gold mine project.

Living and farming within under 1km from mine sit with a young family for 4 (2 kid under 6 with diagnosed respiratory conditions) i am concerned about the effects this will have on my family. Along with my place of work, the quality and quantity of ground water that we are so lucky to have during the current druoght conditions

Being a young farming family with two young children whom have respiratory diseases my concerns are the effects that the air pollution will have on them and the quality and quantity of our water supply which we rely so heavily on during these drought conditions. My concerns are also the effects it will have on our places of work.

See attached pdf submission from BCCAN

I OBJECT to the proposal
REASONS FOR OBJECTION:
EFFECTS ON BELUBULA RIVER AND WATER RESOURCES
• The dangers to the whole river system associated with any toxic spills into the Belubula River Headwaters that runs through the mine site and will be buried for several kms by the mine tailings. Downstream from the mine the river flows through the town of Blayney, rich alluvial flats grazing land, and into Carcoar Dam. Tablelands Water supply might be polluted via the planned pipeline connecting Lake Rowlands and Carcoar Dam. Below Carcoar Dam the Belubula passes through several rural communities, much grazing and cropping country and ultimately feeds into the Lachlan River west of Cowra.
• Possible disruption to adjacent groundwater supply by bores sunk on the mine site to provide water for construction and operation before the pipeline from Lithgow is operational. Regis until recently denied this was planned. In addition, the rain that falls on the minesite will be harvested far beyond the 10% allowed to farmers, and will further reduce the presently available water in the Upper Belubula catchment.
• The plan to bring 13 000 000 litres of dirty saline water from Lithgow to the mine every day. This is water that Sydney does not want in Warragamba Dam, that has its origins in the degrading wetlands of the western Blue Mountains, that is polluted by being filtered through coal seams and by being used in a coal washery, and has its salt content multiplied by addition of brine, the waste product of a desalination plant at Mount Piper Power Station. The net result will be the introduction of a very large volume of poor quality water and the supply of thousands of tonnes of salt to the already overburdened Murray – Darling Basin.
EFFECTS ON THE ‘NEAR NEIGHBOURS’ OF THE MINE
• The proposed mine would have a dramatic effect on the near neighbours of the mine especially, but not limited to, the settlement of Kings Plains that live on the south side of the valley facing the mine that occupies almost the entire opposite northern side. Here the open cut pit will be excavated and a large waste rock disposal area including a high embankment to be constructed over a period of four years. This will be a continuous source of noise, dust, and at night, light pollution during the life of the mine – after the first 6 months of construction on the site it is proposed that mining activity will proceed for ten years, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and fifty-two weeks a year, blasting permitted for 12 hours a day. For most what attracted the residents to settle in the area around what may now become an industrial void and dump mine was the overall amenity of the area: the rural views that will be changed forever, the healthy environment that will be degraded, and the brilliant dark-sky to be gone for more than a decade

THE AFFECTS ON BLAYNEY TOWNSHIP
• Blayney town is sufficiently close to experience the noise of blasting, the night -light and in adverse weather conditions dust from the mine including that from the tailings that are enriched in elements including arsenic, copper, sulphur, zinc, cadmium, and selenium.
• While the proponents of the mine speak of additional residents, business opportunities, employment, and additional rate income, what is to become of the plans for encouraging tourism? Will there be accommodation available for tourists, will business be lost by the shops, cafes hotels and motels? Will tourists still want to come? Will the presence of a mine waste dump be a welcoming sign for those travelling along the eastern entry? What of the cost of renting in Blayney, already short of such accommodation – will the less well - off be squeezed out by well-paid miners? Will local businesses loose skilled workers and potential apprentices for the same reason? The mine life is 10 years – what will happen then to the work force residents of Blayney? Will they find the employment for which they have developed skills and will businesses buoyed by contracts from the mine survive the inevitable mine-closure bust and will the Shire accommodate easily to the loss of rate income?

INTERGENERATIONAL EQUITY

• The planned McPhillamys gold mine is a good example of intergenerational inequity. The present generation reaps the benefit of the sale of the gold won whereas succeeding generations inherit a toxic tailings dam designed to leak into the headwaters of the Belubula River, and a pit that will leak water contaminated to a degree that it is unsuitable for cattle to drink into the groundwater reservoir and possibly to the Belubule River for tens or hundreds of years. Additionally, in the absence of any strategy to minimize greenhouse gas emissions from the site the miners will leave a legacy contributing to global climate change, principally global warming and increased extreme climatic events. The latter increase the possibility of high precipitation events with the risk of deep erosion of the engineered steep embankments and the catastrophic release of mobilized tailings and acid metalliferous drainage.

NATIVE FLORA AND FAUNA

• Development of the mine site will lead to the destruction of 44 Ha of critically endangered Blackley’s Red Gum – White Box – Yellow Box grassy woodland and the habitat of at least two colonies of squirrel gliders, and at least one koala colony. Both animals are listed as vulnerable. Threatened bird species reported include the Regent honey eater. The Kings Plains district has a very wide range of commoner bird species as well as kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, echidnas, frogs and reptiles. All such fauna will be to a degree displaced by destruction of habitat and the effects of noise, dust, night light, and destruction of potable water sources. Combined these indicate a risk to local biodiversity and a reason for rejecting the mine.

LOSS OF PRODUCTIVE LAND

• The development of the McPhillamys mine site necessarily involves the loss of productive agricultural land, some of this permanently, for example the grassy woodland to be established on the site of the waste rock emplacement where grazing will not be possible. In a world short of food with a population estimated to grow to 9.7 billon by 2050 from the present 7.7 billon but no shortage of gold (over 40% is locked up in vaults) the morality of preferring gold mining over food production in a rich country like Australia must be questioned.
DECLINE OR LOSS OF BUSINESSES CLOSE TO THE MINE
• There are numerous small-medium sized businesses in the area around the mine site. Visitors will be reluctant to stay at AirBandB’s near the mine, equine pursuits may no longer be possible, riding tuition will cease because of the danger of blasting frightening horses, horse breeding and agistment cease because of the effect of blasting and toxic dust coating grass ingested by close grazing animals, honey and queen bee production end because of dust, organic and experimental biodynamic farming and tuition because of pollution, clients will probably no longer wish to board their domestic animals at kennels/cattery close to the mine.

My parents have been residents of Kings Plains for 18 years. My family and I have had the privilege of visiting my parents' property on a regular basis throughout this time. It has been a great opportunity for my children to experience the fresh air and freedom that only the country can provide. It saddens me greatly that this beautiful prime farming district and its inhabitants along with the local flora and fauna, will be so negatively affected by this proposed goldmine. The lifestyle and picturesque setting that my parents retired to this area for will no longer be, if this development goes ahead. I would not want to subject my children to the poisonous dust, noise etc. that this mine will produce. Surely the rights of the farmers and residents of this area, and the preservation of this pristine environment should be paramount here, not the short term financial gains of big business.

I have NOT made any political donations

Document Attached

While I have a number of concerns regarding the accuracy and veracity of the employment opportunities ,my main objections to the proposed mine project are on environmental grounds.I shall list below a range of concerns which to my mind have not been resolved to date by the proprietor of the proposed mine, Regis Resources.
1 the quality and quantity of the water being pumped from Lithgow on a daily basis-a particular concern being the high levels of salinity.
2 the position and depth of the tailings dam -ie below the water table -and the dire implications for water users along the Belubula as well as bore water operations
3 The dangers associated of spills into the Belubula and their very toxic nature
4 the danger to native flora and fauna -the general treat to bio-diversity
5 Pollution resulting from such a mining operation-eg noise and dust.
6 Loss of sites of cultural significance pertaining to the Wirdjuri people
7 the deleterious effect on landholders in the near vicinity of the mine-financial , health , psychological

I OBJECT to the proposal
REASONS FOR OBJECTION:
EFFECTS ON BELUBULA RIVER AND WATER RESOURCES
• The dangers to the whole river system associated with any toxic spills into the Belubula River Headwaters that runs through the mine site and will be buried for several kms by the mine tailings. Downstream from the mine the river flows through the town of Blayney, rich alluvial flats grazing land, and into Carcoar Dam. Tablelands Water supply might be polluted via the planned pipeline connecting Lake Rowlands and Carcoar Dam. Below Carcoar Dam the Belubula passes through several rural communities, much grazing and cropping country and ultimately feeds into the Lachlan River west of Cowra.
• Possible disruption to adjacent groundwater supply by bores sunk on the mine site to provide water for construction and operation before the pipeline from Lithgow is operational. Regis until recently denied this was planned. In addition, the rain that falls on the minesite will be harvested far beyond the 10% allowed to farmers, and will further reduce the presently available water in the Upper Belubula catchment.
• The plan to bring 13 000 000 litres of dirty saline water from Lithgow to the mine every day. This is water that Sydney does not want in Warragamba Dam, that has its origins in the degrading wetlands of the western Blue Mountains, that is polluted by being filtered through coal seams and by being used in a coal washery, and has its salt content multiplied by addition of brine, the waste product of a desalination plant at Mount Piper Power Station. The net result will be the introduction of a very large volume of poor quality water and the supply of thousands of tonnes of salt to the already overburdened Murray – Darling Basin.
EFFECTS ON THE ‘NEAR NEIGHBOURS’ OF THE MINE
• The proposed mine would have a dramatic effect on the near neighbours of the mine especially, but not limited to, the settlement of Kings Plains that live on the south side of the valley facing the mine that occupies almost the entire opposite northern side. Here the open cut pit will be excavated and a large waste rock disposal area including a high embankment to be constructed over a period of four years. This will be a continuous source of noise, dust, and at night, light pollution during the life of the mine – after the first 6 months of construction on the site it is proposed that mining activity will proceed for ten years, 24 hours a day, seven days a week and fifty-two weeks a year, blasting permitted for 12 hours a day. For most what attracted the residents to settle in the area around what may now become an industrial void and dump mine was the overall amenity of the area: the rural views that will be changed forever, the healthy environment that will be degraded, and the brilliant dark-sky to be gone for more than a decade

THE AFFECTS ON BLAYNEY TOWNSHIP
• Blayney town is sufficiently close to experience the noise of blasting, the night -light and in adverse weather conditions dust from the mine including that from the tailings that are enriched in elements including arsenic, copper, sulphur, zinc, cadmium, and selenium.
• While the proponents of the mine speak of additional residents, business opportunities, employment, and additional rate income, what is to become of the plans for encouraging tourism? Will there be accommodation available for tourists, will business be lost by the shops, cafes hotels and motels? Will tourists still want to come? Will the presence of a mine waste dump be a welcoming sign for those travelling along the eastern entry? What of the cost of renting in Blayney, already short of such accommodation – will the less well - off be squeezed out by well-paid miners? Will local businesses loose skilled workers and potential apprentices for the same reason? The mine life is 10 years – what will happen then to the work force residents of Blayney? Will they find the employment for which they have developed skills and will businesses buoyed by contracts from the mine survive the inevitable mine-closure bust and will the Shire accommodate easily to the loss of rate income?

INTERGENERATIONAL EQUITY

• The planned McPhillamys gold mine is a good example of intergenerational inequity. The present generation reaps the benefit of the sale of the gold won whereas succeeding generations inherit a toxic tailings dam designed to leak into the headwaters of the Belubula River, and a pit that will leak water contaminated to a degree that it is unsuitable for cattle to drink into the groundwater reservoir and possibly to the Belubule River for tens or hundreds of years. Additionally, in the absence of any strategy to minimize greenhouse gas emissions from the site the miners will leave a legacy contributing to global climate change, principally global warming and increased extreme climatic events. The latter increase the possibility of high precipitation events with the risk of deep erosion of the engineered steep embankments and the catastrophic release of mobilized tailings and acid metalliferous drainage.

NATIVE FLORA AND FAUNA

• Development of the mine site will lead to the destruction of 44 Ha of critically endangered Blackley’s Red Gum – White Box – Yellow Box grassy woodland and the habitat of at least two colonies of squirrel gliders, and at least one koala colony. Both animals are listed as vulnerable. Threatened bird species reported include the Regent honey eater. The Kings Plains district has a very wide range of commoner bird species as well as kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, echidnas, frogs and reptiles. All such fauna will be to a degree displaced by destruction of habitat and the effects of noise, dust, night light, and destruction of potable water sources. Combined these indicate a risk to local biodiversity and a reason for rejecting the mine.

LOSS OF PRODUCTIVE LAND

• The development of the McPhillamys mine site necessarily involves the loss of productive agricultural land, some of this permanently, for example the grassy woodland to be established on the site of the waste rock emplacement where grazing will not be possible. In a world short of food with a population estimated to grow to 9.7 billon by 2050 from the present 7.7 billon but no shortage of gold (over 40% is locked up in vaults) the morality of preferring gold mining over food production in a rich country like Australia must be questioned.
DECLINE OR LOSS OF BUSINESSES CLOSE TO THE MINE
• There are numerous small-medium sized businesses in the area around the mine site. Visitors will be reluctant to stay at AirBandB’s near the mine, equine pursuits may no longer be possible, riding tuition will cease because of the danger of blasting frightening horses, horse breeding and agistment cease because of the effect of blasting and toxic dust coating grass ingested by close grazing animals, honey and queen bee production end because of dust, organic and experimental biodynamic farming and tuition because of pollution, clients will probably no longer wish to board their domestic animals at kennels/cattery close to the mine.

My grandparents reside at Kings Plains and I regularly visit them. I was upset to hear that their property and many others would be adversely affected by the proposed opening of a goldmine just across the valley. I love riding around the paddocks in the ute with my grandad, parents, siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles and our various pets. We also enjoy riding the mini motorbike and exploring the wide open spaces. These are activities that it will be impossible to do safely once the mine is in operation. The wind regularly blows strongly through this valley. The toxic dust this mine will produce will pose a health risk to all who live here and visit. Please consider the devastating effect this mine will have on this lovely community, its residents, their families and most of all this precious environment.

I have NOT made any political donations.

REASONS FOR OBJECTION:
EFFECTS ON BELUBULA RIVER AND WATER RESOURCES
• That the natural aquifers, springs and underground water systems at the headwaters to the Belubula River are to be capped off and a tailings dam built over the top. Having lived in the district for nearly 20 years I have never seen the Belubula River run dry, there is always water flowing even during our worst droughts and with our present drought situation every drop of water is precious. With the thought of the capping off these natural water systems and the potential leakage of contaminates into the river system I consider this as environmental vandalism.
• The dangers to the whole river system associated with any toxic spills into the Belubula River Headwaters that runs through the mine site and will be buried for several kms by the mine tailings. Downstream from the mine the river flows through the town of Blayney, rich alluvial flats grazing land, and into Carcoar Dam. Tablelands Water supply might be polluted via the planned pipeline connecting Lake Rowlands and Carcoar Dam. Below Carcoar Dam the Belubula passes through several rural communities, much grazing and cropping country and ultimately feeds into the Lachlan River west of Cowra.
• Possible disruption to adjacent groundwater supply by bores sunk on the mine site to provide water for construction and operation before the pipeline from Lithgow is operational. Regis until recently denied this was planned. In addition the rain that falls on the mine site will be harvested far beyond the 10% allowed to farmers, and will further reduce the presently available water in the Upper Belubula catchment.
• The plan to bring 13,000,000 litres of dirty saline water from Lithgow to the mine every day. This is water that Sydney does not want in Warragamba Dam, that has its origins in the degrading wetlands of the western Blue Mountains, that is polluted by being filtered through coal seams and by being used in a coal washery, and has its salt content multiplied by addition of brine, the waste product of a desalination plant at Mount Piper Power Station. The net result will be the introduction of a very large volume of poor quality water and the supply of thousands of tonnes of salt to the already overburdened Murray-Darling Basin.
EFFECTS ON ‘NEAR NEIGHBOURS’ OF THE MINE
• The proposed mine would have a dramatic effect on the near neighbours especially, but not limited to, the settlement of Kings Plains that live on the south side of the valley facing the mine that occupies almost the entire opposite northern side. Here the open cut pit will be excavated and a large waste rock disposal area including a high embankment to be constructed over a period of four years. This will be a continuous source of noise, dust, and at night, light pollution during the life of the mine – after the first 6 months of construction on the site it is proposed that mining activity will proceed for ten years, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, fifty-two weeks a year, blasting permitted for 12 hours a day. For most what attracted the residents to settle in the area around what may now become an industrial void and dump mine was the overall amenity of the area: the rural views that will be changed forever, the healthy environment that will be degraded, and the brilliant dark-sky to be gone for more than a decade.
INTERGENERATIONAL EQUITY
• The planned McPhillamys gold mine is a good example of intergenerational inequity. The present generation reaps the benefit of the sale of the gold won for a few whereas succeeding generations inherit a toxic tailings dam designed to leak into the headwaters of the Belubula River, and a pit that will leak water contaminated to a degree that it is unsuitable for cattle to drink into the groundwater reservoir and possibly to the Belubula River for tens or hundreds of years. The EIS states that there is no intention to rehabilitate the mine pit once the mine closes. Eventually the pit will fill with unusable water and the volume of the pit, which covers an area of 70Ha and will be 460m deep will contain hundreds of Giga Litres of wasted water that can’t be used for any agricultural purpose. This is a situation of short term gains for a few and very long term destruction for many.
EFFECTS OF DUST
• I am greatly concerned about the impact of dust pollution on our household water supply. We rely on tank water, harvested from our roof for the majority of our water, including our drinking water. The prevailing winds are from a westerly direction and at times very strong, which means it will carry dust to us that will be polluted by the toxic wastes. The EIS states that the dust pollution won’t reach our property, however I fail to understand how dust blown a few kilometres from the mine site can’t be picked up again by the winds and eventually wind up on our roof and in our water tanks, our only drinking water supply. The construction of the proposed bund mounds are likely to take 2 ½ years and working 24/7. To claim that we won’t be impacted by dust is unrealistic.
COMMUNITY HAZARDS
• It has been stated that there will be many heavy vehicle movement each week transporting dangerous and toxic substances to the mine site. It is proposed that three trucks a day will carry 20 tons each of cyanide to the mine site. If there is an accident on the highway involving one of these vehicles and the cyanide is exposed to water or fire a toxic gas is released that can kill within minutes. The local RFS brigade, of which I am a member, will not be able to attend due to the dangers to brigade members, their only option would be to wait for NSW Fire and Rescue HAZMAT to arrive, which is likely to take at least half an hour. Advice given to me by NSW Fire and Rescue HAZMAT personnel is that RFS crews should not approach to within 250 metres of the accident, or within 800 metres if fire was involved as we do not have the appropriate personal protective clothing and equipment to combat the situation.

As a resident and primary producer within a 2 km vicinity of the mine, I am concerned about the following potential issues if this mine goes ahead.
* That if anything went wrong with the tailings dam at a later stage that it may effect the groundwater quality, as well as the above-ground water. If chemicals or heavy metals somehow found their way into this system it would be catastrophic.
* The water being piped from Lithgow is of concern with actual levels of salts and other components not being very clear.
* That the amount of water initially being used from bores may effect our bore level and production, which is would significantly effect our ability to farm as it is our main water supply, and without it would effect our livelihood and also devalue the land.
* The potential for dust to settle on pastures, water supply troughs and roofs where rain water is collected from, again it has the potential to significantly effect stock, and our livelihood and our health.
* The potential to destroy an already delicate ecosystem and I am wondering if Regis's research has been completely thorough in recording the native Flora and Fauna, insect life (including bees) and river life; and where will the native animals go when mining starts? Some introduced species will move onto other local farms and create a vermin problem. Some native species will move and others I fear will perish as their homes are removed. While I know Regis are establishing other habitat I don't think it will be ready in time.
* Although I am not against mining I am concerned that this is not the best use of this prime farming and important ecological land. We are still in the grips of one of the worst droughts this area has seen and I ask is it worth the risk to the water table, natural springs and groundwater that has been so vital to us all?
* Initially we were not approached by Regis to inform us of the impending mine and its boundaries. It was only by chance in April 2019 that we discovered just how close we were going to be situated to the mine. At the time it showed a lack of respect and dis-organisation of the company. They have since apologized for this over site however it does make me question their integrity and capabilities.

Please see attached

Please see attached

I have submitted a PDF file where requested.