Mod 3 - Processing & Tailings Storage

See attached.

We object to the Modification 10 0054 MOD 3 because we believe that having a tailings dam with very long term dangerous metals at the head of the Majors Creek escarpment poses a very real threat in the future to the Araluen/ Deua/ Moruya River systems, the ecology thereon and the lives of the inhabitants. We enclose an attachment which explains our concerns in detail. We also sent a letter but were concerned that our slow post would not deliver it in time, hence this online submission.

Please see attached submission.

Please refer to the attached document:

My submission is an OBJECTION to this Proposal of Modification

put forth by Unity Mining for the Dargues Reef Gold Mine at

Majors Creek in New South Wales

Please find attached submission objecting to any approval of the proponent's application for amendment to the mining proposal

I object to the Submission on EA FOR THE DARGUES REEF GOLD MINE MODIFICATION 3 MP_10 0054 July 2015.

As a resident of Moruya, in Eurobodalla living on a property that is on the Moruya River, I strongly object to this modification to the Dargues Reef Gold Mine Development Application. I understand and believe that the main danger with this project is for all of us living in the Moruya River Catchment and surrounds is the assumption (and the augment by Unity) that there will NEVER be failures in the design or running of the proposed processing plant. Accidents do and will happen.

I object that the original development application for the mine there is no reference to or assessment of the risks posed to the drinking water supply for the almost 40,000 residents of Eurobodalla Shire who rely on water drawn from the Deua River system.

The pdf attachment highlights the reasons why it is clear to me that the proposed modification creates a pollution risk that is unacceptable - to the residents and environment along the entire Moruya River catchment. The potential cost to our community is too great and that Unity actions are ignoring the threat to our well-being.

I do not trust that Unity will do the right thing for our community and the wellbeing of our natural resources. I believe that they will stripe the environment for their own personal gain, with no real consideration for long term care for the livelihood of the whole eco system that relies on a the pristine conditions.

I object. I do not understand that we are even considering allowing something that risks irreversible damage to our unique and precious environments, livelihood and wellbeing of our communities and economies of the Moruya River Catchment for the sake of a little more gold.

The claims that Unity are suggesting that this modification can be constructed and operated in a manner that would satisfy reasonable community expectations are NOT reasonable and certainly not satisfactory to me, my family, my community and my environment.

What is reasonable is that we should not jeopardise our water supply or even consider subjecting it to the risk of dangerous and permanent contamination.

Without the guarantees and evidence that Unity operations will be accident free, that all risk is eliminated and the utmost care and consideration will be taken in ensuring that our water supply and environment will be free of poison and destruction - I DO NOT SUPPORT THIS MODIFICATION. I OBJECT!

Please do not approve this modification.

My name is Andrew Stojanovski. My home is on the Deua River. I raised my children here. My first job when I finished school was picking peaches in Araluen in 1985. I have spent over 7 years working on the peach farm in Araluen.

The Deua River is one of the most pristine rivers in New South Wales. It is fed by Majors Creek and Araluen Creek.

The proposed modification to allow cyanide processing at the Dargues Reef Gold Mine at Majors Creek presents an unacceptable risk to the catchment and people who live downstream. We drink this water. Over the years I have seen many floods in Araluen. Since the mine was approved there have been several breaches of the mine's safety mechanisms due to high rainfall, which have resulted in the mine being fined for environmental breaches. The area is subject to flash flooding, only three years ago a man drowned while caught in the floodwaters of the Majors Creek. It is too risky to introduce cyanide into the mix, as water that can spill over from the Dargues Reef tailings dam and processing site in the event of a flood and will lead to pollution of the water supply downstream. Cyanide is a lethally toxic chemical that could spell environmental disaster for both the valley's agricultural industry of fruit and vegetable growing, and for the water supply of the Eurobodalla Shire.

In examining the proposal by Unity mining I do not feel confident that cyanide processing is safe for the Araluen Valley or the Deua River. I therefore make this submission to request that the Department of Planning and Environment reject the proposed modification.

I live 21 km from Moruya, the Deua River flows past my house.

I have raised my two children on the river here. Each afternoon during summer they swim in the river. The river provides our house's water.

I have made my home by the Deua River since 2004, and have visited the area since 1988. I used to live in the Tanami Desert, on the road to the Granites Gold Mine, and I have witnessed first hand the devastation of a cyanide spill, when whole flocks of birds have been poisoned, next to the Tanami Road.

The Deua River is a very high quality river, my neighbours irrigate their orchards and market gardens from the river, and the Araluen Creek. This is a rich, beautiful area.

I have considered the proposed modification to allow the use of cyanide in processing gold at Majors Creek. Knowing the area, and the unpredictability of rainfall and flash flooding I do not think the proposal's safeguards are adequate to protect downstream users from the risk of cyanide. I note that since I have lived here the Majors Creek Mine has already had several incidents where its environmental safeguards have been breached during times of high rainfall.

This submission objects to the use of cyanide at Majors Creek Gold Mine.

Although I have not read the Privacy Statement, I Have ticked the box, so I could send in my submission. Your links only took me to a default page.
Sandra Hand

Please accept my attached submission to the Dargues Reef Mine Modifcation proposal.

submission on EA for Dargues Reef Gold Mine Modification 3 MP _10 0054 July 2015
I strenuously oppose Mod 3 because even the admission by the mining comapny of a 'neglible risk' to too great to allow this modification to go ahead risking the health and livlihood of between 40,000 people living in the whole catchment area and incresing to 100,000 people in summer.
My detailed comments are in attachment 1

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