Independent planning commission gives conditional approval to the Bowdens silver mine

The Bowdens Silver Project is an open cut silver, lead and zinc mine proposed by Bowdens Silver Pty Ltd (the Applicant). The mine will extract and process up to 2 million tpy of ore (up to a maximum of approximately 30 million t). It will operate over a period of approximately 23 years, including pre-mining construction, extraction and rehabilitation.

The Department of Planning and Environment completed the whole-of-government assessment of the mine in December last year before it came to the Commission for determination. The Commission met with key stakeholders, conducted a site inspection and locality tour, held a three-day public hearing in February 2023, and received more than 1900 written submissions on the proposed development.

The Commission outlined its findings in relation to the Bowdens Silver Project in its Statement of Reasons for Decision and acknowledged the issues raised by the local community in relation to human health and amenity, water, traffic and transport, social impacts, economic impacts, Aboriginal cultural heritage, biodiversity, rehabilitation and final landform. Based on the wholeof-government assessment and the expert evidence before it, the Commission found that these issues were able to be appropriately managed through conditions of consent.

The imposed conditions seek to prevent, minimise and/or offset adverse impacts of the Project and to ensure appropriate ongoing monitoring and management. The Applicant will be required to “prepare and implement comprehensive management plans and will need to report on mitigation measures, monitoring results and compliance with performance criteria on an ongoing basis.”

The Commission also heard from the community in relation to the positive impacts the mine would have, including employment opportunities and benefits to local business. In the Statement of Reasons for Decision, the Commission noted “the demand for mineral resources in general, the specific demand for silver, and the considerable uses and applications of the metals in modern technology.”

The Panel acknowledges the efforts of the local community in writing submissions and presenting at the public hearing. Their input assisted the Panel in making a fully informed decision and applying appropriate conditions of consent.

Read the article online at: https://www.globalminingreview.com/exploration-development/05042023/independent-planning-commission-gives-conditional-approval-to-the-bowdens-silver-mine/