Concerns Raised Over Proposed Silver and Lead Mine Near Lue

A recent public hearing held by the NSW Independent Planning Commission (IPC) has concluded, with many speakers expressing concerns about the potential environmental and health impacts of a proposed silver and lead mine near Lue.

The IPC heard three days of evidence in Mudgee as it reassessed a proposal to extract 30 million tonnes of silver, lead, and zinc over 23 years. The project has divided the community, with some touting the economic benefits and others raising concerns about potential environmental and health impacts.

Community Response

Almost 100 people spoke at the hearing, with the majority opposed to the mine. Only a few who spoke in support were not employees. A tractor protest was held in Mudgee on Wednesday in opposition to the proposed silver mine.

University of Queensland professor and principal research fellow at the Sustainable Minerals Institute Barry Noller told the hearing he believed the project's potential for lead exposure posed an unacceptable risk to children at Lue Public School, located two kilometres from the mine site.

"I recommend that the Lue school, being at the boundary of dust deposition of [the] Bowdens mining project, be moved," Professor Noller said. "The management plan would be underestimating the true quantity of deposited lead that is relevant in terms of assessing the risk to adults and particularly children."

Proponent's Response

Silver Mines Limited's managing director Jo Battershill implored the panel to approve the development.

"The project would provide investment and economic diversification for the mid-western region," he said.

Mr Battershill told the IPC that while the concern was understandable, the project had undergone extensive independent review.

"Predicted health risks from the project, including from lead, are very low and are not expected to result in adverse human health impacts," he said. "It has been carefully assessed, and multiple layers of monitoring and management would apply throughout the life of the project."

Health Concerns

Mudgee-based general practitioner Peter Bryant told the panel dust from the project would threaten residents across the district.

"There are no levels of lead exposure which are known to be without risk of harm," Dr Bryant said. "I don't want to find myself frequently requesting blood tests for children who live in this area to check their lead levels."

"I really hope not to be talking with parents about the high levels of lead that have been found in their child's blood and discussing the long-term implications this could have on their blood development and ongoing health."

Water Concerns

As part of the proposal, Silver Mines Limited would use approximately 2,000 megalitres of water a year for processing and dust suppression. Mr Battershill said assessments found average water supply reliability to be approximately 99.4 per cent.

"The water balance monitoring found that except during extreme drought conditions, sufficient water would be available to meet operational demands," he said.

Martin Krogh, a scientist who worked for the NSW government for more than 30 years, told the panel there were significant shortcomings in the Bowdens Environmental Impact Statement surface water assessment.

"In my view, there are significant shortcomings in the Bowdens Environmental Impact Statement surface water assessment," he told the panel. "During drought conditions and very dry years, it appears highly unlikely there will be sufficient water falling in the catchment to support the environment, basic stock and domestic use, and downstream irrigation."

The IPC is due to hand down its determination on the project by December 9.