The new managers of the Bowdens Silver mine discussed plans for a scaled-down project at an open day at the Lue site on Sunday.
Silver Mines Limited acquired 100 per cent of Bowdens Silver from Kingsgate Consolidated in June, 2016.
While Kingsgate had proposed to produce 46 million tonnes of silver, lead and zinc over 10 years from the mine site north east of Lue, Bowdens Silver managing director Tony McClure said the new owners expected to extract 30 million tonnes over 15 years, or 2 million tonnes a year
The mine will produce silver-lead and silver-zinc concentrates, which will be bagged and removed from the site in containers. No smelting will take place on the site.
Mr McClure said while the mine would be significantly smaller than the Kingsgate plan, there could be potential to extend the life of the mine.
Bowdens Silver has mineral tenements covering an area of 1654 square kilometres, extending from north of Gulgong to south of Kandos.
However, Mr McClure said the extent of the resource outside the Lue site could not be quantified, since no geological studies have been carried out in the wider area since the 1990s.
In response to concerns about lead in the atmosphere, Mr McClure said the project would be required to comply with strict conditions of approval under NSW legislation.
Bowdens as a company would not consider any action that would present a toxicity risk to the community or environment, he said.
Mr McClure said new technology and practices for blasting and dust suppression would minimise dust and all water runoff from the mining operation would be contained within the site.
An Environmental Impact Statement for the project will be released in mid-2017.
Bowdens Silver has already hired 19 staff and expects the mine will employ around 150 people when operational.
Mr McClure said the open day at Lue and an earlier employment session at Mudgee were part of the company’s community engagement strategy. Consultation on the mine would extend across the region, with neighbours to be given one-on-one consultation, he said.
Source: Robyn Murray, Mudgee Guardian, 24 Nov 2016
Link: http://www.mudgeeguardian.com.au/story/4313451/new-silver-proposal/?cs=1485
