Silver Mines Limited (ASX:SVL) (ASX:SVL) (OTCMKTS:SLVMF) (FRA:SWQ) has submitted its Mining Lease Application (MLA 601) for the development of the Bowdens Silver Project, the largest undeveloped silver deposit in Australia.
The project is in Central West New South Wales (NSW), east of the town of Mudgee, and lies within exploration licence 5920, which is 100% held by the company.
Open-cut mine proposed
The proposed Bowdens development comprises an open-cut mine feeding a new processing plant with a conventional milling circuit and differential flotation to produce two concentrates that will be sold for smelting off site.
Annual plant capacity is designed for 2 million tonnes with a mine life of 16.5 years.
Life of mine production is expected to be around 66 million ounces of silver, 130,000 tonnes of zinc and 95,000 tonnes of lead.
Environmental impact statement
In May 2020, the company completed and submitted the Bowdens environmental impact statement (EIS) to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry and Environment (DPIE).
The EIS was placed for public exhibition on the DPIE ‘Major Projects’ website and the company received strong public support and no objections from Government agencies
Bowdens Silver Mine site layout.
Clear path to approval
The EIS confirms very favourable assessment outcomes and demonstrates a clear path to approval and development with key components including:
- Considerable local economic benefits with local job creation;
- Minimal impacts on surface water and groundwater during and after operations;
- No physical human health risk issues of concern have been identified;
- A progressive rehabilitation plan has been committed to with rehabilitation occurring throughout the life of the mine;
- No significant impacts upon migratory or threatened species with the project’s biodiversity offset program to conserve a significant area of land in perpetuity;
- Aboriginal Cultural Heritage assessment has been concluded in conjunction with the local Aboriginal communities with agreement on ongoing management; and
- The assessment has been supported by a comprehensive community engagement program.
The company is currently completing its EIS response to submissions to DPIE as part of the final stages of the approvals process.