WHAT IS THE BOWDENS SILVER PROJECT?
Bowdens Silver is the largest, undeveloped silver project in Australia and one of the largest globally. Located near the village of Lue, approximately 30 km east of Mudgee in central New South Wales, Australia, the project comprises mineral tenements covering 2,007 square kilometres (496,000 acres) across the mineralised Rylstone Volcanics on the western edge of the Great Dividing Range.
Since its discovery in the 1980s the project has had several owners and been subject to extensive exploration and development studies. Its appeal is in no small part due to its proximity to nearby towns with access to infrastructure, water supply, the power grid and a highly skilled, local workforce.
In June 2016, the project was bought by Silver Mines Limited after a downturn in the silver price saw the previous owners cease operations. A new and invigorated recommencement of activities is now under way and plans are in place for a more condensed and enhanced development. Our viable farming operations will continue alongside the development of the mine and together these integrated activities will bring many benefits to the district by way of direct employment, the supply of support industries, economic investment into the local communities and support for local development, educational and sponsorship initiatives.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT STATEMENT
A major milestone has been reached for the Bowdens Silver Project with the completion of the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) in May 2020. The EIS, associated technical studies and Development Application for the Project have been submitted to the NSW Department of Planning and Environment (DPE) for assessment. The EIS is the culmination of comprehensive independent technical assessments, peer reviews and a wide-reaching community consultation program.
The EIS was on public exhibition from 2nd June 2020 to 27th July 2020 with 79% of all public submissions in support of the Project. The EIS and Response to Submissions can be viewed on the NSW Department of Planning and Environment website.
An amendment to the Project to include the realignment of the 500kV powerline within the overall development application was lodged with DPE in late May 2021. A further amendment regarding an updated on-site water management and supply strategy was lodged with DPE in March 2022. Information on these amendments can also be found on the DPE website.
Further information on the Environmental Impact Statement can be found here.
Site Weather Conditions
You can see the current weather readings from our meteorological monitoring stations on site by clicking on the icons*
* The data used in the compilation of this page have undergone only preliminary quality assurance checks. These data may require modification during final stages of validation as a result of calibration changes, power failures, instrument failures etc.
Mudgee Weather
Please click one of the links below to view our on-site weather station data. After you click the link you will be presented with a login page. Please use the login credentials below to access.
Username: silvermines | Password: weather1
A SMARTER APPROACH TO MINING
As a modern society, we all rely on mining. Almost everything in our built environment contains elements extracted from the earth. Although new mining technologies and regulations have significantly improved mining efficiency and reduced environmental impact in recent years, we need to acknowledge the complex relationship between the mining industry and local communities in order to have a thriving and respected business with positive social and economic benefits.
At Bowdens Silver, we understand the importance of ensuring that our activities contribute as positively as possible and that we endeavour to minimise any negative impacts to both the environment and surrounding communities.
We promise transparency and we promise to continually strive to incorporate stakeholder interests including community interests and make sure that every aspect of our operation and facilities are not only in accordance with, but surpass the highest applicable health, safety and environmental and rehabilitation regulatory requirements.
DID YOU KNOW?
Although Silver was historically valued as a precious metal for its use in jewellery, coins and later in photography, its use today is primarily industrial. It is the best thermal and electrical conductor of all the metals, it is malleable and ductile meaning it can be stretched and moulded into any shape without breaking and it is antimicrobial and non-toxic.Whats Been Happening?
Latest Newsletters
The Bowdens Silver newsletters will be published regularly and will focus on development and operations updates as well as community-relevant news and announcements.
