21/8/24 – Bowdens Silver remains fully committed to the Project, despite disappointing decision
Friday’s decision by the NSW Court of Appeal to uphold Bingman Landcare’s Appeal has been labelled disappointing by Bowdens Silver but the company remains fully committed to the project and is working towards obtaining the final relevant permits and move to the development phase of the mine.
Managing Director, Jo Battershill said, “whilst Friday’s decision to remove our development consent is extremely disappointing, the company remains committed, and we will work with stakeholders including the NSW Government and our legal team to review all options available to us.
“The Project has undergone an extremely thorough assessment and approval process to get to this position,” Jo Battershill said.
The split judicial decision focused on the approval of a potential power transmission line to the project which was intended to be assessed through a separate planning approval pathway, and the company has been examining a number of options to provide power requirements for the mine site.
The rest of the project was subject to a comprehensive Environmental Impact Statement process. The independent umpire, the NSW Independent Planning Commission approved the project and at the time noted that it was “satisfied that the Project can meet all relevant requirements for protecting human health and safety and that on balance, the Application is in the public interest.”
“We have been part of this community for many years now, and we know that whilst there are some detractors, the region supports a responsible mining industry that in turn provides significant economic and social benefits, including from this project with the creation of over 320 jobs during construction and 220 ongoing jobs,”.
“We are very aware that the decision handed down by the Court of Appeal will create uncertainty within the broader, supportive community around the region. We will be in regular consultation with our stakeholders to reaffirm our support across all areas of community engagement and existing sponsorship programs” Jo Battershill said.
From a state perspective, silver and zinc are both part of the NSW Government’s Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy which are vital components in the transition to a decarbonised future. The successful development of the Bowdens Silver Project forms part of a much larger picture for the future success of the region and the State.
“We will continue to keep all stakeholders informed on the progress of the Project as next steps unfold” Jo Battershill said.