A mining company says it has been given the green light to explore for more minerals in the New South Wales Central West, just months after its lead, zinc, and silver mine was approved in the same area.
Key points:
- Bowdens Silver has successfully applied to explore for more minerals at Lue
- It has also received approval for a zinc, lead, and silver mine in the area despite opposition from locals
- The NSW Greens are calling for a state parliamentary inquiry into the health impacts of metal mining
Bowdens Silver applied for an exploration licence on two blocks either side of the town of Lue, near Mudgee, and on either side of its recently approved mine.
Some locals are concerned about the mine, as one of the consent conditions requires residents to be offered blood testing to monitor lead levels.
But those who support the project say it will bring jobs to the district and provide materials for the renewable energy industry.
The Independent Planning Commission's assessment of the Bowdens Silver mine acknowledged the risk of dust-borne heavy metals.
"I would hate to think that I've got an increase of lead in my blood," Lue district landholder Grant Harris said.
"It's a bit … like shutting the gate after the horse has bolted.
"I'm quite distressed by the decision to put a mine so close to an established community of people."
Mr Harris is among the local residents worried about the company's exploration plans.
Bowdens Silver's exploration application relates to group 1 metallic minerals under state legislation, such as copper, cobalt, lead, mercury, nickel, platinum, silver, and tin.
In a statement, a spokesperson for Bowdens Silver said its focus remained on precious and base metals.
Blocking access
Mr Harris said he would not give the company access to his land if it wanted to drill.
"I would deny them access initially and then of course they would come back," he said.
"I know that then they may go on to the Land and Environment Court, in which case we will involve solicitors and take it from there.
"But initially I would ask them very politely, thank you, but no thank you, you're not coming on my land."
Julie Wells lives in the Totnes Valley, which falls within the approved exploration licence area.
She said she was aghast when she heard the company had made a new application.
"[I feel] heightened emotion, disbelief and sadness … why have many humans lost touch with what's important?" Ms Wells said.
During earlier protests against the mine, locals said they were particularly worried about the potential health impacts for children at Lue Primary School, 2 kilometres away from the mine site.
Greens call for mining inquiry
The community's concerns have prompted Greens MP Cate Faehrmann to call for a NSW parliamentary inquiry into the impacts metal mining may have on public health and water.
She believed the state's regulation of mines should be examined, particularly in light of the Environment Protection Authority's investigation into dust pollution at the Cadia gold mine near Orange.
"I'm pretty confident — I'm speaking with government members at the moment and hoping to get them over the line," Ms Faehrmann said.
"Even the ministers who I've spoken to, both for the environment and natural resources, are aware of the issue [and] they're concerned about the issue."