Silver Mines looks ahead to renewed Bowdens approval

Silver Mines is working to resubmit all required permits and development consents following last week’s NSW Court of Appeal decision.
The company is also continuing progress on an Optimisation Study aimed at minimising the project’s environmental footprint.
Consultation with a largely supportive community will continue alongside the renewed approvals work.

Special Report: Silver Mines is moving ahead to progress the Bowdens Silver Project, with work under way to resubmit all required permits and development consents following last week’s legal decision.

The company is also continuing progress on an Optimisation Study aimed at minimising the project’s environmental footprint.

Last week the NSW Court of Appeal upheld an appeal by Bingman Catchment Landcare Group centred on the administrative process of the Independent Planning Commission (IPC).

It questioned whether the IPC had fully considered the impacts of a potential transmission line to power the project when it granted the development consent for the project last year. However, it had been proposed during the more than three-year approvals process that the transmission line would be approved via an alternate pathway.

Following the court’s decision Silver Mines (ASX:SVL) is now urgently working towards the preparation and submission of a new development application incorporating a defined power supply option for the Project.

Optimisation Study suggests less environmental impact

Meanwhile the Optimisation Study for the Project, which was started in 2023, remains on track for completion this year.

Importantly, the Optimisation Study is demonstrating that the Project could be developed and operated with even less environmental impact than set out in the 2018 Feasibility Study design. Current plans are considering a reduced development footprint across the open pit mine, waste rock emplacement and the tailings storage facility.

With a massive current MRE of 396Moz silver equivalent last year, which includes almost 200Moz of silver, Bowdens is Australia’s largest undeveloped silver deposit and the fourth largest in the world.

Regular consultations and updates planned

MD Jo Battershill said he understood that Court of Appeal’s decision might create significant uncertainty within the Mid-West’s broader, supportive population.

“With that in mind we’ll hold regular consultation with stakeholders to reaffirm its support across all areas of community engagement and existing sponsorship programs,” he said.

“We will also continue to provide regular updates as it progresses the New Development Application and the Optimisation Study.”

During the exhibition process of its initial Bowdens Silver Project Development Application and associated Environmental Impact Statement to the NSW Department of Planning in May 2020, the company received no objections to the project from any government agencies and received resounding public support.

In fact, 79% of all organisations and general public submissions in favour of the project during the rigorous approvals process.

High demand for silver as a critical mineral

The project aligns closely with the NSW Government’s Critical Minerals and HighTech Metals Strategy which includes silver, and states a firm commitment to further activating the State’s potential to develop critical minerals for clean energy.

Silver is facing escalating demand as it’s essential for solar energy and EVs.

The 2018 Feasibility Study indicated the project’s development will produce a total of 52.9 million ounces of silver, 108 kilotonnes of zinc and 79.3 kilotonnes of lead over an initial 16.5 year mine life.

It’s forecast to create more than 320 direct jobs during construction and over 220 full-time direct jobs.

This article was developed in collaboration Silver Mines, a Stockhead advertiser at the time of publishing.

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions