Bowdens silver mine to undergo fresh public hearing

The Independent Planning Commission has reopened written submissions and appointed a new panel to reconsider the Bowdens silver, lead, and zinc mine project. The proposal is located approximately two kilometres north of Lue, east of Mudgee.

If approved, the open-cut mine is expected to extract up to 30 million tonnes of ore, producing an estimated 66.3 million ounces of silver, 130,000 tonnes of zinc, and 95,000 tonnes of lead. The project has an estimated lifespan of 23 years, covering construction, operations, and rehabilitation.

This reconsideration follows a successful Court of Appeal challenge that voided the project's original approval in April 2023. Bowdens Silver Mine Managing Director Jo Battershill described the reopening of the process as a ‘major step forward,’ noting that the project aims to support the NSW Critical Minerals and High-Tech Metals Strategy and provide employment for over 300 direct full-time workers during construction.