Silver Mines Secures Key Regulatory Nod for 66kV Transmission Line at Bowdens

• NSW Planning Secretary confirms 66kV transmission line as part of Bowdens Project
• Reinstates prior planning approach before August 2024 IPC decision
• Silver Mines to provide additional information for final development consent
• Bowdens Project expected to create over 200 direct jobs for 20+ years
• Company committed to responsible, staged development and stakeholder engagement

Planning Secretary's Determination Clarifies Project Scope

Silver Mines Limited has announced a significant regulatory milestone for its Bowdens Silver Project in New South Wales. The NSW Department of Planning, Housing and Infrastructure (DPHI) has confirmed that the proposed 66kV transmission line is to be considered part of a single development application for the project. This determination reverses an earlier assumption that the transmission line would require a separate approval process.

This clarification reinstates the planning approach that was in place prior to August 2024, before the New South Wales Independent Planning Commission (IPC) set aside the project’s development consent. The IPC had previously granted an alternative approval pathway, but the recent decision by the Planning Secretary under section 4.38(4A) of the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 consolidates the transmission line within the Bowdens Project’s overall development application.

Implications for Project Progress and Community Impact

With the transmission line now officially part of the single development application, Silver Mines can move forward with providing additional information requested by the DPHI to assist in the assessment and recommendation process. The company anticipates this will lead to a final re-determination and development consent for the Bowdens Project in the coming weeks.

Managing Director Jo Battershill welcomed the decision, highlighting its importance in providing clarity and enabling the company to progress development. He emphasized the company’s commitment to a staged, responsible, and transparent approach, underscoring the project’s potential to deliver substantial economic benefits. The Bowdens Silver Project is one of the world’s largest undeveloped silver deposits and is expected to generate over 200 full-time direct jobs, along with many more indirect roles, sustaining the local community for more than two decades.

Looking Ahead: Regulatory and Development Milestones

While the Planning Secretary’s determination is a positive step, Silver Mines still faces the task of satisfying any further requirements from the DPHI and the IPC before final development consent is granted. The company has committed to providing regular updates on progress, signaling ongoing engagement with government agencies and stakeholders.

This development marks a crucial phase in the Bowdens Project’s journey from regulatory uncertainty to tangible progress. The reinstatement of the consolidated planning approach not only simplifies the approval process but also reinforces Silver Mines’ position as a key player in the Australian silver mining sector.

Bottom Line?

Silver Mines edges closer to unlocking Bowdens’ vast silver potential amid regulatory clarity.

Questions in the middle?

• What additional information will the DPHI require before final development consent?
• How might local community and environmental concerns influence the IPC’s re-determination?
• What is the anticipated timeline for construction commencement following consent?