It's all systems go for Silver Mines Ltd (ASX:SVL, OTC:SLVMF) at the Bowdens Silver Project after the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales dismissed an application for judicial review proceedings.
Activist group, the Bingman Catchment Landcare Group Incorporated, commenced the proceedings in the Land and Environment Court against the State Government’s Independent Planning Commission (IPC) and Bowdens Silver Pty Ltd, challenging the development consent for the Bowdens Silver Project approved by the IPC on April 3,2023.
In a statement, Silver Mines said: “The company is pleased to advise that the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales has dismissed the proceedings and has upheld the decision made by the IPC with respect to the development consent.”
“Committed to development”
Silver Mines managing director Jonathan Battershill said: “We are committed to the development of the Bowdens Silver Project, and we now look forward to getting on with progressing the project which will create jobs, drive investment and attract new businesses to the region.
"We strongly believe Silver Mines has delivered a technically reliable and environmentally responsible project.”
The court decision means that the development consent approved by the IPC for the Bowdens Project near Mudgee in Central West NSW stands unchanged.”
Decision welcomed
In welcoming the decision of the Land and Environment Court of New South Wales, Battershill said: “These proceedings did not challenge any of the environmental or other impacts of the operations associated with the project.
"The proceedings challenged whether the IPC adequately considered matters relating to the construction and location of a powerline which may be required to power the mine site. Silver Mines has a number of options to power the site, and we were not limited to this one option.
“The company’s consistent position has been that this legal claim by Bingman was without merit. The project was approved by the IPC following a thorough public hearing process.
"We are pleased to put these proceedings behind us and look forward to working actively with the community and all other stakeholders.”