Unity has applied for four modifications to its development consent, and submitted the EA to the NSW Planning Department at the end of January.

Unity Mining’s managing director and CEO Andrew McIllwain said the document detailed the planning, evaluation and risk assessments undertaken in relation to the proposed changes.

“It is a product of detailed engineering design and review and incorporates preliminary feedback from both the regulatory agencies and communities,” he said.

“It is important to note that the Dargues Gold Mine already has formal development approval and these modifications are seeking to enhance the projects economics and improve the potential environmental impacts.”

Mr McIllwain acknowledged the community’s concern about the proposed use of cyanide for final gold processing.

“We are very confident of the retention of all products on site and have in fact further increased the capacity of the approved tailings storage facility,” he said.

“The major benefit will be the removal of the transport of concentrate through Braidwood – which was a significant concern during the initial project approval process.”

The EA can be viewed online at the NSW Department of Planning’s website. Hard copies will also be available at shire libraries.