A development application (DA) for the project was lodged with Bathurst Regional Council in May, seeking consent for reclamation works within a Mining Lease Application in the Sunny Corner Legacy Mine site.

According to the statement of environmental effects (SoEE), the main objectives of the proposal are to remove two slag heaps from historic mining operations for offsite processing and the subsequent rehabilitation of the reclamation site.

This would be done in an "economically, environmentally and socially sustainable" manner.

If approved, the proposal would enable offsite processing of slag material, which is a legacy of silver mining in Sunny Corner between the 1850s and 1920s.

"Modern processing technologies can economically recover base and precious metals from the slag whilst also providing the opportunity to rehabilitate a heavily contaminated site and store the tailings offsite in a safe, stable and nonpolluting manner," the SoEE said.

The area is a Legacy Mine Site, which is an abandoned historic mine where no owner can be held responsible for the required rehabilitation or remediation works.

The SoEE notes that rehabilitation or remediation cost is a liability of the NSW Government and the required work is prioritised and managed under the NSW Legacy Mines Program (LMP).

The proposal comprises of construction of a sediment trap downstream from the slag heaps; fracturing, loading and hauling of approximately 87,000 tonnes of slag material from the reclamation site; and transportation of slag via road for offsite processing.

It also includes sealing an additional 260 metres of the gravel road between Silver Street and the reclamation site entrance, up to and including the proposed truck tarping bay, and surface contouring and rehabilitation of the footprint of the former slag heaps.

The cost of this project is $49,900.

The work will require a mining lease issued under the Mining Act 1992 and Sunshine Reclamation will lodge an application for this purpose.