The company has approval to operate its Cadia East Underground Mine, and associated surface infrastructure, until 30 June 2031. The new concept plans state the site has 'mineable resources for production until 2060 and beyond.'

Known as the Cadia Continued Operations Project the concept plans include a new Tailings Storage Facility to the south and southeast of the Southern TSF, additional off site water storage within the Cadiangullong catchment and the realignment of nearby roads to compensate for the new TSF and land subsidence caused by underground mining.

Cadia's General Manager Aaron Brannigan said that the consultations are occurring because the mine has an ore reserve that can support a mine life well beyond the current approval.

"We have commenced an early engagement process with our near neighbours on conceptual plans on options for the future of our operations," he said.

"However we have only just begun this journey - now is the opportunity for the community to have its say and for Cadia to incorporate any feedback into our final designs."

Nearby resident Bruce Reynolds said he was encouraged by Cadia's willingness to engage with the community, but sees many environmental and social issues in the conceptual plans that will need to be addressed.

"This is going to lead to a large loss of agricultural land for a tailings dam that will make that land unusable for an indefinite period of time," he said.

"The impact also on the Errowanbang community and across to Forest Reefs from such a large tailings dam and how they will mitigate the dust over the 30 years of the project needs to be addressed."

Mr Brannigan said that the community consultations with the nearby landowners would now be followed by meetings within nearby communities.

"Cadia is also hosting a series of community information sessions in Millthorpe, Canowindra and Orange, over the coming weeks to allow members of the broader community to learn more about the proposed concepts and be part of the engagement process," he said.

Mr Reynolds said that Cadia staff had been coming into the community to ask for thoughts and ideas on the concept project.

"They were there with the butchers paper taking on all our thoughts and alternatives and were not presenting it as a fait accompli," he said.

"They were consulting and listening and we hope that when they come up with their final plan that they will contain some of the community's ideas."

Mr Brannigan said that community consultation would continue through every aspect of the process.

"While our consultation process has only just commenced, an Environmental Impact Assessment would need to be submitted to the NSW Department of Planning, Industry & Environment, in line with Government guidelines," he said.

"Cadia will continue to provide regular and proactive community consultation opportunities with near neighbours, and the broader community, through every aspect of the process."

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