Oceana Gold says the mining company is "delighted" its resource consent applications to expand its operation at Macraes Mine have been granted.
The joint Otago Regional Council and Waitaki District Council decision was released yesterday afternoon.
It stated the Macraes Phase III (MPIII) project should be allowed to proceed, subject to a range of conditions.
Mine general manager Bernard O'Leary yesterday said the company had not yet had time to read the full decision or the conditions, but was "delighted the consents had been granted".
A hearing panel of Otago regional councillors Louise Croot (chairwoman) and Duncan Butcher heard about seven days of evidence at a hearing in Dunedin in September.
After considering the evidence for about a month, the panel concluded there were significant benefits to the proposal and that it would promote the sustainable management of natural and physical resources, providing the adverse effects identified were attended to, Cr Croot said in the decision.
"All of these approaches have been provided for in consent conditions."
They considered the effects while mining was undertaken and what would remain afterwards when it had ceased, she said.
"There is no doubt that while the mine exists it contributes significantly to the socioeconomic wellbeing of the district, region and, to a lesser extent, the nation."
The Macraes mine had been active for about 20 years and another eight years' operation was predicted with MPIII.
However, the panel was aware of a recent article published in the Otago Daily Times regarding Oceana's plans for a "superpit" at Macraes and well aware that mine-life predictions had "yet to be seen in practice".
"So, it was very important for the community at Macraes to have some benefits coming from the serious disruption of their locality, while mining continues as well as when mining ceases."
Overall, the panel concluded that the effects of the project could be tolerated, avoided, mitigated or remedied, she said.
Many of the conditions were finalised between parties during the course of the hearing.
