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.
rebecca.fox@odt.co.nz
A name, residential address, and (preferably residential) telephone number is required from readers who comment on ODT Online. These details will not be visible to site visitors.