The Waitaki Whitestone Unesco Global Geopark was designated in May this year as New Zealand’s first and Australasia’s only Unesco Global Geopark.
To celebrate the designation, the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark Trust partnered with over 35 local businesses and community organisations to put together three days of events and activities spanning the Waitaki District which ran from Friday to yesterday.
Macraes Operation general manager Mike Fischer said the operation was proud to be a founding partner of the Waitaki Whitestone Geopark Trust and to support the festival.
"The Macraes Operation is a fantastic example of the geology of the district and supports significant development at a regional scale," Mr Fischer said.
"It is a pleasure to launch this self-guided tour and share more information about historic and modern mining in the region, including how safe and responsible mining contributes to the park’s holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development."
Mr Fischer said although it was not possible for the public to be on an operating mine site, the team at Macraes established "the next best thing" by making parts of their activities visible to the public.
— Staff reporter
