Macraes goldmine owner OceanaGold had already called for hearings, originally scheduled for July this year, to be postponed.
That request was granted to allow OceanaGold to present an updated position — and allow for further consideration of the recommendations in three councils’ environmental assessments and ongoing engagement with local Māori.
Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki, Te Rūnanga o Moeraki, and Te Rūnaka o Ōtākou, submitting as Kā Rūnaka, opposed the expansion.
And Otago Regional Council (ORC) senior consents planner Shay McDonald recommended the consent application be declined in full.
The mining company’s new position was due this week but another postponement has now been sought.
OceanaGold NZ legal and public affairs vice-president Alison Paul confirmed that the hearing remained adjourned until November 11 at which point the company would provide "a further memorandum to the commissioners".
"As this request is before the commissioners, we can’t say anything further at this stage."
The latest minute from commissioners on the ORC website said lawyers for the company advised that OceanaGold agreed with the commissioners it would be difficult to complete a hearing by December 2 this year.
The company consequently agreed to a further extension of time to complete the hearing and pledged to advise on that matter in its pending November 11 memorandum.
"Accordingly, the hearing remains postponed until further notice."
Although listed as a project under the government’s fast-track legislation, the Macraes expansion project, located west of Palmerston, is continuing to progress under existing Resource Management Act (RMA) legislation.
The proposal is going through the RMA notified consent process with the regional council, Waitaki District Council and Dunedin City Council.
In total, the Canada-headquartered goldminer plans three open-pit expansions east of the consented pit limits in the Innes Mills Pit, Golden Bar Pit and Coronation Pit.
