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Otago Daily Times
10 hours ago
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
‘Kremlin' councils need to go
Shaun Jones. PHOTO: ODT FILES Resource Minister Shane Jones has called the Otago Regional Council "the Kremlin of the South Island" after an application to expand the Macraes gold mine ran into trouble. Mr Jones, who is also the regional development minister, said the council was full of "KGB green zealots" and the episode showed why regional councils needed to be scrapped. The Otago council's assessment of environmental effects — which recommended Oceana-Gold's application to expand its mine be declined in full — was "ideological scribbling". Any other investor or miner in New Zealand would now quickly conclude they had to join the fast-track application process, "which will enable these economic saboteurs to be marginalised", he said. Council chairwoman Cr Gretchen Robertson said "name-calling" was unhelpful and the council's views were evidence-based, not ideological. OceanaGold has been granted more time to prepare for a hearing for its proposed expansion at Macraes after the regional council said its application should be declined and the Waitaki district and Dunedin city councils also raised concerns. The regional council's view of the company's Macraes Phase 4 (MP4) Project was troubling, Mr Jones said. "It confirms the worst of my prejudices, that the regional council in the South Island, that the Otago Regional Council is the Kremlin of the South Island," he said. "These are the reasons why people should be backing me to disestablish regional councils in New Zealand. "Their role is as catchment boards and looking at the discharge and the allocation of water, water take. "I am astounded at a time where the economy is still recovering from the Covid experience, a record number of New Zealanders are moving to Australia, and we have these Politburo apparatchiks destroying hundreds of jobs, undermining scores of millions of dollars in the local economy. "For a dead moth. "It's an ideological attempt to defeat mining. "It truly is unbelievable. "This is a part of New Zealand where no-one goes. "There are some easy mitigative steps that can be taken, but the Kremlin and its KGB green zealots completely and utterly show me why regional councils need to be disestablished." The "nationally vulnerable" moth Orocrambus sophistes, which lives in short tussock grasslands, was found at Golden Bar, one of three open pits about 55km north of Dunedin that OceanaGold has applied to expand. The regional council's recommending report highlighted the moth alongside the proposed expansion's actual and potential effects on surface water quality, aquatic ecology, natural inland and ephemeral wetlands, and lizard habitat. The effects would be "significantly adverse" and could not be avoided, minimised, remedied, offset or compensated for. It would also have significant adverse cumulative effects on cultural values, "and it is not yet known if these can be managed by conditions", the report said. Cr Robertson said the report was prepared by qualified professionals under the Resource Management Act. "It is a technical, evidence-based assessment — not a political statement. "Our staff are simply doing their jobs within the law as it stands. "Name-calling only undermines confidence in both central and local government." Regional councils across New Zealand welcomed "meaningful dialogue" on how to best deliver the services they were intended to — flood protection, biosecurity, civil defence, environmental management and public transport, she said. "Here in Otago, we remain focused on our responsibility to protect the environment while supporting sustainable economic development. "That balance is not ideological — it reflects the law, and we believe it reflects the values of our region: caring for both our environment and our livelihoods." A minute issued by independent commissioner Rob van Voorthuysen this week said the hearing for OceanaGold's proposed expansion had been postponed from next month to December at the mining company's request. The company's lawyers advised more time was required to consider the recommendations from the councils, he said. OceanaGold senior vice-president Alison Paul said adjourning the MP4 hearing, originally scheduled for next month, would give the company more time to prepare its evidence, including addressing all three councils' reports and recommendations.
Otago Daily Times
10-06-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
ORC opposes mine expansion
The planned expansion to an East Otago gold mine should be "declined in full", the Otago Regional Council says. After visiting OceanaGold's Macraes gold mine, north of Dunedin, 10 times, Otago Regional Council (ORC) senior consents planner Shay McDonald recommended the consent application for its proposed expansion be rejected. The expansion — referred to as the Macraes Phase 4 (MP4) Project — would result in actual and potential effects on surface water quality, aquatic ecology, natural inland and ephemeral wetlands, lizard habitat, and a threatened invertebrate species of moth, Ms McDonald said. These effects would be "significantly adverse" and could not be avoided, minimised, remedied, offset or compensated for. "The proposal will also have significant adverse cumulative effects on cultural values, and it is not yet known if these can be managed by conditions." Section 42A reports on the application were published this week by the ORC, Dunedin City Council (DCC) and Waitaki District Council (WDC). While Ms McDonald recommended the application be "declined in full", the DCC said it could only be granted with conditions that could not yet be finalised. The WDC recommended only two elements of the application could be granted. OceanaGold legal and public affairs senior vice-president Alison Paul said the company was aware of the three councils' recommendations. "OceanaGold remains committed to engaging constructively with all stakeholders both in the leadup to and during the hearing before the independent commissioners to provide further confidence in our plans, particularly when it comes to the management of water and biodiversity." Macraes supported over 700 direct jobs as well as hundreds of contractors and was a leading contributor to the economy, Ms Paul said. "We are committed to our staff, our communities, and the environment in which we operate." The application involved a total of 34 new resource consents and variations to another 20. In her 84-page recommending report, Ms McDonald said the staged implementation of the Macraes mine had to date impacted over 2000ha of land, an unknown portion of which previously supported indigenous vegetation and habitat for lizards, birds and invertebrates. Much of MP4 was located within Threatened Land Environments of New Zealand, which were areas with less than 20% indigenous cover remaining. "I consider that the cumulative terrestrial ecology effects do not appear to be well understood or accounted for in the current proposal," Ms McDonald said. Activities in four main project areas of MP4, including extensions to the mine's Coronation and Golden Bar open pits, "must be avoided" due to the effects on rock tors (lizard habitat) and ephemeral wetlands, she said. A technical expert who audited OceanaGold's application said the company's proposal to create new lizard habitats to compensate for the loss of 12 rock tors as a result of the expansion was considered "experimental and unsupported by any evidence". Natural rock tors provided important habitats for lizards, particularly the at-risk korero gecko, and the effectiveness of creating rock tors remained unknown. The loss of the rock tors was "likely to be irreversible" and could not be compensated for, Ms McDonald said. A waste rock stack extension at Golden Bar would also affect the lizard habitats as well as the threatened species of Orocrambus sophistes moth. "Only a single specimen" of the species had been found at the proposed site to date, as part of a single survey conducted in 2022, she said. In order for an area of tussock grassland to be cleared, the company had to be able to minimise or remedy the effect on the moth and its habitat such that any residual adverse effects were no more than minor, Ms McDonald said. For this to be achievable, more surveys needed to be undertaken "until there is sufficient data for a qualified person to say with the required degree of certainty that the moth is or isn't there". The proposed extension to the mine's Innes Mills site would affect natural inland wetlands. Attached to the report were seven recommended consent conditions, but Ms McDonald said she did not consider them as being able to "adequately manage" all of the effects of the proposal. In his report, DCC consents planner Phil Petersen recommended the application be granted but only subject to appropriate conditions which could not be finalised for recommendation until further evidence was available. In her report, WDC resource management consultant Marian Weaver recommended only two elements of the proposed application could be granted — the creation of a tailings dam in Frasers Pit, from material only to come from existing waste rock, and the buttressing of the Golden Point open pit using material from the Northern Gully waste rock stack.
Yahoo
10-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arzopa Introduces D10 Smart Photo Frame for Seamless Digital Photo Sharing
NEW YORK, NY / / March 10, 2025 / The launch of the Arzopa D10 Smart Photo Frame brings an innovative approach to digital photo sharing, offering advanced features designed to enhance the viewing experience. This new device integrates modern technology with a sleek design, providing a seamless solution for displaying and managing digital memories. Advanced Digital Display Technology The Arzopa D10 Smart Photo Frame incorporates a high-resolution display that ensures images appear sharp and vibrant. Featuring a wide-angle viewing capability, the screen delivers consistent image quality from multiple perspectives. Adaptive brightness technology adjusts screen settings according to ambient lighting conditions, optimizing visibility in various environments. Wireless Connectivity and Remote Access Built-in Wi-Fi connectivity enables users to transfer images effortlessly without requiring physical storage devices. Cloud synchronization allows instant updates, ensuring the latest memories are always available for display. Remote access capabilities provide the ability to manage photos from anywhere, offering convenience in organizing and updating image collections. Smart Features for Enhanced Functionality Equipped with intelligent slideshow modes, the Arzopa D10 Smart Photo Frame supports customizable transitions, display intervals, and album organization. AI-powered image recognition helps categorize and sort images automatically, enhancing user experience by streamlining digital library management. The frame also includes video playback functionality, extending its versatility beyond static images. Multi-User Sharing Capabilities With multi-user functionality, multiple individuals can contribute images to a single frame, making it an ideal choice for family and collaborative use. Secure encryption ensures data privacy, allowing seamless and safe sharing of images across connected accounts. Compatibility with various cloud services and social media platforms enhances integration with existing digital ecosystems. Energy-Efficient Performance and Durability Designed with energy efficiency in mind, the Arzopa D10 Smart Photo Frame incorporates automatic sleep mode and motion detection to conserve power. Durable materials and a modern aesthetic ensure longevity while complementing different interior designs. The frame's minimalistic yet functional structure makes it suitable for both home and office environments. Comprehensive Compatibility and Ease of Use Supporting multiple file formats, including JPEG, PNG, and MP4, the frame accommodates a variety of media types. A user-friendly interface ensures easy navigation, with touch controls and voice command capabilities further simplifying operation. The setup process requires minimal effort, allowing quick integration into daily routines. Availability and Market Reach The ARZOPA D10 Smart Photo Frame is now available through official distribution channels and online platforms. With a focus on accessibility, the product is offered in multiple regions, meeting the growing demand for digital photo-sharing solutions. About Arzopa Arzopa specializes in developing cutting-edge display solutions that combine technology with user-centric designs. Committed to innovation, the company continues to create products that enhance digital experiences through advanced engineering and high-quality materials. For more information, visit Contact Details ArzopaAndrew Jacksonolivia@ Company Website SOURCE: Arzopa View the original press release on ACCESS Newswire Sign in to access your portfolio
