Latest news with #WaikakaGoldMinesLtd
Otago Daily Times
08-08-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Mixed views on proposed gold mine
A couple of heavy hitters have come out against a planned gold mine in Waikaka but some locals appear to be backing the venture. Waikaka Gold Mines Ltd is seeking consent from the Gore District Council and Environment Southland to operate a mine near Waikaka, about 30km north of Gore. The company has also applied for the mine to be approved under the Fast-track Approvals Bill. The site was previously mined in the early 1900s and an operator also mined to its south briefly in 2001. The mine is said to be commercially feasible. The project's backers were looking to mine 95ha of land over eight years, at depths of 20m-40m below ground. Production was estimated at 6000 ounces of gold per year. Four sections of the Waikaka Stream and Shepherds Creek would be diverted for a year, before being returned to their current alignment. Nearly 30 submissions have been received with a mixture of support and opposition. The Department of Conservation (Doc) opposed the proposals relating to concerns over surface water, groundwater quality, freshwater species, habitat and fish passage. In his submission, Doc Southland operations manager John McCarroll said there was particular concern around the impact of sediment mobilised during these extensive works and the presence of potentially acid-forming materials known to be present at the site. "Excess sediment can infill and alter habitats — including spawning, feeding and refuge habitats — enable the establishment of nuisance weeds, create anoxic conditions, and smother the feeding and gill structures of invertebrates and fish. "This could result in reduced freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem health," he said in his submission. The applicant proposed to provide an erosion and sediment control plan after consent was granted, but Mr McCarroll said it was important to have details of the plan before any hearing. Goldmine activity was proposed to be within a significant Southland floodplain which raised the risk to conservation and fish during floods. Floodwaters could pass through the site and move untreated waters into other areas, resulting in contamination. Doc called for more information before any hearing. Hokonui Runanga also opposed the application. The runanga opposed the mine proposal as it did not align with the cultural significance of the Waikaka Stream and its surrounding environment. It did not address the potential adverse effects on mana whenua of significant land-use changes to an area of cultural importance and had long-term adverse impacts on cultural values, such as those on taonga species. Activities which modify the Waikaka Stream from its natural state, degrade the ecological health of the waterway and its ability to provide habitat for taonga mahinga kai species, or detract from the naturalness of the area, should be discouraged. Some submitters did support the proposal. Paul Becker said he knew the personnel who ran Waikaka Gold Mines Ltd, and knew the areas that they had mined previously. Those mines were run with exemplary professionalism, with the land returned to a state equal to if not better than before the mining, he said. The council had written to the applicant seeking more information.
Otago Daily Times
06-08-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
Doc, rūnanga come out against Waikaka goldmine
A couple of heavy hitters have come out against a planned gold mine in Waikaka but some locals appear to be backing the venture. Waikaka Gold Mines Ltd is seeking consent from the Gore District Council and Environment Southland to operate a mine near Waikaka, about 20km north of Gore. The company has also applied for the mine to be approved under the Fast-track Approvals Bill. The site was previously mined in the early 1900s and an operator also mined to its south briefly in 2001. The mine is said to be commercially feasible. The project's backers were looking to mine 95ha of land over eight years, at depths of 20m-40m below ground. Production was estimated at 6000 ounces of gold per year. Four sections of the Waikaka Stream and Shepherds Creek would be diverted for a year, before being returned to their current alignment. Nearly 30 submissions have been received with a mixture of support and opposition. The Department of Conservation (Doc) opposed the proposal, it had issues with the impact of the gold mine on surface water, groundwater quality, freshwater species, habitat and fish passage. Doc southern South Island operations manager John McCarroll said in his submission, there was particular concern around the impact of sediment mobilised during these extensive works and the presence of potentially acid forming materials known to be present at site. "Excess sediment can infill and alter habitats, — including spawning, feeding and refuge habitats — enable the establishment of nuisance weeds, create anoxic conditions, and smother the feeding and gill structures of invertebrates and fish. "This could result in reduced freshwater biodiversity and ecosystem health," he said in his submission. The applicant proposed to provide an erosion and sediment control plan after consent was granted, but Mr McCarroll said it was important to have details of the plan before any hearing. Goldmine activity was proposed to be within a significant Southland floodplain which raised the risk to conservation and fish during floods. Flood waters could pass through the site and move untreated waters into other areas, resulting in contamination. Doc called for more information before any hearing. Hokonui Rūnanga also opposed the application. It said in its submission it had been engaging with the mining company since early last year. The Rūnanga said Waikaka Gold Mines Limited indicated their preference was to engage and consult with stakeholders prior to the application being lodged. The Rūnanga opposed the mine proposal as it did not align with the cultural significance of the Waikaka Stream and its surrounding environment. It did not address the potential adverse effects on mana whenua of significant land-use changes to an area of cultural importance and has long-term adverse impacts on cultural values, such as those on taonga species. Activities which modify the Waikaka Stream from its natural state, degrade the ecological health of the waterway and its ability to provide habitat for taonga mahinga kai species, or detract from the naturalness of the area, should be discouraged. Some submitters did support the proposal. Paul Becker said he knew the personnel who ran Waikaka Gold Mines Ltd, and knew the areas that they had mined previously. Those mines were run with exemplary professionalism, with the land returned to a state equal to if not better than before the mining, he said. The council had written to the applicant seeking more information.
Otago Daily Times
22-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Gold mine submissions open
A planned gold-mining operation north of Gore has taken another step forward, submissions having been called for on the project which aims to mine $170 million of gold and employ up to 30 people. Waikaka Gold Mines Ltd is seeking consent from the Gore District Council and Environment Southland to a operate a mine near Waikaka, and about 20km north of Gore. The company has also applied for the mine to be approved under the Fast-track Approvals Bill. The site was previously mined in the early 1900s, and an operator also mined to its south briefly in 2001. Results of site investigations indicate commercial feasibility. The project is looking to mine 95ha of land over eight years, at depths of 20m-40m below ground. a Production is estimated at 6000 ounces of gold per year. Four sections of the Waikaka Stream and Shepherds Creek would be diverted for a year, before being returned to their current alignment. Waikaia Gold Mines Ltd would also work to enhance the stream channels by restoring river banks with a higher proportion of native species and cobble substrate. Following the eight-year life of the mine, the company would undertake full rehabilitation of the mine site, returning it to a ''similar or improved state''. As a part of the application process, community submissions have been called for due to resource management regulations regarding land disturbance and change of use. Land-use consent is required for the construction of a mine pit and diversion of water in the region, alongside water and discharge permits for various processing and byproducts such as dust and treated water. Submissions, to both the Gore District Council and Environment Southland, have a deadline of June 16.
