OceanaGold requested public notification of its application to the Otago Regional Council, Waitaki District Council and Dunedin City Council for a site-wide expansion of mining activities at the Macraes gold mine northwest of Palmerston.
The application includes a massive amount of information, including more than 30 appendices covering proposed open-pit extensions, the effects on surface and groundwater, environmental geochemistry assessments and a range of other topics.
Appendix 34 of the application — iwi consultancy Aukaha’s letter of acknowledgement — is, however, brief.
It said Aukaha was in the process of preparing a cultural impact assessment (CIA) on behalf of Te Rūnanga o Moeraki, Kāti Huirapa Rūnaka ki Puketeraki and Te Rūnanga o Ōtākou in relation to the proposed expansion.
"We reluctantly acknowledge that the application by OceanaGold Ltd will be submitted to the Otago Regional Council without the CIA," the letter said.
The cultural impact assessment would provide the three local rūnaka with information on the proposed mine extension.
It would identify relevant mana whenua cultural values; identify the effects on the catchments of Waikouaiti, Taieri and Waihemo; and identify methods to avoid, remedy or mitigate adverse effects on cultural values, the letter said.
The CIA would also provide a framework for engagement between the three rūnaka and OceanaGold on the proposal and identify opportunities for ecological restoration and rehabilitation, it said.
The letter said the approach that had been adopted was accepted with the expectation the recommendations of the cultural impact assessment would be addressed suitably through the consent process under the Resource Management Act (RMA).
