Holcim has outlined the process it will follow if it gets resource consents to build a $400 million cement plant in North Otago's Waiareka Valley, near Weston.
The company was granted 46 resource consents for the plant and its associated quarries in February last year, but these were appealed to the Environment Court, which will make a decision by the end of August.
Holcim capital projects manager Ken Cowie yesterday said while consents from the court would be one further step in the process, there were still some important stages to work through before a final decision was made on whether the plant would go ahead.
Holcim has outlined those in a newsletter being circulated this week to about 8000 Oamaru residents.
Among them is finishing several months' work on the detailed costings, feasibility study and business case, which cannot be completed until any final consent conditions are known.
The final decision on whether the plant will proceed will be made by Holcim New Zealand's parent company, Holcim Ltd, in Switzerland.
The process to be followed if consents are granted is:Reviewing the court's decision and implications for a report to the New Zealand board of directors.
Further work on detailed costings, a feasibility study and business case.
The board deciding whether to proceed with endorsing a formal proposal to its parent company and a timeframe.
The project proposal (including the business case and feasibility study) going to Holcim's executive committee in Switzerland and, if approved, going to Holcim's parent board for a final decision.
