Dunedin-based Rocky Mining Limited has applied to the Westland District Council and the West Coast Regional Council for resource consent to mine within about 118.99ha of land owned by Ngāi Tahu Forestry.
The site is currently in pinus radiata. Ngāi Tahu Forestry intends to fell the block as part of their forestry activities, with harvesting due to start later this year or early next year.
Rocky wants to mine the ground before it is replanted under the Emissions Trading Scheme rules.
The site sits between the state highway to the east, and public conservation land to the west, forestry to the north and mining activities to the south.
The area already hosts the Westland District Council Butlers landfill, along with alluvial goldmining and forestry.
It would be progressively rehabilitated, followed by pinus radiata planting by the landowner, the application says.
The site is set away from any dwellings and has a 25m setback from the adjacent public conservation land and a 30m setback from the highway.
There are no nearby dwellings.
Material will be extracted using hydraulic excavators and fed through a 5ft land-based gold screen to recover alluvial gold.
‘‘The proposal will have less than minor adverse effects on the environment while having positive effects in terms of economic growth and local employment opportunities,’’ the application says.
It would cumulatively provide employment for three fulltime equivalent positions and support services. — Greymouth Star
