Comment on Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project Fast-track Application
The site of the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project is near Shepherds Creek which feeds into the Clutha River
The Commissioner has submitted to the Fast-track Approvals Panel considering the Bendigo-Ophir Gold Project application which seeks approval to dig an open-cast mine near Cromwell and Tarras in Central Otago.
The application proposes the storage – in perpetuity – of large quantities of potentially hazardous mining residues in the headwaters of one of New Zealand’s largest river systems. It is an area susceptible to very large earthquakes. The Commissioner focused his comments to the approvals panel on the water quality contamination risk the gold mine application presents - during its operational lifetime, through closure and beyond.
"Assuming everything goes to plan and key risks do not eventuate, it seems reasonable to think that the economic benefits of the Bendigo-Ophir gold mine will exceed the environmental costs. It is what happens if things do not go to plan that is my concern."
To help understand the risks of mining on New Zealand’s environment and how best they should be managed, the Commissioner is undertaking research on overseas best practice. It indicates that overseas regulators have a deeper level of in-house expertise and good practice to draw on than New Zealand's regulators do.