Waikaka Gold Mines Limited (APP-20242608)

Public notice is hereby given pursuant to S.95A of the Resource Management Act 1991 that the following application for resource consent under sections 9, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the RMA has been received by Environment Southland.

A hearing was held at 9 am, 3 and 4 December 2025 at the Council Chamber of Gore District Council office, 29 Bowler Avenue, Gore 9710.

The application (reference APP-20242608) is for the purpose of establishing and operating a gold mine, which includes the following activities:

• Water permit to take, dam and divert surface water from Waikaka Stream
• Water permit to take and use groundwater for the purpose of dewatering the mine pit, gold processing, dust suppression and site rehabilitation
• Land use consent to install, use, maintain and decommission a bore
• Land use consent to disturb the bed of Waikaka Stream and Shepherd's Creek to dam, divert water flow and the rehabilitation of a channel
• Discharge permit to discharge cleanfill onto land
• Discharge permit to discharge treated stormwater, gold processing return water, and dewatering water into the Waikaka Stream
• Discharge permit to discharge stormwater, gold processing return water, and dewatering water into land through settlement ponds
• Discharge permit to discharge contaminants to air from mineral extraction processes and associated overburden storage

Purpose: To mine gold-bearing wash from depths of 20m to 50m, using a dry, open-cut method, with a total mining area of approximately 85ha over 7-8 years. The operation will involve dewatering, on-site processing, discharge of treated water to the Waikaka Stream, overburden stockpiling, temporarily diverting sections of local streams, and undertaking site rehabilitation.

Location: The site is located near to 972 Waikaka Road, Chatton North, Southland, approximately 4km south-west of Waikaka township and 22km north of Gore. The location is at about NZTM2000 1289065E, 4904586N

Legal Description of Property: The land within the application site is under a combination of private and public ownership. A full summary of land parcels with the legal description, Record of Title and ownership details has been submitted with the consent application, available from Environment Southland or Gore District Council.

Address for Service: Anita Collie - anita@townplanning.co.nz c/- Town Planning Group, PO Box 35, Christchurch Central, 8140

Full details of this application are also available for inspection at Environment Southland, corner of Price Street and North Road, Waikiwi, Invercargill during working hours (8.00 am to 5.00 pm). Enquiries may be directed to Alexandra Smith by phone to (03) 211 5115 or by email to Alexandra.Smith@es.govt.nz

Submissions on the above application must be received by Environment Southland no later than 5.00 pm 23 June 2025. A submission form is available below and you may also download a printable submission form and forward the completed form by email to service@es.govt.nz or esconsents@es.govt.nz

Any person may make a submission on the application, but a person who is a trade competitor of the applicant may do so only if that person is directly affected by an effect of the activity to which the application relates that:

(a) adversely affects the environment; and

(b) does not relate to trade competition or the effects of trade competition.

Submissions must be dated and signed (unless submitted electronically) and must include the following information:

• your name, postal address and telephone number (and fax number if applicable);
• details of the application in respect of which you are making the submission;
• whether it is in support of, or in opposition to the application, or is neutral;
• your submissions, with reasons;
• the decision that you wish Council to make; and
• whether you wish to be heard in support of your submission;

and you must also serve a copy of your submission on the applicant as soon as reasonably practicable.

Note: The applicant has also applied to Gore District Council for separate resource consents related with this proposal. If you want to have your say on that application, a separate submission related to those activities must be made directly to the Gore District Council. Submissions on all aspects of the application will be heard together as part of a joint hearing process involving Independent Commissioners. Further information is available from the Gore District Council website https://www.goredc.govt.nz/property-rates/planning...