The Parliamentary Commissioner for the Environment, Simon Upton, has issued strong warnings over a controversial large gold mine proposed for Central Otago in the hills above the Clutha River.
The Commissioner has told the fast-track panel considering Australia’s Santana Minerals’ application for its Bendigo-Ophir mine that if given the go-ahead, the mine comes with considerable environmental risk, and that the panel has “a heavy responsibility and “importantly one opportunity to get this right.”
“What is being proposed involves the storage – in perpetuity – of large quantities of potentially hazardous mining residues in the headwaters of one of New Zealand’s largest river systems – an area that is also susceptible to very large earthquakes.”
Upton said it was important to note that leaching from tailings facilities can continue “for decades and even centuries after mine closure.” He observed the proposed four open pits would not be filled in after mining finishes, while the 2km-long tailings storage dam holding chemical waste slurry would remain forever.
Up here in the bay, our group appreciates the strong words from the Commissioner on the very real risks these proposed new South Island gold mines present to Central Otago’s and Golden Bay’s clean water, rural communities, local economies, tourism and environment.
We ask that just as Simon Upton and local advocacy group Sustainable Tarras have been, local groups including Sams Creek Collective and Save Our Springs will be able to make submissions to the fast-track panel, if Siren Gold’s mining permit application for a Sams Creek goldmine is granted this year.
Read full story:
https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/360984728/commissioner-warns-proposed-santana-gold-mine-should-be-declined-if-major-environmental-risks-cant
or
https://www.thepost.co.nz/nz-news/360984728/commissioner-warns-proposed-santana-gold-mine-should-be-declined-if-major-environmental-risks-cant (paywall)
