Waikaka Gold Mines Ltd, poised to yield over $50 million annually, has received approval.
It has secured approval from Gore District Council and Environment Southland to run a mine near Waikaka, roughly 20 km north of Gore.
Project backers plan to mine 95 ha of land over eight years, reaching depths of 20-40 m underground. Output is projected at 6,000 ounces of gold annually — worth $51.9 million yearly at a price of $8,646 per ounce.
Four sections of Waikaka Stream and Shepherds Creek will undergo temporary diversion, followed by restoration to their original alignment.
Independent commissioners Dr Ian Boothroyd (Chair), Ros Day-Cleavin, and Stephanie Dijkstra approved the consent, stating that potential adverse effects were minor, minimised where possible, or avoided, remedied, and mitigated through full implementation of conditions.
They said the conditions represent some of the most “comprehensive environmental and monitoring conditions ever applied in the district.”
Of over 53 submissions on the application, 47 supported it while six opposed it. All submitters have 15 days to appeal the decision to the Environment Court.
Consent conditions limit the active mining area to 20 ha at any time, with the total site not exceeding 100 ha or 50 m in depth.
The consent lasts for 20 years.
“The decision confirms that the effects can be managed and that it meets the legal tests under the Resource Management Act. That gives us confidence this is robust and stands up,” Gore Mayor Ben Bell said.
Protecting Waikaka Stream and Shepherds Creek also received significant emphasis.
“The mine has to fully rehabilitate any diverted sections and achieve no net loss in ecological value. That’s backed up by clear expectations for riparian planting, putting habitat back, maintaining fish passage, and ongoing monitoring to make sure it’s actually delivered.”
While Hokonui Rūnanga initially opposed the mine, Bell said its feedback on cultural values, stream rehabilitation, and continued engagement shaped conditions that honour the relationship with the Waikaka catchment.
“The commissioners rightly focused on environmental and legal requirements foremost, but I was glad to see they also recognised the potential for economic growth, bring jobs and positive flow-on effects for the district,” Bell added, highlighting the project’s potential benefits to the community.