Those points were made by a series of submitters, including for the Department of Conservation, at a Dunedin resource consent hearing yesterday. Making legal submissions on behalf of director-general of conservation Lou Sanson, Pene Williams acknowledged the economic importance of the mining in North Otago and the wider Otago region. Discussions with Oceana had proved fruitful and some of the director-general's concerns were being addressed through changes to proposed consent conditions. Company general manager Dale Oram has said the mining extension would contribute'' significantly'' to the economy, and the company would provide mitigation and compensation for ''unavoidable effects'' on the environment. Oceana had proposed an ecological mitigation package, and Mr Rance supported providing protective covenants for indigenous vegetation areas known to be ecologically important.

Source: Otago Daily Times November 02, 2016 17:12 UTC