Macraes Phase 4 Frequently Asked Questions

OceanaGold has applied for resource consents through the Dunedin City Council, Otago Regional Council, and Waitaki District Council for several proposed activities, known collectively as Macraes Phase 4. These activities will extend the economic life of mine to around 2030.

MP4 involves expanding some areas of the current operation, revisiting areas previously mined over the past 30 years, processing low grade ore that has been stockpiled on site, and developing stage two of the tailings storage facility in the existing mined-out Frasers Pit.

A further key component of MP4 is the creation the Murphy’s Ecological Enhancement Area, a predator fenced area that will benefit the environment to offset and compensate for adverse effects on ecology that cannot be avoided, mitigated or remediated.   

Consenting has been, and remains, a constant activity at our Macraes Operation.  We’ve been applying for and renewing regulatory approvals for over 35 years and doing so helps us ensure that we operate sustainably and responsibly.

Approval of MP4 will secure the jobs of around 650 OceanaGold employees and the continued employment of over 200 people employed by contractors that service the mine. As a leading contributor to the regional economy, the economic impact of MP4 is significant, with OceanaGold spending hundreds of millions of dollars every year, 80 per cent of this in New Zealand.