B-3 – Area 3 - Assessment of Environmental Effects 61 8. CONCLUSION OGNZL is seeking all necessary resource consents from the HDC and the WRC for the various WNP activities at Area 3, which comprise: The Wharekirauponga Access Tunnel which will provide an underground connection between the Wharekirauponga Underground Mine and OGNZL’s main processing area located at the Waihi SFA. The cultural effects of these activities are being addressed with tangata whenua through the CVA / CIA process described in Chapter 4 of the Overarching AEE. An assessment of all other potential effects on the environment of proposed activities in Area 3 is provided in Section 5 of this sub-AEE, as well as the various technical assessments commissioned by OGNZL. By way of summary, it is considered that the project can be undertaken in a manner that will appropriately avoid, remedy, mitigate or offset adverse effects on the environment. Given the underground nature of the proposal, the majority of operational effects can be largely avoided. However, it will not be possible to manage the activities at Area 3 such that there are no potential adverse effects on the environment, such as those construction relates effects from vibration, dewatering and ground settlement. However, OGNZL is proposing that the activities at Area 3 be undertaken in accordance with a range of consent conditions which will limit the potential for adverse effects. With respect to the statutory planning framework that applies to the activities at Area 3, it is concluded that the development of the project in the manner proposed by OGNZL will for the most part align comfortably with the overall management intentions specified in the relevant national, regional and district planning documents based on the effects assessments included in these application documents. Many of these statutory planning documents recognise the importance of the mining sector and the need to provide for its continuation (subject to the management of potential effects on the environment). It certainly cannot be concluded that the activities at Area 3 will be contrary, or repugnant, to any of the relevant statutory planning documents. This assessment will be updated following receipt of the various CVA / CIA documents being produced by tangata whenua. Finally, it is noted that OGNZL has consulted with interested / potentially affected parties and the wider community with respect to the WNP and activities in Area 3. This consultation has informed the various environmental assessments and will continue throughout the resource consent process and during the subsequent operation of the WNP.
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