About the Project

Project Overview

Macraes Phase Four (MP4) is our proposal to extend mining at the Macraes gold mine into the late 2030s.

MP4 is a brownfields project, not a new mine. It builds on activities already happening at Macraes: extending some areas of the current operation, revisiting ground mined over the past 36 years, and processing low-grade ore stockpiled on site. OceanaGold owns the land at Macraes and works with the councils where the mine interacts with roads.

Macraes has been part of Otago for over three decades. MP4 sustains more than 760 direct jobs and thousands of indirect jobs across Otago, Waitaki and New Zealand, for at least another decade. 

Without MP4, the operation begins winding down from 2027, with final closure by 2030.

We’re seeking approval under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024, assessed by an independent Expert Panel, to continue operating for a new phase of the mine life. 

See how the process works under The Approval Process.

What’s Proposed

MP4 covers six main areas of work.

Open pit extensions Continuing and extending mining in existing open pit areas at Macraes.

Underground mine development Further development of the underground mining already under way at Macraes.

Storage of waste rock and tailings in existing pit and waste rock stack areas

Road realignment and infrastructure upgrades Realigning some sections of road, including unformed roads, while keeping public access available.

Exploration and access tracks Ongoing exploration activity, and the access tracks needed to support it.

Rehabilitation, ecological enhancement and protection and water treatment both before and after closure.

Each of these is covered in more detail under Protecting the Environment, and in the fact sheets.