25 Sep 2011

Mine expansion to create 600 jobs

4:29 pm on 25 September 2011

OceanaGold says the expansion of the country's largest gold mine will generate almost 600 jobs in east Otago.

The company and the Department of Conservation have reached an agreement on expansion at the Macraes mine, allowing it to run for another 10 years.

Chief operating officer Mark Cadzow says Oceana Gold injects hundreds of millions of dollars per year into the Otago economy and the creation of 600 new jobs will only grow the community.

He says the expansion will begin as soon as resource consents are accepted from Otago Regional Council and Waitaki District Council.

Mr Cadzow expects work to begin before the end of the year.