(Kitco News) - OceanaGold (TSX: OGC) announced today that the United States Army Corps of Engineers has issued the Supplementary Environmental Impact Statement Record of Decision and granted a permit under Section 404 of the Clean Water Act for the expansion of the Haile gold mine located in Kershaw, South Carolina.
In its statement, the company said that the receipt of the SEIS ROD and 404 Permit by the ACOE completes the federal permitting process for the Haile expansion.
In addition, the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control issued the Mine Operating Permit on December 14, 2022, which, following a statutory 15-day period, will become final and will complete the state permitting process for the Haile expansion, it noted.
President and CEO Gerard Bond stated, "The receipt of the Haile SEIS ROD and the MOP represents a significant milestone for OceanaGold, putting the company on a clear path to deliver increased gold production and lower unit costs at this cornerstone asset. We are thrilled to be progressing the next stage of Haile's growth as we expand our operations underground and, with exploration success, pursue further opportunities to profitably extend the mine life."
The company said that with the early works program approved in the third quarter, underground development of the main production decline and exhaust ventilation portals is safely progressing in-line with plan. First ore from the Haile underground remains on-track for delivery in the fourth quarter of 2023.
OceanaGold is a multinational gold producer. The company’s portfolio of established operating assets includes the Haile gold mine in the United States of America, the Didipio gold mine in the Philippines, and the Macraes and Waihi gold operations in New Zealand.
