Why mining activity in Waihi is an issue?
Why mining activity in Waihi is an issue?
Critics say underground mining in Waihi creates noise and vibrations that disturb the residents, could leave legacy problems, and devalues their properties. Previous operators of the mine, Newmont, have perviously agreed to make payments to residents for noise, dust and vibrations.
Is Waihi gold mine active?
This project is currently being developed and we expect a mine life of at least 10 years. The Martha Underground workings will be accessed from the existing Favona portal.
How deep is the Waihi mine?
Cornish Pumphouse After 1913, electric pumps were used to dewater the mine, but the pumphose was kept in working order until 1929 as a backup. From the 1930s onwards, the building had been stripped of all machinery and left in an increasingly derelict state.
How big is the Waihi gold mine?
An operating gold mine, in the centre of the town of Waihi, located at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula. Named after the Martha Lode which is an epithermal gold-silver orebody which is giant by world standards. This reef system is at least 1.6km long, 600m deep and up to 30m wide.
What are some of the modern issues with mining in Waihi?
The potential negative impacts relate primarily to Waihi East, the largely residential area under which the mine is being developed. Residents held concerns about structural damage to their properties, reduced amenity, and an associated localised reduction in property prices and market activity.
What do they mine in Waihi?
Martha open pit Martha and Favona produced, on average, around 100,000 ounces of gold and around 750,000 ounces of silver annually. The Martha Mine is situated in the Waihi township, and the processing plant, waste rock embankments, water treatment plant and Favona Mine are located two kilometres away in a rural area.
Is gold still mined in New Zealand?
New Zealand has three main goldfields and each has its own geology. In Otago (and Marlborough) gold is found in quartz veins in schist and in river gravels which have weathered from schist. Although gold has never been mined there, it occurs in the Taupō Volcanic Zone in geothermal deposits.
How deep is the Martha Mine pit?
The Martha Mine Seven vertical shafts had been sunk for the underground Martha Mine; the deepest was 600 metres from the surface.
Where is the Martha Hill mine the biggest gold mine in NZ?
Waihi
At Waihi, at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula, the Martha Hill Mine (named after prospector William Nicholl’s sister) produced more gold than any other in New Zealand history — 224,000 g of gold and 1,680,000 g of silver — until it closed in 1952.
Who discovered gold in Waihi?
1878. John McCombie and Robert Lee discovered gold on Pukewā (Martha hill).
What is in Waihi?
Karangahake Gorge Historic Walkway. 558.
How do people use the Waihi area?
With a population of about 4,700 people, the town of Waihi is situated on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand. The surrounding area supports horticulture and dairy farming. Waihi is an important service centre for these activities, as well as playing an increasing role in tourism.
Is there a gold mine in Waihi New Zealand?
Mining in Waihi has a history that spans three centuries after gold was first discovered in the 1800s. Our Waihi Operation in the North Island of New Zealand is an underground and open pit operation. In early 2019 OceanaGold received consent to develop the Martha Underground.
Are there any mines in the South Island?
At Waihi, we currently operate a successful underground mining operation and are actively exploring in the region. We also have underground and surface mines at the Macraes operation in the South Island, plus mines in the Philippines and the United States. on Department of Conservation administered Forest Park.
How long will the Martha underground mine last?
The Martha Underground includes the area directly under the current Martha open pit and the south wall, as well as the Rex vein under residential property to the south of the pit. This project is currently being developed and we expect a mine life of at least 10 years.
