Here's the idea... Tell us what you think
Newmont Waihi Gold is currently seeking community opinion about new proposals to continue activity in the Martha open pit after the southern stability cutback is complete in 2010.
The company is airing a concept to lay back the walls of the open pit at the east and the west. At this time we emphasise that this is a concept. There is no project.
For this concept to be feasible and for consent applications to proceed, Newmont Waihi Gold will need to be satisfied there is broad community support and favourable outcomes from the technical studies and drilling programme.
Newmont Waihi Gold is seeking a win/win situation for both the community and the company. There must be benefit for both if the Martha layback proposals go ahead. Therefore it is important to begin considering what options and opportunities may be presented in order to work towards achieving positive outcomes, as well as taking on board any effects the laybacks may have on the community.
East Layback
The exploration drilling programme within the open pit at the eastern side ran from February to June this year and is due to resume soon.
If the eastern pit layback proposal becomes more than a concept, excavation will remove material from the 'Milking Cow', an area known to be unstable due to historic underground workings. This is a potential long term solution to an issue highlighted in 2002 when a geotechnical report identified hazard zones there.
If a layback to the east goes ahead activity is expected to take place within the current noise bund and within the current mining licence boundary, which will remain unchanged in the east.
It is expected that there will be little change from present activity except that it will continue for longer.
West Layback
The exploration drilling programme at the western side began in June this year. Initially drill rigs were working within the open pit and then were moved to different sections of the pit rim walkway and to an area on Moresby Avenue adjacent to Waihi Central School and the Goat Track.
The programme is due to finish soon, with two rigs currently operating between the walkway and the road. These drill sites are marked on the photograph below. If a layback to the west proves feasible, considerable work on avoiding or mitigating potential effects will be necessary, particularly for Waihi Central School.
The school and the company will be working together over the next few months to consider the issues and achieve the best possible outcomes.
The proposed western layback will alter the shape and height of the western pit wall. This provides an opportunity for new rehabilitation options to be introduced and considered. A park, plantings and lake access from Moresby Avenue, for instance, could have features worth developing.
In this aerial photograph showing the western perimeter of the open pit the known vein systems are shown in black and the locations of drill sites are shown as white dots. This differs slightly from a similar image published in 'Update' June 26, which indicated proposed drill sites. Not all of those were drilled.
Quartz veins of interest within the western wall of the open pit are outlined on this photograph.
