Open Day 2010

We are in the early stages of planning for Open Day 2010, which will be held on Sunday 17 January.

Staging an event like this, both within the open pit and alongside it, requires a large amount of input and people power. Some participation involves preparation, lots of help is required on the day and lots of hands are appreciated in the clean up and follow-up afterwards.

In the past service groups, schools, clubs or charities have seen open day as an opportunity to raise funds, capitalising on the presence of lots of visitors to town. The types of fund raising activities are wide ranging.

Groups provide food, refreshments and activities, supply muscle power, direct traffic, keep watch over no-go areas, transport furniture, tents, cones and portaloos, erect signage, pick up rubbish, answer questions, apply bandaids ... the list is almost endless.

Newmont Waihi Gold would like to invite community organisations who may wish to participate in Open Day and raise funds at the same time to come along to share ideas.

We will meet at the Golden Legacy Centre, corner of Moresby Avenue and Savage Road on Tuesday 15 September at 7.00pm. For further information please phone Jeannine on 07 863 9880.

Photos: Last year's open day (January 2008) attracted an estimated 10,000 people.

Newmont Waihi Gold Open Day

Newmont Waihi Gold Open Day

 

The Stocktake Debate

The announcement of a government review and stocktake on minerals has been in the news lately. Last week there was lively debate on talkback radio, opinions posted on internet blogs and a range of views reported in newspapers.

This debate began when Minister of Energy and Resources, Gerry Brownlee, delivered the opening address at the Australasian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy conference in Queenstown. In his speech he announced that a government review will look to carrying out a stocktake of minerals under Department of Conservation land and Crown estates and assess the questionable conservation value of some parts of these areas.

In his speech the minister said that NZ has around $140 billion of minerals and $100 billion of lignite remaining in the ground as untapped wealth. "A report circulated by the World Bank some years ago ranked New Zealand second in the world in terms of natural wealth per capita. We were behind only Saudi Arabia, but well ahead of Australia. So I am firmly of the belief that our natural resources have the potential to make a significant contribution to our prosperity and our economic development. As a nation we have neglected the contribution that the resources sector could make to our growth rate, levels of employment, and quality of life."

Mr Brownlee pointed out that while it is important for New Zealanders to know the potential of our mineral wealth we must also make sure any moves are carefully considered from an environmental and conservation stance. He also praised the environmental responsibility displayed in Waihi.

 

Newmont's view:

While the review is good news for the minerals industry as a whole it doesn't change the way Newmont does things within its host communities.

Newmont Waihi Gold has long been aware of the high conservation values of areas within this region. We respect the significance of our region's conservation values to residents, absentee land owners, iwi and New Zealand as a whole. A recent agreement signed off between conservation, mining interests and Thames Coromandel District Council clearly demonstrates the ability of each side of the debate to reach agreement on areas of prohibited mining and further restrictions, appropriate mining methods (underground) and activity status under the District Plan consent process.

Newmont has a 20 year track record of working with communities in Waihi and more recently in regional exploration works undertaken in Onemana. As with any issue we encourage agencies or individuals with concerns to discuss them with us.

Newmont's interest is in high grade deposits in low-value conservation localities that can be mined by small footprint underground methods. The RMA consultation process is rigorous and transparent and will be in place for all consent applications. The review will require public consultation as well before any alteration to legislation. As a mining company we will be one voice in the review process alongside community, conservation and governmental groups.

 

Helicopter moving a Newmont exploration drill rig

Recent Visitors

Left: Massey University students were accompanied by Dr Mike Joy, a freshwater ecologist and lecturer who recently featured on television's '60 Minutes' programme about water pollution in the Manawatu and Waikato. As well as visiting our current Waihi operations the group checked out rehabilitation work at Golden Cross in the Waitekauri Valley. While there they watched a helicopter moving a Newmont exploration drill rig.

Romanian Visitors

Right: A delegation of ten Romanian senior media representatives visited last week to assess similarities and differences between gold mining here and back at home in Rosia Montana. They were enthusiastic about tasting water taken directly from our polishing ponds.

Counting sheep

Our last Update ( 25 August ) included a story about the theft and slaughter of several sheep and lambs from grazing areas next to the pit rim walkway.

As reported, the sheep belong to a private resident. We printed an incorrect phone number to call with any information relating to these crimes. The correct number is 021 410 865. We would appreciate any information that will help to put a stop to these cruel and selfish acts.