Rain, rain ...
We have had several significant storm events in the last two months. 778mm of rain was recorded in May and June, a third of the average yearly total for Waihi. What happens to all the rain that falls on the mine site?
Where does the water come from?
There are four main sources of excess water on site. Excess water from Martha and Favona is piped to the Water Treatment Plant (WTP), as is water from the surface of the tailings storage pond TSF1. Under drainage beneath the waste rock embankments collects any seepage. This is also piped to the WTP. Stormwater runoff from the remainder of the site is channelled to collection or silt ponds and piped to the WTP if necessary.
Where does the water go?
The WTP treats the water depending on the source, its physical condition, and what it contains. Does it contain silt and look muddy? Does it have trace elements that have to be removed? Once treated, the water is discharged into the Ohinemuri River.
Since 2007 clean water from the tailings storage pond TSF2 has been discharged directly into the river. There is also a network of diversion drains around the site that are upstream of active areas. These drains redirect clean water to the river.
Water is discharged into the river in two locations downstream of the process plant. Consents allow up to 20-26,000 cubic metres of water a day to be discharged, as long as the total does not exceed 15-20% of the river's total daily flow, depending on the treatment regime being used at the time.
The polishing ponds are the final part of the water treatment process. This photograph was taken during the recent annual mid winter swim.
How is all this monitored?
There is extensive monitoring of all sources of water on site. Data collected is vital to the daily management of the operation. Decisions are made on the treatment required based on the chemical and physical properties of the water being treated, and river flow. Real time monitoring means that at any time water can be redirected, held, or returned for further treatment.
It seems that none of this treatment had any effect on the temperature of the water in the polishing ponds, described by participants in the annual mid winter swim as the coldest for years.
Martha workshops on the move
The Martha workshops, pictured here during this year's Open Day, will soon be moved about 300 metres to their new location northeast of the open pit.
There's another building on the move at Martha. The workshops next to the open pit that many people visited on Open Day will soon be dismantled and moved about 300 metres to their new location at the northeast of the pit to accommodate the new crusher location and pit layback.
The workshops, ancillary buildings and associated services are being moved as part of Martha East Layback Project.
Project manager Kevin Storer estimates that once the new foundations are complete it will take about two weeks to dismantle the buildings, and another two to re-erect the framing and reclad them with new material.
This work should be completed by middle to late August.
Essential services such as power, phone, fibre optics and water will be relocated at the same time, with some of this work continuing for several days after the initial relocation. Vehicle wash bays, fuel tanks and other services will also be moved as part of the relocation project. The key, says Kevin, is to complete the job safely and with minimal disruption to the Macmahon operation.
One Year LTA-Free
Last week the site recorded 365 days LTA-free. An LTA is a lost time accident, so that means we have not had an accident requiring a person to take time off or miss a shift in the last year.
Safety Manager Andy Schmidt said that one year LTA-free is a milestone that everybody should be proud of. 'Worldwide, Newmont has embarked on what we call the 'Safety Journey'. It's part of our continued drive to eliminate fatalities and serious injuries at all Newmont sites. It's great to achieve one year as part of that commitment'.
General manager Glen Grindlay says that achieving a year without serious injury is a great demonstration of the commitment to safety shown by everyone on site. 'Safe Production is much more than a slogan. It's a mindset, and a way of life. We should all be proud of this achievement, and proud that we return safe to our families at the end of each day. The challenge now is to make sure we can continue to build on this achievement'.
Remember 'No Accidents Here Today'
The next milestone? Staff at the Development Site at Baxter Road are less than two months away from recording 4000 days LTI-free. That will mean they will have worked for almost 11 years without a Lost Time Injury. That's got to be some kind of record.
The Mines Rescue Team train regularly hoping that they will never be needed. Staff on site helped them this year by having 365 days without a Lost Time Accident.
Beyond the Mine 2009
The Newmont Asia Pacific sustainability report Beyond the Mine 2009 is now available to the public. This yearly report is a scorecard of the company's achievements and challenges in environmental and social responsibility over the last year.
Copies can be picked up from Newmont Waihi Gold's main office at Moresby Avenue or from the Gold Story mine interpretation centre below the Waihi Visitor Centre on Seddon Street. Alternatively, ring our 0800 number below and we will arrange to send a copy to you.
The Newmont Waihi Gold community engagement line is attended 24 hours a day, seven days a week: 0800 NEWMONT (0800 639 6668)
