Coals to Newcastle?

Amidst threats of power shortages in the news for this winter Newmont Waihi Gold may be in a position to help out. The company has the ability to co-generate power by way of diesel-powered generators, effectively adding power back into the mains circuit. To this end, Waihi Gold has an agreement with Contact Energy, if called upon to do this.

Waihi Gold's diesel-fuelled power generators have the capacity to provide around 2.5 megawatts - minimizing the effects of any potential blackouts should they occur.

Projects manager, Kevin Storer, says there are several measures in place to cut down energy use all around the site and the company continues to investigate ways to conserve electricity and fuel.

'Our diesel-fuelled generators are a lot more expensive to run than the normal mains power supply from Contact Energy,' Kevin Storer says, 'but in the event of shortages they could make a significant contribution towards the supply'.



The Newmont Waihi Gold freephone is attended 24 hours a day, seven days a week.


0800 NEWMONT (0800 639 6668)

Support for Tauranga Rescue Helicopter

Trust Power / TECT Rescue Helicopter

Waihi's Gold Story

The mine interpretation centre, Waihi's Gold Story, downstairs at the Waihi Visitor Centre at the top of town, has been open for six months now and visitor numbers are on the rise.

In just five months from January to the end of May 2008 16,899 people have checked out the new displays. That is about the same number of visitors as the Golden Legacy Centre received in the entire 2007 year.

Interpretation centre manager, Doreen McLeod, reports that visitors come from all around the world but the majority are New Zealanders. Visitors comment that they find the displays well presented, easy to understand and an excellent learning resource with just the right balance of images and text to keep both adults and children interested.

The interactive sections are well used and visitors spend a lot of time viewing the various short DVDs about past and present mining. Visitors never cease to be amazed that the pumphouse was relocated and they enjoy viewing the DVD about the move. There is also a lot of interest in the historic photographs and the social history wall.

Children enjoy dressing up as miners in high viz vests and hard hats while they play in the 'tunnel' with the toys or climb inside the massive tyre. About that tyre - 'Wow' is the word most often used!

Interpretation Centre

Comments in the visitors book testify that visitors are enjoying the experience of Waihi's Gold Story

We hope we will never need them. We are proud to give them our support.

In the event of an accident in our vicinity a telephone call to the 111 Emergency line will go straight to an operator at the base in Auckland. The operator will assign necessary rescue services according to the severity of the situation, the location and the appropriate resources available. If it is established that a helicopter is the most appropriate response it will be despatched from Auckland, Hamilton or Tauranga. The medics in the crew will manage the situation as needs require and if a patient needs transport to hospital, the medics will determine where - Tauranga, Waikato or Auckland.

Newmont Waihi Gold has recently signed up as an associate sponsor of the Tauranga-based TrustPower / TECT Rescue Helicopter. In past years the company has contributed financial support to the Auckland-based Westpac Trust service. Regardless of which area receives the sponsorship money, NWG remains committed in its support of all helicopter rescue services as a really worthwhile cause.

General manager, Glen Grindlay, says not only does the helicopter rescue service mean help is at hand in the event of any incident within its own workplaces, but also the surrounding communities are getting the same benefits.

'We are delighted to support an operation which is so is closely aligned to our own principles of a safe working environment and contributing to the community,' Mr Grindlay said.

'Newmont Waihi Gold has a very strong safety culture and a strong commitment to the local community. Supporting the rescue helicopter fits well with the company's values. We're employing over 300 people. We want our staff and our community to receive the best possible response in an emergency situation.'

The Tauranga-based TrustPower TECT Rescue Helicopter is a dedicated 24 hour, seven day a week air ambulance. Based at Tauranga Hospital it provides rapid response medical care to the region. The team has just recently responded to two incidents close to here. Flying time to Waihi is twelve minutes.