• In answer to a question about the water quality, Keith Brodie said water quality- predictions were set very conservatively and monitoring to date suggests much quicker improvements in the water than predicted. He said that the water quality is good, there is no evidence of any persistent impact and that the long term trend is very stable (even more so in storage 1A than storage 2).
• In answer to a question about how problems with leachate might be addressed, Jeff Ruddock said that if there was any leakage the company could increase the number of cut-off drains and curtain around the whole embankment. The line of detection bores gives an early indication of anything going wrong (an early warning system) and the outer ring of monitoring bores ensures monitoring is carried out according to the requirements of the consent conditions.
• When asked how long the monitoring would go on for, Jeff said that the Company can’t “walk away” until there is a demonstrably sustainable situation.
• Asked to compare the Martha facility with Golden Cross it was explained that the risks had been anticipated and catered for, the stability of the Martha tailings dam has been designed to meet the worst possible earthquake standard. The geochemistry of potential acid forming waste is being dealt with as it should be. When designing and building the Martha facility there was a lot of drilling done to ensure that there were no weak materials at depth at the time of the consent application for storage 1A. There was also a difference in “attitude” in the bedrock at Golden Cross (unwedged) compared to the rock at Martha (wedged). Despite the fact that Martha is a much better facility than Golden Cross, it was explained that the Golden Cross Dam did not fail even though it had to withstand pressure that it shouldn’t have been subject to.
• When asked to compare the Martha facility with the Tui Mine tailings, Dennis Crequer explained that at the Tui mine, tailings were just dumped into the stream, with a bit of a dam and a rudimentary pipe provided to channel the spring. The comparison between the Martha facility and the Tui Tailings is like comparing the technology of a Model T Ford with a Ferrari. The Tui mine was developed under a completely different regulatory regime from Martha. What happened at Tui would not be allowed to happen at Martha.
• Jeff concluded by saying that a dedicated team for managing the storage facility is unique to Waihi and is not often found overseas. Jeff also pointed out that in his 17 years experience working with the company they have had no hesitation in spending the money required to make sure the job has always been done properly.

2. Response to question re tenements
Tessa had asked a question regarding the current and future mining and exploration rights held by NWO. DI spoke to this on the basis of a map of the various tenements and dates of expiry of each licence.

3. Update – what has happened since our last meeting (contributions from all):

• Waihi Leader has been sold.
• There have been a number of changes in occupation of retail outlets.
• Staff Reports for Favona submission process sent out.
• Favona hearing starts 17 November expected to take 5 days.
  

4. Youth Representation
Alister Cochrane has identified a number of students to be involved on the basis that they are interested and they will be around for the next couple of years. Kathy and Mark are working on a summary of the information considered by the WCCC to date in order to present it to a group of students and the youth representatives from the Community centre identified by Tessa. Tim and Sharon will check with Collette and Tessa about ongoing involvement in this by them. The goal is to have made contact prior to our next WCCC meeting on 1 December 2003.

5. Geotech Report
Company consultants and Council’s peer reviewer have almost finalised the issues around the report. The report will go to Council on 27th November 2003.

6. Conservation Plan
The Conservation Plan is yet to go through the following stages:

• NWO had a teleconference today to finalise the Pumphouse Conservation Plan with Salmon Reid and HPT. A list of options is included.
• The next stage is for the Company and NZHPT to discuss the report and work out how to prioritise the options identified.
• These options will be taken to the HDC monthly Council meeting on 27th December 2003.
• The report will then be made available to the WCCC meeting on 1 December for committee consideration.
• NZHPT have retained the services of an independent conservation engineer (pro bono) to provide guidance re the geotech structure with respect to the Pumphouse. NZHPT will share this information with the WCCC

7. Concept Plan

• Frank Boffa – is working on the next stage of the concept plan. This plan incorporates the ideas to date from the WCCC working groups, as collated by Kathy Mason.
• The WCCC discussed whether the concept plan should be presented to HDC at their meeting on the 27 November 2003 or whether WCCC has an opportunity to see the draft presentation before it is put before HDC. From an HDC perspective Langley informed the meeting that the correct process would be for any proposal requiring funding from HDC to be first put to the Waihi Ward Committee for their input.
• It was agreed that the plan will be presented to the WCCC at the meeting on 1 December 2003. The Waihi Ward Committee are meeting at 3 p.m. on 1 December 2003 and will be invited to attend the presentation at the WCCC meeting that evening.

8. Where to next?
An issue was raised about whether the WCCC could / should make a decision about getting started on something e.g. the pit rim walkway, or start with a broader concept plan. Discussion included:

• Whether further progress could be made until after the Pumphouse has been discussed at the WCCC meeting on 1 December 2003.
• Whether work should commence on the pit rim walkway?
• The point was made about the difference between formal regulatory requirements on NWO including the rehabilitation plan, due for revision on an annual basis, and the broader possibilities that the Golden Legacy concept and the WCCC present. The WCCC has the opportunity to have input at regular stages and its views and preferences can be taken into account and incorporated in rehabilitation planning.

9. Next meetings:
1 December 2003
At this meeting there will be a presentation of the:

• Geotech Report
• Conservation Plan, and
• Concept Plan – (incorporating the ideas of the WCCC)
  (The Waihi Ward Committee will be invited to attend).

15 December 2003
At this meeting it is anticipated that there will be discussion regarding:

• The Pumphouse
• The concept plan discussion, and
• Funding possibilities

Meeting Closed at 9.55 p.m.

Tim and Sharon