Abstract
Introduction
History of Martha Mine
Overview
Economic Benefits and Employment
The Martha Mine Community Team
Martha Mine and the Community
Martha Mine and Local Authorities
Martha Mine and Iwi
Martha Mine and Rehabilitation
The Golden Legacy
Bibliography, Author's Note and Acknowledgements

Abstract
Waihi Gold Mining Company Limited, a wholly owned subsidiary of Normandy Mining Limited, operates the Martha gold mine, located in the township of Waihi, New Zealand. The operation, an unincorporated joint venture comprises Normandy Mining Limited (67.07%) and Otter Gold Mines (32.94%).

Since gold was first discovered at Waihi in 1878, it has formed a key part of the region’s economy. In 1909 the Waihi mine was described in a report to Parliament as "the most important gold mine in Australasia and one of the greatest in the world." That was a record year for production, with 416,813 tons of ore mined and some 1,120 men employed.

Today the mine produces up to 1,250,000 tonnes of ore annually, and the project employs some 234 men and women. In 1999 the value of the gold and silver produced ($59 million) made up 47% of Waihi’s estimated GDP. Waihi Gold has made significant contributions to the Waihi economy, community and the Hauraki region as a whole. Since the mine was re-opened in 1987, thousands of local people have benefited from the mine. In 1999, consents were granted allowing an extension to the mine life (the Extended Project) and this will result in a further seven years of economic benefits resulting from mining activity.

The Company has undertaken extensive consultation throughout project planning, construction, operations and rehabilitation. Ongoing liaison and involvement with all community sectors, including Tangata Whenua and Iwi, local residents, recreational groups and schools remains an integral part of the operation. Throughout the life of the modern Martha Mine, the Company has actively supported the local community in the form of donations, sponsorships, the provision of amenities and by participating in community events.

A well-established environmental team exists at the site. Environmental and community performance is measured by an independent five star assessment process, and the Company is committed to achieving excellence through ongoing improvement programmes and staff awareness.

When the mine is closed, the open pit area will be transformed into a recreational lake, and the tailings storage facilities will be rehabilitated to become a combination of wetlands, grassed areas and ponds. Resources will be provided by the Mine to ensure the rehabilitated site remains in a safe and self-sustaining, stable condition in perpetuity.

The mine is regarded as a showcase on a world standard of how a modern mining operation can successfully co-exist with the nearby community.

History of the Martha Mine
Gold was first discovered at Waihi in 1878 and the original Martha Mine operated between 1879 and 1952. The ore was extracted by underground mining methods following the major vein systems. The mine was developed by sinking seven vertical shafts and driving 175 km of horizontal tunnels which were spaced at regular vertical intervals on fifteen levels.

Since gold was first discovered at Waihi in 1878, it has formed a key part of the region’s economy. In 1909 the Martha mine was described in a report to Parliament as "the most important gold mine in Australasia and one of the greatest in the world." That was a record year for production, with 416,813 tons of ore mined and some 1,120 men employed. During its seventy year life, Martha mine produced 5.6 million ounces of gold and 37 million ounces of silver.

The relatively high gold price in the 1970s sparked renewed interest in exploration at Martha Hill. Following extensive environmental impact studies, and granting of a Mining Licence and Water Rights, construction for the new open pit Martha Mine commenced in July 1987. Further exploration identified additional ore, which would extend the life of the mine for a further seven years to 2007. Following permitting under the Mining Act (1971) and the Resource Management Act (1991), the Mining Licence conditions were varied and resource consents and conditions issued. Construction for the extended project commenced in 1999.

Following the granting of the Mining Licence and Water Rights in 1987, the Company continued its commitment to the community as construction operations and then mining took place. In 1990 the Company built the Waihi Information Centre at its current location adjacent to the Cornish Pumphouse. The Company has continued to provide information to describe the mining process, environmental monitoring and progressive rehabilitation. In July 1999, the Martha Mine Education Centre opened, and this facility provides a venue for activities and display space for the many school groups that visit the site.

• Landowners and occupiers within, adjacent to, and in the vicinity of the application areas
• The local community and community groups
• Tangata Whenua and Iwi authorities
• The local and regional councils
• Government departments and agencies
• Other interested parties.

As part of the Extended Project consultation, the Company opened a second Information Centre, called Martha 2000, in the main street of Waihi. This operated between May 1995 and October 1999 to provide an informal and readily accessible place where the community, visitors to the area and interested parties could view videos, plans and reports relating to the Extended Project.

Following the granting of the variation to the Mining Licence and Resource Consents, construction activities associated with the Extended Project commenced in January 1999. A dedicated Company Liaison Officer continues to provide information to the public in the form of "Update" newsletters and personal visits, and also responds to complaints and concerns as they arise. In 2000, the Company developed a web site, and updated brochures and videos continue to be produced.

Throughout the life of the modern Martha Mine, the Company has actively sought to support the local community in the form of donations, sponsorships, the provision of amenities and by participating in community events. While some of these are described in this paper, further details can be found on the web site.

The Martha Mine Community Team
Martha Mine encourages all employees to be ambassadors of the mine in the community. Staff and contractors are provided with information about all aspects of the mine including environmental and community issues through environmental inductions, and ongoing liaison. In addition the Martha Mine has a well-established environmental and public relations team.

The General Manager has overall management responsibility for that team and like all employees have specific community objectives detailed in his job description. These objectives include formulation of policy and plans, ensuring sufficient resources are provided for and to communicate to all employees their responsibilities towards the community.

Directly reporting to the General Manager is the Environmental Superintendent who has the management responsibility for the environmental and community liaison team. The role requires the Environmental Superintendent to oversee the monitoring of all the impacts of the operation on the environment and the community. In particular water management, noise, dust, and blast vibration are monitored through an integrated network of monitor stations located around the mining operation and all monitoring results are collated and made available to the authorities and public. Environmental technicians are employed by the Company to undertake the stringent monitoring on the site and within the community.

Established within the team is a dedicated Company Liaison Officer. A lifetime resident of Waihi who is a well-known and respected member of the community fills this position. The Liaison Officer is the first contact in the company available to the public through a 24-hour phone service. The role of the Liaison Officer is to listen, investigate, respond to and record concerns raised by the community, and to provide information to residents via the monthly "Update" newsletter published in the regional newspaper. This position is seen as the key to ensuring that effective communications are maintained between the company and the community. The officer has regular contact with the local authority Council Liaison Officer and they often work together on issues relating to the mine.

A Senior Environmental Officer is also in the team whose prime focus is ensuring all the reporting requirements, under the Resource Management Act, are met by the site. Annual management reports are required under the site’s consent and licence conditions and require significant input from the other more traditional mining aspects of the operation including geotechnical, geological, mining engineering, mine planning and mineral processing.

Because of the mine’s accessibility and open door policy, it receives many visitors – both recreational and educational groups. An Education Officer assisted by an Information Officer also makes up part of the community team.

• $25,000 has been donated annually to the Waihi College/Waihi Gold Education Trust Fund since 1992.
• $50,000 was donated to the Waihi Events Centre fundraising committee in 1996
• $15,000 was donated to Waihi Community Marae in 1999 to assist in the building of a new wharenui
• $250,000 has been donated to the Waihi Streetscape 2000 development for a full sized replica of the Martha Mine No 4 shaft poppet head, and two bronze statues of mining related figures.

Other Community Initiatives
The Company sponsors educational and community projects as follows:

• Gilmour Lake Reserve was developed by the Company and handed over to the District Council in 1993.
• Martha Mine Open Days held in 1994, 1995, 1996, and 1998 raised around $60,000 for Waihi Lions sponsored projects and attracted over 20,000 visitors.
• An annual Miners Reunion is held for miners who worked at the Martha Mine prior to its closure in 1952.
• The Company also participates in a variety of business and tourist promotions.
• H.E.L.P. is the Habitat Enhancement & Landcare Partnership a Martha Mine initiated and supported partnership program aimed at promoting sustainable land use practices. Businesses, schools and community groups have worked enthusiastically together to improve the local environment through educating school children about habitat protection and land care principles. The students learn how to evaluate their local environment and plan and work on developments to rehabilitate and improve riverbanks and waterways and selected sites in the Waihi area. The HELP project has received Environment Awards from Environment Waikato in 1995 and 1996, and was runner-up in the Department of Conservation’s National Young Conservationist of the Year in 1998.
• The New Zealand Dotterel is a rare shorebird found only in New Zealand. It is a threatened species, with a total population of around 1,500. Their usual environment is on sandy beaches, often near river mouths where food is plentiful. Since 1994, the Dotterels have been attracted to the Martha Mine tailings storage facility. It is the bird’s first known inland nesting site in the North Island. A sponsorship arrangement has been entered into with DoC fostering protection and assistance to DoC officers for the Dotterel at both the mine and Opoutere on the East Coast of the Coromandel Peninsula, which is also a regular nesting site for this species.
• he Company is working in conjunction with the District Council’s Streetscape 2000 Project to provide landscaped areas, viewing points and walkways to link the open pit to the town. The establishment of these areas will provide a community asset for the present and in the future when the lake is filled and forms part of the Company’s progressive rehabilitation plans.
  
  

Martha Mine and Local Authorities
The Company has regular liaison with both the Regional and District councils and other government agencies as required. Council officers regularly visit the site and view monitoring data and the relevant reports and management plans.

Martha Mine and Iwi
The management at the Martha Mine acknowledges the unique and special relationships of the Tangata Whenua and Iwi and accordingly, consultation with various Iwi groups within the local and regional communities is undertaken. Waihi Gold Company recognises that some topics of discussion are of a sensitive nature and therefore are confidential to the parties involved.

The Company seeks to establish and maintain long term relationships between local iwi groups, the mine operations its employees, and mining contractors. A cultural awareness programme is being established to improve cross-cultural awareness at all levels of staff. The Company is committed to recognising and respecting the importance of protocols, heritage, traditional rights, and spiritual values of the Maori people. The objective is, to build a relationship of strength with the iwi to enhance the environment including the well-being of the tangata whenua and the community via the consultation process.

Iwi Protocol
Before the Company disturbs new areas for mining operations or exploration, an archaeological survey is undertaken by an archaeologist agreed to by the relevant iwi for the area.

The Company has protocols in place should any skeletal material, cultural artifacts, or evidence of Maori occupation be unearthed on site. Similarly, the Company has protocols in place in the event of a death on site, either by accident or by natural causes. All work would immediately stop in that location. Kaumatua would be invited to carry out karakia (blessings) and any other religious or cultural ceremonies, which may be considered appropriate in accordance with Tikanga Maori (Maori custom and protocol).

The Treaty of Waitangi Claims
Some of the land within the Company’s area of interest is subject to the Treaty of Waitangi Wai 100 Claim and Tribunal Hearing. The Company acknowledges and recognises the principles of the Treaty of Waitangi and the existence of the claims, which are being brought against the Crown. The Company stands outside the Treaty grievance process as a third party.

Future Relationship
The Mine accepts that Iwi have cultural concerns which must be addressed by the company. As policy, the company makes senior personnel available to liaise and consult with Iwi over issues and has an ongoing commitment to open discussion and mutual respect.

Martha Mine and Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation and Closure
Rehabilitation at the modern Martha Mine site has always been a major part of the planning for the mine. Rehabilitation proposals and concept plans were developed well before the commencement of construction in 1987, and those plans were revised as part of the planning process for the Extended Project. In preparing these plans, the advice and skill of a large range of experts, including soil scientists, hydrologists, engineers, aquatic biology and water quality specialists were sought. The rehabilitation concept plans were made publicly available during the process of gaining the necessary approvals to operate the mine.

• Improving the visual appearance of the disturbed areas
• Establishing a cover to provide erosion control
• Improving runoff water quality by minimising silt loads, and
• Dust control
• Early re-establishment of soil systems and reduced storage of "living" top soils

Progressive rehabilitation is a major part of the Martha Mine’s day to day operations. While some disturbed areas can be rehabilitated on a progressive basis while the mine is operating, some areas cannot be rehabilitated until mining is complete. For this reason, although a significant amount of progressive rehabilitation will have been completed by the time the mine closes, some rehabilitation will be required at cessation of mining activities.

Each year, the Rehabilitation and Closure Plan is updated and describes the proposed method of rehabilitation and closure of the site. The overall objective of this plan is to ensure rehabilitation and closure of the site is undertaken such that in the long term the site, and any structures on it, will remain stable. Any water discharging from the site, and any groundwater under the site, will be of a quality such that it will not adversely affect aquatic life, or other users of the water resource.

The Mine is committed to ensuring that when the mine is closed, the land is left in a safe and self-sustaining, stable condition. Extensive rehabilitation and planting has already taken place to improve the appearance of the disturbed areas, to provide erosion control and to improve the quality of the water runoff.

From Open Pit to Recreational Lake
The closure period commences once mining stops, and continues for a number of years while rehabilitation activities are undertaken. A recreational lake will be created in the open pit while the adjacent Surface Facilities Area, where the crushers and conveyors currently are, will be turned into a park. Walkways will be created around the lake, and a boat ramp, amenities block, access road and car park will be established. The lake will cover an area of some 29ha and be 195m deep with a shallow area at the eastern end of the lake.

Dewatering of the open pit will stop when mining ceases and inflows from both surface water and ground water mean the water levels will begin to rise. Additional water will be pumped from the Ohinemuri River, at times of medium to high flow, so that approximately five years after closure, the lake will be filled.

The lake’s water quality will be monitored during filling and also for at least five years afterwards. The monitoring program includes assessments of the quality of the runoff from the pit wall, and the aquatic life in the lake.

The level of the lake will be set at RL1104. This means that most of the Waihi township within 200m of the lake will be at least 5m above the lake level. An outlet built from the lake to the Mangatoetoe Stream will control the level of the lake.

• The pit slopes are shown to be stable,
• Any water discharging from the site, and any groundwater under the site, will be of a quality that will not affect aquatic life, or other users of the water resource,
• The structures are shown to be stable,
• All revegetation is complete, and
• Monitoring demonstrates that the site is sustainable.

The closure period therefore is estimated to be ten years in duration. In practice, however, much of the site will have been rehabilitated and will meet the closure objectives well within that ten-year period.

Once closure of the site is complete, the post closure period commences. At this point in time, a charitable trust known as the Martha Trust will manage and take title to the lake, the park land around the lake, the Tailings Storage Facilities and the Water Treatment Plant. The Trust will be responsible for monitoring and maintaining the facilities for general use by the public.

A sum of money will be handed over by the Mine to the Trust, and the interest generated from that money is calculated to allow the Trust to manage, monitor and maintain the land in perpetuity, and provide the necessary insurance cover required for a public domain.

Both the Hauraki District Council and Environment Waikato will appoint two trustees each. The Councils, after consultation with Ngati Tamatera have the power to appoint a trustee to represent Ngati Tamatera. Ngati Tamatera has the power to appoint an Advisory Trustee.

Author Notes:
Michael Slight.
General Manager, Waihi Gold Mine Co Ltd.
Experience: 24 years in Mining Industry mainly in Australia including management and technical roles in underground base metals, open pit diamonds, open pit gold, open pit and underground coal and open pit nickel operations.
BE (Hon.) Mining, Grad Diploma in Management, Quarry managers Certificates WA, Qld., NZ, and First Class Coal Mine Mangers Certificate Qld.
Born and educated in Wanganui, 2 years University studies in NZ and 2 years in Australia.

Acknowledgements:
The author wishes to acknowledge the support and help from the Joint Venture owners Normandy Mining Ltd., and Otter Gold Mines, and all of the staff at the Martha Mine, in particular; Keith Brodie, Kathy Mason, and Doreen McLeod. In addition thanks should also go to the members of the Hauraki District Council, Environment Waikato and all of the residents of Waihi.