2012

The Waihi Gold Update is a fortnightly newsletter designed to inform the public about our operations.
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2 February 2012
Martha Exploration Project (MEP)

Before we complete all activity in the open pit we wish to evaluate the economic potential of the gold and silver remaining below the pit floor. To do this we propose to explore underground inside the current mining licence boundary. If the MEP indicates the potential for underground mining we would be required to commit to a full resource management consenting process. 

We lodged an application in September last year to vary the existing mining licence to permit us to carry out the Martha Exploration Project. Our application was jointly considered by Hauraki District Council (HDC), Waikato Regional Council (WRC) and the Minister of Energy and Resources (MER). On 26 January 2012 HDC, WRC and MER gave joint public notice of their decision to vary the conditions of the licence. Submissions to the Environment Court may be lodged until 27 February 2012.

The Martha Exploration Project is located entirely within the existing Martha mining licence area and within the boundaries of the pit rim. The project will not tunnel under any residential property.

We expect this work will take two to three years to complete. This will approximately coincide with the completion of the layback to the east wall of the Martha pit. In terms of scale the MEP is a small project; less waste rock and ore will be moved during its two year life than approximately one month of open pit mining. 

Further information is available at our Golden Link information office in Seddon Street, Waihi, next to the Waihi Memorial Hall.

26 January 2012
Union Hill activity

Newmont Waihi Gold is carrying out some archaeological investigations at Union Hill, the site of the battery and refinery run by Union Gold Mining Company. This is also the site of the historic cyanide tanks, listed Category A in the Hauraki District Plan and by NZ Historic Places Trust.
Newmont Waihi Gold is also installing monitoring equipment on the relics.

Ore-roasting kilns

  - The Union Gold Mining Company (later acquired by the Waihi Gold Mining Company) operated 13 kilns on Union Hill from 1889 to 1901.

Gold-bearing ore and firewood were loaded into the kilns from the top. The firewood was set alight. Later the ore was removed from the bottom of the kilns and more fresh ore and firewood added at the top. The aim was to 'roast' the gold-bearing ore by slowly burning the wood. Too hot and the gold was less accessible than before; not enough heat and the process failed to work. Roasted gold-bearing ore was more friable and so it crushed more readily. This reduced wear and tear on machinery and improved the recovery rate. In addition the heating process oxidised sulphides present in the rock which would otherwise hinder the separation and then amalgamation of gold particles.

12 January 2012
Investing in our community
Over a hundred years ago gold mining was responsible for the development of the town of Waihi and the local and regional infrastructure. Roads, railway, telegraph and electric power were all provided initially to service the mining industry.

Construction of the modern Martha Mine started in 1987. Since that time we have invested a significant amount of money in the community through partnerships and sponsorship of groups, organisations and projects. We have also contributed a large amount to the local economy. For example, in the last five years we have spent over $264M in the local community, amounting to about 32% of the town's economy.

Here are some of the projects we have supported and been involved in over the years since mining returned to Waihi.

See further information about Newmont Waihi Gold's community investment programme