We are pleased to share that an Expert Panel has made a final decision to grant approvals for the Waihi North Project.
This project displays OceanaGold’s ability to continue to support economic growth, create high-paying jobs, generate royalties, support communities, and boost exports at the same time as making a positive contribution to the environment.
OceanaGold will now commence the next phase of the Waihi North Project. Several conditions are attached to the project, most of which align with our current operating practices. Our immediate priority is finalising Management Plans that outline how we will meet these conditions. At the same time, we will continue work on the services trench to allow water to be moved between the Willows Road site and our existing Water Treatment Plant which will be upgraded. Construction will also begin on a surface infrastructure area on the farm on Willows Road to support the future commencement of tunnelling works.
The final decision and related conditions and technical documents can be viewed here: Fast-track
This project displays OceanaGold’s ability to continue to support economic growth, create high-paying jobs, generate royalties, support communities, and boost exports at the same time as making a positive contribution to the environment.
OceanaGold will now commence the next phase of the Waihi North Project. Several conditions are attached to the project, most of which align with our current operating practices. Our immediate priority is finalising Management Plans that outline how we will meet these conditions. At the same time, we will continue work on the services trench to allow water to be moved between the Willows Road site and our existing Water Treatment Plant which will be upgraded. Construction will also begin on a surface infrastructure area on the farm on Willows Road to support the future commencement of tunnelling works.
The final decision and related conditions and technical documents can be viewed here: Fast-track
THE WAIHI NORTH PROJECT
Gold was first discovered at Wharekirauponga in the 1890s. Modern exploration for gold began at Wharekirauponga in the 1970s, with several mining companies conducting significant exploration campaigns in the area throughout the 1980s and 1990s. Newmont continued this exploration through the 2000s until OceanaGold purchased the Waihi operations and ongoing exploration programme in 2015, before finalising ownership of the interest at Wharekirauponga in 2016.
Since acquiring the Wharekirauponga interest, OceanaGold Waihi has undertaken further technical studies, including approximately 57 km of exploration drilling.
As a result of an extensive exploration programme, we have identified additional ore deposits that we are looking to mine through the proposed Waihi North Project.
Since acquiring the Wharekirauponga interest, OceanaGold Waihi has undertaken further technical studies, including approximately 57 km of exploration drilling.
As a result of an extensive exploration programme, we have identified additional ore deposits that we are looking to mine through the proposed Waihi North Project.
The project will integrate with already consented mining activities and has five main components:
INTEGRATION
All elements of the Waihi North Project are linked and interact with each other. Integration with our existing mining activities and infrastructure is a critical aspect of the proposal. Much of our existing mining infrastructure will be used to process, store, and dispose of material extracted as part of the Waihi North Project.
POSSIBLE TIMELINE
Any final timeline for the development of the project is conditional on obtaining regulatory approvals, subject to final project design. However, our proposed project anticipates development along the following lines:
- Wharekirauponga Underground Mine – A new underground mine north of Waihi, and associated infrastructure at a portal entrance on company land at the end of Willows Road, Waihi.
- Gladstone Open Pit – A pit directly adjacent to the OceanaGold Waihi Processing Plant.
- Tailings Storage – Increasing tailings storage capacity by constructing a third tailings storage facility (TSF3) immediately east of the current TSFs, including some quarrying activities within the TSF3 footprint.
- Northern Rock Stack (NRS) – A rock storage facility to the north of the current tailings storage facilities, including some quarrying activity to provide materials for construction of TSF3.
- Processing Plant Upgrade – Increasing throughput capacity at our existing Processing Plant.
The Waihi North Project has the potential to produce over 1.6 million ounces of gold and over 3 million ounces of silver over an 11-year period, complementing the already consented Project Martha and extending the life of mining in Waihi to 2042.*
INTEGRATION
All elements of the Waihi North Project are linked and interact with each other. Integration with our existing mining activities and infrastructure is a critical aspect of the proposal. Much of our existing mining infrastructure will be used to process, store, and dispose of material extracted as part of the Waihi North Project.
POSSIBLE TIMELINE
Any final timeline for the development of the project is conditional on obtaining regulatory approvals, subject to final project design. However, our proposed project anticipates development along the following lines:
- The Waihi North Project will commence with additional exploratory and geotechnical drilling in the Wharekirauponga area, upgrades to our existing Water Treatment Plant, tunnelling works, and construction of the Wharekirauponga Underground Mine surface infrastructure at Willows Road.
- Construction of TSF3 begins, utilising quarrying activities within the final TSF3 and NRS footprints for the necessary material.
- The Processing Plant upgrades take place, along with beginning the Gladstone Open Pit.
- At this point in the project, we anticipate to reach the orebody at Wharekirauponga, and mine development and stoping will begin.
- When mining of the Gladstone Pit is complete, it will be lined and used for tailings storage before final rehabilitation. The Wharekirauponga Underground Mine will be progressively backfilled during operation, similar to our existing underground mines, and once completed the mine will be sealed and rehabilitated.
REHABILITATION
We acknowledge that the proposed Waihi North Project, if approved, will result in localised impacts on the environment; these will be mitigated in the long term through rehabilitation and remediation activities.
Rehabilitation is a major part of OceanaGold’s approach to modern mine planning. The Waihi North Project will be designed to ensure adequate resources for rehabilitation and mine closure are included. Rehabilitation of disturbed areas will progress as areas become available and will be ongoing throughout the life of the Waihi North Project.
Rehabilitation is a major part of OceanaGold’s approach to modern mine planning. The Waihi North Project will be designed to ensure adequate resources for rehabilitation and mine closure are included. Rehabilitation of disturbed areas will progress as areas become available and will be ongoing throughout the life of the Waihi North Project.
THE POST MINING ERA
As part of the Waihi North Project we are making a commitment to work collaboratively with our local communities to create opportunities, build resilience, and leave a positive, long-lasting legacy well beyond the mining life cycle.
All mining undertaken by OceanaGold in New Zealand is supported by bank guarantees (bonds) covering the full estimated cost of rehabilitation, which are adjusted annually.
These operate under the independent oversight of the relevant District and Regional Councils.
All OceanaGold Waihi operations have closure plans in place that are reviewed annually, and the Waihi North Project will be incorporated into these plans. In preparing these plans we will consult with our stakeholders in relation to economic impact, employment, post-closure environmental impacts, and public health and safety to ensure that what we propose will leave a positive legacy for the community.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
The Waihi North Project has the potential to play a meaningful role in supporting the regional economy in the coming years, providing economic benefits and job security. The project will require a larger workforce, creating several hundred new, high- quality jobs, whilst continuing to engage a range of local and regional suppliers.
More than just economic considerations however, this project also represents an opportunity for OceanaGold Waihi to incorporate social, cultural, and environmental benefits within the project design itself – creating improvements over and above what would occur in absence of the project and resulting in a net gain to the Waihi area.
The Waihi North Project signifies a long-term commitment to, and investment in, the wider region. If consented, the project will extend the proposed life of mining to 2042 and possibly beyond, longer than any single previous outlook.
BIODIVERSITY
The Wharekirauponga area is home to several native and endemic species. Measures to improve future outcomes for biodiversity, including the Archey’s Frog, will be integral to the project.
We understand that native bush and its biodiversity are precious to all of us. Our extensive ecological studies, including work we have done during our exploration phase, are already providing the scientific and ecological community with a greater insight into the species that inhabit this area.
As part of the Waihi North Project we are making a commitment to work collaboratively with our local communities to create opportunities, build resilience, and leave a positive, long-lasting legacy well beyond the mining life cycle.
All mining undertaken by OceanaGold in New Zealand is supported by bank guarantees (bonds) covering the full estimated cost of rehabilitation, which are adjusted annually.
These operate under the independent oversight of the relevant District and Regional Councils.
All OceanaGold Waihi operations have closure plans in place that are reviewed annually, and the Waihi North Project will be incorporated into these plans. In preparing these plans we will consult with our stakeholders in relation to economic impact, employment, post-closure environmental impacts, and public health and safety to ensure that what we propose will leave a positive legacy for the community.
LOOKING TO THE FUTURE
The Waihi North Project has the potential to play a meaningful role in supporting the regional economy in the coming years, providing economic benefits and job security. The project will require a larger workforce, creating several hundred new, high- quality jobs, whilst continuing to engage a range of local and regional suppliers.
More than just economic considerations however, this project also represents an opportunity for OceanaGold Waihi to incorporate social, cultural, and environmental benefits within the project design itself – creating improvements over and above what would occur in absence of the project and resulting in a net gain to the Waihi area.
The Waihi North Project signifies a long-term commitment to, and investment in, the wider region. If consented, the project will extend the proposed life of mining to 2042 and possibly beyond, longer than any single previous outlook.
BIODIVERSITY
The Wharekirauponga area is home to several native and endemic species. Measures to improve future outcomes for biodiversity, including the Archey’s Frog, will be integral to the project.
We understand that native bush and its biodiversity are precious to all of us. Our extensive ecological studies, including work we have done during our exploration phase, are already providing the scientific and ecological community with a greater insight into the species that inhabit this area.
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