Community Updates » 2012
2012
The Waihi Gold Update is a fortnightly newsletter designed to inform the public about our operations.
To access a specific topic use the search function at the top right.
In this edition of our Update, we review some of the highlights from 2012.
This edition features the Newmont Waihi Gold Mines Rescue Team, and in particular the Unit Citation for Gallantry the team recently received. There is also a backgrounder on ‘Team Two’, the new team logo is unveiled, and there are thanks for some special people.
In this edition we ask: What makes a town? We identify five major factors and explain how Newmont has contributed in each area.
In this Update we summarise the recommendations the Environment Court made on the Martha Exploration project.
In this edition of the Update we explain direct, indirect, and induced employment, and attempt to illustrate in simple terms what this means for Waihi. We also report on the week-long Australian Mining History Association conference that was held in Waihi, and feature an open pit miner who works all day on site and then rushes to the Waihi Drama Society to take the stage as ... a miner.
In this Update we respond to ten things you have told us about our Golden Link and Correnso proposals. You have told us that you are worried about your property being devalued or your rateable valuation reducing. You have told us that you don’t understand the AEP and want it to be more transparent. We provide responses to these and other concerns.
This Update looks at the ‘big three’ concerns that have been expressed by people who have objected to the Correnso proposal. They are: noise, dust and blast vibration. We suggest that it appears that some submitters have based their understanding of what they think the proposed Correnso underground mine will be like based on their experiences of the Martha open pit. They are very different. This Update provides details.
We also offer to meet with submitters prior to the hearings as sometimes things can be sorted out for both parties in an informal setting.
In this issue of Update, we explain where the Golden Link application currently sits and look at “where to from here?” In total we received around 500 submissions. We talk about some of the main concerns raised.
We remind residents in the Golden Link Project Area that insulation is available free to homes built before the year 2000.
We also share how some members of our Mines Rescue team keep themselves and their skills in top shape.
This Update backgrounds recent redeployment and redundancies at Newmont Waihi Gold. The objectives behind the 2012 Social Impact Assessment are explained, and compared with the 2009 report. The next steps in the process now that submissions on the Golden Link Project are closed are detailed, and we report on the radar that is currently operating adjacent to the western side of the Pit Rim Walkway.
20 September 2012
PCIP progress
At the end of March this year we launched our Property and Community Investment Policy (PCIP). Six months on we are able to report some good progress. Several key aspects of the PCIP have been implemented, including property purchases, top ups, the 'Streets Ahead' project with funding for Healthy Homes and for educational facilities, the Amenity Effect Programme and the Community Forum.
Our first community report Waihi's Gold is available and we are keen to hear your feedback on it.
We encourage all who are interested to make a submission before 28 September on our application to mine underground in the Golden Link Project Area, including the Correnso Underground Mine. For reports, report summaries, submission forms and further information...
6 September 2012
Golden Link Project - The Resource Management Path
Our application to the Hauraki District Council for a land use consent to mine underground within the Golden Link Project Area, including Correnso Underground Mine, has been publicly notified. This Update outlines the steps in the resource management process, emphasising where the application currently sits. We encourage all readers to write a submission stating their thoughts about the proposal - whether in support of it or against it - and send it in by 4.30pm on 28 September 2012.
Find out more, or read the AEE or technical reports, or download a submission form.
Truck fire - findings of the investigation
The report on the investigation following the truck fire underground on 17 July is now available.
23 August 2012
Taking Shape
Managing mud and silt at the development site where the waste rock embankments are constructed, forming two tailings storage facilities.
We discuss the construction and purpose of the windrow around the crest of the embankments, explain the notches in the windrow that can be seen from the road as you travel south from Waihi along SH2 and describe the different zones (A - H) that make up the embankments.
This Update outlines where we are with our Golden Link proposals:
- Correnso - Beginning the RMA process
- MEP in the Environment Court
"I've seen fire and I've seen rain" provides the initial finding from the investigation into the underground truck fire last month
A six million year-old sample of quartz crystallisation is brought to the surface
Some interesting facts about Olympic gold medals
A reminder to residents in Waihi East about installing home insulation for free
26 July 2012
Emergency emergency ...
This Update provides a summary of events and our response as they unfolded after a truck caught fire at 5.23am in our underground operations last Tuesday 17 July. All personnel were accounted for and returned to the surface by 11.50am. An investigation into the cause of the fire and an examination of our response and procedures continues.
Update 19 July 2012
Healthy homes, healthy communities
Newmont Waihi Gold and government agency EECA are partners in providing and installing insulation in homes in the Golden Link Project Area. In this Update we provide the answers to some frequently-asked questions about our Healthy Homes funding.
In this update we discuss noise inversion, AEP payments and also our Correnso application.
Update 21 June 2012
Trio production blasting to begin soon
As we move from development blasting to production blasting at Trio, some residents may feel more vibration, but less often.
- Trio development blasting defined and the difference between development and production blasting
- Blast vibration from Trio
- Designing a blast
- Vibration monitoring
Correnso
The consent application for underground mining within the Golden Link Project Area, including the Correnso mine, was lodged with Hauraki District Council on Monday 18 June. The Council now has a period of ten working days to decide whether it has all the information required to start processing the application. Once the Council has determined that the application is complete, the application will be publicly notified.
Hauraki District Council - Community Forum News 14 June 2012
HDC outlines the process for Community Forum nominations and voting
31 May 2012
Blast vibration exceedence
Property and Community Investment Policy (PCIP) update
The Community Forum and beyond
Moresby Avenue admin office refurbishment
17 May 2012
Education Special
We report on what's happening at the Newmont Waihi Gold Education Centre. It's school, but not as we know it ...
- School groups can now get in touch with the Education Centre via Skype.
- Using QR codes to learn more about gold mining in Waihi.
- Recreating an underground mine above ground at the Education Centre.
3 May 2012
Mill back on track
- ore supply to the mill has resumed and the refurbished mill is running at full capacity.
Removing a Haszard
- Some unoccupied and run-down houses are to be removed. A house in Haszard Street will clear the way for access to construct Waihi's new Gold Discovery Centre.
All steamed up
- Warm air rising from the new Trio vent shaft on cold frosty autumn mornings creates a vapour plume.
Hire! Hire!
- The roof of the Newmont Waihi Gold administration building gets a spruce-up with the help of a hire engine that looks like a fire engine.
19 April 2012
What makes Waihi the way it is?
What is NZDep?
What does NZDep measure?
What can Newmont Waihi Gold do?
Where to from here?
Belting along - the 'Conveyor Belt Boogie' walk for the 2012 Echo Walking Festival.
12 April 2012
Your questions about our policy
We launched our Property and Community Investment Policy (PCIP) in the middle of March. Since then we have received a range of questions about aspects of the policy. Last week we looked at some frequently-asked questions and some answers. This week we publish some more.
1. How do I get Top-Up for the sale of my property?
2. What is meant by "fair price, fair offer" for Top-Up?
3. How do I contact the Independent Review Panel?
4. Why does the Healthy Home Fund only include insulation and clean heating?
5. Why are there no cash payments offered?
6. Will you buy my house?
5 April 2012
Your questions about our policy
We launched our Property and Community Investment Policy (PCIP) in the middle of March. Since then we have received a range of questions about aspects of the policy. Here are some frequently-asked questions and some answers. Next week's 'Update' will look at some further questions.
1 What support will you provide for people whose properties are over or near the proposed Correnso workings?
2 How do I jpin the AEP - and when will AEP payments start?
3 Where are the bands 1, 2 and 3?
4 Wil NWG pay out AEP and also Top-Up on the same property?
5 How will the Community Forum be formed?
6 Where will you go next?
22 March 2012
Property and Community Investment Policy (PCIP)
Newmont Waihi Gold's PCIP was launched on 16 March 2012 at a meeting attended by community groups whose members had contributed to the development of the policy.
The full policy document has been delivered to Waihi residents.
Mill overhaul
- Waihi Gold's mill has produced very little gold and silver this year but the workers are busier
than they have ever been while the processing plant is having a major overhaul.
Property and Community Improvements Policy
- Details are being finalised.
Coming up in Waihi
- Several exciting events coming up in the next couple of months include the Pit Rim Fun
Run/Walk, Waihi's Warm Up Party for Beach Hop, the Echo Walking Festival, the Miners'
Reunion and the Nugget Multisport Festival.
Students' work experience over summer holidays
Kristina is one of the 14 students who worked for Newmont Waihi Gold through the 2011 - 2012 summer vacation. She writes about her experience as one of the workforce.
Property and Community Improvements (PCI) Policy
Planning, talking and listening. Newmont Waihi Gold is formulating the PCI Policy based on extensive feedback received. The policy will be released once all specialists' reports and technical details are finalised. We anticipate this will be late March. In the meantime, in early March, the company will meet with the groups that have provided valuable input into the policy to discuss its progress.
9 February 2012
Latest look for NWG Education Centre
Up-to-the-minute technology and new activities are incorporated into the educational programme offered at Newmont Waihi Gold's Education Centre.
MEP clarifications
Clarifying misinformation that has been reported by regional newspapers about the location of the Martha Exploration Project, the proposed hours of work and the proposed location of ventilation and escape shafts.
Union Hill
Following up our story in Update 26 January about archaeological investigations on Union Hill.
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