Newmont Waihi Gold is continuing to evaluate safe mining options for the Martha pit following a slip on the North Wall in early April.

The mining corporation suspended mining activities in the open pit to ensure workers were not at risk and to allow for the evaluation of options for possibly resuming safe production from Martha.

About 50 permanent Macmahon Contractors Ltd staff stand to lose their jobs after Newmont Waihi Gold suspended mining activites in the Marth open pit mine due to safety concerns. Photo: File

Initial geotechnical investigations have shown that it may be possible to gain access and resume safe production. But it will take time to gain a complete understanding prior to any decision being made.

Due to the time needed to reach a decision Newmont Waihi Gold says it must terminate its contract with Macmahon Contractors Ltd.

About 50 permanent staff from Macmahon Contractors stand to lose their jobs.

'Over the coming month Macmahon mining equipment will be removed from site,” says Newmont. 'The buildings and workshops will remain, environmental monitoring and reporting continues and closure bonds remain in place.

'Some parts of the site will be recontoured, for example there may be modifications to stockpiles, bunds and drainage.

Newmont adds: 'While underground mining continues the water level in the pit will not change. Tailings storage facilities remain operational for our underground operations.”

Although the Martha open pit will not be operating, all of the obligations and procedures associated with an active mine site remain in place and Newmont will continue to be responsible for the site.

Newmont says it will maintain the site while detailed investigations take place, and their underground mines and mill will continue to operate.

'While it's difficult to predict, it could be up to a year or so. During these ongoing investigations and any subsequent access to the open pit the safety of staff remains paramount.”

Before the slip in April, mining in the open pit was originally scheduled to end in the first quarter of 2016.