A new goldmine will be built under Waihi after Newmont Waihi Gold was granted resource consent by Hauraki District Council.

The consent means Newmont Waihi Gold will begin underground tunnelling to the mine site, 150 to 300metres beneath Gladstone and Walmsley Roads in Waihi East.

A new underground gold mine will be built in Waihi.

The Correnso mine will be the first mine to be dug directly underneath a residential area.

Tunnelling from the nearby by Favona and Trio mines is expected to begin over winter and the mine could be bringing out the gold until the end of 2020, or longer if more is found.

The Correnso mine will employ 400 full-time workers, most who are transferring from other nearby mining operations drawing to a close.

About 500 written submissions were received on the application, with most supporting the project and 115 opposed to it.

The panel granted consent for the proposed Correnso underground mine subject to a range of conditions, but has not granted consent for the wider Golden Link Project Area that was originally sought by Newmont Waihi Gold.

in their decision the commissioners said they are satisfied that the development of the Correnso Underground Mine will, subject to appropriate conditions, enable people and communities to provide for their social, economic and cultural wellbeing.

"The potential of natural and physical resources to meet the reasonably foreseeable needs of future generations will be achieved, while the life-supporting capacity of the local environment will be appropriately safeguarded. The adverse effects of the proposal will be avoided, remedied or mitigated, subject to the imposition of appropriate conditions."

Newmont Waihi Gold general manager Glen Grindlay says that the company is pleased with the decision to approve Correnso, but that they have not yet had time to read and fully consider the 86-page document.

says that the decision by the commissioners must be considered in tandem with Newmont's assessment of the viability of the project given the conditions set.

"We anticipate that some objectors may wish to appeal the decision or seek alternative conditions through the Environment Court, and it is highly likely that we will also lodge an appeal to address some conditions."

Glen says Newmont is committed to the process and is ‘in this for the long haul', stating that the company has committed several million dollars to the Waihi East Community.

‘We have funded the Waihi Community Forum which appointed an Independent Review Panel that has just recommended that the company purchase seven residential properties in the Correnso area at a cost of approximately $2m with the same amount again yet to be spent.

"We have contributed significant funds to the Waihi East community through the ‘Top Up' programme for property purchases; the ‘Healthy Home's programme will see 270 homes insulated for free; the ‘Streets Ahead' programme has committed $400,000 for Waihi East residents to spend on community amenities and we have committed funds to the local primary school and preschool facilities. All of this was committed prior to this announcement and all but the insulation programme will continue if the mine goes ahead."

Glen says the continuation of gold mining will be good for Newmont and good for Waihi.

"We firmly believe that Correnso will provide significant benefits for the town and the people of Waihi."