OceanaGold (NZ) has lodged resource consent applications with Hauraki District Council and Waikato Regional Council for further mine development in Waihi.

The applications, which will be processed jointly by the two Councils, cover the proposed Martha Project announced by the company in March this year.

The project includes work to stabilise the north wall of the open Martha Pit and to re-instate the pit haul road to allow access to the bottom of the pit for mining.

New underground mining is proposed beneath the pit and also within the Rex vein which is situated under a reserve/residential area from the rugby clubrooms to the Mueller and Kenny Street intersection.

The applications also cover the proposed subdivision of a piece of company-owned residential land on the corner of Bulltown and Cambridge Roads.

The subdivided piece of land will be used for a road realignment

The resource consent applications will be publicly notified at the request of the company, which means there will be an opportunity for community feedback via written submissions.

Once Council staff have checked the documents to ensure they include all necessary information, the documents will be made available on the Council websites, along with all supporting technical documents.

Hard copies will also be available in the offices and libraries of HDC in Waihi and Paeroa. Those considered directly affected by the project will be notified of the applications by post.

Hauraki District Deputy Mayor Toby Adams says the Council will use independent professionals to ensure the information received from the company is technically robust, and independent commissioners will be engaged to listen to community feedback and make decisions on the applications.

'The notification letters and advertisements will detail how and when people can make submissions on the proposals and this information will also be posted on our website.

'We'll also provide regular updates on the applications' progress and details in relation to the hearing as they come to hand.”

He says since purchasing the Waihi Gold Mine from Newmont Mining Corporation in October 2015, OceanaGold has been actively engaged in exploration work and it's not surprising that resource consent applications have been lodged.

Further information about the specific resource consent applications to both the Hauraki District Council and the Waikato Regional Council is contained in the Application for Resource Consent and the associated Assessment of Environmental Effects which will be available on the Council's website www.hauraki-dc.gov.nz

Additional information

What do the resource consent applications cover?

Hauraki District Council

The resource consent applications to the Hauraki District Council cover all land use activities associated with construction, operation, and maintenance of the proposed Project Martha, as well as rehabilitation of the site following completion of the proposed project. There is also an application for consent to subdivide Company land to accommodate the re-alignment of Bulltown/ Cambridge Roads.

Waikato Regional Council

The resource consent applications to the Waikato Regional Council cover specific aspects of land use including, removal of vegetation, earthworks to construct noise bunds, and backfilling of land in the Martha Underground Mine. They also cover the taking, diversion and discharge of ground and surface water associated with construction, operation, maintenance during the proposed Project Martha, as well as rehabilitation of the site following completion of the proposed project.