Mining company OceanaGold has today announced a significant new project in Waihi.

Named ‘Project Quattro', the proposed project involves four major activities.

OceanaGold proposes to enlarge the current Martha open pit, mine a second smaller pit on the outskirts of town near the company's process plant, develop a new tailings storage facility, and construct a rock stack next to the existing tailings storage areas.

OceanaGold Waihi Operation General Manager, Bernie O'Leary, says that, if consented, Project Quattro has the potential to produce nearly 750,000 ounces of gold over a 14-year period.

'Project Quattro would complement the already consented Project Martha. It would extend the life of mining in Waihi past 2036 and maintain our workforce well into the middle of the next decade.”

'When OceanaGold purchased the Waihi Operation in 2015, the mine had a life of less than three years remaining.

'We made a commitment then to extend the life of the mine and develop the economic benefits it brings to Waihi and the region.

"We are a high value export intensive industry that supports a wide range of businesses and jobs. Project Quattro would employ local people as well as bringing skilled staff into the region, all of which contributes to the resilience of our community.”

Bernie says the company has developed a detailed plan from mining through to final rehabilitation that would extend the life of mining in Waihi and also leave the town with a net benefit once rehabilitation was completed.

'We have a comprehensive current closure plan. Project Quattro would be incorporated into the existing plan to ensure that what we leave will be a positive legacy for the community.”

Bernie says the planning for Project Quattro has involved extensive technical, environmental and cultural studies.

'Waihi has a proud 30-year history of operating to the highest environmental standards. Over three decades we have demonstrated our ability to work closely with our host communities and stakeholders.

'We are announcing this project now and will work extensively alongside our communities to better understand their views before applying for consents under the Resource Management Act towards the end of the year.”

OceanaGold shared its proposal for further development in Waihi with the Council yesterday afternoon.

The company will also present its proposed plans at the next Council meeting on July 29.

Mayor Toby Adams says the company has announced its intentions to apply for resource consents from Hauraki District Council and Waikato Regional Council to authorise Project Quattro, but Hauraki District Council has not yet received any applications.

Once the Council receives an application it 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 a decision.

'At this stage there are still many unknowns. Once we receive an application from the company there's a robust process to go through that will allow community feedback via formal written submissions.

'We'll ensure all information is available to the community as soon as possible.”

He says OceanaGold has been talking with the Council for a while about acquiring the Seddon Street property that its elderly housing units are located on for possible future mining projects.

The Council has since accepted an offer from the company to swap that land for a property it owns that runs between Gilmour and Mueller Street.

'As part of the offer, the company would build six new elderly housing units on the property and provide infrastructure for five more future units.

'We've agreed to the swap as it offers many benefits to the community, particularly for our older people.

"However, it's an option for a five year term, as the land may not be required if the proposed mining project does not go ahead. So if it does happen, it won't be for a few years yet.”

Adams also expects the company will approach the Council to seek approval to realign the Cambridge Road/Bulltown Road junction, along with a section of Moresby Ave and Savage Road.

'The interests of our communities are paramount, so we'll be going out and talking with people in Waihi to understand how they feel about any proposed road changes when we receive the application."

Adams says the company has been exploring other mining opportunities over the past few years and the Council has been well aware of that.

'Since purchasing the Waihi Gold Mine from Newmont Mining Corporation in 2015, OceanaGold has been actively engaged in exploration work so we've been expecting to see new proposals on the table.

'What's important now is that we consider the interests of everyone in our Waihi community, including all residents, ratepayers and businesses.”

Major slips on the north wall in 2015 and 2016, stalled mining in the Martha Pit but in 2018 OceanaGold received resource consent for work to stabilise the wall and allow access to the bottom of the pit to restart mining.

The creation of new underground drives, mostly beneath the pit and in a residential area spanning from the rugby clubrooms to the Mueller and Kenny St intersection, also received consent at that time.