Submissions open on Martha mine project

Submissions are open for the proposed Martha mining project in Waihi.

OceanaGold Waihi lodged resource consent applications to start stabilising 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. A new underground mine is proposed beneath the pit, and also within the Rex vein under a reserve and residential area from the rugby clubrooms to the Mueller and Kenny Street intersection. The applications also cover the proposed subdivision of a portion of companyowned residential land on the corner of Bulltown and Cambridge Roads to be used for a road realignment.

The company lodged the applications with the Hauraki District Council and Waikato Regional Council in June.

OceanaGold chief executive Mike Wilkes said the project has had good prospects with high grade gold deposits.

“I am very pleased to announce this increase to the mineral resource estimate for Waihi. With only 30 per cent of the planned drill metres completed, we are excited about the future and remain optimistic with respect to the ultimate size of the Martha resource,” he says.

The company is targeting 5-8 million tonnes of gold — 4-6 grams per tonne as part of the project. OG has test drilled 16,200m at the Martha Underground in the last 12 months, which is about a third of the planned drill.

“The results to date have been much better than we expected and therefore the exploration target that is being tested through drilling has been revised and expanded,” Mr Wilkes says.

If ongoing exploration and consenting is successful, the company says it could extend underground mining in the town. While the bulk of the exploration drilling is taking place at Martha, the company says it will also continue to drill and explore the WKP target around 10km north of Waihi.

Hauraki District Council says it is using independent commissioners to

decide on the application and the hearing will be scheduled for mid-November.