The gold mining industry in New Zealand often seems to be in the news. There's lots of claims and counter claims about the economic, environmental and social effects of the industry, lots of emotive language and not too many facts. Here at newmont Waihi Gold we know ther is another view. It's the view of those who work in and around the industry, who know what goes on, and who want to let everybody else know too. The idea is to get the facts out there so that you can make up your own mind.

August 25
What’s in it for us?
Does mining have any positive economic impact in Waihi?
Since the public announcement of Newmont Waihi Gold’s (NWG) proposal to develop a new underground gold and silver mine in Waihi, a lot of attention has been paid to what the broader economic impact is of mining in New Zealand.

The popular myths are:

• Foreign-owned companies like NWG are sending vast amounts of money overseas and leaving little in New Zealand
• They pay miniscule amounts of taxes and royalties to the government and there is little economic benefit flowing through to the communities in which they operate

We can’t speak for the whole mining industry but we can speak to our own accounts, and in doing so can clearly demonstrate that a lot of the myths around mining’s economic impact are precisely that – myths. Click here for more.

May 19
Exploration 101: The Top Ten Myths about exploration drilling
Websites and social media currently have lots to say regarding the issue of exploration drilling on the Coromandel Peninsula. Mining and exploration companies state that their activities are carefully regulated, do not harm the environment, and are temporary. Opponents say that exploration drilling can cause water pollution, damage fragile ecosystems and habitats, the activity leaves visual scars in the bush that take years to heal, and that drilling now inevitably results in mining later.

What’s the real story? At Newmont Waihi Gold we have tried to engage with concerned groups and individuals on many occasions to tell our side of the story, but often with little success. Megaphones and placards may be good for getting media attention, but they don’t allow a conversation or an understanding of the issues. Click here for more.

May 13
Gold mines and water quality
Gold mines pollute the environment. In particular they pollute our waterways. We read this in Letters to the Editor and on placards. If you’ve got a mine then you must have pollution, right? In the first part of last century it certainly was true that mining did cause pollution. Mines on the Hauraki Goldfields from Coromandel to Thames and Waihi disposed of their waste wherever it was convenient. In Waihi that included disposing of tailings from the Victoria battery straight into the Ohinemuri River. The river was so polluted that it was designated a ‘sludge channel’ by an Act of Parliament. Click here for more.

April 11
Exploration drill rigs
There have been concerns expressed in Letters to the Editor in a local paper and in correspondence sent to Newmont Waihi Gold regarding exploration drill rigs. People want to know what the rigs are doing, how they do it, and if there are environmental issues relating to their operation. Fair enough. We all like to know what is happening in our own backyard. Click here for a copy of our response to one person who contacted us.

April 6
Earthquakes & Tailings Dams
Recent earthquakes in Christchurch have had us all reassessing risk. What would happen if there was a big earthquake here? How is our own house? What about the place we work? What about structures in our neighbourhood? How are the tailings dams at Waihi designed and constructed to withstand earthquakes? Click here for more.

April 6
Lessons from Tui mine
Whenever anyone wants to point to the ‘toxic legacy’ of the mining industry, Tui mine on the slopes of Mount Te Aroha is always at the top of the list. Even mining companies agree, Tui mine is a significant environmental issue. The abandoned underground workings and exposed tailings dam are leaching base metal sulphides into surrounding streams, resulting in localised and downstream contamination. The site is currently regarded as the most contaminated in New Zealand, and a programme of remediation is finally underway.How did it come to this, and could modern mines such as the Martha open pit and Favona underground mine at Waihi end up in the same condition? Click here for more

February 7
Safety and the mining industry
The mining industry – with its large machinery, explosives, and in some cases underground work environments – is perceived by the public to be full of all manner of dangerous jobs. ACC figures for 2009 show that there are several groups well ahead of the mining industry in claims accepted. Why does the general public see mining as being so dangerous?
Click here for more.

November 18 2010
Safety First
Recent activity by some protesters at Newmont's exploration drill rigs is cause for concern. As a company and as individuals we respect the right of others to make their views known. We understand that there are strong differences of opinion. Unfortunately, recently a few members of a protest group crossed a well signposted hi viz mesh fence into an area around the operating drill rig where there are multiple hazards. That raises significant safety concerns.
Click here for more.

November 5 2010
What’s happening at Opoutere?
Our exploration drill site near Opoutere received a visit last weekend from a group of people with placards who had brought a TV3 news crew with them.

We are acutely aware of the sensitivity of the mining issue in this area and are aware of the objections by some sections of the community. We would like to point out that we are also aware of a good deal of support from the community.

Some issues were raised by the media coverage and associated publicity that we would like to address. Click here for more.

November 1 2010
For the birds
Recently it was suggested that exploration activities on the Coromandel Peninsula could threaten the endangered New Zealand Dotterel.

There's a huge irony in that statement. Firstly, the Waihi mining company sponsors the wages, ute, quad bike and general requirements of the Department of Conservation NZ Dotterel Watch Ranger who has just started work again for this season (Read her report here).

Secondly, the Development Site at the gold mine in Waihi is the only recorded inland breeding site of NZ Dotterel. Below is a picture taken in the last week of October of Dotterel back on site and, we think, looking for a nesting site. If they nest in the usual places they will pick a mine truck haul road or another busy area, but we are used to that and we have Gary, our own Dotterel Guy on site to look after them.

Exploration has the potential to harm the endangered NZ Dotterel?

Not really.

Read our press release 31 October 2010 on exploration activities,

Read more about bird life at the Development Site in Waihi

Below: Dotterel in Waihi in late October 2010 on the beach of the tailings pond looking west towards Mount Te Aroha.

Another View welcomes your feedback and your comments.
Contact us

In the news

Poll Shows 74% Of New Zealanders Want To Know More About Their Mineral Wealth
Click here for more


A proper assessment of the country's underground resources is essential for the public good
Click here for more

Can mining companies be exciting? .... seems they can.
Click here for more


From the archive
Schedule 4 debate 2010