The council movement opens for the Oceanagold to extend the open cast well

Martha Goldmine shown in 2018.
Photo: 123rf

The Hauraki District Council has designated 26 other properties in Waihi for future mining, which will allow Oceanagold to apply to expand its open cast well.

This is below the 47 properties that the mining company has asked for Rezone, including some in residential and city center.

All 47 properties belong to Oceanagold.

Photo: District Supply Council / Hauraki

Oceanagold’s request to expand Martha’s mineral zone around Martha Pit made 81 shipments after it was publicly notified in February last year.

Some, like Ferg and Sandra Cumming, supported the expansion.

“As residents who lived in Waihi for a lifetime, we totally support Oceanagold, because we can see all the positive benefits for Waihi, and there are so many novices [sic] In the city that else here and does nothing but complain about the mine, “they said in their presentation.

However, in his submission, Shirley Milson said he was concerned about the serious effect that the expansion would have at school and the center of the local city.

“I would certainly be selling if this proposed plan were approved,” she said.

Hauraki district mayor Toby Adams said the council followed a rigorous process, considering technical evidence, community shipments and using an independent audience panel.

“We thank you for the full assessment of the panel and thank everyone involved for their contributions. This decision reflects analysis of experts and community interests,” said Adams.

The independent audience panel report recommended reducing the number of rezoned properties for mining due to concerns expressed by submitted and the potential effects of zoning all 47 properties.

The panel found that some of the 47 properties in the city’s commercial and residential parts “were not suitable for mining -related activity that zoning would provide”.

He recommended to remove the properties in the central area of ​​the city and some in the residential zone.

Photo: District Supply Council / Hauraki

Once a property is within the Martha mineral zone, resource consent applications can be made for surface mining.

The board’s decision may be appealed before May 16, 2025.

This zoning is separated from the Waihi North project, which is in quick tracking by the government. This is for a new underground mine in Wharekirauponga.

Hauraki’s advice is still waiting to find out if the North Waihi project has been determined to be “complete” by the Environmental Protection Authority.

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