Mining company Oceana Gold (New Zealand) Ltd has for a number of years operated gold mining operations in the Martha Open Pit (currently in care and maintenance) and via underground gold mines in Waihī. OceanaGold has indicated that it wishes to further explore and develop gold mining opportunities in and around Waihī. There are currently two proposed projects, as follow:
Waihī North Project
Waihī North Project is significant in scale and has 5 main components including –
- a new underground mine at Wharekirauponga,
- a new tailings storage facility (TSF3),
- a new open pit (the Gladstone Open Pit),
- a rock storage facility (the Northern Rock Stack)
- and a significant upgrade of the current processing plant.
Resource consent applications to allow the Waihī North Project to proceed were lodged with Hauraki District Council and Waikato Regional Council on 23 June 2022. Both councils reviewed the respective resource consent applications and asked for further information from Oceana Gold.
Prior to receiving all of the further information requested, on 5 May 2025 OceanaGold advised the Councils that it wished to withdraw the resource consent applications lodged with the Councils and instead seek authorisation via the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024. Information on the Waihī North Project as lodged via the Environmental Protection Authority can be found at: Waihī North | Fast-track website
