The Martha mine is located in the town of Waihi, New Zealand, about 66 miles (110 kilometers) southeast of Auckland. Today, the mine is evaluating ways to extend mining at the Martha open pit and is actively exploring for gold in other parts of the region. Production continues at the Favona underground mine, which is slated to operate until 2010 or 2011.

In 2007, the operation sold 93,000 equity ounces of gold and had an estimated 0.5 million equity ounces of gold reserves.

Work force

Newmont employs about 250 workers who come from Waihi or other nearby communities. Mine staff is preserving Waihi’s 130-year-old mining history through an oral story-telling project, which involves interviewing 65 former and current mine workers.

Community

Newmont Waihi Gold has partnered with the community for several years to identify and support programs that will sustain the region into the future. Today, the Vision Waihi Trust has made significant progress in implementing projects that will enhance business, tourism, recreational and social development for Waihi.

To boost tourism, the mine is helping build a $20 million Waihi Gold Discovery Center to showcase the area’s mining heritage. It also hosts an annual Mine Open Days, which bring thousands of tourists to the area.

Environment

Newmont Waihi Gold operates in the middle of the Waihi township of approximately 4,700 residents. As a result, the mine strictly controls hours of work, permitted blasting times and permitted noise, dust and vibration levels.

As closure draws near, the company plans to convert the Martha open pit into a new recreational lake surrounded by parks, wetland areas, walking paths and bicycle tracks. The lake will support a range of fish and bird species and flora, so water quality must comply with the recreational-use standards. Extensive native trees and shrubs will be planted as well.