Is Martha Mine still operating?
From the 1880s to 1952 the Martha Mine was an underground mine. By 1952, when the mine closed, around 5.6 million ounces (174,160 kg) of gold and 38.4 million ounces (1,193,180 kg) of silver had been produced from 11,932,000 tonnes of ore. The modern Martha Mine has operated as an open pit since 1987.
How deep is the Martha Mine?
Its massive horizontal beam pump once removed water from shafts almost 650 m deep. With mining continuing, in 2006 the 1840-tonne No. 5 Pumphouse was relocated 300 m, a major engineering feat.
When did the Waihi mine start?
Mining in Waihi has a history that spans three centuries after gold was first discovered in the 1800s. Our Waihi Operation in the North Island of New Zealand is an underground and open pit operation.
Where is the Martha Hill mine the biggest gold mine in NZ?
Waihi
At Waihi, at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula, the Martha Hill Mine (named after prospector William Nicholl’s sister) produced more gold than any other in New Zealand history — 224,000 g of gold and 1,680,000 g of silver — until it closed in 1952.
Are they still mining in Waihi?
Waihi Gold operates both the Martha Mine open pit and the Correnso underground mines in Waihi. We also undertake exploration activities in other areas. With a population of about 4,700 people, the town of Waihi is situated on the east coast of the North Island of New Zealand.
What is in Waihi?
- Walk Around the Martha Mine Pit. A must-see in Waihi is the Martha Mine Pit!
- Ride the Hauraki Rail Trail.
- Explore Karangahake Gorge.
- Visit the Waikino Victoria Battery.
- Go to Waihi Beach.
- Hike the Orokawa and Homunga Walkway.
- Visit Bowentown.
- Admire The Mosaic Garden.
What does Waihi mean in English?
The name Waihi is said to be of Hawaiki origin, meaning “water gushing out”. Gold seekers appear to have investigated parts of the Waihi district before 1870. Gold-bearing reefs are said to have been known in 1869 at Karangahake (8 miles south-west) and around Waitekauri (7 miles north-west).
How big is the Waihi gold mine?
New Zealand. An operating gold mine, in the centre of the town of Waihi, located at the foot of the Coromandel Peninsula. Named after the Martha Lode which is an epithermal gold-silver orebody which is giant by world standards. This reef system is at least 1.6km long, 600m deep and up to 30m wide.
What happened at the Pike River mine?
On the afternoon of 19 November 2010, an explosion ripped through the remote Pike River mine on the West Coast of the South Island, killing 29 men. Their bodies have not been recovered, and remain in the mine. Mines must have good ventilation to prevent methane building up.
Can you pan for gold in Waihi?
Get inside the fence with Waihi Gold Mine Tours. Although gold mining operations are ordinarily off-limits to the public, our experienced guides can take you inside the security fence to experience modern-day gold mining up close.
Is there gold in Karangahake Gorge?
This mine yielded 3,500,000 ounces of gold (96 tonnes) before going into liquidation in 1920. However, by 1938 the ore was depleted and the mine closed in the following year after 57,000 ounces (1.56 tonnes) of gold had been won. Powerhouse remnants at Karangahake Gorge, May 2012.
Who named Waihi?
A Proud New Zealand History. Waihi was named after the nearby river. The founder and first headmaster, Joseph R Orford, opened the school doors for the first time on 5 September 1907 to just three boys.
How much gold does the Martha Mine produce?
The modern Martha Mine has operated as an open pit since 1987. An average of around 100,000 ounces of gold and 700,000 ounces of silver have been produced annually since 1988.
Who is the owner of the Martha Mine?
Martha Mine. The Martha Mine is a gold mine in the New Zealand town of Waihi. Since July 2015 it has been owned by Australian-based OceanaGold.
Why was the Martha Mine closed in 1952?
There had been two World Wars and the Depression of the 1930s, depleting manpower and creating a difficult economic climate. These led to the underground mine closing in 1952. In the 1970s and early 1980s the gold price increased.
Where is the Martha Mine in New Zealand?
The Martha Mine is a gold mine in the New Zealand town of Waihi. Since July 2015 it has been owned by Australian-based OceanaGold . William Nicholl marked out a 5 acres (20,000 m 2) claim, calling it “Martha” after a family member.