ABOUT THE MARTHA OPEN PIT PROJECT
In July 2021, OceanaGold shared details of a proposed change to the Martha Mineral Zone (MMZ) – Plan Change 6. The MMZ, as defined within the Hauraki District Plan, allows a resource consent application to be made for surface mining. The discretion to authorise any mining sits with the resource consent process.
OceanaGold has broadly assessed a potential expansion of the Martha Open Pit, which would first require a change to the MMZ to include additional land (owned by OceanaGold) that might be included in any expansion (inclusive of areas required for buffers, bunding, and rehabilitation). This assessment formed the basis for Plan Change 6.
A hearing to consider and make recommendations on what was proposed was concluded in February 2025. As shown in the diagram below, the MMZ expansion has been approved, however with modifications and reductions from what was originally proposed.
OceanaGold has broadly assessed a potential expansion of the Martha Open Pit, which would first require a change to the MMZ to include additional land (owned by OceanaGold) that might be included in any expansion (inclusive of areas required for buffers, bunding, and rehabilitation). This assessment formed the basis for Plan Change 6.
A hearing to consider and make recommendations on what was proposed was concluded in February 2025. As shown in the diagram below, the MMZ expansion has been approved, however with modifications and reductions from what was originally proposed.
Further details and documents relating to Plan Change 6 are available on the Hauraki District Council website at: www.hauraki-dc.govt.nz/plan-change-6
The company will now take the time to review our application for Plan Change 6 and the relevant options. It is important to note that any change to the MMZ itself does not authorise new physical mining beyond that which is already approved. Resource consent applications would be required, to determine whether the grant of consents for mining was appropriate.
The technical studies for any potential expansion of Martha Open Pit are ongoing. At the present time, OceanaGold’s priority is the Waihi North Project and as such we do not currently have an indicative timeframe on next steps relating to the Martha Open Pit.
We will ensure that the community is kept up-to-date, including in-depth details of any proposed expansion of Martha Open Pit as they become available.
The company will now take the time to review our application for Plan Change 6 and the relevant options. It is important to note that any change to the MMZ itself does not authorise new physical mining beyond that which is already approved. Resource consent applications would be required, to determine whether the grant of consents for mining was appropriate.
The technical studies for any potential expansion of Martha Open Pit are ongoing. At the present time, OceanaGold’s priority is the Waihi North Project and as such we do not currently have an indicative timeframe on next steps relating to the Martha Open Pit.
We will ensure that the community is kept up-to-date, including in-depth details of any proposed expansion of Martha Open Pit as they become available.
ABOUT US
OceanaGold Corporation is a gold producer with over 30 years of operating sustainably in New Zealand. The company was founded in New Zealand, at Otago’s Macraes operation (which it continues to operate), and has built an international portfolio as one of the most progressive gold miners in the world.
OceanaGold’s acquisition of Waihi Gold in 2015 deepened the company’s Kiwi roots, enabling it to share decades of mining innovation and leadership to advance the development of Waihi’s gold and silver resources.
At Waihi, we currently operate a successful underground mining operation and are actively exploring in the region.
We also have underground and surface mines at the Macraes operation in the South Island, plus mines in the Philippines and the United States.
We are also actively closing a mine at Reefton in the South Island, having successfully and sustainably operated that mine
on Department of Conservation administered Forest Park.
Sustainability is fundamental to the way we do business.
OceanaGold has a proven track record of working within a tight regulatory framework including key conditions relating to
vibration, noise, dust, ground surface stability, flora and fauna, and water management.
We are committed to mining responsibly, managing our effects and, more broadly, ensuring this project makes a positive contribution to our host communities and society, and to the natural values of the area.
OceanaGold’s acquisition of Waihi Gold in 2015 deepened the company’s Kiwi roots, enabling it to share decades of mining innovation and leadership to advance the development of Waihi’s gold and silver resources.
At Waihi, we currently operate a successful underground mining operation and are actively exploring in the region.
We also have underground and surface mines at the Macraes operation in the South Island, plus mines in the Philippines and the United States.
We are also actively closing a mine at Reefton in the South Island, having successfully and sustainably operated that mine
on Department of Conservation administered Forest Park.
Sustainability is fundamental to the way we do business.
OceanaGold has a proven track record of working within a tight regulatory framework including key conditions relating to
vibration, noise, dust, ground surface stability, flora and fauna, and water management.
We are committed to mining responsibly, managing our effects and, more broadly, ensuring this project makes a positive contribution to our host communities and society, and to the natural values of the area.
COPYRIGHT © 2025