OceanaGold is proposing a mine expansion in small mining town, Waihi.
However, not all Waihi residents are in favour of the expansion. Local, Reg Turner, is against the proposal for a number of reasons.
“I know underneath the pit is real hard rock, so there’s going to be heavy ground shaking going on,” he says.
He is also worried about the uncertainty of property values and purchases by OceanaGold plus what will happen when the mining finishes.
Reg’s family was living in Waihi when the Martha Mine was closed in 1962.
“Half the town will walk, just like when they closed the Waihi mine in the 1950s. There was a sign that said ‘Waihi – Ghost Town. ”
According to an annual survey by Phoenix Research, funded by the mining company, Waihi residents and businesses are positive overall about the economic impact of mining in the community with 83 per cent of residents and 96 per cent of businesses see the industry as very positive or positive.
Hauraki District Council has not yet received any application for the announced expansion.
