Gold Mining

Lesson 5: The Environmental Impact of Gold Mining Part Two

What Lies Beneath (2006)

Key Content

• Martha’s Hill Gold Mine, Waihi.
• Proposed gold mine in Reefton.
• Environmental impacts of gold mining.
• Conflict over resources use.

Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Outline modern gold extraction techniques.
• Describe some of the environmental impacts of a gold mining extraction system.
• Describe how different people perceive and use a resource differently.

Waihi

11. 6:30 News 06/09/1985, TVNZ

6:30 News (06/09/1985)

The Waihi Mining Company is told it must prove its environmental strategies are viable before a permit will be granted.

a. Name the area near Waihi that the company wants to mine?
Martha’s Hill.

b. What type of mine do they want to build?
A thirty metre deep open cast mine.

12. Mining and the Environment (extract), Coromandel Watchdog / Team Video Pacific, 1993

Mining and the Environment (1993)

a. How close to the town of Waihi is the mine?
Right beside it.

b. What dangerous chemical is found in the tailings?
Heavy metals such as cyanide.

13. Sunken House, TV3 News 13/12/2001 (extract), TV3 Network, 2001

TV3 News (13/12/2001)

Great shots of the sunken houses in Waihi.

a. What environmental hazard did the mining operation cause in Waihi?
A large crater opened up swallowing roads/houses/cars.

b. What caused the hazard to occur?
The collapse of an old mine shaft underneath the town. These shafts were built between 1890 and 1935 and were pumped with water when mining in them ceased. There is an extensive array of old mine shafts underneath Waihi.

c. What was the reaction of the local Waihi residents to the hazard?
They were angry, concerned and upset.

Reefton

14. One News 29/11/2000 (extract,) TVNZ, 2000

One News (29/11/2000)

A resource consents panel in Reefton is hearing submissions on a proposed open cast gold mine, offering jobs & huge financial gains. interview: Gavin Hinton, Reefton Resident. Bill Watts, Goldminer’s Son: Tony Fortune, Historian. Peter Lawn, Museum Curator. Peter Lusk, Conservationist.

a. How many jobs has the mining company promised to the community of Reefton if they build the mine? 200.

b. What must the mining company do before starting their operations?
Seek permission to mine from a resource consents panel. Stakeholders (interested or affected people) come to hearings and present their opinions to the panel. The panel then makes a decision on whether mining can proceed in the area or not.

c. Overall, what do you think the general opinion is of the Reefton locals?
They seem to be for the mining to go ahead because of all the jobs it will create and the massive boost it will provide to the local economy.

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