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Waihi - Marta Gold Mine
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As you explore the town you`ll
find evidence of our golden past at every turn. At the top of town are the
towering figures of the relocated Cornish Pumphouse and replica Poppet head.
Then, as you wander down Seddon Street (named after our famous Prime
Minister) you`ll find bronze statues, restored historic buildings and
interesting displays depicting our heritage.
Only metres from the centre of town, you can walk right to the edge of
Waihi`s huge open pit gold mine. The Pit Rim Walkway leads from the town
centre to viewing platforms, which offer stunning views of both the pit and
the surrounding countryside.
The Mine has a history that spans three centuries. John McCombie and Robert
Lee first discovered gold on Pukewa (Martha Hill) in 1878. Martha Mine
quickly became one of the most important gold mines in the world. By 1952,
when the mighty Martha Mine closed, 174,160kg of gold and 1,193,180kg of
silver had been extracted.
The deepest vertical shaft plunged 600m from the surface. Radiating from the
seven vertical shafts, a 175km long network of tunnels was opened on 15
horizontal levels. About 600 men usually worked the mine but in 1909, when
gold production peaked, 1500 people worked between the mine and its stamper
battery at Waikino.
Following the resurgence of the gold mining industry in New Zealand in the
late 1970s the new Martha project was the first major hard rock mining
operation to be commissioned. Opening in 1987, the open pit was extended in
1997 and an underground operation on the outskirts of town also began
operation in 2006.
Source: Waihi website |
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