This document has been produced for New Zealand consenting purposes only. Information contained herein must not be relied on for investment purposes. OceanaGold (New Zealand) Limited WAIHI NORTH PROJECT Resource Consent Application and Assessment of Environmental Effects June 2022
Waihi North Project – Overview of Application Structure i APPLICATION STRUCTURE This application document is in support of applications by OceanaGold (New Zealand) Limited (“OGNZL”) for resource consents from Waikato Regional Council (“WRC”) and Hauraki District Council (“HDC”) under the Resource Management Act 1991 (“RMA”) to authorise all necessary activities associated with the Waihi North Project (“WNP”). All matters required to be addressed in accordance with Schedule 4 of the RMA are contained within. This application comprises 11 parts as follows: Part A Is an overarching Assessment of Environmental Effects (“Overarching AEE”) document which provides an overview of: The WNP; OGNZL; The approvals required for the WNP; Tangata whenua of the area in which WNP would occur and how the various tangata whenua groups are feeding into the WNP and this resource consent application process; The consultation OGNZL has undertaken in respect of the WNP; An overview of the effects of allowing the WNP to proceed; An overview of the proposed conditions for the WNP; and An overview of the RMA context in which the WNP applications are to be considered. Part B Contains a more detailed site-specific assessment of environmental effects (“AEE”) for each of the geographically distinct specific project areas which comprise the WNP and includes: B1: Coromandel Forest Park and Area 1 Sub AEE B2: Area 2 Sub AEE B3: Area 3 Sub AEE B4: Area 4 Sub AEE B5: Area 5 Sub AEE B6: Area 6 Sub AEE
Waihi North Project – Overview of Application Structure ii B7: Area 7 Sub AEE Part C Contains the application forms for the RMA resource consents required from WRC and HDC for the WNP. Part D Is a graphic supplement of technical drawings for key project components. Part E Contains a suite of proposed consent conditions for the WNP. Part F Is a report on the existing mining activities at Waihi and how they are authorised under the RMA. Part G Contains a report on the consultation and engagement undertaken in respect of the WNP. Part H Contains 46 reports prepared by technical specialists on the WNP and its effects. Part I Contains a suite of draft management plans. Part J Contains a checklist of statutory provisions that have been considered in preparing this AEE. Part K Contains all relevant Records of Title.
Waihi North Project – Overview of Application Structure iii LIST OF ACRONYMS ACM Asbestos Containing Material AEE Assessment of Environmental Effects AEP Amenity Effects Programme ANC Acid Neutralising Capacity ANE Ammonium Nitrate Emulsion AMD Acid and Metalliferous Drainage AMP Archaeological Management Plan ANFO Ammonium Nitrate Fuel Oil AQMP Air Quality Management Plan ARD Acid Rock Drainage ARI Average Recurrence Interval asl Above Sea Level AWBM Australian Water Balance Model BGL Below Ground Level BND Blast Notification Device CAF Cemented Aggregate Fill CRF Cemented Rock Fill CIA Cultural Impact Assessment CFP Coromandel Forest Park CO Carbon Monoxide CP Contingency Pond CTMP Chemical Treatment Management Plan CVA Cultural Values Assessment DOC Department of Conservation EOL Extension of Land
Waihi North Project – Overview of Application Structure iv ESC Erosion and Sediment Control ESCAR Erosion and Sediment Control Assessment Report FMU Freshwater Management Unit FTE Full Time Equivalent FOS Factor of Safety GCMP Ground Control Management Plan GOP Gladstone Open Pit HAIL Hazardous Activities and Industries List HDC Hauraki District Council HDPE High Density Poly Ethylene HDP Hauraki District Plan HNZPTA Heritage New Zealand Pouhere Taonga Act 2014 HSFP Hazardous Facilities Screening Procedure HSW-HS Health and Safety at Work (Hazardous Substances) regulations IBI Index of Biotic Integrity KDMP Kauri Dieback Management Plan LENZ Land Environments of New Zealand LMP Lizard Management Plan LOM Life of Mine LoMP Life of Mine Plan LUC Land Use Consent m RL Mine Datum minus 1000m Martha SFA Surface Facilities Area at Martha Pit MCP Mill Contingency Pond ML Mining Licence MOP Martha Open Pit
Waihi North Project – Overview of Application Structure v MP Mining Permit MUG Martha Underground Mine NAF Non-Acid Forming NES Air Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Air Quality) Regulations 2004 NES Drinking Water Resource Management (National Environmental Standard for Sources of Human Drinking Water) Regulations 2007 NES Electricity Transmission Resource Management (National Environmental Standard for Electricity Transmission Activities) Regulations 2009 NES Freshwater 2007Resource Management (National Environmental Standards for Freshwater) Regulations 2020 NES Soil Resource Management (National Environmental Standard for Assessing and Managing Contaminants in Soil to Protect Human Health) Regulations 2011 NO Nitrogen Oxides NOF National Objectives Framework NPSFM National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management 2020 NPSIB Draft National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity 2019 NRS Northern Rock Stack NMD Neutral Metalliferous Drainage NZDI New Zealand Deprivation Index NZAA New Zealand Archaeological Association NZDSG New Zealand Dam Safety Guidelines NZLRI New Zealand Land Resource Inventory NZSOLD New Zealand Society on Large Dams OBDA Overburden Disposal Area OGNZL OceanaGold (New Zealand) Limited ONL Outstanding Natural Landscape
Waihi North Project – Overview of Application Structure vi PAF Potentially Acid-Forming PAMP Pest Animal Management Plan PSI Preliminary Site Investigation PM10 Particulates less than 10 microns in diameter PMP Probable Maximum Precipitation RCS Respirable Crystalline Silica RL Reduced Level RMA Resource Management Act 1991 RO Reverse Osmosis ROM Run of Mine RPS Waikato Regional Policy Statement RWQC Recreational Water Quality Criteria SAG Semi-Autonomous Grinding SFA Surface Facilities Area SH2 State Highway 2 SH25 State Highway 25 SIA Social Impact Assessment SMD Saline Mine Drainage SMEZ Significant Mineral Extraction Zones SMP Site Management Plan SNA Significant Natural Area SRP Sediment Retention Pond SSESCP Site-Specific Erosion and Sediment Control Plan Sub-AEE Sub-Assessment of Environmental Effects TARPS Trigger Acton and Response Plans TCDC Thames Coromandel District Council
Waihi North Project – Overview of Application Structure vii TC District Plan Thames Coromandel District Plan TCP Tailings Contingency Pond TSFs Tailings Storage Facilities TSP Total Suspended Particulate TSS Total Suspended Solids WAA Wildlife Act Authority Waihi SFA Waihi Surface Facilities Area (Processing Plant area) Waka Kotahi Waka Kotahi NZ Transport Agency WAMPA Wharekirauponga Animal Pest Management Area WBM Water Balance Model Willows SFA Willows Road Surface Facilities Area WNP Waihi North Project (the entire project area) WPP Waihi Processing Plant WRC Waikato Regional Council WRP Waikato Regional Plan WRS Willows Rock Stack WUG Wharekirauponga Underground Mine WTP Water Treatment Plant WTPCP Water Treatment Plant Contingency Pond
Waihi North Project – Overview of Application Structure viii GLOSSARY OF TERMS Term Meaning Alimak A proprietary mast climbing (rack and pinion) access system developed by Alimak Group AB (Sweden; https://alimak.com/new-equipment/) that has been adapted to facilitate bottom-up underground shaft construction. Area 1 Means Area 1 as shown on Figure 4 in the Overarching AEE. Area 2 Means Area 2 as shown on Figure 4 in the Overarching AEE. Area 3 Means Area 3 as shown on Figure 4 in the Overarching AEE. Area 4 Means Area 4 as shown on Figure 4 in the Overarching AEE. Area 5 Means Area 5 as shown on Figure 4 in the Overarching AEE. Area 6 Means Area 6 as shown on Figure 4 in the Overarching AEE. Area 7 Means Area 7 as shown on Figure 4 in the Overarching AEE. Average Return Interval The average time period between rainfall or flow events that exceed a given magnitude. Benthic Of, relating to, or occurring at the bottom of a body of water. Canopy Tallest layer of the forest. Catchment An area of land bounded by natural features such as hills or mountains from which surface water flows into streams, rivers and wetlands. Central Stockpile An existing stockpile, located adjacent to the existing TSFs, used for the disposal of rock material. Concrete Batching Plant Existing infrastructure, located north of the conveyor and immediately west of the WTP, that produces cement aggregate fill for use in the backfilling of underground mines. Construction Runoff Any runoff, sediment laden or otherwise, that flows as a result of the construction related activities. Typically results from rain events. Collection Ponds A pond for the purpose of gathering and retaining run-off water for treatment in the WTP. This may include settlement, treatment, and interception/removal of hydrocarbons. Contact water Is water that has contact with mining, mineral processing, and tailings disposal and, as such, is not suitable for direct release into the environment. Construction works Various activities undertaken to construct the Waihi North Project. Contingency Ponds Ponds which collect runoff from the ore stockpiles and conveyor, while also providing containment of any chemicals used for processing ore and water treatment in the event of spillage. These ponds will remain active until mine closure.
Waihi North Project – Overview of Application Structure ix Term Meaning A number of contingency ponds are located in the Waihi SFA area including the Mill Contingency Pond (MCP), Tailings Contingency Ponds (TCP, TCP2, TCP1A) and WTP Contingency Pond (WTPCP). Conveyor Existing infrastructure (overland conveyor system) used to transport material from the Martha Mine to the Waihi Surface Facilities Area and to the Central, Northern and Eastern Stockpiles and TSFs. Upgrades to the conveyor infrastructure within the Waihi SFA (Area 5) are proposed to support the processing of additional ore extracted from the Wharekirauponga orebody. Correnso Underground Mine An existing underground mine, authorised in 2013, located beneath residential properties in Waihi's east end and accessed via the existing Favona portal. Cover drill Drilling above an area of workings, for the purposes of injecting grout into the drill holes to prevent water ingress or dewatering. Decant water Water that is separated from the tailings slurry. District Plan The Hauraki District Plan. Diversion Drains Drains utilised to divert water around mining areas. Drive A horizontal passage underground that follows along the length of a vein or rock formation as opposed to a crosscut which crosses the rock formation. Dual Tunnel or Wharekirauponga Dual Tunnel A 6.9 km dual decline tunnel system that extends from the Willows Portal within the Willows Road SFA to the base of the Wharekirauponga ore resource. Earthworks As defined under the HDP. Eastern Stockpile An existing stockpile, located adjacent to the existing TSFs, used for the disposal of rock material. Ephemeral streams Streams that flow continuously for at least three months between March and September but do not flow all year. Explosives Magazine Class 1 storage facility, used for the storage of high explosives (ammonium nitrate fuel oil, booster and packaged explosives). Favona Portal An existing portal, located to the west of the Waihi SFA which provides access to the existing underground mines (Favona, Trio, Correnso, Slevin, and Martha Phase 4 Underground Mines). Favona Stockpile An existing stockpile, located at the Waihi SFA between the Favona Portal and the Processing Plant, which is used to temporarily stockpile rock before it is transported elsewhere for permanent disposal.
Waihi North Project – Overview of Application Structure x Term Meaning Favona Underground Mine An existing underground mine, authorised in 2004, located beneath residential properties in Waihi's east end and accessed via the existing Favona portal. Fish IBI The Fish Index of Biotic Integrity (IBI) is a measure of how intact the native fish community is within a stream reach or stream. Fish passage The movement of fish between the sea and any river, including up-stream or downstream in that river. Gladstone Open Pit A new open pit mine within Area 5 that will be situated predominantly over Gladstone Hill and part of Winner Hill, immediately east of the existing Waihi SFA. Gladstone Portal A new portal within Area 5 to the Trio Upper Drive within the Gladstone Open Pit. It will replace the existing Favona Portal that currently provides access to the Martha Underground Mine. Gladstone Open Pit Tailings Storage Facility A new fully lined TSF that will be established within the Gladstone Open Pit following the completion of mining within the Gladstone Open Pit. Also referred to as the ‘GOP TSF’. Maintenance Workshop and other surface facilities Located within the Waihi SFA to the south of the Processing Plant. It contains a workshop and stores for vehicles and parts, changing room facilities, offices, tearooms and various other surface facilities for staff. Martha Mine The Martha Mine is an open pit located in central Waihi. The Martha Mine has been operated since 1987. Martha Phase 4 Cutback Comprises a small extension to the north of the Martha Pit to remedy the failure of the north wall in a manner that will enable the pit walls to be left in a stable and safe condition at the completion of mining and restores access to the remaining consented ore reserve in the pit. Forms part of Project Martha in which consents were granted in 2018. Martha Underground Mine Underground mining beneath the Martha Pit and under a small area of residential, reserve and commercial land to the southeast of the pit. Forms part of Project Martha in which consents were granted in 2018. Modified watercourse An artificial or modified channel that may or may not be on the original watercourse alignment and which has a natural channel at its headwaters. MUG Portal A new portal within Area 5 to the Trio Upper Drive. It will be located adjacent to the WUG Portal. Northern Diversion Drain An existing diversion drain diverting clean water around TSF2 and authorised via AUTH 971309 and AUTH 971310. The Northern Diversion Drain will be extended as part of the various activities associated with the NRS in Area 6. Northern Rock Stack A new rock stack proposed to accommodate surplus rock associated with the Waihi North Project in Area 6. The NRS will accommodate rock predominantly from the GOP but may include some development rock from the WUG.
Waihi North Project – Overview of Application Structure xi Term Meaning At its maximum extent, the NRS footprint will encompass the existing Northern Stockpile area. Northern Stockpile An existing stockpile located north of the existing TSF2. This stockpile can be used in association with any new mine located within the Waihi epithermal district. Overland Flow Path Routes that collect and convey rainwater. Typically, they only flow for the duration of a rain event. Paper road HDC legal road reserve: a legally-recognised road that is undeveloped or partly formed, but provides public access to a particular area or feature. Permanent river or stream A continually flowing body of fresh water, excluding ephemeral streams, and includes a stream or modified watercourse; but does not include any artificial watercourse (including an irrigation canal, water supply race, canal for the supply of water for electricity power generation, and farm drainage canal except where it is a modified element of a natural drainage system). Pier Vertical support structure for a bridge. Polishing Pond Stockpile An existing stockpile is located within the Waihi SFA to the north of the WTP. It is used to temporarily stockpile rock before it is transported elsewhere for permanent disposal. It may also be used to temporarily store excess ore where it exceeds the Processing Plant and ROM Stockpile capacities. This stockpile has a footprint of approximately 250m by 200m (5ha) and a height of approximately 30m. Processing Plant Located within the Waihi SFA in Area 5. It consists of a conventional carbonin-pulp gold and silver processing plant. The Processing Plant is currently authorised to process up to 1.25 million tonnes of ore per annum from anywhere in the Waihi epithermal district. The Processing Plant will be upgraded as part of the Waihi North Project. Project Martha Authorised in 2018 to extend life of mining in Waihi. Contains two key components; the Martha Underground Mine and the Martha Phase 4 Cutback. Raise Boring Machine A machine used in underground mining, to excavate a circular hole between two levels of a mine without the use of explosives. Regional Plan Refers to the Waikato Regional Plan. Rehabilitation and Closure Plan Describes the proposed method of rehabilitation and closure of the project areas. Rock and Tailings Storage Facilities Engineered structures designed and constructed to hold mineral waste (tailings) and / or rock. Existing Rock and Tailings Storage Facilities include the Central, Northern and Eastern Stockpiles and two Tailings Storage Facilities (known as TSF1A and TSF2) to the east of the Ohinemuri River.
Waihi North Project – Overview of Application Structure xii Term Meaning Run of Mine Stockpile The Run of Mine Stockpile is located within the Waihi SFA and is used to store ore before it is processed in the Processing Plant. It is located to the south of the Transfer Station on the conveyor and adjacent to the Processing Plant. Sediment control Capturing sediment that has been eroded and entrained in overland flow before it enters the receiving environment. Services Trench A trench that will be established between the Waihi SFA and Willows Road SFA to carry electricity, fibre, wastewater, and potable/raw/recycled water services within buried pipelines. Shaft Collective term for ventilation raise shafts and egress shafts. Significant Natural Area Areas of significant terrestrial indigenous vegetation or significant habitats of indigenous fauna located either on land or in freshwater environments identified in District Plans. Silt Ponds A pond for capturing run off water which has not intercepted potentially acid forming rock for the purpose of intercepting hydrocarbons and allowing the settling of sediments prior to discharge to the local environment. Slevin Underground Mine An existing underground mine, authorised in 2016, located beneath residential properties in Waihi's east end and accessed via the existing Favona portal. Southern Diversion Drain Is an existing diversion channel that diverts clean surface water around TSF1A. It will be extended around TSF3 as part of the Waihi North Project works in Area 7. Southern Stockpile A temporary topsoil and NAF area (approximately 0.9 ha in area and approximately 12m high) to be established around the GOP for storing topsoil stripped from the GOP. Stormwater Water that flows from impervious areas after the construction period. Stoping The opening of large underground rooms, or stopes, by the excavation of ore. Tributaries Small ‘feeder’ streams that drain into larger streams and rivers. The catchments of these tributaries are known as sub-catchments. Trio Underground Mine An existing underground mine, authorised in 2012, located beneath residential properties in Waihi's east end and accessed via the existing Favona portal. True Left or True Right The true left and true right banks of a stream or watercourse refers the left or right side of the stream when looking downstream, i.e., looking to where the water is flowing to. TSF1A and TSF2 Existing tailings storage facilities located to the east of the Ohinemuri River. TSF3 A new tailings storage facility to be established as part of the WNP in Area 7 to the east of the existing TSF1A. It will accommodate additional tailings
Waihi North Project – Overview of Application Structure xiii Term Meaning volume from the processing of ore from the Waihi North Project and other mining activities. Underground Mines Refers to the various underground mines that have been established to the east and southeast of the Martha Pit in the last 30 years. These include the Favona, Trio, Correnso, and Slevin Underground Mines, and more recently, the Martha Phase 4 Underground Mines authorised as part of Project Martha. Waihi Epithermal District The area around Waihi which contains economic concentrations of precious metals. Waihi North Biodiversity Project A voluntary large scale predator control and habitat enhancement project OGNZL proposes to undertake over an approximate 18,870 ha of the Coromandel Forest Park as part of the Waihi North Project. Waihi North Project Is the topic of this resource consent application. A project centred around development of the newly discovered Wharekirauponga ore deposit. It involves activities within Areas 1 through 7 and will extend the life of the Waihi mining operation to 2038, with the potential to add over 1.7 million ounces of gold and 2.9 million ounces of silver production over a 13-year period. Waihi Surface Facilities Area Existing SFA located to the east of Waihi township, containing various infrastructure required to support mining activity (including the WTP and Processing Plant). Access to the Waihi SFA is by way of Baxter Road and an access road over the Ohinemuri River. Watercourse A natural or artificial channel through which water flows. Water Treatment Plant An existing onsite Water Treatment Plant within the Waihi SFA and Area 5 which is used to treat water from mining operations prior to discharging this water into the Ohinemuri River at two consented locations via multi-port diffusers. The Water Treatment Plant will be upgraded to treat water from additional mining operations, to be authorised as part of the Waihi North Project. Wetland Defined in s2(1) of the RMA to include “…permanently or intermittently wet areas, shallow water, and land water margins that support a natural ecosystem of plants and animals that are adapted to wet conditions”. Wharekirauponga Access Tunnel or WUG Access Tunnel A 5km long tunnel which will connect the Waihi SFA with the Wharekirauponga Dual tunnels. It will be used to transport ore underground to the existing Processing Plant, and for general operational access between the Wharekirauponga Underground Mine and the Waihi SFA. It will also be used to transport rock from the NRS to the Wharekirauponga Underground Mine for backfilling of stopes once the supply of rock stored in the Willows Rock Stack is exhausted. Wharekirauponga Dual Tunnels or Dual Tunnels A 6.9 km dual decline tunnel system that connects to the Wharekirauponga Access Tunnel and Willows Access Tunnel at approximately the boundary of the Coromandel Forest Park and extends to the base of the Wharekirauponga ore resource within the Wharekirauponga Underground Mine.
Waihi North Project – Overview of Application Structure xiv Term Meaning Wharekirauponga Underground Mine An underground mine that will enable mining of the Wharekirauponga orebody. It is located approximately 10 km north of Waihi, beneath the Coromandel Forest Park land administered by the Department of Conservation (DOC). Access to the underground mine will be provided by the Wharekirauponga Dual Tunnels, and the Willows Access Tunnel or Wharekirauponga Access Tunnel. Willows Access Tunnel A Tunnel which connects the Willows SFA to the Dual Tunnel. It will be used to transport development rock from underground to the Willows Rock Stack, and for general operational access between the mine and the Willows Road SFA. The Willows Access Tunnel will also be used to transport rock from the Willows Rock Stack to the Wharekirauponga Underground Mine for backfilling of stopes. Willows Road Farm OGNZL owned property within Area 2 that will house the surface infrastructure required to support the Wharekirauponga Underground Mine. Willows Rock Stack A temporary rock stack within Area 2 which forms a component of the Willows Road SFA north of the Willows Portal. It will be approximately 5 ha in area, have a total storage capacity of up to 900,000 m³, and a maximum height of 20 m above natural ground level. Willows Road Surface Facilities Area An 18-ha area located within Area 2 at the Willows Road Farm property that will house surface-based facilities required to support the Wharekirauponga Underground Mine. Willows Portal The portal within Area 2 which provides vehicle access to the Willows Access Tunnel. Wharekirauponga Access Tunnel Portal or WUG Portal A new portal within the Waihi SFA in Area 5 between the existing Polishing Pond Stockpile and the end of Moore Street which will provide access to the Wharekirauponga Access Tunnel Vent shaft / shaft(s) Required for air circulation and to provide an emergency exit from the Wharekirauponga Dual Tunnel, Willows Access Tunnel and Wharekirauponga Underground Mine. Five vent shafts are proposed – four on Hauraki District Council administered road reserve within the Coromandel Forest Park and one within Area 2.
A PART A OceanaGold (New Zealand) Limited Waihi North Project OVERARCHING ASSESSMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
Part A - Waihi North Project – Overarching Assessment of Environmental Effects TABLE OF CONTENTS 1. Introduction ___________________________________________________________ 1 1.1 The Waihi North Project 1 1.2 Integration with Existing Mining Infrastructure 5 1.3 Relationship with Martha Open Pit and Proposed Plan Change 6 5 1.4 Application Structure 6 2. OceanaGold (New Zealand) Limited _______________________________________ 17 2.1 Experience and Expertise 17 2.2 Responsible Operations 18 2.3 Contribution to Local Communities 19 3. Resource Management Act 1991 Approvals Required _________________________ 22 3.1 Introduction 22 3.2 Hauraki District Council Approvals 22 3.3 Waikato Regional Council Approvals 29 4. Approvals Required Under Other Acts_____________________________________ 39 5. Tangata Whenua _____________________________________________________ 40 6. Consultation and Engagement __________________________________________ 48 6.1 The Waikato Regional Council 49 6.2 The Hauraki District Council 49 6.3 The Department of Conservation 50 6.4 Land Information New Zealand 51 6.5 Waka Kotahi 52 6.6 Forest and Bird 52 6.7 Fish and Game 53 6.8 Other Stakeholders and Members of the Community 53 6.9 Stakeholder Concerns and Feedback 58 7. The Effects of Allowing the Project To Proceed______________________________ 62 7.1 Cultural Effects 62 7.2 Economic Effects 63 7.3 Social Effects 67 7.4 Biodiversity 73 7.5 Water 75 7.6 Landscape and Visual Effects 79 7.7 The Transport Network 80 7.8 Amenity 81 7.9 Air Quality 82 7.10 Closure and Aftercare 83 8. Conditions __________________________________________________________ 89 9. Statutory Considerations _______________________________________________ 90 10. Concluding Statement _________________________________________________159
Part A - Waihi North Project – Overarching Assessment of Environmental Effects LIST OF FIGURES Figure 1: OGNZLs existing and consented mining activities at Waihi. 4 Figure 2: Overview of the key components of the Waihi North Project. 5 Figure 3: Biodiversity Project Area and Area 1 within the Coromandel Forest Park. 8 Figure 4: Waihi North Project Areas 1 - 7. 9 Figure 5: WNP Water Management Schematic 77 Figure 6: Proposed rehabilitation and closure concept for the Area 2. 87 Figure 7: Proposed rehabilitation and closure concept for the Waihi based areas. 88 LIST OF TABLES Table 1: Technical Reports prepared by technical specialists on the Project and its effects which are included in Part H of this application. 11 Table 2: Activities which need to be authorised by a section 9 land use consent in each Project Area. 23 Table 3: Resource consents sought from WRC. 30 Table 4: Potential positive and negative impacts of WNP identified during community engagement. 69 Table 5: Significance of social impacts pre and post implementation of mitigation measures proposed by other technical assessments for WNP. 70
Part A - Waihi North Project – Overarching Assessment of Environmental Effects 1 1. INTRODUCTION 1.1 THE WAIHI NORTH PROJECT OceanaGold (New Zealand) Limited (“OGNZL” or “the company”) owns and operates various mines and mining infrastructure in Waihi. This includes: An open pit mining operation located more-or-less in the middle of Waihi Township (“Martha Pit”); A series of underground mines beneath the Martha Pit and to the east and southeast of the Martha Pit; A suite of ancillary facilities associated with the above mines, including the Waihi Surface Facilities Area (“Waihi SFA”) located east of Waihi Township beyond Union Hill, which contains an Ore Processing Plant (“Processing Plant”), Water Treatment Plant (“WTP”), stockpiles and various other ancillary facilities; The Central, Northern and Eastern Stockpiles and two Tailings Storage Facilities (“TSF”) which are located further to the east across the Ohinemuri River; and A conveyor which connects Martha Pit with all of the above. These are shown in Figure 1 below. A report is included in Part E of these applications which provides a detailed description of these existing activities and how they are authorised under the Resource Management Act 1991 (“RMA”). The company also maintains an active mineral exploration programme in the area of its current mining activities, and in the wider Waihi Epithermal District and region. Collectively, the company’s Waihi operation in 2021 contributed $105 million to the local and national economy (equating to 14% of the Hauraki District economy) and was responsible for the direct employment of 387 full time equivalent (“FTE”) jobs. When OGNZL acquired the Waihi mining operations in 2015, the company made a commitment to the New Zealand Government to invest in extending the life of mining in Waihi. OGNZL has honoured this commitment with the commencement of Project Martha (an extension to the Martha Pit and Martha Underground Mine). As a result of the success of its regional exploration programme , in February 2019 the company announced the discovery of an additional resource deposit at Wharekirauponga located beneath the Coromandel Forest Park (“CFP”), approximately 10 km north of Waihi Township.
Part A - Waihi North Project – Overarching Assessment of Environmental Effects 2 At current mining and processing rates, existing and consented ore deposits within Waihi1 are scheduled to be exhausted by the end of 2030. The workforce required for mining and mining operations at Waihi will therefore need to be reduced, unless the ability to mine additional ore is authorised in advance of the exhaustion of these existing ore deposits. Against that background, OGNZL wishes to further extend the life of mining in the region via the Waihi North Project (also referred to as “the Project” or “WNP”) which is centred around development of the newly discovered Wharekirauponga ore deposit. The WNP will extend the life of the Waihi mining operation to 2038 and has the potential to add over 1.63 million ounces of gold and 2.2 million ounces of silver production over a 13-year period. OGNZL recognises that the ability to develop the Crown’s valuable minerals resource is a privilege and not a right. While the company’s activities in and around Waihi produce many tangible benefits for the community OGNZL sees the WNP as an opportunity to increase the wider contributions it makes. To that end, as part of the Project OGNZL proposes a major collaborative predator control and ecological enhancement project that aligns with New Zealand’s goal of being predator free by 2050. The WNP will integrate with OGNZL’s existing mines and existing and consented mining infrastructure in the Waihi Epithermal District. Within the CFP, the Project will include: The Wharekirauponga Underground Mine (“WUG”): A new underground mine beneath the CFP, the surface manifestations of which will be limited to four ventilation raises located within an existing Hauraki District Council (“HDC”) paper road corridor, each requiring no more than 144 m² of vegetation clearance; The Wharekirauponga Dual Tunnel (“Dual Tunnel”): A new underground dual tunnel which connects the WUG to the Wharekirauponga Access Tunnel and Willows SFA (see below) beyond the CFP; and The Waihi North Biodiversity Project: A $8.4 million predator control and ecological enhancement project, focused on an 18,870 ha area of the southern CFP which is aimed at achieving long-term (inter-generational) positive ecological outcomes for the area. 1 Including Martha Open Pit Phase 4 and the underground mines beneath and adjacent to the Martha Pit.
Part A - Waihi North Project – Overarching Assessment of Environmental Effects 3 Outside the CFP, the Project will include: The Willows Surface Facilities Area (“Willows SFA”): A new SFA on company-owned farmland adjacent to the CFP which will contain a temporary rock stack and various infrastructure to support the underground mine; Wharekirauponga Access Tunnel: A new underground tunnel for transporting ore, rock and various equipment between the WUG and the existing Waihi SFA; The Services Trench: A new trench which connects various services between the new Willows SFA and existing Waihi SFA, including electricity, fibre and waste and potable/raw/recycled water services; Gladstone Open Pit (“GOP”): A new open pit to the west of the existing Waihi SFA that will be converted to an in-pit TSF once mining of the pit is complete (“GOP TSF”); Processing Plant Upgrade: An upgrade to the existing Processing Plant at the Waihi SFA to increase its ore processing capacity from 1.25 million tonnes per annum to 2.25 million tonnes per annum; WTP Upgrade: An upgrade to the existing WTP at the Waihi SFA which will double its water treatment capacity; Conveyor Modifications: Modifications to the existing overland and load out conveyors to allow rock loading and conveying to the new Northern Rock Stack (“NRS”) and return of rock to the mines for backfilling2; Tailings Storage Facility 3 (“TSF3”): A new TSF that will be established to the east of existing TSF1A; and NRS: A new rock storage facility that will be established to the north of existing TSF2. Staging of the different components of the Project is dependent upon the material balance and maintaining adequate tailings storage capacity to support production.3 An illustrative overview of the existing and consented Waihi mining activities, and those proposed as part of the WNP is provided in Figures 1 and 2 below. 2 No rock will be transported back to the Martha Pit via the reversed conveyor. 3 The construction of additional tailings storage requires an adequate supply of rock to construct the TSF embankments.
Part A - Waihi North Project – Overarching Assessment of Environmental Effects 4 Figure 1: OGNZLs existing and consented mining activities at Waihi.
File Ref: BM210482_General_Overview.indd Overview of the key components of the Waihi North Project Date: 17 June 2022 Revision: 0 Project Manager: ethan.glover@mitchelldaysh.co.nz | Drawn: BMc | Checked: EGl WHAREKIRAUPONGA UNDERGROUND MINE WILLOWS ROCK STACK AND WILLOWS PORTAL PROCESSING PLANT & WATER TREATMENT PLANT UPGRADES NORTHERN ROCK STACK TAILINGS STORAGE FACILITY 3 MINE ACCESS PORTALS SERVICES CORRIDOR WILLOWS SURFACE FACILITIES AREA GLADSTONE OPEN PIT Figure 2
Part A - Waihi North Project – Overarching Assessment of Environmental Effects 5 1.2 INTEGRATION WITH EXISTING MINING INFRASTRUCTURE Much of the existing mining infrastructure associated with OGNZL’s existing mining operations will be used to transport, process, store and dispose of material extracted as part of the WNP. This includes the use of: The existing conveyor and crusher (within the Waihi SFA),4 and existing surface mine roads to transport ore and rock; The Processing Plant (subject to its upgrade) to process ore; Existing stockpile areas for the stockpiling of rock, including the Processing Plant Stockpile, Polishing Pond Stockpile, Northern Stockpile, Eastern Stockpile and the Central Stockpile; The authorised (but yet to be constructed) Cement Aggregate Fill (“CAF”) plant for producing cemented fill for use in underground mines; The use of the existing underground mines for the placement of excavated rock material as backfill; The existing mine water management system, including the use of the existing WTP to treat water from mining operations (subject to the upgrades as previously indicated); The existing/approved TSFs (TSF1A and TSF2) for the disposal of tailings from the Processing Plant, including all aspects of those facilities that are authorised but still to be constructed; The existing road accesses at Moore Street, Clarke Street, Grey Street, Golden Valley Road and Baxter Road; The existing Martha Open Pit entrance and parking at Kenny Street; The existing core sheds and administration offices, including those that are consented but still to be constructed; and The existing Favona amenities building and associated facilities. 1.3 RELATIONSHIP WITH MARTHA OPEN PIT AND PROPOSED PLAN CHANGE 6 The Martha Mine is an open pit located in central Waihi. The Martha Mine has been operated since 1987. A slip on the North Wall halted production in 2015. Resource consents were granted as part of the Project Martha project in 2018 for a layback of the Martha Mine north wall, removal of this slip material and construction of a new haul road. Project Martha also authorised the Martha Underground Mine. 4 For the avoidance of doubt rock and ore from the WNP will not be transported to the crusher within Martha Pit for processing.
Part A - Waihi North Project – Overarching Assessment of Environmental Effects 6 In April 2022, OGNZL lodged applications to the HDC for Proposed Plan Change 6 (“PP6”) which seeks to rezone 47 properties5 owned by, or under the control of, OGNZL, to Martha Mineral Zone in the Hauraki District Plan (“HDP”), in order to provide a consenting pathway for further development of the Martha Pit. This plan change process is separate to and not part of the WNP. It will be subject to a separate public notification and submissions process under Schedule One of the RMA. PP6 does not itself seek to authorise additional mining in Martha Pit. Under PP6 any future mining of Martha Pit which is not already authorised by existing resource consents would be subject to a separate subsequent resource consent process where the effects of that mining activity are assessed. 1.4 APPLICATION STRUCTURE This Assessment of Environmental Effects (“AEE”) document is in support of resource consent applications by OGNZL under the RMA to authorise all necessary activities associated with the WNP. All matters required to be addressed in accordance with Schedule 4 of the RMA are contained within this AEE. For ease of understanding and administration, within this AEE, the activities which comprise the WNP have been categorised by the geographic location in which they will occur. The areas are shown in Figures 3 and 4 below and include: Biodiversity Project Area and Area 1 The Biodiversity Project (CFP) and WUG and Dual Tunnel (Area 1 only); Area 2 Willows SFA and Willows Access Tunnel; Area 3 Wharekirauponga Access Tunnel Corridor; Area 4 Services Trench; Area 5 GOP, in-pit TSF, and Waihi SFA Area 6 NRS; and Area 7 TSF3 5 OGNZL owned properties located within the Low Density Residential, Residential or Town Centre zone
Part A - Waihi North Project – Overarching Assessment of Environmental Effects 7 In that context, the AEE comprises 11 parts: Part A This overarching AEE document. Part B Contains a more detailed site-specific AEE for each of the geographically distinct specific project areas which comprise the WNP. Part C Contains the application forms for the RMA resource consents required from Waikato Regional Council (“WRC”) and HDC for the WNP. Part D Is a graphic supplement of technical drawings for key project components. Part E Contains a suite of proposed consent conditions for WNP. Part F Is a report on the existing mining activities at Waihi and how they are authorised under the RMA. Part G Contains a report on the consultation and engagement undertaken in respect of the WNP. Part H Contains 46 reports prepared by technical specialists on the WNP and its effects. Part I Contains a suite of draft management plans. Part J Contains a checklist of statutory provisions that have been considered in preparing this AEE. Part K Contains all relevant Records of Title.
25 2 26 25 25 Sourced from the LINZ Data Service and licensed for re-use under the Project Manager: ethan.glover@mitchelldaysh.co.nz | Drawn: BMc | Checked: EGl LEGEND Biodiversity Project Area Area 1 State Highway Cadastre TA Boundary Figure 3 Projection: NZGD 2000 New Zealand Transverse Mercator Data Sources: LINZ, OGNZL, DOC Fi le Ref: BM210482_AEE_01_A4P_A1_Overview.mxd 0 2 km 1:100,000 @ A4 This plan has been prepared by Boffa Miskell Limited on the specific instructions of our Client. It is solely for our Client's use in accordance with the agreed scope of work. Any use or reliance by a third party is at that party's own risk. Where information has been supplied by the Client or obtained from other external sources, it has been assumed that it is accurate. No liability or responsibility is accepted by Boffa Miskell Limited for any errors or omissions to the extent that they arise from inaccurate information provided by the Client or any external source. Biodiversity Project Area and Area 1 within the Coromandel Forest Park Date: 17 June 2022 | Revision: 0 T h a m e s C o r o m a n d e l C o o D i s t r i c t D H a u r a k i D i s t r i c t
Area 1 Area 3 Area 2 Area 7 Area 6 Area 5 Area 4 2 25 Project Manager: ethan.glover@mitchelldaysh.co.nz | Drawn: BMc | Checked: EGl LEGEND Waihi North Project Areas State Highway Road Cadastre Public Conservation Land Figure 1 Projection: NZGD 2000 New Zealand Transverse Mercator Data Sources: LINZ, OGNZL, DOC Fi le Ref: BM210482_AEE_01_A4P_B1_Overview.mxd 0 1 km 1:60,000 @ A4 This plan has been prepared by Boffa Miskell Limited on the specific instructions of our Client. It is solely for our Client's use in accordance with the agreed scope of work. Any use or reliance by a third party is at that party's own risk. Where information has been supplied by the Client or obtained from other external sources, it has been assumed that it is accurate. No liability or responsibility is accepted by Boffa Miskell Limited for any errors or omissions to the extent that they arise from inaccurate information provided by the Client or any external source. Location of Area 2 in the context of the Waihi North Project Date: 22 June 2022 | Revision: 0
Part A - Waihi North Project – Overarching Assessment of Environmental Effects 10 The various technical reports included in Part H are listed in Table 1 below. They are referenced throughout this Overarching AEE and the site-specific AEEs as necessary.
Part A - Waihi North Project – Overarching Assessment of Environmental Effects 11 Table 1: Technical Reports prepared by technical specialists on the Project and its effects which are included in Part H of this application. Report # Author Topic Title Reference within AEE Engineering Design, Dam Breach and Natural Hazard Reports 1 Engineering Geology Limited Tailings Storage and Rock Disposal Waihi North Project - Tailings Storage and Rock Disposal Volume 1 - Natural Hazards and Options Assessment EGL (2022a) 2 GHD GOP TSF Design Gladstone Pit TSF Design Report GHD (2022a) 3 Engineering Geology Limited GOP TSF Design Peer Review of GOP TSF Resource Consent Technical Report EGL (2022b) 4 Engineering Geology Limited TSF 3 Design Tailings Storage and Rock Disposal Volume 3 - Proposed Tailings Storage Facility - Storage 3 RL155 EGL (2022c) 5 Engineering Geology Limited Northern Rock Stack Design Waihi North Project - Tailings Storage and Rock Disposal Volume 4 Northern Rock Stack RL173 Proposed Rock Disposal Facility Design Report EGL (2022d) 6 Engineering Geology Limited TSF 3 Dam Breach Storage 3 - Tailings Storage Facility - RL155 Dam Breach and Potential Impact Classification Assessment EGL (2022e) 7 Beca Stormwater Management Willows Farm Stormwater Management Report Beca (2022b) 8 OGNZL Functional Need Assessment Waihi North Project – Tailings and Rock Storage – Functional Need Assessment OGNZL (2022)
Part A - Waihi North Project – Overarching Assessment of Environmental Effects 12 Report # Author Topic Title Reference within AEE Geotechnical 9 PSM GOP Geotechnical Waihi North Project - Gladstone Pit - Geotechnical Assessment PSM (2022) 10 WSP Willows Rock Stack Design and Options Assessment Waihi North Project - Wharekirauponga Underground Mine - Willows Rock Stack and Surface Facilities Geotechnical Assessment WSP (2022a) 11 WSP WUG Geotech Engineering and Development Waihi North Project - Geotechnical Assessment Underground Mine and Tunnels WSP (2022b) 12 Engineering Geology Limited Ground Settlement Waihi North Project - Ground Settlement Assessment EGL (2022) Geochemistry 13 AECOM Geochemistry Waihi North Project Geochemical Assessment - Geochemistry of Tailings and Overburden, Treatment and Mitigation AECOM (2022) Contaminated Land 14 Williamson Water and Land Advisory Ground Contamination Waihi North Project - Preliminary Site Investigation (Ground Contamination) WWLA (2022)
Part A - Waihi North Project – Overarching Assessment of Environmental Effects 13 Report # Author Topic Title Reference within AEE Hazardous Substances 15 Tonkin & Taylor Hazardous Substances Waihi North Project - Waihi Processing Plant, Water Treatment Plant and Development Site Tonkin & Taylor (2022) 16 Tonkin & Taylor Hazardous Substances Waihi North Project – Storage and use of hazardous substances at Willows Road site and the Wharekirauponga Underground Mine Tonkin & Taylor (2022a) Air Quality 17 Beca Air Quality Waihi North Project - Air Discharge Assessment - Waihi Facilities Beca (2022) 18 Beca Air Quality Waihi North Project - Air Discharge Assessment - Wharekirauponga Underground Mine Beca (2022a) 19 Tonkin & Taylor Air Quality Waihi North Project – Technical Review of Air Quality Assessments Tonkin & Taylor (2022b) Water 20 Southern Skies Erosion and Sediment Control Waihi North Project - Erosion and Sediment Control Assessment Report Southern Skies (2022) 21 GHD Water Management Waihi North Project - Water Management Studies GHD (2022)
Part A - Waihi North Project – Overarching Assessment of Environmental Effects 14 Report # Author Topic Title Reference within AEE 22 GWS Hydrogeology Waihi North Project - Assessment of Groundwater Effects – Wharekirauponga Deposit GWS (2022) 23 GWS Hydrogeology Waihi North Project - Assessment of Groundwater Effects - Tunnel Elements GWS (2022a) 24 GHD Hydrogeology Waihi North - Groundwater Assessment GHD (2022b) 25 Flo Solutions Hydrogeology Wharekirauponga Underground Project Updated Conceptual Model – EG Vein Flo Solutions (2022) 26 Valenza Hydrogeology Wharekirauponga Underground Mine - Wharekirauponga Conceptual Mitigation - Phase 1 Report Valenza (2022) 27 GWS Hydrogeology Waihi North Project Summary of Potential Groundwater Effects GWS (2022b) Ecology 28 The Ecology Company Biodiversity Project Waihi North Biodiversity Project Consultation Document The Ecology Company (2021) 29 Bioresearches Terrestrial Ecology (TSF3, NRS, GOP) Waihi North Project - Assessment of Terrestrial Ecological Values and Effects Bioresearches (2022) 30 Bioresearches Terrestrial Ecology Terrestrial Ecology Mitigation, Restoration and Offset Plan for Waihi North project (Waihi Area) Bioresearches (2022a)
Part A - Waihi North Project – Overarching Assessment of Environmental Effects 15 Report # Author Topic Title Reference within AEE 31 Boffa Miskell Terrestrial Ecology (WUG) Waihi North Project - Terrestrial Ecology Values and Effects of the WUG Boffa Miskell (2022b) 32 RMA Ecology Limited Frogs Memorandum: OGNZL Wharekirauponga frogs: Potential adverse ecological effects RMA Ecology (2022) 33 Bioresearches Frogs Memorandum: Vibration effects on amphibians (Leiopelmatid frogs) Bioresearches (2022b) 34 Boffa Miskell Frogs Pest Animal Management Plan – Wharekirauponga Compensation Package Boffa Miskell (2022c) 35 Lloyds Ecological Consulting Frogs Estimating the Proportion of the Coromandel’s Archey’s Frog Population in the Area Affected by Vibrations from the Proposed Wharekirauponga Mine Lloyd (2022) 36 Boffa Miskell Aquatic Ecology Waihi North Project – Freshwater Ecological Assessment Boffa Miskell (2022a) Historic Heritage, Amenity, Social Impact and Climate Change 37 Clough & Assoc Historic Heritage Waihi North Project - Assessment of Heritage and Archaeological Effects Clough (2022) 38 Stantec Transportation Waihi North Project - Transportation Assessment Stantec (2022) 39 Sense Partners Economics Waihi North Project - Economic Impacts Sense Partners (2022)
Part A - Waihi North Project – Overarching Assessment of Environmental Effects 16 Report # Author Topic Title Reference within AEE 40 Pederson Read Lighting Waihi North Project – Assessment of Environmental Effects - Lighting Assessment Pederson Read (2022) 41 Heilig & Partners Vibration Waihi North Project - Blasting and Vibration Assessment Heilig (2022) 42 Boffa Miskell Landscape and Visual Waihi North Project - Landscape, Natural Character and Visual Effects Assessment Boffa Miskell (2022) 43 Rob Greenaway & Associates Recreation Waihi North Project - Recreation and Tourism Assessment Greenaway (2022) 44 Marshall Day Noise Waihi North Project - Assessment of Noise Effects Marshall Day (2022) 45 WSP Social Impact Waihi North Project - Social Impact Assessment WSP (2022) 46 OGNZL Climate Change, Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Management Waihi North Project - Climate Change, Energy Use and Greenhouse Gas Management OGNZL (2022a)
Part A - Waihi North Project – Overarching Assessment of Environmental Effects 17 2. OCEANAGOLD (NEW ZEALAND) LIMITED OGNZL acquired the mines and related infrastructure at Waihi from Newmont Mining in October 2015. OGNZL is a wholly owned subsidiary of OceanaGold Corporation (“OceanaGold”), a Canadian Corporation with its head office in Brisbane, Australia. OceanaGold is a publicly listed company on the Australian and Toronto stock exchanges, listed under “OGC”, and operates as a multinational gold, silver and copper producer. OceanaGold is internationally recognized as a responsible miner and a leader in sustainability that is committed to the highest standards of technical, environmental and social performance. OceanaGold has a portfolio of high-quality assets located in the Philippines (Didipio mine), the United States of America (Haile mine) and New Zealand (Waihi and Macraes mines). The gold, copper and silver produced from OceanaGold mines help power the global economy, and are essential to the renewable energy and transport sectors, life-saving medical devices and the technology that connects communities around the world. 2.1 EXPERIENCE AND EXPERTISE OceanaGold has over 30 years’ experience of exploring, developing, operating and closing mines within New Zealand. Its subsidiary OGNZL is resilient and dynamic – trusted to deliver enduring value through innovation, performance and sustainable growth. In addition to operating gold and silver mines at Waihi OGNZL: Owns and operates several exploration permits in the Otago and Waikato regions which are in various stages of evaluation for their mineral development potential; and Owns and operates the Macraes Gold Project in East Otago of the South Island which has been operating since 1989 and is new Zealand’s largest gold mine, consisting of a number of open pits and the Frasers and Golden Point Underground Mines. OGNZL undertakes progressive rehabilitation, for instance to return land to productive pasture or tussock grassland, and has protected 702 ha of land for conservation purposes as a response to residual effects to biodiversity; and Has a closed open pit mine on public conservation land near Reefton on the West Coast of the South Island, which is under rehabilitation. At that mine OGNZL has undertaken a large-scale reforestation programme covering 130 ha. The reforested areas predominantly include species native to New Zealand, such as Beech and Manuka varieties, to provide habitat for local wildlife species and enhance biodiversity outcomes. OGNZL is also supporting the Department of Conservation’s Te Maruia Waka Huia Programme which focuses on protecting and enhancing biodiversity outcomes in the Maruia Valley, including by predator control; and
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