Waihi North Project: Assessment of Terrestrial Ecological Values & Effects 62138 WNP AEE 4 2 INTRODUCTION OceanaGold (New Zealand) Ltd (OGNZL) is proposing the Waihi North Project (WNP) to extend the life of its Waihi operation. WNP would comprise the Wharekirauponga Underground Mine (WUG), the Gladstone Open Pit (GOP), the Northern Rock Stack (NRS), Tailings Storage Facility 3 (TSF3) and upgrades to the existing Processing Plant and Water Treatment Plant. OGNZL commissioned an assessment of the terrestrial ecological values within the footprint of the GOP, NRS and TSF3 components of the WNP and surrounding area, and an associated assessment of the effects of the WNP on those values. An assessment of the terrestrial ecological values associated with the footprint of the WUG component of the WNP and an associated assessment of the effects of the WNP on those values is contained in Boffa Miskell (2022a). Similarly, a freshwater ecological assessment for Waihi North Project has also been undertaken by Boffa Miskell (2022b) The values described in this report include terrestrial vegetation, frogs, lizards, birds and long-tailed bats (Chalinolobus tuberculatus). The reported values (following EIANZ 2018 procedures) are based on desktop and database reviews, on site assessments and targeted surveys. The assessments and survey results reported herein were undertaken (by Bioresearches) between 2011 and 2020, with assessments undertaken in 2011 being revisited in 2017 and expanded over 2018 to 2020. 2.1 SITE OVERVIEW The existing environment within which the proposed activities will occur is a modified rural landscape and comprises property blocks held by OGNZL and other private landowners around the operation. There are four distinct “areas” within which the proposed activities will occur (Figure 1) called: 1. Gladstone Open Pit 2. Northern Rock Stack 3. Tailings Storage Facility and 4. Processing Plant Upgrades Vegetation within the survey area includes pastures, exotic forestry, exotic and native mixed scrub, and a range of native plantings undertaken through time by OGNZL. The Processing Plant upgrades would occur within the existing footprint and replace existing structures, such as water tanks, a pebble crusher, and semi-sutogenous grinding mill. Upgrades would not require any vegetation or habitat removal. The Processing Plant and Water Treatment Plant upgrades are therefore considered to have a negligible, if any, effect on terrestrial ecological values, and are not considered further here. The immediate landscape includes two Significant Natural Areas (SNAs) that are recognised in the Hauraki District Plan (Figure 1); SNA 165, (Ngatikoi Domain) and SNA 166 (two separate fragments Northeast of the current tailings storage facilities).
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