62 Boffa Miskell Ltd | Waihi North Project| Landscape and Visual Effects | 10.1 Site Appraisal The existing form of tailings storage facilities has been integrated along a more elevated backdrop which contains the locations from which views of these elements remain available. The proposed TSF3 occupies part of a working rural landscape which continues along the toe of the larger undulating landform rising to the north and east (see Figure 17). In this regard, the proposed form of TSF3 continues along the southern aspect of a more elevated adjoining landform and adjoins an existing elevated tailings storage facility which primarily limits views to southern and eastern areas and some adjoining elevated rural land to the north. The majority of the area where TSF3 is proposed is currently farmed with linear shelter belts and farm tracks along field boundaries, consistent with rural land use patterns. In closer proximity to the site, vegetation including native vegetation and scattered wilding pine is also encountered along the northern edge of the proposed TSF3 footprint, including vegetation identified within SNA T13UP166. Tributaries of the Ruahorehore Stream also flow through this area and have typically been channelized in response to rural land use to form linear drains along field boundaries. The surrounding landscape maintains a productive rural character serviced by dispersed farm buildings and dwellings. Views along roads remain primarily rural and encompass a mix of open and enclosed paddocks observed through and between roadside shelterbelts. Transient views from Trig Road North, Waihi Beach Road, State Highway 2 and Trig Road South are typical of this established rural character and extend through the primary production lowlands from the south-east edge of Waihi. 10.1.1 Zoning The proposed area accommodating TSF3 extends beyond the Martha Mineral Zone into the Rural zone (see Figure 5). 10.2 Proposed Development 10.2.1 TSF3 TSF3 is a downstream earth and rockfill embankment structure, like TSF1A and 2, and forms an impoundment to store the discharged slurry tailings pumped from the Processing Plant. The proposed crest height for the embankment is 155 masl, forming a 46 m high embankment above the existing ground. The total footprint of TSF3, including the extent of the stockpile and uphill diversion drain, is approximately 115 ha. Of this area 20 ha is already part of the existing footprint of Storage 1A and Eastern Stockpile. The new footprint is therefore 95 ha. The base of TSF3 is located at an elevation of approximately 109 masl. The proposed embankment against which tailings are contained is proposed to be progressively raised in stages, reaching successive elevations of 135 masl, 145 masl and a final crest height of 155 masl. Each stage will occur over a period of approximately one or two years and progressively increase the capacity of tailings storage creating an enclosed basin formed against the existing tailings facilities and adjoining the more elevated landforms to the north and east over a period of approximately 5 years. Staging of the various elements of the WNP is highly dependent upon the material balance and maintaining adequate tailings storage capacity over time between the various aspects of the project. As such, TSF3 capacity will be built progressively ahead of the requirement to store tailings generated in the processing of ore. In parallel, excess rock will be stored at Willows Road Rock Stack and the NRS, for eventual return underground for backfilling of mining stopes or construction of the TSF3 embankment.
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