1 Oct 2021 OceanaGold Waihi North Project – Archaeological / Heritage Assessment EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Wharekirauponga Underground Mine (WUG) • The proposed Surface Facilities Area (SFA) of the WUG mine will remove a section of the Mataura or Waihi Gold Mining Co. Water Race, which is a recorded archaeological site T13/961. • The proposed temporary Rock Stack at the SFA will remove a section of the HighLevel Walmsley Timber Tramway located above and south and west of the tunnel portal. This tramway has been recorded as T13/963 in the NZAA site record file, although it was constructed in the early 20th century. • The Willows (Waihi Co.) Timber Tramway ran along the eastern (opposite) side of the Mataura Stream in the vicinity of the proposed SFA. The Willows Timber Tramway is a recorded archaeological site T13/962, believed to have been constructed c. 1901. Based on the plans provided this site will not be affected by the proposed activity. • The ventilation shafts near the orebody are located to the south of the known heritage features associated with The Royal Standard Battery and Mining Complex T12/681 but will not affect these areas. No other archaeological or historic heritage features were identified at the proposed locations of the ventilation raise and shafts near the WUG orebody. • A number of surface drilling rigs and a camp have previously been erected at the WUG orebody around and in close proximity to T12/681. According to plans and advice by Oceana Gold these structures were positioned away from known heritage features. This area has not been inspected in detail by the author. Overall the effects on historic heritage after recommended mitigation are likely to be minor in relation to the proposed WUG. Services Trench • The northern extent of the proposed Services Trench alignment follows Willows Road from the WUG main infrastructure site to SH25. Previously the Willows Timber Tramway (T13/962) followed much of what is now Willows Road, however, there is no visible evidence of the tramline in this area, having been removed and modified by road construction. • To the north of the Processing Plant the alignment of the Services Trench intersects a small drive associated with the Silverton Gold Mining Complex T13/819 on Silverton Hill, and a drive associated with the Favona Mine T13/306. The Services Trench is unlikely to be of a scale or depth to have any impact on these deep subsurface features. • A small section of Lower Level Water Race (T13/817) will be affected and removed by the proposed alternative eastern alignment for the service trench north of the Processing Plant.
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