| 45 REGIONAL Oceana Gold Waihi • Mining and Quarry Services • Industrial Services • Commercial Services • Residential Services • Rural Services. Proud to support OceanaGold Waihi 07 823 5944 | bros@crgroup.co.nz | www.candrconstructionltd.com A reliable partner for your mining and civil projects - NZ wide Specialists in: QUARRYING & MINING DEVELOPMENT SUBDIVISIONS & STRUCTURAL FILL ENVIRONMENTAL PROJECTS CRUSHING & SCREENING MAJOR ROADING EARTHWORKS Waihi North Project gets underway The pre-dawn blessing and dedication of the Wharekirauponga underground mine, part of the Waihi North Project. Oceana Gold staff, contractors and invited guests joined Company President and CEO Gerard Bond in May at a pre-dawn blessing and dedication of the Wharekirauponga underground mine, part of the Waihi North Project. Standing at the portal, Bond said that the Waihi North Project is a key part of OceanaGold’s operations. “This project was approved in December 2025 through the Fast-track pathway, with construction already now well underway. “As you can see, tunnelling has started. We said we were ‘shovel ready’ and today we are demonstrating that.” “Waihi North shows that Fast-track can work as intended, allowing well designed, environmentally responsible projects to cut through unnecessarily complex regulatory processes, while maintaining the high environmental standards expected of projects of this size and complexity.” At the blessing and dedication Bond thanked OceanaGold staff, contractors and industry partners “who have worked tirelessly to get us to this point”. “This project is significant to OceanaGold. It’s our largest, most meaningful, most significant capital investment of scale. Once producing, the Wharekirauponga Underground mine will generate over NZ$7 billion of export revenue for New Zealand (estimated at current gold prices). The company plans to invest approximately NZ$1 billion in the project with about 80% of this expenditure expected to be spent in New Zealand, including over 30% of that within the Hauraki District. The project will support an average of 859 jobs per year (direct, indirect and induced); with the average wage exceeding $140,000 per annum, and each direct job supporting nearly three additional jobs across New Zealand. Bond says these are not “abstract figures”. “They translate into high‑value employment, local businesses winning contracts, school enrolments, and families putting down roots.” “Our people are living, paying bills and spending money in New Zealand. Nearly a quarter of our workforce in Waihi went to Waihi College and almost 80% live locally.” OceanaGold operates mines in New Zealand, the Philippines and the United States. The Waihi North Project is the largest organic growth project in the Company’s portfolio and has the potential to extend to beyond 2040. An integral part of the project is the commitment to a biodiversity net gain. OceanaGold spokesperson Alison Paul says that the project has been designed to have the smallest possible footprint in the Forest Park. “We have a 35-year track record of responsible environmental management in New Zealand. The closure of our Reefton gold mine is a good example of how mine sites can be rehabilitated with greater ecological and social benefits than the site previously had.” “At Waihi North we will require four vent shafts. These will be constructed ‘bottom up’ to minimise any surface disturbance and all construction equipment and infrastructure will be flown in by helicopter. “At the end of the mine’s life, the vent shafts will be backfilled and the surface area replanted and restored.” Paul says that 942,000 native plants have been planted over the life of the current operation at Waihi, with pest control undertaken around active sites. “The Waihi North Project will include 632 hectares of intensive pest control above the underground mine as well as 65ha of native planting and $25,000 a year contributed to the Native Frog Research Fund. In total we plan to contribute $8m towards the Waihi North Biodiversity Project, all of which will support our stated aim of ensuring a biodiversity net gain from our mining operations.”
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