Mining | Who's Who Introduction | Leading Mines

Gold was first discovered near Dunedin on the South Island of New Zealand in 1861. A steady output of 15 tonnes (0.48 m oz) from placer deposits was maintained annually until 1870, but has not been equalled since. However, placer mining, mainly with dredges in the rivers of the west coast of the South Island and in Otago in the east, still produces over one tonne (32,000 oz) annually. Considerable exploration for additional placer deposits continues. Production increased substantially during the 1990s with the development of Macraes, a cluster of open pits near Dunedin on the South Island which yielded 5.3 tonnes (0.17 m oz) in 2001. Gold output also grew at the Martha underground quartz mine at Waihi on the North Island during 2001 to reach 3.5 tonnes (0.1 m oz). GFMS estimate that overall production in 2001 was close to 10 tonnes (0.32 m oz). The Reefton gold field on the South Island, where mining took place from the 1880s until 1951, is now being developed by Gold & Resource Developments, which operates Macraes. The project remains on track for the commencement of major construction activities in September 2002, and gold production in the 4th Quarter 2003. Although environmental pressures on mining are strong in New Zealand, the Crown Minerals division of the Ministry of Economic Development is actively promoting mineral exploration and development.