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Kōrero: Mining and underground resources

Martha Hill mine

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Martha Hill mine

Martha Hill is an opencast pit at Waihī. Gold and silver occur in narrow quartz veins, cutting across altered volcanic rocks. The ore is blasted, removed in dump trucks, and processed to remove the metals. The steps cut into the side of the pit (called benching) keep the walls stable and allow access to different levels.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

Te Ara - The Encyclopedia of New Zealand

by Jock Phillips

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Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Simon Nathan, Mining and underground resources – The mining industry, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/9227/martha-hill-mine (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Simon Nathan, i tāngia i te 2 March 2009.