Waihi Martha Mine Pit Rim Walkway

Waihi Pit Rim Walkway

Description

Waihi gold mine (1)

Waihi mine is New Zealand's heart of gold... As you explore the town you'll find evidence of our golden past at every turn. At the top of town are the towering figures of the relocated Cornish Pumphouse and replica Poppet head. Then, as you wander down Seddon Street (named after our famous Prime Minister)you'll find bronze statues, restored historic buildings and interesting displays depicting our heritage.

Only metres from the centre of town, you can walk right to the edge of Waihi's huge open pit gold mine. The Pit Rim Walkway leads from the town centre to viewing platforms, which offer stunning views of both the pit and the surrounding countryside.

The Mine has a history that spans three centuries. John McCombie and Robert Lee first discovered gold on Pukewa (Martha Hill) in 1878. Martha Mine quickly became one of the most important gold mines in the world. By 1952, when the mighty Martha Mine closed, 174,160kg of gold and 1,193,180kg of silver had been extracted.

The deepest vertical shaft plunged 600m from the surface. Radiating from the seven vertical shafts, a 175km long network of tunnels was opened on 15 horizontal levels. About 600 men usually worked the mine but in 1909, when gold production peaked, 1500 people worked between the mine and its stamper battery at Waikino.

Following the resurgence of the gold mining industry in New Zealand in the late 1970s the new Martha project was the first major hard rock mining operation to be commissioned. Opening in 1987, the open pit was extended in 1997 and an underground operation on the outskirts of town also began operation in 2006.

Martha Mine 2

Martha Mine in Waihi, New Zealand. A look at this huge gold mine right in the middle of town. A mountain bike/walking track goes all the way round the rim.
Check out the view from above on Google Earth.
When they stop gold mining here, it is going to be made into a recreational lake.
It will take 6 years to fill up!!!!
See Martha Mine 1 for a different view.

The Nugget MultiSport Festival Waihi

The Maurice Trapp Group
NUGGET MULTISPORT FESTIVAL
Saturday 11th May 2019

Come and discover gold at The Nugget Multisport Festival, Waihi and Waihi Beach.

You'll take an unforgettable adventure from Waihi's charming town centre out to the spectacular harbour and coast at Waihi Beach, before returning to Waihi via breathtaking trails to the rim of the mighty Martha Gold Mine and our iconic finish line under the shadow of the Cornish Pumphouse.
Along the way you'll ride through quiet country roads, paddle the beautiful harbour and run along remote rocky coastlines and clifftops to hidden beaches. After 'the hill' you'll mountain bike through rolling farmland and stunning single-track before your final run inside the mighty Martha Mine open pit.

There's the Full Nugget MultiSport Race, Half Nugget Duathlon, 24km Trail Run and the 12km or 6km off-road Run/Walk events, so we really do have something for everyone!
Combine all this with the carnival atmosphere at the magnificent finishing arena under the Cornish Pumphouse and you're set for an awesome weekend.

Run Waihi with Osmo

Location: Waihi, New Zealand
Date: May 2019
Camera: DJI Osmo
Music: Broke For Free 01. As Colorful As Ever.
Context: Trialing the Osmo while running.