Gallery
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Waihi Visitor Centre
The Waihi Visitor Centre situated immediately across the road from the Martha Mine pit. Come in and see them. They have amazing local knowledge and the Waihi Gold Story is downstairs. An excellent area for children and adults alike.
Welcome Aboard
You are welcomed on board our air conditioned tour van and presented with your hi-viz (high visibility) vest and safety helmet ready for your gold mine experience.
The Martha Pit
An aerial view of the Martha Pit showing the extent of the pit and the close proximity to the township.
Cornish Pumphouse
This 1840 ton Pumphouse was moved to its current location in 2006 and now stands proud on the Martha Mine pit rim. From 1904 it was used to dewater the underground mines.
Quartz Rock
Tour guide showing tour participants the quartz rock from which the gold and silver in Waihi is extracted.
Tour Group
Tour guide addressing the tour group before heading up to the Western viewing platform at Martha Pit.
Group Photo
At the western end of the Martha Pit. A tour group poses for a tour photo with their guide.
Caterpillar Dump Truck
A young visitor sizing up the 777D Dump Truck at the Martha Pit Rim.
View from the pit rim
A tour group on site at the northern wall looking down into the Martha Mine pit.
Eastern Wall
The view from the Martha Pit featuring the crushing plant in the foreground on the eastern wall. In the background you can see where you will be heading further on the tour up the hill, following the conveyor belt up to the processing plant and waste rock embankment.
Tour Guide on site
Our tour guides are trained to present the mining process from start to finish. You will get an informed and interesting commentary as you travel around the mine site.
On site - Waihi Gold Mine
The tour takes you behind the scenes of a working gold mine, normally inaccessible to the public.
Tour Participants
Children decked out and ready to tour the mine site after their safety briefing.
At the Mill
Tour guide and tour party at the process mill having the grinding process explained.
At the Mill
The tour van has its own area at the mill and this allows our visitors to get up close and personal.
Processing Plant
A tour group with their Tour Guide out at the processing plant, with the children testing their strength by passing around a 7kg steel ball from the mill.
Processing Plant
When the tour heads out to the processing plant, your Guide will explain the processing involved in retrieving the gold and silver from the quartz rock.
Processing Plant
Tour group and guide out at the Newmont processing plant having the extraction process explained.
Dump Truck Lineup
A line-up of 777C Caterpillar Trucks out at the waste rock embankment load out station.
Conveyer Belt
The end of the 2.7km conveyor belt at the waste rock embankment.
Truck Park
Truck park at waste rock embankment. You need a ladder to get into the cab.
From the Mine
Waihi Gold and Silver.
Blasting
Blasting time in the pit. Newmont generally let us know when a blast is to take place in the Pit.
Waihi's Gold Story
A must do while in Waihi is to visit the Waihi Gold Story found downstairs in the Waihi Visitor Centre. An excellent exhibit and a bonus is the free entry.