Thousands enjoy Martha mine visit

By Anna Bowden
Christopher Hird hunted for treasure at Waihi's Martha Mine yesterday - but despite being surrounded by gold, he was looking for amethyst.
The Waihi Beach man was one of thousands of people from across the North Island to visit the mine's sixth - and last - open day. Some were panning for gold, fossicking in the rocks or even driving machinery.
But the Bay of Plenty Times found Mr Hird digging halfway down the one kilometre haul road on the hunt for amethyst.
"I heal with it," he explained. "We've got to remember that a long time ago everything was volcanic, it has energy." He said he used the healing power of the crystal to help people with emotional disturbances.
Yesterday was the last opportunity for people to visit Martha Mine before pit operations stop this year, marking the end of another chapter in its 125-year history.
One of only two hard rock gold mines in the country, the Martha Mine is quite simply enormous.
The pit was the obvious expanse, but the size of the wheels on the 150-tonne dump truck and the $1 million-a-week revenue meant it was huge.
Attractions included climbing up to the cab of a mining truck, watching mining equipment at work, a rescue, and an exploration drill rig display.
For event organiser Kit Wilson, the turnout was the biggest thing.
"We don't know how many people we've had through so far, but with three hours to go I would estimate we've already far surpassed last year's 4000 people.
"From the mine's point of view, you've got to be working with the community. We just couldn't do it without the help of the community."
The 400ha mining area licence expires in 2017 - leaving workers a decade to rehabilitate the land for its eventual transfer to a charitable trust.
On completion of mining, the open pit will be re-developed into a lake with adjacent parklands.
Now the Waihi Community Vision, formed in 2003, has developed a year 2020 plan for the future of the area including sport and action, social development and creative focuses.
Proceeds from yesterday's open day went to Waihi Fire Brigade and other community projects.