PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Dual-listed gold miner OceanaGold has been granted a mining permit for Wharekirauponga (WKP) in New Zealand, granting the company exclusive right to the WKP mineral resource.
“Receipt of the mining permit is an important step in the permitting phase for WKP. As part of the greater Waihi district study, the WKP deposit is expected to deliver significant value for shareholders,” said OceanaGold president and CEO Michael Holmes.
WKP currently has an indicated resource of 421 000 oz of gold at 13.4 g/t gold and an inferred resource of 717 000 oz at 12 g/t gold, with OceanaGold expected to continue drilling the resource over the next several years to advance the project through its life cycle.
“We are assessing the option of WKP as a state-of-the-art underground mining operation. The Waihi district has the potential to extend the Waihi’s mine life to 2036 and beyond while providing meaningful socioeconomic benefits for stakeholders,” said Holmes.
“WKP is part of an exciting development plan under way in New Zealand and we look forward to working in partnership with government and local communities to advance our projects in the Waihi district and contribute to the post-Covid economic recovery.”
First underground production from WKP is currently estimated in 2026, with processing taking place at the existing Waihi plant. The WKP resource is currently expected to produce some 190 000 oz to 230 000 oz annually.