Waitaia Mine (New Waitaia), Kuaotunu, Coromandel peninsula, Thames-Coromandel District, Waikato Region, New Zealandi

Regional Level Types
Waitaia Mine (New Waitaia)	- not defined -
Kuaotunu	- not defined -
Coromandel peninsula	Peninsula
Thames-Coromandel District	District
Waikato Region	Region
New Zealand	Country

Historic gold mine.

The mine is located east of Bald Hill, on the western slope of the main Waitaia Range, south-west of the trig station, 2 kilometres south of Kuaotunu. As such it is located on different reefs to the Try Fluke Lode on Bald Hill to the west.

The reefs trend north-south over the claim at 107 acres. The principal vein was called No. 3, which followed a serpentine course north-east, dipping irregularly 72 degrees east in the northern portion, and 75 degrees west in the southern portion. The reef was lenticular, up to 10 feet wide, but averaged 12-15 inches. The second most important vein on the lease was called No. 5.

The reefs consisted of white crystalline quartz, with bands or patches of bluish-grey quartz containing abundant pyrite, and minor arsenopyrite, galena, and sphalerite. Gold-silver was found in electrum, associated with the pyrite. Vein fillings was conglomerate as a fissure breccia of angular and rounded wall rock cemented by minor silica, and generally barren or very low grade in gold.

The No. 3 vein was rich in gold with some barren conglomerate patches. Pockets of specimen stone was found. A fault at the southern end displaces the reef 16 feet, and limits the extent of the ore shoot. The No. 5 vein was east of and parallel to the No. 3 vein, dipping at high angles east, and 15 inches wide in the upper levels, consisting of limonite stained quartz.

A poorly arranged battery with cyanide plant was in the valley below the mine. It is assumed this was what locals called The Quarry, described as visited in the 1970's, still showing some machinery and tailings. An adit is said to be nearby but in a dangerous condition, and should not be entered. The main drive was thought to be further east on private property.

Activity on the lease began shortly after gold was discovered in the area in 1889. Crushings were found across the entire period from 1890 to 1913, but in spurts, with periods of relative silence. For the year 1891, the mine produced 70 tonnes of ore for 127 ounces of gold, far behind the largest producer, the Try Fluke Mine, with over 7000 ounces for the year, although the Waitaia outlasted many of the mines on the list for 1891.

The mine was sold to a company, named the Waitaia Gold Mining Company, based in Edinburgh in 1896, although subsequent reporting state the company was based in Glasgow, both Scotland. The mine manager is W.H. Churton.

In 1901, the Irene claim battery was leased. It is reported in 1908, the mine had been closed for two years. At this time it was purchased by a local syndicate and re-named the New Waitaia. The mine manager is C.H. Bennett.

Mining ceased in 1915, high costs and a shortage of labour blamed during the War years. Prospecting began again in 1919, although it appears little came of it. In 1921, the mine was purchased by Henry Hopper Adams and E. Bond. The mine manager is R. Inglis. Prospectors are employed to explore the old mine. Stone was found with big dabs of gold they claim. The mine may have been the preserve of the lone prospector after this but no more was found.

The Mindat co-ordinates are approximate.

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

References