Develop Global Limited says it has been awarded a A$200 million ($132 million) underground development contract to establish access tunnels at OceanaGold’s Waihi North Project in the North Island of New Zealand.
The five-year contract at the Waihi North Project will start in the first half of 2026, with Develop using the intervening period to start mobilisation activities including establishing a local workforce which will be complemented by Develop’s in-house team of highly experienced underground mining specialists.
The news follows hot on the heels of OceanaGold confirming that the Expert Panel appointed by the New Zealand government to consider permitting of the Waihi North Project (WNP) had released a final decision approving the project.
OceanaGold is now officially permitted to develop and operate WNP, which includes the high-grade Wharekirauponga Underground mine (WUG), located around 10 km north of the company’s Waihi operation. This permit approval includes the development of WUG and the associated surface infrastructure, expansion of the current processing plant and water treatment plant and construction of a new tailings storage facility.
The OceanaGold Board, at the same time as announcing this approval, said it had approved the selection of the mining contractor for the tunnelling of the underground mine, plus the awarding of contracts for bulk earthworks at the Willows portal site and a power upgrade project.
The permit also allows an increase in the number of exploration drill pads and a doubling of the allowable drill rigs to six, which will allow the company to further accelerate both definition and conversion drilling at Wharekirauponga in 2026 and beyond.
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