Newmont Waihi Gold Trio Mine Being Inspected

MEDIA RELEASE

17 July 2012

Newmont Waihi Gold Trio Mine

Three inspectors from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment’s High Hazards Unit are at the mine to ensure any work being undertaken is done so safely.

“The focus now must be on the safety of those doing any work around extinguishing or containing the fire,” says the General Manager of the unit, Brett Murray.

“It is important to note that this is not a coal mine. It is a hard rock mine and the explosive risk, other than from the burning vehicle itself, is almost non-existent.

“The High Hazards Unit inspectors are there to ensure safety is the paramount consideration in any actions taken at the mine, but are not driving or leading any of the activity.

“The High Hazards Unit will investigate the incident.

“Our inspectors last visited the mine in February and did not identify any issues with its operations. Coincidentally, the inspectors were due to carry out an audit on the mine’s operations tomorrow. This was a scheduled audit following up on the recommendations of the independent audit carried out shortly after the Pike River mine explosion. ” Mr Murray says.

ENDS

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