Karangahake, Hauraki District, Waikato Region, New Zealandi

Regional Level Types
Karangahake	- not defined -
Hauraki District	District
Waikato Region	Region
New Zealand	Country

In 1875, the area was thrown open to gold mining after the land had been purchased from the local Maori tribe. Karangahake was a known gold location, having been discovered by prospectors previously who had entered the off limits region. There was a stampede on the day, but the prospectors found little joy, with gold hidden in deep quartz veins.

London and Auckland based mining companies took over in the late 1880's, but struggled with the refractory nature of the ore until the cyanide process was introduced in the 1890's. Claims were gradually consolidated until the Talisman Company came to dominate the field in the early 19th Century. This company was wound up in 1920. Some minor mining took place in the Talisman Mine in the 1920's and 1930's.

Modern exploration began in 1980, with the Mystery vein discovered in the late 1980's, and some rich patches missed by the old timers, in otherwise low grade ore. Progress has been glacial, with two test batches of ore extracted 2015-2018. The area is a conservation reserve, protecting subjectively outstanding natural beauty, and a number of mining relics. Mining is the area is likely to generate strong protests.

The Waitawheta Windows Walk starts from the car-park along the main highway, and traverses the Waitawhena Gorge, a side tributary off the Ohinemuri River. There are swing bridges, tunnels, and trails cut into the sides of cliffs. Also seen on the walk are the impressive ruins of the Talisman, Crown, and Woodstock batteries, two adits which can be entered, including one containing an underground pumphouse and ore carts, as well as numerous other relics along the walkway. The Victoria battery ruins connected to the Waihi Mine, is further up the Ohinemuri Valley at Waikino, and can be accessed from the highway, or a cycle trail along the river.
950,000 oz gold. Maria and Welcome/Crown veins.

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References