This opencast pit was excavated to mine for alluvial gold,( and the lake today.) Ross.1990s.

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DescriptionThis opencast pit on the edge of Ross township was excavated to mine for alluvial gold in the late 1990s. Houses can be seen at the top of the image. After being abandoned in 2002 it gradually filled with water, and is now a lake.

2nd photo by Kevin Gwatkin

Opencast pit, Ross. Nathan, Simon, 1943-: Photographs of the Kermadec Islands, Antarctica, Inangahua, Mount Ngauruhoe, and various New Zealand locations. Ref: PADL-002251. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/45620779PhotographerSimon NathanDate of PhotoLate 1990`sMap^[1]External LinkNational LibraryContributorHeather Newby

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Location (city or town)RossLandmark (Place)Ross opencast pitOrganisation (eg business)Ross GoldmineEventThis opencast pit was excavated to mine for alluvial gold, Ross.1990s.

Category Information

Category TagGoldmining

From Facebook

Date Created8th May 2022CommentsTrevor Taylor
Never knew it was that deep ... makes you wonder how stable the side are near the houses.

Heather Newby
Author
Admin
Trevor Taylor thats what i thought too

Jack Devine
Trevor Taylor I helped dig it.. that is very tight ground, not unstable. It was also not abandoned, being partially back filled, and is now a nice lake
Reply3h

Warren Thomson
I recall in the 1940-50s it was the local rubbish dump, tipping into the end of the water filled pit just off the road leading to the lime works. Just past the recreation ground on right hand side.` Old cottage on left hand side opposite. As kids we used to pick over the rubbish.

Bob Laing
I can remember the area in the early 1950s. Dump and all.

Garry Wick
What a scar .

Roger Campbell
Garry Wick I guess you are a Green supporter.

Terry Harding
I don't know where you live Mr Wick but before making such a comment you should go to Ross and see what is there now. The reporting is incorrect in that the site was not abandoned but finished. A large amount of remedial work was then done and the place looks nothing at all like this now. I'm sure someone has photos of the lake as it now is.

Jeanette Hall
I think they try and keep water at approximately 29 meters now, was filled in a bit

Jack Devine
Dump was moved for mine. Probably reburied when ground was being back filledMarilyn Paterson
It’s a beautiful area now.

Matthew Jellie
Ferguson’s gold mind. Know it well. All the tourist you to stop and have a look, I did the same lol.

Graham Mahy
Marie Gill I can see your house
Heather Reid
Thought they had to put back nice

Malcolm Mason
It creates a lot of employment for this area

Italina Sowman
Like to,see what it looks like now pretty awful in the photo Chris Warren
Dean Raymond Thomas

Brian Gus Heveldt
Could someone please attach a Photo Of the present Mine Site area as it is today with this Facebook Photo Of The Mine Site in the 1990,s.Then all the Do Gooders that are against Mining can get back on their High Horses.
The Birchfields created many Jobs over the years at the Mine and we need more people like them.

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This opencast pit was excavated to mine for alluvial gold,( and the lake today.) Ross.1990s.