The Wainui Mill was conceived as a 60 - 90 t/d central mill to process gold ores of the Thames area of New Zealand from small mines in the district. The ores of the region exhibit various degrees of refractory response to conventional cyanidation leach due to the fineness of the gold, and association with pyrite._x000D_
The alternative circuits involving cyanidation, flotation, and possible small-scale smelting are examined._x000D_
The environmental impacts have been audited by the Commission for the Environment and were found to be acceptable.