A Peer Review Panel for the Golden Cross Mine in the upperWaitekauri Valley, Coromandel was initiated in
December 1989, before mining, as a requirement of the conditions of the Mining
Licence and Water Rights.
The panel's function is as a technical audit and advisory team -
to provide independent technical review of design, construction, and execution
of mining operations, slope remediation works, and reclamation/mine closure activities.
The primary role of the panel is to act in the public interest by providing
assurance to regulating authorities that the design and application of on-site
mining operations accords with 'good industry practice'. Panellists are not
involved in design nor as advisers, although until 1997 when explicit terms of
reference were written, the panellists were a sounding board for some
operational proposals. The panel functions to ensure that best mining industry
technical standards are met. The costs of the peer review process are met by the
mining company. Review of mining operations includes environmental matters such
as land rehabilitation and water quality. The focus of this paper is on the
process of peer review for environmental management factors rather than for
structural and mine engineering.