NZ Mine Plans
"NZ Mine Plans is a purpose-built database with an interactive GIS webmap. It provides free access to a catalogue of plans for recent and historic mines in New Zealand."
Yes they are free! And the resolution of the downloadable plans are significant! Not all the plans have as yet been digitised but there are instructions about how copies can be obtained.
A 'user guide' is available.
How the site works?
I searched with 'Thames' and received many hits for the wider area. Understandably many of them were for the Martha Mine at Waihi.
I selected the 'Bendigo Mine' at Thames. Looked at the preview, then selected to download the file. At this stage I was asked for my email address - which I submitted. Immediately I received a verification code, that I entered and the file began downloading.
The plans cover not just the Bendigo Mine, but adjacent ones and their workings. Drives, reefs, adits, crosscuts, different levels are also included.
I am sure you will not be lost for plans to look at, and hopefully for those of us less familiar with the mine location details, it will help us come to terms with what was happening at The Thames, which included a lot more than just a name on a map!
Using the interactive Map
An easier way to check out the plans is to use the map, zoom into to the Thames area and then select the mine of choice. In the example above I selected the Cambria Mine. If nothing else this feature allows you to explore the locations of several Thames mines.
Other Resources:
Remember also to go back and visit some of the previous sites we have looked at, as they are updated from time to time.
- Heritage maps available from Auckland Council Libraries Kura website. Use the advanced search option to select historical maps and the area you want to search "Thames"
- Heritage maps available via the Auckland Libraries Heritage Images site
- Digital NZ is an easy way to search across many resource providers. Here are the results for the terms "Thames Maps"
