Coastal sand mining
Sand mining (extraction) has occurred in several places in the Waikato Region. The amount of sand being mined has decreased in recent decades.
Where is sand being mined?
Sand extraction has occurred at several coastal locations in the past. Most of these operations have now stopped. The only remaining sand mining in the Region is the ironsand mining at Taharoa, south of Kawhia Harbour and at Maioro, near Port Waikato.
What does the sand mining do?
Sand mining can affect the sand reserves in beaches and dunes. This can reduce the buffering capacity of beach systems to storms. Not all sand mining permanently removes sand. At Taharoa, sand is processed to remove the iron ore, then returned to the coastal system.
Sand mining can also destroy historic and cultural sites such as midden and urupa.
Want to know more?
Find out about the impacts of mining and management at Whiritoa Beach.