The Golden Cross is the first large precious metals mine to
be both commissioned and closed in the modern' era in New Zealand.
This paper discusses the life cycle of the Golden Cross mine, with emphasis on
the closure process and post closure management.

The closure process has generally been very well managed,
and successful, but in spite of that some on-going issues remain unresolved.
Nearly nine years after the end of mining the mine owners are still actively
managing the site, with no immediate end to that in sight.

The site has been described as atypical, due to the
identification of a deep seated landslide below the tailings and waste rock
storage facilities. However that should not be given too much emphasis when
addressing the overall closure and post-closure management issues, which could
well apply to other existing and future mine sites in New
Zealand.

The Golden Cross can provide valuable lessons for other
miners, and the issues arising at this site should be watched closely by the
industry as a whole.