DRAT Response To Newmont's Draft Property Policy

Posted by Media Release: DRAT spokesperson Collette Spalding on 14/12/2011

"At first glance it appears that Newmont Waihi Gold have clearly heard the concerns raised by the Waihi community and that they may well have succeeded in formulating the basic framework for a property policy that could be the solution for some concerned residents " said Distressed Residents Action Team spokesperson Collette Spalding following Newmont Waihi Golds formal presentation of their draft property policy to a group of representatives of concerned residents on Tues.

"There is still a lot of work to be done on the finer details, boundaries, priorities, budgets and criteria but the initial response from DRAT who have been raising issues with NWG regarding their mining activities adversely impacting neighbors for the past 12 years, is that although the document is currently quite light on detail, it is certainly heading in the right direction" she said.

"Further public consultation will be held before the final policy is produced, public meetings will be held mid Jan 2012 to allow feedback from the community to be considered. It was widely agreed that the Newmont Waihi Gold team were to be congratulated for the potential for more positive future outcomes for mine impacted residents that this draft document had provided" said Collette.

"There was also agreement amongst the community groups that the final policy must apply to both currently and potentially mine impacted properties and that ongoing community consultation was necessary to ensure future issues do not remain unresolved. The intention of the property policy is to restore residential security and investment confidence in a manner that is fair and durable enough to last for as long as mining continues so DRAT welcome the opportunity NWG have provided for the community to take an active and ongoing role in the process", Collette said.

Collette Spalding

Spokesperson

Distressed Residents Action Team (DRAT)