Protest Disrupts Newmont Exploration Near Thames

Posted by on 28/11/2011

A group of residents and members of anti-mining group Coromandel Watchdog staged a protest to highlight and try to block Newmont Waihi Gold activities on forestry and conservation land in the Kauaeranga Valley near Thames today.

 

“We have discovered that Newmont is carrying out geophysical surveys with a view to mining in the Kauaeranga Valley,” says Coromandel Watchdog co-ordinator Renee Annan. “The Kauaeranga Valley is a highly valued recreational area with over 80,000 people visiting each summer, many heading up to the world famous Pinnacles.”

 

Newmont staff were prevented from entering an area where they've been carrying out ground resistivity tests which may be able to identify gold deposits.

 

Faced with the protest the Newmont workers left the area with the residents and anti mining group escorting them from the valley. The protesters were carrying 'No Mining' banners and say that former Green's co-leader Jeanette Fitsimmons and Coromandel Green MP Catherine Delahunty, who both live near to the land covered by the exploration permit supported their action.

 

“We know that Newmont and other mining companies have applications or existing permits to explore a large part of the northern Coromandel, and part of this is in Schedule Four land, “ Ms Annan says.

 

“The public needs to know that the mining companies are still intent on mining Schedule Four land and that despite the victory in 2010, exploration activities cannot be legally stopped on this land. That is why we are taking non-violent direct action.Today's peaceful protest is just the first of many unless Newmont leave our area.”

 

“Exploration is a huge risk because once a gold deposit is identified, particularly with the current price of gold, the mining company will continue to attempt to expand under or around the conservation estate.”

 

Ms Annan says that local residents are determined to protect Coromandel from any more mining and are very concerned about the toxic legacy recently identified in a subdivision in Thames.

 

“We have enough issues to deal with from historical mining, the last thing we need is Newmont expanding out of Waihi into our precious conservation places.” Photos: Sylvie Boutelje-Chasteau