Residents Discuss Mine Expansion Concerns

Posted by Gold FM on 28/09/2011

About thirty Waihi residents attended a meeting last night organised by DRAT to discuss their issues related to the proposed mining expansion plans by Newmont Waihi Gold.

The meeting at the Waihi Memorial Hall Supper Room was chaired by Collette Spalding who gave the people attending an update on where things stand at the moment.

Property value was the hottest topic and it was plain to see that some home owners are stressed about what could happen to their investment in their property if Newmont is granted consent to proceed with under ground mining beneath the East End.

People spoke about the effects they're already experiencing from the Favona mine and expressed their frustration with the process so far.

One man we talked with said he doesn't know what to think at the moment, all he knows is that it's causing him a lot of concern because his property is already showing damage from the present mining operation, but he hasn't been able to convince any mine representatives that the likely cause is the mining. He said when his property was checked the response from the inspectors was that it had been a particularly dry summer which had probably caused the damage.

He is also disappointed that he isn't receiving any information from Newmont or the Hauraki District Council because he thinks they don't consider his property will be affected, whereas he believes it will be.

We asked him whether he wanted the mine to purchase his property and he said "yes, and for a good price". When we asked where he would go if his property was bought he said he didn't know whether he would move from Waihi or what he would do.

Another gentleman said "this is our town, we can do what we want, they can't tell us what to do".

More meetings are planned so that progress and information can be shared.