Gold prices continue to rise, and mining companies are coming to our area wanting to extract it. They aim to mine in and under the forests and mountains – and, as seen in Waihī, even beneath our homes.
Most locals and visitors want to protect freshwater, forests, and communities long-term, not be left with toxic waste dumps. While we have protected areas north of Kopu/Hikuai from open cast mining with the Schedule 4 ban for 20 years, mining companies are again moving in to explore our area, supported by the Government.
Ōhinemuri river polluted by old Comstock Mine leachate, Aug 2024.
Photograph courtesy of Coromandel Watchdog
WHO WHEN WHERE WHAT?
Government Betrays the Environment
The current Government loves toxic mining and has no interest in protecting the environment or communities. They have changed laws to promote mining and made it easier to do, with no proper court process for hapū, iwi and the public.
Pepeketua (Archey’s Frog) under threat. Photography by Ian Preece
The Fast-track law is being applied to a huge new mine project – Waihi North Project (mine expansion at Waihi with a new mine in Conservation land behind Whangamatā). Underground blasting under rare species, water impacts and more toxic waste dumps are our main concerns. Check out our submission at www.watchdog.org.nz
RISKS AND THREATS FROM GOLD MINING
Hard rock gold mining is toxic for generations. Last year a tiny spill from an old mine turned the Ōhinemuri River orange and added arsenic into the food chain. Mining waste mountains full of cyanide and heavy metals will be the greatest threat to future generations and Tīkapa Moana (Hauraki Gulf). Miners and Government ignore the economic costs, water risks in a climate crisis, and threats to the 200 million year old frog species.
Hauraki/Coromandel is too precious to mine and there’s enough gold above ground for all our needs.
Who are the mining companies and where are they looking?
As gold prices skyrocket and our Government promotes mining, new foreign companies have exploration permits covering almost the entire Southern Coromandel Range, and several permits above the SH25 line where open cast mining is banned. We are working to block their activities and underground mining plans. We need support from visitors and bach owners who also love this place! These companies are here to make huge profits and leave us with the long-term costs.
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