More than 80 people marched in protest today at mining in the Karangahake Gorge, highlighting concern their drinking water could become contaminated.
The gathering marched to the Hauraki District Council offices, voicing concern at New Talisman Gold Mines Ltd being given the green light to re-open mines in the Karangahake mountain.
An affidavit was provided to the council from a retired Professor of Chemistry from Waikato University referred to the risk of heavy metals leaching into the Waitawheta and Ohinemuri rivers.
Local group Protect Karangahake organised the protest after they found out that a representative from New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals, the government department who issued New Talisman the Mining Permit, was coming to talk to Hauraki District Council about New Talisman's mining activities.
These activities include the mining permit under which they plan to start work this year in the high value conservation land in the Karangahake Gorge and also the extension of their mining permit over Rahu Ridge, a further 390 hectares, which is predominantly private property.
Protect Karangahake member Sabine Hartmann said: "We want to make sure New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals knows our opposition to mining in the Karangahake area and to remind Hauraki District Council that we are not happy about the lack of consultation. We do not want to see Karangahake's wonderful recreation opportunities or rivers ruined."
"The resource consent granted by HDC is just the thin end of the wedge of New Talisman's mining plans for the area. New Talisman have announced on their website that they plan to start 'small-scale mining' this year with a plan to move into fuller production, and that they always saw Rahu Ridge as a natural extension of their mine in the Karangahake Gorge. We do not want to become the next Waihi."
New Talisman is expected to start its "small -scale mining" operations on December 13.
The Protect Karangahake group was planning a picnic and protest on the access way to the mine on December 13 and is asking people interested in helping save Karangahake to visit their website www.protectkarangahake.org.nz for more details and to make donations.