New Threats to the Coromandel – Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki

Coromandel Watchdog hosted 3 meetings around the peninsula last month to discuss the newest mining threats to our communities.

Co-ordinator Renee Annan spoke alongside Green MP Catherine Delahunty regarding the large number of permits granted over land in the Coromandel.

There are exploration/prospecting permits granted over all of Southern Coromandel including behind Onemana, Opoutere and conservation land behind Whangamata.

Permits have also been granted in the Kauaeranga Valley, the Firth of Thames and a very large area stretching from Kauotunu to almost Tairua.

“Despite the public rejection of mining on the Schedule 4 land in 2010 the mining industry is getting very positive signals from the Government and exploring all over the Coromandel” said Ms Annan. “We are very concerned that they will identify potential mining areas and start lobbying to undermine the large scale mining ban on the Peninsula. We have worked for 30 years to achieve a level of protection for our magnificent forest and vulnerable coastal areas and now because of the high price of gold our communities face a repeat of the 1980’s.”

“This is a real threat to the future of the Hauraki/Coromandel area and the protections that the Schedule 4 status has provided for our very special environment. Local communities need to know how to participate in legal challenges and non violent protest because Coromandel is too precious to mine,” Ms Annan said.

Coromandel Watchdog is encouraging reinvigorating local groups and activity. To get involved visit www.watchdog.org.nz/join-us/ or contact Renee on 0220181764.