Round 20 residents occupied a drilling rig on the Coromandel Peninsula on Tuesday morning to protest renewed mining efforts within the space.
The Newcrest gold mining operation has been arrange on the aspect of Mt Karangahake, the primary rig going up on Saturday.
Protester Lucy Aitken-Reid says the rig, solely 5 minutes’ stroll from conservation land, will contaminate rivers and put wildlife in peril.
“We’re planning on stopping their work completely, and we’ll do no matter we have to do whereas they’re right here on this mountain.”
Ms Aitken-Reid says the drilling rig has been arrange on personal property close to conservation land.
The protesters delivered a letter to the corporate telling they weren’t welcome.
“The Karangahake Gorge is a valuable space,” says Ms Aitken-Reid.
“Over the previous few weeks there was renewed vigour on behalf of some totally different mining corporations. We’re simply right here to say no, that is not occurring. Transfer on.”
Native Sabine Hartmann says they’ve to guard the mountain and its “numerous ecology”.
“Mining actions on this space would have a grave impression on wildlife because it makes up an important a part of an essential ecological hall, connecting the Coromandel and Kaimai ranges.”
One other firm, New Talisman, can also be trying to mine on the mountain.
“Direct motion like this lets corporations like Newcrest know that we’ll not stand them profiteering from this sacred mountain,” says Ms Hartmann.
Newshub.