The mining industry is a global nightmare whose ugly footprint has scarred many landscapes and traumatised communities, especially where the Government of the day is happy to collude with them. This country is no exception, but we are fortunate that intergenerational resistance to transnational miners has not led to the killing of leaders, and the militarisation of communities standing up for themselves. The beautiful and mineralised ranges of the Hauraki/Coromandel have been vigorously defended by local people for more than 30 years, and still the companies continue to turn up, assuming they can expand from Waihi into the forests and explore for gold.

In the last year Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki has been busy blocking several companies, and it is inspiring to see a new generation taking non-violent direct action against drilling rigs. The biggest struggles in recent years have taken place south of the Kopu Hikuai Line, a line which creates protection of Department of Conservation (DoC) and coastal lands, and the inner waters of the Coromandel north of Thames, under Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act. South of that line, it’s open slather for foreign mining interests and a constant struggle for local communities.

North Of The Line

All is not simple north of the line either. The current Government has been fostering the mining industry and encouraging them to drill for gold in Schedule 4 land, even though theoretically they can never mine there. The companies are obviously hoping that the Government will change the boundaries of Schedule 4 if they find enough gold. However, a permit over the Coromandel Harbour has recently lapsed after a company called Seagroup Holdings (Andrew McKnight is a Director and was linked to Pike River) carried out drilling. The drilling in the sediment of the Harbour was vigorously protested by the local community, including myself. Twice we peacefully confronted the drillers out on the mudflats and everyone got pretty muddy. However it was worthwhile as the company appears to have given up. Coromandel Harbour has a layer of historic tailings mud from the earlier mining days when this toxic waste was allowed to enter the Harbour. This mud should never been disturbed, especially if we want the mussel and oysters industry to keep their reputation.

We also have some exploration licences over the northern Hauraki by some large foreign miners, namely Oceana Gold, which has taken over the Waihi Mine and is keen to expand, and Cornerstone Resources, whose activities may increase if the gold price continues to rise. Global economic changes such as the Brexit vote tend to increase the gold price which had been dropping since 2010. If the gold price rises passed $1,400 per ounce, we will be lifting our level of monitoring of the northern area. A recent full house in the Kuaotunu Hall showed a community committed to renewed vigilance.

Direct Action - Karangahake Gorge

The front line recently has been the Karangahake Gorge where Talisman Gold has continued to talk mining but, despite having a resource consent, has done virtually nothing. It has been trying to get a Chinese investor to prop it up so it can dig up the conservation land, but so far no one has given it the cash to mine. However a big transnational miner, Newcrest Mining, has been drilling on private land right in the boundary of the DoC land. Local community group Protect Karangahake has been leading the protests against drilling, supported by Coromandel Watchdog. The Newcrest Mining drill rig was shut down twice by a group of locals who walked for two hours to peacefully occupy the drilling rig. On their second action two women were arrested for trespassing. Interestingly, the court gave them diversion for first offences, but they had to pay the cost of the time lost by the mining industry. Nothing must stop the march of capitalism and if you dare to disrupt them in the public interest you will be made to pay!

Who Are These People?

The actions against Newcrest have been led by the new generation of anti-mining activists and they have maintained a 30 year tradition of non-violence and creative protest based on love of the land. I did a little research on Newcrest Mining activities around the world. It has displaced communities in Cote d'Ivoire (West Africa) and caused huge social and environmental disruption at its gold mines at Lihir (Papua New Guinea, near Bougainville). My favourite fact about it is that it has a special method of disposal of mine waste called DSTP (deep sea tailings placement). In other words dumping toxic mine waste into the ocean off islands like Lihir. Typically “scientific" and extremely cheap. Meanwhile Oceana Gold is busy offshore as well as in our area, trying to sue the El Salvador government under a free trade deal for daring to block it from polluting water. The case drags on in a so called “trade court" at great expense to a far from wealthy country.

Coromandel Watchdog continues to fight for better regional and district rules to protect our area from mining. We continue to foster local resistance to transnationals. We know we have a permanent campaign subject to the vagaries of the global gold market. We also rejoice in the next generation of leaders who have followed their parents and whānau into the fray. The campaign continues to require education and action to balance the propaganda of a wealthy and powerful industry. We continue to be relatively successful because too many people share our love for this place. We support other activists against gold mining in places such as Puhipuhi (near Whangarei), and Rotorua. Our experience is invaluable and our spirit of no compromise is essential.

Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki can be contacted at Box 396, Thames 3540, 022 1027414 watchdogcoordinator@gmail.comhttp://www.watchdog.org.nz/https://www.facebook.com/corowatchdog/