Community prepared to protect mountain however necessary

Sunday 15th May 11.30AM

Local conservation group Protect Karangahake has shut down Newcrest's gold exploration drilling rig on the side of Mt Karangahake just metres from conservation land.

The group arrived on site at 11am this morning and the drill rig was promptly turned off.

Protect Karangahake's Chairperson Duncan Shearer said the group is committed to protecting the mountain however necessary.

"Yesterday we were out pulling weeds, as we do every month, on the eastern slopes of our mountain and today we are on the other side protecting it from another invasive species, mining corporations."

"Karangahake is a precious ecological corridor and a visitor hot spot. Each year locals and tens of thousands of visitors come here to enjoy the regenerating native flora and fauna. And we think that is worth protecting," continued Shearer.

Shearer said the growing tourist industry would sustain the local community and economy much better long term than mining, which is a boom and bust industry.

"We realise that letting them sample is the start of a slippery slope, potentially leading to full scale mining and all the contamination and degradation that comes with it," said Shearer.

Last Tuesday the group temporarily prevented Newcrest Mining Ltd from working on the site and delivered a letter to outline their position to the mining company.

On Newcrest's website it states "Through exploration, Newcrest seeks to identify and secure large mineral districts, or provinces, in order to establish long term mining operations, while enhancing the potential for further discoveries."

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NOTE: 1.49PM Sunday 15th May - Newcrest workers on site called the police on the group and five of the group were issued trespass notices by the police.

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