22 November 2013

Canadian Mining Company Withdraws From Kauri Mountain –

Local Censure of NZ Government Mining Regulator

Government intentions to mine Northland were given pause yesterday with the sudden and unexpected withdrawal of Hauraki Gold Ltd from exploration at Kauri Mountain.

A large public meeting at McLeods Bay last night, called by Action Whangarei Heads convenor Beverley Gott and supported by MineWatch Northland, celebrated this news, while condemning the government processes that allowed the permit to get this far.

“I was totally surprised with the call I received today from the mining exploration company, talking of their withdrawal,” said Beverly Gott. “It is great news for the community. The fact that the company was clearly aware of the strong community opposition to their presence – and that their manager made a point of saying to me that they didn’t want to make enemies – means that we collectively have made an impact by acting quickly now.”

Chris Spurway, Exploration Permit Manager for the company’s Canadian parent company Eurasian Minerals Inc in Australia, Asia and the Pacific, has confirmed the company’s withdrawal from the project, both verbally and in writing (see email below).

While Spurway says they are handing their permit back in because of unsuitable mineralisation there, he does cite conservation values like the kiwi protection zone and close housing as secondary factors. They were met with a ‘few surprises’ when they came to New Zealand, he said. He was obviously aware of the facebook and other campaigns being run against the permit.

MineWatch Northland spokesperson Tim Howard, who facilitated the public meeting, said the news throws a negative light on the behavior and style of the government agency responsible for both promoting mining and regulating good mining behavior.

“NZ Petroleum and Minerals Unit (NZP&M) has been highly secretive, even arrogant, in their approach to this plan to explore minerals at Kauri Mountain, and elsewhere in Northland. NZP&M appears hellbent on selling off whatever they can, without drawing attention to any of the risks.

“They did not hold any constructive dialogue with tangata whenua in the area, as they are obliged to. They did not consult with local government or the communities affected. The whole process has been under the radar, without any notice of the area being made available for tendering, no consultation, and no public notice that they had let the permit. And it is clear from the Canadian exploration company that the information given them was far less than complete. All secret squirrel stuff. The meeting last night condemned NZP&M’s appalling performance,” said Tim Howard.

Local farmers, surfers, residents at the meeting were cautious about future intentions of NZP&M and other companies. While aware that Hauraki Gold Ltd’s experience and information would put off other companies from seeking exploration permits, they called for the government agency to proactively withdraw this area from tendering for permits.

The local attendees were clear that they needed to remain vigilant about any future attempts to mine their area. They took on board information about the toxic effects of hard rock mining, and about landowners’ and occupiers’ rights to prevent companies’ access. The meeting then began setting up ways of getting information out and of neighbours supporting each other. A commitment was also made to work closely with other communities who were dealing with mining intentions in their own area. Representatives from Puhipuhi Mountain were present at the meeting to support the Kauri Mountain people.

Beverley Gott called on community members present to keep their links strong. “This has been a wake-up call for us. We have got to work together and not be sold off, or divided. We need to be alert about any future developments and be prepared. We also need to support other communities. Government and officials have let us down in this instance. Our strength is in each other – as we have proved today.”

The 70-strong public meeting yesterday were strong in their condemnation of NZ Petroleum and Minerals Unit. Seven resolutions came from the meeting:

• We condemn the lack of thorough processes of NZP&M in regards to their secretive granting of the exploratory permit for Kauri Mountain, in particular their lack of any obligatory or other consultation with tangata whenua, communities, or local governments
•
• We call on NZP&M to now withdraw the Kauri Mountain area from any future mining exploration
•
• In the future, we seek early transparent notice of any intention to explore or mine in any area of Northland, and beyond – and that such notice be widely disseminated
•
• We call on Government to separate the contradictory roles of mining promoter and mining regulator, currently mixed in NZP&M to the detriment of community and environment
•
• We call for a more holistic approach from government and statutory agencies to wellbeing in communities and environment
•
• We call for tangata whenua and various communities to work together in opposing the toxic effects of hard rock mining.
•ends

© Scoop Media