Media Statement
Sunday 17 January 2010

For Immediate Release

Anti Miners Statements about Disruptions to Open Day untrue

Organisers of Waihi Martha Mine’s Open Day on Sunday state that press releases from Coromandel Watchdog that a protest disrupted the Martha Mine Open day are untrue.

Amidst a crowd of around 5500 people, anti miners paid to enter the site and then arranged a peaceful protest that was observed by some open day attendees before quietly exiting the premises.

“The action was respectfully observed by mine staff, community members and visitors to the site. It was an appropriate peaceful form that allowed their message to be conveyed whilst people continued to experience the open day and enjoy themselves without undue interruption”, said Vision Waihi Trust CEO Eddie Morrow.

Newmont Waihi Gold’s External Affairs Manager Kelvyn Eglinton also witnessed the protesters and was pleased with their respect of the community day.

“We were made aware on Friday afternoon of their intentions and we were happy for them to carry out their action in a peaceful, respectful manner which they did. To suggest any disruption to the successful open day is untrue” said Eglinton.

“Past anti-mining groups have demanded open dialogue and transparency. Newmont Waihi Gold has actively approached these groups to discuss how this might occur. Unfortunately our approaches have been repeatedly declined and they left site before we could reintroduce ourselves. We trust that that this might be the beginning of a respectful way forward.”

Newmont Waihi Gold’s Martha Mine was open to allow the public access on foot to an operating gold mine with all money raised going to community initiatives organised by the Vision Waihi Trust. Many of the fund raising activities within the open pit were organised by community and service groups and mine staff had arranged displays of mining machinery and provided family-oriented activities such as rock fossicking and gold panning.

ENDS

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