Let’s Stick To The Facts Says Coromandel Miner

It’s time people such as List MP Catherine Delahunty started dealing with facts, rather then blatant misrepresentations, says Coromandel gold mining company Newmont Waihi Gold.

‘Ms Delahunty is deliberately misleading communities with half truths and exaggerations’, says Newmont’s External Affairs manager Kelvyn Eglinton.

‘To suggest that the areas in which we are drilling have the same conservation value as Schedule 4 land is both mischievous and downright deceptive. To state that exploration drilling compromises sensitive coastal and forest ecosystems shows how little Ms Delahunty understands about modern exploration’.

‘We have always welcomed robust debate and an exchange of views, but let’s stick to facts’.

Eglinton says that Newmont Waihi Gold has approvals from the Department of Conservation and has been in communication with Iwi to drill in the areas it has selected, and the company has to obtain access arrangements before it can place a drill rig on site.

‘As a list MP It is worth remembering that Ms Delahunty does not represent or speak for all the people of the Coromandel, says Eglinton.

‘We have received growing support from communities who accept that underground mining outside Schedule 4 land can provide benefits through jobs and the wider economy. These same people have witnessed our underground operations in Waihi and, whilst they are aware of issues associated with historic mining, they have no issue with the modern mining practises’.

Eglinton says that it is ironic that some communities have told him that they are concerned about mining, not because of what the mining company may do, but because of the behaviour of anti mining protestors.

‘Again, we say, start dealing in facts, if you don’t know the facts please don’t make them up, be prepared to engage instead. The people of the Coromandel deserve that so those who wish to engage in a debate can do so without fear of vilification’.

ENDS

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