More than 80 people gathered at a public meeting in Thames on December 11 to discuss opposition to an application for a gold mining permit over the Thames foreshore.
The local group, Thames Hauraki Anti Mining, supported by Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki, presented information on the Hawkeswood Mining Limited application, which covers a 200.5 hectare section of off-shore coast between Thames town and Moanataiari.
The New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals website shows the company applied for the exploration permit on November 13, to search for gold and silver. The application is currently under evaluation.
“The public meeting included many very concerned people who know this end of Tikapa Moana (Hauraki Gulf) is already badly degraded by pollution,” Coromandel Watchdog chair Catherine Delahunty said.
“The last thing this foreshore needs is to be dug up. Right now exploration of this area is legal but mining is banned under Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act. However, these are uncertain times and we need to protect the future of this sensitive coast from all mining activity.”
The meeting participants were keen to act to prevent impacts on fisheries, waters and the RAMSAR site next door to the permit, Catherine said. About 70 people signed a letter addressed to Hawkeswood Mining, stating that the community will peacefully oppose their activities.
Catherine said the meeting resolved to ask Thames-Coromandel District Council to oppose any consent applications from Hawkeswood Mining to explore the Firth. Four councillors attended the meeting.
“People told us loud and clear that this mining company has no social or cultural licence to operate next to their town, and a number of actions to raise awareness and prepare for action are proposed,” Catherine said.
Hawkeswood Mining Limited was charged with illegal mining at its Millers Flat site in Dunedin in 2024, after it was found to have extracted “considerable amounts” of gold while operating under an exploration permit. The company accepted diversion and the charges were dropped.
