April 22, 2018
Puhipuhi licence flicked on
Northland hapu Ngati Hau has new adversaries in its battle to prevent gold mining in its rohe.
Canadian miner Full Metal Minerals Ltd has announced it has acquired two exploration permits from Australian company Evolution Mining, subject to approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange.
The permits cover Puhipuhi and much of the Russell Forest.
Ngati Hau has opposed mining at Puhipuhi since the 1980s because of its concerns over potential discharges of mercury and other contaminants into waterways,
Vaughan Potter from Ngati Hau Anti Mining Group says Evolution struggled at Puhipuhi because of local opposition, and new entrant can expect the same.
Tim Howard from Mine Watch Northland says the company announced last June it was withdrawing from Puhipuhi it said it was because tests showing insufficient reason to continue.
The sale of the licenses indicates the real reason it left was because of strong resistance they received from tangata whenua and community-based organisations.
Copyright © 2018, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com