Coming up on 60 Minutes: March 31, 2010

01 Apr 2010 11:12a.m.

Avatar wrote:

Thank you for bringing us some factual information on the miniscule economic benefit for the country of the Waihi gold mining experience. It debunked totally the myth of billions of dollars that would reach New Zealander's pockets from similar gold mining activity in other parts of the Coromandel and other Conservation Estates. It also demonstrated the vast profits and resources mining companies have to expend on securing favours of its pro mining glove puppets in parliament.

01 Apr 2010 09:00a.m.

collette wrote:

newmont have an internal code of social responsibility, this is why they have such interest from "ethical investors" who are told we are all "happy" with the mine in our community and that we are all better off as a result of the mining activities in our communities. Local management know that not everyone in Waihi is happy particularly those who cannot sell their homes or who are having underground mining proposed for beneath their properties. Newcomers do not believe a word a mining company says, unlike the folk in Waihi who believed the co. when they said they would just be here for a little while... This industry has stolen time and value from our people and split our community, a cost that can never be recovered.. They have removed our groundwater, a cost we all now bear, they have polluted our air quality, a side effect we cannot prove due to the costs involved. The Hauraki District Council have given consents that are too generous for a residential area and refuse to help residents with concerns, the company is responsible for policing the site, surprise no data they provide never shows anything to be concerned about. Environment Waikato have witnessed the dust on private properties and done nothing...many of these issues are easily fixed but after 22 years Im getting the feeling they have no intention of making sure we are all better off as a result of mining... Tailings dam dust is one of our major concerns as it blows over the town apparently the cyanide just evaporates but the cadmium, lead, mercury and other nastys are stored here threatening our community daily and causing distress for its immediate neighbours who also cannot sell their properties for a fair and reasonable price, if conservation land is mined within a 100km radius of Waihi the problems in Waihi will just grow as this is where the intend for all the ore to be processed and tailings stored , we do not want this in our backyard here in Waihi.