Iwi cries foul at Coromandel dredge plan

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Iwi are crying foul at a plan to dredge a Coromandel harbour for gold and silver.

The Ministry of Economic Development has given a permit to Sea Group Holdings to prospect McGregor Bay off Coromandel Township.

It will be searching the tailings left by miners a century ago.

Kaumatua Betty Williams of Ngāti Maru and Ngati Pukenga says she doesn’t believe the company’s claim that its dredging will clean up the harbour, and it is more likely that it will disturb other elements contained in the tailings.

Toxic heavy metals like zinc, mercury and arsenic tend to be present in rocks crushed up for gold.

Copyright © 2013, Uma Broadcasting Ltd

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