Coromandel iwi are upset mining has reopened in the Karangahake Gorge.
Coromandel Watchdog says the Department of Conservation last month gave New Talisman Gold Mines an 'Authority to Enter and Operate', which means it can mine about 600 tonnes of ore a month for its bulk sampling and trial mining program.
Hauraki District Council has given the company a resource consent without public notification to reopen the old Talisman and Crown mines.
Winn Brownlee from Ngati Tamatera says Talisman Gold came to see her but was not swayed by her objections.
She says the company should not be working so close to the river, and its activities will also compromise the forests and birdlife.
The area hosts a growing tourism industry based around the Hauraki Rail Trail.
There’s a protest planned for Sunday.
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