Hapu wants more info from miner on work

Anti-mining signs are up in Puhipuhi, in response to Evolution Mining's plans to start low-impact prospecting. Photo / Michael Cunningham

An anti-mining group and a Northland hapu have different views about Evolution Mining's attempt to engage with local people before the company starts low-impact prospecting at Puhipuhi.

MineWatch Northland has warned that Evolution Mining would use "devisive tactics" to win them over, but Ngati Hau's Whakapara-based resource management unit said it was vital to get as much information as possible from the company.

An Evolution Mining representative was unavailable for comment on the claims.

Whakapara Marae Trust chairwoman and resource management unit member Dale van Engelen said a hui was held to discuss the work Evolution was due to start.

"It was made clear at the hui that people are not happy about mining at Puhipuhi, but we need to know what is happening, who is doing it, where and how it is happening," Ms van Engelen said.

"The reality is they're starting ... We have to work with that."

The hapu's greatest concern was the impact on water quality, she said, and that Evolution respect Ngati Hau's cultural values and ancestral lands.

"From a tikanga perspective, Evolution need to be aware of cultural protocols and accountability. From our point of view, that's a preventative measure."

The hui also called for independent monitoring. But MineWatch Northland said the only party that would gain from engagement with the community was Evolution.

"The company will claim community credibility and tangata whenua support, manipulating flax roots groups for their own advantage," spokesman Tim Howard said.

Evolution was acting fast to get on-site and on-side before the public spotlight went on them, he said.

Puhipuhi Mining Action Group spokeswoman Jenny Kirk said local groups strongly opposed to mining were "hog tied" as the exploration was permitted under Crown Minerals legislation.

Ms Kirk said while international mining companies sometimes used divisive tactics with indigenous peoples, Ngati Hau took their duties seriously and would monitor Evolution's first stage of exploration. That did not mean the hapu accepted the mining, she said.

Evolution Mining, Australia's second largest gold miner, bought two exploration permits for Puhipuhi in June from another Australian company, De Grey's Mining.