Newmont Waihi Gold

Newmont Waihi Gold was previously a finalist in 2009 and 03, and has made it again in 2011, for the same reason – its’ appalling mining activities, which have created a huge hole in the middle of Waihi and which it now wishes to extend into creating a giant underground mine under the town. Understandably the locals aren’t crazy about mining literally under their homes. The Government touts mining as one of the keys to “freeing up the wealth” in parts of the country such as Coromandel. Well, Waihi is the reality check of what mining in Coromandel is like already.