The country's largest gold miner is consulting with the Coromandel community on its plans to ramp up exploration there.
Photo: 123rf
Oceana Gold has three active permits between Pauanui and Whangamata covering a total area of 4500 hectares.
The company applied to the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in December to extend its expiring permit for another four years.
The land is owned by the government agency Land Information New Zealand (LINZ), but is leased to Rayonier Matariki Forests.
Oceana was consulting with LINZ, Rayonier, local landowners and iwi about its plan to test drill in the areas.
The company has 21 mining permits in New Zealand, including for the Waihi mine in the North Island, the Macraes mine in the South Island and Blackwater on the West Coast.
Its exploration plan is being opposed by anti-mining group, Coromandel Watchdog, which is concerned about the proximity the sites to nearby beaches.
Oceana said its exploration sites are inland, and it has no interest in mining coastal areas.