NZ Mining Opponents Want Liners

Mining operations in New Zealand are underbonded, many are complaining. Opponents of mining activities are even citing the low bonding issues as evidence of poor enviornmental controls. One project that has been cited is the Newmont Waihi Gold’s final bond on the Martha open pit mine. It was capped at $10 million. Watchdogs contend it should have been $100 million, and if it had been it would have had more stringent controls such as geosynthetic liners on the tailings dam. It only has clay. Any environmental damage to the site greater than $10 million will have to be paid for by New Zealand government agencies.