New Talisman Gold Mine has responded to the High Court appeal lodged by Protect Karangahake claiming the community has been following 'incorrect information”.

The community action group is challenging the resource consent granted to New Talisman to carry out planned mining activities in the Karangahake Gorge.

Following an appeal lodged by Protect Karangahake in the Auckland High Court this week, New Talisman Gold Mine chief executive Matthew Hill says he is confident they followed the required procedures. Photo: Tomek Friedrich

Fairfax reports New Talisman chief executive Matthew Hill was relaxed at news of the appeal lodged in the Auckland High Court.

Matthew says the mining company had received a copy of a previous affidavit but believed it drew conclusions based on incorrect information, 'but we haven't received any type of lodgement”.

'We're quite confident that the process, while rigorous, followed all the various procedures required and had an independent review by an independent party,” reports Fairfax.

But Protect Karangahake spokesperson Duncan Shearer is adamant the community was never consulted by the Hauraki District Council and received 'only silence” from New Talisman.

The group served New Talisman a letter in November with some of their concerns outlined but never heard anything back, says Duncan.

'It's not a case of misinformation - it's a case of no information.

'This is the second time the company has claimed we have factual errors within our concerns but they have made no effort to contact us to clarify the misinformation they allude to.

Duncan adds: 'We have serious concerns involving water quality, local economy and the conservation of flora and fauna.

'A lot of people's livelihoods depend on the tourism this beautiful place attracts. It's not just a mountain, it's a way of life.”

Duncan says waging a legal battle is the last thing the group wants but the Karangahake Gorge is 'our home we are protecting”.

The Karangahake Gorge lies at the bottom of the Coromandel Peninsula, an ecological corridor for native species and a popular place for cyclists, hikers and rock climbers.

An estimated 80,000 people visit the Gorge each year to use its trails and swim in the rivers.