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strong>UPDATED - 2.25pm: About 30 members of anti-mining group Coromandel Watchdog have thrown an ‘Unwelcome Party' outside OceanaGold's Waihi office today.

The planned protest coincided with the multinational mining company's first day of operations since purchasing Newmont Mining Corporation's mining interests in New Zealand earlier this year.

Members of anti-mining group Coromandel Watchdog protesting outside OceanaGold's Waihi office this afternoon. Photo: CW/Facebook

Spokesperson Ruby Powell says Coromandel Watchdog members delivered a letter stating their determination to stop OceanaGold's planned expansion of gold mining in Coromandel/Hauraki.

Ruby explains the exploration and prospecting permits OceanaGold took over from Newmont covers more than 40,000 hectares and includes areas close to Whangamata, Hot Water Beach and Hahei.

'The last thing these communities need is a toxic mining industry,” says Ruby. 'It is obvious to us Coromandel communities don't need more destructive gold mining, which would damage the integrity of our fragile lands and waters, as the nearby Waitekauri Golden Cross mine did only a few years ago.

'Gold mining is not only highly toxic environmentally with a huge carbon footprint, but it's also nonsensical economically for all but a few.

Coromandel Watchdog believe gold which is already above ground and tucked away in underground vaults is more 'than enough to fulfil society's real needs.”

The letter also condemns Oceana's current lawsuit against the El Salvador government for refusing a mine that threatened the country's last drinkable water source.

Ruby adds the group also delivered a collection of old computers to encourage OceanaGold to look into recycling e-waste as a less destructive way of extracting gold.

'In 2012 the United Nations University published findings on e-waste that stated one ton of e-waste contains 40 to 50 times more gold than a ton of gold bearing ore,” says Ruby.

Coromandel Watchdog members are determined to stop OceanaGold's planned expansion of gold mining in the Coromandel and Hauraki. Photo: CW/Facebook

EARLIER:

A party is being thrown to mark OceanaGold's first day since taking over Newmont Mining Corporation's operations in the Coromandel.

But it's unlikely the multinational mining company will be thrilled with the ‘Unwelcome Party' being staged by anti-mining group Coromandel Watchdog outside the company's Waihi office this afternoon.

About 50 protestors were expected to gather outside the Moresby Ave office to voice their opposition to mining on the Coromandel.

'We want to do an action outside their office to show the strength and conviction of Watchdog members and supporters,” a says Coromandel Watchdog spokesperson.'We will oppose every step of the way if they try expand further up the Hauraki waka.”

Today's action got underway at midday and involves the group delivering a letter to OceanaGold warning them of strong resistance should they attempt to expand their mining operations on the Coromandel.

Coromandel Watchdog will also present OceanaGold with old electronics, like computers, to encourage them to investigate recycling e-waste as a 'more fruitful and less destructive way of extracting gold”.

The anti-mining group says OceanaGold have a shocking track record when it comes to 'environmental and social destruction surrounding their mine in the Philippines”.

The multination mining company is currently suing the El Salvador government for passing a law preventing OceanaGold to create a mine that threatened a source of drinking water.

'So while we sincerely hope they will run things better than Newmont did in Waihi, we already know their sort and need to make sure they know who we are and where we stand.”