But old foes may be about to face off again, with New Talisman Gold Mines set to reopen the Talisman mine for the summer period after a three-year pause.

Mining for gold is an “expensive business” purely for profit, says Coromandel Watchdog chairperson, and former Green MP Catherine Delahunty.

She took part in protest action at the site in 2018 and says the group is more than willing to reignite “peaceful action” again.

“They should leave the mountain alone and even though it’s underground mining, they still have to put the toxic waste somewhere ... it’s certainly been a real concern to the local community.

“We need to keep alert ...we need to protect that mountain and obviously the major mining issue is down at Waihī at Wharekiraupongo.”

But while protesters say gold mining is disturbing a “peaceful conservation park”, the company behind the mining is adamant they’ve been given the green-light to run “small scale” and environmentally respectful operations at the site.

Mt Karangahake has been mined for 140 years, says New Talisman Gold Mines Ltd manager strategic delivery John Upperton.

With about 3000 shareholders, many “mum and dad investors” across the Hauraki and Waihī districts, there was a considerable backing for mining at the historic town, says John..

“The community has a strong mining background ... we intend to recommence mining activities at the historic Talisman mine.

“We hold resource consents and permits for the work we are looking to undertake which Protect Karangahake (conservation group) are well aware of because they appealed to the environment court but their grounds for appeal didn’t stack up.”

Hauraki District Council issued a resource consent to New Talisman Gold Mines in 2013, to undertake exploratory underground drilling, blasting and extraction of bulk samples, within, and from, Mt Karangahake.

The Department of Conservation also authorised the company to enter and operate its Talisman mine permit at the time, allowing the extraction of 600 tonnes of ore a month in a trial mining project.

While New Talisman Gold has been granted permission to start test mining in the mountain, mana whenua have long opposed works at the site, due to historic controversy where it is said Māori were unfairly persuaded into signing over the mine back in 1875.

Following the issuing of consent, Iwi spokesperson for Ngāti Tamaterā, Winn Brownlee said at the time that local iwi were strongly opposed to mining in Karangahake due to its disturbance to the taiao (environment).

"Talisman Gold did come to see me and we objected to the mine, just as our forebears did,“ Brownlee said

"They shouldn't be touching anything close to our [river] as there is no guarantee that they're are not going to pollute our waterways.“

John admits the company’s relationship with mana whenua has “ebbed and flowed” over the years, but they are intending to engage with local iwi and the community to share their intentions for mining at the site.

Concerns regarding the environmental impact from mining have already been addressed, says John, and the underground nature of the works means it's doing little to the surrounding environment.

A community meeting is scheduled for today where Coromandel Watchdog members will be seeking to “educate people” about the dangers and issues regarding mining.