Action group Protect Karangahake could find themselves coming face-to-face with mining company New Talisman Gold Mines this weekend.

The mining company plan to reopen a gold mine on Mount Karangahake this Saturday and the group hopes to have a hundred people with them to help them block the way.

Mount Karangahake. Photo: Supplied

On the same day Protect Karangahake have planned a picnic on the mountain at Portal Pad on Crown Hill Rd, from 12pm, as part of its ongoing protest against the planned mining activities.

Group member Sabine Hartmann says they are disappointed in the Department of Conservation and the Hauraki District Council for not consulting with the public before issuing these permits.

'We are furthermore disappointed by Waikato Regional Council's lack of action to protect our waterways, including our town's drinking water.

'Recently published expert evidence shows that the mining will contaminate the river.”

Sabinne says the group understands the WRC needs to do more investigation to determine the extent of contamination the mine will cause and hopes they will do so with great caution.

Clean water is important and the area has already dealt with huge clean-up costs when gold mining operations in Te Aroha went terribly wrong, she says.

'What I am happy about is how our community has come together to work through this with amazing creativity and teamwork.

'I am also very grateful to the support we are receiving from all the other people, who love the Karangahake Gorge and who share our values.”

The picnic being hosted by Protect Karangahake tomorrow will take place at the Portal Pad on Crown Hill Rd tomorrow, from 12pm.

It will also include in-depth talks about the overall conservation values of the area, bird populations, and plant species growing in Karangahake.

Sabinne says it was only through the group's advocacy that the public can now access 'this beautiful space again”.

'It's unclear how long New Talisman had illegally excluded the public from the area and we want to…seize the opportunity to show people how special this place is before they close us out again.”

To reach Picnic Portal turn off State Highway 2 onto Crown Hill Rd and Protect Karangahake asks participants bringing vehicles to park at the carparks on the right.

People will have the option of either a 30 minute walk along the historic walkway up to Scottsmans Gully, or catch a shuttle to the road end and it will take you 20 minutes from there.

Directions will be signposted so keep an eye out, says Sabine.

'We think everyone will enjoy the lush bush, live music, family entertainment and delicious food Saturday will offer.”

The Picnic on the Mountain will take place at Portal/Picnic Pad on Crown Hill Rd, Karangahake, on Saturday, December 13, from 12pm.

For more information visit the Protect Karangahake website at www.protectkarangahake.org.nz