Sams Creek Collective (‘SCC’) representatives have had an introductory meeting with Siren Gold’s new CEO Zane Padman in Takaka on 9 September.
The meeting was facilitated by Community Board member Grant Knowles at the Council Service Centre, after he had met with Zane at short notice the previous day during his first visit to the Bay. Attendees were Zane Padman, Grant Knowles, and SCC members Axel Downard-Wilke, Andrew Yuill, Teri Sawers, and Chris Stone.
We thank Zane for the invitation to an introductory meeting. It was an opportunity for both sides to introduce themselves, acknowledge and briefly discuss our different positions, and ask some initial questions.
It was no surprise that the cordial meeting established each party has a different outlook, and questions or disagrees with some things the other says. It was understood that due to Australian Stock Exchange rules and discretion on either side, some answers and plans remain confidential for now.
SCC clarified that while we’re speaking up for our community’s water supply and environment, we’re not our community’s official voice, or the same group as Save Our Springs. Zane responded that he was aware of this and our respective positions on the mine proposal, having visited both groups’ websites before joining Siren two months ago, and read other media coverage of the project.
Zane said Siren will be communicating with the local community through channels including local media, and that as there are still too many unknowns, the time to talk to the community and host a public meeting was after the mining permit was issued by New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals (‘NZPAM’). SCC responded that we believe the Bay community would want a meeting earlier.
Points discussed included NZPAM’s mining permit application requirements and that Siren Gold has not yet met several of these, including establishing reserve estimates. We touched on Sams Creek’s steep terrain, the tailings dam’s possible location, the area’s high annual rainfall, and the severe damage from consecutive heavy rainfalls across Tasman this winter, which has included closing the Cobb Road for over three months.
We appreciate now having a communications channel with Siren Gold for our group.