Siren Gold resumes drilling at Sam’s Creek

Siren Gold resumes drilling at Sam’s Creek
Kia ora,
Siren told us last year that they planned to drill a 1000m deep drill hole early this year. Activity is ramping up, with Mohua/Golden Bay locals monitoring the Sam’s Creek area, confirming that building supplies and other equipment are being flown in and set up. A helipad has been constructed, and deliveries have included a shower, toilet, washing machine, dryer and a freezer.
Details of what they’re up to are available in their 14 February ASX statement, but in short, they’ve built a drilling platform above Sam’s Creek, contracted Alton Drilling (from Waihi) to do the work, and drilling started on 13 February.
sams creek drilling platform
Siren is drilling a 700m deep ‘parent’ hole and potentially two ‘daughter’ hole fanning out from it (marked with red arrows), to get evidence that there is enough gold at the deeper levels to make mining worthwhile.
Doing this will be costing them around $1.5 million, which we believe is pretty much all the money they have.
Siren’s exploration permit for the area expires at the end of March 25 and cannot be extended, so they will be trying to complete their drilling before then.
Siren has said that even this will not give them sufficient information to know whether they want to mine, so they will then apply for a mining license so they can continue exploring. They’ve commissioned a ‘mining study’ which they need as part of their
mining permit application.
SCC will continue to monitor the resumption of drilling activity and the company’s submission of its mining permit application to the NZ authorities.
sams creek drilling map
Save Our Springs lawyer Sally Gepp has asked TDC to serve an abatement notice on Siren Gold, as their application to drill was for only 500m depth. However RNZ has reported that TDC has confirmed that Siren has consent to drill to 1000m.
We’d like our District Council to explain how it is that Siren’s consent is twice as deep as what they applied for. We asked TDC to oppose mining at Sam’s Creek in any way they can, and consenting to drill deeper than they applied to is instead supporting Siren Gold’s efforts. Nelson Tasman Climate Forum presented to TDC a week ago and made the same request.
You can listen to RNZ’s podcast (20 Feb 25) here; Samantha Gee interviews Julie of Sam’s Creek Collective and Kevin Moran of Save Our Springs. The accompanying article mentions that Siren has already experienced theft and vandalism from the site.
Siren’s CEO Victor Rajasooriar has resigned, effective from June 25, without explanation. We wonder if the rats are deserting the sinking ship.
Sam’s Creek mine and climate change
The proposed gold mine at Sam’s Creek would have a significant climate impact. Gold mining is highly energy-intensive with a substantial carbon footprint. With Aotearoa | NZ urgently needing to reduce emissions, this mine represents an avoidable source of greenhouse gases.  The  TDC has a clear rationale for opposing the mine, as it conflicts with climate goals and sustainable resource management.
Another Aussie miner gives up all but one of its NZ permits
It’s encouraging news that community opposition has seen off an Australian mining giant, which has surrendered all but one of its NZ prospecting and exploration permits.
MBIE confirmed that Mineralogy International Limited – owned by controversial mining magnate Clive Palmer – has given up its permits for gold and other minerals – mainly lithium and rare earth elements – in Northland, Waikato, Canterbury and the West Coast. It is believed that this withdrawal is in direct response to community protest, proving that protest does work!
Now it is our turn to work hard with our community and other groups to see off this environmental threat to Mohua/Golden Bay.
Actions
We’re calling on you to:
 Phone and email Maureen Pugh to let her know that we’re not ok with mining activity at Sam’s Creek. 0800 MAUREEN
 Increase the anti-Siren signage in Mohua/Golden Bay to give them a clear message they will not have an easy ride if they continue.
 Join the Save Our Springs ‘love fest’ at Sam’s Creek at 3 pm on Saturday, March 8th.
 If you oppose the drilling, contact Alton Drilling Ltd and let them know why: 
https://www.altondrilling.co.nz/contact/
It will make Siren especially cross if you refer to the mine as an Arsenic Mine.
Nga mihi, 
Sam’s Creek collective