On 22 May, Siren Gold (‘Siren’) released a media statement responding to its mining permit application for a gold mine at Sams Creek being declined on 19 May by New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals (‘NZPaM’). Read full statement: https://sirengold.com.au/site/file/157/view/MediaStatement22052026.pdf
In response, Sams Creek Collective (‘SCC’) addresses several points made by Siren, which reports it is now evaluating its available legal or commercial options, and whether those are in shareholders’ best interests. The company retains the ability to reapply for permits as and when the land becomes available again soon.
Siren states that importantly, the outcome does not reflect a lack of prospectivity in the Sams Creek deposit, nor does it reflect any environmental risk associated with its potential development or plans of the Company. SCC acknowledges that NZPaM’s jurisdiction does not extend to environmental factors or risk, but points out that after four years of drilling, in its recent annual report the company reported no advance in Sams Creek mineral resources estimate (‘MRE’).
Despite all their recent infill drilling, 2/3 of its MRE remains in the highly speculative ‘inferred’ category. With the MRE as it stands, Siren does not have a viable prospect as it cannot produce a feasibility study based on such a high proportion of inferred resource.
As Siren Gold had an Access Agreement from the Department of Conservation (‘DOC’), SCC is pleased that Siren advises it will immediately work closely with DOC to ensure all Sams Creek drill sites are rehabilitated in a safe, responsible, and compliant manner.
Siren states that it “values the relationships developed throughout this process with iwi, community and government agencies and acknowledges the time and input provided by stakeholders in assessing the project on its merits. The Company remains committed to maintaining and strengthening these relationships going forward.”
In fact, iwi have declined to meet with the company, so Siren does not have a relationship with them. In an interview with The Press on 22 May, Manawhenua ki Mohua chair Margie Little says local iwi had refused to engage in consultation with Siren because of concerns about environmental risk.
“For gold mines like that, the risk to the environment and to the water is hugely significant. There was no way we were ever going to agree to it.”
Neither do they have a relationship with the community, as to date Siren Gold has chosen not to hold public discussions or meetings, advising us that they believed the right time to do so was after a mining permit was granted.
We have regularly said that we believed the local community wanted to engage with the company and ask questions much sooner. While SCC has been able to meet three times with Siren management over the past 18 months, we made it clear that while we are an advocacy group from our community, we cannot claim to speak for the whole community. Therefore, Siren has yet to meet with the community or iwi.
1. Refer to https://www.thepress.co.nz/nz-news/361008564/we-didnt-think-it-would-actually-make-difference-iwi-celebrate-sams-creek-mine-rejection (paywalled) or the summary article at https://samscreek.nz/iwi-celebrate-rejection-of-mining-at-sams-creek/