About 20 anti-mining protestors climbed Mount Karangahake last week to disrupt an exploratory drilling programme.

Newcrest Gold Mining company is planning three weeks of drilling on the side of the mountain and the protestors most of whom live locally, have vowed to disrupt the drilling at every opportunity.

The first rig went up last weekend, metres away from Conservation land, says protester Sabine Hartmann.

"We are here to protect the mountain and its diverse ecology,” says Sabine. 'Mining activities in this area would have a grave impact on wildlife as it makes up a vital part of an important ecological corridor, connecting the Coromandel and Kaimai ranges.

"Direct action like this lets companies like Newcrest know that we will not stand them profiteering from this sacred mountain," says Sabine.

A Newcrest spokesman confirmed a group of protestors approached the drill rig, which was in the process of being moved a few hundred metres to a second drill hole.

The first drill hole of a larger phase one drilling program over five priority locations was completed earlier this week. The drilling is not on Conservation land, says Newcrest.

Newcrest has entered into a farm-in agreement with Laneway Resources to explore for gold deposits in the Hauraki goldfield region which is within the mineralised corridor that is host to the historic Karangahake and Golden Cross gold-silver mines, and in the same district as Oceanagold's operating Waihi Mine.

Under the farm-in agreement, Laneway is currently managing the drilling program and Newcrest is providing technical direction and funding. The drilling is being conducted by Waihi company, Alton Drilling.

No mining activities are taking place, only exploration. All exploration activities are occurring under current permits issued by the New Zealand Government.

All district permitting requirements and landowner permission is sought before any work commences. Environmental management plans are developed to identify and outline controls to prevent potential environmental impacts during the establishment of the drill site and during drilling activity. All drill sites will be fully rehabilitated once drilling has been completed.