An old mine shaft has been identified as the reason the Ohinemuri River turned bright orange, according to the Waikato Regional Council.
The discolouration was first noticed downstream of the Waitawheta River and reported to the council at around 3 p.m. yesterday. Patrick Lynch, the council’s regional compliance manager, explained that sediment from an old mining site above Karangahake Gorge likely caused the change in the river’s colour.
The sediment has mostly been washed through the river system, though some remains settled around rocks and in quiet spots, and the council advises people to avoid contact with the water, as it may be contaminated with harmful substances. The council is conducting tests on water and sediment samples to understand the extent of the contamination, with results expected in about 10 days.
The Green Party has responded by highlighting the environmental risks of mining. They warn that pollution events like this could become more common if the government continues to expand mining projects. Steve Abel, the party’s resources spokesperson, criticised the government’s approach, stating that it could lead to further damage to nature and future environmental crises.
very interesting
I loved reading it because, I never knew that maybe chocolate might be gone in the future!
save the chocolate…
I enjoyed this reading because
it show what climate changes does!!
they might have to move most chocolate into a colder place, since the climate clock is getting low
so temperature might get higher.
i love chocolate
I’m allergic to dairy, but this makes me sad for my best friends all around NZ (don’t think it’s weird because I actually do). And my chocolate loving cousin, her name is Dana (I’m from South Korea and she told me how to spell her name in Korean but its not pronounced like Dana).
I know that there are chocolate lovers around the world so, poor them or if you like chocolate poor you (even though I’m allergic to dairy, or to make it easy dairy products: cheese, milk, butter etc).