Mine staff safety threatened after protesters padlock gate at Mt Karangahake gold mine, page-8

I read somewhere else on HC that Suse Durcan is into eco-tourism and so sees NTL activity as damaging. Could someone enlighten her that mining activity provides a new tourist opportunity. Mining in NZ of this nature is a relatively rare activity and mine tours combined with adjacent scenic/bush appreciation can form the basis of a tourist business. Witness the tourist business at Denniston on the West Coast of the South Island. A now defunct coal mine combined with tourist train and bush/coastal vistas. Closer to Talisman is the Waihi open pit and active underground gold mining operations. I do not have numbers but I know that many people visit to observe this.
Karangahake Gorge has a popular cycle trail recently established and a side route to the mine through the NZ bush could well provide additonal interest.
Even operational mines can accommodate visitors when appropriate measures are put in place. If Suse worked with the company instead of against it, she might find some common interest for a win-win. She increases her tourism business and NTL improves its public relations/acceptance.