A group of protesters on Mount Karangahake in the Coromandel have scored a victory against a major international gold mining company.

Up to 20 people from the Karangahake Gorge area marched to the rig site this morning to stop Newcrest Mining from drilling.

The group believes the activity will damage the ecological corridor, and contaminate waterways.

Protestor Lucy Aitken-Read said the rig's workers have now packed up and gone for the day.

"We tried to deliver them a letter to pass on to Newcrest that says you are not welcome here with your mining activity.

"They refused to accept the letter but we were able to leave it in the office they've got here on site."

However, she said it won't stop work at other sites, so today won't be the last protest.

"We're aware that they're planning on attending to other drill sites, all on the very edge of this mountain or on the mountain itself, and we are planning to make sure that work is as disrupted as possible."

Ms Aitken-Read said their support group is 3,000 strong so they have enough people behind them to do it.