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New Zealand: Mining in Schedule 4 Conflict: Difference between revisions
New Zealand: Mining in Schedule 4 Conflict (view source)
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, 22:02, 24 January 2011Research on Potential research questions done - communication process in NZ investigated. Added: resolution steps, communication description, result and lessons learned. New research questions found.
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== Introduction – facts and opinions == | == Introduction – facts and opinions == | ||
“New Zealand is blessed with magnificent landscapes, rich forests, and a unique biodiversity. We have a proud history of protecting these precious places and the species that rely on them for survival. Over many generations, New Zealanders have fought hard to protect our National Parks and other conservation areas.” This is what the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand web says <ref name=Green>The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand Submission Guide: Mining in Schedule 4 Copyright © 1996-2010 http://www.greens.org.nz/takeaction/submissionguides/submission-guide-mining-schedule-4 | “New Zealand is blessed with magnificent landscapes, rich forests, and a unique biodiversity. We have a proud history of protecting these precious places and the species that rely on them for survival. Over many generations, New Zealanders have fought hard to protect our National Parks and other conservation areas.” This is what the Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand web says about the unique nature in New Zealand<ref name=Green>The Green Party of Aotearoa New Zealand Submission Guide: Mining in Schedule 4 Copyright © 1996-2010 http://www.greens.org.nz/takeaction/submissionguides/submission-guide-mining-schedule-4</ref>. | ||
</ref>. In | In this country, besides the network of protected areas, high value conservation lands (that include National Parks, wilderness areas, ecological areas and marine reserves) received special protection status under Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act, according to which they are excluded from mining or exploration. (“Mining is a permitted activity on other conservation lands, but Schedule 4 lands – just 13% of New Zealand's total land mass – represent the most significant conservation lands that deserve protection from mining and exploration,” the author of the web page asserts). | ||
However, New Zealand National Government proposed to remove 7000 ha of land from Schedule 4 and consider mining projects on a 'case-by-case' basis there. Moreover, they reckoned on further geological investigations into Schedule 4 lands, including National Parks ($4 million is to be spent over 9 months on investigating the mineral potential of Schedule 4 territories, which the Green Party considers to be a “subsidy to the mining industry”).<ref name=Green></ref> | However, New Zealand National Government proposed to remove 7000 ha of land from Schedule 4 and consider mining projects on a 'case-by-case' basis there. Moreover, they reckoned on further geological investigations into Schedule 4 lands, including National Parks ($4 million is to be spent over 9 months on investigating the mineral potential of Schedule 4 territories, which the Green Party considers to be a “subsidy to the mining industry”).<ref name=Green></ref> | ||
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There are opposing views from the side of the mining companies & government, and the local people, the general public and nature protection organizations. | There are opposing views from the side of the mining companies & government, and the local people, the general public and nature protection organizations. | ||
Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee supported the mining project: “...7,058 hectares is just 0.2 per cent of Schedule Four land. Moreover, if that land subsequently saw mining development, only around five per cent of the land might actually be mined – as little as 500 hectares. This is nothing like the vast tracts of land suggested to date by the environmental lobby.” He also mentioned 4 principal arguments that support mining | Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee supported the mining project: “...7,058 hectares is just 0.2 per cent of Schedule Four land. Moreover, if that land subsequently saw mining development, only around five per cent of the land might actually be mined – as little as 500 hectares. This is nothing like the vast tracts of land suggested to date by the environmental lobby.” He also mentioned 4 principal arguments that support mining. The mining activities would be extremely efficient from an economic point of view (“an average of $360,000 of GDP per worker, nearly six times the national average”).<ref>Time to discuss maximising our mineral potential Monday, 22 March 2010, 2:50 pm Press Release: New Zealand Government. Available from http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1003/S00313.htm </ref> | ||
Solid Energy, a major New Zealand resource company, declares: New Zealanders want “...good jobs and a high standard of living. Smart well-managed use of our natural resources, combined with a conservation fund to create long-term environmental gain will allow us to have both.”<ref>Media Release Government’s consultation on maximising New Zealand’s mineral potential. Statement by Dr Don Elder, Chief Executive Officer, Solid Energy. Solid Energy, a major New Zealand resource company web page. Available from http://www.coalnz.com/index.cfm/1,127,0,49,html 22 March 2010 </ref> | Solid Energy, a major New Zealand resource company, declares: New Zealanders want “...good jobs and a high standard of living. Smart well-managed use of our natural resources, combined with a conservation fund to create long-term environmental gain will allow us to have both.”<ref>Media Release Government’s consultation on maximising New Zealand’s mineral potential. Statement by Dr Don Elder, Chief Executive Officer, Solid Energy. Solid Energy, a major New Zealand resource company web page. Available from http://www.coalnz.com/index.cfm/1,127,0,49,html 22 March 2010 </ref> | ||
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Moreover, the actual “mineral wealth” in the conservation areas the Government wanted to be opened up is not so much rare elements, but predominantly gold and silver (also coal, gemstones, peat). Keith Ng argues that from this point of view “…the problem is that all the reports estimate the value of gold reserves based on current prices. Why is this a problem? Because the real price of gold is currently hovering around a 27-year high...”.<ref> Keith Ng Rational, then. Public Address, A community of blogs. Available from http://publicaddress.net/6536#post6536 </ref> | Moreover, the actual “mineral wealth” in the conservation areas the Government wanted to be opened up is not so much rare elements, but predominantly gold and silver (also coal, gemstones, peat). Keith Ng argues that from this point of view “…the problem is that all the reports estimate the value of gold reserves based on current prices. Why is this a problem? Because the real price of gold is currently hovering around a 27-year high...”.<ref> Keith Ng Rational, then. Public Address, A community of blogs. Available from http://publicaddress.net/6536#post6536 </ref> | ||
==Conflict resolution== | |||
As there were opposing views concerning the problem, and also because nature protection was high on the political agenda in New Zealand, process of public debate on the issue was launched. This was started by the so called "stocktake" - careful analysis of existing mineral wealth and its economic potential, and continued with approximate estimation of environmental, cultural etc. potential. Negotiation process followed: | |||
===Steps in the negotiation process=== | |||
The New Zealand Cabinet Papers and Cabinet Minutes <ref>Ministry of Economic Development: Cabinet Papers. 23 April 2010. Online WWW http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/Page____43174.aspx</ref> | |||
chronologically list the Schedule 4 stocktake discussion documents. (Interesting: certain sections were withheld to protect the privacy of natural persons or to enable Ministers and/or any Departments or organisations to carry on, without prejudice or disadvantage, negotiations.) | |||
* In the Release of a Discussion Paper<ref>The Chair of the Cabinet Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee: Release of the Discussion Paper on the Stocktake of Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act 1991. Online www: http://www.med.govt.nz/upload/72484/2-CAB-Cabinet-Paper-Release-of-a-Discussion-Paper-on-the-Stocktake-Schedule-4-of-the-Crown-Minerals-1991.pdf </ref>, following procedure could be traced: | |||
#Stocktake = review of the areas under Schedule 4 was undertaken, inhibitors of mineral development identified | |||
#Government proposed to invest in gathering more information on mineral estate | |||
#Information obtained was released publicly to encourage potential mining investors | |||
#This information should above all enable to identify areas to remove from Schedule 4 | |||
#Crown land<ref>Crown-owned minerals: gold, silver, petroleum</ref> – concerning this category, legislative change was required (addition to Schedule 4) | |||
#Discussion paper by the Ministry of Economic Development was prepared – seeked PUBLIC FEEDBACK: | |||
##proposed for removal of 7 058 ha areas from the Schedule 4 Act | |||
##proposed for adding 12 400 ha to the Schedule 4 Act | |||
#Six week PERIOD OF PUBLIC CONSULTATION started | |||
#Leaders of affected iwi were notified prior to the public release | |||
#New policy proposal was released for new conservation fund (conservation benefits from the mining) | |||
#Required reporting back on public consultation period | |||
#Schedule 4 areas (incl. Coromandel Region) & restrictive measures to protect them under mining were reviewed | |||
#Press release was made publicly available when the discussion paper was launched | |||
#iwi groups have expressed number of concerns – should be contacted 24 hours before release of the paper<ref>Cabinet Economic Growth and Infrastructure Committee: Minute of decision. Stocktake of Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act 1991: Release of the Discussion Document. March 2010. Online www: http://www.med.govt.nz/upload/72484/3-CAB-Cabinet-Economic-Growth-and-Infrastructure-Committee-(EGI)-Minute-(10)-4_8-17-Mar-10.pdf </ref> | |||
== Communication process == | |||
* Schedule 4 - Discussion paper<ref>Ministry of Economic Development, Department of Conservation: Maximising our Mineral Potential: Stocktake of Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act and beyond. Discussion paper. March 2010. Online. WWW: http://www.med.govt.nz/upload/71967/Schedule%204%20stocktake%20-%20Discussion%20paper%20_with%20maps_.pdf </ref> claimed that the Ministry of Economic Development and the Department of Conservation: „…are now seeking input from the community before making decisions about … policy initiatives set out in this paper. These actions aim to make the most of New Zealand’s mineral resources in an efficient and environmentally responsible way." | |||
All of the discussion documents were published on the [http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/MultipageDocumentTOC____42792.aspx Ministry of Economic Development website] | |||
[http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/StandardSummary____42579.aspx Public feedback] was received in the 6 week period beginning with the date of publication (March 2010) till Wednesday 26 May 2010. The consultation process started by the Government was seeking feedback from the public on a number of areas proposed for removal from and addition to Schedule. The Government stated: | |||
*"No decisions have yet been made. The results of the stocktake are presented in a discussion paper, on which public feedback is being sought. After receiving and considering submissions on the discussion paper, Cabinet will decide on any changes to Schedule 4 in the third quarter of 2010 ... The Government is also seeking feedback on proposals for a new contestable conservation fund, a proposal to further investigate New Zealand’s mineral potential, and changes to Crown land access arrangements." | |||
Submission questions for general public<ref>Ministry of Economic Development: Word document of submission questions. 13 March 2010. Online. WWW: http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/MultipageDocumentTOC____42580.aspx </ref> | |||
were clear, simple, and structured the answers so that they could be analysed quantitatively. | |||
All of the potential questions to any relevant problem, and answers formulated by the Ministry of Economic Development<ref>Ministry of Economic Development: Questions and answers. May, 2010. Online. WWW: http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/Page____42795.aspx</ref> | |||
were available in a form and language that was understandable to everybody. | |||
== Final decision == | == Final decision == | ||
The Government confirmed it no longer plans to remove any land from schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act for the purposes of further mineral exploration or extraction | |||
===Basis of the final decisions 20 July 2010=== | |||
[http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/StandardSummary____44101.aspx Final decision] was based upon outcomes of the consultation process: reflected views of a huge number of organizations and also individuals (who were not listed in the appendix) – see the Summary of submissions<ref>Ministry of Economic Development, Department of Conservation: Maximising our Mineral Potential: Stocktake of Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act and beyond. Summary of Submissions. July 2010. Online. WWW: http://www.med.govt.nz/upload/73974/Summary%20of%20Schedule%204%20submissions%20July%202010.pdf </ref>. | |||
This document represents thorough analysis of the public opinion: presents quantitative AND qualitative results. | |||
As the media release from 20 July 2010<ref>Ministry of Economic Development: Ministers' media release 20 July 2010 Hon Gerry Brownlee, Minister of Energy and Resources, Hon Kate Wilkinson, Minister of Conservation. 20 July 2010 Online. WWW: http://www.med.govt.nz/templates/Page____44104.aspx</ref> | |||
says: “Government was undertaking a genuine consultation process and had not made up its mind on any of the matters prior to the eight week discussion period which began on March 22. ... The government received 37,552 submissions … and the vast majority of submissions were focused on the proposal to remove 0.2 per cent of land from Schedule 4 to allow for wider mineral prospecting on those sites. | |||
Most of those submissions said we should not remove any land from Schedule 4. We heard that message loud and clear.” | |||
=== Outline of the final decision === | |||
In May 2010, the New Zealand Government confirmed it no longer plans to remove any land from schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals Act for the purposes of further mineral exploration or extraction. Instead, it will focus its efforts on exploiting New Zealand's mineral wealth in areas that fall outside conservation areas. The reason for this decision was that the Government received nearly 40,0000 submissions after launching a discussion document in spring, resulting in public protest actions (street marches). The Government had been “forced to drop the plans because of the public outcry”. New areas were to be added to Schedule 4 by October 2010 as originally planned. | |||
However, the Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee said: “I suspect few New Zealanders knew the country had such considerable mineral potential before we undertook this process and I get a sense that New Zealanders are now much more aware of that potential and how it might contribute to economic growth.”<ref> Watkins, T. Government back-down on mining. Fairfax Media, 20/07/2010. Available from http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/south-island/3935789/Government-back-down-on-mining </ref> | However, the Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee said: “I suspect few New Zealanders knew the country had such considerable mineral potential before we undertook this process and I get a sense that New Zealanders are now much more aware of that potential and how it might contribute to economic growth.”<ref> Watkins, T. Government back-down on mining. Fairfax Media, 20/07/2010. Available from http://www.stuff.co.nz/the-press/news/south-island/3935789/Government-back-down-on-mining </ref> | ||
== Discussion == | == Discussion == | ||
Not everything has been resolved despite the government decision. For example, Coromandel conservation land is still threatened by mining. The Newmont Waihi Gold company “...is actively drilling for gold in high-conservation value Conservation Park land in southern Coromandel, near Whangamata.” The affected area is regarded as “a special place – the only land with this status in southern Coromandel” because of its high conservation, biodiversity, recreational and landscape values.<ref> Mining threat to southern Coromandel remains - Newmont drilling for gold in Conservation Park near Whangamata Coromandel Watchdog of | Not everything has been resolved despite the government decision. For example, Coromandel conservation land is still threatened by mining. The Newmont Waihi Gold company “...is actively drilling for gold in high-conservation value Conservation Park land in southern Coromandel, near Whangamata.” The affected area is regarded as “a special place – the only land with this status in southern Coromandel” because of its high conservation, biodiversity, recreational and landscape values.<ref> Mining threat to southern Coromandel remains - Newmont drilling for gold in Conservation Park near Whangamata Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki. May 26, 2010. Available from http://watchdog.org.nz/</ref> | ||
On the other hand, there is a question over whether New Zealand should preserve all of its natural beauty or be somehow willing to make a compromise. The conflict in New Zealand is “…no different to that of other rich countries—how to balance economic growth with the need to address environmental degradation. But it is particularly acute in a country so dependent on the export of commodities and landscape-driven tourism. The difference between New Zealand and other places is that New Zealand has actively sold itself as “100% Pure”. Many people think they need to acknowledge “the gap between the claim and reality”, to risk the loss of reputation, because the country should “…find itself a more sustainable brand, and soon”.<ref>It’s not easy seeming green. A backlash to New Zealand’s vow of purity. Green.view, March 23rd 2010 Available from http://www.economist.com/node/15763381?story_id=15763381</ref> | On the other hand, there is a question over whether New Zealand should preserve all of its natural beauty or be somehow willing to make a compromise. The conflict in New Zealand is “…no different to that of other rich countries—how to balance economic growth with the need to address environmental degradation. But it is particularly acute in a country so dependent on the export of commodities and landscape-driven tourism. The difference between New Zealand and other places is that New Zealand has actively sold itself as “100% Pure”. Many people think they need to acknowledge “the gap between the claim and reality”, to risk the loss of reputation, because the country should “…find itself a more sustainable brand, and soon”.<ref>It’s not easy seeming green. A backlash to New Zealand’s vow of purity. Green.view, March 23rd 2010 Available from http://www.economist.com/node/15763381?story_id=15763381</ref> | ||
== | ==Lessons learned == | ||
What were the | The New Zealand case brought interesting experience, and responses to following questions: | ||
* What were “success” factors in rejection of the former purely economically oriented political strategy under concrete New Zealand conditions? These factors were folowing: | |||
** '''Accountability''': importance of the precise assessment of the country’s economic potential (from the mineral point of view) , called “stocktake”, on one hand – and precise analysis of public views on the other. | |||
** '''Transparency''': importance of the democratic consultation process – “hard data” from the stocktake (mostly on economic value of minerals) were supplemented by “soft data” on the value of culture, environment (conservation), tourism, recreation – which finally appeared to be more beneficial for communities from their point of view (see [http://www.med.govt.nz/upload/73974/Summary%20of%20Schedule%204%20submissions%20July%202010.pdf Summary of Submissions]). | |||
** '''Openness''': importance of having dialogue with wide variety of civic associations and NGOs in the country – which resulted in diversity of viewpoints on the problem. Communication process is of particular interest in this case study and should be further analyzed. | |||
* Was this result based on radical ideology? Were there any general benefits of the consultation process? | |||
** In this case, rather than insoluble conflict was generated, more detailed “map” of the country’s economic potential was received: including the value of environmental “services” (sometimes subjectively perceived). | |||
** General awareness of the mineral potential of the country was raised – areas inside and outside protected zones (Schedule 4) were more carefully examined (with respect to the constraints). | |||
** Along with precising of the data (mapping both mineral and environmental potential of regions), also decision-making procedures were elaborated in more detail. | |||
** Considerations on improvement of technical mining procedures have started. | |||
===Result=== | |||
The whole process might be considered as positive – it has delivered: | |||
* more information transparently available | |||
* more trust on both sides | |||
* potential for the economic development - that respects democratic dialogue – was raised | |||
==Questions and proposed methods for further research== | |||
* Communication process could be investigated in more detail: what are the links between most important factors of economic development ("economic development" could not be considered ''mining'' itself, but rather ''technological progress'' in mining industry, the process of collection and utilization of geological data, and interlinking of the mining industry with other sectors, e.g. recreation), and number, diversity, and value orientation of the responses in the [http://www.med.govt.nz/upload/73974/Summary%20of%20Schedule%204%20submissions%20July%202010.pdf Summary of Submissions]? | |||
* What are subjectively perceived values of environment? How could they be counter-weighted against economic values? | |||
* Institutional procedures and official decision-making processes (going on in the ministries and other institutions concerned) versus democratic process (going on the side of civic society) - what were the differences? Were there any correlations? | |||
* Etc. - many others. | |||
==References== | ==References== | ||
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Natural Riches Lie Untapped. New Zealand Mineral Exploration Association. Available from http://www.minerals.co.nz/html/main_topics/whats_new_untapped.html | Natural Riches Lie Untapped. New Zealand Mineral Exploration Association. Available from http://www.minerals.co.nz/html/main_topics/whats_new_untapped.html | ||
--[[User:Jana Dlouha|Jana Dlouha]] | --[[User:Jana Dlouha|Jana Dlouha]] 22:02, 24 January 2011 (CET) | ||