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New Zealand: Mining in Schedule 4 Conflict: Difference between revisions
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New Zealand: Mining in Schedule 4 Conflict (view source)
Revision as of 10:08, 3 May 2011
, 10:08, 3 May 2011→Introduction – facts and opinions
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== Introduction | == Introduction == | ||
In March 2010, the New Zealand Government began canvassing the idea of removing land from its highly protected status under Schedule Four of the Crown Minerals Act in order to carrying out prospecting for rich mineral deposits. While releasing a discussion paper proposing a number of measures to develop New Zealand's mineral potential the Minister of Energy and Resources, Gerry Brownlee, and the Minister of Conservation, Kate Wilkinson, said a preliminary stocktake of Schedule Four land showed <ref name=Green>Media statement: Time to discuss maximising our mineral potential http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1003/S00313.htm</ref>: | |||
- New Zealand is mineral rich and extraction could be undertaken in an environmentally friendly way | |||
- the mineral wealth was often highly concentrated in high conservation areas | |||
- Schedule Four lands could be mined with little direct impact | |||
- there was inadequate information on the potential mineral deposits and the Government wanted to improve knowledge of the "mineral estate". | |||
The reaction to the Government's proposal was swift and vociferous. Environmental and local community groups, celebrities and opposition political parties immediately lined up against the Government, the mining industry and big business interest groups to condemn any suggestion of encroaching upon land with the highest protected conservation status in the country. | |||
“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>. | “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>. | ||
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). | 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). | ||