Brownlee’s Comments On Mining Just Not Credible

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee’s comments on the benefits of mining are just plain silly, says Coromandel Watchdog spokesman Denis Tegg.

Yesterday Mr Brownlee said mining had a range of benefits for everyone "from the time you get up in the morning until the time you go to bed at night".

But what Mr. Brownlee failed to say is that all of the 9 areas tagged for mining on the Coromandel Peninsula, are for gold mining.

While a tiny amount of gold is used to make things like electronic goods, around 75% of gold is made into jewelry.

"How that benefits the average New Zealander from the time we "wake up in the morning until the time we go to bed at night", as Mr Brownlee alleged yesterday, is difficult to comprehend," said Mr Tegg.

"Mr Brownlee expects New Zealanders to be convinced that making more gold necklaces will compensate for putting some of the country’s most beautiful wilderness and its reputation as a tourist destination at risk."

The fact is we don’t need more gold. Most of the gold that has ever been mined is still in circulation or is held in the vaults of nation's central banks. What’s more, a huge amount of gold jewelry can be, and often is, recycled.

"New Zealanders will not be swayed by Mr Brownlee’s silly comments. They know the environmental cost of gold mining is a very serious issue."

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