Broken Promise: DOC Grants Access to Schedule 4 Land for Mineral Exploration

Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki is shocked that the Ministry of Conservation has granted access for prospecting on Schedule 4 land to mining companies in the Coromandel and in the Paparoa National Park.

Over 40,000 New Zealander’s marched and made submissions in 2010 to protect our most precious conservation land from mining. But permits have been granted by NZ Petroleum and Minerals over land that includes Schedule 4 conservation land and more recently access for exploration has been granted by the Department of Conservation.

“Newmont aren’t just doing this for fun, they want information that would lead to a viable mine and access to this information gives them the ability to compromise the ecological values of this conservation land,” Coromandel Watchdog Coordinator Renee Annan said. “This is not what we marched for in 2010 and it is not what was promised by this government to the people of New Zealand or the communities of Hauraki/Coromandel.”

“What is the point of allowing prospecting and exploration when it has been made very clear that mining and industrialising these areas is unacceptable,” Ms Annan said. “Letting a multinational corporation with a controversial reputation internationally and in New Zealand into the areas of utmost protection is another example if this governments on-going facilitation of the mineral industry over and above the wellbeing of communities and the environment.”

Access has been granted to prospect in the Kauaeranga Valley near Thames and in the Puketui Valley near the Kopu-Hikuai Road on Schedule 4 land.

“These are part of our treasured conservation estate that many people who live here and others who visit have a close affinity with. Access should not be given for any stage of mining activity including prospecting and exploration,” said Ms Annan.

“This is a major breach of trust between the government and our communities. The Coromandel is too precious to mine.”

ENDS
Reference:
Parliamentary research of mineral permits on Schedule 4 land: https://www.greens.org.nz/sites/default/files/schedule_4_and_mining_permit_overlap.pdf

DOC access arrangements for mineral prospecting and exploration on Schedule 4 land:http://www.greens.org.nz/sites/default/files/oia_of_access_arrangements.pdf

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