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Source: ONE News -
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There is limited support for the government's idea to mine underneath protected conservation land.
Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee announced the government would investigate tapping into New Zealand's mineral estate , which he says is worth around $140 billion.
Labour has already condemned the suggestion, saying the Department of Conservation land is vital to our way of life and international reputation.
And environmentalists are appalled at the idea of mining on DOC land.
Forest and Bird spokesman Kevin Hackwell says any money raised through a potential mine would not outweigh the income the land currently generates.
He says DOC land is the cornerstone of the tourism industry which generates $21 billion for the country every year.
But the mining industry is applauding the government for looking at a way to generate wealth for New Zealand.
New Zealand Minerals Industry Association chief executive Doug Gordon says 70% of the minerals are under Crown land.
He says there's no need to be alarmed because there's no way the government will just rip up the country's parks and reserves.
But environmentalists are appalled at suggestions there could be mining on Department of Conservation land.
Forest and Bird is struggling to see any benefits to opening up protected land to mining and says only 13% of the country's land is set aside for the public.
Spokesman Kevin Hackwell says they have been calling the current restraints on mining to be strengthened - not weakened. And he says the government will have a fight on its hands if it decides to go down this path.
Hackwell says any money raised through a potential mine would not outweigh the income the land currently generates.
He says DOC land is the cornerstone of the tourism industry which generates $21 billion for the country every year.
What do you think of the government's idea to mine some DOC land? Share your thoughts on our messageboard below.
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Add a Comment:
Post new commentmenacerec said on 2010-07-24 @ 00:53 NZDT: Report abusive post
John needs the boot... not just for this either.
menacerec said on 2010-07-24 @ 00:49 NZDT: Report abusive post
No hawthorne, what National have done is gone back on multiple significant election promises. Their economic policies have already shown to correlate with increases in income inequality. They are increasing our debt in order to give the upper 5% of earners the greatest tax cuts, although 75% of the population is hardly left with enough to live on. They are further cutting the rights of workers in favour of big businesses, their true agenda is quite clear.
irwin said on 2010-07-21 @ 11:05 NZDT: Report abusive post
The protest actions taken by my fellow NZers and the governments decision not to proceed with the mining on DOC land makes me very proud to be a Kiwi. This is democracy at its finest and those people who say the government should never investigated it in the first place have lost the plot. The people have spoken and the government has listened. Great.
ukustarmitch said on 2010-07-21 @ 10:01 NZDT: Report abusive post
HAHAHA this is too funny. How dare they consider destroying our beautiful landscape! National, you did the right thing, but don't expect me to vote for you in next years election
SantaCruz66 said on 2010-07-21 @ 08:54 NZDT: Report abusive post
Simply a matter of matter that Gerry doesn't want to mine what he can't walk around. 50k kiwis marched because Gerry et al missed the point. Good democracy for sure but political ineptitude and appalling stewardship - all Gerry had to do was announce it the conference and he would have been fine :)