An announcement by Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee last week (at a conference of the Australian Institute of Mining and Metallurgy (AusIMM) in Queenstown) has raised the possibility that Department of Conservation land may be opened to mineral prospecting.
The value of untapped minerals in New Zealand has been estimated at around $140 billion, of which nearly 70 percent is on conservation land.
NEWS COVERAGE
RNZ – Checkpoint: Conservation land assessed for mining
NZPA: Government digs up mining opportunities
Otago Daily Times: Crown land may be used for mining
Newtalk ZB: Mining to be allowed on DOC land?
3News: Govt proposes mining on conservation land
The Press: Crown eyes lucrative mineral potential of conservation estate
TVNZ: Govt plays down plans to mine DOC land
RNZ – Morning Report: Mining industry celebrates unlocking conservation land
3News: Save Happy Valley group aghast at prospect of more mining
NZ Herald: Fear mining ban review could open
RNZ News: Mining on conservation land ‘could jeopardise tourism’
Southland Times: Outrage at Govt mining proposal
The Press: Stop anti-mining ‘hysteria’ – Groser
The Nelson Mail: Key plays down fears of mining DOC land
Otago Daily Times: New era in mineral exploration
NZ Herald: Coromandel iwi eye mining rights