Research, Science and Technology minister Wayne Mapp says he supports the protection of the Kermadec region, and hence the restriction of any mining activity in the area.
While the area is rich in mineral deposits, it is also virtually untouched, and seen as an important example of marine biodiversity.
An excerpt: (read in full here)
“”Massive underwater mineral deposits of iron, manganese and copper – and lesser concentrations of zinc, lead and gold – around the volcanic Kermadec arc are being eyed up by mining companies.
“”But conservation groups have warned the virtually untouched wilderness could be devastated by deep-sea mining. The area is a marine reserve, where bottom trawling and dredging within 100 metres of the sea floor is banned.””