Press release - March 14, 2010
The Government’s assurances of "boutique", "surgical" mining in areas with low conservation value seem to have disappeared down a mine shaft, says Greenpeace.
Forest and Bird today released information on the areas the
Government intends to open up to mining. They include: Great
Barrier Island, Coromandel Peninsula and Paparoa National Park.
"There's no way these areas could be considered low conservation
value and there's no way the minerals sought will be mined by
anything other than highly destructive mining techniques like
open-pit mining," said Greenpeace Political Advisor Geoff Keey.
"This is a huge blow to New Zealand's clean green values and
brand, and another example of the dangerous direction in which this
Government is heading in terms of environmental management. It's a
rip shit and bust mentality which is out of step with the rest of
the world.
"Mining these areas would increase New Zealand's already very
high greenhouse gas emissions because of the massive amount of
fossil fuels needed for the kinds of mining required.
"Coal mining in Paparoa National Park would be a triple hit for
the planet, destroying valuable natural areas, creating massive
emissions from mining and then even more emissions when the coal is
burnt.
"New Zealanders will be furious over this. Focus groups and
polling has clearly shown New Zealanders don't support these
proposals. They will have every right to feel angry and
betrayed."
Other contacts: Geoff Keey – Greenpeace Political Advisor 021504486
Kathy Cumming - Media and Communications - 021 495 216