Concerns Raised About Northland Being Mined

Posted by Gold FM on 14/03/2012

Conservationists and Maori from Northland are upset that their area is reportedly being pitched as available for mining applications.

The Far North Mayor, Wayne Brown, who is also chair of the Explore Northland Minerals group attended a meeting with government officials to promote Northland at the world’s largest mining trade show in Toronto, Canada earlier this month. (Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada's convention and trade show)

Landowners, local iwi and groups opposed to the sales pitch say that aerial surveys taken of the area are being used to entice mining companies to explore the region without revealing the results of the survey to land owners and iwi.

Public money was reportedly used to pay for the surveys costing millions which covered from Warkworth to Cape Reinga.

A Draft document called NORTHLAND 2012 EXPLORATION PERMIT TENDER OFFER: INVITATION FOR BIDS has been written for consultation with iwi.

 The government is undertaking a review of the Crown Minerals Act 1991, as well as associated regulations and programmes and the Minister of Energy and Resources Phil Heatley has released a discussion paper outling the proposed changes to the act.

The public has until 5 pm on Friday the 20th of April to comment on the paper.

Read Forest & Bird's response to the proposals