The potential of scaling up existing mineral mining has been criticised by the opposition and conservationists as the Government revealed its ambitious vision for doubling mineral export value over the next decade.
Resources Minister Shane Jones revealed a draft minerals sector strategy at a community meeting in Blackball — “the heart of mining country” — on the West Coast.
In making the announcement, the New Zealand First minister declared that mining was now “back in business”, with the desire to create thousands of new jobs.
Jones was greeted by protesters at the site of his announcement today.
The move to scale up production of existing minerals, which include coal, has been decried by conservation organisation Forest and Bird.
Jones’s message to miners and environmental protesters was the country needs to make the most of its vast mineral resources.
Manager of conservation advocacy and communications Richard Capie said boosting mining operations will contribute to “driving native plants and animals to extinction”.
“New Zealand’s outstanding natural beauty is essential to who we are, and those mountains, clean rivers, and magnificent forests are public conservation land. These are places that need to be protected, not destroyed,” he said.
“We’re living in a climate and biodiversity crisis, in a country with the highest proportion of threatened species in the world, where all types of public conservation land are valuable and home to endangered plants and animals.”
1News reporter Katie Stevenson was in Blackball for the announcement, while Maiki Sherman speaks about what this means for conservation land.
“We need to be building a low-carbon, future-focused economy based on looking after our natural environment, not sticking our head in the sand.”
He suggested the country’s “clean green global image” could be under threat.
Meanwhile, Labour Party climate spokesperson Megan Woods said Jones’ previous comments about species spoke to a “chilling” approach.
“Shane Jones has said multiple times that he doesn’t care if a mine destroys habitat of native animals,” she said in a media release.
“According to his hyperbole, there’s no species he won’t sacrifice for short term gain.”
Woods added: “It’s chilling that the first thing on Shane Jones’ list to achieve his strategy is to pass the Fast Track Approvals Bill, a bill that is both undemocratic and destructive.”
A previous bid was rejected two years ago due to some strong local opposition.
Green Party co-leader Chlöe Swarbrick said “fossil fuels need to stay in the ground”.
“The science is crystal clear. If we want to prevent a future filled with climate catastrophe and extreme weather, fossil fuels need to stay in the ground,” she said.
“Despite saying they care about ‘data and evidence’, the three men in charge of our country consistently prove the opposite in their actions.”