FMC opposition to mining conservation land
The President of Federated Mountain Clubs has made our views known to the Prime Minister. Read the letter
Post a Photo Campaign
Mining in the Coromandel
Go to Coromandel Watch Dog Campaign website to stay in touch with threats in this area.
The Government has begun assessing mining potential in National Parks, Wilderness Areas and other core conservation lands. These lands, listed in Schedule 4 of the Crown Minerals, are currently off-limits to mining. The Government is also looking at ways to make access to other conservation lands (including Conservation and Forest Parks) for mining even easier than it currently is, despite the fact that access applications are almost always granted. They are also looking at how to re-classify conservation land so it can be mined more easily. The Minister of Conservation’s recent decision to exclude the most ecologically-valuable part of the proposed Oteake Conservation Park from the final boundaries gives a strong indication of the Government’s intentions. Fortunately, a Green Party amendment at the time Schedule 4 was created in 1997 will ensure that any changes to the Schedule will require consultation with FMC. And thanks to the previous Labour Government, last year recent National Parks and Wilderness Areas were added to Schedule 4.
FMC will not stand for such a brazen threat to the treasured public conservation estate that we have fought so hard for for decades. We will be developing information and a campaign for you to get have your say (see the next Bulletin and our website soon). For now, we encourage you to send a photo of a favourite conservation place to the Prime Minister – you can email a digital photo to him at j.key@ministers.govt.nz with an explanation of why you don’t want it mined; or you can post a photo-print and write on the back like a postcard (Prime Minister, Freepost, Parliament). Simple, powerful and personal – that is what influences politicians. You can also download a petition here and get your club members and friends to sign it.
An example of mining impacting on Conservation Land
Near Reefton in the Victoria Forest Park DoC has tracks to old mines. In the same area is a commercial Gold Mine. This mine has a tailings dam. A local Tramping Club reports that DoC has had to close sections of their track to accommodate the needs of the Gold Mine. The photos tell their own story !
What is Schedule 4 ?
You can down load a copy of Schedule 4 here: Schedule 4 of Crown Minerals Act
Which reserves are protected ?
You can download a full list of all the protected reserves here: Schedule 4 Reserves
Help with a Petition
The Green Party have prepared a petition form. You can help by downloading the Mining petition here. Get as many as you can to sign it and send it to the address on the form.