Federated Mountain Clubs opposes proposal to mine in Mt Aspiring National Park

Federated Mountain Clubs  is gravely concerned about recommendations by the Ministry of Economic Development that 20 percent of the land in the Mt Aspiring National Park should be set aside for mining.

Recommendations by the Ministry of Economic Development that parts of the Red Hills and the North East of the National Park totalling some 20 percent of the park's area, are likely to be considered by Cabinet before Christmas.

"FMC is totally opposed to the government recommendations and calls on the Government to affirm the no mining strategy for managing national parks," says Federated Mountain Clubs President Rob Mitchell.

"The proposals are a serious threat to the future of this iconic national park.  This opportunism is a shocking reversal of previous National Party commitments to the development of NZ's national parks and the creation of Schedule 4 to protected national parks from mining."

"The Holland National Party Government championed the National Parks Act in 1952, and the Holyoake Government in 1964 was proud to announce the creation of the Mt Aspiring National Park."

"We cannot understand why the National Government should consider dismembering Mt Aspiring National Park, which contributes so much to New Zealand tourism and outdoor recreation."

"The alarming news comes just before the summer holidays when thousands of New Zealanders will be visiting the park, and follows the celebration of 100 years of mountaineering in the Mt Aspiring region," says Rob Mitchell.

The Red Hills are in the western section of the National Park adjacent to the Olivine Wilderness Area. Unsuccessful attempts were made to mine in the area before it was eventually included in the National Park.

The northeast of the National Park threatened with mining for Rare Earth Elements, includes the popular tramping areas of the Wilkin, Siberia and Young Valleys, as well as the stunningly beautiful Mt Brewster.
Generations of New Zealanders created this magnificent world heritage National Park. Members of the Federated of Mountain Clubs, led by Otago members of the local tramping clubs and the New Zealand Alpine Club campaigned long and hard for the establishment of the Mt Aspiring National Park in 1964. FMC members have been active in administration of the Park in association with the national parks management and Department of Conservation. The Otago Tramping and Mountaineering Club was formed in the 1920s while both the Federated Mountain Clubs and the Otago Section of the NZ Alpine Club were formed in 1931. 

FMC Contact :
Rob Mitchell 027 3620101

Extract from Department of Conservation comments on the mining proposal received from an anonymous source by FMC. 

MOUNT ASPIRING NATIONAL PARK

Mineral prospects

1.         This area is home to the only known carbonatite deposits in New Zealand, making it a potential deposition zone for REEs.  There are several known mineral occurrences within the park, including showings of gold, chromium and nickel.  The geology suggests that the park area is prospective for at least 11 different types of mineral deposits.  However, because of the national park status of the area since 1964, there has been little modern geochemical exploration of the area to assist in assessing its prospectivity.

2.         In particular, the land in the northeast corner of Mount Aspiring National Park has high mineral prospectivity, particularly in respect of tungsten and REEs.

Conclusions

3.         It is therefore recommended that the northeast sector of the national park (the part which approximates the known extent of the carbonatite formations, and which amounts to about <20% of the land area of the park) be considered for removal from Schedule Four.