11 April 2013

Government erodes promise on Schedule 4 mining

The Green Party has discovered that the Government is eroding its promise to New Zealanders to not mine in Schedule 4 areas, by handing out an exploratory permit to a mining company that allows drilling in Schedule 4.

The Green Party has obtained legal advice that says an exploratory permit held by Hawkeswood Civil Limited to look for gold and silver in the Firth of Thames, a Schedule 4 area, cannot not be exercised under current law, but might be legal to utilise once the Government’s changes to the Crown Minerals Act are passed.

“The Government is eroding its promise to New Zealanders by handing out permits to mining companies that allow exploratory drilling in Schedule 4 areas,” said Green Party mining spokesperson Catherine Delahunty.

“Our legal advice shows the permit given to Hawkeswood cannot currently be exercised because the proposed activity does not meet the definition of a minimum impact activity under the Crown Minerals Act.

“The Government is handing out permits, that allow drilling, that are not legal to exercise. The public needs to know why the Government is allowing this activity in an area where no mining can occur.

“We are worried the Government is eroding the rules that protect these areas with a view to allowing greater mining activities in the future. Today in the House, Energy Minister Simon Bridges would not rule out granting to Broken Hills Gold Company Limited a mining permit on Schedule 4 land.

“Giving mining companies drilling rights that go beyond the permitted activities in Schedule 4 is a clear sign that the Government is backing away from their promise to not mine in our most beautiful and protected areas.

“Worryingly, our legal advice also says the changes the Government is making to the Crown Minerals Act may now allow Hawkeswood to undertake their exploratory drilling programme.

“The Government’s changes to the law might allow greater impact activities in areas where there should be no mining or exploration.

“It is absurd that the Government is saying to mining companies that they can look but not touch in Schedule 4. All mining activities need to be prohibited in Schedule 4 areas.”

In question time today Simon Bridges refused to rule out granting a mining permit to Broken Hills Gold Company, and confirmed that he will allow drilling to go ahead in schedule four areas, added Ms Delahunty.

Additional information:
For the work programme of permit 52722 which includes drilling, search for permit 52722 here: http://www.nzpam.govt.nz/cms/online-services/current-permits/banner_template/CMINPSCURR
Legal Advice showing Firth of Thames is Internal Waters: https://www.greens.org.nz/sites/default/files/advice_-_internal_waters.pdf
Legal Advice re Hawkeswood permit https://www.greens.org.nz/sites/default/files/to_b_lake_-_legality_of_minerals_permit.pdf

ENDS

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