Overwhelming Kiwi support for NZ minerals industry

MEDIA RELEASE
11 October 2012 for immediate use

Overwhelming Kiwi support for NZ minerals industry – Straterra

An opinion poll showing strong national support for responsible minerals exploration and mining is a call to improve public understanding of the sector, Straterra says.

A nationwide survey of 1000 New Zealanders conducted by Pauline Colmar in February and March 2012 was released at a meeting of the Board of Straterra, New Zealand’s representative body for the minerals industry, on 11 October 2012.
Of this nationally-representative group, 77 percent were very concerned or quite concerned about New Zealand’s standard of living, and 81 percent believed it is very important or quite important to develop New Zealand’s natural resources for prosperity.

Straterra CEO Chris Baker said today: “These results reveal that most New Zealanders support responsible minerals exploration and mining, contrary to what a vocal and persistent minority would have us believe.”

“But the results also show relatively poor public understanding of the reality today of minerals activities in New Zealand,” Mr Baker said.

While 59% percent of interviewees agreed or agreed strongly with the development of New Zealand’s natural resources, a much higher percentage agreed or agreed strongly if the following statements applied: the environment is protected (79 percent); local people are employed (84 percent); boosts the economy (83 percent); money stays in New Zealand (82 percent); done by New Zealand companies (78 percent).

”The facts are that environmental effects of exploration and mining are managed, New Zealanders are employed, a contribution to the economy does occur, because most of the money stays in New Zealand as salaries, taxes, royalties, rates, fees, community contributions, and payments to suppliers.”
“As is the case with the New Zealand wine industry, and many other industries, there is a high level of foreign investment in the minerals sector because risk capital has to come from somewhere.”

“This poll shows very clearly the need to improve awareness among New Zealanders of what exploration and mining are, and what they are not,” Mr Baker said. “The misinformation advanced by parts of the community, however well intended, does not help informed debate on our economic future.”
“Most New Zealanders want to see New Zealand’s standard of living improved, and the minerals sector can play a valuable role in achieving this goal.”

ends

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