Ironsands mining win, Chathams Rise the next battle

Refusing consent for ironsands mining off the Taranaki coast is a curtainraiser to plans to mine the Chathams Rise says independent MP Brendan Horan.

“The Environmental Protection Agency decision is a tribute to the hard work of the excellent scientific and legal team brought together by Kiwis Against Seabed Mining.

“The fact is that more jobs will result from protecting the ocean environment than the handful of jobs that might have resulted from Trans Tasman Resources’ mining activities. Having the ocean turned into an industrial wasteland would be the worst outcome for Kiwi jobs.

“The next battle is the prevention of phosphate mining on the Chathams Rise. A company called Chatham Rock Phosphate has applied to mine over 10,000 square km on the Chatham Rise for 35 years. The company is funded by American & Dutch corporates

“New Zealanders have just one chance to be heard and voice the need to protect our oceans. Submissions close on 10 July.

Brendan Horan drew attention during Question Time on 4 March 2014 to the ironsands mining proposal, questioning Steven Joyce. His answers failed to acknowledge the greater benefit for New Zealand jobs of protecting the oceans.

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