Government needs to come clean on dirty mining

New Zealanders can expect open cast mining in Paparoa National Park despite the Government’s assurances, the Green Party said today.

“It was telling in the House yesterday, when John Key promised no open cast mining for Coromandel, that he failed to mention Paparoa,” Mr Hague said.

“Government MPs are trying to have it every way but honest when it comes to the impact and value of their mining proposals,” Green MP Kevin Hague said.

Minister Brownlee stated in September that; “I make it very clear that no one is talking about mining our National Parks”. National MP Jo Goodhew stated last night on Backbenches that; “open cast mines will not happen under a John Key Government”. The discussion document released by the Government this week proposes alluvial mining in Paparoa National Park.

“This fits a pattern of flip-flops, contradictions and misinformation about the real impact and value of mining in the last of our wild spaces.

“The Inangahua area of Paparoa National Park was added to Schedule 4 in part because of devastation caused nearby by open cast mining and logging.

“The Government’s discussion document implies that because the nearby mining doesn’t affect the National Park, this somehow justifies opening up virgin forest within Paparoa for mining.

“The Government keeps calling for a rational debate about mining, but fails the rationality test over and over again.

“Rumours are beginning to circulate that Tourism Minister John Key intends to market the open cast mine in Paparoa National Park to tourists as The Mordor Experience,” Mr Hague said.

ENDS

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