Coromandel Communities Betrayed By Schedule 4 Broken Promise

The permit granted for mining in Schedule 4 land in Coromandel this year is a serious betrayal of trust between the government and the communities of the Coromandel.

“This is an outrageous expansion of the Broken Hills ‘hobby’ mine in Puketui to a full Mining Permit and includes 3HA of Schedule 4 land,” said Coromandel Watchdog Coordinator Renee Annan. “We are not opposed to access to Schedule 4 land to create an additional exit shaft for the existing hobby mine but that is not what this is about.”

“We are concerned that this is a precedent for allowing mining in Schedule 4 land and also that the Minister will make decisions on a case by case basis when it should be a blanket no mining policy in our most precious places.”

“Tens of thousands of people marched up Queen St in 2010 because they want to look after our precious places and protect our native biodiversity. People don’t come to the Coromandel to be in the bush and experience industrial mining. We didn’t march to have these silly debates – no mining means no mining.”

“We have to remember that there are also exploration and prospecting permits over Schedule 4 land – why are they allowing exploration if they say there will be no mining? It is very difficult for the communities of the Coromandel to trust this government when they are allowing mining companies to get their foot in the door of Schedule.”

“Safety is important, however this permit includes 3HA of Schedule 4 land - when only 100m2 is a maximum is needed for an emergency exit shaft – and let’s not forget that this is a mining permit not a special purpose mining permit. This mine has been consistently expanding its capacity and is now moving further into Schedule 4 – how long before there is a full scale industrial mine in the heart of the Coromandel?”

“The government has broken its promise on Schedule 4 and they should stop granting permits over Schedule 4 land immediately.”

Coromandel Watchdog of Hauraki: protecting the Coromandel Peninsula from mining
www.watchdog.org.nz

For further information visit: http://tvnz.co.nz/politics-news/govt-misleading-public-mining-promise-greens-5503518 and http://tvnz.co.nz/breakfast-news/mining-permit-alarms-coromandel-locals-video-5503894

ENDS

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