Mining

A long-awaited discussion document about opening up conservation land to mining was likely to be released today, Prime Minister John Key said.

Hysterical? Who's being hysterical? Not the media, Prime Minister.

The Government proposes subsidising the survey work of mining companies in the Mt Aspiring and the Rakiura National Parks, apparently leaked documents suggest.

OceanaGold has poured the three millionth ounce of gold from its Macraes mine in East Otago since it opened in 1990.

Prime Minister John Key says the public will have to wait for a discussion paper to be released to find out which areas of conservation land may be mined and how.

Frustration over Government proposals has prompted the face of the Department of Conservation, Nicola Vallance, to pack away her polar fleece and find a new platform for her environmental concerns. Shane Gilchrist reports.

Deposits of valuable minerals lie undisturbed but off-limits beneath New Zealand's conservation estate.

The Government remains tight-lipped on the contents of its wide-ranging "stocktake" mineral report - likely to be one of the more contentious environmental issues this year - which is due to be released by the end of the month.

Prime Minister John Key's son has been suggested again as a dumping ground for the worthless shares of senior National Party ministers.

Triple-listed East Otago miner Oceana Gold has announced a capital-raising programme - seeking a total $US75 million ($NZ106 million) - to buy out its forward hedging contracts so it can sell its gold on the global spot market.