Board strongly opposes conservation land mining

The Otago Conservation Board is "adamantly opposed" to any mining in national parks and other areas with high conservation values.

At a meeting in Cromwell, the board discussed the proposed review of the Crown Minerals Act and reclassification of conservation land and decided to inform Minister of Energy Gerry Brownlee, and Minister of Conservation Tim Groser, of its views.

Last month Mr Brownlee said he wanted to improve access to mineral resources and access to Crown-owned land was a key issue.

Conservation land held an estimated 70% of this country's mineral potential.

"There are obviously competing objectives here, but there is scope to explore how economic development objectives could be better reconciled with other land values," Mr Brownlee said.

"There is the potential for more flexible arrangements that do not undermine conservation and environmental objectives."

Otago Conservation Board chairman Hoani Langsbury said it was time for the board to make its position clear.

"This is going to be one of those proposals that impact on conservation for some time to come.

We need to decide our position sooner rather than later."

Department of Conservation Otago conservator Marian van der Goes thought many people were unaware there was already mining activity on conservation land in this country.

Anyone planning to mine needed access to the land and "a whole raft of permissions" before they could begin any operation.

Board member Andrew Penniket said Otago was probably one of the areas most affected by the proposal.

"I don't think we need to panic too much. The Government would cut its own throat if it followed through on this one," Iris Scott said.

Abby Smith said all areas of high conservation value should be protected from mining.

"I'm not keen to see the bulldozers arrive," Dr Smith said.

Mt Aspiring is the only park affected by the proposal in this region.

lynda.van.kempen@odt.co.nz