Submissions close tomorrow on the proposed changes to the Crown Minerals Act which could result in conservation areas, presently excluded from mining under its schedule four, opened up to mining exploration.
By yesterday, 30,000 submissions had been lodged with the Ministry of Economic Development, which had extended the original closing date from May 4 to tomorrow.
The "greater majority were form submissions", a ministry spokeswoman said.
The issue has outraged conservationists, who argue the land should remain protected for both conservation and tourism values, while the mining industry endorses the Government view which highlights the potential economic benefits of mineral exploration.
The initial Government stock take, announced in Queenstown last August by Minister of Energy and Resources Gerry Brownlee, then identified 7058ha for potential removal from schedule four protection; three areas in the North Island and the Paparoa National Park on the West Coast, and suggested areas covering 12,400ha be added to schedule four.
Findings from the stock take included that much of New Zealand's mineral potential was "concentrated, often in public conservation areas, with high conservation and cultural values" and that the mineral potential in those areas "could be developed with only a very small proportion of the land being directly impacted".
The Government has said a decision on the schedule four issue will be made before the end of the year.
