Mr Jones laid down the challenge after the Animation Research founder voiced his concerns about the project’s inclusion in the fast-track legislation.
"If Ian Taylor wants a debate, I will debate with him or anyone else on the South Island at a location of their choosing," Mr Jones told the Otago Daily Times yesterday.
Sir Ian thanked Mr Jones for the opportunity, suggesting they use his company’s technology "to livestream our korero to the world".
"After all, the world has picked up on his ‘drill baby drill’ message, so I am sure they would be interested to see how he sees that sitting alongside our 100% Pure NZ brand.
"Let’s set the date e hoa."
Sir Ian last month penned opinion pieces to both RMA Reform Minister Chris Bishop and New Zealand Minerals Council chief executive Josie Vidal — inviting the latter to a debate — raising concerns about the Australian mining company’s Bendigo-Ophir gold project.
Asked about Sir Ian’s views, Mr Jones said there was "a level of naivety rippling through the repudiation of the gold mine".
There was a huge need for gaps in the labour market to be filled, and New Zealand was not in a position where it could reject jobs from the extractive sector.
Mining was neither funded nor delivered in the way it was 30 to 50 years ago, Mr Jones said.
"People are conveniently identifying historical problems, but at the same time, deprecating the improvement in technology and the actual delivery of projects."
Whenever the extractive sector met the natural environment, things changed.
"But things have changed since we arrived in New Zealand, since the first Polynesians were chasing the moa around the South Island.
"I find that a lot of the commentary is a level of morality that suggests that those who are all ka pai are pulling up the ladder."
The next generation were looking to the government to create new options in the extractive sector, Mr Jones said.
In response, Sir Ian said the location of his choosing would be the Tarras community centre — the same venue he challenged Ms Vidal to debate him at.
In his initial letter to Mr Bishop, Sir Ian questioned the risk versus the reward the project posed.
He later clarified to Ms Vidal his letter was only about gold and Santana Minerals’ project.
"Otago isn’t an isolated corner of the country," Sir Ian wrote.
"It’s a region that helps underpin the national economy, having built a global reputation around horticulture, viticulture, tourism and food and beverage exports. Industries totally reliant on clean, pure water.
"That backyard belongs to all of us."
