Swaying to and fro on quake mitigation
There is a reason why New Zealand is to the fore in earthquake research: we sit on the junction of two of the world’s largest and most mobile tectonic plates.
Why should we be apprehensive? Because, according to well-established pre-historical precedent, there has for some reason been an unnaturally long delay since the last major shake-up; meaning that when the big next release of pent-up energy does take place, it may well be of catastrophic proportions.
Scientists monitor the Alpine Fault very diligently, realising the potential implications of such a disaster. Our public, on the other hand, takes a punt on "not in my lifetime". Our government and most of our regional authorities take the convenient "she'll be right" short-term view and ignores the fact that the big one may take place, if not in our own lifetimes, in those of our offspring or grandchildren.
In the face of that, then, should we be tempting fate by allowing firstly, large scale interference with our landscape, and secondly, large reservoirs of toxic material to be held back from widespread distribution by way of waterways, wind patterns etc. in the face of forces over which we will have no control, except to have to live with the fallout?
[Abridged — length. Editor.]
From experience
I absolutely agree with Michael Buckenham (Letters 31.1.26): there are a number of contributors to the subject of mining who have no idea of the basic principles of engineering or earthmoving involved in both setting up mine sites and tailings dams requirements
Having worked in this industry for 60 years, including a time in Western Australia building tailings dams and raising them as is required as they reach capacity, I feel I can add my two bob’s worth
The tailings walls are made of impervious material which is imported onsite or, as is the case on a lot of sites, tailings are pushed up the walls from inside the ponding area using swamp dozers and excavators. The material is compacted to around 97% and seals in the slurry, and allows the walls to remain flexible in the case of earthquakes — which I have experienced on a site not far from Kalgoorlie.
A lot of people think tailings dams are a huge area off water and cyanide. In fact the spigots that transport the tailings material down the walls are spaced and allow material to slowly move towards the centre where the water is picked up by large pumps and sent back to settling ponds to be reused.
The vision implied by contributors to the ODT of enormous slips coming down and causing catastrophic damage to a tailings dams and dirty toxic cyanide ending up in my back yard speak of someone who has had too many drama lessons.
The protocols around setting up a gold mine are huge and no stone will be left unturned. Santana will do as was done in the Cromwell gorge, with all the engineering that is required to mitigate any issues that may arise.
If we weren’t confident in our engineers we would not live in the vicinity of power stations or canals. You cannot hold up positive progress with misinformation and scaremongering.
I would dearly love to take Sam Neill to WA to show him tailings and dams that have been rehabilitated — that very few people because of remoteness would ever see — which have been sown in desert flowers and shrubs. The thorny lizards and all the goannas etc have returned.
The amount of money spent and the finished product are a sight to behold.
All the engineering and complex infrastructure that has been put in place in the Otago and Southland regions over the years has added great value. Santana will be doing the same.
[Abridged — length. Editor.]
Gallery should be a source of pride for precinct
I am saddened by the collective vitriol published about the rent paid by Donna Demente for her gallery space in the Historic Precinct, Harbour St, Oamaru.
I agree Ms Demente has benefited from a fixed rent for a long time, but for all this time she has added so much to the precinct and occupied a premises that is up several sets of steep stairs and frequently porous to the elements.
Not a lot of improvements on her behalf have been provided by the landlords, the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust.
The rent it is supposed to be able to command according to your reporting, once she’s turfed out, is highly unlikely to be realised, even with considerable investment. In fact, Ms Demente ought to be supported by the trust instead of being insulted and criticised by people who should know better.
I know about inflation, and the need to cover costs, but I also know that not everything has a dollar value.
However, in my opinion, Ms Demente, her gallery and her years and years of artistic contribution to our community are priceless.
Passport woes
It states on the first page of my current New Zealand passport, and a similar statement is on my expired UK passport: "The Governor-General requests in the name of the Her Majesty the Queen (now obviously His Majesty the King), all whom it may concern to allow the holder to pass without delay or hindrance and in case of need to give all lawful assistance and protection".
Perhaps it is now time for our foreign affairs minister, and those of all other Commonwealth countries, to seriously question London regarding the change of rules which will ignore this request unless dual citizenship holders arrive in the UK with a British passport, if they can get one in time.
This rule effectively downgrades the value of a New Zealand passport when held by a dual citizen of both countries.
Fishy issue
Norman Edwards (Letters ODT 26.1.26) suggests that there were about 10 times the number of fishing boats prior to 1986 than there are now and argues that this proves that commercial fishing is not the main driver in too few fish (and I would add, the wrong species) to sustain yellow-eyed penguins.
I would suggest it proves on the contrary: that overfishing led to the reduction of fishing boats. Surely, if there were still abundant fish, the quotas and the number of commercial fishers would reflect that?
One thing we have the ability to stop immediately is the catching of dolphins and yellow-eyed penguins as bycatch by restricting commercial fishing in territories in which their feeding territories overlap.
Great sticks
Congratulations to all involved in the recent international hockey tournament.
What a marvellous exhibition by all four teams. Their skill with stick work was amazing and enjoyed by the many who attended. Well done Otago Hockey.
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