New Zealand’s new mining strategy has a goal of doubling the value of our mineral exports by 2035.
The announcement today also included the release of the final critical minerals list with 37 minerals including gold and coal.
The SMC asked experts to comment.
Dr Hamish Rennie, Associate Professor of Planning and Environmental Management, Lincoln University, comments:
“It’s great to see the Minister recognises both the importance of the environment and the interests of tangata whenua in his forward to the Minerals Strategy. Mining is an important contributor to the global economy, and to the transition to a sustainable future. There have been significant advances in rehabilitation of mining sites and mining has significantly contributed to our heritage tourism industry (e.g. the Otago Goldfields).
“But, it’s really important that the regulatory environment is robust and can ensure that the footprint from mining is indeed “light”. The drive for efficient consenting processes cannot be at the expense of effective protection for the environment, tangata whenua interests, highly productive land and the wellbeing of communities.
“To achieve the Minister’s goal of a light environmental footprint he may need heavy handed regulation. That might be incompatible with the proposed Regulatory Standards Bill and proposed fast track consenting legislation.”
No conflicts of interest.
Dr Martin Brook, Professor of Applied Geology, University of Auckland, comments:
“Our way of life and average life expectancy are underpinned by what we, as the human race, produce from minerals (and crude oil). The vast majority of our products are derived from minerals overseas, our expectation being that other countries should dig up their minerals to provide us with technology, electricity and materials we demand. In NZ, we then claim to be “clean and green”. Given this context, Shane Jones’ speech launching the new minerals strategy and critical minerals list in the core shed of OceanaGold’s Waihi mine was bombastic.
“However, scratching beneath and beyond the rhetoric, and talking to mine engineers from overseas who also attended the launch, there is much to be positive about. Indeed, while NZ sits astride a plate boundary, putting us at risk of earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and tsunami, plate tectonics also blesses us with a rich mineral wealth, much of which is outlined in the critical minerals list.
“As I heard from overseas visitors, NZ is a parliamentary democracy, has a respected court system, and quality universities. If any country globally can extract minerals effectively with as little environmental footprint as possible, it is NZ. Mines take up tiny footprints, compared with the 1.6 million hectares of NZ natural habitat currently destroyed by exotic radiata pine plantations. Mining jobs are very well paid and require a range of skillsets, providing opportunities from administration, finance, to heavy vehicle engineering, environmental science, and geology etc.
“We have an opportunity now to reap the economic benefits and slow the rate of young, skilled people crossing the ditch. I welcome the government’s attempt to promote mining opportunities. We can feed more minerals into global supply chains, rather than our arrogant attitudes toward other countries, many of whom are undergoing civil wars over conflict minerals.”
Conflict of interest statement: “I used to work overseas in mining in Australia until 2015; I don’t have any current relationships with mining companies; I have received funding from RSNZ and MBIE regarding toxic minerals.”
Dr. Phaedra Upton, Land and Marine Geoscience Theme Leader, GNS Science, comments:
“As you will see in our submission on the MBIE website, we recommended the exclusion of coal from the list, which would align us with Australia’s list and our Government’s commitment to achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
“GNS Science remains committed to working alongside MBIE and industry to explore commercial opportunities that support mineral exploration and development for the energy transition. Through Government-funded research, where available, we will investigate minerals essential for the energy transition and assess supply security for New Zealand.”
No conflicts of interest.