<
https://theconversation.com/nzs-government-wants-to-kick-start-a-mining-boom-but-theyre-unlikely-to-hit-paydirt-232482>
"Minister of Resources and of Regional Development Shane Jones has been busy
boosting the prospects of an expanded mining and oil industry in Aotearoa New
Zealand. A new mining policy is “long overdue”, he has said, and will counter
the country’s “excessive levels of environmental protection”.
Alongside his more colourful statements – that blind, endangered frogs might be
sacrificed for exploration or mining developments – Jones has proposed
amendments to the
Crown Minerals Act and developed a new draft minerals
strategy that is currently out for consultation.
The new strategy aims for ten significant new mining operations by 2045 and a
doubling of export value (to NZ$2 billion). The strategy also calls for
prioritising economic gain and regional development over environmental
protections.
A list of “critical minerals” for exploration is being drafted, positioned as
part of the “energy transition” made possible by green technologies. Given
these bold claims, we need to be looking at what the evidence tells us is
happening, and likely to happen in future."
Cheers,
*** Xanni ***
--
mailto:xanni@xanadu.net Andrew Pam
http://xanadu.com.au/ Chief Scientist, Xanadu
https://glasswings.com.au/ Partner, Glass Wings
https://sericyb.com.au/ Manager, Serious Cybernetics
