Mining: The consequences...

[A local Mount Pleasant meeting on the National Party and Gerry Brownlee's idea to 'stocktake' our National Parks was held. Chris Todd of Forest and Bird spoke and told us about what could happen if mining goes ahead and what we can do to stop it.]

What areas are at risk? The Minister's "stock take" will be released in February or March 2010. Mining companies appear to be targeting the Coromandel and Kahurangi National Park at the top of the South Island for expansion of mining.

Official information also shows the "stock take" includes oil reserves in Fiordland National Park, metallic minerals in Mt Aspiring National Park and gold and coal in Paparoa National Park.

Effects of mining on...Water

Mining often exposes sulphide in rocks to the air and water, producing sulphuric acid that causes acidification of groundwater, streams and rivers. Sediments can build up in waterways,turning water black or brown and reducing light and oxygen levels.

Mining of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, lead and zinc can contaminate waterways.

Landscape

The barren, stripped-bare appearance of open-cast mines has been likened to moonscapes. Open cast mines remove all the vegetation, soil and rock above the material that is mined.

They remove millions of tonnes of rock - sometimes removing entire mountains or ridgelines - and leave massive scars on the landscape. Mining also leaves behind large amounts of waste rock(known as tailings) and often requires new roads to be built.

Ground subsidence and erosion in areas that have been mined, and instability of nearby land, is also common.

Plants and animals

Native plants and animals are often seriously threatened by mining. For example, Solid Energy "relocated" thousands of the giant native Powelliphanta augustus snails so the company could mine coal under Mt Augustus at Stockton. However, up to 40% of the snails have died after being transferred. The remaining snails are not doing well and many are still being kept in fridges.Other species threatened by mining include kiwi and other native birds, endangered native frogs, tussock grasslands and their rare plant and insect inhabitants.Seabed mining can also have catastrophic impacts on marine habitats and species.

Climate

Coal is the dirtiest fuel - burning coal is the single largest global source of greenhouse gases. Burning coal also causes air pollution, which has a direct effect on people's health. As well as the carbon released when coal is burnt, trapped methane (another greenhouse gas) is released when coal is mined.

You can help by:

Telling Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee and your local MPs what you think about mining our core conservation estate. Write (Freepost, Parliament Buildings, Wellington) or why not pay them a visit.

Sending a photo of your favourite location to the Prime Minister and tell him why you don't want to see it mined.