Commission opposes Kaitorete mining

Press, 29 May 1985, Page 9

Commission opposes Kaitorete mining

By

OLIVER RIDDELL

in Wellington The Commission for the Environment has opposed further mining on Kaitorete Spit, which separates Lake Ellesmere from the sea. The spit has been mined since 1952 by W. A. Habgood, Ltd, until its mining licence was cancelled in October last year, pending the outcome of investigations into reserving the spit. Meanwhile, the company applied for a larger licence area of about 23.5 hectares in the dunes on the spit. The commission has recommended to the Mines Division of the Ministry of Energy that this application be declined.

Kaitorete Spit is administered by the Commissioner of Crown Lands in Christchurch.

It contains New Zealand’s largest vegetation-covered dunelands, is of geological interest because of its unusual shape, and has a particularly arid climate because of high levels of salt spray.

Kaitorete Spit is known to have a large concentration of archaeological sites. It is also the home of two endemic moth species, a rare native broom, and other plant species of interest. The commission said it had identified the area as having high scientific value, possibly qualifying for protection as a scientific reserve. Further, sands on the spit were not essential to either the concrete block or sandblasting industries. The Mines Division has asked W. A. Habgood for extra information on the value of the dune sands to the company, and whether alternative sources have been investigated. Once that information is available, there will be roundtable discussions between the company, the commission, the Mines Division, and the Lands and Survey Department on the future of Kaitorete Spit. The managing director of W. A. Habgood, Mr John Habgood, said that the spit supplied the only sand suit-

able for mobile sandblasting and block-making in Canterbury. The nearest alternative supply of the particularly coarse-grained and low-silicon content sand was Blenheim, he said. A permanent ban on mining would have a serious effect on the company and its customers. At least two jobs within the company would no longer be warranted, he said.