Importance of mining

Press, 31 August 1985, Page 18

Importance of mining

Sir, — Exploitation of mineral resources should presuppose a useful purpose, receipt of “rent” for the good taken and an acceptable tradeoff between environmental damage and benefits to be gained. Many New Zealanders do not consider mining to transfer gold from under

our forests and farmlands into the vaults of overseas banks a useful purpose, do not accept that largely foreign-owned companies should have royalty-free access to this resource and are not satisfied that such illusory “benefits” justify disturbance, of individual rights or the environment. The Minister of Energy recently chastised the media for having too long given “a sympathetic unquestioning ear” to the anti-mining lobby. It could be they are simply reflecting public opinion. Notwithstanding the advice of a Western Mining Corporation director to the Pacific Island nations, our environment (and theirs) is more fragile and less expendable than the vast areas of Western Australia. — Yours, etc., ERIC BENNETT. Wellington, August 28, 1985.