Mining claims countered

Press, 23 September 1987, Page 30

Mining claims countered

PA Hamilton A pro-mining coalition has been set up in the Coromandel to counter the "misinformation and scaremongering” of antimining groups, says its chairman, Mr Carl Jensen.

The Coromandel Mining Association represents the area’s prospecting associations, mining companies, and many local people keen to see mining go ahead, Mr Jensen said.

“We hear a lot from anti-mining groups, but there is a large body of

public opinion that does not hold with that view. We’ve decided to do something about it,” the Tapu-based consultant geologist said. He expected the association to attract about 1000 members, and many requests to join had come in since its first meeting. The association would be able to counter statements made by groups such as Coromandel Peninsula Watchdog by pointing out the benefits, in jobs and new industry, that mining offered. “We have a small group

of anti-mining people claiming that the environmental impacts of mining are unacceptable. They are ignoring the controls on the industry from Government agencies and the legislative reforms in recent years. “They are saying, ‘Stop the world, Coromandel wants to get off.’ But there are a lot of people paying taxes here and working hard who do not agree with them,” Mr Jensen said.

As well as giving “the other side of the story” through existing news

agencies, the association planned to start its own twice-monthly publication, “Coromandel Miner,” which would keep the public informed of the latest developments. Advertising support for such a publication would be enough for it to be selffunding, Mr Jensen said. “It is not an indictment against the existing news media, but an indictment against ourselves that we have not done this sooner. There has been no voice that can speak for our point of view,” Mr Jensen said.