Moving Forward With Schedule 4

Posted in: Perspectives: Monday, 01 February 2010

New Zealand Quarrying & Mining, February 2010

Moving Forward With Schedule 4

By Richard Michael, Chief Executive of Straterra

One of the major events for the industry in the first part of the year will be the announcement of the findings of the Government’s Schedule 4 Review. All indications are that we will know what is happening by the end of February.

As many of you will be aware the Schedule 4 is protected land, generally of higher conservation values and including our National Parks, specified in the CM Act.

Schedule 4 provides protection of these areas from mining although there are a number of mineral permits in Schedule 4 land – including the Pike River Coal Mine in Paparoa National Park.

Over the years areas have been added in a fairly ad hoc way and this has led to a wide variety of land types with differing levels of conservation value now being included in Schedule 4.

The basis on which the Government announced the review was as a stocktake to establish what minerals are present, in what areas and in particular, whether there are any areas of high mineral interest within the schedule 4 areas.

The Government’s intention is to release the review and run a public consultation programme prior to policy decisions being made by Cabinet in mid 2010.

The Government’s announcement of the review was not only welcomed by the industry but generated a largely favourable public response including positive media coverage from a wide range of commentators and editors.

The crux of the issue is that New Zealanders want high standards of conservation management of our wilderness areas – but we also want a high standard of living and development of our mineral resource can make a large contribution to that outcome.

Obviously there are competing issues and perceptions but the review should lead to debates on these issues being informed by a much better understanding of the economic and environmental values in question. Once we have a better understanding we can start to make some judgment calls about how to proceed.

Currently there is no clear picture.

There is naturally a level of concern amongst environmental groups about the possible outcomes. It is essential that the industry and the Government proceed carefully and the review and consultation process provide a good basis for that to occur.

With the right approach, great positives could come out of this initiative.

Today’s mining companies spend significant sums and put great energy into environmental management. Yes, they have a legal requirement to do so but their commitment goes beyond environmental obligations to extensive community consultation to ensure the company maintains its social license to operate. This review will not lead to a change in those standards, but it will lead to the creation of opportunities for investment and job creation.

And those opportunities can make a significant contribution to the conservation programme in New Zealand - be it ridding the country of possums or moving the kiwi from the endangered list.

Industry and the environmental movement can work together, as they have with much success on a number of existing projects, for the benefit of the economy and the environment.

Arguments about mining and the environment can be polarizing and this is probably unavoidable. However, this is a crucial time for our sector and it is vital that we are seen to play a positive, long term and authentic role in the future of our country.

If we can get this right over the next few months, the long term benefits could be significant both economically and environmentally.