| West
Coast Iron Sand Mining
2005
Another project
has been approved, see latest info here »
»
Local iwi and Raglan residents
have totally rejected the application from Black Sands Exploration
to mine 3617 sq m of the west coast between Taranaki and the Kaipara
Harbour. Exploration activities include desktop studies, geophysical
studies, drilling and in some cases mechanical sampling to evaluate
the mineral potential of an area.
Once a valuable resource
is discovered it generally becomes very difficult to prevent mining.
Of particular interest to us is the west coast harbours and
out to 15km off the coast. Reports suggest a 2km strip has been
excluded from the shoreline out to sea from Whatipu up to the sand
hills at the Kaipara's South Head.
The Crown Minerals Group
in the Ministry of Energy who are considering the application is
seeking no public input at this stage. Local iwi are being consulted
but currently do not have all the information they need and are
not happy the public are being shut out of the process.
Environmental, fishing and
local interests are concerned about this application and the likely
impacts on our marine environment. Please use the following information
to keep yourself informed of the process.
For the most up to date information
please visit the website of the action group:
Details:
Ministry of Economic Development
(MED):
The mining application number
is EPA 40734.
Response is being sought
from some parties by 1 June 2005.
Local Raglan contact and
action group member:
Raglan
calling
Check out how you can have
fun while supporting the initiatives to protect our west coast of
the North Island.
New Info
If you have any new information
please contact us.
| Background
Info |
| (latest
info at the top) |
| Prospecting off the Taranaki coast by another
company, Iron Ore NZ Ltd has not involved public consultation,
is only 2km off the coast and has been approved by the Ministry
of Energy. |
22 Apr
05
|
| The Crown Minerals division of the Ministry of
Energy turned down the application from Black Sand Exploration
Ltd due to a lack of information. |
20 Apr 05 |
Raglan
folk form an action group to coordinate efforts to oppose
the exploration of our west coast. |
14 Apr
05
|
| The
Crown Minerals Group in the Ministry of Energy are considering
the application. Mining manager Rob Smillie is reported to
have said "public comment is not required". Interesting to
note that the Crown Minerals Act makes no provision for public
comment and the impact on the environment was not considered
in assessing the mining application. |
11 Apr
05
|
| Raglan
iwi and residents voted unanimously against the plans to mine
iron sand of the west coast. A report from the NZ Herald.
|
30 Mar
05
|
| A boisterous
meeting was held in the Raglan Town Hall to discuss Black
Sands Exploration's plans. Concerns are held for the impacts
a successful mining operation will have on the seabed and
our west coast fisheries. Representatives of the Raglan Sportfishing
Club attended the meeting. |
|
| Chris
Carter is questioned in the House about the effects of excavation
and dredging on the Maui's dolphin endangered population.
The Minister of Conservation said he didn't know but the Department
would be watching the activities.
|
29 Mar 05
|
| Article
in NZ Herald mentions a company, Black Sands Exploration,
and their application to Crown Minerals for a permit to mine
3617 sq m of the west coast between Taranaki and the Kaipara
Harbour for iron sands. |
14 Mar 05
|
| Please provide your feedback to the option4
team. |
| |
| Thank you for taking the time to provide us with your comments.
|
TOP |
