Responsible mining can boost our economy

Try to spend the day without any goods or services that do not need or rely on products that have been mined.
From your heart
Spring mattress for car (
Even your bike)
Computers, mobile phones, medical devices, etc;
In most cases, it is possible to make up our day\'s activities and improve our lives, because someone somewhere has dug something up.
This is \"somewhere\" that the government asks New Zealanders to think about \".
Mining is an emotional issue and it is important that we have a mature and thoughtful debate.
The debate should include discussions on economic interests.
Many New Zealanders will not know that mining has made a considerable contribution to our economy.
In 2008, the output value of the mining industry was $2 billion, contributing $1.
Export 1 billion.
The mining industry employs about 6000 people, including oil and gas.
Compared with other sectors of the economy, these jobs are efficient and well paid.
Mining is an important part of regional economies, such as the West Coast and corromand.
The government currently borrows about $0. 24 billion a week, and we have more than 100,000 people out of work.
The tradable sector of the economy has been in recession for the past five years.
This is not sustainable and the government has accepted the challenge of improving our economy and living standards.
We need to do something to improve the revenue side of the ledger.
So, as a government, we \'ve been looking at the various sectors of the economy to see what we can do to improve performance.
Access to potential land is key to its growth for the mineral industry.
Therefore, we propose to open up lands that may be mined, which are currently protected in Schedule IV of the official minerals act.
That is only 0.
Of all the land protected in Schedule IV, 2 per cent, which is a small figure compared to our total land area.
If the exploration of the land shows the potential for exploitation, the actual exploitation of 7058ha may not exceed 500ha.
This is smaller than the average sheep or beef farm in New Zealand.
But the economic returns on the land are many times higher than any sheep, beef or dairy farm.
It is worth noting that mining has been carried out on protected land in New Zealand.
There are 82 mines operating on protected land, and there are currently 118 mining permits active on protected land.
Some believe that New Zealand will not get any benefit from the increased mining, and all profits will go overseas.
However, the country\'s largest mining company, Solid Energy, is a state-owned enterprise of 100. owned.
All of its profits go directly to government services.
There are many New Zealand.
Mining companies active on New Zealand land.
The average ownership structure of resource companies listed in New Zealand is 57 in New Zealand and 43 overseas.
The others are completely overseas.
Has paid corporate taxes and royalties in New Zealand.
Some argue that the royalties for mineral mining are small, which means New Zealand is not worth doing.
But royalties are only an extra bonus for mining.
The real benefits of mining are jobs and economic activity created at home.
The campaign created corporate taxes for government and economic growth.
Many New Zealanders are right to care about protecting our natural environment, and some say mining is inconsistent with this goal.
The government is also concerned about this issue and we will ensure that any mining on protected land in New Zealand is responsible and careful.
Mines in New Zealand are subject to strict environmental testing.
The higher the protection value of related land, the stricter the test.
This fact will be ruled out
As scheduled, four investment Thunder.
Modern mining is completely different from the past.
Ask the company to restore the land after leaving and minimize the impact of its activities.
A good example of a responsible mining company is the Pike River Coal Company in the Paparoa mountains, which was awarded the Ministry of Environmental Protection for the environmental considerations it showed when developing underground mines
Some also believe that the mining industry is putting New Zealand\'s clean and green image at risk and that tourism could be affected.
But in order to gain considerable economic benefits, the government has proposed only a small increase in mining activities.
Between 2000 and 2008, tourism grew, while mining grew and mining permits were issued for the protection of land.
Other countries can combine their environmental image with a strong mining industry --
Canada, for example.
There is no reason why New Zealand cannot do so.
The decision on whether to open the 7058ha land in Schedule IV for further exploration and possible mining was the subject of a discussion paper for public comment.
The government believes that a small increase in responsible mining will help us to improve our economic performance and provide high profit targets. value jobs.
We want to hear what New Zealanders are thinking.
I encourage people to express their opinions by submitting discussion papers that you can find on www. med. govt. nz/schedule4.
* Energy and resources of Gerry Browley.