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[February 02, 2006]

SOUTH ISLAND GROUPS UNITE TO STOP AUSTRALIAN PROSPECTING PERMIT

(New Zealand Press Association Via Thomson Dialog NewsEdge)Wellington, Feb 3 NZPA - An Australian company applying for a permit to mine for minerals offshore in Golden Bay is facing stiff opposition from South Island environmental, Maori, and fishing groups.


In an unprecedented move, the groups have banded together to stop the ``disaster'' they fear would result if the company wins an exclusive permit for the offshore prospecting, The Nelson Mail reports.

Golden Bay iwi, environmentalists, scallop and fin-fishing representatives have called a public meeting on February 17.

``Here is a disaster waiting in the wings and we need to make sure the public are informed on this issue,'' Russell Mincher, spokesman for the Challenger Scallop Enhancement Company, who represents the oyster, fin-fishing and mussel industries, said.

``Any mining would destroy the scalloping and other fishing industries and have a huge impact on the community. We can't stand on the sidelines and let this happen,'' he said.

Manawhenua Ki Mohua, the umbrella group for Golden Bay iwi, invited Mr Mincher, together with representatives from Friends of Golden Bay, Forest and Bird, the Golden Bay Community Board and others to their recent monthly meeting to discuss what action to take.

Iwi spokesman Chris Hill said the issue had brought together groups which had been on opposing sides on some issues in the past, such as aquaculture.

``Everyone is determined to halt the application, however long it takes. We want to stop this right at the outset so the company knows it will have a fight on its hands,'' she said.

The prospecting application, from Perth-based Bonaparte Diamond Mines NL, covers 3393sq km from Separation Point round to Kahurangi Point on the West Coast, with the exception of the area around Farewell Spit Nature Reserve.

The company has applied to the Ministry for Economic Development to prospect for gold and other minerals for a period of two years.

NZPA WGT rq ob

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