August 11, 2017
Seabed mining barbaric economics
An iwi leader says the iron sand mining process approved off the south Taranaki coast is barbaric and economically and environmentally shortsighted.
In a split decision, the Environmental Protection Agency said Trans Tasman Resources can suck up a million tonnes of iron sand a week, pass it over magnets to remove the ore, and dump the waste back on the seabed.
Ngati Ruanui kaiarataki Debbie Ngarewa Packer says the iwi will appeal.
She says the whole project shows business and government are unwilling to explore economic solutions that aren’t based on the short term exploitation of natural resources.
"You know we still have these barbaric practices and belief that are limiting the ability for us to come up with with an innovative, dynamic economic development approach that we can all be proud of and sets our rangatahi up for future opportunities and entrepreneurship and skills that this type of sector just do not encourage," Ms Packer says.
Ngati Ruanui is skeptical about promises of jobs from the project, given its experience with the oil and gas industry in its rohe.
DEBBIE NGAREWA PACKER INTERVIEW
Copyright © 2017, UMA Broadcasting Ltd: www.waateanews.com