November 16, 2020
Seabed mining back in court
South Taranaki iwi Ngāti Ruanui is at the Supreme Court today for what it describes as a last desperate legal battle against seabed mining promoter Trans Tasman Resources.
The company is trying to reverse its losses in the High Court and Court of Appeal so it can secure consent to mine up to 50 million tonnes of ironsand a year.
Debbie Ngarewa-Packer from Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Ruanui says that’s an act of environmental vandalism that would destroy entire ecosystems and change the coastline forever.
It would put at risk endangered whale and dolphin species, kaimoana, local industries as well as Ngāti Ruanui’s kaitiaki relationship as mana whenua.
She says the company is an environmental bully which is trying to bend environment and Treaty law for its own profit.
Ngāti Ruanui is joined in the appeal by Kiwis Against Seabed Mining, Greenpeace, other environmental groups and fishing interests.
KASM spokesperson Cindy Baxter says it’s a precedent-setting case, and it’s important the law is as clear and strong as possible to protect the oceans from damage by future seabed miners.
The case is expected to run until Thursday.
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