THE STRATEGY AIMS TO… 
Enable corporations to mine, drill, build and extract resources in Aotearoa, leveraging their widely condemned FastTrack plan that would likely cause long-term pollution and damage to our ecosystems.

WHAT WE ACTUALLY NEED:
It’s true that we need a strong ethical framework whatever mining we do or don’t undertake, and there’s a strong global justice case that we should not rely on unethical extraction in far off lands to enable the high tech lifestyle we’ve become accustomed to. 

However, proponents of this strategy, like Shane Jones have already shown callous disregard for ethical and environmental consideratoins. They are greenwashing their argument by saying these minerals are “key to the transition” in order to justify ramping up coal production in New Zealand: a large proportion of the “minerals” in NZ are basically just coal.

Coal is a dying industry to transition away from, not re-engage.
We need to let the government know that we see through the “minerals strategy” greenwashing, and that we are at risk of damaging assets far more valuable than the minerals underneath them. 

ETHICAL APPROACHES
Still, there are multiple ways to ethically view minerals management. A CONSERVATIONIST APPROACH emphasises minimising new mining in any case – we should be rethinking our consumption before recklessly initiating any new mining. A GLOBAL JUSTICE APPROACH assumes our taking more responsibility for mining materials to enable a just energy transition.

Coal and seabed mining are opposed in both cases, and our tool has you covered with options to submit from either POV.

ENVIRONMENTAL AND COMMUNITY CONCERNS
– Expanding mining raises significant environmental worries: habitat loss, pollution, and increased carbon emissions.
– Community impacts need careful consideration: potential health risks, displacement, and economic instability.
– We must balance economic benefits with long-term community well-being and environmental protection.

ECONOMIC SUSTAINABILITY CHALLENGES:
– Over-reliance on finite mineral resources could lead to future shortages.
– Mining’s ‘boom and bust’ cycles may cause regional economic instability.
– Focusing heavily on extraction might divert investment from more sustainable sectors.

CLIMATE ACTION AND RENEWABLE ENERGY:
– Parts of the strategy, especially coal mining, contradict efforts to reduce fossil fuel dependence.
– This approach could slow our transition to renewables and conflict with climate agreements.

REGULATORY AND GLOBAL JUSTICE ISSUES:
– Fast-track approvals risk reducing public input and oversight.
– Streamlined processes could increase the potential for corruption.
– We should consider global justice: avoid relying on unethical offshore mineral extraction.
– A truly ethical strategy balances economic growth with environmental stewardship, community well-being, and global responsibility. Let’s aim for a minerals approach that future generations will thank us for!

TO MAKE A SUBMISSION
1 CREATE a sub here to your settings
2 DOWNLOAD the Word doc, ORcopy this googleDoc version
3 PASTE the 5 answers one at a time
4 EMAIL to resourcesfeedback@mbie.govt.nz Subject: Minerals Strategy Consultation 2024

USEFUL READING
Climate Justice Taranaki Release | Scoop
Climate Justice Taranaki Sub Blitz Zoom Workshop
Submission Guide Doc | Climate Club (kia ora!)
Martin Brook, Geologist | The Conversation

Minerals Strategy Page | MBIE
Minerals Strategy 2024 Draft | pdf MBIE