Operative Waikato Regional Policy Statement (October 2000)

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3  Significant Resource Management Issues, Objectives, Policies and Methods

3.14  Minerals

3.14.3 Adverse Effects of Mineral Exploration and Developments

Principal Reasons for Adopting: Mineral exploration and development, like many industrial activities, has the potential to cause significant adverse environmental effects. These activities can adversely affect a number of natural and physical resources. Objectives and policies with respect to the management of adverse effects will vary depending on the resource in question. In particular, mineral exploration and development activities are addressed in the objectives and policies in the individual sections of the RPS (e.g. sections 3.3 Land and Soils, 3.4 Water and 3.6 Air). Any activity involving mineral exploration and development will need to satisfy the community and local authorities that it can be undertaken in a manner that is consistent with the direction provided in this RPS.

The effects of mineral exploration and development managed:

1. in accordance with the objectives and policies contained within the RPS;
   
2. to recognise that some areas may be unsuitable for mining operations; and
   
3. to have regard to the acid drainage potential, amongst other issues, of sulphide bearing rock.

1. Through regional plans, district plans and resource consents ensure that the adverse effects of activities such as mineral exploration and development are addressed in an integrated and effects based fashion.
   
2. When developing regional and district plans, have regard to the potential adverse effects of mineral extraction.

It is not appropriate to give any activity special status over other activities. If specific objectives and policies relating to mineral exploration and development were used in the RPS, then the activity of mineral exploration and development would be singled out for special attention even though there are other activities that can cause similar adverse environmental effects. Instead, the RPS is an activity neutral, effects based document that seeks to address the adverse environmental effects of activities rather than giving special treatment to any particular activity. The adverse effects of mineral exploration and development are addressed by the objectives and policies in the following sections of the RPS: 3.3 Land and Soils, 3.4 Water, 3.5 Coast, 3.6 Air, 3.8 Natural Hazards, 3.9 Wastes, 3.10 Hazardous Substances, 3.11 Plants and Animals (Biodiversity), 3.15 Heritage.

1. Increased community awareness that the adverse effects of mineral exploration and development activities are being addressed in an integrated and effects based manner.
   
2. Increased community involvement in dealing with the adverse environmental effects of mineral development.

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