The northern half of Coromandel conservation land will remain in Schedule 4 and will continue to be protected from mining -- "That's great", says Coromandel Watchdog spokesperson Denis Tegg. "But if the government is truly listening to public opinion they will have heard that the public wants all pristine conservation land protected from mining, and that must include conservation land in southern part of the Peninsula." said Mr. Tegg

"After all the southern land has identical high-value conservation qualities to the area which is currently protected -- it has outstanding landscapes, endangered frogs and other species, and pristine rivers and forests, and is the foundation for the tourism industry there."

"Rather than wrongly portraying public submissions as a mandate to mine non-schedule 4 land, the government should extend Schedule 4 protection to the conservation land in the southern half of the Coromandel Peninsula. "

"And while the government is in a mood for green initiatives, John Key should also make good his pledge of "no open cast mines on the Coromandel" by getting a law change through Parliament, and having this open cast ban applied to the whole of the Coromandel Peninsula including the southern areas." said Mr.Tegg.