Resources minister Shane Jones speaks in Blackball
Hundreds of miners came to Blackball in May to hear the government’s minister for resources, Shane Jones, talk minerals and mining. On the afternoon of Thursday the 23rd of May, the minister launched the government’s Minerals Strategy and delivered his speech Minerals -The Future.
Hundreds of people arrived at the Blackball Community Centre from about three o’clock onward, with miners and supporters far outnumbering protestors.
Minister Jones’s speech can be viewed below, or by clicking here.
Greymouth photographer, Stuart Nimmo, was kind enough to capture the day with photographs on behalf of Minerals West Coast. These photographs can be viewed by clicking the links below.
Minerals West Coast media engagement following Blackball speech
Following Shane Jones’s speech in Blackball there was a high level of media interest.
On the afternoon of the event Minerals West Coast’s manager, Patrick Phelps, spoke with Heather du Plessis-Allan on Heather du Plessis-Allan drive. This interview can be listened to by clicking here or via the media player below.
On 1News that evening Shane Jones’s speech and surrounding events in Blackball led the six o’clock news. Minerals West Coast’s manager, Patrick Phelps, spoke with 1News about the announcements from Shane Jones and the value of mining to the West Coast region. The story can be viewed below.
The day after Shane Jones’s Blackball speech TVNZ Breakfast interviewed Greenpeace Aotearoa executive director, Russel Norman, and Minerals West Coast manager, Patrick Phelps, for their reactions to the announcements. The full interview can be found by clicking here, and can also be viewed below.
Minerals West Coast appears before parliament's Environment Select Committee
Parliament’s Environment Select Committee is in the process of hearing from thousands of submitters speaking to written submissions on the Fast Track Approvals Bill.
In May Minerals West Coast appeared before the selection committee to discuss the written submission lodged in April (available here) and to answer questions from select committee members.
The ten minute selection committee appearance can be viewed below.
Call for papers and presentations for Minerals West Coast forum
With Minerals West Coast’s forum scheduled for Thursday the 3rd of October in Ross, Minerals West Coast is in the process of organising the event, including collating a lineup of speakers and presenters for the day.
If you are interested in presenting, please send an email through to info@mineralswestcoast.org.nz with your presentation topic, contact details, and business or employer details for consideration.
Other information on ticket prices and purchasing, and the event itinerary, will be publicised and circulated as planning progresses and details are confirmed.