The Government minerals department says conservation groups' fears that a sixth Northland exploration permit has been awarded "by stealth" are unfounded.
Far North branch of Forest and Bird and iwi conservation group Te Wakameninga o nga hapu Ngapuhi have raised concerns about what appears to be a new permit surfacingon New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals' (NZPAM) webmap.
Te Tai Tokerau Minerals Ltd's application for 3.462ha over two large areas inland from Matauri Bay is listed as permit number 55660, and applies to silver and gold exploration.
A spokesman for Ministry of Economic Development, of which NZPAM is a side shoot, said the information on the map was misleading. The permit application related to an extension to Te Tai Tokerau Minerals' two existing permits. The extension has not yet been awarded.
"The applications are currently being processed, which will include consultation before any decision is made. The consultation process is likely to commence soon," a media spokesman said.
It was not unusual for permit holders to request permit areas to be changed, he said.
"There is a process these requests have to go through. In addition to our own assessments, there is a statutory requirement that local iwi are consulted and we normally engage with councils as a courtesy. There is no requirement for wider public consultation on mineral permits."
Dean Baigent-Mercer, chairman of Far North Forest and Bird, said he believed the extension had been sought "by stealth" after five Northland permits were awarded to three companies in July this year.
