Save Happy Valley group aghast at prospect of more mining

A South Island anti-mining protest group is disgusted by the Government's idea to look at changing the law so Department of Conservation land can be mined.

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee says new land going into DOC ownership could soon be considered for mining to "balance out" economic and environmental benefits.

But Save Happy Valley, the group which protested against Solid Energy's mining on the West Coast, calls that "despicable".

Spokesman Alan Liefting says it will lead to more harm like that caused by the North Island's abandoned Tui Mine near Waihi.

Mr Liefting says DOC land is conserved land for a reason.

RadioLIVE