unless it doesn't disturb the land surface

I've read this article a few times and something keep pinging my radar but for a while I couldn't work out what it was. From stuff - brownlee on mining

"The Government wants to protect new conservation areas from mining even though it is still considering whether others should be opened up for exploration.

Schedule four bans mining access to 13 per cent of New Zealand's land, including its highest-value conservation land.

Brownlee has come under pressure from interest groups over the mining proposal and has not ruled out excluding national parks.

Brownlee rubbished claims that mining was about to be allowed in national parks.

Brownlee's letter to the International Union of Conservation Nations-World Commission on Protected Areas' Oceania deputy vice-chairman, Bruce Jefferies, says removing an area from schedule four of the Act did not automatically allow mining on public conservation land.

"It merely allows applications for exploration or mining access to be considered on a case-by-case basis, as is the case for the majority of public conservation land.

"Any activity allowed would be subject to strict environmental and conservation standards."

The Government recognised some conservation areas, such as recently gazetted marine reserves and additions to a national park, "should be considered for addition" to the schedule, "and therefore be completely closed to mining", he said.

However, Brownlee also said underground mining might still be allowed.

"The Minister of Conservation and I have, therefore, asked officials to review areas listed on schedule four with a view to adding some conservation areas that should be closed to the possibility of mining access, except underground mining that does not disturb the land surface."

Hmmmm how do the statements, "...completely closed to mining." and "... closed to the possibility of mining access..." fit with "... underground mining might still be allowed." and "... except underground mining that does not disturb the land surface."?

Looks like one angle they will use is the old, 'if you can't see it, it isn't happening' line. But how will all the machines, equipment and so on, get to these, 'underground mines that don't disturb the land surface'? I don't imagine the cost of helicopters would hold up, so roads and maybe sea. Will they disturb the environment?

All mining disturbs the surface, it is the nature of the beast. But it is a matter of degree and that is what they are working on. If they gain access to schedule four land, currently protected against mining, and if they approve (which they will) an application, and begin mining - then nothing can be protected. I can't tolerate that, so I say we have to stop them early. Catch them out, with their lies and misinformation. Shame these pretenders.