A West Coast mining company owner fears a survey of the region's mineral wealth could be a waste of money.
The Government will spend about $4.5 million on an aerial magnetic survey of the West Coast and Northland by GNS Science later this year to identify potential mines.
While most West Coast mining interests are pleased, the owner of Amalgamated Mining Company doubts anything will come of it given the Government's about-turn on mining in national parks.
Ian Cummings says he does not believe the Government has the resourcefulness to stand up to environmentalists for the benefit of the economy.
Other West Coast mining companies say the Government has no choice but to allow the extraction of minerals to increase, if it wants the economy to grow.
