Australia's Opposition Leader says cutting the dole for people under 30 would reduce the need for skilled migrants to staff mines.

OceanaGold Corp shares rose as much as 20c at $3.60 on good news emerging from its Reefton gold mine.

A Hong Kong listed company controlled by billionaire Li Ka-Shing is seeking damages from BlueScope Steel Ltd over a failed attempt to buy a New Zealand iron sands business.

It looks as if Rio Tinto knew six months ago there was evidence its staff in Beijing were guilty.

Around 500 protesters gathered to show their opposition to Government plans to mine the conservation estate.

"Always a possibility" is fast becoming the Prime Minister's stock reply when confronted with tricky-to-answer questions, writes John Armstrong.

The Prime Minister believes most New Zealanders would support mining on conservation land if the Government can prove it will benefit the country.

John Armstrong writes that the backbone displayed by Brownlee and Bennett will please the National traditionalists, but we'll have to watch it bend again in election year.

John Roughan writes that the Coromandel peninsula's beauty is not exceptional and doesn't warrant particular protection.

Jim Hopkins writes that our memories go into cliche mode when politicians mention the digging of large holes.

Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee accused the Labour Party of hypocrisy yesterday when he revealed the previous government approved 218 permits for mining on conservation land.

The opposition has seized on an article in the Economist which derides New Zealand's "clean, green" image as the Government continues to deal with fallout after Monday's mining plans announcement.

Environmental concerns versus a shrinking job market have left Thames locals split on the Govt's plan to open more Coromandel land to mining.

The lure of up to $4.3bn worth of gold and silver the Govt says is sitting in the hills is hard to ignore for some Great Barrier residents.