Three weeks through the consultation process, the Government has received more than 8000 submissions on its plans to allow mining in protected areas. Most are from members of environmental groups.
Halfway through the six week consultation period, the Ministry of Economic Development has received 8275 electronic submissions and another 100 submissions by post.
Greenpeace says just over 6000 people have already used its website to submit on the issue.
The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand says its supporters have made already made more than 1000 submissions and it has given out another 20000 submission forms in the community.
The Coromandel Watchdog anti-mining group says it is not surprised at the response.
A mining industry resources group, Straterra, says the large number of submissions reflects a high level of feeling in the community, but it does not expect their content to show a reasonable understanding of the issues.
