Wellington, Nov 27 NZPA - It's highly unlikely conservation land in the Coromandel will be carved up if approval for mining is given, the Minerals Industry Association says.

Chief executive Doug Gordon's comments come after Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee disclosed potential for gold mining on conservation land.

Mr Brownlee told Radio New Zealand today that there were areas of interest in the Coromandel.

"There are interesting areas in the Coromandel, and it will be controversial of me even saying it, where there could be -- and I stress could -- further gold mining activity," he said.

Mr Gordon said he was aware of one company that has a permit to explore on the Coromandel, and only one in 1000 prospects led to a mine.

In August, Mr Brownlee said the Government would undertake a stocktake of mineral resources in conservation land, protected under schedule four of the Crown Minerals Act.

The estimated value of untapped minerals has been put at about $140 billion and around 70 percent of that involved conservation land.

"We certainly have no intention of digging up the Crown's conservation estate. This is a stocktake, which is perfectly reasonable," Mr Brownlee said at the time.

Coromandel Watchdog opposed mining on the peninsular 20 years ago and spokesman Denis Tegg told Radio New Zealand his group would fight any new mining. Land now considered lower value was regenerating and becoming more special as it was allowed to recover.

Mining couldn't be done without devastating impact, he said.

"The experience we have from overseas and in some cases in New Zealand is that those tailings (toxic waste) cannot be contained forever."

The Greens say the value of the land for recreation and tourism was far greater than income from mining.

The party previously released figures showing there were 21 current mineral permits for prospecting and exploration, affecting 42 protected areas.

Mining companies have welcomed the stocktake and say mitigation work can be done in mined areas.