Digger, 'the greenies' appear to be largely mythical beasts who are wheeled out whenever this type of discussion takes place. Can you name anyone in particular? The principal person I recall was Eugenie Sage of Forest and Bird who was quite vehement in opposition. To be fair, if the opposing forces of green persuasion had had there way there would not have been a mine, so no deaths (no jobs for the Coast either). As someone has already pointed out, it is DOC land so DOC has a say in how it is used, and it may well turn out that the restraints put on the mine were perfectly reasonable for a safe operation, provided the mine was operated safely (and that has yet to be determined). We also must accept that there is a good reason why it is protected land. Anyone who has been there will realise it's value to NZ over and above that to extractive industries.
BTW Balance, you missed my earlier point - I was having some fun at your expense, not the family's of the unfortunate miners.