Kerry Katons is a geologist working for a mining company. Kerry spends a great deal of her time on field trips studying rocks and ground truthing maps which have been developed from aerial and satellite surveys. Because Kerry has spent so much time in the field, she has developed her skills as an amateur field naturalist. She is well aware of the definition of 'amateur', as a person who loves what she is doing. Kerry loves the bush, and the creatures and vegetation that live there. One day she makes two exciting discoveries - on a rocky hill she finds a colony of jewel moths long thought extinct, and also strong indications of a payable gold deposit. If the gold is mined, there is a strong possibility the land disturbance will upset the feeding and breeding of the moths.
a. Should Kerry report all she has found that day? What are the issues for her?
b. If Kerryreports both finds, and further exploration suggests the mining venture would be profitable, should the entity go ahead with the mine? Assume the entity has a number of gold prospects to explore. What is your view? Explain with reference to investment and environmental issues.