Greens candidate for Blue Mountains, Kingsley Liu, has defended his links with a mining company after they were revealed in the Sydney Morning Herald last week.
Mr Liu was roasted in political column, CBD, for his membership on the board of Elsmore Resources that owns a 150-year-old tin mine.
But Mr Liu said his role as a director for the New England tin mine is as a "green activist".
“I am puzzled by the suggestion that Greens oppose mining. We oppose mining of fossil fuels and we oppose environmentally irresponsible mining,” said Mr Liu.
“The old mine is not currently operating. We are in the exploration phase and we are doing this with care and adherence to environmental requirements.
“The old mining ponds are full of healthy fish. The bush is regenerating and there is some stock grazing.
“We may find more tin which is used in everything from cans to store food to the wiring of our mobile phones and other electronics.
“There may also be lithium which is currently essential for batteries including solar batteries.”
Mr Liu said his "role is to be the green activist on this board".
"The sand tailings have already been sold for use in the concrete bases of local wind turbines. If the mine goes ahead it will be run by solar power.”
Mr Liu said that the plastic age will end but the metal age will continue.
“Plastic is a by-product of oil. Both are unsustainable and will be obsolete very soon. Metals will continue to be essential to human society in our buildings, transport, appliances and communications."