Government launches minerals strategy and list
The minister for resources, Shane Jones, launched the final copy of both the Minerals Strategy and Critical Minerals List in Waihi last week.
The final version of the minerals strategy sets a target for increasing New Zealand’s mineral exports to $3 billion per year by 2035 – about double the existing export value of the mineral sector.
Both coal and gold have been included in the finalised ‘critical minerals list’, which was launched alongside the strategy at OceanaGold’s core shed in Waihi on Friday the 31st of January. Minister Jones’s full speech can be viewed below.
Minerals West Coast’s manager on RNZ discussing the minerals strategy and list
Prior to the release of the minerals strategy and minerals list, Minerals West Coast’s manager, Patrick Phelps, spoke on RNZ morning report to discuss the prospects of expanding mining in New Zealand. You can listen to the full interview below, or by clicking here.
New Zealand Herald column on Māori involvement in minerals sector
In late 2024 Te Pati Māori issued a letter to mining operators involved in the Fast Track Approvals process, warning against exploitation of the land and the people of New Zealand.
Minerals West Coast’s manager, Patrick Phelps, wrote an opinion piece examining the level of Māori involvement in the mining sector at a level of both investment and workforce participation. The article can be read on the New Zealand Herald’s website, or on Minerals West Coast’s website for those without a subscription to the Herald.
Interview with Michael Laws on the Platform discussing Māori involvement in mining
On the back of the Herald column mentioned above, Patrick Phelps spoke with Michael Laws on the Platform to discuss the contents of the column and other matters relating to mining and the Fast Track Act.
The full interview is available on the Platform’s website (and can be found here), and an outtake of the interview can be found on YouTube or below.
Reefton Excavation and Mining Information Session
Mining industry employers and prospective employees are welcome to attend a recruitment event in Reefton on Wednesday the 26th of February. Information on the event can be found below.
