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EXPLORE

WEST COAST OF NEW ZEALAND

MINERALS

DISCLAIMER This information is for general guidance only and is not to be treated as advice for the purposes of assessing or making decisions or taking actions nor is it intended to address the particular objectives, situation or needs of any persons or bodies corporate. You should therefore not rely on this information and, before making any decisions or taking any actions, you should take your own legal and technical advice. Use of or reliance on the information contained in this publication is at your own risk and the parties named in this publication are not, jointly or severally legally responsible for any adverse consequences, losses or damage of any kind arising out of such use or reliance. While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained in this publication, the aforementioned parties, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for any errors or omissions, representations or opinions expressed, whether in contract, tort, statute or otherwise, or with respect to the standing of any firms, companies or individuals referred to.

> Cont e ntsďťż > D I S C LA I M E R

Contents Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 GEOLOGY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 MINERALS . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9

Mineral production . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Previous exploration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Metallic mineral deposits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Non-metallic minerals and rocks . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20 Coal . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22

Rights to land and minerals . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25 Permits for exploration and mining . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26

The business environment . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35 The New Zealand advantage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 35

The West Coast Economic Strategy . . . . . . . . . 39 Vision . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 High level benefits . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Stakeholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40 Priorities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41

The region . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 43

Grey District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44 Buller District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Westland District . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 Climate . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Housing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Education . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 46 Lifestyle . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47 Health . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 47

Infrastructure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 49

KiwiRail . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 50 Ports of the West Coast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 51 Support industries . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 52 Electricity supply . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 Telecommunications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

FURTHER INFORMATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 55

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iii

BULLER DISTRICT GREY DISTRICT WESTLAND DISTRICT

Westport

Punakaiki Greymouth Hokitika

Franz Josef Fox Glacier Haast

Karamea

Reefton

> Int r od u c t i on > D I S C LA I M E R

Introduction The West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand has a long and proud history of mining and exploration. In 2010 the region accounted for nearly half of the $NZ 2 billion value of New Zealand’s total mine production. West Coast mine production consists mainly of gold (hard rock and alluvial) and high rank coal, as it has since European settlement began in the mid-19th century. Māori were first to discover the West Coast in their search for precious pounamu, or greenstone. Gold fever struck in the 1860s with Australians, Europeans and Chinese flocking to the area – in two years more than 37 thousand passengers arrived in Hokitika to try their luck on the alluvial gold fields. Subsequent discoveries of high quality coal and other minerals have continued to attract prospectors to the West Coast. Today the region’s potential resources of gold, coal and other minerals are estimated to have a combined total value in excess of $200 billion at current values. At 23,000 square kilometres, the West Coast region makes up about 8.5% of the land area of New Zealand, and is geologically diverse. While gold and coal have long been mainstays of West Coast economic activity, the region has potential for a wide range of additional minerals. A 2010 resource assessment of the West Coast region lists potential for 16 metals and 13 non-metals, most of which have not been investigated in detail. New Zealand has high educational standards, well developed infrastructure and ranks among the first few countries in the world for economic freedom, lack of trade protectionism, ease of doing business and for protecting investors. The Government is actively seeking increased investment in New Zealand’s mineral resources, with strong support from agencies within the West Coast region. The West Coast encourages best practice mining methods and as a region supports minerals investment. If you are prepared to meet the challenges of environmental stewardship within a profitable mining operation the West Coast offers a world of opportunity.

Development West Coast

Minerals West Coast

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> GEOLO GY > Ge ological h i story > D I S C LA I M E R

GEOLOGY The West Coast’s defining geological feature is the Alpine Fault. The fault runs the length of the region at the foot of the Southern Alps and has not only brought old Gondwana margin rocks of contrasting age and origin together but associated tectonic movement has shaped the area’s geological history over the last 23 million years. The West Coast’s wide variety of rocks and its rich geological history of depositional, tectonic and magmatic events encompasses all time periods since the Cambrian (Figures 1 and 2). Some of New Zealand’s oldest rocks form the geological basement to the region made up of Paleozoic and Mesozoic metamorphic, sedimentary, volcanic and intrusive rocks, with a cover succession dominated by marine and terrestrial sedimentary rocks of Cretaceous to Neogene age, and predominantly alluvial and glacial Quaternary sediments. Highly active tectonic, erosional and depositional processes are occurring at and adjacent to the Alpine Fault (Figures 3 and 4), where most of the Australian - Pacific plate boundary movement is focused in the South Island.

Geological history New Zealand (as Zealandia), along with Australia and Antarctica, was originally part of the Gondwana supercontinent. Early Cretaceous and older rocks were deposited, intruded or tectonically accreted on the margin of Gondwana until continental breakup occurred in the Late Cretaceous. The basement rocks exposed northwest of the Alpine Fault are subdivided into two major units: Metasedimentary rocks comprising alternating sandstone and mudstone turbidites, of Ordovician age, locally metamorphosed to lower greenschist facies (Greenland Group). These rocks are correlatives of the gold-rich Ballarat-Bendigo sedimentary rocks of Victoria, Australia. Intrusive igneous rocks occur in a major composite pluton batholith in west Nelson, a smaller batholith in central Westland and as isolated plutons. These plutons of granite,

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> G EO LO GY > Ge o lo gical history > DI SCLAI MER

ALPINE FAULT

Paparoa Range Grey Valley

SOUTHERN ALPS

A’

Holocene sediments Quaternary sediments Neogene sedimentary rocks Paleogene sedimentary and volcanic rocks Cretaceous sedimentary and volcanic rocks Early Cretaceous granitic rocks Jurassic sedimentary and igneous rocks

Westport

Permian-Triassic igneous rocks Permian-Triassic sedimentary rocks Permian-Triassic semischist

Permian-Triassic schist Devonian-Carboniferous gneissic rocks Devonian-Carboniferous granitic rocks Ordovician metasedimentary rocks Early Paleozoic igneous and sedimentary rocks

Greymouth A’

100 Kilometers

Hokitika

AL LT

U FA NE

H UT

Haast B ALPINE FAULT

B’ B

SOUTHERN ALPS

B’

Figure 1 Geological map of the West Coast region with two cross sections. See Figure 2 for additional information on the geological units

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> GEOLO GY > Ge ological h i story > D I S C LA I M E R

Holocene sediments

Au Ti U Au

older Quaternary sediments

1.8 Ma

Ti U

Quaternary

Gar

uplift of Southern Alps begins

5.3 Ma

Gar Zr

Pliocene

Neogene sedimentary rocks

Miocene REE Miocene

dikes

Alpine Fault inception

24 Ma

Paleogene sedimentary rocks

34 Ma

Oligocene

C Eocene 55 Ma

Paleogene volcanic rock

65 Ma

Paleocene

NORTH

SOUTH

Cretaceous sedimentary rocks opening of Tasman Sea and separation from Gondwana

Cretaceous

extension and metamorphic core complex formation W Mo

Jurassic igneous rocks

culmination of terrane collision

Cu F

Early Cretaceous granitic rocks

145 Ma

Cretaceous gneissic rocks

Jurassic sedimentary rocks

Triassic

Permian - Triassic semischist schist

251 Ma

Permian-Triassic igneous rocks

Permian-Triassic sedimentary rocks

299 Ma

Cu Ni Cr

Asb

PGE T-M

Au Permian

subduction tectonics Carboniferous

Sn W

359 Ma

417 Ma

Jurassic

Jurassic-Cretaceous metamorphism

199 Ma

Feld

Devonian-Carboniferous gneissic rocks initial terrane collision

Devonian-Carboniferous granitic rocks

crustal shortening

443 Ma

Mid Paleozoic metamorphism

Au Ordovician metasedimentary rocks Sb

Devonian

Silurian

Early Paleozoic siliciclastic and carbonate rocks

Ordovician

490 Ma

Early Paleozoic metamorphism

Cu Ni Pb Zn

Early Paleozoic volcanogenic rocks

early subduction tectonics

NORTHWEST

Cambrian

SOUTHEAST

ÂŠ GNS Science

Figure 2 Major rock units and geological history of the West Coast region. Key mineral element and rock commodities are shown in context to their host rocks; Au = gold, Be = beryllium, Cr = chromium, Cu = copper, F = fluorine, Mo = molybdenum, Ni = nickel, Pb = lead, PGE = platinum group elements, REE = rare earth elements, Sn = tin, Ti = titanium, U = uranium, W = tungsten, Zn â&#x20AC;&#x201C; zinc, Zr = zirconium, Asb = asbestos, C = coal, Gar = garnet, Feld = feldspar, Ja = pounamu/New Zealand jade, T-M = talc-magnesite.

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> G EO LO GY > Ge o lo gical history > DI SCLAI MER

Figure 3 Red Mountains and the Red Hills Range are ultramafic rocks of the Dun Mountain Ophiolite Belt that are prospective for chromite, nickel platinum group elements, and asbestos. The Alpine Fault trace is visible in the middle of the photo (GNS photo CN14548/34H, photographer Lloyd Homer).

granodiorite, tonalite and diorite are dominated by a Devonian-Carboniferous suite (Karamea Suite) and two Early Cretaceous suites (Rahu and Separation Point). Isolated plutons of the tectonically fragmented and largely Mesozoic Median Batholith occur around Springs Junction. In addition, Cambrian volcanic rocks and Ordovician carbonate rocks occur in Northwest Nelson and near Springs Junction. The rocks southeast of the Alpine Fault are dominated by schist and semischist (Haast Schist) derived from metamorphism of Triassic to Jurassic greywacke sedimentary rocks. The schists have yielded Mesozoic orogenic quartz vein gold and very recent upliftrelated hydrothermal gold. In central Westland, lenses of serpentinite and talc-serpentinite, the source of good quality pounamu (New Zealand jade), are metamorphosed slices of tectonically emplaced ultramafic rocks. Fault-bounded slices of Permian ultramafic and mafic igneous rocks (Dun Mountain Ophiolite Belt) and Permian-Triassic (Maitai Group) and Jurassic (Murihiku Supergroup) sedimentary rocks occur in southernmost Westland. There have been many significant geological events forming and reshaping West Coast rocks. Periods of sedimentation include the Cambrian volcanic-derived and widespread Ordovician turbidite (Greenland Group) deposition, subduction arc-related Permian-Jurassic formation of the eastern terranes, localised terrestrial and shallow marine basin filling in the Late Cretaceous to Eocene, widespread deep and shallow water Oligocene limestone, and Miocene to Quaternary clastic marine and terrestrial deposition. Significant convergent tectonism occurred in the Cambrian, Silurian (penetrative folding of Greenland Group rocks), Permian-Early

Figure 4 The Alpine Fault in the Taramakau River area separates isolated hills of granite (left) from the ranges of Haast Schist (right) (GNS photo CN36514/14, photographer Lloyd Homer)

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> GEOLO GY > Ge ological h i story > D I S C LA I M E R

Figure 5 Hokitika River winding back toward the Southern Alps. Gravel terraces have been mined for placer gold (GNS photo CN38423/7, photographer Lloyd Homer).

Cretaceous (eastern terrane accretion) and Neogene (recent plate boundary movement including uplift of the Southern Alps). Extensional tectonics prevailed in the mid Cretaceous (metamorphic core complex formation during Gondwana breakup) and late Paleogene (modern plate boundary initiation leading to Alpine Fault inception). Widespread metamorphism occurred in the Silurian (accompanying Greenland Group deformation), Late Devonian-Early Carboniferous (accompanying major batholith intrusion), and Early Cretaceous (batholith and core complex related).

Accelerated erosion through uplift along the Alpine Fault and in the Paparoa Ranges since the Pliocene, has supplied large quantities of fluviatile gravel to the West Coast (Figure 5); and these gravels have been reworked during successive glacial and interglacial periods throughout the Quaternary. Progressive uplift assisted fluvial erosion and reworking during subsequent interglacial periods, resulting in a succession of terrace deposits in the river valleys. During the intervening interglacial periods, sea level was similar to its present height. Wave-cut benches were formed along the coast, succeeded by postglacial coastal and alluvial deposits.

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ALPI FAU 3

Pacific Ocean

7 5

Offshore and near-shore Au, Ti placers

Orogenic Au-quartz veins in Paleozoic metasediments

Late Cretaceous coal seams

Cretaceous intrusion W, Sn

Permian ultramafic-host

> MINERAL S > Ge ological h i story > D I S C LA I M E R

MINERALS This summary of the mineral resources of the West Coast is based on a regional assessment that was completed in 2010 (see Further Information section). The West Coast is prospective for a large number of different mineral deposit types (Table 1). The setting of the main ones is shown schematically in Figure 6. Most are briefly described in the following sections on metallic and non-metallic minerals.

SE Southern Alps

INE ULT

1. Offshore and near-shore Au, Ti placers

9. Permian ultramafic-hosted Ni, Cr, Cu

2. Late Cretaceous coal seams

10. Hydrothermal Cu in schist fault rock

3. Eocene coal seams

4. Quaternary alluvial gold placers

5. Orogenic Au-quartz veins in Paleozoic metasediments

11. Hydrothermal Au in schist and semi-schist

6. Cretaceous intrusion W, Sn 7. Cretaceous intrusion Mo 8. Paleozoic volcanic porphyry Cu

Figure 6 Schematic cross-section of West Coast showing mineralisation types in relation to stratigraphy. See Figures 1 and 2 for a key to the geological units. The position of the Alpine Fault relative to key rock units varies between southern (S) and northern (N) Westland.

ted Ni, Cr, Cu

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> M I NE R ALS > Ge o lo gical history > DI SCLAI MER

Element or Mineral

Mineral deposit model

Antimony (Sb)

Vein Sb

Chromium (Cr)

Podiform Cr (+PGE)

Copper (Cu)

Sub-model

Stratiform Cu Vein Cu Paleozoic orogenic Au Orogenic Au

Metallic Minerals

Gold (Au)

Mesozoic orogenic Au Cenozoic Alpine orogenic Au

Alkali intrusion-related Au Moderately reduced granite Au Detachment-fault-related polymetallic deposits Alluvial placer Au Placer Au

Beach placer Au Marine placer Au

Molybdenum (Mo) Rare Earth Elements (REE)

Porphyry Mo Carbonatite-hosted REE REE-bearing monazite in granitic and metamorphic rocks Placer REE

Tin (Sn)

Greisen Sn

Titanium (Ti)

Shoreline placer Ti Vein W

Tungsten (W)

Greisen W-Sn

Coal

Non-metallic minerals and rocks

Stratabound W Uranium (U)

Sandstone U

Zinc-lead (Zn-Pb)

Zn-Pb polymetallic veins

Zirconium (Zr)

Placer Zr

Aggregate

(River gravel or quarried)

Asbestos

Ultramafic-hosted asbestos

Barite

Vein barite

Clay

Coal measure clay Clay from weathering and sedimentary clay

Fluorite

Vein fluorite

Garnet

Placer garnet

Limestone Pounamu Serpentine Silica sands Talc-magnesite

Ultramafic hosted talc-magnesite

Coal

Deltaic, swamp, lagoonal and alluvial coal (Bituminous and sub bituminous rank deposits)

Table 1 Mineral commodities of the West Coast and relevant mineral deposit exploration models

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> MINERAL S > Mi ne ral p r od u c t i on > D I S C LA I M E R

Mineral production The mineral production of the West Coast is dominated by gold and coal. The main producers are Solid Energyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Stockton bituminous coal mine northeast of Westport, and Oceana Goldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Globe-Progress open pit gold mine at Reefton. Gold production has been growing strongly since 2006 (Figure 7). About 30 placer gold mining operations contributed to the gold total of 136,000 ounces in 2010. Non-metallic minerals are dominated by limestone produced near Westport for the Holcim NZ cement plant located there.

Mineral commodity

Amount

Bituminous

Coal

0.11

Total

2.71

Hard Rock

Gold

50,300

Total

Non-metallic minerals

(millions of tonnes)

660

86,000

Placer

(ounces)

($million)

2.60

Sub-bituminous

(millions of tonnes)

Estimated value

136,300

Limestone for industry (cement)

230

0.76

Aggregate and industrial minerals

0.30

Total

1.06

Total

898

Table 2 West Coast mineral production 2010 (Source: NZ Petroleum & Minerals and Minerals West Coast)

140,000

Placer Gold

2.8

Hard Rock Gold 2.4

Bitumous Coal

2010

2008

2006

2004

0.4

2002

20,000

2000

0.8

1998

40,000

1996

1.2

1994

60,000

1992

1.6

1990

80,000

1998

Gold Production in Ounces

Sub-bitumous Coal 100,000

Coal Production in Millions of tonnes

120,000

Figure 7 West Coast gold and coal production from 1988 to 2010 (New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals data).

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> M I NE R ALS > Pr e vio us e xploration > DI SCLAI MER

Previous exploration

New Zealand West Coast

$ Millions

20 15 10

2010

2009

2008

2007

2006

2005

2004

2003

2002

2001

2000

1999

Figure 8 Annual value of mineral exploration expenditure for the West Coast region and New Zealand total. The West Coast share has grown from <10% to 50% of total New Zealand exploration expenditure over the last few years. Data is for years to March until 2007, and calendar years for 2009 and 2010. Data for 2008 is for 9 months only. (New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals data).

Figure 9 The Grey River gold dredge working in the Grey River in 2010 (photo Stewart Nimmo).

Figure 10 Exploration drilling, Reefton (photo Oceana Gold).

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The 19th century gold rushes reached the West Coast in 1865, leading to permanent European settlement. Gold pans and small scale placer gold workings were superseded by large scale sluicing of terrace deposits and dredging of river beds, valley floors and coastal flats. Hard rock gold mines were developed near Reefton from 1870. Coal mining that began near Greymouth in 1864 as a source of fuel for local use grew to become a major industry, providing high rank coal for use throughout New Zealand. Prospecting by local groups and companies, and sporadic government wartime resource investigations continued until the 1960s when systematic reconnaissance exploration mainly by overseas companies began, using newly available geochemical methods. Exploration in the 1960s and 1970s targeted base metal deposits, particularly porphyry copper, molybdenum and nickel deposits in Northwest Nelson and the northern west coast region. About 20 companies were active including overseas major companies â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Asarco, Amoco, Anglo American, BP, BHP, and Kennecott. A change in focus to gold exploration began in the 1980s with CRA Exploration becoming particularly active, discovering the Sams Creek gold deposit in Northwest Nelson and re-evaluating the Globe-Progress deposit near Reefton. Exploration for base metals including tin and tungsten, and ilmenite-bearing coastal sand deposits continued. The major companies scaled down their activities and most withdrew from NZ during the late 1980s. Exploration during the 1990s, mainly for hard rock and placer gold, continued at a reduced level. Exploration spending (including minerals and coal) on the West Coast remained below $1 million annually between 1999 and 2004 when a surge in activity began, mainly related to the rising gold price. Exploration spending increased to more than $7 million in 2008 and reached a new high of $14.5 million in 2010, accounting for more than half of the NZ total of $27.4 million (Figure 8). Current gold exploration spending is dominated by Oceana Gold. Solid Energy and Bathurst Resources account for most West Coast coal exploration spending.

> MINERAL S > Me tallic mi ne ral d e p os i ts > G o ld

Metallic mineral deposits

Gold Paleozoic Orogenic Gold Gold-bearing quartz veins and disseminated gold occur in faulted, folded and metamorphosed Paleozoic sedimentary rocks of the Greenland Group. The quartz veins formed in steeply dipping shear and fault structures, and contain minor native gold, pyrite Legend and arsenopyrite, with stibnite, chalcopyrite and galena locally present." )

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> M I NE R ALS > Me tallic mineral deposits > Gold

Capleston Group Murray Ck Group Crushington Group Auld Ck

Reefton

Globe-Progress General Gordon Empress Souvenir

Cumberland Gp

Big River

Blackwater Waiuta

10 km Alexander Holocene sediments Gold mine - hard rock or alluvial older Quaternary sediments Anticline Neogene sedimentary rocks Syncline Paleogene sedimentary rocks Cretaceous sedimentary rocks Early Cretaceous granitic rocks Jurassic igneous rocks Permian-Triassic sedimentary rocks Devonian sedimentary rocks Devonian-Carboniferous granitic rocks Ordovician metasedimentary rocks (Greenland Group)

Figure 12. Location of Paleozoic orogenic gold deposits in the Reefton Goldfield.

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Reefton Goldfield (Figure 12) The Reefton Goldfield contains the most significant gold deposits; more than 2 million ounces of gold were produced from 84 mines between 1870 and 1951. One mine, Globe Progress, was reopened as an open pit in 2007 and produced 86,000 ounces in 2010 (Figure 13). The gold-bearing quartz veins are contained within a NNE trending belt of Greenland Group metasedimentary rocks, 34 kilometres long by 10 kilometres wide, which is in intrusive and/or fault contact along its eastern side with Devonian and Cretaceous granites. To the south, the belt passes under Quaternary cover and to the north it terminates against intruding granite. The Blackwater and Globe-Progress mines have been the most productive. Globe-Progress mine produced 418,343 ounces of gold between 1879 and 1920. Exploration by CRA in the 1980s, and later by Oceana Gold and its predecessors, identified a new mineralisation style of gold‑arsenopyrite‑pyrite‑(stibnite) in a clay-rich breccia zone bordering the main quartz vein. The current mine consists of 4 open pits. A sulphide concentrate is transported by rail and road to the Macraes mine in Otago for final processing. Gold resources (1.2 Moz gold) and reserves (0.37 million ounces gold), as at 31 December 2009, totalled 1.57 Moz gold. Exploration is continuing there. In the Blackwater Mine, the Birthday Reef quartz vein averaged less than one metre in width, but had a strike length of 1070 metres, and was mined to a depth of 830 metres, to produce 732,907 ounces of gold between 1909 and 1951. Deep diamond drilling by Oceana Gold in the last decade led to an estimated resource of 0.48 million tonnes at 21.9 grams of gold per tonne, representing 336,000 ounces. Mineralisation is open at depth. Lyell Goldfield Gold‑bearing quartz veins, varying from 0.3 to 6 metres in width, were worked or prospected over a 5 kilometre long zone extending NNW from Lyell Creek to New Creek. Production totalled 91,353 ounces of gold, mostly from the Alpine United mine (80,501 ounces). Mt Greenland Steeply dipping gold and basemetal-bearing quartz veins follow WNW striking shears and fault crush zones in anticlinal axes of folded metagreywacke, and were traced for up to 3.2 kilometres along strike. Production was 2,035 ounces of gold. Bald Hill Siderite-rich quartz veins occur in Greenland Group metasediments which are probably the source of alluvial gold in Cole Creek.

> MINERAL S > Me tallic mi ne ral d e p os i ts > G o ld

Mesozoic Orogenic Gold In the Southern Alps, gold-bearing quartz veins are found in Haast Schist in the Whitcombe River and several other locations. The veins typically consist of coarsely (cm scale) laminated quartz, 0.5-3.0 metres wide (maximum 8.0 metres wide) and traceable for 5-10 metres along-strike.

Cenozoic Alpine Orogenic Gold Gold-bearing quartz-calcite veins occur in schist and semischist rocks close to the Main Divide in the Southern Alps. The veins are thin (0.1-1 metres thick) and discontinuous, mainly filling extensional structures in steeply dipping fracture zones that crosscut late Cenozoic structures.

Figure 13 View of the processing plant (right foreground), Globe (right distance) General Gordon and Souvenir pits (left distance), looking south southwest, February 2010 (photo OceanaGold).

Alkali intrusion-related gold Although no occurrences of alkali-intrusion related Au deposits are known in the West Coast region, prospective rocks include the alkaline Foulwind Granite and French Creek Granite.

Moderately reduced granite gold There are no known examples of these types of deposits in the West Coast region. However, GIS prospectivity modelling using regional geochemical data revealed an association of Au and Bi in several granite intrusions in the north of the region where Bi geochemical anomalies are recorded.

Detachment-fault-related polymetallic deposits Gold anomalies, with associated Ag, As, Sb and Cu, in exploration stream sediment geochemical surveys of the Paparoa Range has led to a proposal that these may be related to the detachment fault system associated with the Paparoa Metamorphic Core Complex.

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> M I NE R ALS > Me tallic mineral deposits > Gold

Placer gold Rapid, tectonically driven uplift in the late Cenozoic (the present rate locally may be as high as 12 mm/year) has resulted in the erosion of very large volumes of source rocks that overall contain modest concentrations of gold. The gold has been concentrated into placer deposits through several glacial and interglacial cycles in the Pleistocene. Typically, the youngest deposits are the richest, because they have passed through several cycles of concentration. Gold is found in the present and ancient river systems and beach placer deposits. From the discovery of gold in 1865 until 1980, the total production from Cenozoic placers in Westland was in excess of 5 million ounces of gold, although historical records are incomplete. Most was produced by sluicing and dredging. A new gold mining boom occurred in the 1980s with the development of backhoe mining and portable gold recovery plants, with about 140 operations at the peak (Figure 14). Estimated production exceeded 70,000 ounces during the 1990’s (Figure 7). A mining revival from 2006 has approximately 30 gold recovery plants in operation in 2010, with 2010 production estimated at greater than 50,000 ounces.

Figure 14 L&M Mining Ltd’s No. 6 Plant at Rimu. Gravels 5-22 metres thick were fed to the 300 m3/hour plant by a 180 tonne hydraulic excavator (photo c. 1995, Eoin Jury).

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Alluvial placers Alluvial placers are found in Late Quaternary fluvioglacial and alluvial gravel, and to a much lesser extent in Pliocene Old Man Group gravels. The largest Pleistocene placers were worked at Reefton, Dunganville, Marsden, Greenstone, Kumara, Goldsborough, Callaghans, Humphreys Gully, Kaniere, Rimu and Ross. Between Hokitika and Ross, and south of Ross, the glaciers advanced to a position west of the present day shoreline, and outwash gravels deposited during past lower sea levels are now offshore. Beach placers Beach placers are found in present day beaches and older raised beach deposits of successive marine interglacials which underlie the remnants of coastal terraces. Gold, along with ilmenite, magnetite, garnet, zircon, and other heavy minerals is concentrated into lenticular beach placers known as ‘blacksand leads’. The largest deposits on the West Coast were leads in Addisons Flat and adjacent terraces near Westport, and in terraces near Charleston and Barrytown. The older leads near Westport and Charleston were cemented and the material required crushing before processing. Dredges were used to work the Barrytown, Okarito Lagoon and Gillespies beach deposits during the 1930s-1940s. Resources at Barrytown have been estimated at 50 million tonnes of potentially mineable sand at an average grade of 100 mg/m3 gold, 13.8% ilmenite, 0.2% zircon, and less than 0.1% each of monazite and rutile. Offshore gold exploration Four successive companies and groups explored the West Coast offshore placer gold potential between 1967 and 2010. Extensive seismic geophysical surveys and shallow sampling were used by CRA Exploration in the 1980s and a 400,000 ounce low grade resource was outlined. The most recent survey by Seafield Resources that included a range of geophysical methods and drilling was suspended in 2009 because of technical problems.

> MINERAL S > Me tallic mi ne ral d e p os i ts > Oth e r m e tals

Other metals Ilmenite

Antimony

Titanium-bearing ilmenite is present in coastal sand deposits along 320 kilometres of coastline between Karamea River in the north and Bruce Bay in the south. The deposits consist of narrow, elongate Holocene beach and dune deposits, generally parallel to and backing the modern storm beach. In the beach sands, ilmenite has been concentrated by wave action into blacksand leads with average grades of 10-25% ilmenite. In the dune sands, ilmenite occurs in concentrations generally less than 6%. Other associated heavy minerals include garnet, magnetite, zircon, and rutile, and traces of gold, monazite, cassiterite, beryl, uranothorite, scheelite, cassiterite, and xenotime. The ilmenite has abundant silicate inclusions and consequent low titanium content (45-47% TiO2). The ilmenite was derived mainly from garnet schist of the Haast Schist along the Southern Alps. The largest deposits are Karamea North, Birchfield, Fairdown, Carters Beach, Nine Mile Beach, Barrytown (Figure 15) and Hokitika South, individually with resources in the range of 1 to 10 million tonnes of contained ilmenite at average grades of 6 to 13.8% ilmenite These and other identified deposits make up a total resource of about 30 million tonnes of ilmenite.

Antimony has been reported from goldbearing quartz veins within Greenland Group metasedimentary rocks. Stibnite was found in many of the quartz lodes in the Reefton Goldfield, locally making up 10-30% of some veins.

Chromite with platinum group elements Chromite is widespread throughout the ultramafic rocks in southernmost Westland, occurring as sporadic podiform chromite lenses and fissureform chromite-serpentine bands. Small amounts of placer chromite are found in all streams draining the ultramafic belt and on the beaches north of Jackson Bay.

Copper Copper occurs as small massive sulphide lenses in the Pounamu Ultramafics on the western side of the Southern Alps in Westland. Those in the Wilberg Range are the largest known. Vein copper mineralisation occurs at several locations in Greenland Group metasedimentary rocks. Hydrothermal-metamorphic gold-silver-copper bearing quartz veins are hosted in garnet zone schists of the Haast Schist Group. Disseminated copper occurs in the crushed rocks of the Alpine Fault.

Figure 15 Barrytown Flats viewed from the north looking south. The coastal sand deposits of the flats contain substantial resources of ilmenite (photo Vivienne Bull).

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> M I NE R ALS > Me tallic mineral deposits > Other metal s

Molybdenum Several porphyry molybdenum deposits were discovered and investigated in the north of the region between the 1960s and early 1980s. They are genetically related to the emplacement of Late Cretaceous I-type Separation Point Suite granitoids into the S-type granites of the Karamea Batholith or the nearby quartzose Paleozoic sedimentary rocks. Most of the deposits are hosted by the sedimentary rock or intrusive satellite stocks. Mineralisation typically occurs as molybdenite paint or disseminations in joint-controlled quartz vein stockworks. Accessory minerals include minor pyrite, chalcopyrite and pyrrhotite, and rare galena, sphalerite, and bismuth sulphosalts. About a dozen prospects were identified and four were drill tested.

Nickel Low-grade nickelâ&#x20AC;&#x201C;copper mineralisation occurs in serpentinite in central Westland (Pounamu Ultramafics) and in southernmost Westland at Red Mountain.

Platinum group minerals Platinum group minerals occur in trace amounts in river gravels worked for gold. The identification of iridosmine from several of these sites suggests that the source is the Pounamu Ultramafics in the Haast Schist.

Rare Earth Elements Monazite is a common accessory mineral in many granitoid rocks of Westland. It is present in all of the main granitoid suites. Estimated monazite contents range up to 0.042 wt% in Foulwind Granite at Tauranga Bay. Hydrothermal systems formed when hot rocks from the deep crust were rapidly uplifted and juxtaposed under brittle, watersaturated upper crustal rocks along crustal scale detachment faults. This led to the development of extensive alteration in the vicinity of these faults in the Paparoa Range where traces of Au, Ag, Cu, Ba, F, Fe, carbonate and U mineralisation, with anomalous levels of REE in stream sediment samples, have been observed.

Carbonatite-hosted REE Carbonatite-hosted REE potential is recognised in a swarm of carbonatitic lamprophyre dikes that intrude Haast Schist in an area extending 110 kilometres from the headwaters of the Paringa River on the southern side of the Alpine Fault in south Westland, south to the Shotover River in northwest Otago. Sills are also present, and a few diatreme-facies breccia pipes, similar to those exhibited by many kimberlites, have been identified. Placer REE Placer REE occurs in trace quantities of the rare earth minerals monazite, thorite, uranothorite, and xenotime that are found in the ilmenite-dominated heavy mineral fraction of sand in present-day coastal beaches, in the sand and gravel deposits along a number of rivers, and in placer gold workings in Westport, Reefton, and Grey

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River areas. The largest deposits are at Westport and Barrytown.

Tin - tungsten Tungsten (scheelite) and tin (cassiterite) are present in several hydrothermal vein and greisen type Wâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;Sn occurrences along the western side of the granitic rocks in southwest Nelson and Westland. In contrast to classic Snâ&#x20AC;&#x2018;W granite provinces (e.g. northeast Tasmania), the mineralisation is unusual in having scheelite dominant over wolframite and cassiterite, together with a paucity of fluorite and topaz.

Bateman Creek Scheelite is disseminated in greisenised granite and in quartz veins hosted by greisenised granite and the adjacent Greenland Group metasediments. Kirwans Hill Scheelite mineralisation, accompanied by minor cassiterite, pyrrhotite and chalcopyrite, is present in a sheeted quartz vein system. Drilling has intersected wide zones of low grade tungsten mineralisation. Doctor Hill and Falls Creek Scheelite mineralisation occurs in quartztourmaline veins in a biotite granite stock containing roof pendants of Greenland Group metasediments. Two diamond drill holes gave a best intersection of 0.3% WO3 over 4.35 metres. At Falls Creek, 4 kilometres to the north of Doctor Hill, scheelite mineralisation is exposed in a road cut, and is similar to the Doctor Hill prospect except that the biotite granite is weakly greisenised and locally pyritic, and many veins carry cassiterite. One 145 metre diamond drill hole gave best intersections of 0.4 metres of 2% WO3 and 0.3% Sn, and 0.3 metres of 0.96% WO3 and 0.49% S. Barrytown Scheelite mineralisation is associated with a small pluton of potassic S-type granite intruding Greenland Group metasedimentary rocks, which are locally hornfelsed at contacts.

> MINERAL S > Me tallic mi ne ral d e p os i ts > Oth e r m e tals

Stratabound Tungsten

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* #

Polymetallic Zinc and Lead

Chromium - Cr

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> M I NE R ALS > No n - me tallic minerals and rocks

Non-metallic minerals and rocks

Asbestos Asbestos occurs in the Pyke River area of the Red Mountain segment of the Dun Mountain Ophiolite Belt, where mineralisation is almost continuous over a length of 4 kilometres around the flanks of Little Red Hill. The deposits of the “North Side” of this zone are estimated from drill testing and surface sampling to contain 23 to 36 million tonnes of asbestos-bearing rock with a yield of 1.5-2.0% of good quality fibre. Small quantities of asbestos of good quality occur in pockets and veins enclosed in talc-serpentinite rocks of the Pounamu Ultramafics.

Kaolinitic clay Kaolinitic clay deposits are present in some coal measures, as products of deep weathering of basement rocks, and in some Tertiary mudstone units (e.g. Blue Bottom Group). Fireclays are present as “underclays” immediately beneath coal seams, and as thin, distinct beds which may be fossil soils, throughout the Greymouth Coalfield. Both have been worked on a small scale. Clay formed by the deep weathering of gneiss, granite, or greywacke basement rocks is present beneath the Tertiary sedimentary rocks at a few locations, notably Charleston. Mudstone units of the Tertiary sedimentary sequence have been worked as brick clay.

Garnet Garnet is a minor constituent in most Quaternary fluvial and ilmenite beach sand deposits on the West Coast, but in the Westport area it is a major constituent in the ilmenite beachsand where it is typically twice as abundant as ilmenite.

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> MINERAL S > N on- m e tallic mi ne ral s a n d r o c ks

± Wekakura

Legend

Silica sand

( !

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Wekakura

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100 Km Explore West Coast (NZ) Minerals

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> M I NE R ALS > Coal

Coal

Figure 18 Stockton opencast mine in the Buller coal field (GNS photo, photographer Lloyd Homer).

The West Coast coal region comprises the Greymouth, Buller, Pike River, Reefton and 10 other smaller coalfields that have produced more than 120 million tonnes of coal to date (Figure 20). Coal seams occur principally within two sets of coal measures: Late Cretaceous to Paleocene Paparoa Coal Measures in the Greymouth and Pike River Coalfields, which are characterised by low ash and sulphur contents; and the Eocene Brunner Coal Measures in the Greymouth, Pike River, Buller and other coalfields which commonly have low to very low ash contents, but a wide range of sulphur contents. The generally low ash content, high vitrinite levels and excellent swelling properties, allows the West Coast bituminous coking coals to command premium prices on world markets. The West Coast currently produces up to 3 million tonnes of coal annually, mostly of bituminous rank from opencast mining at Stockton (Solid Energy Ltd, Figure 19) and Garvey Creek (Francis Mining), and underground mining at Spring Creek (Solid Energy) and Roa (Francis Mining). Exports of West Coast bituminous coal reached 2.5 million tonnes in 2008, mostly to India and Japan.

Coal resources Exploration in the 1970s and 1980s by the Ministry of Energy’s New Zealand Coal Resources Survey (NZCRS) helped identify and define coal resources throughout New Zealand. Subsequent exploration by several companies has refined the resource estimate (Table 3). The coal resources survey noted that while the West Coast accounted for only about 6% of total national coal resources, the region’s coalfields include virtually all of New Zealand’s resources of bituminous coal.

Coal potential West Coast coal is used by industry within the region, is transported outside the region for use elsewhere in New Zealand, but most production is exported. Exports have accounted for much of the growth in coal production over the last 10 years increasing from 1.1 million tonnes in 1998 to 2.5 million tonnes in 2008. Bathurst Resources is advancing a proposal to develop new opencast coal mines in the Buller Coalfield, initially at Denniston. Production of 650,000 tpa from 2012 is proposed, increasing in stages to 2 million tonnes per annum, and possibly 4 million tonnes per annum in the future. While there is high demand for the West Coast’s bituminous coals, the markets for the region’s subbituminous coals are small. There are substantial subbituminous resources in the Inangahua, Reefton and Charleston coalfields.

Rank

Resource category Measured (Mt)

Indicated (Mt)

Semi-anthracite Bituminous Sub-bituminous

Total

155

Inferred (Mt)

Total (Mt)

1.2

1.2 628 189 818

437

150

189

588

Table 3 Coal resources of the West Coast region based on coal rank

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> MINER A LS > Coal

LEGEND Operating coal mine

Main West Coast Coalfields

Coal mine in development

Buller

Coal occurrence or former coal mine Coalfield

Stockton Opencast

Coalfield

Towns West Coast region boundary Roads Westport Denniston

Cascade Creek

New Creek

Inangahua Junction Heaphy

Inangahua Coalfield

Charleston Coalfield Giles Creek

Fox River Coalfield

Mai Mai Boatmans

Burkes Creek

Punakaiki

Reefton Coalfield

Reefton

Punakaiki Coalfield Echo

Pike River Coalfield

Garvey Creek Coalfield

Pike River

Greymouth Coalfield

Rapahoe Spring Creek

Roa Underground

Figure 19 Solid Energyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Ngakawau coal handling facility (photo Solid Energy).

Blackball

Stillwater Dobson

Greymouth

Aratika Coalfield

20 km

Figure 20 Main West Coast coalfields.

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> Rig h ts to la nd a nd mi ne ral s > Coal > Coal r e s o u rc e s

Rights to land and minerals

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> R igh ts to lan d an d mi nerals

> Permits for explorat i on a nd mi ni ng > Mi ne ral s p e rmi ts

Permits for exploration and mining Minerals permits In New Zealand all gold, silver, uranium and petroleum are owned by the public (the Crown) and much prospective land is Crown-owned. Other minerals and coal on private land may be owned by the Crown, or are privately owned. Land and mineral owners can be determined by searching the public land titles register. Rights to explore and mine Crown-owned minerals are granted by NZ Petroleum & Minerals, a group within the Ministry of Economic Development, which manages a system of minerals permits. Permit details are accessible from the NZ Petroleum & Minerals website (www.nzpam.govt.nz). The three types of permits available for minerals are listed in Table 2. The web map shown in Figure 21 (http://www.nzpam.govt.nz/cms/minerals/permits) is updated regularly and has information on each permit and application.

Permit type

Purpose

Term

Prospecting

Reconnaissance exploration

2 + 2 years, 4 years maximum

Exploration

Prospect evaluation, drilling, pre-mining investigations

5 years + further 5 years with 50% reduction in area. Up to 4 years extension if mineral discovery made.

Mining

Mine development and mine operations

Maximum 40 years.

Table 2 Minerals permits

Figure 21 Web map showing information on permits and applications is updated regularly at http://www.

nzpam.govt.nz/cms/ minerals/permits

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> Rig hts to la n d a nd mi ne ral s

> P e rmi ts f or e x p lorat i on a nd mi ni ng > Mi ne ral s pe rmi ts

NZ Petroleum & Minerals collects exploration data on coal, petroleum and minerals from permit holders, making open-file reports available without cost from its website http://www.nzpam.govt.nz/cms/minerals/tech-data. The Crown royalty regime consists of two types. Specific rate royalties apply to most rocks and minerals, and to coal, while producers of high value minerals such as precious metals pay a royalty of 1% of net sales value on sales revenues of $NZ1.5 million pa or less, and 2% above that annual revenue threshold. The West Coast region is mainly Crown land that is managed by the Department of Conservation (DOC), a central government agency that has regional offices on the West Coast. It manages access for mining-related activities. Access agreements are required from the Department for mining-related activities on land it manages. The Resource Management Act 1991 is the main environmental statute which aims to treat all activities on the same basis by controlling the environmental effects of activities, rather than discriminating between different industrial sectors. The West Coast Regional Council manages discharges to water and air via a system of resource consents. District Councils (the Buller, Grey and Westland District Councils on the West Coast) manage other environmental effects. In some case the resources consent process will require consultation with other effected parties, such as Fish and Game.

The contribution the West Coast makes to realising the potential of New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s significant and diverse resources is critically important to the economic development of our country. Hon Phil Heatley, Minister of Energy and Resources

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> R igh ts to lan d an d mi nerals

> Permits for explorat i on a nd mi ni ng > Acc e ss agre e m e nts

Access agreements Where a mineral permit holder requires access to public or private land, an access agreement must be negotiated with the landowner. Much of the land on the West Coast is administered by the Department of Conservation, which has a two-tier system of approvals. For minimum impact activities, which include geological, geophysical and geochemical surveys and sampling by hand, the process is generally straightforward and the target to grant permits is 10 working days for most cases. For exploration involving the use of machinery (such as drilling) and for mining, an access arrangement is required. DOC has adopted a standard procedure for dealing with these. The amount of information required, the cost and the processing time depend on the nature of the work proposed, and nature of the area. DOC is required to take into account any views that tangata whenua (the local MÄ ori population) may have about an application and it is recommended that prior to lodging an application, the applicant consult with the relevant Iwi regarding their application. A concession from DOC for any related activity on public conservation land outside of the mineral permit boundary or for any associated wildlife permits may also be required. Information and guidelines on applying for access to DOC land can be located at www.DOC.govt.nz/about-DOC/ concessions-and-permits/prospecting-exploration-and-mining.

Resource consents The RMA applies to both private and Crown owned minerals and sets out a series of restrictions on the use of land, the use of beds of lakes and rivers, the use of water and also relates to the discharge of contaminants into the environment. A resource consent allows a person or organisation to do something which has an effect on the environment (e.g. taking water from a stream or bore, discharging waste into the air, onto land or into water, diverting streams or building bridges or culverts). Resource consents are required for the majority of miningrelated operations, water related resource consents and air discharge permits. They are issued and managed on the West Coast by the West Coast Regional Council. District Councils deal with the use of the land and may or may not require land use consents to allow an Applicant to undertake a prospecting, exploration or mining activity. This depends on the rules in the relevant District Plan. Generally hand held minimum impact prospecting work on rural land does not require a land use consent. The same applies to exploration however mining often requires a land use consent.

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> P e rmi ts f or e x p lorat i on a nd mi ni ng > Re s ou rc e co n s e n ts

Full information and guidelines on applying for land use consents can be obtained from the relative district council. Buller www.bullerdc.govt.nz Grey www.greydc.govt.nz Westland www.westlanddc.govt.nz Information and guidelines on applying for a resource consent can be obtained from The West Coast Regional Council office at 388 Main South Road, Greymouth, phone 03 768 0466 or on the web at www.wcrc.govt.nz/consents In order to undertake any prospecting, exploration or mining in New Zealand an Applicant must first ascertain if the following consents are required.

Type of Consent

Prospecting

Exploration

Mining

Minerals permit under CMA if crown owned minerals

Yes

Minerals permit under CMA if private minerals

Access Arrangement or private agreement with landowner & occupier

Sometimes Yes if DOC

Yes

Land Use consent from District Council under RMA

Rarely

Sometimes

Generally

Resource consent from Regional Council Under RMA

Sometimes

Generally

Table 3: Types of Consent required for prospecting, exploration and mining

The West Coast is on the cusp of a mining boom and the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s continued economic growth will be lead by minerals exploration. The Grey District Council is pro-active in its support of any mineral industry advancement. Tony Kokshoorn, Grey District Mayor

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> Permits for explorat i on a nd mi ni ng > Ar e as of c u lt u ral s ig ni f ica nc e

Areas of cultural significance There are significant and varied sites of cultural importance and value to local Māori that may be present in areas of interest for mineral exploration and or extraction. Ngāi Tahu is the tribe, or iwi, that holds tribal authority over the majority of the South Island. Eighteen Rūnanga, or governing councils, make up Ngāi Tahu including Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae and Te Rūnanga o Makāwhio on the West Coast. For the majority of environmental issues authority is delegated to Te Rünanga o Ngāti Waewae or Te Rūnanga o Makāwhio for matters within their respective tribal area or rohe. The best way to assess whether or not there are cultural values present in an area is to initiate discussion with the local rünanga as early as possible. This can provide an opportunity to understand the nature of the cultural values and to identify methods that enable potential applicants and developers to avoid, remedy or mitigate impacts on these values.

Te Ru¯nanga o Nga¯ti Waewae

Te Ru¯nanga o Maka¯whio

Nga¯i Tahu

Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae extends from Kahurangi Point to the north bank of the Hokitika River and inland to the main divide. It also shares an area from the Pouerua River to the south bank of the Hokitika River with Te Rūnanga o Makāwhio. Te Rünanga o Ngāti Waewae has an environmental company Poutini Environmental that manages all land and environmental issues. Poutini Environmental reports to Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae Executive monthly and Ngāti Waewae Rūnanga bi- monthly.

Te Rūnanga o Makāwhio’s area extends from the south bank of the Pouerua River to Piopiotahi and inland to the Main Divide. It also shares an area from the Pouerua River to the south bank of the Hokitika River with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae. Te Rünanga o Makāwhio operates as an Incorporated Society and is run by an Executive Committee that meets on a monthly basis. Within the Executive Committee is a subcommittee known as Komiti Taiao and it is this committee that has the specific purpose of considering environmental issues and making recommendations to the Executive Committee. Potential applicants/developers are encouraged to either write to the Rünanga with an outline of their proposal or ring the office to discuss it. The best way to make contact with Te Rünanga o Makāwhio is to contact their manager, Ms Susan Wallace who is based in the Rünanga office in Hokitika.

Consultation with Ngāi Tahu is also encouraged as there are a number of tribally owned and managed sites that may also be impacted upon. So, again, early consultation is advised. The contact is as follows:

Contacts Chairman Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae PO Box 37 HOKITIKA 03 755 6452 021 425 229 francois@Ngātiwaewae.org.nz

Contacts Te Rūnanga o Makāwhio P O Box 221 HOKITIKA Ph 03 7557885 Email: Makāwhio1@xtra.co.nz

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Contacts Manager ToiTu Te Whenua Te Rūnanga o Ngāi Tahu PO Box 13 046 CHRISTCHURCH Ph: 03 366 4344

Legend > Rig hts to la nd and minerals

Marae location of Papatipu Runanga

> P e rmi ts f or e x p lorat i on a nd mi ni ng > Ar e as of c u lt u ral s ig n i fica n c e

Te Runanga o Ngati Waewae rohe

MAP 2 Te Runanga o Ngati Waewae and Shared rohe TePublic Runanga o Makawhio rohe within conservation land Major Roads / HighwaysTai Poutini Conservancy the West Coast Te Runanga o Makawhio rohe

Major Rivers 50

KilometresLegend 50

Marae location of Papatipu Runanga

100

Te Runanga o Ngati Waewae rohe

Karamea

Te Runanga o Makawhio rohe Shared rohe Public conservation land Major Roads / Highways

Westport

Major Rivers 50

Kilometres

100

Reefton Karamea

Greymouth

Te Runanga o Ngati Waewae

Westport Hokitika

Reefton

Te Runanga o Ngati Waewae Te Runanga o Makawhio

Franz Josef Fox

Greymouth

Hokitika

Haast

Te Runanga o Makawhio

Franz Josef Fox

Haast

Figure 22 Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae and Te Rūnanga o Makawhio rohe within the West Coast Tai Poutini Conservancy

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Case Studies Mill Creek Mining Mill Creek Mining Ltd runs two alluvial gold recovery plants in the Grey District employing ten people. Both plants are currently working on Crown forestry administered land owned by Ngai Tahu Properties. Mill Creek Mining has also mined on Crown Land administered by the Department of Conservation. Managing Director Peter Haddock also jointly owns an engineering company, which exports gold recovery screens around the world. He says the high price of gold has made some marginal land economically viable to mine. His operations must meet different regulatory requirements depending on who owns the land and where it is situated. “Alluvial gold mining is a permitted activity under the Grey District Council plan which makes it easier although miners do still have to abide by rules under the district plan such as noise level restrictions. We also have to obtain resource consent from the Regional Council for land disturbance and water take,” says Mr Haddock. “With our operation on forestry land owned by Ngai Tahu Properties we pay a per hectare fee to Crown Forestry to use the land and then an access royalty on all gold recovered to Ngai Tahu. DOC looks at the conservation values of the land and you pay an access fee to mine. The Historic Places Trust also assess the land prior to access conditions being granted.”

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Global Gold Resources Global Gold Resources and Global Coal Resources are Australian based companies which source and supply a range of minerals and coal for consumers as well as providing strategic analysis for the acquisition and management of mining assets. The company has recently been on the West Coast looking at possible investment opportunities in local coal and gold resources. Director Michelle McMichael-O’Brien says she can’t say enough about how helpful agencies in New Zealand have been. “Looking at investing in a country can often be challenging in terms of learning what regulatory bodies expect of investors and how easy it is to do business. I can’t speak highly enough about how people on the West Coast have opened their arms to us, it has been a really great experience,” she says. She says Minerals West Coast is a great resource for companies looking to invest in the West Coast. “Minerals West Coast is open about its expectations of investors. People are willing to tell you what you can and can’t do and the local council is supportive and very good to deal with. We are excited about the opportunities ahead of us.”

“I can’t speak highly enough about how people on the West Coast have opened their arms to us, it has been a really great experience” Michelle McMichael-O’Brien, Global Gold Resources

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> T h e b u s i ne ss e nv ir onm e nt > T h e N e w Z e alan d adva n tage

The business environment The New Zealand advantage • • • • •

1st in the world for protecting investors (World Bank , Doing Business report 2011) 3rd in the world for ease of doing business (World Bank , Doing Business report 2011) 3rd in the world for economic freedom (Fraser Institute) 1st in the world for lack of protectionism (World Competitiveness Yearbook) An extensive network of free trade agreements that includes China, ASEAN countries and Australia • A business-friendly taxation system that supports capital expansion, research and development and international investment • Proactive Government support for international investors to relocate and/or collaborate with New Zealand companies

Ease of doing business New Zealand ranks third in the world for ease of doing business, according to the World Bank Doing Business report 2011. Starting a business in New Zealand takes just one day, while registering a property takes just two. New District Court rules have been introduced to make the process for enforcing contracts user friendly. New Zealand also has a business-friendly taxation system that supports capital development, research and development and international investment.

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> T h e b u s in e ss e n viro n ment > The New Z ealand advantage

Abundant resources

Transport and freight

New Zealand has abundant water and arable land, and a temperate climate that supports sustainable food production. We have a stable supply of gas and electricity with up to 75 percent of our electricity being generated by renewable energy sources in any given week. Our overall energy self-sufficiency is around 90 percent, with coal exports balancing dependency on imported oil. Our hydroelectric schemes, geothermal stations and wind farms are increasingly supplementing natural gas for energy generation.

Most major international airlines serve international airports in seven urban centres across New Zealand. Over 30 global and regional shipping lines serve privatelyrun, deep-water ports at internationally competitive stevedoring costs. We also have an extensive road and rail transport system and effective inter-island links.

Safe, stable and secure business environment

Banking

New Zealand ranks first in the world for protecting investors (World Bank, Doing Business report 2011), first equal in the world for lack of corruption (Transparency International, Corruption Perceptions Index 2010), and first in the world for absence of protectionism (IMD, World Competitiveness Yearbook 2010). New Zealand has a strong banking sector that weathered the global economic crisis well. The parents of the four largest banks are Australian-owned and are all in the Top 20 of the Global Finance World’s Safest Banks index.

Efficient, market-oriented economy With more than a decade of economic restructuring, New Zealand has a stable and internationally competitive economy. The privatisation of several utilities and state services has given rise to one of the most efficient and competition friendly economies in the world. Furthermore, a free and independent media in New Zealand ensures a high level of transparency in the corporate and government decision-making processes. New Zealand boasts sound macroeconomic foundations. • We have a relatively strong fiscal position and a commitment to reduce net debt to 20 percent of GDP by the early 2020s. • Legislative requirements are in place to maintain public debt at prudent levels. • We are among the top 20 rated sovereign nations in the world. • We have a low-inflation environment, with independent monetary policy and a focus on price stability. We have a long-standing flexible exchange rate. There are no exchange controls or restrictions on repatriation of funds.

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The Reserve Bank of New Zealand supervises New Zealand’s banking system, with its main function being to implement Government monetary policy according to annual directives. It also registers and supervises other banks. New Zealand has an open door policy on bank registration. There are several major trading banks and numerous other banking institutions. Many of the big international banks are represented in New Zealand through agents or sales offices.

Sophisticated telecommunications New Zealand’s telecommunications infrastructure includes international broadband submarine cable systems and competitive onshore mobile networks. The Southern Cross cable alone delivers 240 Gbit/s of fully-protected bandwidth to the United States mainland, Hawaii, Australia and Fiji. As demand increases capacity can be doubled to 480Gbit/s. The New Zealand Government has initiated a $1.5 billion programme partnering with the private sector to deliver fibre broadband capacity to New Zealand businesses, health institutions, schools and homes.

> T h e b u s i ne ss e nv ir onm e nt > T h e N e w Z e alan d adva n tage

Simple tax system New Zealand has a competitive and low-compliance tax system. We are third lowest in the OECD for time taken for taxpayers to comply with tax obligations (World Bank Doing Business, Paying Taxes 2010). In 2009, the corporate income tax rate was reduced from 33 percent to 30 percent. In New Zealand there is: • no payroll tax • no social security tax (voluntary KiwiSaver was introduced 2007) • no capital gains tax. • We have recoverable Goods and Services (VAT) tax, and tax-deductible business expenses (including research and development) and depreciation.

Legislative framework A large number of investments do not need approvals beyond the normal legislative business framework for NZ-based companies. The Overseas Investment Act 2005 regulates the acquisitions by overseas entities of 25 percent or more ownership or control interests in sensitive New Zealand land and significant business assets. There are three categories of sensitive New Zealand assets: 1. sensitive land, for example, farm land, historical landmarks, regional parks. 2. significant business assets: assets (shares or business) of more than $100 million, and 3. fishing quota.

Useful organisations • New Zealand Trade and Enterprise (NZTE) is New Zealand’s economic development and trade promotion agency. A specialist investment team within NZTE facilitates international investment into New Zealand by providing information to prospective investors and assisting them with setting up a new operation in New Zealand. See also www.newzealand.com . • The Internal Revenue Department website provides information about individual and business taxation in New Zealand, including all the necessary procedures and forms. www.ird.govt.nz . • Immigration New Zealand provides facilitation services for businesses sourcing or relocating international staff. • The Overseas Investment Office, part of Land Information New Zealand, administers the New Zealand Government's foreign investment policies. The core work of the Office is to assess applications for consent from foreigners who intend making substantial investments in New Zealand. • The Ministry of Economic Development focuses on sustainable economic development. Its website provides information about all aspects of New Zealand's economic development policies including the legal framework, regulation of specific markets, policy-making and implementation. • Should you need to use legal or other expert advice, the New Zealand Law Society can help you locate a suitable law firm.

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> T h e W e st Coast Econo mic St rat e gy

The West Coast Economic Strategy The West Coast economic strategy has been developed following consultation with industry, Government and the wider West Coast community. The Document sets out the long term strategy for economic development through to 2013.

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> T h e W est Coast Eco n o mic Strategy

Vision The residents of the West Coast will benefit from living in prosperous and sustainable communities.

High level benefits • Improved standard of living • Advanced business community that is nationally and globally competitive • Investment in robust infrastructure that supports economic growth, and enhances our environment • A diverse economy that maximises domestic and export potential • Strong communities that value their distinct character and are forward thinking in their responses to change • Sustained, enhanced and protected environment • Increased capability and achievement of local iwi • A sustainable quality of life that is founded on ·· A proactive and united regional focus ·· Shared appreciation and care of our environment ·· Increased employment opportunities and income levels ·· Access to quality core public services ·· A strong community focus on education ·· Advanced technological capability

Stakeholders Central Government Local Authorities Development West Coast Industry Business Iwi Community

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> T h e W e st Coast Econo mic St rat e gy

Priorities The Economy

Sustain key drivers Dairy/pastoral Mining Tourism/Ecotourism Support secondary drivers Fishing Forestry Timber Engineering Construction Education Investigate new drivers Energy initiatives Horticulture Aquaculture Build capacity & capability Support robust infrastructure Encourage investment

The People

The Environment

Community Development – Education – Workplace Development

Develop, manage and promote the region’s environment

Train

Improve environmental sustainability within sectors: Tourism Agriculture Mining Estate Other sectors

Increase focus on the importance of education Investigate initiatives designed to increase the levels of achievement Advance employer training Improve career pathways Develop industry, community, business and education partnerships Continue advocacy for government resources

Upskill workforce: Support literacy and numeracy Programming Progress adult education programmes

Find a balance between: Conservation values Industry impacts Community impacts Promote environmentally sound practices within: The business and industry sectors The community

Promote lifelong education: Improve attitudes to education Improve participation in education Strengthen career pathway education Foster industry/education links Promote apprenticeship & industry training

Work with related strategies including: Conservation Management Strategy Regional Tourism Strategy

Gain Attract skilled workforce by: Regional promotion Regional information Recruitment strategies

Retain Settle our people by providing: Community support Employer support Settlement programmes

Build strong communities by Promoting work/life balance Enhancing lifestyle advantage Improving the delivery and perception of health and education services Improving infrastructure and connectivity

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> T h e r e gi o n

The region The West Coast of the South Island is blessed with rich mineral resources, down-to-earth, hard-working locals and extraordinary scenery. Stretching from Kahurangi National Park in the north to just below Jackson Bay in the south it is a long slender region with 600 kilometres of wild coastline and lush native bush all framed by the majestic Southern Alps. The scenery is so impressive it was recognised by UNESCO as a World Heritage Area, rating it alongside the likes of the Grand Canyon, the Himalayas and Stonehenge, and boasts five national parks and 84% of the region is protected conservation land. Traditionally the West Coast economy has utilised the regionâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s natural resources, notably gold, timber and coal. More recently dairy farming and tourism have also contributed to the regions impressive economic growth. 2011 has seen the local economy grow by 4% meaning the West Coast is now one of the fastest growing regions in New Zealand, thanks in the main to the mining sector. The diverse economy offers a wide range of skilled jobs and business opportunities. With a population of 32,000 people the region has experienced strong employment growth with 4.5% unemployment in 2011, which is well below the national average. Locals, who are affectionately known as Coasters, are warm-hearted people who, given their pioneering ancestry, are perceived as no-nonsense, spirited characters who work hard and enjoy a laugh. The region boasts a crime rate well below the national average and a superb quality of life amidst some of the most beautiful scenery in the world.

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> T h e r e gio n > The Districts

Grey District The Grey District has the smallest land area but the largest population. It stretches from the south banks of the Punakaiki River on the coastline, the Big Grey River inland and to the Taramakau River in the south. With its population of about 10,000 Greymouth is the Coastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest town and the service and retail centre for the region. It is the gateway to the Coast with thousands of tourists arriving from Christchurch via the worldrenowned Tranz Alpine rail journey which is considered one of the top six rail journeys in the world. The District has mineral reserves, gold and coal mines, and the most flat arable farming land in the region. Nearby Lake Brunner has grown into a water sports resort. The district is rich in history and character. Key industries are tourism, mining, agriculture, fishing, manufacturing and service industries. The main hospital for the West Coast is in Greymouth. For more information visit www.greydc.govt.nz

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> T h e r e gi on> T h e D i stric ts

Buller District Buller District stretches between two popular tourist destinations, Karamea in the north and Punakaiki in the south, and inland as far as Springs Junction. It has massive coal, gold and limestone reserves and is home to many mining companies. The district also has a mild climate and is an area of great beauty, boasting two national parks, one forest park and two heritage areas. Westport is the biggest town with a population of about 5,000. It has an airport with daily flights to and from the capital city, Wellington, and a thriving commercial centre situated near the main export port. Inland, Reefton is a small town of 1,500 residents surrounded by native bush and farmland. It is experiencing a revival in mining and growth across many areas while maintaining its pioneer character. From a lifestyle point of view the district offers beautiful scenery, walking, fishing and mountain biking. The Coast Road between Westport and the blowholes at Punakaiki has been voted one of the ten best drives in the world by Lonely Planet. For more information visit www.bullerdc.govt.nz

Westland District Westland DistrictÂ extends 440 kilometres from the Taramakau River in the north to Big Bay in the south. The eastern boundary is the Main Divide of the Southern Alps. The district is known for its spectacular glaciers, bumper whitebait season and its thriving dairy industry. It boomed in the 1860s at the heart of the gold rushes and is still rich in mining history and home to a number of small gold mining businesses. Hokitika is the largest town with a population of about 3,500 and is situated on the Coast with magnificent views of the sea, river, forest and Alps. It is a popular tourist destination with an abundance of craft shops and galleries selling pounamu jewellery and art pieces. Further south Franz Josef Glacier and Fox Glacier are bustling with cafes, bars and tourism businesses taking visitors to visit the spectacular glaciers. For more information visit www.westlanddc.govt.nz

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> T h e r e gio n

Climate

Education

Despite its reputation for extreme rainfall the West Coast actually boasts a milder climate than the East Coast with fewer extremes of temperature. Locals will tell you that when it rains it does rain hard but most of the dumping occurs in the hills and at night. Winters are mild and often there are weeks in a row of near perfect sunshine during winter. Temperatures range from 5 degrees centigrade in winter to 25 degrees centigrade in summer and sunshine hours are similar to those experienced on the east coast of the South Island. In the north, Karamea’s climate borders on sub-tropical much of the year.

Primary and secondary education is provided by state and integrated schools throughout the region. Given the relatively small population many schools boast smaller class sizes with better than average teacher to student ratios. There are state high schools in Greymouth, Hokitika and Westport and an integrated Catholic high school in Greymouth. Three area schools in Karamea, Reefton and Hari Hari also offer secondary education. There are also kindergartens, play centres, early childhood centres and Te Kohanga Reo for pre-schoolers. Broadband is available in all schools and a recent computers in schools initiative has seen schools provided with modern and efficient ICT equipment which means two to three students share a computer, above the national average. All the schools have aligned themselves with Tai Poutini Polytechnic to ensure that curricula are compatible with the tertiary institute. Tai Poutini Polytechnic has campuses in Greymouth and Westport and offers a wide range of learning opportunities including Automotive Trades, Business Administration, ICT, Hairdressing, Early Childhood Education, Carpentry, Hospitality, Ecotourism, Chef, Jade and Hard Stone Carving and Outdoor Recreation. The polytechnic also offers a range of programmes specifically aimed at training for the mining industry including Drilling, Surface Extraction and Civil Plant Operations.

Housing Affordability and great locations typify West Coast real estate. Homes still represent exceptional value for money with the mean home price in October 2011 of only $220,000. There are plenty of housing options, whether you prefer to live in town, or the country with a stunning view of the Tasman Sea, or surrounded by native bush there is something to suit your budget. Rental properties are in demand with prices depending on size, location and condition.

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> T h e r e gi o n

Lifestyle

Health

The West Coast offers a quality of life many can only dream of. It is an area that is beautiful and uniquely uncluttered, offering a secure and stress-free life to those who choose it. There is no rush hour and not a single traffic light. Yet the Coast still boasts world-class amenities including swimming pools and sports centres, restaurants and theatres. If you enjoy the outdoors then the wide open spaces are perfect for raising a family. Anglers visit from all over the world to experience the region’s trout fishing and South Westland is renowned as offering some of the best white water kayaking around. The West Coast is known as the whitebait capital of New Zealand and over ten weeks every Spring whitebaiters flock from all over the country to try to catch the tiny delicacy, known by some as “white gold”. The area is the gateway to some wonderful alpine climbing and skiing and there are over 200 bush walking tracks with stunning scenery from flat ten-minute walks to five-day tramps. In 2012, two cycle trails will open on the West Coast as part of the Government’s cycle trail project. The Westland Wilderness Trail is a four-day family friendly bike ride being constructed between Greymouth and Ross. The Old Ghost Road is a 160 kilometre mountain biking trail in Buller which follows a historic gold miner’s route. These trails will complement the many other mountain biking tracks throughout the district. The West Coast is also the home of pounamu or jade. Given the precious stone’s abundance a thriving carving community can be found throughout the Coast, although particularly in the Hokitika region, where beautiful pounamu jewellery and art pieces are available for sale.

The West Coast District Health Board employs over 1,000 staff and provides a full range of community based health services from 14 locations throughout the Coast. Grey Base Hospital in Greymouth is the main hospital and provides a wide range of advanced medical, mental health and surgical services from both resident and visiting specialists, although people who need highly specialised services will often be transferred to larger centres. The Rescue Helicopter and Air Ambulance Service provide fast emergency response and the West Coast Primary Health Organisation is a community trust that supports a network of general practice teams spread throughout the West Coast. It provides a range of subsidised and free primary health care services designed to meet the unique needs of the West Coast. Pharmacy and Dental services operate in Westport, Greymouth and Hokitika.

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> Inf rast r u c tu r e

Infrastructure The West Coast is well connected to the rest of New Zealand via excellent road networks and rail links. Airlines operate regular daily services from airports in Westport, Hokitika and Greymouth.

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> I nf rastructure > Kiw iRail

KiwiRail KiwiRail is a state owned enterprise providing rail freight, rail passenger and interisland ferry services. The West Coast is a significant part of KiwiRailâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s network with 422 kilometres of track linking Westport, Greymouth, Reefton, Hokitika and Stillwater with the East Coast. Current freight volume is 2.6 million tonnes pa with key commodities being coal, cement, mineral concentrate, dairy and logs. The network is 18 tonne axle load capable with payloads up to 50 tonnes per wagon. Rail is the logical transport mode for large volume, heavy axle load freight. Capacity across the Midland line to Lyttelton port is 10 freight trains/day, each way with 8 trains designated for coal traffic. Rail capacity is governed by the Otira tunnel, a 1:33 grade, 8.5 kilometre section requiring eastbound trains from the West Coast to be banked through. This is done with diesel locomotives. The tunnel is also ventilated to enable large trains to operate and purge fumes after a train passes through. Current coal trains are 30 wagons with plans to go to 45 wagons to carry 5 million tonnes per year. Significant investment has been made in recent years upgrading or replacing bridges, track, structures, communication systems and rolling stock to meet projected growth in West Coast traffic. Further information can be found on www.kiwirailfreight.co.nz

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> Inf rast r u c t u r e > P or ts of t h e W e st Coast

Ports of the West Coast The West Coast has three established ports in Westport, Greymouth and Jackson Bay. All three port authorities are keen to work with potential investors in the development of port resources, facilities and capacity.

Port Westport The Port of Westport is the main port on the Coast and opens to the Tasman Sea. It is situated at the mouth of the Buller river, offering commercial fishing and cargo handling facilities for vessels up to 16,000 DWT or up to 131 metres in length. On an annual basis, in excess of 430,000 tonnes of cement is shipped to Onehunga, Wellington, Lyttelton, New Plymouth, Napier, Dunedin and Gisborne. Port Westport is currently developing its coal handing facilities to cope with an expected rise in demand from coal exporting. For more information www.westportharbour.co.nz

Port of Greymouth The Port of Greymouth is a river port on the Grey River at Greymouth. The entrance is across a bar, between breakwaters, to cargo wharves on the river. Greymouth caters for both commercial fishing and cargo vessles of up to 8,000 deadweight tonnes or up to 109 metres long, at draughts of 4.8 to 5.5 metres. A port development study provides options for handling up to 3.8 million tonnes of coal per year, plus aggregate, general cargo and fish products. For more information : www.greymouthport.co.nz

Jackson Bay Wharf Jackson Bay Wharf is the West Coastâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s southern most port located 30 kilometres south of Haast. It is owned and maintained by the Westland District Council primarily to provide a base for local and commercial fishing vessels operating in the area.

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> I nf rastructure > Sup port industries

Support industries The West Coast is well served by companies and organisations able to supply supporting services to the minerals industry including : • • • • • • • • • • •

Engineering Exploration and drilling Construction Minerals consenting Laboratory testing and analysis Helicopter Transport Earth moving Training Tunnelling Supply of heavy plant and equipment

Contact details for a range of these organisations can be found at http://www.mineralswestcoast.co.nz/members.aspx

Explore West Coast (NZ) Minerals

> Inf rast r u c t u r e > Ele c trici ty s u pply

Electricity supply Electricity is distributed by two providers on the West Coast, Westpower and Buller Electricity Ltd. Buller Electricity Ltd distributes from Karamea in the north to almost as far as Punakaiki in the south. Westpower distributes from Inangahua in the north to Paringa in the south and inland to Otira. Both companies distribute at 11kV and provide a reliable electricity supply to business and domestic customers throughout the West Coast. The networks are strong with plenty of capacity within a few kilometres of zone substations however significant new demand could place strains on the existing distribution lines. If you are considering a new mining venture it is recommended you talk with the provider in your area about the amount of power you would require. They would be happy to provide help and advice in developing your proposal.

Contact details Rodger Griffiths General Manager â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Asset and Engineering Services Westpower Ltd Phone: (03)7689300 Email: rgriffiths@electronet.co.nz Alan Hawes Operations Manager, Buller Electricity Phone: 03 788 8171 Email: Alan.hawes@bullernetwork.co.nz

Telecommunicatons E-commerce and ultra-fast telecommunications allow people to live on the Coast and enjoy all the benefits of business and a great lifestyle. As part of the Governmentâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s $24 million Digital Strategy Initiative, Development West Coast worked collaboratively with Government and Telecom to expand the telecommunications infrastructure network in the region.

Explore West Coast (NZ) Minerals

Resource assessment report The Mineral resource assessment of the West Coast Region prepared by GNS Science in 2010 is available from http://www.westcoastnz. com/work/work-mining/

Exploration data NZ Petroleum and Minerals is the government’s main mineral resource agency. The exploration database is at http://www.nzpam.govt.nz/ cms/minerals The results of mineral exploration since the late 1960s are described in reports and maps submitted by explorers to Government as part of the condition of their permits and licences. These reports are available at no cost by downloading them as PDF files from www. nzpam.govt.nz. Reports for current exploration may be held on closed file with the information made publicly available after 5 years or on surrender of the permit. A “West Coast” region search will help locate relevant reports. Compilations of data from the reports include geochemical databases maintained by New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals, and GNS Science (REGCHEM) and a mesothermal gold data package and prospectivity study. New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals also maintain a core library in Featherston, north of Wellington. The library contains drill core and other samples submitted by explorers to Government.

> F u r t h e r i n fo rmati o n

Further information on geology and minerals

Geological maps GNS Science prepared the geology and minerals sections of this document. GNS Science is New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s leading provider of geoscience research and consulting services and is the primary source of information on the geology of New Zealandâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s mineral deposits and their settings. The West Coast region is covered by parts of recent 1:250,000 geological maps (the GNS Science QMAP series with published sheets for the Nelson, Greymouth, Kaikoura, Aoraki, and Haast areas). Printed maps with an accompanying descriptive text are available from GNS Science, and these are also available as digital data in image and vector GIS formats. More detailed, printed scale geological maps at 1:50,000 and 1:63,360 are available for some areas and historic unpublished geological maps and compilations are available for viewing and copying in GNS Science map archives. www.gns.cri.nz/Home/Our-Science/Energy-Resources/Geological-Mapping/Geological-Maps Resource maps include 1:250,000 scale maps and accompanying text showing and describing mineral occurrences. The West Coast region is covered by parts of the Motueka, Greymouth, Hanmer, Paringa and Mackenzie sheets. These data are also available and viewable as digital data (the GEological Resource Map of New Zealand, GERM). http://data.gns.cri.nz/minerals/ The PETLAB rock catalogue and geoanalytical database is a collection of rock, mineral, thin section and other specimens together with comprehensive digital data describing their occurrence and available geochemical, geochronological and petrophysical analyses. http://pet.gns.cri.nz/

Geophysical data Maps of high level regional airborne magnetic surveys and ground based gravity surveys are published at 1:250,000. Smaller areas have been covered by low level aeromagnetic surveys in mineral and coal seam gas exploration programs. Aeromagnetic and radiometric surveys of much of the region, flown at 200 metres line spacing and 60 metres elevation for the Ministry of Economic Development in 2011 and 2012, are expected to be publicly available from the second quarter of 2012.

Explore West Coast (NZ) Minerals

This document has been developed by Development West Coast, Minerals West Coast, GNS Science and with support from New Zealand Trade and Enterprise for the purpose of supporting specific minerals investment opportunities on the West Coast of the South Island of New Zealand.

Development West Coast PO Box 451 Greymouth 7840 New Zealand

Minerals West Coast PO Box 77 Greymouth 7840 New Zealand

GNS Science PO Box 30-368 Lower Hutt 5040 New Zealand

New Zealand Trade & Enterprise PO Box 2878 Wellington 6140 New Zealand

Phone +64 3 768-0140 Fax +64 3 768-0150 www.dwc.org.nz

Phone +64 3 768-5600 Fax +64 3 768-5105 www.mineralswestcoast.co.nz

Phone +64 4 570-1444 Fax +64 4 570-4600 www.gns.cri.nz

Phone +64 4 816-8100 Fax +64 4 816-8101 www.nzte.govt.nz