WELLINGTON, March 11 (Xinhua) -- New Zealand's West Coast is experiencing a mining resurgence, fueled by a growing focus on critical minerals such as titanium, zirconium, gold, and rare earth elements, attracting significant international investment.
Resources Minister Shane Jones made the statement on Tuesday after introducing the government's Critical Minerals List last month, highlighting key minerals vital to the economy and aiming to diversify New Zealand's mineral offerings in response to rising global demand.
"The West Coast has long been a hub for gold and metallurgical coal, but now, with international interest in critical minerals, we're seeing renewed investment," Jones said.
He cited an example of Westland Mineral Sands (WMS), which has expanded its exploration efforts near Westport. In a show of confidence, U.S.-based Energy Fuels took a 1 percent stake in WMS last October, recognizing its role in the global rare earth supply chain.
Similarly, TiGa Minerals & Metals is also progressing a mining project at Barrytown, targeting the same critical minerals, which will support regional growth and meet the increasing global demand for critical minerals.
In addition, RUA GOLD has made significant discoveries at its Reefton site, including critical mineral antimony. The company's drilling campaign has uncovered promising gold deposits, suggesting the potential for world-class gold reserves.
These developments are vital for regional employment and offer New Zealanders opportunities to build expertise in the growing mining sector, Jones said, adding they are also key to encouraging further international and local capital investment.
"This is the beginning of a new mining era," Jones said, adding he has been pushing to streamline regulations to unlock New Zealand's mineral potential. ■
