Northland has billions of dollars worth of minerals say scientists from the government’s Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences and the NZ Institute of Economic Research.
Geologists reported a conservative potential for $28 billion of non-metallic and $5.2 billion of metallic mineral deposits based on a comparison with other parts of the world with similar geology.
John Halse of Enterprise Northland commented:
“We are looking at the potential for more than 2,700 extra full-time job positions being created and billions of dollars of revenue being pumped into the economy over the next 20 – 30 years.”
Mining already contributes at least $100 million each year to Northland’s economy.
Revenue could be expected to grow to $354 million a year, injecting more than $683 million into the economy each year, when considering indirect benefits to local business.
$354 million could be generated by:
- increasing the production of aggregate and limestone;
- establishing a gold-silver mine
- introducing a second mine to source aluminum, copper or gold-silver;
- boosting silica sand mining; and
- adding a small mining operation in one or more commodities such as bentonite, coal, feldspar, kaolinite, kauri gum, peat and zeolite.
GNS Science senior minerals geologist Tony Christie said:
“Many people are surprised to hear that Northland has a significant minerals industry today. Northland currently produces superior china clay, has the largest cement plant in the country and provides limestone for fertiliser and aggregate for roads and concrete. Today, there are more than 50 quarries producing aggregate in Northland and 20 quarries producing limestone.
“However, by world standards, Northland is under explored when the wide range of minerals available is taken into consideration.
“In addition to the minerals already extracted in Northland there is potential for aluminium, coal, copper, gold, lead, mercury, nickel, peat, phosphate and zinc.”
The minerals industry sector group that collectively coordinated the research project will now turn its attention to ensuring that the value of the reports to investment and other planning decisions is realised.
Further Reading:
Mineral resource assessment of Northland region, New Zealand (6MB PDF)
The Mineral Potential of Northland Study (31KB)