Snapshot of minerals permit applications – July to end of September 2024

Publish date: 4 November 2024

This snapshot provides insights into how many minerals permit applications were received and how many outcomes were made between 1 July and 30 September 2024.

We assess applications and issue permits to operators to prospect, explore and develop New Zealand’s mineral and petroleum resources.

These could be applications for new permits, or to make changes to current permits. We assess these applications against the legislative requirements to determine whether they should be granted.

Permit applications can take varying times for us to assess. It depends on the nature of the application, its complexity, and the completeness and quality of the information that has been provided.

New mineral applications

42 new minerals applications were received this quarter.

Primary mineral applied for = Gold
Primary location applied for = West Coast
All applications are for onshore permits.

New minerals applications by type of permit

This chart shows the permit type of the new applications we received.

9 were for prospecting permits, 18 were for exploration permits, 14 were for mining permits and 1 was for a special purpose mining permit.

Outcomes on new applications

There were 34 outcomes on new applications – this could mean they were either approved, declined, rejected or withdrawn.

Outcomes on new applications by type of permit

This chart shows outcomes on new applications by type of permit.

13 were for prospecting permits, 13 were for exploration permits, and 8 were for mining permits.

Outcomes on applications by location

21 in the West Coast Region
1 in the Tasman Region
1 in the Otago Region
2 in the Waikato Region
3 in the Southland Region
3 in the Canterbury Region
2 in the Marlborough Region
1 in the Taranaki Region

Changes to minerals permits

75 change applications were received this quarter.

Outcomes on applications to change a permit

There were 77 outcomes on applications - this could mean they were either approved, declined, rejected or withdrawn.

Outcomes on applications to change a permit by type of change

This chart shows outcomes on change applications by type of change.

41 were for changes to the permit, 14 were for full surrenders of a permit, 12 were for change in operator or transfer of interest, 2 were corrections of errors, 4 were for notifications of a change of control, 2 were for an amalgamation and 2 were for a change of name.

The permit category includes change applications such as extension of duration, change of conditions, change of minerals, partial surrenders or extension of land.

Outcomes on applications to change a permit by permit type

This chart shows 6 of the change applications with outcomes were for prospecting permits, 26 were for exploration permits and 45 were for mining permits.

Learn more about mineral permits

Learn more about the minerals industry and what the permit types mean on our website.

Minerals in New Zealand

We also have 2 tools you can use to learn more about minerals permits across New Zealand.

The online permitting system

Our online permitting system lets people apply for, manage, and make changes to permits online. Members of the public can also use it to find information about granted permits and permit applications.

You do not need to register or login to do a public search. Find out more about how to use the public search at the link below.

Online permitting system – using the public search

Go to the online permitting system