Snapshot of minerals permit applications – October to end of December
This snapshot provides insights into how many minerals permit applications were received and how many decisions were made between 1 October and 31 December 2023.
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
24 new minerals applications were received.
New minerals applications by type of permit
This chart shows the permit type of the new applications we received.
13 were for exploration permits, 6 were for mining permits, 5 were for prospecting permits.
Decisions made on new applications
31 decisions on applications were made – this could mean they were either approved, declined, rejected or withdrawn.
Decisions made on new applications by type of permit
This chart shows decisions made on new applications by type of permit.
15 were for exploration permits, 10 were for mining permits, and 6 were for prospecting permits.
Decisions made on applications by location
- 16 in the West Coast Region
- 9 in the Otago Region
- 2 in the Tasman Region
- 1 in the Canterbury Region
- 1 in the Marlborough Region
- 1 in the Southland Region
- 1 in the Waikato Region
Applications to make changes to current minerals permits
36 change applications received.
Decisions made on applications to change a permit
60 decisions on applications were made - decisions could mean they were either approved, declined, rejected or withdrawn.
Decisions made on applications to change a permit by type of change
This graph shows 38 of the change applications we made decisions on were for the permit category, 10 were for a transfer of interest or change in operator, 5 were for full surrenders of a permit, 4 were for a correction of error, 1 was for a change of control, 1 was for a change of name and 1 was for a change of permit tier.
The permit category includes change applications such as extension of duration, change of conditions, change of minerals or extension of land.
Decisions made on applications to change a permit by permit type
This chart shows 34 of the change applications we made decisions on were for mining permits. 21 were for exploration permits and 5 were for prospecting permits.
Learn more about mineral permits
Learn more about the minerals industry and what the permit types mean on our website.
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
The Minerals Permits Webmap
Our Minerals Permit Webmap is an online map using real-time data to show all current minerals permits and applications in New Zealand.
Go to the Minerals Permit Webmap