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Minerals make a significant contribution to Northland of at least $100 million each year, and is essential for maintaining infrastructure such as roads. Revenue from cement, building materials (aggregates), limestone and china clay has Northland ranked fifth out of fifteen regions in New Zealand. Northland has a billion dollar mineral potential that could significantly boost employment and regional prosperity in the region. The extraction of minerals in Northland began with the discovery of coal at Kawakawa in the 1860s, followed by cement-making trials at Portland near Whangarei in the 1870s. Since then, antimony, copper, diatomite, kaolinite clay, kauri gum, manganese, mercury, peat, serpentine, silica sand and silver have been mined in Northland, along with aggregate and sand for building, and limestone. Two studies of Northland's minerals potential have recently been undertaken. An assessment of the region's mineral resource by GNS Science and an assessment of the economic potential of that resource by NZIER. The Reports revealed that $28 billion of non-metallic and $5.2 billion of metallic mineral deposits are potentially present in the region. Combined, it is the first study of its type in New Zealand. The Foundation of Research Science and Technology funded the assessment of Northland’s mineral resources, while the study of the economic effects was supported by the Crown Minerals Group of the Ministry of Economic Development and the Far North and Whangarei District Councils, with Enterprise Northland facilitating the process. Download files:
Contact the Economic Development Team to request a complete copy of the resource assessment study on CD using our normal contact details. Go to top |
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