Snapshot of minerals permit applications in 2023
This snapshot provides insights into the amount of minerals permit applications we received and made decisions on in 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 of information that has been provided. For example, some applications require consultation with iwi before we can make decisions on them.
Snapshot of minerals permit applications made in 2023
288 permit applications (including changes) were received in 2023:
- 109 new permit applications
- 179 permit changes applications
Minerals applications by type of permit
Of the 288 applications made in 2023:
- 34 were for prospecting
- 101 were for exploration
- 153 were for mining
268 decisions were made on permit applications in 2023:
This could mean they were either approved, declined, rejected or withdrawn.
Top 3 types of permit applications received in 2023:
- 109 new permit applications
- 55 extension of duration applications
- 39 consent to change operator and/or transfer of interest applications
Top 5 regions for permit applications in 2023:
- 51 permit applications in West Coast
- 21 permit applications in Otago
- 13 permit applications in Tasman
- 10 permit applications in Waikato
- 8 permit applications in Southland
Snapshot of active minerals permits
At the end of 2023 there were 835 active minerals permits.
The top 5 regions for active permits in 2023:
- West Coast
- Otago
- Southland
- Waikato
- Tasman
The top 3 mineral types with active permits in 2023:
- Gold
- Silver
- Aggregate