Reservation of Land from prospecting permits - Nelson, Marlborough, Otago and Southland

The reservations, which cover more than more than 23,000km², are over areas where NZP&M plan to undertake aeromagnetic surveys. These surveys will gather high-quality, high-resolution data which can be used to attract minerals investment and build the understanding of New Zealand’s geology.

Under section 28A of the Crown Minerals Act 1991, the Minister of Energy and Resources has declared that prospecting permits for metallic minerals will not be granted or extended in relation to three separate areas of land in the South Island as specified in the Schedule of Reserve Areas below.

This declaration takes effect from 9 July 2015 to 8 July 2018.

As per section 28(4) of the Crown Minerals Act, this declaration does not affect any:

(a) permit application received before this declaration was published; or

(b) permit granted before this declaration was published; or

(c) right, under section 32, of the permit holder described in paragraph (b) to be granted a subsequent permit.

This declaration is considered necessary to better meet the purpose of the Crown Minerals Act 1991.

Mineral exploration and mining permits can still be applied for under the reservations.