Source: New Zealand Minerals Council
Government support for our emerging critical minerals industry is important, says New Zealand Minerals Council chief executive Josie Vidal.
Today the Government announced Regional Infrastructure Fund support of $50 million to two mineral sands companies on the West Coast.
“With all the misinformation around mining we have seen in recent weeks, it is good to have a reality check and see support for this highly productive, high wage industry,” Vidal says.
“It makes total sense to extract as much as we can out of our resources before they leave our shores, so funding for processing critical minerals is a no brainer. It creates more jobs in regional New Zealand and boosts our export earnings.
“It is imperative the Government continues to support this valuable industry and that facts, evidence, and science guide decisions about mining. We risk being left behind the rest of the world if we do not have an enabling environment for mining projects that will only go ahead if they meet the many stringent requirements laid out in our laws.
“New Zealanders want all the benefits of mined minerals, that is, energy, technology, homes, offices, transport, food production, refrigeration, healthcare, etc. and the best scenario is us being able to mine, process, and even manufacture here.
“The world is hungry for critical minerals and demand outstrips supply, which makes the mining industry a strong contributor to our economy. Mined minerals are in practically everything we use, every minute of every day.
“Minerals export earnings in 2025 were $2.4 billion, up 60 percent since 2023.
“Mining in New Zealand is regulated with high standards of environmental protection and worker health and safety.
“It is one of the most productive sectors with $458,952 the value of the amount produced per full time worker compared with $174,045 across the whole economy.
“Wages are good, with a mean of $125,630 compared to $82,500 across the whole economy.”