Northland minerals research and investigation welcomed

Today’s announcement that the Government will contribute more than $2 million to an aeromagnetic minerals survey in Northland has been welcomed by the Far North District and Northland Regional Councils.


The two Councils have signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Ministry of Economic Development in support of the survey to learn more about which areas have the highest concentrations of valuable minerals. They have each supplemented the cost of the aerial exploration with a $100,000 contribution.


The survey will cover 12,480 square kilometres, or 1.25million hectares, throughout Northland – none of it taking in Schedule 4 land (the most highly protected land in the conservation estate) - and is expected to provide valuable data that will allow exploration and extraction in mineral rich areas.


Announcing the Government’s funding this morning, Energy and Resources Minister Gerry Brownlee said it was his expectation that the data would pave the way for “an escalation” of activity in Northland, benefitting the economy of the region.


It would also make a major public good contribution by identifying hazards associated with rock and soil instability, which would assist with the management of earthquakes and landslides.


Far North Mayor Wayne Brown and NRC Chairman Mark Farnsworth today said the Government’s investment in the Far North’s future was “significant”, with the potential for up to $10 to be generated for every $1 spent on exploration, and the two Councils would work alongside each other and the Government to explore the region’s mineral deposits.


In a joint statement, they said Northland was currently the fifth highest mineral producing region in New Zealand and the survey would unlock further potential that could add billions to the region’s economy. (An earlier report from the Government research agency GNS Science and the New Zealand Institute of Economic Research estimated economic benefits could be as high as $371billion and create more than 1500 jobs in Northland within 15 years.)


“We could be sitting on a goldmine up here and the potential in terms of economic growth, wealth and job creation is real and it’s huge,” said Mayor Brown.


“The Far North is known to have the lion’s share of Northland’s minerals which include china clay, silica sand, aggregate, limestone and cement with the potential for gold-silver, aluminium or copper gold, coal and peat.”


“The Regional Council is keen to better understand what resources we’ve got in Northland and where they are so their potential use can be managed appropriately and respectfully and we can ensure areas of environmental importance are protected,” Mr Farnsworth said.


“The results of this work will be made public and will allow prospective investors in Northland a better understanding of where the potential lies. This is turn will enable them to work with the Government and local authorities to make the best possible use of those resources.”


The survey was the first stage in a course of action to determine where Northland’s mineral rich areas are, which in turn would lead to a measured process including getting the consents necessary to extract the minerals. It was unlikely that any physical activity would result from the survey for at least five years, the Councils said.



ENDS



Note

An aeromagnetic survey is conducted from a high-flying aeroplane and involves measuring characteristics naturally occurring in the earth. It includes both magnetic and radiometric surveying. A magnetic survey involves measuring the magnetic characteristics of the ground below using a magnetometer, while radiometric surveying involves measuring naturally occurring radiation in the soils and rocks below. Interpretation of this data can be used for a wide variety of applications. In terms of Northland and the West Coast, the enhanced knowledge of prospective areas is anticipated to increase exploration interest and consequently, investment, in the areas. Both surveys will also make a significant contribution to public good science.


Magnetic surveying will map rock-type variations and show rock structure, such as faults, that will assist with hazard science and engineering, identification of slip hazards, and road maintenance and realignment, as well as improving knowledge of the mineralisation of areas.


Radiometric surveying will assist with the detection of geothermal systems (and energy), as well as improving knowledge of the mineralisation of areas. For Northland in particular, this will be helpful in determining the extent that geothermal systems extend under conservation land. Radiometrics also have strong soil mapping applications, which may assist the Department of Conservation in better understanding and managing flora distribution and biodiversity.