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Legislation
Legislation (and permit allocation)
Crown Minerals (Minerals and Coal) Regulations 2007
Crown Minerals (Minerals fees) Regulations 2006
General Guidelines for Consent Authorities
Legislation and permit allocation
The allocation of rights to prospect, explore or mine minerals that are owned by the Crown is carried out by the issuing of permits under the Crown Minerals Act 1991. The policy and procedures followed for the allocation of the mineral resources are determined in the Minerals Programmes and requirements to be met defined in the Regulations.
Issues to do with the environment are dealt with under the Resource Management Act 1991. Local government authorities manage resource consents required under the Resource Management Act 1991. This process is separate from obtaining a permit for mineral rights under the Crown Minerals Act 1991. The purpose of the Resource Management Act 1991 is to promote sustainable management of natural and physical resources, including use and development.
Neither a permit under the Crown Minerals Act 1991 or a consent under the Resource Management Act 1991 give a right of access to land. Land access is determined by direct negotiation with the landowner.
Prior to commencing any work on the ground an applicant must ascertain and obtain what is required in terms of:
a minerals permit from Crown Minerals under the Crown Minerals Act 1991
an access arrangement from the landowner and occupier
Resource Consent(s) from either the District Council or the Regional Council under the Resource Management Act 1991
Crown Minerals Act 1991
The Crown Minerals Act 1991 sets the broad legislative policy for prospecting, exploration and mining of Crown owned minerals in New Zealand. These include all naturally occurring gold and silver and substantial amounts of coal and other metallic and non-metallic minerals and aggregates.
Minerals Programmes
The Crown Minerals Act 1991 requires the Minister of Energy to prepare minerals programmes. The Minerals Programme for Minerals (Excluding Petroleum) (2008) [2.4MB PDF] policies for the allocation of permits and Crown royalties.
Previous Minerals Programmes:
- The Minerals Programme for Minerals other than petroleum and coal (1996) [456kB PDF]
- The Minerals Programme for Coal (1996) [410kB PDF]
Also see:
- permitting regime
- Revised Draft Minerals Programme for Minerals [2.6 MB PDF]
- Revised Draft Minerals Programme for Minerals submission document [1.4 MB PDF]
Crown Minerals (Minerals and Coal) Regulations 2007
The Crown Minerals (Minerals and Coal) Regulations 2007 set out the requirements and procedures for explorers and miners to:
- apply for a permit under the Crown Minerals Act 1991
- make permit change applications
- make royalty returns and payments
- report to the Crown on prospecting and exploration
- lodge cores and samples with the Crown
- For more information about reporting requirements please view the Mineral and Coal Digital Data Submission Standards April 2008 [108 kB PDF] document.
View the Crown Minerals (Minerals and Coal) Regulations 2007.
Crown Minerals (Minerals fees) Regulations 2006
The Crown Minerals (Minerals fees) Regulations 2006 outline fees payable for the matters specified under the Crown Minerals Act for Minerals and Coal.
General Guidelines for Consent Authorities
- Administration of Mineral and Coal Mining Privileges under the Transitional Provisions of the Crown Minerals Act 1991 [103 kB PDF].
