The value of New Zealand mineral and coal production (excluding water and petroleum) is $1 billion per annum. In addition, the export of mineral technology developed in New Zealand has a value of more than $20 million per annum.

The production value of minerals has the potential to grow to $2 billion per annum by 2010. It could double its contribution to New Zealand GDP. By 2010 25,000 people could be employed directly and indirectly in the minerals industry.

Mineral exports have the potential to increase from $400 million per annum (1997) to $1,000 million per annum by 2010.

Minerals production directly affects less than 0.01% of New Zealand land area and earns $38.4 million per square kilometre. Beef and sheep farming uses 39.6% of land area and earns $39,500 per square kilometre.

New Zealand hosts more than 600 known minerals deposits of 25 different types within an area of 270,000 square kilometres.

In 1997 more than 80% of mining employment was created outside the main centres of Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch. The equivalent figure for manufacturing was 40%.

In 1999 the mining sector pays the second highest average minimum weekly wage of $493.

The contribution of mining (excluding petroleum) to New Zealand's GDP is 25% larger than that of the fishing industry.

In order to achieve 2010 targets, industry investment in research and development needs to increase from $15 million to $60 million per annum.

Government R & D investment needs to increase from $3 million to $26 million per annum to further current projects and to fund new initiatives.

Since 1994 the State Government of Victoria Australia has spent $18.5 million on geophysical investigations and database development for minerals and petroleum. This has lead to a $130 million increase in new private sector investment in minerals since 1994.

[code of practice one]
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[national minerals strategy]
[foresight project]

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