EV element mining could step up

A search for rare earth elements (REE) in New Zealand for the electric vehicle industry could herald a new wave of mining.

Our strategic mineral potential has been greatly enhanced by a GNS Science study highlighting areas of interest across parts of the country, energy and resource minister Megan Woods says.

The results of the Mineral Potential Studies into lithium, REE and nickel-cobalt were released at the New Zealand Minerals Forum in Queenstown.

It shows lithium potential in areas including the central North Island, the Hohonu Range on the West Coast where other REE may be, and nickel-cobalt potential in Nelson-Tasman-Marlborough and Southland regions.

The May 29-30 forum attracted about 280 delegates, and Woods opened Queenstown’s first fast charger at Pak’nSave Frankton on May 29 too.

“There is sky-rocketing demand around the world for minerals which are used in clean-tech and which can aid our transition to a low carbon economy,” Woods says. “That demand represents a real economic opportunity for New Zealand.

“There remains work to be done, but we now have a sound base to inform decisions on these strategic minerals which are widely used for energy storage in electric vehicles and other low emission technologies.

“The better picture we have of what exists, the better placed we will be to be in a position to potentially capitalise on demand for the scarce minerals which has surged in recent years.”