5 Mar 2012

Northland mineral prospecting bids invited

4:14 pm on 5 March 2012

The Government has asked mining companies to make bids to search for minerals in Northland.

A survey of the province was carried out last year by aircraft with special magnetic imaging equipment to indicate what metals lie under the earth.

Data from the survey will not be made public until May this year, but it is believed to have confirmed expectations that copper and gold are located in the area.

The survey covered more than 13,000 square kilometres.

The Ministry of Economic Development and New Zealand trade officials will be at a mining conference in Toronto this week to provide information.

The exploration permits will be made available from May onwards and will be limited to 7500 hectares each.

Areas such as 90 Mile Beach, Cape Reinga and Schedule Four land are excluded.