Crown Minerals Act Amendment Bill introduced

The Crown Minerals Amendment Bill reverses the ban on new oil and gas exploration beyond onshore Taranaki and signals the Government’s intent to reinvigorate investment in petroleum exploration to address the energy security challenges felt by Kiwis. 

The legislation also seeks to better balance the regulatory burden and risk of decommissioning, gives the regulator more flexibility in how exploration permits are issued, and introduces a new tier of mineral permitting that should make it easier for people to undertake small-scale non-commercial gold mining activity. 

For more information on the Bill:

2024 Proposed amendments to the Crown Minerals Act 1991

For information on the progress of the Bill:

Crown Minerals Amendment Bill(external link) — New Zealand Parliament

To read the Government’s announcement:

Milestone for return of petroleum exploration(external link) — Beehive.govt.nz