MEDIA CENTRE
Frequently Asked Questions
About Westland Mineral Sands
Our minerals are crucial for manufacturing and industry products that are advancing the shift towards a more sustainable future.
Our vision is to build a resilient, intergenerational business for the West Coast and New Zealand.
Our key focus is long-term growth and positive community impact, and we are committed to creating job opportunities and fostering local economic development through collaborative and innovative partnerships.
We honour nature and climate through best practice environmental management and sustainable initiatives to enhance our ecosystems and land-use capability.
We value our role in the local community and engage by positively contributing while respecting the unique West Coast culture.
FAQs
Westland Mineral Sands holds licenses for around 20,000 hectares of sand dunes on privately owned, modified farmland that contain valuable mineral deposits on the West Coast of New Zealand.
The shallow depth of mineral sand deposits allows them to be obtained using conventional surface mining methods. The topsoil is removed and stockpiled separately to allow them to be progressively returned in correct order after the mining process.
The mineral sand is removed from the ground and water is added to the ore to allow it to be transported to a processing plant where the valuable heavy minerals are separated from the sand. The subsoil and topsoil are then replaced, and the land rehabilitated back to its original land use.
Westland Mineral Sands has been producing and exporting heavy mineral concentrate (HMC) from the West Coast since late 2022.
We work closely with the local community and iwi to ensure that our business benefits the West Coast economically and socially, including job creation and infrastructure development.
Demand for our product is stronger than ever and our minerals are crucial for the transition to a lower carbon economy and a shift towards a more sustainable future.
Westland Mineral Sands holds a globally significant resource of critical minerals such as titanium (ilmenite), zirconium, garnet and sand, as well as vital Rare Earth Elements (REE, rare earths).
The inclusion of four of our resources on the Governments first critical minerals list emphasises their strategic importance and positions us as a key player in supporting New Zealand’s goals for sustainability and economic growth.
Titanium (ilmenite) mineral production comes from mineral sands, it is commonly used to make medical implants such as knee and hip replacements because it is non-toxic, resistant to corrosion and readily accepted by the body.
Titanium is twice as strong as steel, but 45 percent lighter and widely used in the aeronautics and aerospace industries in the construction of space shuttles and throughout the International Space Station
WMS also holds Rare Earth Elements relied upon by medical science, manufacturing, electronics and renewal energy. Smart phones, televisions, computers, x-ray machines, cancer treatments, medical lasers, plastics, catalytic converters, fibre optics, rechargeable batteries, hybrid cars and wind turbines are just some of the products that contain them.
As a privately owned business in a highly competitive global market, we prioritise confidentiality regarding our production and shipping details and are unable to disclose specific figures and timings.
In October 2023, we announced that we were seeking approval for a second operation on a larger section of privately owned farmland at Mananui south of Hokitika.
Since then, we have had ongoing conversations with the local community, iwi, Department of Conservation and other stakeholders about the project and are working towards achieving the required consents.
The proposed activity will bring significant economic benefits to the West Coast, creating a further 70 well paid jobs in engineering, geotechnical and maintenance as well as contractors and other services in association with the activity.
An independent analysis by economics consultancy Sense Partners estimates that the project will generate $71 million in export revenue each year and $37.9 million boost to the West Coast economy.
Our journey began back in 2021, when we were seeking to set up an intergenerational resource for the West Coast of the South Island. Conversations about our plans have been had with many political parties for years
Westland Mineral Sands (WMS) has been granted resource consent to mine and process mineral sands over an area of 112 hectares of privately owned farmland near State Highway 6, south of Hokitika. The 16-year consent was granted by an independent panel of commissioners, who described the proposal as “an exemplar of sustainable mining.”
In the year ahead before any mining activity begins, we will continue gathering, monitoring, and analysing ecological data to ensure the protection and preservation of the surrounding environment. Concurrently with this we will begin detailed design of the plant in preparation for commencement of mining.
Recruitment for roles at the Mananui site will begin in phases ahead of construction and operational activities, which are expected to commence over the next 12-18 months. Positions will be available across a range of disciplines, including engineering, operations, maintenance, environmental management, and site administration.
WMS encourages expressions of interest from local residents, West Coast-based contractors, and skilled professionals who align with our values of safety, sustainability, and innovation.
For employment enquiries or to express your interest, please contact careers@wmsnz.com.
No, the application is to mine privately owned farmland currently used for dry stock grazing and dairy support. There are creeks and forest to the east, a Department of Conservation ecological reserve to the south and farmland to the north and west.
The mining operation will extract mineral sand ore in strips across the site. The ore will be transported to a processing plant a few hundred metres away where the HMC will be separated for export through the Port of Greymouth. The un-mineralised sand will be set aside, the subsoil and topsoil replaced, and the land rehabilitated back to its original land use. Mining, rehabilitation, and monitoring will occur concurrently.
The proposed activity will bring significant economic benefits to the West Coast, creating a further 60 – 70 well paid jobs in engineering, geotechnical and maintenance as well as contractors and other services in association with the activity. An independent analysis by economics consultancy Sense Partners estimates that the project will generate $71 million in export revenue each year and a $37.9 million boost to the West Coast economy. WMS is also investing heavily in upgrading the Greymouth Port, so it can serve the mineral sands operation and better service the community in an emergency scenario.
The project has undertaken extensive environmental assessments, including hydrological, ecological, and landscape evaluations. A comprehensive Water Management Plan has been developed, and measures are in place to mitigate impacts on water bodies, creeks, indigenous flora and fauna, noise, and the visual landscape. Environmental assessments including hydrology, ecology, and landscape have informed project design and environmental management plans. The commissioners found that, with these measures, environmental effects are minimal and well-managed.
WMS will implement a robust effects management hierarchy, including:
- Chemical-free processing (using only water and gravity)
- Sediment ponds and stormwater controls
- Ecological buffer zones around sensitive areas
- Progressive land rehabilitation
- Ongoing water quality and biodiversity monitoring
Recommendations from expert reports have been integrated into detailed environmental management plans.
The project has been assessed against the Westland District Plan, the West Coast Regional Land and Water Plan, the proposed Te Tai o Poutini Plan, and the National Environmental Standard for Freshwater Management. It also aligns with national policy documents, including the National Policy Statement for Freshwater Management and the National Policy Statement for Indigenous Biodiversity. The proposal meets the requirements for sustainable management outlined in the Resource Management Act 1991.
As part of the resource consent application, several key environmental assessments were conducted to assess the impacts of the mining operation on the Māhinapua Creek and Lake Māhinapua.
WMS has implemented numerous measures to protect the area, with a focus on water quality, water levels, and local biodiversity. These measures include:
- Water Quality Management: A Hydrological Assessment and Water Management Plan will monitor runoff and discharge, ensuring water is treated before being released. There will be no direct discharges into the creek or lake.
- Erosion and Sediment Control: Erosion measures will minimise sedimentation, protecting local waterways and ecosystems from any mining disturbances.
- Water Table Management: The mining process will avoid significant changes to groundwater levels, and regular monitoring will ensure water levels in the creek and lake are maintained.
- Sediment and stormwater Control: Sediment ponds and a stormwater system will capture and treat disturbed sediment and runoff, preventing contamination of the water bodies. No direct discharge to natural water bodies is planned.
- Chemical and Waste Management: Hazardous materials will be securely stored, and spill containment systems will prevent contamination of the creek or lake. The mining process will not involve chemicals for mineral separation, relying on water and gravity-based methods instead.
- Biodiversity Protection: Habitat preservation measures will prevent vegetation clearance near the creek, while buffer zones and restoration efforts will protect local species and wildlife. Any species of conservation concern identified in the ecological assessment will be monitored, with management plans to ensure their protection.
The mining operation will be subject to continuous monitoring of water quality and biodiversity to detect any potential impacts and ensure they are mitigated quickly and effectively.
Yes, the protection and enhancement of Māhinapua Creek and Lake Māhinapua are considered a crucial part of the post-mining restoration plan. The site will undergo land rehabilitation to restore ecological processes, improve water quality, and re-establish creek and lake ecosystems. This will include native plantings, waterway restoration, and long-term monitoring to ensure the success of the rehabilitation efforts. Restoration will not wait until the whole site is mined but will happen progressively as the mining pit moves.
Yes. The application was publicly notified through the West Coast Regional Council, ensuring transparency and full community participation. One of the key next steps will be the formation of a Community Liaison Group (CLG), which will include four local community representatives. This group will help ensure community voices will continue to be heard and reflected in the project’s planning and progress.
Yes. WMS has worked closely with Te Rūnanga o Ngāti Waewae and Te Rūnanga o Makaawhio since the project’s inception. Consultation has influenced ecological and cultural protection measures, including the creation of an ecological reserve adjacent to Māhinapua Creek. Effects on taonga species were assessed as minimal.
Yes. WMS requested full public notification under Section 95A of the Resource Management Act 1991, allowing the public and interested parties to review and comment on the proposal.
Yes. The project anticipates around 70 heavy vehicle movements per day between the mine site and the Port of Greymouth. A traffic impact assessment has been completed, and WMS will implement infrastructure upgrades and traffic management measures to reduce disruption.
Beyond economic gains, the Mananui project delivers:
- Progressive ecological restoration
- Enhanced biodiversity, especially near Māhinapua Creek
- Infrastructure investment, including Port of Greymouth upgrades
- Sustainable land use post-mining
- Ongoing environmental monitoring and community engagement
At the heart of Westland Mineral Sands business is a commitment to the highest environmental standards and practices and we recognise that sustainability is critical to all levels of our business and operation.
Our robust sustainability initiatives are focused on best practice environmental management and sustainable investments to enhance our ecosystems and land-use capability.
We are continuously monitoring and identifying native flora and fauna species on, and around our sites and we use that information to create work programs that improve the ecosystem and our climate response.
WMS Group engages expert ecologists and hydrogeologists to carry out comprehensive flora, fauna and aquatic assessments that identify, monitor and report conservation recommendations which we integrate into our rehabilitation and restoration programmes.
By progressively rehabilitating the mined area, the disturbance is minimised and the landscape is reformed more quickly. The land is progressively returned to previous land uses, often with additional environmental enhancements.
Much of our mineral sand is under productive farmland. WMS has made a commitment to the landowners, local authorities and the West Coast community that it will ensure the land is returned to a similar or better state.
We are working with environmental experts to analyse soil composition and health prior to removal, during stockpiling and after replacement. As the mineral sands are relatively close to the surface about 80 percent of what is removed is returned to the ground and rehabilitated for future use. We also look for opportunities to enhance the natural environment as part of our rehabilitation, alongside returning land to productive land use.
WMS takes is constantly looking for ways to reduce emissions in our business and our supply chain.
We have converted our first processing facility to run on electricity sourced from New Zealand’s 87 percent renewable energy network, saving 500,000 litres of diesel annually.
We are exploring alternatives to diesel-fuelled trucks to move our product from site to port and it is still our intention to deliver our product from local ports direct to sea-going bulk carriers, reducing our reliance on road transport.
At WMS our commitment to our role as guardian of nature and climate goes hand in hand with our operational excellence. We recognise the unique biodiversity of our region, particularly the habitats of the kororā (Little blue penguin) and other local fauna.
Our environmental management strategies are designed to minimise our impact on their habitats, and we consulted with experts and brought in a penguin-tracking dog to help us identify where penguins are nesting and to help us understand their movements.
As a result, we altered our traffic management plan to ensure our trucks were not travelling either side of dusk or dawn to avoid disrupting kororā and their migration patterns.
WMS believes that our success should not come at the expense of our natural heritage. We are committed to continuous improvement in our environmental practices, striving to balance our operational goals with the protection of the unique environment that enriches our community.
WMS recognises that its success is all made possible through the community on the West Coast.
A key aspect of our operations is our commitment to community engagement and development. We recognise the importance of our business to the West Coast and as such strive to foster strong relationships with residents and stakeholders.
Through regular consultation, WMS ensures that community voices are heard, addressing concerns related to environmental impacts, job opportunities and local infrastructure. This collaborative approach has helped us build trust and allows for shared decision-making, which we deem crucial in maintaining positive relationships with the community.
We are proud to be a West Coast company and intend to deliver positive economic impacts and employment opportunities to the West Coast community.
We are committed to attracting top talent globally while fostering meaningful career pathways for local communities. By recruiting skilled professionals from diverse backgrounds, we enhance their expertise and innovation. Simultaneously, we invest in local talent development, creating opportunities for residents to build rewarding careers in the mineral sands industry.
In 2023, we awarded our first annual $32,500 education scholarship to a local student, affirming our commitment to supporting education and development. Our focus on long-term and positive community impact is rooted in our core values, as we seek to engage in genuine partnerships with local suppliers and businesses to foster resilience and growth.
West Coast Bulk Logistics Ltd is responsible for the shipment of all WMSC product from plant to the end customer and provides third party bulk logistics for domestic trade in aggregates, construction materials, revetment rock and other coastal trades.
WCBL’s work to resolve the transport, logistics and supply chain networks on the West Coast has brought wider benefits for the region, including much needed emergency resilience and growth opportunities for other coast communities to get their product out to market.
WMS has worked closely with local councils and communities on its investment into coastal shipping for the past three years.
WCBL through its lease of the ports at Greymouth and Westport is investing in upgrades to existing ratepayer assets so they can serve the mineral sands operation and better service the community in an emergency scenario.
Development West Coast was set up in 2001 as a trust funded by a $92 million contribution from the government in recognition of the privatisation of much of the region’s infrastructure. It distributes, invests and manages the funds on behalf of the region.
DWC’s $3 million investment in WMS Group aligns with the trust’s objectives of promoting sustainable employment opportunities and economic benefits for the West Coast.
The Manahau is a self-propelled barge that was added to the Westland Mineral Sand project in late July 2024 to enable the efficient and sustainable transport of product from river ports on the West Coast to a bulk export ship immediately off the coast and directly to the world.
WMS spent more than two years consulting a team of local and international shipping experts, weather forecasters and master mariners who advised us on all facets of the operational set up.
The vessel was specifically designed to navigate river bars like those in Buller and Grey. This was proven on 17 August when she crossed the bar and shipped 3300t of mineral sands from Westport to Nelson.
The decision to use a Niuean flag was made in consultation with our Singapore shipping partners who are familiar with the flag state and does not in any way compromise our commitment to meeting maritime requirements. While she is foreign flagged, she operates on the New Zealand coast under Section 198(1)(b) of the Maritime Transport Act 1994.
On Saturday 31 August, the Manahau ran aground on Carters Beach and was successfully refloated on Friday 6 September.
The Manahau is still safely in dock at Port Nelson.
Damage inspections on the Manahau have been completed – the vessel is stable, the hull is intact and there are no leaks.
WMS engaged one of the top maritime investigators in New Zealand for its own internal investigation into what led to the grounding.
The investigation was led by Tim Burfoot, a master mariner with 46 years’ experience in maritime operations and a former Chief Investigator for the Transport Accident Investigation Commission (TAIC).
Mr. Burfoot concluded that while weather and sea conditions had been forecasted accurately and sufficient information was available to make informed navigational decisions, the grounding was ultimately avoidable. His findings indicate that better decision-making by the crew at several key points during the incident could have prevented the vessel from running aground.
The Manahau barge, recently introduced as part of the Westland Mineral Sands project, was intended to provide an efficient and sustainable way to transport critical minerals from river ports on the West Coast for distribution to global markets. Mr. Burfoot confirmed the vessel was fit for this purpose, equipped with the necessary capabilities and properly supported by the company’s shore-based management team.
The repair plan has been submitted to RINA, the international certification body, and the necessary work will take approximately one month once the vessel is in dry dock. Replacement propeller drives will take several months to procure.
WMS has full confidence in the Manahau’s capability to provide a sustainable coastal shipping service along the West Coast and we remain committed to the restoration of West Coast ports, which we believe is crucial to unlocking regional resources and enabling the movement of both outgoing and incoming cargo.
Our mining business continues to operate uninterrupted, and mineral sand will be exported from Nelson until the Manahau returns to service.
