NZ West Coast Mineral Potential
West Coast, New Zealand
The West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island has had an extensive and colourful association with the minerals industry for more than a century.
The site of one of Australasia’s largest gold rushes, the West Coast has long been a region of high prospectivity for precious metals, namely gold, high quality coking coal and greenstone (nephrite jade), which is prized by Maori. In more recent times the continued development of coal resources and the development of the country’s third largest hard rock goldmine near Reefton (Globe Progress) has confirmed the region as an important contributor to the minerals industry and economy.
Kenex has had a lengthy involvement in exploration on the West Coast via its involvement with Auzex Resources Ltd, Fortescue Metals, and Solid Energy, as well as several smaller explorers focused on the exploration and development of alluvial gold deposits located along the length of the coast.
Kenex has undertaken mineral potential mapping for the region for mesothermal gold and granite related mineralisation (Au-Bi-Mo and W-Sn). Auzex Resources Ltd has utilised these mineral potential maps to focus their exploration strategy.
As well as Auzex, Kenex has assisted multiple clients through the digital compilation of historic soil, stream, drill hole, and rock chip geochemical sampling, allowing prospective areas to be targeted more efficiently. Kenex has also been engaged from time to time to provide field support for client drilling, sampling, and mapping programmes for gold, ilmenite, and garnets.
The potential for further significant discoveries on the West Coast remains high, and Kenex would welcome any queries regarding mineral potential mapping on the West Coast or other services that we may assist with.