Mining Information Session Sparks Interest

Development West Coast (DWC), the Ministry of Social Development (MSD), and Mayors Taskforce for Jobs Buller District (MTFJ), collaborated to host a Mining Information Session at Reefton St Johns.

The event connected students and community members with upcoming opportunities in the mining sector. DWC Project Manager, Jade Mahuika, explained, “This event was all about showcasing the roles available on the West Coast in the mining sector and providing a pathway for those looking to enter this field.”

The session featured representatives from key industry players, including Federation Mining, Westland Mineral Sands, Mines Rescue, Francis Mining. Attendees, numbering around 80, gained valuable insights into career prospects and training options.

MSD Regional Commissioner Craig Churchill said this was the second in a series of these events that MSD had helped facilitate, supporting the growth of the mining industry on the West Coast. “We're excited to work with local jobseekers on their pathways to high-value, ongoing work opportunities in this go-ahead industry."

This collaborative effort underscores the commitment to creating local talent and supporting the economic growth of the West Coast region.

DWC Chief Executive Heath Milne noted that with several significant mining projects on the horizon, the sector is poised to deliver substantial, high-value contributions to the regional and national economy.

"If these projects come to fruition and receive the necessary local and government support, we have the potential to more than double the region's economic output," he stated.

According to Infometrics, the West Coast’s mineral sector currently contributes $311.2m in GDP (10.5% of the region’s total) and employs 696 people (4.1% of local jobs). With a productivity rate of $447,126 per job—more than three times the New Zealand average.