Go-ahead for West Coast mineral sands mine

The farmland near Westport where Westland Mineral Sands has been given consent to mine. (Image: Supplied).

Wed, 11 May 2022

A South Island company has gained resource consent to mine minerals and rare earth elements from sand dunes near Westport.A panel of commissioners granted consent to Westland Mineral Sands (WMS) on behalf of the Buller district and West Coast regional councils in a decision issued on Tuesday.The consent allows WMS, which encompasses a number of related entities, to mine a roughly 22-hectare site on privately owned farmland near Cape Foulwind.Managing director Ray Mudgway and others involved in the project have touted the enterprise as the begin...

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