Mining industry GDP New Zealand 2018-2023

New Zealand’s mining sector contributes significantly to its economy. In the year ended March 2023, the gross domestic product (GDP) of the mining industry amounted to approximately two billion New Zealand dollars. Resources such as coal, iron ore, gold, and silver are mined by the thousands of people directly employed in that industry. 

Coal mining

Coal is found in specific regions of the country including Waikato and Taranaki in the North Island, and the West Coast, Otago, and Southland in the South Island. West Coast mines were responsible for the largest amount of coal produced in the country. Coal is used as a primary energy source in New Zealand, however, a large volume of the coal mined was exported. Coal exports have been declining over the past seven years, with the production volume of coal significantly lower compared to a decade ago.

New Zealand’s gold rush

While New Zealand’s gold production fell well short of its neighbor Australia, the country was still among the leading gold mining nations in the Asia Pacific region. The Macraes Mine, located in the South Island of New Zealand, produced the highest volume of gold in 2021. Nevertheless, gold production has decreased overall in the country over the last decade.