新西兰政府投资5000万纽元支持西海岸关键矿产加工项目
新西兰政府宣布，将通过区域基础设施基金（Regional Infrastructure Fund，RIF）向西海岸两项关键矿产加工项目提供最高5000万纽元资金支持，以推动本地矿产深加工、创造就业，并提升出口产品附加值。
区域发展及资源部长 Shane Jones 表示，政府希望通过在新西兰本土加工天然资源，而非仅出口原材料，创造更多高技能就业岗位，增强地区经济及全国经济竞争力。
他说：
“将天然资源加工成更高价值的产品，不仅能够增加出口收益，也能为地区带来长期稳定的发展机会。”
两个获资助项目
此次获得资助的是西海岸两家关键矿产企业：
1. Tāiko Critical Minerals（Barrytown）
获得最高 2000万纽元资助；
项目总投资约 4000万纽元；
将建设一座湿式矿物分离厂（Wet Separation Plant）；
项目已获得相关许可，将利用私人农地上的矿砂资源进行开采及加工。
2. Westland Mineral Sands（Westport附近）
获得 3000万纽元资助；
项目总投资约 7000万纽元；
将建设矿物分离及加工设施，提高矿产品附加值。
加工哪些关键矿产？
两个项目主要处理含有以下关键矿物的矿砂：
钛（Titanium）
锆（Zirconium）
含稀土元素矿物（Monazite，独居石）
这些关键矿物广泛应用于：
清洁能源产业
高端制造业
电子产品
航空航天
医疗设备
随着全球对关键矿产需求持续增长，各国都在努力建立更加安全、多元化的供应链。
将创造约260个就业岗位
政府预计：
约170个长期高价值工作岗位
约90个建设期间岗位
部长表示，资源开发项目通常可持续数十年，不仅带来短期投资，更能长期支持地区经济发展，为当地企业和居民提供更稳定的发展机会。
推动本土加工提升出口价值
Shane Jones 强调，这两个项目将帮助新西兰建立国内关键矿产初级加工能力，提高资源附加值，减少单纯出口原矿，进一步推动新西兰在全球关键矿产供应链中的竞争力。
Critical minerals processing projects on the West Coast will receive funding through the Regional Infrastructure Fund, signalling the Government’s backing of the sector to add export value, Regional Development and Resources Minister Shane Jones says.
The two projects – Tāiko Critical Minerals in Barrytown and Westland Mineral Sands near Westport – will receive funding of up to $50 million from the $80 million ring‑fenced in the Regional Infrastructure Fund (RIF) to support development in the sector.
“By turning our natural resources into higher value products here in New Zealand, we are creating skilled jobs, strengthening our regional economies and the national economy by adding value to our exported products,” Mr Jones says.
“It is clear nations around the world are seeking to secure critical minerals for manufacturing and science. We have those minerals and this Government will back our industry to contribute to a diversified and secure critical minerals supply chain.”
Critical minerals are essential for modern economies and technologies, including clean energy systems, advanced manufacturing, electronics, aviation and medical equipment.
The two projects process ores containing critical minerals including titanium, zirconium and rare earth-bearing concentrates (monazite).
Tāiko Critical Minerals will receive up to $20 million towards a $40 million wet separation plant planned as part of a wider mineral sands mining and processing operation. The project is consented to establish mine to market processing, using ore from privately owned farmland.
The Westland Mineral Sands project will receive $30 million towards progressing a proposed $70 million mineral separation and processing facility.
“Government support is vital, especially at the early stage of development. Resources projects often have multi‑decade lifespans, providing sustained economic activity rather than short‑term gains. This can offer greater certainty for regions, workers and local businesses,” Mr Jones says.
“Together, these two West Coast projects will establish domestic early-stage processing capability, add value to local resources, and support around 170 permanent high-value jobs, plus around 90 jobs during construction.”
