Todd Barclay
Candidate for Clutha-Southland

24 July 2014

Candidate welcomes award of platinum exploration permits

Clutha-Southland National candidate Todd Barclay has welcomed the Government’s decision to award Lynx Platinum Limited two exploration permits in Southland.

Mr Barclay said the minerals industry is an important part of New Zealand’s economy and our abundant reserves of minerals are valuable national assets offering unique opportunities for economic growth.

"Sensible, safe and environmentally responsible development of our mineral resources will create new jobs in Southland - an area with a static population growth projection - and bring royalty and tax revenue that will benefit all New Zealanders.

“The minerals sector already contributes over $1 billion to the economy in GDP. If an economic discovery is made, there could be long term benefits for Southland. We can’t afford to ignore the opportunity to make the most of untapped resources potential, but it is critical that this work has to be undertaken in a safe and environmentally responsible way."

The number of firms operating in the minerals sector across New Zealand has grown by 60% in the last decade. The largest area of growth was in exploration and other support services.

“There’s a real opportunity for the local communities of Tuatapere and Otautau to benefit from any direct and indirect job creation,” says Mr Barclay.

In his announcement today, Energy and Resources Minister Simon Bridges said that platinum is considered around the world as a strategic metal because of its application in automotive, agriculture, electronic, dental, medical, and aerospace industries. Platinum is also used in environmentally-related technologies such as fuel cells and solar technologies.

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ENDS

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