About the project

Taiko Critical Minerals Limited (formerly known as TiGa Mines and Metals) is a New Zealand-registered company is focused on mining critical minerals including ilmenite, garnet, zircon, gold and rare earth elements in the Barryton area of the West Coast.

Taiko has obtained resource consents to mine and process minerals on modified pasture currently used for dairying, as well as to construct a minerals separation plant at Rapahoe that will enable the company to process minerals into value-added products for export.

Taiko's mining operation will generate significant economic benefits for the West Coast community, including the creation of over 130 mining and processing jobs plus additional support jobs.

The project is projected to contribute approximately $112.5 million per year in export earnings and provide a substantial boost to the Grey District's GDP and total exports. The company has strong local community, iwi and government support and has established a community liaison group to ensure ongoing community engagement.

Mining process

Barrytown Mineral Project Mine

The Barrytown Mineral Project Mine will extract and process ilmenite, garnet, zircon and gold on private farmland at Barrytown Flats on the West Coast, New Zealand.

The operation involves extracting mineral ore from just below the surface of the farmland, pumping the ore to a Wet Concentration Plant (WCP) onsite, extracting heavy mineral concentrate, and returning the unwanted soils to the extraction area. Gold will be extracted at this point and the remaining Heavy Metal Concentrate (HMC) will be trucked to Rapahoe (near Greymouth) for separation into ilmenite, garnet and zircon.

Using industry best practice techniques, the mine will operate on a continuous land rehabilitation process. When mining is completed, the land will be restored to productive pasture with an improved contour, and with the additional benefits of stock fencing and riparian planting of waterways and wetlands surrounding the farm. The final land levelling will ensure that the seaward side of the site remains at the same height it is now, as a defence against erosion.

Tests on the material that will be extracted from the mine, including those by Crown Research Institute ESR, do not reach the New Zealand Radiation Safety Act 2016 and International Atomic Energy Agency Transport Regulations (IAEA SSR6) to apply.

TiGa currently has a resource consent application lodged with the Grey District Council for a mineral separation plant at Rapahoe.

This new application (if approved) will complete the necessary consents needed to allow TiGa to mine and process minerals into final value-added products for export.

It is intended the final value-add products will be transported to the Ports of Timaru and/or Lyttelton for shipping to international customers.

Roadside visualisations

The roadside visualisation above shows the site from SH6 facing north - showing the existing site, the proposed processing plant and native riparian planting.

The roadside visualisation above shows the site from SH6 facing south - showing the existing site, the proposed processing plant and native planting on proposed bund.

Ilmenite is used to make titanium, which is on the United States and Europe’s ‘critical minerals’ lists for its use in the production of renewable energy resources.

The minerals we propose to mine are used in the production of solar and wind power generation components, more energy efficient engines, electric vehicle batteries and other components of the high-tech energy, manufacturing and transport industries.

Titanium is also used to make medical implants including hip and knee replacements.

Ilmenite mining

  • Titanium combines with iron, aluminum, vanadium, nickel, molybdenum and other metals to produce high-performance alloys used in jet engines, spacecraft, and other high-tech products.

  • Titanium is found in many joint replacements, especially hip joints, as it connects well to the bone. It is also used in many tooth implants.

  • Most sport and recreation activities rely on titanium metal. Titanium is often found in golf clubs, tennis racquets, bike frames, skis, baseball bats, fishing rods, and hiking and camping equipment.

  • Titanium dioxide is a naturally processed powder form of ilmenite ore that is resistant to heat, protects against UV radiation, and adds brilliance in colour strength and opacity.

    It is commonly pressed into the fibres of high-quality papers to improve their whiteness, brightness, and texture. Ilmenite is added to skim milk to improve its whiteness and opacity, and even added to toothpaste, rubber, plastics, cosmetics, paints, sunscreen, and many food products for the same reason.

Garnet mining

Garnet found at the Barrytown Mineral Project Mine will primarily be used as an abrasive in high-pressure waterjet cutting equipment.

This equipment is used throughout the world in a variety of applications from cutting thick metals and stone, to thin and delicate materials such as glass, plastics and electronic components.

Garnet is also often used as an alternative to silica sand in sand blasting as it produces less dust and is much safer to use.

Zircon mining

Zircon is used for many different purposes, including ceramic tiles, in the metal founding industry, and chemical laboratories. Recent research has found zircon will play an even bigger role in future technological advances.

Zircon mined by TiGa will be sold as a non-magnetic concentrate.

Gold mining

Gold mining is an important part of New Zealand’s history. From the 1860s, gold rush followed gold rush, and thousands flocked to the fields in search of the precious metal.

Today, gold is rare and mainly used in jewellery. Gold mined by TiGa will be refined at the refinery in Greymouth.