A 70% rise in the cost of permit fees is being defended by Government permitting agency New Zealand Petroleum & Minerals, which says junior mining companies should "raise sufficient capital" to meet the new charges. One Otago permit holder had its permit fees rocket 18-fold, from $3000 to more than $50,000, while another had to produce a mine plan report, costing more than $50,000, for the one-off document which added no value to its operation. She was asked to outline the percentage increases of each permit type, ranging from prospecting, exploration and mining permits. Ms Adams was asked if the fee rise was a disincentive to the juniors, meaning new areas would not subsequently be explored. From 2019, the permit fees would be reviewed every three years.

Source: Otago Daily Times September 15, 2017 17:03 UTC