# Act Proposes Mining Reform and Gas Exploration

> Act promises to reform mining and open gas exploration if elected.
- Title: Act Proposes Mining Reform and Gas Exploration · RNZ
- Summary: Act promises to reform mining and open gas exploration if elected. Act will reform New Zealand's mining industry and open gas exploration to boost jobs and…
- Keywords: act, mining, gas exploration, new zealand, energy, resources, planning legislation, crown minerals act, politics, news, Proposes, Reform
- Source: RNZ — https://rnz.co.nz/news/politics_election-2026/1790609/act-says-it-will-reform-mining-industry-open-up-gas-exploration
- Author: RNZ | Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa
- Published: 2026-10-07T22:10:35+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: act, mining, gas exploration, new zealand, energy, resources, planning legislation, crown minerals act, politics, news
## Act's mining reform plan
Act will reform New Zealand's mining industry and open gas exploration while making environmental obligations clearer if elected.
## Resource shortages in New Zealand
New Zealand has minerals needed for infrastructure, phones, batteries and medical technology but refuses to produce raw materials.
## Simon Court's statement
Developing these resources responsibly creates well-paid regional jobs, supports new industries, strengthens domestic supply chains, provides strategic resources to allies, and generates royalties for the Crown.
## Current challenges in exploration
It is unnecessarily difficult to explore and develop resources with overlapping approval regimes discouraging investment.
## Policy measures
Establishing national policy direction for mines, quarries and mineral processing under new planning legislation and amending exploration and extraction laws on government-owned land.
## What happens next
ACT's approach sets clear environmental rules and protects areas of genuinely high conservation value while making operators pay for their effects.
## Key takeaway

Act will reform New Zealand's mining industry and open gas exploration to boost jobs and supply chains if elected.