Hard-rock mineral exploration
Structural interpretation, field mapping, sampling, geochemistry, geophysics and drilling support for gold and associated critical-mineral targets.
West Coast · New Zealand
Mineral exploration on the West Coast
Practical geological, field and project-delivery support backed by a genuine West Coast operating presence and experience in difficult South Island terrain.
West Coast mineral exploration capability
Wairiri Exploration Group supports mineral exploration across the West Coast, including gold and critical minerals such as antimony and tungsten, as well as mineral sands, coal and intrusion-related mineral systems. Work can range from regional project generation and historic-data review through mapping, sampling, drilling, GIS, QAQC, permitting and technical interpretation.
Wairiri maintains an operating base on the West Coast. That practical regional presence complements experience with remote access, steep terrain, helicopter-supported exploration and drilling programmes in West Coast conditions.
The region presents a wide range of exploration settings, including structurally controlled hard-rock gold, critical-mineral targets such as tungsten and antimony, granite-related quartz–scheelite mineralisation around Barrytown, coastal mineral sands and established coalfields. Historic workings and extensive open-file exploration data remain important parts of modern target generation.
From regional ideas to field testing
West Coast projects commonly require integration of historic workings and open-file data with modern geological mapping, geochemistry, geophysics and terrain-aware logistics. Wairiri's approach is to turn that information into focused, testable programmes while keeping access, safety, contractors and permit requirements connected to the geological objective.
West Coast geology & exploration
Exploration and mineral development on the West Coast
Wairiri’s West Coast experience spans exploration drilling, hard-rock mineralisation, critical minerals, mineral sands, coal and historic workings in remote and difficult terrain.
West Coast experience
Multiple mineral systems, one integrated field approach
The programme is built around the geology, terrain, access and evidence needed for the next decision.
Coastal and sedimentary targets
Regional targeting, aircore drilling support, logging, sampling systems, RTK survey control, QAQC and integrated data management.
Coal exploration and evaluation
Historic data review, field investigation, drilling support, seam correlation, geological interpretation and project-development support for West Coast coal projects.
Field logistics and drilling
Practical experience planning and supporting programmes in steep, remote and weather-exposed terrain, including helicopter-supported work.
Connected capability
Geology, permitting and project delivery
Wairiri can connect field investigation with the wider work needed to advance a permit or project.
Generate and rank targets
Compile historic information, public geoscience and project data, then define field tests that can materially improve the geological model.
Deliver field and drilling work
Coordinate mapping, sampling, survey, contractors, drilling, QAQC and field documentation around the programme objective.
Keep the project connected
Integrate NZPAM permitting, access, specialist inputs, GIS and technical reporting so the project can move coherently to its next stage.
West Coast exploration
Have a West Coast exploration project or opportunity to assess?
Wairiri can support project generation, field investigation, drilling, permitting and geological interpretation.