New Zealand’s mining health and safety regime is set out in the following acts and regulations.

In December 2013, the Government made changes to the laws concerning health and safety in the extractives industry. The changes affect opencast and underground coal and metalliferous mines and some tunnelling operations. Quarries, clay pits, alluvial gold and ironsand operations are only covered to a limited extent.

See more information on the types of operations affected by the changes.

New Zealand’s new mining health and safety regime is set out in:

• The Health and Safety at Work (Mining Operations and Quarrying Operations) Regulations 2016(external link) (the mining regulations)
• The Electricity (Safety) Regulations 2010(external link) as amended by the Electricity (Safety) Amendment Regulations 2013 (the electricity regulations)
• The Health and Safety at Work Act 2015(external link)
• The Mines Rescue Act 2013(external link)

The Mining Regulations replace the Health and Safety in Employment (Mining Administration) Regulations 1996 and the Health and Safety in Employment (Mining-Underground) Regulations 1999.

For issues or queries phone WorkSafe on 0800 030 040, or email hhu.extractives@worksafe.govt.nz.