Fast-track approvals process
How mining projects enter the Fast-track approvals process and the steps required to make a referral or substantive application.
On this page:
The Fast-track Approvals Act 2024 allows nationally and regionally significant projects to apply for multiple approvals through 1 streamlined process managed by the Environmental Protection Authority. Further amendments came into effect on 17 December 2025 and 31 March 2026.
Mining permit applications
You can use the Fast-track process to:
- apply for a mining permit and any other approvals under the Fast-track process, or
- apply for a mining permit under the existing Crown Minerals Act (CMA) process and apply for other approvals through the Fast-track process, or through existing relevant regulatory processes.
If you want to apply under the CMA process, you can read more on the following 2 pages:
Apply for a minerals mining permit
Apply for a petroleum mining permit
Entry into the Fast-track process
Projects can enter the Fast-track process either in 2 ways, through a referral or as a listed project under the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024:
- Referral application — you apply for referral, and the Minister for Infrastructure decides if they will accept your referral so that you can submit a substantive application.
- Substantive application — if your project is already listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approval Act, or the Minister for Infrastructure has already referred your project you can make a substantive application.
Listed projects
Some projects are listed in Schedule 2 of the Fast-track Approvals Act 2024. These listed projects do not require a referral application and may proceed directly to making a substantive application.
Schedule 2 Listed projects with significant regional or national benefits — New Zealand Legislation
Fast-track process overview
Making a referral application
1. check your eligibility
Your project must have regional or national significance to be considered for the Fast-track process.
To apply for a mining permit for 1 or more deposits for 1 or more minerals, you must:
- hold an exploration permit or an existing privilege (such as a mining licence) relating to those minerals under the Crown Minerals Act 1991
- have more than 3 months remaining on that permit or privilege at the time of your substantive application
- apply for an area within, or the same as, the existing permit or privilege area
- propose surrendering the permit or privilege for the area covered by the new application
- propose a term less than 40 years
- ensure your application does not include an ineligible activity.
For more information on ineligible activities, see:
Meaning of ineligible activity — New Zealand Legislation.
2. Review the costs
Fast-track is a user-pays system. You will be invoiced for:
- a notification fee (invoiced by us)
- application fees (invoiced by the Environmental Protection Authority).
Fees are based on the hourly rate of the staff reviewing and providing advice on your application. They cover the direct, indirect and overhead costs required to support the process.
Fees, charges and cost recovery — Fast-track
We consider efficiency and cost effectiveness when allocating staff members.
The table below sets out the fees.
| Role | Hourly fee (excluding GST) |
|---|---|
| Manager | $333 |
| Team leader, Principal advisor | $220 |
| Senior advisor | $187 |
| Advisor | $138 |
| Administrator | $108 |
If you have questions about your notification invoice, contact us within 15 working days.
For questions about the application fees invoice, visit Contact the Fast-track team — Fast-track.
Application form
To understand what information you need to provide, read Referral application to use the Fast-track — Fast-track.
3. Consider discussing your project with us
We encourage you to contact us before lodging your referral application.
We can:
- discuss your project’s eligibility and scope
- clarify what approvals are required
- help you understand what to expect.
4. Notify us of your referral application
You must formally notify us before submitting your referral application and must allow 20 working days for us to comment on your draft application. We will invoice you for the costs of responding to the notification.
You are required to include information in your final application about our comments and the change you have made as a result.
To notify us of your referral application, you can contact us.
5. Submit your referral application
Submit your application through the Fast-track website.
The Minister for Infrastructure decides whether your project can be referred into the Fast-track process. We will provide comments and advice as part of this process.
Referral application to use the Fast-track — Fast-track
How projects are assessed
For listed project or projects referred by the Minister for Infrastructure you must complete a substantive application.
1. Review the substantive application form
Read the substantive application form on the Fast-track website to understand what information you need to provide.
Substantive application for resource consents and other approvals — Fast-track
The fees for this stage are the same as those outlined in Step 2 above.
2. Consider discussing your project with us
We recommend that you lodge the information required for a mining permit application with us before you making a substantive application. This can help you prepare by allowing us to:
- provide initial comment on your project
- highlight matters you may wish to consider
- explain our role in the Fast track process.
We will provide you with written feedback about your project, to further help you prepare your application.
Our costs of considering the information lodged and providing feedback will be deducted from the application fee you pay EPA.
To arrange lodging your information or to arrange a meeting, you can contact us.
For more information:
Section 37 Mining permit information may be lodged with relevant chief executive — New Zealand Legislation.
3. Notify us of your substantive application (if you have not already notified us during the referral stage)
For listed projects, you must formally notify NZP&M before submitting your substantive application. Earlier discussions do not replace this requirement. We will invoice you for the costs of responding to the notification.
You must allow 20 working days for us to comment on your draft application.
You are required to include information in your finalised application about our comments and the changes you have made to your application as a result.
If you previously notified us before making a referral application, you do not need to notify us again.
To notify us of your substantive application, you can contact us.
4. Submit a substantive application
Submit your substantive application through the Fast-track website.
An expert panel will assess it and decide whether your project is approved, declined, or approved with conditions.
Further information
Fast-track Approval Act 2024 — New Zealand Legislation
Crown Minerals Act 1991 — New Zealand Legislation