Efficient utilisation of aggregate resources is critical to supporting infrastructure development and reducing operational and transport costs related to extraction of raw materials. To understand the spatial distribution of future resources, aggregate opportunity in regions of New Zealand has been mapped using modelling of geological, land use, infrastructure and cultural digital data to map where future resources could be located so they can be prioritised over less critical land uses to support our growing economy. Aggregate opportunity areas are places that have overlapping spatial data classes favourable for extractive activities. A spatial modelling approach has been used to identify places with opportunity for future hard rock, gravel and sand extraction. The resulting maps and their GIS based equivalent datasets of gravel and hard rock aggregate opportunity can be used to manage aggregate resources, generate targets for exploration activities and provide insight into future resources.

Efficient utilisation of aggregate resources is critical to supporting infrastructure development and reducing operational and transport costs related to extraction of raw materials. To understand the spatial distribution of future resources, aggregate opportunity in regions of New Zealand has been mapped using modelling of geological, land use, infrastructure and cultural digital data to map where future resources could be located so they can be prioritised over less critical land uses to support our growing economy. Aggregate opportunity areas are places that have overlapping spatial data classes favourable for extractive activities. A spatial modelling approach has been used to identify places with opportunity for future hard rock, gravel and sand extraction. The resulting maps and their GIS based equivalent datasets of gravel and hard rock aggregate opportunity can be used to manage aggregate resources, generate targets for exploration activities and provide insight into future resources.