Since 1972, Taharoa Ironsands has operated the country’s largest mineral resource projects, producing iron concentrate from the country’s richest ironsand deposit. Located on the west coast of the North Island, the operation has supplied steelmakers across Asia for more than 50 years. Over that time, Taharoa has developed world-class expertise in slurry-based mining, mineral processing, and offshore bulk loading.
Our History
Originally developed as a government project under the Iron and Steel Act 1959, ownership transferred through privatisation during the 1980s to BHP and later BlueScope Steel. In 2017, Taharoa Ironsands returned to full New Zealand ownership.
Our Operations
Through 50 years of continuous innovation Taharoa has become the world's most advanced slurry-based iron mining operations. The operation produces millions of tonnes of ironsand each year and has sufficient accessible reserves to support production for decades into the future.
Careers
Taharoa Ironsands directly employs over 300 people and is the largest employer in the Ōtorohanga district.