The Government has released a discussion document for a review of the Crown Minerals Act 1991.

Public submissions on the issues raised in the document are required by 20 December 2019.

The review objectives are to ensure New Zealand's minerals and resources sector contributes to the country's "productive, sustainable and inclusive economy", that risks and downsides associated with the sector can be appropriately managed, and that the sector is governed by a regulatory regime that is clear, coherent, and fair.

The document says submissions received will be reviewed and will inform the changes recommended by MBIE to the Government in early 2020. Once final policy decisions have been made, a bill implementing the changes will be drafted and presented to Parliament.

It says the Government aims to have legislative changes made by late 2020.