More than 100 climate-change campaigners from around the
country will gather near Mataura from tomorrow to support
Southlanders concerned about the potential impacts of lignite
mining on their communities.
Environmental Court challenges have postponed upgrade plans
for Westport's port, and the potential employment of hundreds
of staff, until mediation or a court decision, allows coal
miner Bathurst Resources to begin West Coast production.
Delegates attending the influential Institute of Mining
and Metallurgy conference in Queenstown were upbeat about New
Zealand's prospects. Business reporter Simon Hartley wraps up
the conference.
"Incremental" legislative changes and engaging with affected
communities were prevalent themes at the opening of the New
Zealand branch of the Institute of Mining and Metallurgy
(AusIMM) annual conference yesterday.
A doubling of Crown
Minerals funding to $14.8 million in the Budget has incensed
the Green Party, which is opposed on several fronts to any
expansion of mineral exploration or production in New
Zealand.
The rejuvenated
Australian mining sector is being hit hard by the strength of
the Aussie dollar against the US, with some ASX100 resource
stocks downgraded by up to 10%.
West Coast newcomer Bathurst Resources could begin open-cast
coal-mining operations by the end of the year if its 24
resource consent applications - due to heard on June 7 in
Westport - are granted.
A public meeting in Dunedin tomorrow will debate what an
organiser says is "one of the biggest environmental issues
facing New Zealand" - the proposed expansion of coal mining
in Eastern Southland and South Otago.
