Document Actions
Solid Energy granted resource approval for Huntly East development
25 July 2008, Source: Solid Energy and Lindsay Clark - The Huntly East coal mine has been granted resource consent to mine an additional 6 million tonnes of coal over the next 10-15 years, mine owner Solid Energy says.
The planned extension would carry on 2 km to the north from the current Huntly East mine.
The mine currently extends up to 4.5 km from the surface portal on the east side of the Waikato River. The 2 km extension would follow the coal seam down from the current working areas about 250 metres underground to an ultimate depth of about 400 metres below the surface.
About 90% of the coal mined at Huntly East is sold to New Zealand Steel for use at its Glenbrook plant which was specially designed to produce steel from Huntly coal and from coastal ironsands found near the plant.
Earlier this year, Solid Energy concluded a short-term coal supply agreement with New Zealand Steel.
Solid Energy said discussions are continuing with the aim of securing a longer-term contract that would underwrite the Huntly East mine expansion.
The full development would require investment of approximately $100 million including the purchase of a $4.5 million roadheader.
The expansion would add up to 50 permanent jobs to the current complement of about 150.
