Media Release

Media Statement

4 April 2005

An interim injunction against Solid Energy terminating its contract with its Rotowaro mining contractors, Henry Walker Eltin Pty Ltd (HWE), has been upheld in the Auckland High Court.

Solid Energy terminated its contract with HWE and assumed direct management of mining operations at Rotowaro on 11 March 2005. However McGrath Nicol, voluntary administrators for the Australian-based contracting company, obtained an interim injunction later that day allowing HWE back onto the Rotowaro site.

Solid Energy is seeking to terminate the contract as it believes HWE is in breach as it has fallen significantly behind in its overburden stripping operations at the mine.

A substantive hearing into the case will be held in the Auckland High Court at the end of May 2005.

HWE continues to carry out coal production at Rotowaro Opencast Mine.

For further information contact

Vicki Blyth,
Communications Director,
Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd,
Phone 03 345 6000,
Mobile 021 670 250,
Email vicki.blyth@solidenergy.co.nz

Links referenced

vicki.blyth@solidenergy.co.nz: mailto:vicki.blyth@solidenergy.co.nz?subject=enquiry from your website

Location http://www.coalnz.com/index.cfm/1,209,537,0,html