Media Release

Stockton production hits new record

3 June 2005

More than 2 million tonnes (mt) of coal has been produced and transported from Solid Energy's Stockton Opencast Mine in the year to date thanks to the increased reliability of the aerial ropeway and high maintenance and operational standards achieved by staff.

This breaks the mine's previous record for annual coal production of 1.74 mt achieved in the year ending 30 June 2004. Coal production atStockton is on target to achieve 2.035 mt for the current 2004/05 year and 2.27 mt in the 2005/06 year.

Solid Energy's West Coast Surface Operations Manager, Maurice Watson, says: "This is a great achievement for all the people who work atStockton and the company's Ngakawau coal handling facility. The aerial ropeway has performed very well over the last 12 months, achieving 94% reliability which has been the result of very good maintenance practices and operational standards.

"Operation of the aerial has also benefited from a more even flow of coal from the mine, with very little down time due to production issues. The increase in rail wagons, upping capacity from 1200 to 1500 tonnes per train, trucking of coal to Reefton and additional barge capacity out of Westport have all contributed to this positive result."

Solid Energy is currently replacing the 120 coal buckets on the aerial ropeway with new coal boxes made from lightweight steel, which will increase annual capacity off the Plateau from 2.0 to 2.3 mt. As a result, with the overall reduction in weight on the aerial, each new box will be able to carry 1.7 tonnes of coal, compared to 1.4 tonnes at present. All buckets should be replaced by next week. The infeed at the top of the aerial ropeway is being upgraded to ensure a continuous supply of coal. This work should be complete in July.

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

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