Media Release

Solid Energy welcomes Court decision

26 August 2005

Solid Energy has welcomed the final decision released today by the Environment Court confirming the conditions for the resource consents to develop the planned Cypress Opencast Mine, near Westport.

Solid Energy believes the conditions attached to the resource consents are comprehensive and represent best practice for the mining industry. The consent conditions are as substantially proposed to the Court by Solid Energy. The decision represents another significant step forward in Solid Energy developing the new mine.

Solid Energy understands the Court's decision not to award costs against Forest and Bird and the Buller Conservation Group. Since the Solid Energy hearing in March 2005, the Environment Court has issued a new practice note on how it expects appellants to conduct appeals. Solid Energy welcomes this guidance and hope that it will help to focus the issues and thereby reduce costs and delays in the court in the future.

The Environment Court's decision is subject to an appeal to the High Court by Forest and Bird on four points of law which is to be heard on 26 September 2005.

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

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