Media Release

Safety concerns prompt Solid Energy response to anti-mine campaigners
22 November 2005

Allegations of intimidation against Solid Energy by a group campaigning against the proposed Cypress Opencast Mine in the Buller is just another publicity stunt, says Solid Energy Chief Executive Officer, Dr Don Elder.

"Safety concerns were behind our decision to instruct our security guards to contact the group of about 30 when they arrived on the site of the proposed mine on Saturday evening. Solid Energy had instructed the guards to advise the group that it was happy for them to camp in that location, but they were not to enter the adjacent operational Stockton Mine and if they had any problems they should contact Solid Energy's Ngakawau office. The security guards also issued a trespass notice to one member of the group and verbally warned the remainder that the company would take legal action if they entered the mine site as this could pose a significant safety risk.

"Despite this, on Sunday morning about 20 people from the group entered Stockton Mine. Our security guards asked them to leave the site which they eventually did after an hour. The security guards videoed all their encounters with the campaigners to ensure that there was an accurate record of what had happened.

"Solid Energy's decision to take pre-emptive action in contacting the group was based on a number of incidents over the last two years in which members of the group have carried out a number of stunts placing in danger our staff, contractors and themselves. They have invaded an operational area of Stockton Mine, three of them spent 24 hours chained to a glass canope over our Christchurch office entrance and had to be removed by police; they have chained themselves to the Lyttelton railway line, graffitied our building and dug up our lawn. Last year some of our Stockton staff had to rescue a group who were trapped by bad weather on the plateau.

"We respect people's right to peaceful protest, but members of this group continue to act irresponsibly posing a safety risk to themselves and others. Our priority is to ensure the safety of our staff and our contractors and to protect our property from vandalism. People who continue to act outside the law should not be surprised to find themselves the subject of legal proceedings."

For further information contact: Vicki Blyth, Communications Director, Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd, Telephone: 03 345 6000, Mobile: 021 670 250.