Media Release

Solid Energy CEO appointed to World Coal Institute Board

17 December 2003 Solid Energy Chief Executive Dr Don Elder has been appointed to the board of the London based World Coal Institute.

The World Coal Institute is a non-profit, non-governmental association of coal producing and coal consuming enterprises. Present membership is drawn from six continents. Member companies are represented at Chief Executive level. The World Coal Institute is the only international group working worldwide on behalf of coal producers and coal consumers. Some of the main objectives of the institute include providing a voice for coal in international policy debates, ensuring decision makers and the public are fully informed on the advances in modern clean coal technologies and supporting other sectors of the worldwide coal industry.

Solid Energy CEO Don Elder comments: "Solid Energy may be a small coal producer globally but our coals are in high demand both internationally and in New Zealand. We and our customers face the same issues in maintaining responsible growth in production and coal use that the coal and energy industries face worldwide. As New Zealand's largest coal producer and only major exporter we need to address these issues both for our sake and for the benefit of New Zealand's economy, which is heavily dependent on energy. Joining the World Coal Institute, which is actively involved in working in all these areas, is an obvious step for us."

Other members of the World Coal Institute include major international companies such as Rio Tinto Ltd, BHP Billiton Energy Coal and the Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd.

More information on the World Coal Institute can be found at www.wci-coal.com.

For further information contact:

Vicki Blyth,
Communications Director
Solid Energy New Zealand
Telephone: 03 3530 100
Facsimile: 03 3530 116
Mobile: 021 670 250