Media Release

Appointments at Solid Energy's Reefton Operations

Kevin Pattinson has been appointed Manager of Solid Energy's Terrace Underground Mine and Jimmy Foster, Manager of the company's Reefton Surface Operations including Island Block Opencast Mine, the Burkes Creek washery and the Reefton distribution centre.

Solid Energy South General Manager, Steve Riddell, comments: "These new appointments underline a period of significant growth at our Reefton Operations including the purchase of the washery as part of the agreement with Francis Mining last year. Both Kevin and Jimmy have worked for Solid Energy for a number of years making significant contributions to the company. Their expertise and initiative in developing our operations in Reefton will be key to our future success in this area."

Kevin Pattinson has been Undermanager at both Strongman and Mt Davy Mines and more recently project engineer in the company's Grey district technical team. Jimmy Foster was previously Terrace Mine Manager.

The company's Reefton operations employ 30 staff. Solid Energy's Terrace Mine currently produces 65,000 tonnes per annum, up from 25,000 tonnes in 1998. A new development of coal reserves at the mine came into production in late 2000 in a $2.3 million initiative to open up access to around nine million tonnes of new in-ground reserves, extending the life of Terrace Mine by more than 50 years. Island Block production has increased to 70,000 tonnes per annum, compared to 25,000 tonnes in 1998.

Around 80% of Solid Energy's Reefton coal is sold within New Zealand to industrial customers, with the balance exported to international markets. The company has also recently exported trial shipments of specialist coal to Australia and Europe to develop markets in the manufacturing of silicon metal.

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