Media Release

Closure of public land next to Stockton ridgeline

16 March 2007

A strip of conservation land, between 200 metres and 300 metres wide, adjacent to the Mt Augustus ridgeline at Stockton Opencast Mine in the Buller, will be closed to the public from 5pm today for public safely reasons.

The Department of Conservation has closed the area to avoid risk to public safety. The temporary closure will be effective from 5pm, today (Friday, 16 March) to 5.00 pm, Friday, 31 August 2007, and may be further extended from that date.

For the last month similar closures have been in place two hours a day, four times a week, while Solid Energy undertook controlled blasting on the site. However a small number of anti-mining activists have tried to disrupt mining on the ridgeline by camping in this area.

The area will be monitored during the closure to ensure that people stay out of the exclusion zone. Clear visible signs and audible warnings, including a siren, will be used before any blasting takes place. In addition to these safety precautions, the Department of Conservation may lay charges and seek assistance from the Police if necessary to remove anyone found occupying the closed area.

Location http://www.coalnz.com/index.cfm/1,214,395,0,html