Media Release

Protestors jeopardise Mt Augustus snails

22 March 2007

Environmental protesters are condemning to predation the very Mt Augustus land snails they say they want to protect, by standing in the way of a predator control programme.

In a joint initiative with the Department of Conservation (Doc), Solid Energy is proposing an aerial 1080 drop over 200 hectares on the Mt Augustus ridgeline of the Stockton Mine, targeting snail predators which include possums, stoats and rats. This is part of an agreed strategy for securing the long-term survival of the Mt Augustus snail population that draws upon the expertise of DoC and independent scientists.

The programme is designed to protect the remnant population of snails on DoC and Solid Energy land outside the area to be mined at Mt Augustus, as well as snails relocated to an area that will not be mined, 800 metres to the north.

Solid Energy had been finalising a contract for the aerial drop to be carried out through the West Coast Regional Council by the Animal Health Board. The Board identified that the environmental protestors camped on the ridgeline were an "affected" party that had to be consulted about the predator control programme.

'The environmental protestors say they won’t move their camp or leave the area so that the drop can take place.

"This is a ludicrous situation," says Solid Energy Chief Executive Officer, Dr Don Elder. "We are stopped from doing the very thing that will protect the remnant snail population at Mt Augustus and help ensure the long term survival of the relocated snails. This certainly exposed the real motives of these people who say they are concerned about biodiversity, but in fact are more interested in stopping us carrying out our lawful business, regardless of the true consequences."

To date about 4,500 snails have been collected from the Mt Augustus ridgeline, with 1170 of these released to date into the area which will not be mined to the north of Mt Augustus.

For further information contact:

Vicki Blyth
Communications Director
Telephone: 03 345 6000
Mobile: 021 670 250
Solid Energy New Zealand Ltd

Location http://www.coalnz.com/index.cfm/1,214,399,0,html