Media Release

Tainui MP Visits Solid Energy's Huntly Coal Mines

3 April 2007

Learning more about coal mining's contribution to the local economy and meeting with miners underground were just two highlights of a recent visit to Solid Energy's Huntly East Underground and Rotowaro Opencast mines for Tainui MP, Nanaia Mahuta.

Following briefings on mining operations and health and safety, Ms Mahuta travelled 4.5kms underground to view coal extraction first hand at Huntly East Underground's coalface. Here she also met and spoke with one of the three teams of local miners working their shift at that time.

Ms Mahuta also inspected operations at the Rotowaro Opencast Mine, west of Huntly, and Weaver's Park, formerly the Weaver's Crossing Opencast Mine which has been rehabilitated as a community recreation park.

"Mining continues to make an important contribution to Huntly, with Solid Energy and its mining contractor employing nearly 400 people at the two mines. These employment figures alone are significant for the Huntly community and wider economy," Ms Mahuta said.

"I've also witnessed significant environmental commitment and contribution. Weaver's Park is testament to this, but creating wetlands in the Kimihia area and initiatives to fence and protect waterways such as Lake Waahi are developments that will also provide long-term benefits."

Notes

  • Solid Energy[rsquo]s Huntly mines produce approximately 1.8 million tonnes (mt) of coal per year.
  • The majority of this is supplied to Genesis Energy[rsquo]s Huntly Power Station and to New Zealand Steel[rsquo]s Glenbrook mill.
  • The Huntly East Underground Mine is situated just north of the Huntly township. It extends under the Waikato River which flows 130m above the mine workings themselves 180m below sea level. Approximately 1500 tonnes of coal are produced each day at Huntly East and rail freighted to the Glenbrook site.
  • The Rotowaro Opencast mine is situated 8 km to the west of Huntly. Approximately 11 mt of coal will be mined from the Awaroa 4 pit over the next seven to eight years. The majority of this is trucked via a private coal haul road to the Huntly Power Station overland conveyor.
  • About 400 people are employed directly at the two mine sites. Solid Energy has active graduate and trainee miner programmes. 40 trainees have been through the programme in the last five years.

button