Media release

Spring Creek Underground Mine expected to resume mining next week

18 July 2008

Spring Creek Underground Mine is expected to return to operation early next week following a temporary shutdown when monitoring detected signs of spontaneous combustion in a section of the mine.

Simon Doig, Manager of South Island Operations for the mine operator, Solid Energy, says that since Monday (14 July) remote monitoring had shown steady improvement following the restriction of air to the section. 

“We have been out of operation for slightly longer than we forecast but our primary concern has been to ensure that the incident is managed safely.  The Department of Labour’s Mines Inspectorate has been kept informed throughout,” he says.