A
major new mine to be developed at Pike River during 2005 has been designed to
have a minimal impact upon the environment, and an overall net conservation
gain. The Pike River Coalfield is located on the West Coast of the South Island
of New Zealand on the top of the Paparoa Range
approximately 46 km north east of the coastal town of Greymouth. Pike River Coal
Company Ltd (PRCC) holds a 40 year mining permit over the coalfield.

In
October 2004, the Minister of Conservation granted PRCC access through 1.25 km
of Department of Conservation land via an access agreement, and the Environment Court
issued a number of consents for the development and operation of the mine, in
addition to some existing consents.

The
underground mine at Pike River is located under land administered
by Department of Conservation, and has been designed to avoid or mitigate
adverse environmental effects and integrate into the natural bush surroundings.
The mine process has been designed to operate within an environmentally
sensitive area and will incorporate technologically advanced methods of mining
and processing. The mine process involves hydro mining of the coal, and
transportation via a 12 km coal water slurry pipeline, to a dewatering complex
located on PRCC land. This will ensure that traffic in the Pike River Catchment
up to the mine is minimised.

An
extensive series of management plans and monitoring programmes will be used to
ensure that the environmental effects of the mine activities are minimised, by
evaluating the performance of managerial procedures, and physical mechanisms in
place to avoid or mitigate the effects. Trial mining and substance management
plans in conjunction with an orthophoto and surface monitoring protocol will
ensure that surface features, and water ways are protected from any adverse
effects. The Blue Duck enhancement, and pest and predator control programme will
help ensure that an overall net conservation gain is achieved.

Developing transparent
working relationships and good communication with Department of Conservation,
Iwi (Ngati Waewae and Ngai Tahu), and local environment groups has been and
remains very important in the development of this project.