Mayor's Wants Open-Cast Mine at Pike River

The Mayor of Grey District Tony Kokshoorn wants an open cast mine at Pike River, New Zealand. The mine which has been shut down since November 19, 2010 after an explosion which killed 29 miners still has $6 billion worth of coal underground. This is money that would greatly boost the New Zealand’s west coast economy.

As Mr Kokshoorn speaking on Radio New Zealand, said that the open cast mine would provide welcome employment and economic opportunities to the west coast. The regional and national benefits would be enormous.

An open cast mine would mean removing 150 meters of rock to reach the coal seam. This is on conservation land in the Paparoa Ranges. As per Mr Kokshoorn the council may hand over the land and place it in conservation estate so that it can be mined. This would be a ‘win-win’ situation for all.

The Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee has said that while he is not ruling out the idea of an open cast mine he would like to wait for the Royal Commission findings into the explosions before he took any steps towards it. The idea will only be considered after the investigation of the Royal Commission is completed.