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    • Coal

    Coal is New Zealand's most abundant fossil fuel. The West Coast Coal Region has thirteen coalfields between Aratika and Karamea. The region has a significant coal mining history and heritage that stretches back to 1864. More than 100 mines have operated in the region since that time, producing over thirty million tonnes. It is estimated that the current recoverable resource is ten times this figure.

    West Coast coal has a low ash and phosphorus content. These properties are highly valued by major steel mills, coke makers, power utilities, industrial processors, and specialist applications (silicon metal and activated carbon) and supplied to markets all over the world. It is also valued for blending.

    Most West Coast coal is exported. The remainder will be used by the steel, electricity, dairy, cement, meat and timber processing industries and domestic consumption.

    Most of the larger underground and opencast mines on the West Coast are operated by Solid Energy. Find out more about each of Solid Energy's West Coast mines.

    A number of smaller independent operators also run coal mines on the West Coast, most producing less than 20,000 tonnes per year.

    Pike River Coal, a NZX/ASX listed coal company, has developed a new underground mine in the Paparoa ranges. The mine has now commenced producing coal from its roadway developments with full producion ramping up in the second half of 2010. The mine currently employs 150 direct employees with many more people employed in associated industries to support the mine.

    The mine will produce, on average, about 1 millon tonnes per year of premium hard coking coal and will transport up to 1.3 million tonnes via the Midlands train line to Port Lyttelton on the East Coast. Port Lyttelton currently handles export coal for Solid Energy and the addition of Pike River's coal will greatly increase the port's throughput.

    The West Coast has a significant coal mining history that stretches back to 1864. More than 100 mines have operated in the region since that time, producing over thirty million tonnes.

    top: Coal stockpiles and overburden at Cascade coal mine northeast of Westport.
    above: Pike River coal development schematic.
    below left: Coal mining has been part of the region's heritage since 1864.
    below right: Monteith's famous ales are brewed using West Coast coal.

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