Mining company New Brighton Colleries Ltd has been granted exploratory access to the Southland District Council’s Ohai forestry block, which is next to the mine. The council has also agreed in principle to negotiate the terms of an access arrangement for mining, should exploration be successful, subject to the granting of any necessary resource consents. Council chief executive Cameron McIntosh had previously said a publicly notified consent process would have to happen if the company decided to mine the forestry block.
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Extinction Rebellion protestors at the Southland District Council on Friday. From left, Patrick Burrowes, Heather Simpson, Alastair Carston, Rayleen Carston and Lori Johnston. The group is protesting about the proposed extension to the Takitimu coal mine in Ohai/Nightcaps.
Mining could begin by late 2022 if resource consent was granted. If successful, the project would increase employment and generate commercial opportunities in the area, Tacon said. “Which is essential for the lower South Island businesses and a range of service providers.” Forty-five people were employed by the Takitimu mine, and the expansion could create four or five jobs, Tacon said. “Importantly, the New Brighton project is about increasing the life of the Takitimu mine supply. In other words, extending the tenure of existing roles as well as creating new jobs.” The current Takitimu operation covered 80 hectares, and the expansion could cover 34ha, he said.