DRAFT
Coal in New Zealand
History
editCoal mines
editNotable mines include:
Proposed coal mines
editCoal mining disasters
editProduction and consumption
editCoal mining produced 5.3 millions tonnes of coal in 2010, of which over 2 million tonnes were exported.[2] New Zealand coal reserves are in excess of 15 billion tonnes, mainly in Waikato, Taranaki, West Coast, Otago and Southland.[2] Over 80% of the reserves are in Southland lignite deposits worth $100 billion. Coal is produced from four underground and 21 opencast mines.[3] The largest coal mining company is Solid Energy, a state-owned enterprise.
Coal fired power stations
editOpposition
editThere is an increasing opposition to coal mining and and the use of coal due to the effects of mining on the natural environment and because of the effects on climate change. The Save Happy Valley Coalition, as well as other groups, campaigned against the Cypress Mine due to it's location in an unmodified wetland and the effects on endangered species.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ http://www.nzhistory.net.nz/page/forty-three-miners-killed-explosion-huntly
- ^ a b c Energy Data File. Ministry of Economic Development (New Zealand). July 2011.
- ^ "Coal Overview". Crown Minerals, Ministry of Economic Development. 17 December 2008.
External links
edit- Coal at NZ Petroleum & Minerals (Ministry of Economic Development)
- Coal Association of New Zealand
- Historic heritage topics: Mining - coal at the Department of Conservation
- Coal and coal mining at Te Ara: The Encyclopedia of New Zealand
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