Statement from Don Elder, former Chief Executive of Solid Energy

It is my intention to appear before Parliament’s Commerce Select Committee on Thursday 14 March 2013, pending approval from my employer.

I have always been willing to answer any questions Members of the Committee may have about Solid Energy and my time as its Chief Executive. I made myself available to assist the Solid Energy team at last week’s sitting of the Committee, but was advised that I was not required to be present. I have never refused to cooperate.

I will endeavour to help the Committee in any way I can, subject to the lifting of obligations imposed on me by Solid Energy.

I will be making no further public statements until the Committee hearing.

Ends

Update 2pm Further to the statement my client made last night, he will not be making any further comments until he appears at the select committee. It would be appreciated if media would respect the privacy of his family and decamp from his home. As noted in his earlier statement, he has always been willing and available to appear before the select committee. That is the proper place for him to answer questions at this time. Dr Elder appreciates that there is significant media interest in Solid Energy and that media can and will attend the select committee hearing on Thursday.

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Scoop Business: Bathurst Gets Nod For DoC Access To Denniston Mine

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has approved access over conservation estate land for Bathurst Resources to develop an open cast coal mine on the Denniston Plateau, above Westport, to the dismay of environmental opponents.

The timing for Smith’s move avoids Bathurst having to resubmit applications for access agreements under the revised Crown Minerals Act, which comes into force tomorrow and would have required public consultation.

The announcement lands in the middle of delicate negotiations between the company, environmental groups and other interested parties that could pave the way to a broader agreement on the Escarpment proposal, whose resource consents are still subject to court appeals. More>>