Mining company Bathurst Resources has confirmed a fifth delay to their long-awaited fast-track application to open the biggest coal mine in NZ history on the Denniston Plateau. The delay was received with jubilation from mine opponents, who took to the streets in celebration. Environmental advocates also argue continued delays undermine the company's credibility and bring the consenting timeline to the eve of the general election.

After a history of delays, in 2025 the Australian-listed company advised shareholders the application would be submitted in March 2026. However, no application has yet been submitted to the Environmental Protection Authority, although Bathurst’s most recent report to ASX shareholders argues that ‘significant progress’ had been made, and the application is expected to be submitted before the end of June.

Climate justice organisations 350 Aotearoa and Climate Liberation Aotearoa have been opposing the coal mine, and say the delay is a ‘win for nature and a win for people power’.

350 Aotearoa campaigner Adam Currie says “Bathurst Resources has lost their last ounce of credibility. This is the fifth delay in their Denniston application, adding to a pattern of shifting timelines and broken assurances to shareholders, councils and the public. What makes this delay special is that it shuts the door on Bathurst’s hopes that the application could be done and dusted before the election. Even if Bathurst Resources altered their timeline and launched their application this week, the average decision timeline would take the application to 21 December; well past the general election.”

“Bathurst can spin this however they like, but the reality is simple. They are hitting a wall of public opposition; we have been throwing spanners in the works. The delay is a win for people power, plain and simple. In the David vs Goliath fight between people and a coal company, people are winning,” says Currie.

West coast conservation worker Tadhg McLachlan says “New Zealanders are sick of overseas corporate profiteering from this fuel crisis. In the midst of a diesel shortage, who on earth would support overseas corporations sucking up millions of litres of diesel in order to destroy pristine kiwi habitat?”

Climate Liberation Aotearoa spokesperson and coal bucket protestor Rach Andrews says “Denniston is exactly the kind of project the government’s fast-track process was built for; monstrous, dirty, and deeply unpopular. But despite this, Bathurst is still flailing against a tidal wave of public opposition. Bathurst’s failure to mine Denniston is a big loss for this government and their corporate allies who are so desperate to fast-track toxic mines.”

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