Partial resumption of mining operations at Huntly East Mine

Partial resumption of mining operations at Huntly East Mine, discussions continue with inspectorate

Solid Energy today resumed the development side of its coal mining operations at Huntly East Underground Mine in Waikato. The company says that at no time has there been a safety risk at the mine from an accumulation of methane in a recently-mined area which Department of Labour’s (DoL) High Hazard Unit inspectors identified during a visit on Wednesday evening.

Barry Bragg, Solid Energy’s Chief Operating Officer, says Solid Energy is confident there was never any risk to safety and the company deeply regrets any anxiety this incident and the resulting speculation has caused for its staff, their family and friends, and the local community.

Solid Energy suspended development and coal extraction at the mine in accordance with a Prohibition Notice from the DoL on Wednesday evening. The DoL lifted the notice at lunchtime today, following a meeting with the inspectors, and replaced it with a Prohibition Notice on extraction only.

This has allowed underground crews to resume work preparing coal blocks for mining. Solid Energy is providing the inspectors with more information which they have requested about ventilation.

Mr Bragg says: “The company remains confident that the mine is operating safety and that there was never any risk to personnel. The inspectors’ initial notice – allowing all other underground work to continue – bore this out. Our workforce continued working underground on other duties, mainly maintenance and other “housekeeping” throughout this time.”

Mr Bragg added that: “The naturally occurring methane from the area in question, and all other potential hazards, were being managed in accordance with the mine’s standard operating procedures for this situation. At no time did methane in this area exceed mining regulations standards.

“Solid Energy is cooperating fully with the High Hazard Unit’s and providing inspectors with the further information they have requested. We cannot see any reason why the second Prohibition Notice cannot be lifted very soon so that we can restart coal extraction,” Mr Bragg says.
ENDS

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