Firm granted access to mine on conservation landUpdated 9...

Firm granted access to mine on conservation land

Updated 9 minutes ago

The Government will allow Australian company Bathurst Resources access to mine on conservation land on the South Island's West Coast.

Conservation Minister Nick Smith has approved the company's planned open-cast coal mine on 106 hectares of the 2026 hectares that comprise the Denniston Plateau.

The land involved is not part of a national park, nor a conservation park, but is general stewardship land controlled by the Department of Conservation.

The loss of conservation values will be compensated by a $22 million package to fund pest and predator control on and around the Denniston Plateau.