STRONGMAN COAL MINE

Press, Volume XCVI, Issue 28440, 21 November 1957, Page 21

STRONGMAN COAL MINE

Rope Road May Be Abandoned (New Zealand Press Association) GREYMOUTH, Nov. 20. Consideration is being given to using road transport to carry the output of the Strongman State coal mine—between 700 and 800 tons a day—from the mine head to the railhead at Rapahoe about three miles away. The question of abandoning the rope road tunnel which was blocked by a major landslide a week ago last Monday is also under official investigation.

The mine which was to have resumed production on Monday after the landslide had been cleared from the rope road tunnel, is not now likely to resume until next week. A further fall of rock early on Monday morning again blocked the mouth of the tunnel which runs underground for two miles to Rapahoe. Danger from falling rock caused clearing operations to be halted yesterday afternon and, with continued heavy rain lubricating the slush behind the fractured cliff face, further falls are possible. The situation was inspected by the Uniter Secretary of Mines (Mr C. H. Benney) yesterday and again this morning. Before leaving on his return to Wellington by air this afternoon, Mr Benney said that an immediate start was being made on providing temporary facilities for carting the Strongman output by road to Rapahoe. It would be a few weeks before this was possible, however, he said. Efforts were being concentrated on bringing the rope road tunnel back into use. Mr Benney said. It would not be immediately abandoned although official consideration was being given to installing permanent facilities for road transport. The fire in the old co-operative party workings which caused the main landslide is believed to be the main reason behind the proposal to abandon the rope road tunnel. As this eats its way back into the old workings it will continue to fracture the rock structure of the country and create a hazard as far as the future life of the tunnel is concerned.

Grass Fire at Bryndwr.—A small grass fire broke out at 5.10 p.m. yesterday at the corner of Aorangi road and Brookside terrace. Bryndwr, on property occupied by Mr L. Hanna. There was no damage to property, and the fire was put out by an engine from the St. Albans Fira Station.