Study to prove coal reserves

Press, 16 September 1976, Page 3

Study to prove coal reserves

PA Wellington The Mines Department had started a major programme to prove the extent of the nation’s coal reserves, the Minister of Energy Resources (Mr Holland) told Parliament. yesterday. Speaking during debate on the Mines Department estimates, he said it was well known where the coal reserves were, but the programme was aimed at proving their extent. Underground coalmining was not doomed, he said in reply to questions from Mr P. Blanchfield (Lab., West Coast). But most new major underground mines were of a type new to New Zealand. They would be very deep, with very thick seams of coal, and they would require new techniques to work them, Mr Holland said it was a pity that the Labour Government had not listened more to Mr Blanchfield, who had advocated for many years a high level of activity in the nation’s coal industry. The coal carbonisation process for gasmaking would not continue, and gas undertakings would have to get new feedstock if they were to compete with other fuels. The future of the Liverpool

mine was tied up with that of the Christchurch Gas Company. Mr Blanchfield said he had been speaking for years in the House about the danger of allowing coalmines to run down. He said the worst had happened, and oil prices had risen.

The West Coast was a “Fort Knox of coal,” he said. What was wanted was a “goodly size” grant to improve the country’s coalmines.