Clean coal

Press, 9 May 1981, Page 14

Clean coal

Sir,—The coal industry underestimated the importance of the occasion when the tug Lyttelton II was supplied with 40 tonnes of badly prepared coal at Westport. The historical implications of the voyage of the tug to Sydney surely demanded special care and attention in ensuring that only good coal was supplied. The New Zealand Energy Research and Development Committee in their Report No. 43, “Coal Preparation in N.Z.,” dated January 1, 1979, emphasised the need for more attention to be paid to coal preparation. Those sections of the report dealing with the treatment of rock contaminated coal and the recovery of fine coal are particularly worthy of attention. One of the recommendations would not cost the coal industry much: “Educational programmes should be initiatedthrough which technical information on coal preparation could be disseminated to the industry.” — Yours, etc.,

PATRICK NEARY. May 6, 1981.

Sir,—l presume that the coal recently purchased at Westport and used by the tug, Lyttelton 11, was not of export quality. Having paid $9OOO (before the 25 per cent increase) one would question our export potential. Nineteen crew and the tug were dependent on this method of fuel for their journey across the Tasman. If future overseas and local consumers are forced to pay high prices for poor quality coal, I feel that alternative fuel will be sought. For the cost to the consumer we have the right to expect that the quality of the material provided be combustible and not full of rock. — Yours, etc.,

A. F. WELCH. May 4, 1981.