Mokau coalfield asset report

Press, 15 November 1984, Page 20

Mokau coalfield asset report

PA Wellington Coal from the Mokau coalfield in Taranaki could support a 1000 megawatt electricity generating station for at least 35 years, says the Minister of Energy, Mr Tizard. He was announcing the conclusions of the recent preliminary mining and environmental constraints assessment of the coalfield, 80km north-west of New Plymouth. The results were preliminary only, he said. The Mines Division has been studying the coalfield since 1980 as part of its New Zealand coal resources survey assessment. , However, no commitment has been made to develop the coalfield yet,-and fur-

ther investigations into the resource are . being made by the Mines Division and the Electricity Division. Mr Tizard said that there were indicated reserves of 140 million tonnes of coal in the field. The report said 46 million tonnes of the coal could be mined by open-cast methods, and the other 94 million tonnes could be mined using underground techniques. Mr Tizard said the investigations into the Mokau resource were expected to continue for six years. Development of the field depended on decisions yet to be made about the possible construction of a thermal electricity station in the area, and the size of the station.