New mine deferred

Press, 2 July 1986, Page 34

New mine deferred

PA Hamilton The need for an opencast mine at Ohinewai has been put off six years until the turn of the century because of reduced coal demand from New Zealand Steel, said State Coal. The present energy plan has first production from the mine scheduled for 1994 to supply New Zealand Steel’s mill at Glenbrook. State Coal Mines’ deferral of Ohinewai has come after a New Zealand Steel announcement it was reducing iron-making. New Zealand Steel has deferred going ahead with half its new iron-making capacity until new rolling mills are in production in the latter half of 1987. This will diminish the mill’s need for coal by up to a half, according to N.Z. Steel spokesman, Mr Peter Gilmour. New Zealand Steel and State Coal have yet to discuss new coal figures in detail. Ohinewai’s project manager, Mr Noel Kortwright, said it was unlikely Ohinewai coal would be needed before the year 2000. The allocation of more

gas to the Huntly power station and a higher estimate of coal reserves at

Rotowaro had also contributed to Ohinewai’s deferral, he said.