Mine opponents accuse Labour of ignoring its own policies

The Government has upset the conservation lobby by approving a new coal mine on the boundary of a West Coast national park.

Conservation Minister Chris Carter yesterday approved the Pike River Coal Company's application for a new mine beside the Paparoa National Park.

The application drew heated opposition from conservationists and a damning report by the Department of Conservation.

The Green Party says Mr Carter's decision is contrary to sustainability policies.

The company says that over its 20-year lifespan, the mine will create between 100 and 110 direct jobs, several hundred indirect jobs and bring $1.5 billion to the West Coast.

It had resource consents for the project, but was awaiting ministerial approval on access.

Mr Carter said the approval was conditional on his being satisfied that the access agreement achieved the highest possible environmental safeguards so the conservation values of the area were protected.

"This mine does represent an intrusion into an area of high conservation values, and a decision on whether to allow it to go ahead has been very difficult to make because of this," he said.

DoC's report urged Mr Carter to decline approval, as the mine was inconsistent with conservation legislation.

The access road would destroy forest habitat, the mining would cause permanent water pollution problems and there was a major risk of subsidence, it said.

Green Party co-leader Jeanette Fitzsimons said the approval contradicted the Government's sustainable development policy because it would allow an unsustainable activity to compromise conservation land.

"Mining in areas of high conservation value always compromises those values," she said.

"Conservation land was set aside for preservation. Industrial activities have no place there.

Pike River Coal Company general manager Gordon Ward said he expected a speedy agreement with the Conservation Department on terms and conditions of access.

He said the first coal from the mine would be produced in about 15 months.

- NZPA