KEY POINTS:
After three years occupying a prized valley earmarked for a new coalmine, protesters will not be budging as drilling begins to explore the area's mining potential.
The Save Happy Valley Coalition have maintained a variably sized presence in the West Coast valley, near Westport, since Solid Energy announced a proposal for the Cypress Mine in the area. They celebrated their third anniversary of their occupation at the weekend.
The protesters say the valley is a "significant biodiversity hotspot" that is part of New Zealand's natural heritage, and they will fight to stop any mining operation going ahead.
Solid Energy plans to start a programme of drilling soon, at about 35 sites, to give more information about the potential for going ahead with a full mining operation.
"It's just another stage along the way... so we know more about what is there. It doesn't necessarily mean anything about anything going ahead," said Solid Energy spokesman Bryn Somerville.
Before the drilling, wildlife such as the great spotted kiwi (roroa), the powelliphanta patrickensis native land snail and three species of lizard will be identified and relocated as required.
The protesters expected drillers' huts to be erected in the valley over the next month.
"After three years without the development of Cypress Mine, Save Happy Valley Coalition are renewed in focus and determination," said spokesman Graham Jury.
Mr Somerville said Solid Energy saw no need to trespass the protesters from the land which it has consent to mine on.
"We believe as long as there is no unnecessary interaction between the people who are doing the work on the site and their people, there shouldn't be a problem."
