A train driver was unaware that a car had crashed into the side of his coal train near Greymouth.

Odd couple barely does them justice. One is the planet's most celebrated climate warrior, the other a mining baron who plans to export enough coal to turn Asian skies black.

Stockton mineworkers got the bad news they were expecting today, that more than 180 jobs will go - over a quarter of the workforce - and mine production will fall by 25 per cent.

Australian state governments spent A$17.6 billion on subsidies for mineral and fossil fuel industries over six years, including A$8 billion to help transport coal.

Coal dominated world energy markets last year by supplying the biggest share of demand since 1970, making it the fastest growing fossil fuel, according to an annual review by BP.

Almost 140 jobs are to be axed at Solid Energy's Stockton mine, the company announced today.

The offer of money made to the Pike River families by the mine's former boss doesn't look good, Prime Minister John Key says.

Forest & Bird (F&B) has pulled the plug after a two-year legal battle to stop Bathurst Resources' new Buller coal mine.

NZ Oil and Gas has a moral obligation to pay Pike River families it's claimed - after shareholders yesterday voted not to fork out $3.41m awarded by judge.

New Zealand Oil and Gas shareholders voted yesterday not to pay reparation of $3.41 million to the Pike River families.

Grey District mayor Tony Kokshoorn says the resource consent approval for Escarpment coal mine on the West Coast's Denniston Plateau is great news for the district.

NZ Oil & Gas says it's satisfied it "did the right thing" following the disaster at its subsidiary Pike River Coal, as it posts an after-tax profit of $16.7m.

Westport residents showed their support for a new open-cast coal mine yesterday by decorating the town in the Buller colours of red and blue.

Forest and Bird says efforts to rehabilitate the Stockton Plateau after open-cast coalmining has missed the point, with bright green grass sown rather than restoring the natural tussock landscape.

Bathurst Resources has cleared another hurdle in its struggle to start coal mining on the Denniston Plateau near Westport but still needs the blessing of courts and faces tough market conditions.