Valley Alert!
22/04/09
Solid Energy have dismantled and removed the occupation camp as they seek to implement an exclusion zone across the mining permit area.
Since 03/09
Drilling in the Valley has been in operation since the beginning of March 2009, and Solid Energy are preparing for relocation of wildlife. See this blog post for images.
Happy Valley is a stunning landscape of rocky pavement, native bush, and fragile wetlands on the West Coast of New Zealand, just north east of Westport. It is home to many threatened species including the Great Spotted Kiwi and a large native Patrickensis land snail.... and it is under attack from state-owned coal company Solid Energy!
Solid Energy's open-cast coal mine — a planned 96 metre deep pit — would completely obliterate this pristine valley, and pollute local rivers with heavy metals and acid mine drainage.
The coal produced would create as much carbon dioxide as all of New Zealand's domestic transport, making it a significant contributor to climate change.
We believe this mine must be stopped!
Find out more about Happy Valley and the proposed mine.
