Mining: the lifeblood of the Coast’s economy

Mining Conservation Land

Patrick Phelps manager of Minerals West Coast presents mining matters #2. In this video he outlines the case for sustainable mining on conservation land. This is brilliant Coasters and worth a listen.

Bathhurst’s Stockton Coal much sought after

Located in the Buller Coalfield on the West Coast, Stockton is the largest opencast mine in New Zealand. The mine delivers high-quality steelmaking coal for export.

Stockton coal is bituminous and ash levels are typically low by world standards. It’s highly sought after by steel makers because of its low ash and low phosphorus content. And it swells strongly on heating – an essential attribute for the production of quality coke.

In 2017, Bathurst expanded by forming a joint venture with Talley’s Energy and acquired three mines from the former state owned coal company, Solid Energy:

Stockton (West Coast) ,Rotowaro (Waikato),Maramarua (Waikato).

In the video below you can see the The Bathhurst coal loading facility at Granity.

Mining…

Pure economic development: Grey River dredge restoration a winner

Birchfield Minerals mothballed its giant gold dredge and three associated Grey Valley dairy farms some time ago.

The 30-year old dredge is now for sale, up at Ngahere, about 22km inland from Greymouth. It is understood to be the largest gold dredge in the southern hemisphere and the potential for any buyer to re-commission it is very real.

The dredge was originally built by American company R.A. Hanson and started operation in 1989. However, the company went into receivership eight months later and Birchfield Minerals purchased the dredge in August 1992 and worked the goldmining operation until 2004.

The dredge lay idle from 2004 until 2009 when further resource consent were granted and the dredge was re-commissioned, working through to 2012.

At the end of that work the gold dredge was mothballed due to resource consent issues and falling gold prices. But now, in 2020, gold is close to $3000 per ounce, three times what it was then, making the operation of the dredge a viable option once more. Even in average ground in 2020 it is estimated it would generate approx. 30 million dollars of revenue per year.

Some of the machinery used to construct the Grey River Gold Dredge back in 1989 was salvaged from a another dredge, originally constructed by Kaniere Gold Dredging Company Ltd. This dredge and worked in the Hokitika area between 1938 to 1953. In 1957, the dredge was relocated to Taramakau River where it worked until 1978 when it was dismantled. The Grey River Gold Dredge is one of the few bucket-line gold dredges still operating in the world today and is the last of its kind on the West Coast.

This video was shot last week and shows how the restoration following the Grey River Gold Dredge created 3 farms and improved river protection in the Grey River. Its operation provided a major economic boost for the Grey Valley, creating jobs and export income.

Franz Josef Glacier

Coasters Pass available from 5pm today Tuesday 30 June until 5.00pm Wednesday 1 July.

This is a real exciting pass that includes:

• Two nights in the fabulous Scenic Hotel for two.
• A main each night for the evening meal for two
• Hot Tub for two
• Entry for two to the West Coast Wild life Centre
• A Helicopter flight over of the Franz Josef Glacier for one with Heliservices (extra people @ $150 each)

The Cost is $550 and that covers two people

(except for the helicopter flight – one person only)

There is a limit of 4 double passes available.

Go on line now to purchase your passes: www.thecoastersclub.co.nz

• The Coasters Pass is only available over a 24 hour period between 5.00pm each Tuesday through to 5.00pm on Wednesday.
• There are a limited number of passes on offer each week so it is first come, first served.
• If you secure a pass you also get the right to purchase 5 others to ensure your group or family can all travel together on the same dates and make use of the other vouchers at the same time.
• The Coasters Pass can be used at any time within 90 days of purchase. It’s an individual transferable pass.
• Once the booking dates for accommodation, attractions and restaurants are confirmed they can’t be changed.

Westland Wonderland, the movie!

You can only see a small snippet of the full 35 minute movie in the clip below but the full movie can be seen at the Alpine Adventure Centre in Franz Josef.

I can’t describe in words how I felt when I watched this movie but mostly it was a feeling of pride at living in Wonderland as a Coaster.

This production took over 100 hours of helicopter flying by the Scott Family. It captures the most stunning display of South Westland’s natural beauty that has ever been recorded. The cameraman was Dean Trelle and the pilot was South Westland legend, James Scott.

You can only see a small snippet of the full 35 minute movie in this clip but the full movie can be seen at the Alpine Adventure Centre in Franz Josef. This one makes you so proud to be a Coaster living in the wonderland of ours.

Exciting times at Franz Josef

Scenic Hotel

You will arrive at Scenic Hotel in Franz Josef so lets have a look around.

Your hot tub awaits you.

What does your room look like ?

Helicopter Flight

Here is a taste of what’s to come when you hop aboard the Heliservices chopper for the flight over the Franz Josef Glacier.

The West Coast Wild Life Centre

This is a fascinating South Island New Zealand tour not to be missed. See our kiwis at home.

Aratuna Freighters Ltd: from the Coast to the South Island and beyond

Andrew Havill and his wife Monique, part-owners of Aratuna Freighters, have plenty to celebrate in this 34^th year of the company’s operation.

Andrew and Monique Havill hold the reins these days while Durham and Lorraine, who founded the company in 1985 along with son Andrew, remain committed to the company.

Today, Aratuna’s trucks can be seen all over the South Island and even in the North Island.

Hear Monique discuss the latest instalment of the Aratuna Freighters story in the video clip here:

Coast places: Mokihinui Coastal – wilderness wonderland

Mokihinui is a small coastal settlement located about 40km north of Westport on SH67.

It is nestled between the sea and the foothills of the Glasgow Range, under the western shoulder of Kahurangi National Park. The Mokihinui River is the West Coast’s third largest river. It is one of the country’s top wilderness rivers and has good, trophy-sized fishing throughout its length.

Mokihinui is the perfect place to unwind. Light a beach bonfire, toast some marshmallows, and listen to the waves lapping at your doorstep. The river is a source of whitebait, trout, kahawai and herring while off the beach you can surfcast for rig and snapper.

When you get a little peckish you can drop in to Pub ‘N’ Grub to enjoy the towns friendly country atmosphere in the dining room or takeaway your food and enjoy the outdoors at the nearby beach or picnic spot.

Gentle Annie Motor Camp at Mokihinui

Gentle Annie is a beautiful camping ground at the mouth of the Mokihinui River.

Sheltered and private camping sites are set amongst landscaped gardens, all within a couple of minutes walk to the river and beach.

Free wi-fi, information display boards and large maps of the area showcasing the many things to see and do, are available in the Cowshed Cafe – the campers lounge, which has been converted from an old milking shed!

Pizza bases and toppings are sold separately at the Cafe so you can try cooking your own in the wood-fired Pizza Oven. You are also more than welcome to bring your own pizza bases and ingredients with you. It takes approximately two hours to reach cooking temperature, and you are more than welcome to light it at any time. During Summer, the fire is lit every evening at 5pm. Collecting driftwood from the beach using the wheelbarrow is much appreciated.

Dogs are welcome as long as they are cleaned up after, and supervised at all times, with their owners being aware that there are Wekas and other bird life to be protected.

Let Bruce Smith take you on a guided tour of the Gentle Annie Campground here:

Coast Characters: Basil Climo

Basil talks about life at Mokihinui where the white bait season sustains the community-owned campground year after year.

The income during the whitebait season makes up about 33% of the town’s revenue. Domestic tourism makes up another 33% and the other 33%, say all good Coasters, comes when it comes!

Mokihinui takes us back to staff picnics and egg and spoon races where family was everything and our mates were solid and long term. Hear Basils take on it all here.

Coast characters: Joan Climo

In this series of interviews, Joan Climo, a Coaster, takes us a ‘walk’ through her life on the West Coast.

She talks about growing up on the Coast, her work mates at Kawatiri Ward Buller Hospital, her life bringing up 5 children and how her 54-year marriage to Basil began.

She finishes up by telling us of her love of Mokihinui and the peace it brings her.