Protesters cling to steep mountain; evade security
Save Happy Valley Coalition : 16th February 2007
Save Happy Valley Coalition activists have today remained hidden in the thick alpine forest of Mt Augustus near Westport, using their presence to block blasting on the ridgeline of the Stockton opencast coal mine.
The Coalition is determined to stop any more destruction of Powelliphanta 'Augustus' habitat and to draw attention to the climate-changing impact of the company's coal extraction. Shocking weather has featured in the action so far, but hasn't dampened the protesters' spirits.
"We are still here inside the blasting exclusion zone, despite the Department of Conservation's decision to side with a coal mining company – and we are staying!' said Frances Mountier, spokesperson for the Save Happy Valley Coalition.
"Commercial interests should not be allowed to dictate when the public are allowed access onto public conservation land. A mining company should not be allowed to drive a species to extinction. And in this day and age a state-owned enterprise should not be allowed to expand its coal mining operations.
"This week Helen Clark continued with the Labour Government's empty rhetoric on climate change in her state of the nation address. Talking of carbon neutrality while actively expanding coal mining is a farce. Solid Energy's annual coal production already generates more carbon dioxide than all of New Zealand's vehicles."
ENDS
Media Contact
Frances Mountier, Save Happy Valley Coalition spokesperson, 021 175 7484
Notes
Campaigners have been protecting habitat by camping in the blast exclusion zone since Monday 5th February. During this time, Solid Energy have been operating diggers and drills above the camp. Security guards and mine workers have been observed at the 'survey station' which measures movement of the ridgeline as the area is destroyed. Blasting however, has been successfully prevented by Save Happy Valley Coalition.
