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Development at the mine will begin later this year and coal extraction will commence late 2006. About five million tonnes of coal will be progressively mined at Cypress over about 10 years in two opencast pits.
A further 155 hectares will be used for overburden disposal, roads, water treatment facilities and associated infrastructure. Vegetation and soils will be stockpiled at the start of mining for use in progressive rehabilitation of the site and for final rehabilitation and monitoring at the end of mine life.
Solid Energy was originally granted resource consents in June 2004 but the Buller Conservation Group, Forest and Bird, and Te Runanga O Ngati Waewae subsequently filed appeals. The Department of Conservation and local group Ngakawau Riverwatch have since settled their appeals.
Solid Energy will undertake extensive predator control around the mine-site for a period of 30 years, with particular attention paid to the great spotted kiwi and the land snail.
