Business North March 2021

34 | Coal industry has key role to play Karen Phelps “For steel making there is currently no viable alternative to using coal in the large-scale, commercial production of steel. So we focus on where we can contribute to reducing the CO2 emissions which we are directly responsible for....” to page 36 MINING Bathurst Resources D eemed an essential service during lockdown, Bathurst Resources Limited continued business as usual to ensure that vital services such as electricity genera- tion and dairy companies could continue to supply Kiwis. The former Solid Energy mines operated by Bathurst Resources are now owned by BT Mining Ltd, a partnership between Bathurst Resources (65%) and Talley’s Energy (35%), which took over in 2017. The company’s North Island mines – Roto- waro and Maramarua - operated at slightly reduced capacity over the six-week COVID-19 period, keeping all staff employed. “We had to adopt robust protocols including social distancing and strict sanitation process- es, which slowed down operations slightly but ensured there were no infections at our sites, however we still met production targets,” says Bathurst Resources general manager of domestic operations Craig Pilcher. As New Zealand’s largest specialist coal company it employs over 600 people and con- tributes $290m to the New Zealand economy each year. Craig says that New Zealand still has a fundamental need for coal and Bathurst Re- sources has a key role in ensuring continued economic prosperity during the transition to a net zero carbon economy. “For steel making there is currently no via- ble alternative to using coal in the large-scale, commercial production of steel. So we focus on where we can contribute to reducing the CO2 emissions which we are directly responsi- ble for as a business during the mining of coal. “We are committed to work with our indus- trial process heat customers to continue their coal supply while they contribute towards maintaining New Zealand’s food sovereignty and electricity availability and their own part in the transition.” The Rotowaro coalfield and opencast mine is the second largest opencast coal mine in New Zealand. It was first mined in 1915 after a branch railway and a bridge were established over the Waikato River. The current opencast mine opened in 1958. 0800 4 CARTAGE (4 2278243) slater@xtra.co.nz www.slatercartage.co.nz PO Box 37, Huntly 3240 If it is professional trucking, transport, excavation, earthworks, siteworks or farmworks you are looking for, you've come to the right place. Our efficient team at Slater are here to deliver results to your high standards. We understand the importance of meeting contract deadlines and work with your to achieve your goals.