Latest news with #BathurstResources'
Scoop
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
UPDATE: Denniston Protest Over, Climbers Down
Press Release – Climate Liberation Aotearoa The protest targeted Australian-owned Bathurst Resources' plan to mine 20 million tonnes of coal from the pristine Denniston Plateau under the government's new fast-tracked consent process. The company has a history of consent breaches in Aotearoa, and campaigners … Stockton. The climbers who blockaded the Stockton Mine coal conveyor for over 60 hours have been arrested, ending a bold direct action that disrupted operations at Bathurst Resources' controversial coal mine on the West Coast. All climbers, part of a 70-strong protest encampment that spanned generations, from eight months old to 74 years, have been charged by police alongside five other protesters for Trespass. 'We'll keep fighting this mine,' said climber Adam Currie. 'We've stalled at least two days of coal extraction, sent a clear message to Bathurst and the government, and shown that people are ready to resist the Fast Track Act and the climate-wrecking projects it enables.' The protest targeted Australian-owned Bathurst Resources' plan to mine 20 million tonnes of coal from the pristine Denniston Plateau under the government's new fast-tracked consent process. The company has a history of consent breaches in Aotearoa, and campaigners say they won't back down. 'Support has poured in from across the motu, and local folks have backed us by bringing baking, offering places to sleep, and sharing their own frustrations with the mine. Our resolve is stronger than ever,' Currie said. The climbers' action prompted a response from Resources Minister Shane Jones, who attempted to justify coal expansion with misleading claims about domestic energy needs—despite the fact that the coal in question is for export. 'This isn't just about one minister,' said Currie. 'His comments reflect a deeper truth: this government is doubling down on fossil fuels at the exact moment we need to be scaling up renewables.' The encampment, which included people from Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson and beyond, has now disbanded. In total, 10 people have been charged, four of them had also been arrested. So what's next? 'This weekend was just the beginning,' said Alva Feldmeier. 'The Fast Track is waking people up. It's uniting communities, whānau, and climate defenders across the country. We're building a movement that's ready to rise up – again and again – against corporate exploitation and climate betrayal. It's carrying on the legacy of over 150 years of māori-led land back movements here in Aotearoa.'
Scoop
23-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
UPDATE: Denniston Protest Over, Climbers Down
Stockton. The climbers who blockaded the Stockton Mine coal conveyor for over 60 hours have been arrested, ending a bold direct action that disrupted operations at Bathurst Resources' controversial coal mine on the West Coast. All climbers, part of a 70-strong protest encampment that spanned generations, from eight months old to 74 years, have been charged by police alongside five other protesters for Trespass. 'We'll keep fighting this mine,' said climber Adam Currie. 'We've stalled at least two days of coal extraction, sent a clear message to Bathurst and the government, and shown that people are ready to resist the Fast Track Act and the climate-wrecking projects it enables.' The protest targeted Australian-owned Bathurst Resources' plan to mine 20 million tonnes of coal from the pristine Denniston Plateau under the government's new fast-tracked consent process. The company has a history of consent breaches in Aotearoa, and campaigners say they won't back down. 'Support has poured in from across the motu, and local folks have backed us by bringing baking, offering places to sleep, and sharing their own frustrations with the mine. Our resolve is stronger than ever,' Currie said. The climbers' action prompted a response from Resources Minister Shane Jones, who attempted to justify coal expansion with misleading claims about domestic energy needs—despite the fact that the coal in question is for export. 'This isn't just about one minister,' said Currie. 'His comments reflect a deeper truth: this government is doubling down on fossil fuels at the exact moment we need to be scaling up renewables.' The encampment, which included people from Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Nelson and beyond, has now disbanded. In total, 10 people have been charged, four of them had also been arrested. So what's next? 'This weekend was just the beginning,' said Alva Feldmeier. 'The Fast Track is waking people up. It's uniting communities, whānau, and climate defenders across the country. We're building a movement that's ready to rise up - again and again - against corporate exploitation and climate betrayal. It's carrying on the legacy of over 150 years of māori-led land back movements here in Aotearoa.'
Scoop
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Activists Halt Coal For 30+ Hours
Four climate activists remain suspended in coal cable cars more than 30 hours after their bold action began, continuing to blockade coal from leaving Bathurst Resources' Stockton Mine. The protest has successfully stopped all coal transport out of Stockton Mine, halting Bathurst's ability to export coal and drawing attention to the company's massive expansion plans. 'We've been here for two sunrises now because this mine is a line in the sand,' said Adam Currie, one of the activists suspended in a coal cart. Currie said the protest had taken on additional significance following the news of Pope Francis's passing. 'Pope Francis was one of the strongest global voices on climate justice. His groundbreaking encyclical Laudato si' called on all of us, especially young people, to act boldly in defence of our common home,' said Currie, rangatahi climate activist. 'So yes, we'll stay in this cold, grimy, and wet coal bucket, because someone has to. Bathurst wants to unleash 53 million tonnes of climate pollution - that's more than New Zealand emits in a whole year. We can't allow that future.' The occupation follows a five-day protest camp of over 70 people, including tamariki and kaumātua, on the Denniston Plateau, the site of Bathurst's proposed coal expansion. Campaigners say Bathurst's plan would devastate a landscape rich with life, including great spotted kiwi, green geckos, and ancient sandstone ecosystems, and have committed to escalating action if the plan isn't scrapped. 'This is only the beginning,' said Currie. 'We've had whānau, churchgoers, students, grandparents — all standing together. Once the pristine Denniston plateau is mined, it's gone forever. People are tired of being shut out while foreign corporations backed by banks like ANZ push us deeper into climate breakdown. We're not standing for it any longer. In fact we're sitting. In a coal bucket. Shutting down the biggest coal mine in NZ.'
Scoop
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Keep The Coal In The Hole! Protest At Bathurst Resources Office On Tuesday
Press Release – Oil Free Wellington At a time when the effects of the climate crisis are rapidly getting worse, exploring for more fossil fuels will only add to the problem. In central Wellington at Pencarrow House on Willeston street, Tuesday 12:40pm, a coalition of climate justice groups will be protesting Bathurst Resources' plans to mine the Denniston Plateau for coal under the fast track legislation. Spokesperson James Barber says, 'we are in the middle of a climate crisis and the effects are being felt by ordinary New Zealanders in floods, storms, droughts and wildfires. All exploration for fossil fuels must end and an urgent just transition to a fairer and more sustainable society needs to happen now.' 'We are here to show that people oppose the fast tracking of the coal industry by the coalition government. We are delighted to see people taking a stand against the coal industry by setting up a peaceful encampment on the Denniston Plateau.' 'At a time when the effects of the climate crisis are rapidly getting worse, exploring for more fossil fuels will only add to the problem. Fossil fuels are a sunset industry and rather than putting vast expense and energy into keeping this industry on life support the government should be leading a transition.' 'Digging for more coal is digging our own grave. We say no to more coal and yes to a just transition.
Scoop
21-04-2025
- Politics
- Scoop
Keep The Coal In The Hole! Protest At Bathurst Resources Office On Tuesday
In central Wellington at Pencarrow House on Willeston street, Tuesday 12:40pm, a coalition of climate justice groups will be protesting Bathurst Resources' plans to mine the Denniston Plateau for coal under the fast track legislation. Spokesperson James Barber says, 'we are in the middle of a climate crisis and the effects are being felt by ordinary New Zealanders in floods, storms, droughts and wildfires. All exploration for fossil fuels must end and an urgent just transition to a fairer and more sustainable society needs to happen now.' 'We are here to show that people oppose the fast tracking of the coal industry by the coalition government. We are delighted to see people taking a stand against the coal industry by setting up a peaceful encampment on the Denniston Plateau.' 'At a time when the effects of the climate crisis are rapidly getting worse, exploring for more fossil fuels will only add to the problem. Fossil fuels are a sunset industry and rather than putting vast expense and energy into keeping this industry on life support the government should be leading a transition.' 'Digging for more coal is digging our own grave. We say no to more coal and yes to a just transition.
