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RNZ News
a day ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Climate Liberation Aotearoa protesters hunker down in aerial coal bucket in the rain
First published on By Sharon Davis * Two Climate Liberation Aotearoa protesters used the aerial rope way down to Ngakawau to access a coal bucket for a sit-in protest. Photo: Supplied The two climate change activists hunkered down under tarpaulins in an aerial coal bucket at Stockton say they're in good spirits. On Sunday, Climate Liberation Aotearoa protesters used the ropeway cable to access a coal bucket in a remote area high off the ground, effectively stopping coal transport from Stockton down to the rail link at Ngakawau. Their aim is to get Bathurst Resources Limited to withdraw a fast-track application to extend its mining operations on the Stockton and Denniston plateaux. Despite persistent rain today, protester Rach Andrews said they had woken up "pretty dry and cozy" this morning and planned to stay "a bit longer". She said they had created a water-tight shelter, and the fact they were not in a huge space helped to keep them warm. They might not be getting the best night's sleep, but they were getting some sleep. Andrews said police negotiators had been in contact with Climate Liberation Aotearoa's police liaison for a few chats, but she had not had personal contact from the police or the mine staff - and the protest was set to continue. "We're not coming down today. While Bathurst continues to endanger the beautiful life on Denniston there's going to be opposition. We're here to show strong opposition." Andrews said they were eating energy bars and delicious homemade dehydrated meals that she had prepared for the protest. She said the mine had sirens going "the entire time" for the April protest but they hadn't been used for this protest yet. She knew she would be facing legal consequences but was not sure exactly what they entailed. She was among nine protesters charged with trespass following the April protest. Seven of them, including Andrews, have pleaded not guilty. Climate protesters should not have to face criminal charges while the government limited the public's right to give input, Andrews said. "If a charge and having to go to court is the consequence - it's worth taking to reduce the harm for future generations and life on the planet." Andrews said the next protest on 8 August would target at least seven ANZ branches. She said ANZ was the last bank in New Zealand with no plan to move away from servicing businesses involved in fossil fuels. Bathurst Resources chief executive Richard Tacon said the company's primary concern was for the safety of the protesters. Bathurst had become aware of people trespassing on Stockton Mine infrastructure at Ngakawau on Monday and notified the police, WorkSafe, and the Department of Conservation as the landowner, Tacon said. The trespassers had entered the mine illegally and might not be aware of the hazards at the mine. "Bathurst is working with police on the next steps to secure as soon as possible the safety of the trespassers. When we have more information, we will provide an update," he said. Bathurst Resources employs about 675 people in New Zealand and operates mines in the Waikato, the West Coast, and Southland. Stockton mine employs about 350 people plus 75 full-time contractors. It produces high-quality metallurgical coal for export to key steel making customers in Japan, India and South Korea. Bathurst is preparing an environmental assessment for the Buller Plateaux Continuation Project, as part of its application under the Fast Track Approvals Act 2024. If approved the project will extend mining operations at the Stockton mine by another 25 years. *This story originally appeared in the Westport News.
Scoop
3 days ago
- Politics
- Scoop
No Coal From Stockton Mine Today
Press Release – Climate Liberation Aotearoa The International Court of Justice ruled last week that countries must address the 'urgent and existential threat' of climate change by cooperating to curb emissions and yet the Fast-Track Bill is enabling the expansion of the fossil fuel industry Climate activists have climbed and occupied a bucket on the Stockton Mine aerial ropeway, effectively preventing coal from leaving Bathurst Resource's Stockton Mine, the biggest coal mine in New Zealand. The climbers are opposing Bathurst's Fast-Track application to open a 20 million tonne coal mine on the Denniston Plateau that would be the same size as Nelson city. This is the second time this year that protestors have targeted Bathurst Resources regarding the proposed mine expansion on the Denniston Plateau. 'We will continue doing everything we can to oppose Bathurst Resources' proposed mine expansion into the Denniston Plateau. We will not stand idly by and accept this destruction,' says bucket occupier and Climate Liberation Aotearoa spokesperson Rach Andrews. 'This is an ecocidal project that puts foreign profit before life on earth. It is stealing from future generations to profit a few people.' 'The Fast-Track legislation has eroded the democratic process. There is no longer any way for members of the public to voice concerns about proposed projects like this coal mine on kiwi habitat. The New Zealand government has effectively forced communities to take actions like this if we want to be heard.' Bathurst Resources Ltd is the biggest coal operator in New Zealand, with 90% of shareholdings owned by foreign investors. Bathurst's Fast-Track application states that they plan to mine 20 million tonnes of coal over 25 years from the Stockton and Denniston Plateaus to export coking coal to countries like Japan, India and China. [1] This single coal mine would generate at least 53 million tonnes of emissions, close to New Zealand's entire net emissions of 59 million tonnes. [2] This month the Tasman area was flooded multiple times, receiving half a year's rain in two weeks, leaving large areas devastated with damage and loss of property. The expected cost of recovery is in the millions with a predicted sharp increase in the cost of fresh produce nationwide. Christopher Luxon announced they will provide $500,000 towards the clean up when the final cost could be more than a hundred times that. 'Extreme weather events like this will escalate the more the planet warms. We can see this happening in Aotearoa. These floods impact everyday people, where they live and work, while the likes of Richard Tacon, CEO of Bathurst, cares only about making money for himself and his shareholders' said Rach. The International Court of Justice ruled last week that countries must address the 'urgent and existential threat' of climate change by cooperating to curb emissions and yet the Fast-Track Bill is enabling the expansion of the fossil fuel industry in New Zealand. 'We want Bathurst Resources to know that we won't sit back and let this happen – that this is not what New Zealanders want. We urge anyone who wants to protect our wildlife, who has had enough of cleaning up flood damaged property, to join us in stopping this coal mine and other Fast-Track projects.' Notes:
