Separately, dual-listed Bathurst Resources is shortly to have its more than 20 resource consents from two councils appealed in the Environment Court, by Forest and Bird and the West Coast Environmental Network Inc.
However, in what would be separate proceedings, if access arrangements between Bathurst and Doc are publicly notified, objectors can potentially have a strong voice in those applications and outcomes.
The conservation groups' claim coal mining will destroy fragile eco-systems and unique and rare flora and fauna on the plateau, while Bathurst is highlighting relocation and land rehabilitation measures.
Bathurst wants to annually mine up to 2 million tonnes of specialist hard-coking coal from around the plateau for export, estimating more than $1 billion in economic benefits to the economy over six years.
In Wellington on Wednesday, Mr Key bore the brunt of about 200 environmental protesters' objections when he attended the opening of Bathurst's offices.
Mr Key said during the office opening: "This is going to be a notified access agreement for the Denniston plateau so there is no hiding away from that", BusinessDay reported.
Yesterday, Forest and Bird conservation advocate Nicola Toki congratulated Mr Key for publicly confirming New Zealanders would get a say in the access approval by the Department of Conservation.
"We're thrilled to see that the Prime Minister has listened to the concerns of the public and has confirmed that access to the Denniston plateau for open-cast coal mining will be publicly notified," she said.
Forest and Bird, which recently vowed to make the Denniston plateau its campaign issue of the year, said last month public submissions on the access agreement would be its "best chance" to highlight the "extreme damage" an open-cast mine could cause.
