Australian miner Bathurst Resources and the two councils that issued it resource consents to mine hard coking coal near Westport will all defend their positions in three separate Environment Court challenges.
Bathurst's more than 20 consents to mine around the Denniston plateau near Westport were granted by the Buller District Council and West Coast Regional Council just over three weeks ago, but three Environment Court challenges have since been lodged.
Bathurst chief executive Hamish Bohannan noted in a market update yesterday the two councils had informed Bathurst they intended to defend their own decision through the appeals process.
However, Mr Bohannan said Bathurst intended to engage the appellants in mediation before going to court to try to find a solution to the issues raised.
"We want to find a solution that benefits the Westport and West Coast communities while preserving environmental integrity in the region," he said.
Mr Bohannan said the best outcome would be where "economic and environmental objectives are achieved to the satisfaction of all parties".
The appeals by the West Coast Environmental Network and Forest and Bird are understood to be largely along conservation lines, while the Fairdown-Whareatea Residents' Association backs the project, but without proposed processing infrastructure near its residential area.
Consent appellants
Appellants to Environment Court
• West Coast Environmental Network Inc
• Fairdown-Whareatea Residents' Association Inc
• The Royal Forest and Bird Protection Society of New Zealand
