Westport mining battle

Conservationists are vowing to fight Solid Energy's proposed new opencast mine in Upper Waimangaroa Valley north of Westport.

Solid Energy yesterday announced it had applied for resource consents for Cypress, where it hopes to begin mining in 2005.

Cypress would cost about $16 million to develop and create up to 30 extra jobs, the company said.

But conservationists, including Forest and Bird, Greenpeace and the Buller Conservation Group, are planning to fight the new mine.

Conservation Group spokesman Pete Lusk said they were worried about the impact on wildlife, particularly kiwi, and the environment.

- NZPA