West Coast Minerals Forum Tickets Available
The West Coast Minerals Forum is ready to go for 2025, with tickets now available for the event, to be held in Runanga on the 30th of October. Full information on the forum, including how to purchase tickets, is available here. A draft itinerary for the event can be found here.
As is the case every year, Minerals West Coast members can purchase tickets at a discounted rate to non-members. Prices for this year’s tickets have also been staggered, with early bird rates, standard rates, and late rates for tickets.
Early bird ticket prices are available until the end of September. Almost 100 tickets have been sold already. With a capacity of about 250 tickets (and last year’s event in Ross having sold out), Minerals West Coast encourages anyone wishing to attend to purchase tickets as soon as possible.
Minerals West Coast Policy Submissions
In recent months, Minerals West Coast has lodged submissions on several central government policy consultations.
In June, Minerals West Coast submitted to the Department of Conservation regarding consultation on a proposed biodiversity strategy through to 2030. The full submission is available here.
In July, Minerals West Coast submitted on National Direction consultation relating to the RMA, with regard to the primary sector, and also in regard to freshwater.
The primary sector submission can be found here, and the freshwater consultation can be found here.
Patrick Phelps talks about impact on Buller District if coal mining were to wind up
On Wednesday the 2nd of July, Minerals West Coast’s manager, Patrick Phelps, spoke on RNZ’s evening show, The Panel, to talk about the impact on Westport and the wider Buller District if plans for Bathurst Resources to develop coal resources on the Denniston Plateau don’t proceed.
The full discussion can be listened to below.
Talking coal and electricity with Matt Heath and Tyler Adams
In August, Genesis Energy, along with other electricity sector companies including Mercury, Meridian, and Contact, announced plans to stock pile coal as a strategic reserve for electricity generation.
Patrick Phelps spoke with Matt Heath and Tyler Adams to discuss the role of coal within the electricity sector, and general issues relating to the energy sector.
The full discussion can be heard below.
Talking Te Kuha Fast Track Decision on the Panel on RNZ
On the 12th of August, 2025, Patrick Phelps spoke to RNZ’s Panel host, Wallace Chapman, and panelists, Deborah Hart and Andie Combs, to talk about the latest developments in attempts to develop a 4,000,000 tonne coal resource at the proposed Te Kuha mine, near Westport.
The full conversation can be heard below.
Meet the Miners Episode #4: Echo Coal Mine
Minerals West Coast is continuing to produce episodes of the online series, Meet the Miners. The most recent episode to be published is Episode #4: Echo Coal Mine, featuring a specialist coal mining operation near Reefton. You can view the full episode below.