Spring Creek Underground Mine, in the hills behind Dunollie north of Greymouth on the West Coast, is in the process of being sealed and closed, after an unsuccessful sales process for that site.
Spring Creek’s bituminous semi-soft coal is noted for its low ash and low sulphur properties, suiting it well to both the steelmaking and thermal markets. Spring Creek coal was used by industrial customers in New Zealand and exported to steelmakers through Lyttelton Port of Christchurch.
Mining at Spring Creek was done with high-pressure water cannon (hydraulic monitors). Monitor mining extracts a far greater proportion of the coal resource in an underground mining area than other methods, especially where there are thick coal seams. The main seam thickness at Spring Creek is up to 40 m in places.
Postscript
In late 2012 Solid Energy placed its Spring Creek Mine into care and maintenance, part of a wider company reorganisation in response to extremely weak global coal markets. The nearby Rocky Creek coal washery, stockpile and rail loadout facility continues to operate, processing coals from the company’s other Grey District resources. Solid Energy believes Spring Creek Mine had potential in a stronger international market for steel-grade coal.
After an extensive sales process, Spring Creek mine remained unsold, and the decision was taken to seal and close the mine.