Pike River Mine Powering Up

23 July 2007

Pike River Mine Powering Up

Pike River Coal Limited (PRC) last week achieved another milestone in development of its premium hard coking coal mine near Greymouth.

The Pike River mine facilities now have electricity, following completion of a $11.6 million contract (within budget) by local supply company Westpower Limited and national infrastructure owner Transpower New Zealand Ltd.

Pike River General Manager, Mines, Peter Whittall said “getting power to the Pike site is another important step towards the start of coal production by March 2008”.

Electricity will be used to power the coal preparation plant, pumps, mine ventilation, mining equipment and for offices and workshops.

Transpower have completed installation and commissioning of a new switch station at the corner of Atarau and Logburn Roads in the Grey Valley 40km north-east of Greymouth. This switch station takes power from the 110kV national grid line running from Reefton to Dobson. From the switching station, Westpower have installed a 7.5km 110kV line to the new main substation at Pike River’s coal preparation plant location. This sub station will supply power to the coal preparation plant and via 8.6km of 33kV line, up to the mine portal.

Fully insulated and extra strength "Hendrix" power cable has been used on the last four kilometres of the 33kV line to the mine portal to minimise damage to native trees from fire or discharge should the cable be brought down by storm damage.

Westpower will own and operate the electricity supply infrastructure for the development. Pike River has contracted Meridian Energy to supply power to the mine for the first three year period. Pike River will also continue to evaluate the potential for on-site power generation from coal mine methane as the mine is developed.

ENDS

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