The result of a drilling programme in Northland to test the possibility of finding hidden coal deposits of sufficient quantity for power generation have been discouraging. No coal seam greater than 1m (3ft) thick was found in any of the 5 holes drilled to depth. The possibility of locating economically useful extensions from worked coal seams has now been conclusively tested. Because of strategic setting of the holes drilled, it most unlikely that even 2 million tonnes of coal in continuous seams could be located from any one area within the basins investigated in the Hikurangi-Kamo and Kiripaka area. No further drilling or exploration for a major coal deposit in Northland was recommended.
syndication_user created the Report Northland Coal Drilling Project
