Assessment of Western Southland Coal Resources: Orepuki Coalfield. PP39253

Solid Energy New Zealand (SENZ) was granted a prospecting permit 39 253 in 2003 for a duration of 2-years. In 2005, the Institute of Geological and Nuclear Sciences, Dunedin branch, was commissioned to conduct a coal prospectively assessment of the permit area. The work scope included collation and analysis of historic mapping data, geological reports, theses etc, detailed mapping, reinterpretation of historic seismic data and detailed paleogeographic studies. The results of this study are presented here. The detailed work carried out by GNS significantly improved understanding of the geology in the Orepuki Coalfield and enhanced the prospect of finding significant additional coal resources. However despite this new knowledge, SENZ has decided not to purse the prospect further for the following main reasons: - Evidence of moderate to high sulphur content - Multiple thin seams - Distance from potential markets and transportation issues - High ash in places - Limited coal volume - Doubts about seam continuity SENZ therefore have opted to relinquish the permit area and focus on other more promising prospects in the region. The report also contains digital data in the form of shapes files, geological maps, plans of mine workings, drill hole locations, coal analyses and seismic profiles.