Coal is widely considered a dead industry here in New Zealand, where yonks ago we discovered the benefits of hydro dams far outweighed unprofitable, unsafe, dirty mines.

We like to think that coal is one of those outdated things that’s still dug up and pumped out into the atmosphere elsewhere - probably in “less developed” countries than our own.  

But the truth is, while other countries are starting to kill coal completely – just yesterday the Prime Minister of Vietnam announced the country would drop all further coal-fired power plant projects – here at home we’re trying to revive it.

On Monday, it was revealed that several of New Zealand’s electricity industry leaders have been conducting backdoor meetings with Huntly Power Station owner Genesis Energy in an attempt to subvert an earlier decision to close the last two coal fired electricity generating units in 2018.

One of those companies, Meridian Energy, claims that closing Huntly could result in a shortage of power during dry periods. This is something that even our Electricity Authority has come forward and said is simply not true.

And now, media is reporting that an application to develop a massive open cast mine has somehow made it to the table.

The company behind it, Mokau South Resources, wants to develop a coal mine on the Panirau Plateau in the Waikato/North Taranaki Region. It’s applied to the Waikato Regional Council (WRC) for a 30-year resource consent to mine more than a whopping 700 hectares – that’s 700 rugby fields in size.

Mokau South Resources has already made an agreement with the landowners, DOC, and has a permit to mine that doesn’t expire until 2126.

Understandably, locals in the nearby town of Mokau are very concerned. You see, running through where the mine would be developed is a network of local streams. The Panirau Plateau is also an area where annual rainfall is notably high.

This makes a coal mine there a recipe for poisoned water - water that will then make its way downstream to the town.  

Co-owner of Mokau South Resources, Murray Sampson, reckons he’s got that covered. He told the Waikato Times that although he understands people’s concerns, they’re not valid.

"We don't have any intention of making a mess of anything. It's a case in setting up proper plans to ensure the water is clean,” he said.

"The issue is we have the right to mine the coal, move the bush and dig holes. But that action will have an effect on the water, and those are the concerns we're applying for."

Aside from the hugely damaging local effect the mine would have, it’s yet another slap in the face for those fighting for the climate here in New Zealand.

It was only a month ago that our Government made certain promises in Paris at the climate conference about cutting emissions. But here we are again, considering developing more of the worst of the worst, the dirtiest fossil fuel that exists.

It’s bizarre, and it’s completely inconsistent with everything New Zealand supposedly stands for.

There is an olive branch, though. Waikato Regional Council seems to have concerns of its own, and has made the application process publicly notified, which means that you and I have the chance to make a submission and have our say.

“In considering reasonableness, it is also relevant to note that the proposal is for large-scale mining, for up to 50 years, in a remote and environmentally sensitive area,” the WRC report says about the mine.

“…The consents sought are for activities across the entire coal mine licence area, or 743 ha. Under the Regional Plan, local streams are classified as “Natural State” (the highest classification) as well as Trout and Indigenous Fisheries classifications… These factors ie the nature of the proposal and the specific environmental context suggest to me that a careful and rigorous approach to the consideration of these consent applications is warranted.”

The report also mentions that Mokau South Resources had requested that the application process stay secret and not be made public. The company’s rationale was that it could result in “endless litigation with national based environmental groups seeking to challenge wider national and international issues relating to coal use and climate change, at great cost to the local authorities and to the applicant”.

Lucky for us “challenge seekers”, the WRC didn’t agree, and opened the application up for public submissions.

As we speak, Coal Action Network Aotearoa (CANA) is working with Waikato Climate Action to get the Mokau mine thrown out. The groups have prepared a submission guide for anyone who would like to make their voice heard on the development of this mine. Submissions close at 5pm on Tuesday, February 2.  

Let’s hope us environmental mavericks can have the last laugh on this one.