Solid Energy said detailed planning and preparation work was now underway to enable development to start on-site in 2006. The company will mine five million tonnes of coal over 10 years at Cypress.

In June 2005 the Environment Court upheld a decision by the West Coast Regional and Buller District Councils to grant consents for the proposed mine, subject to conditions resulting from negotiations with a number of interested parties, including the Department of Conservation and Ngakawau Riverwatch.

The Environment Court decision was appealed on points of law by Forest & Bird and the Buller Conservation Group. The appeal was heard in the High Court on September 26, 2005.

As part of the development a 17-hectare fully fenced, predator-controlled habitat will be created to protect the snail species powelliphanta patrickensis. Solid Energy said it would relocate as many live snails into the area as possible.

Solid Energy also proposed relocating 10 great spotted kiwi from the mining site and undertaking predator control in a 1000-hectare area of conservation estate near the mine.