Roa Coal Mine, 1936.

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DescriptionThe Roa coal mine closed early 2016, and with it the end of active underground coal mining along the west coast of New Zealand.

Exploration for coal was conducted across 1903 to 1904, with the Paparoa Coal Company mining the site from 1907 to 1947. The New Zealand government then took control of the mine, which closed in 1971, having exported 1.6 million tonnes of coal from two major coal seams called Morgan and Kimbell.

An impressive aerial ore conveyor was constructed to get coal down from the mountain to the railhead, now where the road ends.

A small open cut operated in the 1980's, producing 6100 tonnes of coal. Francis Mining acquired the mine in 1988, and extended the open pits (called 'open cast' mines in New Zealand) producing a further 250 000 tonnes of coal. This ceased in 1995, after the near surface coal reserves reached exhaustion.

In 1999 a new drive was driven into the mountain, completed January 2000. In 2001, the Roa Mining Company was formed with Coaltrac, then restructured in 2009 as the New Zealand Coal and Carbon Limited, at the time the largest private coal mining company in New Zealand. Needing 3 million dollars to expand, in an environment of low coal prices and demand, the mine closed January 2016.

September 2006, Bernard Green (47), was killed in the underground workings when a tunnel collapsed.This is about my dad who is a sorely missed and there are a few incorrect facts. I appreciate his remembrance and the kind words that people
Have to say about him. His nick name was Hurgi, believed to be shortened from Hercules. A kiwi league player in 1980 scoring seven tries. His cousin Craig green was an all black in the late 80s.this is my dads top half of headstone when we presented his kiwi dogtags to him.

The mine entrance is four kilometres beyond Blackball, passing the historic Blackball Mine ruins along the way. The road ends at the head of a valley, with a couple of houses and some no entry signs. The mine itself is way up the side of Mt Davy, and is not accessible.Date of Photo1936Map^[1]External LinkMindat.orgContributorClaire Ward

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Location (city or town)BlackballRoa

Category Information

Category TagCoal Mining

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CommentsRobert Mathewson Its still operating but open cut.

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Roa Coal Mine, 1936.

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