The Island Block Coal - between Garvey Creek and the Waitahu River in the Reefton area. 1977.

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Description Island Block is an isolated patch of coal measures on the ridge between Garvey Creek and the Waitahu River in the Reefton area. It was discovered in 1944 by geologist Harold Wellman, who predicted that bituminous coal might be found there based on his regional studies of coal rank. A thick seam contains over 15 metres of high-quality bituminous coal, and it is mined by opencast methods. This photograph was taken in 1977. The mine has not been worked since 2002.

Pic 2,
Glenn Johnston
This is the Garvey opencast in 1988. This photo of mine is from the north side tops beyond the Waitahu not the Inangahua River side to the south.
May be an image of tree, sky, nature and mountainDate of Photo1977Map^[1]ContributorTony Kokshoorn

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Location (city or town)Garvey CreekReeftonWaitahu RiverPersonHarold WellmanOrganisation (eg business)The Island Block Coal

Category Information

Category TagCoal Mining

From Facebook

Date Created21st March 2022CommentsJakh Heremia
it will be all regenerated by now

Read Hudson
Carted coal off the Island Block back about 1999. Hauled down to a wash plant at the bottom of the hill, and from there into Reefton.

Robin Coe
Did a bit of drilling up there few years back. Cold in winter

Judy Garvey
I wonder. If anyone has a recent photo to see any sign of regrow ?

Thomas Peter Mulligan
There would have been a lot of coal removed over your years keep several trucks bob Heldon slasher Thomas Davey wag horn busy for a long time

Kevin Oregan
I endorse Thomas Mulligans comments. The home of Charlie Rainbird and TD24 for some time Then Highways D8 Morrie somebody, Green and MacCahill, Morris's Contracting, Dryden Construction, Wilkins and Davies plus a few more. Even yours truly did a stint. Between 77 and 02 a long way up to the higher point on the ridge. Beautiful on a nice summers day but a cruel place in winter. Kevin O'Regan

Janaka Mary Bartlett
Dad (Jack Bartlett) was mine manager up there for several years. He held shot firers license, another name I remember was Mr Morris who I believe was like a general manager .

Wayne Nicholson
Worked for March Construction up The Waitahu River in the 80's pushing up levee's to form retention paddocks to catch overburden washed down. Google Maps show the paddocks still quite clearly. Blazed a track in with a D8 from the end of the forestry track on the north side of the river. D8, Uh 09 Hitachi and a 140 Hitachi. Hard on the body and blood suckers the size of a Robinson.

Miri Squires
There's been a few adzes found up there too

Glenn Johnston
This is the Garvey opencast in 1988. This photo of mine is from the north side tops beyond the Waitahu not the Inangahua River side to the south.
May be an image of tree, sky, nature and mountain

Kevin Oregan
Great shot. That shows how far back into the ridge they went and the slope on the seam making each cut deeper.. So you would have been on Paparoas? Kevin

Glenn Johnston
Yes I've spent a lot of time in the Paparoa's particularly the southern half.

Glenn Johnston
This is the Garvey opencast in 1988. This photo of mine is from the north side tops beyond the Waitahu not the Inangahua River side to the south.
May be an image of tree, sky, nature and mountainThomas Peter Mulligan
There is a track down into waitahu haven’t don’t but have seen we’re it started

Arthur Bass
Thomas Peter Mulligan Div Watson went down there. Didn't it go down the gully behind the burning mine

Thomas Peter Mulligan
Arthur Bass what happened to Div Watson

Arthur Bass
Thomas Peter Mulligan he's still about. Ken may have been with him as well.

Thomas Peter Mulligan
I use to play indoor basketball with him always a nice guy

Arthur Bass
Thomas Peter Mulligan Leah, Ken Watsons Wife has just joined Reefton. She will know.

Barry Butcher
I shot my first deer in the Waipahu track with a borrowed 22 rifle at age 15 got into trouble as a Blacks Point local reported the matter to the police my Dad knew the Sergeant & no further action was taken.

Keith Kerr
Done a lot of hunting in there....beautiful country.

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The Island Block Coal - between Garvey Creek and the Waitahu River in the Reefton area. 1977.

Editing is temporarily disabled