Terra Firma Mining Ltd

Our country’s economy is sick. Talk isn’t going to fix it. The Fast Track Bill has passed but it will be a long time before we see this translate into export earnings. Spring Creek Mine is the most shovel ready mining project in the country and people are lining up to buy the internationally scarce coal for their specialist applications. The project is being stalled due to bureaucratic nonsense or an irrational fear of giving the green light to restart an existing underground coal mine. Prime Minister Luxon’s plea is to “Let’s get NZ back on track”. Now would be a good time to start. #christopherluxon #wintsonpeters #davidseymour #shanejones #maureenpugh #chrisbishop #nicolawillis #patrickphelps #straterra #nzeconomy #nzjobs #nzmining #letsgetmoving

This week our Managing Director Lincoln Smith spent a few days in the Bowen basin with Geotech Managing Director Ant Black evaluating underground opportunities of some steeply dipping coal seams. Well, steep by Australian standards but great when compared to NZ’s! Mining in Queensland presents a good opportunity but restarting Spring Creek would be easier and better for New Zealand. #mining #miningjobs #criticalminerals #mineralswestcoast #straterra #nzmining #coal

Who said mining and conservation can’t be win win? Recently we have had the privilege of carrying out some rehabilitation works in the Window Walk tunnels in the Kaimai Mamaku Forest Park for the Department of Conservation. We were engaged to scale and install timber sets through a section of tunnel. The tunnels were mined between 1895 and 1914 and formed part of the Talisman/Crown Mine. The “Windows” were created when tunnels were driven from the mine workings to daylight at the edge of the valley high above the Waitawheta River. This created a convenient way for miners to get rid of waste from the mine by tipping it into the river below! The old-timers would have enjoyed the thought that 100 years later tourists would queue to walk through the tunnels and enjoy the view from the windows. We appreciate the opportunity to continue to mine in the historic Talisman Mine on the other side of the river and also that we are also able to help DOC preserve some of New Zealand’s proud mining heritage. #nzmining #responsiblemining #conservation #mineralswestcoast #straterra

We are very happy to welcome on board Matthew Bruning and Ethan Vanxay, the next generation of miners. They both have started a three year mining cadetship with Terra Firma where they will learn everything from drill and blast to environmental management to carrying out risk assessments and installing ground support. They will be based in Huntly but will work at our sites in NZ and Australia. Pictured with miner Jack Bruning, Matty, Ethan and mining student Tessa Smith have spent the last two weeks learning check scaling and timbering in a historical mining tunnel that is now a popular tourist attraction. #nzmining #nzjobs #criticalminerals #mineralswestcoast #straterra

We love mining. It’s an industry full of challenges, good people and big and small toys. One bit of our trick gear that isn’t seen very often is our underground spec’d Menzi Muck. With a rotary cutting drum it’s ideal for developing through poor ground, trimming up in outbye areas or going places where a standard excavator can’t go.

Great to host Oceana Gold’s Mines Rescue team for a joint ERT training. Some good learnings for all involved. It’s all about planning, preparation and practice. #nzmining #jobs #minesrescue

A good shot of the Waihi narrow vein and infrastructure project crews ready to get to work. #nzmining

Very proud to be able to support our Workshop Manager Ryan Fleming and the other volunteer firefighters from the Reefton Brigade. The very wet weather couldn’t dampen the community’s enthusiasm during the midday parade of old and new appliances.

We recently found out that silicon has been included in the newly released critical minerals list but the components required to economically produce silicon are not. This type of naive mistake is happening all too often and is akin to putting steel on the list but excluding iron ore and metallurgical coal. Silicon isn’t found naturally, it isn’t mined and doesn’t grow on trees. Right now the only economic way it is being produced is by refining silica in an electric arc furnace using a suitable type of coal as a reductant. Currently this specialist coal is internationally scarce and fetching extraordinarily high prices. NZ has a huge resource on the West Coast at Spring Creek Mine. #nzmining #criticalmineralslist #jobs #mineralswestcoast

A good article from the Grey Star highlighting the frustrating situation for the most shovel-ready mining project in the country. With a measured resource of over 11mt and combined indicated and inferred resources of another 60mt, the Spring Creek Mine could provide jobs and export income for decades. The internationally scarce coal type is highly sought after and essential for silicon metal production. It is currently fetching record high prices. #nz #newzealand #nzbusiness #fasttrackapprovalsbill #mining #sustainability #environment #jobs #mineralswestcoast