Huntly mining site hits the market
Land that once accommodated 200 mining employees now lies barren.
Solid Energy’s Huntly East Mine was sealed and closed in 2017, following the collapse of the company in
2015.
Few signs remain of the underground coal mine – the drift entries have been sealed, buildings demolished and vegetation grows wild.
But the 112-hectare plot about
100km south of Auckland could present an opportunity.
The land is in two titles: 71.2ha, which was previously the pit area, and an adjoining 40.7ha of predominantly undeveloped land overlooking the pit site and the Waikato Expressway to the south.
One option is to turn the pit area into a lake, Harcourts commercial manager Stan Hickford said.
Potential buyers could look at transforming the area into a lifestyle-block development, which would overlook the future lake.
The lake edge is envisioned to be transformed with appropriate riparian plants at the time the lake is nearly filled, which may not be until 2037, Hickford said.
Another option is to use the pit site commercially, he said.
‘‘It’s hard to gauge where people are at. Some are looking at this as part of an industrial development.’’
Since the closure of the mine, the three drift entries have been reinforced with mesh and sealed with concrete, Hickford said.
The site has had all of its buildings, the processing plant, contaminated soils and residual coal stockpiles removed.
There’s also been some minor recontouring of surface terrain to eliminate steep banks and holes to make it easier and safer for people walking or driving on the site.
‘‘There was one guy in charge of restoration and getting the land ready for sale. Everything has been taken out to comply with regulations. The old railway was pulled out and the old buildings are all gone.
‘‘They are finished doing any work and have done everything they were required to do environmentally. Now everything is as you see it.’’
However, there are still some health and safety risks associated with the mine, Hickford said.
The main hazard is the potential for spontaneous combustion of coal in the mine workings.
The risk of this is reduced to an almost negligible level once a mine is sealed and methane dilutes any low oxygen levels. The risk is removed entirely once the mine workings are flooded.
The property has been on the market a week and there has been plenty of interest, Hickford said.
Hickford could not give a price indication at this early stage.
The property is being sold under deadline treaty sale conditions, offers are unconditional and are to be delivered to Harcourts Riverlands Real Estate Ltd, Huntly, by noon, December 13. The property has to be sold by February, otherwise it will revert to the Crown.