Facts and Figures

Coal production statistics

New Zealand coal production in 2009 was 4.5 million tonnes, 7% down from 2008 production of 4.9 million tonnes. This is mainly due to the reduced production at our two largest producing mines, Stockton and Rotowaro, caused by operator staff strikes.

Production is centred in the Waikato (1.7 million tonnes), on the West Coast (2.2 million tonnes) and in Southland (0.5 million tonnes). Four underground and seventeen opencast mines were operating in 2009. Over 55% of national production was from two large opencast operations, at Rotowaro and Stockton.

Coal Production by Mining Method 1998-2009

Coal Production by Rank 1998-2009

Production by Rank and Region for 2009 (kt)

Area	Rank			Total

	Bituminous	Sub-Bituminous	Lignite
Waikato	0	1746.6	0	1746.6
North Island	0	1746.6	0	1746.6
West Coast	2085.5	151.0	0	2236.5
Canterbury	0	29.0	0	29.0
Otago	0	68.9	2.3	71.2
Southland	0	222.7	257.4	480.1
South Island	2085.5	471.6	259.7	2816.8
NZ TOTAL	2085.5	2218.1	259.7	4563.3

Production by Mining Method and Region for 2009 (kt)

Area	Mining Method		Total

	Opencast	Underground
Waikato	1380.7	365.9	1746.6
North Island	1380.7	365.9	1746.6
West Coast	1766.4	470.1	2236.5
Canterbury	29.0	0	29.0
Otago	71.2	0	71.2
Southland	480.1	0	480.1
South Island	2346.6	470.1	2816.8
NZ TOTAL	3727.3	836.0	4563.3