The possible extension of a Southland coal mine already has support from some in the community. If coal is found, it could add three years to the life of the Takitimu Coal Mine near Nightcaps. In other places, people were protesting the use of coal, but the Ohai community did not seem to have the same opposition, she said. Ohai Wallace Takitimu community board member Bev Evans, speaking in a private capacity, said the area had been a coalmining town for about 100 years. There was still about four years of coal left in the main area of the mine, Mr Tacon said.

Source: Otago Daily Times April 30, 2021 16:33 UTC