Solid Energy supports the Government's proposal, outlined in the Prime Minister's Statement to Parliament today, for a Conservation Fund which could draw on royalty revenue from mining operations on Crown land and resource special conservation projects to improve New Zealand's overall natural environment.

Solid Energy Chief Executive Officer, Dr Don Elder, says: "We know that New Zealanders value our unique natural environment extremely highly. We also know that New Zealanders want good jobs and a high standard of living.

"Smart well-managed use of our natural resources, combined with a conservation fund to create long-term environmental gain will allow us to have both."