Wellington, March 22 NZPA - Environmentalists and opposition parties have attacked the Government's discussion paper outlining its proposals for opening 7058 hectares of protected conservation land for mining.

Wellington, March 22 NZPA - State-owned Solid Energy said coal in the Inangahua sector of Paparoa National Park identified by the Government today for potential mining would almost certainly be destined for use in the domestic market.

Wellington, March 5 NZPA - Prime Minister John Key today opened Solid Energy's new $34 million wood pellet fuel plant in Taupo today, as the plant's first big export order heads to Europe.

Wellington, Feb 16 NZPA - Energy Minister Gerry Brownlee is being accused of avoiding questions by not speaking at an energy conference in Auckland today.

By Lee Scanlon of the Westport News Westport, Feb 4 NZPA - Don Elder has revealed that when Solid Energy employed him as its chief executive a decade ago he was supposed to wind the company up.

Wellington, Nov 3 NZPA - Hundreds of workers have downed tools at mines owned by Solid Energy in both islands.

Wellington, Oct 21 NZPA - Environment Minister Nick Smith has acknowledged a potential problem with outdated mining licences that the Environment Commissioner says could cause major environmental damage.

Wellington, Oct 15 NZPA - Solid Energy chief executive Don Elder earned $1.27 million in the year to June 30, according to the state owned enterprise's annual report.

Wellington, Oct 14 NZPA - State-owned Solid Energy faced questions about its environment performance and commitment to domestic customers at a public meeting in Wellington today.

Wellington, Oct 14 NZPA - Solid Energy has reported a record $110.8 million profit in the year to June 30, but the state-owned enterprise is disappointed because it is below half of forecast.