Glen Afton
Glen Afton and Pukemiro are twin settlements in the Waikato District, in northern Waikato region of New Zealand's North Island. The nearest town is Huntly, some 14 km (15 minutes' drive) away.[1]
The settlements were previously an important coal-mining centre, but only one large and one small open-cast coal mine still operate in the area. There was a mining disaster at Glen Afton on 24 September 1939: 11 men were asphyxiated by carbon monoxide.[2]
The Bush Railway runs the Pukemiro Line Heritage Railway, which was formerly the Glen Afton Branch until 1977. The Country Music Club meets at the Bush Tramway Club club rooms.[3]
Puke Coal
Puke Coal operates near the Bush Tramway and has consent to produce up to 180,000 tonnes of coal a year, though actual production was described as "relatively modest" in 2014. The mine is open cast, recovering coal left by previous mining.[4]
The coal is privately owned, so there are no permits and no public record of production.[5] The company was formed in 2011 and employs 25 staff in its mining and landfill work.[6]
Education
Pukemiro School opened in 1905 and reached a peak roll of over 120 students. It closed in 2021.[7]
References
- ^ "Waikato District Council localities map" (PDF). waikatodistrict.govt.nz. Waikato District Council.
- ^ Sherwood, Alan. "Coal and coal mining - Mining accidents". Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand. Ministry for Culture and Heritage.
- ^ "Pukemiro Line, Bush Tramway Club". bushtramwayclub.com.
- ^ Puke Coal Limited v Waikato Regional Council, 23 October 2014, retrieved 5 February 2018
- ^ Minerals, New Zealand Petroleum and. "Operating coal mine production figures". New Zealand Petroleum and Minerals. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- ^ "Puke Coal is based in Waikato and offers domestic and commercial coal sales and construction and demolition services". Puke Coal. Retrieved 5 February 2018.
- ^ Leaman, Aaron (25 July 2021). "Pukemiro School farewelled with prayer, songs and schoolyard tales". Waikato Times.