1 May 2007

“A bridge too far,” says Solid Energy

Report designed to damage company credibility

Solid Energy has issued revised High Court proceedings to stop misuse of its name and other property in a faked document labelled as the company’s annual environmental report.

Anti-mining activists Save Happy Valley Coalition and associated parties issued the faked document some weeks ago.

After an earlier injunction application was adjourned for discussions, Solid Energy offered to accept a solution based on removal of the company logo from the cover and other actions to make it clear the document did not come from the company. The defendants refused this, saying publicly “bring it on”.

Solid Energy has now done this. Chief Executive Officer, Dr Don Elder says the fakery, and the refusal to make any changes, is “a bridge too far”.

“This is only the latest event in a long attack. This group has harassed and obstructed our staff and contractors going about their lawful work. They have trespassed, and damaged property. They have made it clear their ultimate aim is to damage us economically and try to shut the company down totally.

“This fake document was distributed widely to the media, politicians and officials. Its publication was timed to coincide with our financial review before Parliament’s Commerce Select Committee, and to discredit our own report, which is to be published shortly.

“The report is a direct attack on our credibility as a company.”

Solid Energy’s proceedings are based on legal breaches by the defendants including breaches of copyright and trademarks by Frances Mountier, Save Happy Valley Coalition, Powelliphanta Augustus Inc and Simon Oosterman as webmaster of the SHVC website. In addition the defendants other than Mr Oosterman face claims of malicious false statements and defamation.

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