Ecoscraps

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Environmental groups say a $50,000 Solid Energy documentary on the removal of rare carnivorous snails from one of its mine sites is a rampant case of “greenwashing”.

But the (New Zealand) state coal mining company’s chief executive Don Elder said the documentary, which was released alongside Solid Energy’s 2007 environmental report, was testament to a company that was committed to carefully managing its environmental impact.

The 20-minute documentary, entitled Snail the Movie, traces the company’s repatriation of the Powelliphanta Augustus snail from its West Coast Stockton mine site to nearby areas.

The relocation of the 6000 rare worm-eating snails, believed to only exist on the ridgeline, was a requirement of its mining permit.

Dr Elder said Solid Energy was proud of the ground breaking 10-year project, despite it taking a $10 million bite out of the company’s balance sheet in the first three years.

(BTW- They Eat Earthworms and Slugs)

Photo Courtesy of Terra Nature