Rare earth minerals thrown up by the Alpine Fault and deposited in West Coast soils are a potentially valuable export commodity. But there's been no viable way of shipping them to export markets. A recently formed consortium is pleased by plans for a new shipping precinct in Westport, on the former site of the Holcim Cement silos. The precinct beside the Buller River will be upgraded with a share of the Government's recently allocated infrastructure fund. Buller's mayor Jamie Cleine told our reporter Tracy Neal that the package also supports the Coast's vital fishing industry. But the planned new precinct will elevate Westport's status as a primary west coast port.
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