Buller residents are rallying behind the district’s biggest employer - Bathurst Resources.

The mine company is seeking fast-track approval to expand the Stockton site, warning operations could otherwise stop by March - gutting over 200 jobs. 

An open letter in support has attracted 3,000 signatures - about a quarter of the district's adults.

Organiser of the petition, Jessie Creedmore, says without strong local support, there’s a risk the application could be declined.

"As I understand, the fast-track process is very rigorous  - I think that people that think that a fast track is a rubber-stamping exercise, that's not correct."

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