The town's major industries include fishing, mining, forestry, and
ecotourism, the latter two of these industries holding an uneasy
relationship with each other. The Pancake Rocks at Punakaiki, 45 km to
the north are a popular local tourist attraction, while many also pass
through on the route to or from the glaciers to the south.
Greymouth
is also known for its Pounamu ("Greenstone", a form of Jade) carving
industry which goes back to M?ori origins. The town also has a local
brewery, Monteith's, which produces beer since 1868, now sold
countrywide.
The planned opening of the Pike River mine in early 2008
spurred new investments into upgrading port facilities at the town.
Without the development, a closure of the port had been mooted, and
hopes are now that the coal barges travelling to and from reshipment
facilities in Taranaki can also carry containerised cargo to the town.
The opening of the new mine, as well as the planned Spring Creek mine,
was called the biggest investment happening in the area for a hundred
years
