The completion and testing of a newly installed 4km conveyor system at the Dartbrook Mine has produced coal to surface for the first time since the site was placed into care and maintenance in 2006.
Australian Pacific Coal announced that run of mine coal from the Kayuga seam was delivered by the conveyor system to the surface via the Hunter tunnel for stockpiling. The coal will then be processed at the coal handling and preparation plant (CHPP).
Continuous miners have cut quantities of coal since taking the bulk sample for lab testing in mid-July 2024. Coal cut during this period has been stored in the underground storage bin in preparation for the completion and testing of the conveyor system. With the conveyor operational, the conveyor and mining systems will now enter a commissioning period before commercial production commences.
Initially, Dartbrook will only utilise the dry plant (stockpiling, crushing, train load-out facilities) to produce unwashed thermal coal for sale to domestic or export customers. Once the refurbishment of the CHPP is completed in early CY2025, the wet plant will be fully operational. This will allow ROM coal to be washed and graded for export markets where Dartbrook anticipates selling high-quality NEWC thermal coal and potentially having the optionality to produce quantities of semi-soft or PCI coal, subject to testing results.
Australian Pacific Coal’s Managing Director and CEO, Ayten Saridas, said this production is another major milestone for Dartbrook.
“For the first time since the mine entered care and maintenance in 2006, Dartbrook is once again producing high-quality coal. Commissioning is underway, and the team on the ground is working hard to bring the mine safely into commercial production in the coming weeks.”
Ms Saridas said that by producing coal to surface, the company has demonstrated the exciting potential of the Dartbrook mine, and doing so in such a short period is an extraordinary achievement.
“In just 18 months, we have simplified the joint venture, secured US$60 million in restart capex, finalised land and water access agreements, dewatered and refurbished the Hunter Tunnel, sourced and commissioned mining equipment, and installed a brand-new 4km conveyor system. I am proud of the dedication and efforts of everyone who has contributed to and supported the restart of Dartbrook.
“There is still work to be done to achieve commercial production, and we remain focused on our goal of making Dartbrook a world-class underground mine.
“We are close to finalising port and rail agreements and a working capital facility; the results of the bulk sample testing for thermal quality and met coal potential are anticipated this quarter; and preparations for the CHPP refurbishment are well advanced.”
Featured image: Good Kind Studio/shutterstock.com
