By: Esmarie Swanepoel
22nd June 2012
PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Diversified giant BHP Billiton has pushed the button on the $845-million development of the Appin mine, as a replacement operation at Illawarra, in New South Wales.
The replacement mine would produce 3.5-million tons a year of metallurgical coal, and would sustain the Illawarra production at nine-million tons a year, the miner said.
The Appin area 9 would be operational in 2016, and would replace production at the West Cliff mine.
“The investment sustains Illawarra coal’s production rates and recognises the value of its high-quality metallurgical coal resources,” said BHP metallurgical coal president, Hubie van Dalsen.
“Its is also good news for local jobs and the economy in the region,” he added.
The Appin area 9 project would include road development, new ventilation infrastructure, new and reconfigured conveyors, as well as other mine services. The development has already received all the necessary regulatory approvals.
The Illawarra operation currently consists of three underground mines; the Appin, West Cliff and Dendrobium mines, as well as two coal preparation plants. Coal is exported through the Port Kembla coal terminal, which is jointly operated by Illawarra Coal, Xstrata Coal, Peabody, Tahmoor Coal and Centennial Coal.
Edited by: Mariaan Webb
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