Wollongong Coal will try to reopen its Wongawilli mine which was shut down for safety reasons by the Resources Regulator last year.
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Fresh from the approval of its underground expansion project at Russell Vale, Wollongong Coal is starting to put feelers out to the community about its larger, more profitable (when open) operation.
With planning consent about to expire at the end of this month, the miner is seeking another five years, extracting up to 2 million tonnes per year and employing another 145 people.
It said it will continue the less-intrusive mining methods agreed to at Russell Vale.
Wollongong Coal committed to no longer undertake mining via longwall methods
- Miner's website
"Wollongong Coal committed in early 2019 to no longer undertake mining via longwall methods," the company said on its website.
"Coal extraction will be undertaken by methods which will cause minimal subsidence, such as first workings place change method, which uses continuous miners and bolters."
Activity would focus on the North West Mains Driveage area of first workings.
"The proposed mine plan for the NWMD aligns with the originally approved plan, except for the 2.9km extension to the existing Wongawilli Ventilation Shaft 1 to avoid constructing a new shaft in the catchment area," the company said.
Wongawilli was shut down by the state's Resources Regulator early in 2019 after a series of safety problems including roof falls. It has been closed since.
The Regulator also sought financial records and information about Wollongong Coal's ability to meet its obligations under the law.
This related to information on debt restructure agreements, and demands from the corporate regulator ASIC for justification of the company's claims about how much its mines are worth. Wollongong Coal has since had itself delisted from the Australian Securities Exchange.
An expensive longwall mining machine lies buried underground at Wongawilli courtesy of a roof collapse. Recovering this equipment is likely to be an early focus of the operation.
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Ben Langford
Senior journalist writing on the environment. Opinion columnist, independent. We rely on your news tips so please, don't be shy to let us know what's going on.
Senior journalist writing on the environment. Opinion columnist, independent. We rely on your news tips so please, don't be shy to let us know what's going on.
