The operation, which claims a 4.2 million tonne NI 43-101 coal resource, has been in production for more than 18 years but was put on hold in February when vandalism at the mine prompted repairs and an upgrade in safety and site security.

The shipment signals a return to form for Ruku, which since restarting production last April has increased output to 1500t per month with a target to produce more than 7000t per month by year’s end.

Colombia Energy Resources president and chief executive Ronald Stovash said improvements made at the mine during its closure will have a positive impact beyond an increase in coal production.

“With support from the federal and local provincial government, along with an active community outreach and education program, we are confident that our responses to the concerns and issues expressed by the local population are being effectively conveyed and that Ruku will remain in production on a consistent basis,” he said.

“The rehabilitation of Ruku has made it a safer, more economical and more productive facility, with this largely due to [the company] introducing modern practices and policies for mining operations.”

Ruku is located in the central portion of Colombia in the provincial department of Boyaca where CER controls concessions over 25,000 acres.

The San Francisco-based company’s Colombian holdings comprise four metallurgical coal blocks, of which the 226-acre Ruku is the smallest.