Three faces are in operation at the Campbell County complex using a continuous miner on a single shift per day, with the trial raw coal shipments being delivered to the surface by beltline and then sent to two unnamed customers, with the facilities to process the run of mine coal.

At the same time, crews are also working to rehabilitate the mine’s original airways.

On Thursday, Novadx chief executive officer Neil MacDonald said the company was glad to see the shipments kick off after a long period of development work.

“This demonstrates the demand for our high quality coal in our target markets and enables us to work towards long-term contracts as we near commercial production at the Rex No. 1 mine.”

Officials said they were working with the state’s Office of Surface Mining on the issuance of a permit amendment to allow it to construct a coal preparation facility at the mine site and discussions were in the late stages.

At prime operations, Novadx said it would complete the mine rehabilitation and run seven operating faces to support full commercial production.

“Coal seam thickness measurements in the mine are ranging between 36 and 42 inches, in line with nearby drillhole intercepts used in the calculation of the Rex mine's reserves,” the company said last October in an update of the property’s progress.

“Each mining unit has the capability of producing in excess of 20,000 tons per month of clean coal, the majority of which will meet the specification for a silicon metal grade coal.”

At the time, Novadx said it was also examining various leasing opportunities to grow reserves and resources at Rex, though officials did not comment on updated plans this week.

Novadx and subsidiary MCoal also operate the Rosa coal mine in northern Alabama.

Full commercial production of the complex was announced late last month.