The deal follows the February signing of a $40 million contract for Walter to carry out development work at the project, including 20 kilometre of roadway driveage.

The 10km long conveyor system will be rated at 6,000 tonnes per hour, with the main trunk belt at 1800mm width Longwall conveyors are 1500mm width. The drift conveyor is a regenerative decline conveyor and all conveyors will be VVVF drives.

Walter Construction and Continental Conveyor formed the joint venture to combine the offerings of the equipment manufacturer with an engineering and turnkey management focus, said mining manager Peter Roberts

Conveyor installation was scheduled to begin on site towards the end of 2002.