New Zealand-born Tacon has over twenty years’ experience in the New Zealand and Australian coal industries.

Tacon was responsible for six operating mines, two emerging projects and overseeing coal production of approximately 10 million tonnes per annum in his previous role as general manager for Centennial Coal’s western operations.

In his new role, Tacon will be based in Bathurst’s Wellington office and will be responsible for the expansion of the company’s existing coal mines and in the development of the company’s high quality coking coal projects on the Denniston Plateau.

Bathurst Resources chief executive officer Hamish Bohannan said Tacon’s wealth of experience and knowledge in the coal industry would help move the company towards its goals.

“We were extremely pleased with the level of interest we received for this key position within Bathurst,” Bohannan said.

“Even more so, we were delighted to have been able to secure the services of Richard, whose experience and industry knowledge will be invaluable to us as we look to develop our existing mines and bring the Escarpment project into development”

The Escarpment open cast coal operation is situated on the South Island plateau in the company’s South Buller region.

Bathurst is aiming to begin mining on the plateau by the end of the year.

The project has the potential to produce up to 2Mtpa.

Bathurst boasts a strong portfolio of coal assets, with its flagship South Buller region hosting 52.8Mt of resources.

The company recently exported its first shipment of coal from the South Buller project area via its Cascade open cut mine.

Bathurst is aiming to ramp up production to 2Mtpa from the South Buller areas during the 2012-13 financial year, and hit 4Mtpa in the 2014-15 financial year through mining in the North Buller areas of the project.