Talking at the Wilson HTM Focus on Mining conference yesterday, Industrea managing director Robin Levison said continued expansion in the Hunter Valley was “an ongoing priority”

But the big growth for Industrea is its booming equipment exports to China, which bring in more than $10 million a month, through its Wadam Industries subsidiary.

Some of Industrea’s newer offerings to this market include the 130-tonne shearer carrier and the 80t roof support carrier.

Citing Austrade research from last year, Levison noted that China was slated to produce more than 3 billion tonnes of coal in 2010 with more than 95% of the output coming from underground mines.

China is known for its deep gassy mines and Industrea subsidiary AMT managed to ship 13 of its Drill Guidance System units, which are used for methane drainage, in the last financial year, up from 10 in the previous year.

Levison said there were more than 100 DGS units worldwide, with more than 70 in China.

Other growing export markets on the radar for the company include Russia, India, Canada and Alaska.

In addition, Industrea subsidiary PJB made record sales of its namesake personnel carrier vehicles in Australia in the last financial year.

Shares in Industrea closed down 0.5c to 44c yesterday.