As part of the overhaul, the existing Bulli conveyor is expected to be decommissioned when the Wonga Mains driveage is complete around mid-to-late 2012.

A newly designed Wongawilli decline belt is slated to replace the Balgownie belt and storage bin, while a stackout conveyor will be built to carry coal to the existing stockpile.

New screening and sizing equipment will be brought in to better manage coal heading to the stockpile.

A temporary bund wall will be built south of the stockpile area to help prevent wet coal slumps from entering the surface drainage system during wet weather.

A proposed haul road will link the main access road to the stockpile area, with most of the road to be unsealed.

A new open channel is slated to replace the existing stormwater pipeline which carries clean water flowing in to the Ballambi Gully Creek under and past the current stockpile and loading setup.

Earthworks for the channel will require the removal of dam number six.

The channel and associated earthworks proposal is expected to remove less than one hectare of native vegetation.

Gujarat’s surface upgrades form part of its overall expansion plans at the mine, with a new Joy longwall scheduled to start cutting coal in December.

The federal application was made to meet the requirements of the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act.