Since the acquisition of Titeline in 2009, the business has expanded its operations into coal mine gas drainage using the expertise of both WDS mining and its energy and infrastructure divisions, managing director Terry Chapman said.

“WDS’s strong and growing market position in the coal mine gas drainage sector justifies our decision to order the two new drilling rigs,” he said.

“WDS is now drilling at four major mine sites – in Narrabri in northern NSW, the NSW Hunter Valley and in the Queensland Bowen Basin. Work in hand at November 2011 for these operations is in excess of $78 million.”

WDS has the capability to provide a total mine degassing solution for coal miners — including drilling, well connections and gas flowlines — to capture and use these gases, Chapman said.

In October, WDS said it had increased its capital expenditure to ensure it can undertake large–scale mine development works in the future beyond its existing contracts with Xstrata at Oaky Creek and Peabody at Metropolitan and North Goonyella.

WDS continued to expand its services and geographic spread last financial year, resulting in strong growth, particularly in the Queensland Bowen Basin. It is committed to purchase two reconditioned continuous miners, two reconditioned shuttle cars, eight load haul dump machines and three personnel transporters, it said.