Run of mine (ROM) coal production under Centennial management totalled 5.3 million tonnes for the quarter, up 29% on the prior corresponding period.

Production during the quarter benefited from a record performance at Mandalong during July, when the mine produced 502,000t in the month, and from Newstan’s return to longwall production.

Tahmoor mine produced 243,702t for the September 2006 quarter compared with 219,041t in the prior corresponding period, despite a roof fall which impacted production and hampered the longwall changeover in August.

During the quarter, Tahmoor experienced unexpected variable conditions in the final stages of the longwall changeover, including a localised fall of immediate roof in a roadway adjacent to the production face.

While good mining practice managed to contain delays, the setback will still result in increased costs and some sales slipping into July 2007.

With the major production issues of the past year largely behind Newstan following a longwall relocation, a new armoured face conveyor and repair of longwall face supports, production has slowly increased.

“However, expectations that production would ramp up more quickly were compromised by various commissioning issues associated with new and upgraded equipment,” the company said.

Springvale returned another record quarter, exceeding expectations and achieving its first 1Mt quarter, up almost 18% on the previous quarter.

Development drivage reached record levels at several Centennial mines during the quarter, including Mandalong, which set a new weekly and monthly record of 268m and 1060m respectively.

Tahmoor again set a new record achieving 4.5km for the quarter, 500m better than the record set in the preceding quarter.

Both Mandalong and Tahmoor longwall changeovers were completed in October, with no further changeovers scheduled in the December 2006 quarter, the company said.