“We are in the process of commissioning the ‘Landmark’ longwall automation technology at our North Wambo underground mine and working with longwall original equipment manufacturers to incorporate similar technology at our Metropolitan mine,” the company said in its US-released annual report.

“This system includes hardware and software that monitors and controls the pitch, roll and depth of cut of the shearer to maintain the face alignment, allowing the shearer to mine more efficiently.”

With work on the Metropolitan expansion underway, Peabody has also advanced its environmentally approved plan to emplace coal wash underground using backfill technology.

“We continue with pilot testing of a pumping system that will allow coal refuse from the mine to be disposed of in abandoned areas of the underground workings rather than transported to the surface,” Peabody said.

“During 2010, test trials were successfully completed on the backfill process and the installation of the pumping system is nearing completion. Underground emplacement is expected to commence in the first quarter 2011.”

The NSW Department of Planning recently refuted claims of any leakage from the nearby Woronora Reservoir.

The mine’s monitoring program showed no indication of water loss due to mining, either from the streams above the mine or from the reservoir downstream, the department’s deputy director-general Richard Pearson said.

Peabody will also trial a proximity detection system this calendar year at its Willow Lake underground coal mine in Southern Illinois.

The coal company has also independently developed technology used at its US operations.

“Proprietary software for hand-held personal digital assistant devices was developed in-house, and has been deployed at all US underground mines to record safety observations, safety audits, underground front-line supervisor reports and delay information.

“Specialised maintenance reliability software is used at many operations to better support improved equipment strategies, predict equipment condition and aid analysis necessary for better decision-making for such issues as component replacement timing.

“We also use in-house-developed software to schedule and monitor trains, mine and pit blending, quality and customer shipments to enhance our reliability and product consistency.”

First production from the Metropolitan expansion is expected this year.

The expansion aims to lift output from 1.5 million tonnes to 3Mt of run-of-mine coal a year from the Bulli seam for 25 years.

Production of 2.8Mt per annum of hard and semi-hard coking coal is expected for export and domestic markets.