Aquila and its joint venture partner AMCI are currently considering two options – a staged approach to development, or full-scale production where three longwall mines would commence simultaneously.
The project, covering an area of 325 square kilomteres, has an indicated and inferred resource of more than 2.7 billion tonnes of hard coking coal and a 40-year mine life.
The mine plan, detailed by IMC Consultants, has focused on seams thicker than 3m at depths ranging from 400-700m. Longwall mining of multiple seams is the preferred mining method.
Three areas of relatively flat dip and free of structure have been identified for potential mine development.
Aquila said recoverable coal from the three longwall mines would be 571 million tonnes, with a yield of 80-85%.
