In its project application Wesfarmers said it was not seeking to increase production from the mine’s existing capacity of 13.5 million tonnes per annum.
Under the project Wesfarmers aims to extend mining into four areas, including the nearby Mineral Development Licence 162 which it bought from Peabody Energy for $A70 million in early 2014.
Development of the extensions areas are flagged to start in 2017 with first mining in an extension area expected the year after.
Some of the infrastructure required includes haul and vehicle access roads, a new crib facility, a new fuel facility, more run of mine pads, a 2600m water pipeline and 11.9km of powerlines.
Difficult market conditions recently forced the Curragh mine to change rosters and shed 70 labour hire workers while it also announced plans to layoff 30-50 full time employee last week.
