The production equated to 192,000t per month, with the repositioned longwall unit appearing to be back on track after the colliery suffered major difficulties in 2002. Product yield average 94% providing 180,000t/m of washed saleable coal

However, Gympie said additional costs have been incurred because ground conditions near the tailgate required additional strata support. This situation is expected to continue until September.

Southland's production in 2003-04 is put at 1.8-2.2 million tonnes, with demand for its product range remaining "very strong".

Coal sales totalled 479,000t for the June quarter and 1,261,000t for 2002-03 financial year. Shipments during the June quarter were constrained by port delays, which delayed 100,000t of scheduled sales into the 2003-04 financial year.