"The mine workings and infrastructure have been secured by Southland personnel and the first potential replacement contract operators will inspect the mine and Southland's plans within the next week," the company said.
Sydney-based Gympie said it expects production at the mine to be restored to its historical level of 1.5 million tonnes per annum, having fallen to one-third that rate after delays in commissioning a new section of the operation in October.
Managing director Harry Adams said Colrok's performance had been under the microscope for some time and Gympie was ready to resume possession within minutes of the administrator being appointed.
An inspection of the mine soon after Gympie took control confirmed that all roadways are clear, longwall panel SL2 has about 700,000t of recoverable coal ready for extraction and the 220m longwall face is in good condition. The longwall unit itself requires some work at both ends, tail-gate and main-gate.
The company said Colrok was only entitled to be paid upon production of finished product, and that it had made all necessary payments up to termination of the contract yesterday. It has initiated legal action to recover lost profits and return the operation to profitability.
Adams said production is hoped to restart within a month on a short-term contract basis while longer-term arrangements are negotiated with several contractors.
However, it is unlikely the company will be able to keep 2000-01 output above 900,000t.
The collapse of Colrok put 160 miners out of work, and they also stand to lose more than $4 million in entitlements.
The Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union said it is attempting to trace ownership of the company and hopes to find someone responsible for paying wages and entitlements owing.
"We have got a very good record of recovering outstanding entitlements owed to workers," CFMEU regional vice president Ian Murray told AAP.
"We have traced Colrok owners back to wealthy individuals in Argentina … and Germany. We're chasing and we are not giving up anything."
