Located near the vineyards north of Mudgee, Moolarben has already invested in noise attenuation technology for its trucks and dozers. It is collaborating with OEMs to ensure that capital investment in the project will deliver environmental as well as productivity benefits.

Moolarben, which is owned by Yancoal, wanted to reduce loading noise even though the mine site was already operating below compliant noise levels.

Unlike regular truck bodies, Duratray’s SDB is comprised of rubber wall and floor liners. The floor is supported by elastomeric ropes that are connected to a steel frame. These materials dampen the noise when the rock is dropped in the tray.

After a six month trial, the mine decided that the Duratray was effective in reducing “first pass” loading noise which was found to be most intrusive to the surrounding community, Moolarben open cut mine manager Bruce Birchall said.

Komatsu assisted Duratray in creating a dump body that is ideally matched to the site’s non-standard sound attenuated 830E haul trucks.

“We’ve had a wonderful collaboration between OEMS on site to ensure we had the best outcome,” Birchall said.

Moolarben Coal general manager John Blanning said the investment is setting a new industry benchmark in NSW for environmental noise reductions impact on the community.

“By operating this fleet we firmly believe we will be able to achieve a significant reduction in peak instantaneous noise events, which will deliver an environmental noise benefit to the community.”

Duratray chief operational officer Steve Hall told ILN that the SDB can improve payloads by more than 20% and improve dumping with a “cascade” rather than “avalanche” action.

Duratray SDBs are relatively new in NSW but are widespread in Queensland’s Bowen Basin, he said.

Moolarben currently mines 8 million tonnes per annum and sits on a 1Bt coal resource with low stripping ratios.

At full production, the Moolarben Coal Complex will have the capacity to produce 17Mtpa of ROM coal and employ approximately 450 personnel.

Moolarben Coal is currently operating its Open Cut 1 mining operation in accordance with the Stage 1 Project Approval granted by the Minister for Planning on 6 September 2007. Coal mining in OC1 commenced in May 2010, following a successful construction and commissioning phase in 2009.

The Stage 1 Project Approval allows for three open cut mines , one underground mine, a coal handling and preparation plant, raw and product coal stockpiles, a rail loop and rail loader and office and workshop support facilities.

A Major Project Application for Stage 2 of the Moolarben Coal Project was lodged with the NSW Minister for Planning on 1 May 2008. Moolarben Coal has prepared a Preferred Project Report for the Stage 2 project at the request of the Minister of Planning.

The Stage 2 Project Application comprises one open cut , two underground coal mines, and some additional infrastructure which would operate in conjunction with, and utilise, the approved Stage 1 infrastructure.