An increase to the approved life of mine would facilitate the complete extraction of the Liddell seam at Ravensworth in just over six years from April 18, 2018 to July 31, 2024.

Ravensworth is seeking a modification to the currently approved mine plan for coal extraction within the Liddell seam, comprising changes to the width, orientation and location of the longwall panels, in order to maximise the efficiency of coal recovery and allow for improved mine progression.

The Ravensworth underground mine has been managed by Xstrata Coal NSW since February 2008. It is a joint venture operation between Resource Pacific (owned by Xstrata Coal and Marubeni) and Posco.

The mine has been developed for longwall extraction to extract a large semi-soft coking coal reserve. Its coal is a semi-soft coking coal which can be blended with hard coking coal and used in steel production or used for power generation.

Ravensworth is also proposing the installation of additional goaf wells to facilitate improved gas drainage and management.

While these wells may initially be fitted with free-vent stacks for a period of approximately six months, it is likely that they will be flared from commissioning.

The mine is also proposing the installation of a small bleeder ventilation shaft at the western end of every one to two longwall panels in the Pikes Gully seam to provide intake air and enable sealing of the bleeder roadway.

These shafts will be “intake” shafts requiring no fan infrastructure.

It would require additional employment to cover current operations and the Liddell seam project for services, development and production.

The mine employs approximately 280 men and women to run the 24 hours, 7 days per week operation.

The mine is also seeking approval for the installation and operation of ventilation fans at shaft No. 4 with an overall greater capacity than those previously approved under previous modifications. The proposed configuration comprises three fans with a combined capacity of 550 cubic metres per second.

It is also proposing the installation and operation of an air compressor house at ventilation shaft No. 4, surface facilities to power pneumatic tools and equipment in the underground mine workings, and the installation and operation of a borehole at ventilation shaft No. 4 surface facilities to be used for the delivery of stone dust to the underground workings, together with an associated bulk stone dust storage tank.