The ADDCAR system will be used to mine thin seam coal reserves accessible in the final highwalls as the mine nears completion. The coal mined will be blended with Creek’s existing production and delivered to Vectren on a run of mine basis.

Involved in the project will be ICG ADDCAR, DBT America, Vigo Coal Company and Vectren Fuels.

The DBT 25M0 continuous miner is equipped with a 30-inch drum, gamma sensors and guidance technologies. These technologies allow ICG ADDCAR to carefully mine the identified zone and to maintain the recommended pillar widths.

ICG ADDCAR has previously conducted highwall mining operations for Vigo Coal Company on the same property. However, due to changes in reserve configurations, seam thicknesses, mining plans and markets, ICG ADDCAR took a hiatus from mining at Cypress Creek in 2003.

The company’s return was contingent on assembling a thin seam mining system that could address these changes. ICG ADDCAR commenced highwall mining in July 2006, with an expected completion in early 2009.

On completion of the Cypress Creek surface mine, Vectren plans to open two new underground mines near Vincennes, Indiana, scheduled to begin operations in 2009 and 2010.

Vectren currently produces about 4.5 million tons of coal a year and uses 3Mt for electrical generation. The two new mines are expected to lift Vectren's annual coal production to 8Mt.

Highwall mining is often used in parallel to other methods of mining, including longwall. Earlier this year ADDCAR’s Brad Lewis told International Longwall News coal companies could look to highwall mining for organic growth.

“The more highwall mining becomes integrated into a long-term mine plan and synchronised with the equipment and reserves of the entire operation, the more it should contribute positively to the bottom line,” he said.

“The industry requires a mental paradigm shift to move highwall mining from an afterthought to a recognised and key contributor to an integrated mining operation.”