The Moolarben complex achieved strong production results, up 46% on the year prior, with production gains and fleet efficiencies established earlier in the year overcoming significant wet weather impacts during the reporting period.
The Moolarben Stage Two project continues on schedule, with first development coal from the Stage Two underground achieved in April and the open cut box cut completed on schedule.
Yancoal’s overall production reduction was mostly attributed to production ceasing at the Abel underground mine; continued challenges experienced within the geology of the Stratford Duralie pit; and scheduled longwall moves at the Ashton and Austar mines.
Ongoing geotechnical issues within the current operating area of the Stratford Duralie open cut continued to negatively affect extraction rates for the period, with production down 37% on the year prior.
Geotechnical modelling and pit redesign work is underway, with overburden extraction and production rates scheduled to increase in the second half of the year, once through the current mining area.
Ashton underground production was down 47% on the year prior, resulting from the completion of a longwall move in April to finish the block and a second longwall move in June into a new mining area.
Three development units moved into the ULLD seam during the reporting period to prepare the area for the recommencement of full production and longwall cutting in July.
Austar production was down 89% year-on-year, as the site completed the development of the Bellbird South mining area and subsequent longwall installation. Longwall production at Bellbird South is set to start in the second half of the year.
Donaldson production was in accordance with expectations, down 81% on the year prior, following the operation’s move to “care and maintenance” on June 6 and the Abel cessation.
The majority of the Abel underground workforce was redeployed to the Ashton and Austar operations, with crews engaged to help prepare the Austar underground for the resumption of cutting in July.
