The longwall equipment is currently being relocated in preparation for extraction of the next longwall block after mining at LW4 was completed in September.

In its last half yearly report the company revealed it was also in the process of upgrading its high voltage supply infrastructure at NRE No 1.

An application to modify the earlier part 3A approval has been lodged and is planned to encompass the mining of the next longwall block (LW5) and the development of future longwall panels.

“The application is now at the stage where the [NSW Department of Planning and Infrastructure] are preparing their assessment report to be submitted to the Planning Assessment Commission for its determination,” the company said.

“In parallel the company is preparing the necessary extraction plan and subsidence management plans for lodgement and subsequent approval.

“In addition all essential reports are nearing finality for the major works part 3A application and this is planned to be lodged with the DPI in the next quarter.

“The key components of this application will seek approval to increase production to 3 million tonnes per annum.”

At Gujarat’s Wongawilli longwall mine, extraction in the first half of the year started with longwall block 20 followed by relocation of personnel and equipment to LW15 – a process which has now been completed.

More than 469,000t of coal at Wongawilli was extracted during the half year ending September 2012.

In the half year, Gujarat produced a total of 906,000t of coal, made up of 776,000t from longwall and 130,000t from development.

It sold 892,000t compared to 663,000t for the previous corresponding period.

Annual revenue for the half year increased to $120.68 million from $109.9 million for the previous corresponding period.

The total comprehensive income for the half year was $1.32 million compared to a loss of $12.06 million reported for September 30, 2011.