Having secured a management team the company’s recruitment drive is now firmly set at filling mine positions as it receives key equipment and powers up on site.

Seventy-four percent of the mine’s tunnel is now complete and its $NZ3.8 million roadheader is undergoing final checks before being delivered to the mine site.

Joining it in January next year will be two continuous miners, currently under German construction.

The road header will be put into action almost immediately and will take over the tunnel-drilling task after crews dig to 2150m- currently 1700m completed- and will intersect the eastern boundary of the coal seam at 2300 metres.

The mine is expected to ramp up in May next year.