March 1, 2018 - Australian Pacific Coal has lodged an application to modify the approval to restart underground mining at the Dartbrook coal mine in New South Wales.

The company has assessed various underground mining methods and options over the past 18 months to deliver a capital light, agile and stand-alone mining operation.

The modification proposes bord and pillar mining of the Kayuga coal seam as an alternative to the approved longwall mining activities, while also making changes to the method of transferring coal to the train loadout facility.

The modification also seeks to extend the period of approval by five years until December 2027.

“The proposed bord and pillar mining will consist of only five workings,” Australian Pacific reported in an ASX announcement.

“The modification will not increase the footprint of approved mining operations nor involve restart of the existing coal washery. The modification will not alter the approved mining activities in the other coal seams.”

Australian Pacific expects to submit the environmental assessment and other supporting documentation in May.  It anticipates that production will be reached at Dartbrook in 2019. 

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