ROM production for the New South Wales producer for the quarter was 1.781Mt, up 12% on the previous December quarter. Half-yearly output was 3.682Mt with coal sales of 2.9Mt, 25% above last year’s effort.

 

A longwall changeout was behind a drop in saleable production at the Metropolitan mine, which produced only 320,000t during the quarter.

 

Wambo’s 28% increase in coal production to 1.2Mt reflects the ramp-up to the planned production level of 4Mtpa.

 

Excel said development of the North Wambo underground mine was progressing well with development units encountering favourable mining conditions.

 

The company placed orders for the longwall equipment with Joy Mining Machinery last year, with delivery of the longwall scheduled for late 2006 and longwall production to start in early 2007.

 

The Chain Valley bord and pillar operation produced 179,000t, 54% more coal than the previous December quarter, largely due to the ramp of the second production unit.

 

To extend the mine life to 20 years, Excel is developing the Fassifern seam at Chain Valley with development of the second drift and ventilation shaft continuing.

 

A new contract was signed during the quarter for Chain Valley to supply the adjacent Vales Point Power Station with 600,000 tonnes of coal over three years.

 

Construction of the company’s Millennium Coal Preparation plant is running approximately four months behind schedule, with commissioning now expected in May.

 

Excel said its new Wambo Coal clean coal handling and rail loadout facilities are nearing completion and are scheduled for commissioning in February. The Wambo rail spur and loop are expected to be commissioned in April.