“For the past 10 days, we have refurbished and modified all of the key inner workings essential to our operations,” said Whitestar president Everett Hampton.

Crews split the beltline for the addition of another head drive and replaced decade-old conveyor belt totalling about 1200ft. The mine’s belt feeder was extended by 4ft and had an independent motor installed with the aim of making the entire infrastructure run more efficiently.

“We focused on the machinery by installing new hydraulic jacks to the roof bolter and refurbishing the undercarriage on our Joy 14-10a miner to give it better output efficiency,” Hampton said.

“Ultimately, we have taken every measure possible to ensure that we will not only produce high coal volume but to have this mine in the shape needed to sustain consistent production levels."

Quest president Eugene Chiaramonte Jr said the company was pleased with Whitestar’s accomplishments.

“I have observed first hand their commitment and desire to make this mine a successful operation,” he said.

“I have no doubt that they will finish what they have started.”

Chiaramonte said that tonnage reported on Pond Creek should be available within the next few weeks.

Last month, the producer updated its progress at another one of its projects, Cedar Grove, with the announcement that it had begun equipment transport for the mine’s production from the Lower Cedar Grove seam.

“We plan to excavate the site location so that the property is graded properly for our mining crew to set up operations,” Hampton said in mid-August.

“Prior operations at this mine have established production levels of 2000 to 2500 raw tons per day. So we are eager to reach these target goals as well."

Cedar Grove’s rehabilitation work was announced by Quest in mid-July.