Anglo Coal has engaged WCG to excavate and construct two access shafts, complete underground development, and design, install and commission a hoisting system for production and service duties at the Grasstree mine, which is being developed to provide access to the German Creek coal seam. The seam has been the focus of mining at the nearby Southern, Central and German Creek mines since the 1980s.

Anglo Coal will initially mine coal at Grasstree using continuous miners, prior to the start-up of a longwall system in 2005.

WCG’s work schedule includes:

Excavation and support of 6.1m-diameter and 5.6m-diameter concrete lined shafts, each about 280m deep, to the coal seam.

Excavation and support (including gas drainage) of about 500m of coal driveage works at seam level.

Construction of seam level concrete roadways.

Design, supply, fabricate, install and commission hoisting systems for both shaft sinking and permanent mine duties. A 6.1m-diameter shaft will be used for man and materials hoisting (including heavy lifting of mining equipment to the seam level). The 5.6m-diameter production shaft will feature an automated coal hoisting system capable of handling 400 tonnes-per-hour of coal. It will also have a seam level loading and weigh station, twin-skip hoist, surface coal bine and stockpile transfer conveyor.

Installation and fit-out of permanent mine services for coal development works.

A WCG spokesperson said the company had completed a number of surface and underground construction projects in New South Wales and Queensland. The work had ranged from design and construction of coal preparation and handling plants, to excavation and shaft construction, development of coal roadways and longwall recovery.