The basic operational principle of the plant is to allow run of mine (ROM) coal of less than 200 mm in size to freely pass through, and only crush material greater than this size

Illawarra Coal sustainable development general manager Wendy Tyrrell said the sizer was approved by the Department of Planning last year following extensive consultation with community and government and was commissioned in March 2007.

An initial application was submitted in late 2004, but community concerns prompted the company to make a range of amendments to the sizer in order to address noise suppression and dust control.

Tyrell said the sizer has proved itself operationally and also environmentally.

“We took into account community issues about the potential for noise in the planning stages and this attention to detail is paying off now,” Tyrrell said.

“The sizer is enclosed in 150mm thick concrete and boasts a ventilation system to manage air quality, and early noise monitoring indicates its operation is well within predicted levels.”

The Dendrobium Community Consultative Committee has inspected the new sizer and an opportunity for a second inspection will soon be made.