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The Rocglen (formerly Belmont) project is an opencut operation expected to produce around 1.5 million tonnes of high quality thermal coal per annum.
Construction at the project is set to begin next month, with a local road upgrade and the development of a 6.2km private coal haulage and access road, site facilities and workshop, coal handling and preparation plant and a box cut and ramp to access the coal seam.
First coal is expected in the third quarter of 2008.
Total construction and development costs are expected to be around $35 million, with up to 40 contractors employed during construction and an ongoing workforce of 50 people during production.
Rocglen will join Whitehaven's Narrabri project, which is currently under construction with work being carried out on the entry road, general site works and excavation of the box cut.
Whitehaven is also seeking planning approval for its Sunnyside Mine.
