The Isaac Plains project in Queensland’s Bowen Basin – a 50:50 joint venture with AMCI Holdings Australia – commenced mining operations during the quarter. Cooks Construction started operations in June with first coal exposed in early July from the initial boxcut.

Work on the mine’s rail loop continued with first railing of coal expected early in the December quarter.

At the coal handling and preparation plant construction has continued with civil works, structural erection and installation of major components well advanced, and electrical fit-out commenced.

Aquila also progressed its $15 million exploration program at the Belvedere underground project, also in Queensland’s Bowen Basin. The project is a 50:50 joint venture with major iron producer Companhia Vale do Rio Doce, Brazil's largest mining company.

The exploration program by CVRD accelerated during the quarter with the deployment of three rigs and completion of 18,977m of drilling. The initial phase of seismic survey of 36km of 2D testing has been completed and initial coal quality testing on a limited number of samples indicated low volatile hard coking coal with yields variable but generally high.

At the company’s 50% owned Peak Downs East underground project, south of the Isaac Plains, three partially cored drillholes have been completed, testing the full sequence of the Harrow Creek, Dysart, Q and P seams of the Moranbah Coal Measures. Sample testing is in progress with coal quality data due next quarter.