Caledon expects to produce 500,000-550,000t for the year, down from the previous guidance of 600,000-700,000t.

Cook completed mining of its first panel with its Magatar continuous haulage system in early August and successfully moved to the second panel.

However, the team encountered the same fault it was forced to negotiate in the first panel and with some unexpected geological conditions it took longer than expected.

Coal production from roadway development at pit bottom commenced in September although production was restricted due to limited labour availability.

“Recruitment of appropriately skilled and qualified personnel has been a challenge in what is a very tight labour market segment,” Caledon said yesterday.

“This process is now complete although it will be November before the requisite number of employees are physically onsite.”

Cook produced 167,000t during the September quarter, with 389,000t of output for the first nine months of the year.

Caledon closed down 14.3% yesterday at 90c.