The Metropolitan mine, 30km north of Wollongong in New South Wales, is about to recommence longwall operations under new operator Helensburgh Coal Co, owned by Sada Pty Ltd.
Contract mining was last carried out at Metropolitan in February 1999 and the mine was sold to Sada in May. Sada is owned by private businessman Max Dunbier.
At present supports are being installed at longwall 6 in preparation for the longwall relocation. The face width is 115m and the length of the block 1123m long. Coal will be cut at 3.1m seam height on a one shift per day basis. Production of up to 3,000 tonnes per day is envisaged.
