The Airly brownfield project, located 40km northwest of Lithgow and adjacent to a main railway line, has had its mining lease approved and Centennial is currently carrying out an updated feasibility study and coal transport options study.

The mine, if proven feasible, will export thermal coal via Port Kembla Coal Terminal.

Exporting the coal is in line with Centennial's efforts to increase its export tonnages to capitalise on increased international demand and booming prices.

On its website, Centennial called the mine the "best major undeveloped resource in the area".

According to a resource statement on June 30, 2007, Airly holds a resource of 117Mt, comprising 107Mt indicated and 10Mt inferred resources. The marketable reserve is 27.8Mt.

Centennial purchased Airly from Novacoal Australia in late 1997, after which it completed drainage works and a small bulk sample was delivered to Mount Piper power station 30km away.

Consent was given to operate the mine for two years, producing 500,000tpa.

Once this time elapsed Centennial opted to put the mine under care and maintenance with its reopening pending market conditions.