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After an extended dispute with neighbour Xstrata over mining leases, Felix finally received the go-ahead for Moolarben in the third quarter.
The new mine is expected to make its first shipment in the March quarter of 2010 in conjunction with the completion of the first stage of the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group coal terminal.
Felix, together with its NCIG partners, has also begun planning for Stage 2 of the terminal, which will lift capacity from 30 million tonnes per annum to 36Mtpa.
A total 1.13Mt of saleable coal was produced by Felix’s New South Wales mines during the quarter, with 1.54Mt sold.
The Ashton longwall mine took five weeks out during the quarter for a longwall move, but Felix said the mine was on plan after starting in a new panel.
Ashton underground produced 395,000t during the quarter.
The Ashton open cut produced 312,000t for the September quarter and is now planning an extension of the pit.
The Yarrabee open cut produced 369,000t for the quarter with the majority of production set aside to be washed to PCI specification.
Design of the coal preparation plant is complete and Felix said equipment and steel had been ordered.
The Minerva open cut produced 666,000t for the quarter, above expectations, with surplus sold onto the spot market.
Felix was trading at $A10.75 mid-morning today, up 1.4%.
