Isaac Plains produced a total of 618,050 tonnes of saleable metallurgical and thermal coal during the quarter, which is an 11% increase on the previous quarter and a 69% improvement over the previous corresponding quarter of the 2011 financial year when the area was heavily affected by flooding.

Overall production improved by 48% over FY2011.

Overburden stripping was up 25% from the March quarter and was a 67% improvement over the FY2011 June quarter.

Overall overburden stripping improved by 45% over FY2011.

On July 12, 2012, Aquila completed the sale of its 50% joint venture interest in Isaac Plains to Ocean Coal Mining, a wholly owned subsidiary of Sumitomo Corporation.

Eagle Downs’ first cluster of gas drainage wells were completed in the 100 series longwall area, consisting of nine vertical wells and nine horizontal holes covering three seams and four monitoring holes.

The well infrastructure was nearly completed in the quarter and pre-work to establish the drainage systems has commenced.

Pumping has started on the holes to remove water prior to initiating the gas drainage.

The holes will be used to understand the Eagle Downs gas reservoir characteristics and assist the design of the gas drainage program.

The quality drilling program which involved large diameter holes in the target seams to confirm the coal coking properties is complete.

Construction of staff housing is nearly complete.

The concrete arch sections have been delivered to site in preparation for the establishment of the drift portals.

Construction of the site powerlink substation continued and the construction of the site access road was completed.

The sealed road, which includes a security point and carpark, is approximately 6km long and provides all weather access to the site.

The site construction office was completed.