Operation management plans to widen the longwall face for its 400 series blocks due to be mined in 2012 to extract the remaining 150 million tonnes of coal in the mining lease.

The central Queensland mine, located 350km southwest of Mackay, extracts the 2.9-3.2m German Creek seam achieving 4.45 million tonnes per annum.

Kestrel mine extension general manager John Vale told Mine Matters the project team was currently finalising the budget and scope of the extension.

“The Kestrel mine extension will use the latest technology conveyor belt systems and high efficiency electric motors to reduce noise and energy consumption. The team are also investigating ways to reduce water consumption through recycling,” Vale said on the extension’s sustainable development plans.

The extension is yet to receive approval from the Environmental Protection Agency.

The Rio team has been working together with Kellogg Brown & Root on the planning and design of the expansion.