Centennial’s equity share of ROM coal production for the quarter totalled 4 million tonnes, down 8% on the prior corresponding quarter.

Coal sales for the quarter totalled 3.7Mt, down 16% on the prior corresponding quarter.

Despite some weather related shipment delays around year end, Centennial’s outlook for the 2007 financial year is unchanged, with a profit range of $A30–40 million expected to be confirmed in August.

Tahmoor (86% interest)

The June quarter has proven to be the most productive in the history of Tahmoor with the mine producing 804,000t, up 12% on the previous best quarter and some 21% higher than the previous quarter.

The month of May was the best in the history of the mine, which contributed to the financial year yielding the highest annual production yet at 2.3Mt – 400,000t more than the 2006 financial year.

Ventilation issues continued to impact on production but to a lesser extent, with production also restricted by an inadequate coal clearance system, which is currently being upgraded from 860t per hour to 1400tph.

“This quarter has confirmed the confidence management has in the mine and in the longer longwall blocks, due to commence in this fiscal year 2008, where it is anticipated the true potential of the mine will be demonstrated,” the company said.

Angus Place (50% interest)

Angus Place completed the financial year strongly with the mine producing 792,000t for the June quarter, bringing the total production for the year to 2.6Mt.

Roadway development performance continued to improve during the period with well in excess of 1000m being achieved on consecutive months.

“If this rate is sustained, a development float will be established sufficient to provide for the pre-installation of the recently purchased replacement longwall equipment in 950 longwall panel,” the company said.

Springvale (50% interest)

Springvale achieved a monthly record for June of 393,000t, bringing the quarterly result to 954,000t and the financial year result to a record 3.4Mt.

Development of longwall panel 412 was completed four months ahead of the scheduled relocation of face equipment from longwall panel 411, due to be completed in October 2007.

Mandalong (100% interest)

Mandalong produced 473,000t during the June quarter, below the previous quarter due to a dyke and fault in the last 100m of longwall 4 and a prolonged longwall relocation due to compatibility trials for a wider face and extended equipment overhauls.

The June quarter also saw the commencement of longwall 5, which is the first block to extract to a face width of 150m, as opposed to the previous panels of 115m.

Further production increases are expected as the mine targets 4.5Mt for the 2008 financial year.

Newstan (100% interest)

Newstan produced 536,000t during the June quarter, with production hampered by longwall equipment problems and roof instability mid face of the longwall.

The OEM has acknowledged design faults in several components of the longwall which have contributed to reduced availability and says the design faults will be “engineered out and rectified”

Roadway development rates for longwall 24 have continued to improve with favourable mining conditions.

In June 2008, Newstan will be placed on care and maintenance, with its equipment redeployed to Mandalong.

Studies are now underway on optimising the extensive reserves at Newstan via continuous miner and/or low height longwall mining. This will be progressed by a targeted exploration program during 2008.