“A strong March quarter coupled with an excellent start to the June quarter and underpinned by record export thermal prices should result in a good finish to the 2008 financial year and bodes well for a significant uplift in profitability for the 2009 financial year," Centennial CEO Bob Cameron said.
Run-of-mine coal production totalled 5 million tonnes for the quarter and 15.2Mt for the year to date – in line with last year.
Newstan produced its own record at 1,238,969 tonnes for the quarter thanks to a best ever ramp-up and monthly records in February and March.
The mine enjoyed favourable mining conditions and improved reliability and performance thanks to the overhaul of its roof supports.
Centennial is now looking to extend the life of Newstan, evaluating the feasibility of extracting two areas ahead of a major fault. This will involve a continuous miner unit to strip out the installation road already formed.
Another study is also underway evaluating a further two areas on a future block.
At Springvale a new 24/7 roster has paid off with the mine producing 964,000t for the quarter. The extra production generated from the 24/7 operation recovered a production shortfall from September last year when a roof fall interrupted operations.
Output at Angus Place was marginally down at 754,942t as the longwall encountered the occasional small pocket of poorer geology on the face. However, on a year-to-date basis the mine remains 40% in front of last year.
The delivery of replacement longwall hydraulic roof supports was completed during the December quarter and a new armoured flexible conveyor pan-line was delivered during the March quarter. This will be partially pre-installed late in the June quarter.
Development activities at Angus Place experienced a zone of poor mining conditions east of the Wolgan zone in the 950 gateroad driveage. Despite this, Centennial said preparation of the LW950 installation road is underway.
Centennial has also been busy drilling over the northeast lease area with the aim of upgrading the resource and extending the life of Angus Place.
Mandalong – the star of the December quarter – produced 616,369t after being impacted by a longwall changeover. It experienced a slower ramp-up as the longwall negotiated a downhill slope, impacting output in the early part of the quarter. The longwall is now back on track and achieved daily records this month.
Production at the Charbon mine was ahead of plan at 304,049t; however, the mine is experiencing dilution from the coal seam roof, resulting in lower product yield. Centennial has now made changes to the mining horizon to reduce the impact.
The company is evaluating several options to extend the life of Charbon.
At Clarence a favourable mining environment and the successful commissioning of conveyors and infrastructure pushed output 27% higher than the last quarter at 382,000t.
The Myuna mine produced 278,592t with new multi-bolters delivering higher process capacity.
Awaba produced 168,624t during the quarter, and Centennial has extended the life of the mine to early 2010.
At Mannering crews had to contend with variable geological conditions to produce 175,600t. The mine was originally planned to be put on care and maintenance from July 1 this year. However, Centennial is currently in negotiations to keep Mannering open.
The Berrima mine produced 79,732t during the quarter – double its planned output. Centennial attributed the jump to improved equipment reliability and the restructuring of the mine's production schedule.
