Located near the New South Wales town of Cessnock, the mine has already overcome various challenges, and considering the method has not yet been proven outside of China, the Australian-first will certainly begin operation under the watchful eye of the country’s coal industry.

Duncan said the infrastructure upgrades will include installing new underground ventilation shafts and fans, new water treatment, the introduction of a nitrogen inertisation plan to combat spontaneous combustion occurrences, and the refurbishment of the underground conveyor system.

“We are at the commissioning stage now and by the second half of October full operation will commence, when we will be caving the system,” he said.

Austar is expected to produce 2 million tonnes in the first year of longwall production, and 3Mt thereafter.

The NSW Department of Planning said the approval of LTCC mining at Austar was unlikely to have a significant impact on the environment, following a comprehensive subsidence assessment.

Planning Minister Frank Sartor said yesterday the modifications to the Austar coal mine would improve its efficiency and deliver more jobs and investment to the area.

“This $57 million project guarantees the jobs of 190 workers and creates 80 new mining jobs for Cessnock,” Sartor said.

Proven reserves at Austar are just over 40Mt, with the company holding an exploration licence for an additional 200Mt.

The official opening of the Austar mine is next Wednesday, October 11.