MARKETS

Gujarat longwall still on track: Harvey

GUJARAT NRE expects to operate its newly installed longwall at its NRE No 1 mine this quarter and is due to receive New South Wales government approval in the next few weeks to operate two longwalls at the Russell Vale colliery.

Lou Caruana
Gujarat longwall still on track: Harvey

Company spokesperson Dr Chris Harvey told ILN that newspaper reports of delays in planning approval for its longwall operation at NRE No 1 pushing back operation of the longwall until September were incorrect and the company had a mining lease and a subsidence management plan pending approval by the NSW Department of Resources and Energy.

“The longwall is being installed,” Harvey told ILN.

“The face is being driven and the chocks are being installed in the face this week.

“This is all predicated on the expectation of SMP approval.”

The SMP is to mine 1 million tonnes per annum from two longwalls.

Gujarat is also lodging a separate environmental assessment with the NSW Department of Planning for an expansion of the operation to 20 longwalls producing 3Mtpa and an upgrade of surface infrastructure.

“Separate from the big expansion, we’re going down the SMP path with the full knowledge of the Department of Planning,” he said.

“It’s our intention to start production in the first quarter of 2012 and things are on track to do that.”

Harvey said there was confusion over the status of the two applications, which were needed to maintain continuity of operations with the repeal of a section of the NSW mining act in 2005.

The Joy Mining Machinery longwall system will have an initial face length of 145m, though there is an option for it to be extended to up to 390m within five years.

The longwall equipment includes a shearer, 82 powered roof supports, coal clearance system, electrical substation, pump station and retractable monorail.

“Fundamentally … longwall mining is the only way to go,” Harvey said.

TOPICS:

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2024 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of exploration trends and technologies, highlighting the best intercepts and discoveries and the latest initial resource estimates.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Digitalisation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations that use digitalisation technology to drive improvements across all areas of mining production

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Automation Report 2023

An in-depth review of operations using autonomous solutions in every region and sector, including analysis of the factors driving investment decisions