The machine was commissioned underground at the mine and put to work on November 30.

It will form the start of Cook's Magatar continuous haulage system that is expected to be fully operational from January 2008.

The company said the Magatar system was being tested on the surface and would be taken underground during the first two weeks of December where it will be finetuned.

Until it is commissioned, coal cut by the miner will be transferred to the mine's underground conveyor system by shuttle car.

"The commissioning of the new Voest Alpine ABM25 continuous bolter/miner is a milestone for the development at the Cook mine," said Caledon Resources chief operating officer Peter Seear.

"Full implementation of the Magatar method of extraction will allow us to work towards the planned production levels of 100,000 tonnes per month."