In its annual report, the company said two applications were being prepared concurrently as required by the NSW Environment Planning and Assessment Act.

The first is for the continuation of operations of up to 1 million tonnes per annum and the second is for the expansion of operations up to 3Mtpa.

“Both submissions will also assess the implementation of major infrastructure to accommodate the company’s expansion proposals,” the company said.

“These proposals are expected to be submitted and approval gained during the coming period.

“The long-term focus is to utilise the modern engineering standards and best practice, to provide the most efficient ways of performing mining operations that maximises the proposed production levels, while also minimising potential adverse environmental impacts.”

Joy won the $A90 million contract to supply longwall equipment for the NRE No1 colliery in April.

Under the same contract, Gujarat said Joy will also supply a new 183m longwall coal clearance system in late 2013 to upgrade the equipment at Gujarat’s nearby Wongawilli mine.

The longwall is scheduled for commissioning by late 2011 and will initially cut coal from a 145m face before it widens up to 390m in the next five years.

The longer-term future of Gujarat’s NRE Wongawilli mine – which is also in the Illawarra region – has been allowed for by the joining of the Avondale and Wongawilli lease areas.

This ultimately provides access to resources located west and south of the current mining areas.

An application is being prepared for the continuation of operations up to 2Mtpa. The proposal is expected to be submitted and approval gained during the next financial year.

To increase production levels up to 3Mtpa, additional approval from the NSW Environment Planning and Assessment Act will also be required.