It said the longwall, which was expected to replace the current system in 2019, would deliver value for the company almost immediately.
Its benefits include avoiding lease payments and reducing longwall downtime in 2018 and 2019.
North Goonyella would be able to transition to higher-quality coal panels in 2019 with the new longwall, the company said.
According to Peabody the amount of time spent on longwall repairs is expected to be reduced on the new longwall once it is commissioned.
