Stanmore Coal CEO Marcelo Matos told the company's annual meeting that included a haul road to link Isaac Downs to Isaac Plains, an underpass for the haul road to cross beneath the Peak Downs Highway, and mine infrastructure including flood protection levees and water dams.

"Mining operations will be progressively transitioned from Isaac Plains to Isaac Downs during the second half of 2021 and the first quarter of 2022, with the coal processing and train loading operations continuing at the Isaac Plains complex to support the new project," he said.

Matos said developing the Isaac Downs project was pivotal to the longevity of the company's open cut production volumes at competitive costs.

"The EIS [environmental impact statement] process and associated work on regulatory approvals for the project were major undertakings in calendar year 2020," he said.

"The EIS assessment report has been published in March this year, and the approval process for finalising Environmental Authority conditions is underway."

An exploration bulk sample test pit at the project site has begun to allow Stanmore's long-term customers to trial and test products from the Isaac Downs project area in their steelmaking plants.

"Potential new customers will also be given the opportunity to test our coals from this test pit," Matos said.