Limited coal extraction has been conducted from the Fassifern Seam where it is exposed around the hillside of the Tasman deposit.

The 30m to 110m thick Tomago Measures include the previously mined Great Northern Seam which lies from 7m to 30m above the proposed workings and by the West Borehole Seam that lies approximately 150m beneath the Fassifern Seam.

The overburden typically comprises several conglomerate units with interbedded siltstone, claystone and sandstone overlying the Great Northern Seam, the Awaba Tuff and Fassifern Seam and dip at <5° towards the south-east.

Donaldson’s coal operation was moved to a “care and maintenance” phase and feasibility studies have been commenced to explore potential future mining options including the introduction of a longwall mining method.

Mining ceased at the Abel underground mine in June 2016.

No further mining will be undertaken.

All rehabilitation works have previously been completed. Any rehabilitation works during the 2020/2021 reporting period will relate to ongoing maintenance, principally erosion and sediment control, weed management and vegetation establishment, as required.

The mine utilises existing surface infrastructure and the Bloomfield Coal Handling and Preparation Plant.

ROM coal is processed at the CHPP including size reduction, washing and screening. Product coal is stockpiled adjacent to the CHPP before being loaded into rail wagons at the Bloomfield rail loading facility, and transported by rail to the Port Waratah Coal Services terminal at the Port of Newcastle.