Mining Intelligence and News
Australia

Austar Mine

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Categories

Overview

Mine TypeUnderground
StatusClosing / Closed
Commodities
  • Coal (metallurgical)
Production Start1916
SnapshotAfter over 100 years of operation, in February 2021 the decision was made to transition Austar from care and maintenance to full closure, and the process of implementing the mine closure and site rehabilitation program commenced.

Mine closure at Austar is anticipated to take in excess of 10 years to complete before relinquishment of the mining leases can be granted.

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Yancoal Australia, Ltd. 100 % Indirect
Austar Coal Mine Pty Ltd. (operator) 100 % Direct
Austar, a subsidiary of Yancoal Australia Limited (Yancoal), operates the Austar Coal Mine, an underground coal mine.

Deposit type

  • Sedimentary

Summary:

Austar is located in the South Maitland Coalfield of the Maitland Group which forms part of the Newcastle Coalfields. The mid Permian Age Greta Coal Measures outcrop around the Lochinvar Anticline, which is the dominant structural feature in the Cessnock area. Austar Mine Complex is located on the nose of the Anticline. Coal in the Stage 2 Extension Area will be sourced from the Greta Seam at depths of approximately 530 to 560 metres below the surface.

The Greta Seam is overlain by the Branxton Formation, which comprises a series of interbedded sandstone and siltstone layers up to 20 metres thick. The Pelton Seam, which is less than 0.5 metres thick, lies at the top of the Branxton Formation and forms the upper limit of the Greta Coal Measures.

Reserves at December 31, 2020

CategoryTonnage Commodity
Measured 110 Mt Coal (metallurgical)
Indicated 40 Mt Coal (metallurgical)
Inferred 70 Mt Coal (metallurgical)
Total Resource 220 Mt Coal (metallurgical)

Mining Methods

Summary:

On 26 February 2021, after over 100 years of operation, the decision was made to transition Austar Coal Mine to closure activities. No mining was undertaken during the 2020 – 2021 reporting period. Austar mine is ventilated by two upcast (exhausting) shafts being No.3 Shaft and No.5 Shaft. Both shafts are continuously monitored for both flow and gas concentrations. As Austar transitions to closure it is planned No. 5 Shaft will be become redundant and be turned off in approximately Q2 2022 and No.3 Shaft with be turned off late Q4 2022 or early Q1 2023.

Comminution

Crushers and Mills

Milling equipment has not been reported.

Processing

  • Wash plant
  • Crush & Screen plant
  • CHPP
  • Spiral concentrator / separator
  • Dense media separation

Summary:

As Austar is transitioning to closure, during the 2020 – 2021 reporting period no coal was mined at Austar or processed at the Austar CHPP. PLANT Once mined, coal was sent to the Coal Handling and Preparation Plant for crushing and washing to produce a high quality coking coal product for export. Coal has been processed using a combination of dense medium cyclones and spiral techniques.

Production

CommodityUnits202020192018201720162015
Coal (metallurgical) t 850,275595,2311,043,3531,950,724258,2361,681,841
All production numbers are expressed as clean coal.

Operational metrics

Metrics202020192018201720162015
Coal tonnes mined 1,034,297 t of ROM coal705,352 t of ROM coal1,413,065 t of ROM coal2,015,187 t of ROM coal27,201 t of ROM coal2,097,195 t of ROM coal

Production Costs

Commodity production costs have not been reported.

Heavy Mobile Equipment

Fleet data has not been reported.

Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNamePhoneProfileRef. Date
Engineering Manager William Farnworth 0400-527-713 LinkedIn Jul 7, 2024
Environmental & Community Superintendent Carly McCormack 0447-913-693 Jun 30, 2023
Manager Mine Closure Craig Reiss 0400-527-713 LinkedIn Jul 7, 2024
Mechanical Engineering Manager Matthew Wang LinkedIn Jul 7, 2024

EmployeesYear
44 2021
137 2020
200 2019

Aerial view: