Geologically there is a dome structure (the Pinang dome) in the centre of the property. Overburden is mainly sandstone, siltstone and mudstone. Early mining focused on the edges of the dome and virtually all coal seams dip away from this region.

A total of 13 seams range in thickness from 1 to 15 m; typically in the range of 2.4 to 6.5 m. Seam dips vary from 3º to 20º at the outcrop. The coal occurs in the Balikpapan and Pulubalang Formations and the three main coal seams are called Kedapat, Pinang, and Sangatta. The coal is generally lowash and low-sulfur and has low in-situ moisture content. In some parts, the coal rank has been increased, by igneous intrusion, to a high volatile bituminous coal.

Mining is carried out by truck and shovel method in open pits. A number of open pits are in operation at any one time, operated by KPC and contractors. All servicing and maintenance is carried out on site. Mining operations are carried out 24 hours a day for 365 days per year. Areas to be mined are initially logged and the top soil removed and stockpiled for later rehabilitation before blasting, overburden removal and coal extraction takes place. The overburden is dumped out of pit or in mined out areas for later rehabilitation.

At the CHPP there are six roll crushers while the Melawan crushing complex has an additional two roll crushers.

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