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Australia

Ulan Coal Complex

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Overview

Mine TypeUnderground
StatusActive
Commodities
  • Coal (thermal)
Mining Method
  • Longwall
  • Continuous
Production Start... Lock
Mine Life... Lock
SnapshotThe Ulan Underground Mine (UUG), the Ulan West Underground mine (UW), the Ulan Open Cut mine (area has been in care and maintenance since 10 October 2016), coal processing as a collective, are referred to as the Ulan Coal Complex (UCC).

The Ulan Coal Mine Expansion Modification 6 Project is proposing the expansion of the underground longwall operations in the northern extent of the mining lease in Ulan Seam within the Illawarra Coal Measures. The proposed project will extract an additional 25 Mt of thermal coal over two years. The proposed project would extend the life of the mine by two years to 2035.
Related AssetsUlan No.3 Mine, Ulan West Mine

Owners

SourceSource
CompanyInterestOwnership
Glencore plc. 100 % Indirect
Ulan Coal Mines Pty Limited (UCMPL) (operator) 100 % Direct
Ulan Coal Mines Pty Limited (UCMPL) is owned by Glencore Coal Assets Australia Pty Limited.

Deposit type

  • Sedimentary

Summary:

The Ulan Mine Complex (Ulan No.3, Ulan West) is at the western limit of the geological formation known as the Sydney Basin and at the southern end of the Gunnedah Sub-basin. The resource coal targeted for extraction is from the Illawarra Coal Measures, which are of Permian age and overlain by sedimentary formations of varying thickness and types including sandstones, shales and alluvium. Ten coal seams (nine in the west) occur within the coal measures; eight occur above (seven in the west) and one below the Ulan Seam. These seams range in thickness from approximately 0.4 to 10 metres (with the Ulan Seam being thickest). Apart from the Ulan Seam, all seams within the mining leases are considered uneconomic in the current market due to their high ash content.

The main geological features present within the Ulan Mine Complex and in particular within the underground mining area are Triassic Narrabeen Group sandstones overlying the Permian sedimentary rocks of the Illawarra Coal Measures; and some Gulgong granite. More recent Jurassic Pilliga sandstone (over Gomiala shale) caps the Narrabeen layers in the north east and quaternary sands are present along rivers and major creeks.

The Ulan Seam generally dips uniformly towards the north-east at between one and two degrees, and the seam thickness averages 5 to 7 metres (see Stratagraphic Profile) throughout the Ulan Mine Complex. It consists of ten separate plies, which are consolidated into four working sections within the open cut. The working sections are separated by thin claystone horizons.

Current planning is for the open cut extension to mine the full seam, and the underground operations will mine the lower section of the Ulan seam. The lower section has low ash content and an average thickness of 2.75 metres; varying from 2.4 metres in the north- west, and up to 3 metres in the south.

Within the areas to be worked throughout the mine life, the depth of cover will generally increase where extraction progresses toward the north east, due to a combination of topography and a dipping seam.

Reserves

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Mining Methods

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Comminution

Crushers and Mills

Milling equipment has not been reported.

Processing

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Production

CommodityUnits2024202320222021202020192018201720162015
Coal (thermal) t  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe12,623,841 11,537,048 10,440,568 12,211,959 11,997,168 
All production numbers are expressed as clean coal. ^ Guidance / Forecast.

Operational metrics

Metrics2024202320222021202020192018201720162015
Coal tonnes mined  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe12,623,841 t12,178,894 t10,540,839 t12,414,937 t12,106,922 t
Reject  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe  ....  Subscribe239,149 t381,888 t85,615 t213,015 t
^ Guidance / Forecast.

Production Costs

Commodity production costs have not been reported.

Heavy Mobile Equipment

Fleet data has not been reported.

Personnel

Mine Management

Job TitleNamePhoneEmailProfileRef. Date
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 29, 2024
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....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 29, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required May 29, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required ........... Subscription required ........... Subscription required Subscription required Jun 4, 2024
....................... Subscription required ....................... Subscription required Subscription required Jul 22, 2024

EmployeesTotal WorkforceYear
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Aerial view:

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