The coal structure surfaces for each domain, along with LiDAR topography surface, quaternary unconformity surface, and other mining related surfaces for Cascade and Escarpment are used to build the block model. The block dimensions are constructed at 10m x 10m. Vertical thickness for coal blocks is 0.5m, whilst overburden blocks are set to 5m maximum thickness.

The Cascade opencast mine previously produced semi-soft coking coal for local New Zealand cement manufacturers. In late 2015 with the imminent closure of the local cement plant was decided the remaining accessible coal in Cascade was uneconomic to recover due this lost market. The site is fully rehabilitated and environmental compliance monitoring is ongoing. The Coalbrookdale and remaining Cascade resource is considered to be an underground coal resource.