PERTH (miningweekly.com) – Coal miner Whitehaven Coal has reported significant increases in production for the quarter ended September after its Maules Creek mine, in New South Wales, reached a run rate of six-million tonnes a year.

Run-of-mine (RoM) production for the quarter was up 12% to 3.86-million tonnes, compared with the previous corresponding period, while saleable coal production was up 31% to 4.3-million tonnes.

The volume of total managed coal sales was also up by 47% to 4.4-million tonnes. Total coal sales for the quarter were higher than production, as stocks accumulated prior to the longwall change-out at the Narrabri mine, were sold during the quarter.

The scheduled longwall change-out at Narrabri resulted in lower production from the mine during the period, with RoM production down 52% on the previous corresponding period.

It was expected that future longwall change-outs would take less time following the delivery of a second shearer to the mine, as it could be installed into the mine prior to the completion of mining in each panel.

Meanwhile, the Maules Creek mine achieved commercial production in July and had ramped up to a rate of six-million tonnes a year, producing 1.59-million tonnes RoM during the quarter.

Saleable coal production from Maules Creek reached 1.47-million tonnes, while coal sales were higher at 1.63-million tonnes as some of the coal stocks built up during the precommercial phase were washed and sold.

Initial production from the Maules Creek mine had been thermal coal, but Whitehaven said on Thursday that metallurgical coal sales from the mine would start with initial trials being agreed for the December quarter.

Meanwhile, the Tarrawonga mine delivered 535 000 t of RoM coal during the quarter, which was in line with the previous corresponding period, while saleable coal production reached 519 000 t.

The Rocglen mine reported a 17% decline in production, owing to wet weather conditions during July, with the mine producing 236 000 t RoM coal and 189 000 t saleable coal.

The Werris Creek mine, in turn, delivered 548 000 t of RoM coal, while saleable coal production reached 546 000 t.