Mining giant BHP Billiton has announced a new $830 million mine at Illawarra Coal in southern New South Wales. The company will build a new mining area at Appin Mine to replace production at its ageing West Cliff Mine.

 

The replacement area will have a production capacity of 3.5 million tonnes per year of metallurgical coal and will sustain Illawarra Coal’s production capacity at 9 million tonnes per year. Appin Area 9 will be operational in 2016.

 

“The investment sustains Illawarra Coal’s production rates and recognises the value of its high quality metallurgical coal resources,"  BHP Billiton Metallurgical Coal President, Hubie van Dalsen said.