Anglo’s Grasstree achieves national record for underground coal production

Anglo American’s Grasstree mine exceeds the Australian underground coal production records by achieving 10 million t of ROM coal in 2015.

This is believed to be the largest production milestone in the history of Australia. Anglo reported that it has been achieved through dedication, commitment to safety and setting in place effective systems to consistently meet 100 operating hours per week of the longwall mine.

Anglo American’s Head of Underground Operations Glen Britton said the achievement is a testament to the commitment and caliber of Grasstree’s team.

“Firstly, congratulations go to every member of the Grasstree team for the effort they have contributed this year which has resulted in this outstanding milestone,” Britton commented. “This is a world-class operating team and results like this start with the vision and belief that we can achieve something no one else has done before.

“From there, we were able to set out a plan for key improvements at Grasstree, starting with improved operational discipline, which demanded clear communication and planning.

It has been a consistent effort, every shift, every day over the past 12 months with teamwork and safety at the core”, Britton continued.

Earlier this year, Grasstree produced 1 200 537 ROM t in one month, beating the previous monthly record set by Oaky Creek North in 2009 by 8000 t.

According to Anglo, ensuring equipment reliability had been crucial to the consistent production milestones of up to 250 kilotonne a week. It facilitated the longwall team to do their jobs effectively and with faith that systems were in place to ensure the equipment was 100% reliable.

Although the mine has faced the current difficult market conditions and the pressures that come with this environment, Grasstree focused on delivering coal and attaining this achievement and thus setting a new benchmark for Australian underground coal operations.

Edited from press release by Harleigh Hobbs

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcoal.com/mining/22122015/anglo-americans-grasstree-achieves-national-record-for-underground-coal-production-3331/