Illawarra Metallurgical Coal Projects

Overview

For more than 85 years, Illawarra Metallurgical Coal has produced high-quality metallurgical coal used for steelmaking, which is shipped around Australia and around the world.

The Appin Mine in the Wollondilly region of New South Wales is an existing underground mine, primarily producing metallurgical coal. It is currently operating in the Douglas Park and Menangle areas.

An integral requirement of underground mining is adequate ventilation and mine access, to ensure a safe and efficient working environment for our people.

As Appin Mine moves further from existing surface infrastructure, we are constructing future infrastructure to support the mine which includes Ventilation Shaft No. 7, Ventilation Shaft No. 8 and mine access facilities. The infrastructure will be located at 345 Menangle Road and is known as the Appin Mine Ventilation and Access Project.

Ventilation Shaft No. 7 will be a downcast shaft, drawing fresh air into the mine. It will also double as an entry point to the mine for our people.

Ventilation Shaft No. 8 will be an upcast shaft, drawing air out of the mine.

  • Benefits

    Appin Mine began operating in 1960 as an underground longwall mine and remains an essential supplier to Australian steelmakers, including BlueScope Port Kembla Steelworks and Liberty Primary Steel Whyalla Steelworks.

    The new ventilation shafts and mine access facilities will ensure our people continue to work in a safe and efficient environment.

  • Environment

    The new ventilation shafts and mine access facilities will operate under strict environmental approval conditions set by the New South Wales Government. We take our environmental responsibilities seriously and understand the sensitivities of working nearby to residential communities. Environmental assessments have been developed and approved including noise, air quality, traffic, heritage and biodiversity. The Project has been designed to avoid or minimise impacts on the local community.

  • Approvals

    Following a comprehensive assessment process, the project was approved by the NSW government in April 2022. Our Construction Environment Management Plan (CEMP) has also been approved and provides specific environmental management and monitoring measures during construction, including minimising noise, dust, and visual impacts. The CEMP is available on our document library.

Construction Activity timeline

Upcoming activites

  • Timeline item 1 - complete

    High voltage relocation

    Relocation/burial of 11kV high voltage powerlines

  • Timeline item 2 - complete

    Menangle Road upgrade

    Improvements to approach to site and site entry intersection

  • Timeline item 3 - complete

    Bulk earthworks

    Excavation, levelling, drainage and establishing visual bunding

  • Timeline item 4 - complete

    Mobilisation of shaft sinking contractor to site

    Delivery of equipment and materials

  • Timeline item 5 - complete

    Construction of shaft collars

    Reinforced concrete ring liner and foundation to hold headframe and winder

  • Timeline item 6 - complete

    VS8 pre-sink phase

    Drilling, mechanical excavation and controlled blasting to 50m.

  • Timeline item 7 - complete

    VS8 sinking stage installation

    Working platform to transport materials and workers

  • Timeline item 8 - active

    Temporary headframe and winder construction

    Supports the sinking stage

  • Timeline item 9 - incomplete

    VS7 pre-sink phase

    Drilling, mechanical excavation and controlled blasting to 50m.

  • Timeline item 10 - incomplete

    VS8 main sink phase

      Drilling, mechanical excavation and controlled blasting to final depth

    All documents relating to the Project approvals are available on the NSW Planning Portal, click here to access. open in new window


    To learn more about the Project, check out the videos below.


    - Appin Mine Ventilation and Access Project Shaft Sinking Process.

    - Appin Mine Ventilation and Access Project Drivethrough.

    - Appin Mine Ventilation and Access Project Execution Summary.

    - Appin Mine Ventilation and Access Project Design Overview.

    Menangle Advisory Panel Documents

    llawarra Metallurgical Coal regularly meets with the local community via the Menangle Advisory Panel (MAP) to discuss the proposed Appin Mine Ventilation and Access Project.

    Contact Us

    Have questions or want to learn more about this project, contact us below:

    Phone 1800 102 210
    Email illawarracommunity@south32.net