value of moolarben

Moolarben in NSW, has yet to get a go ahead from the NSW., State Government. If all goes well, then mining will start, at the open-cut mine, in 2008.

The mine will produce 4 million tonnes per annum (mtpa), building up to 6 mtpa. The mine life is about 40 years with production at 6 mtpa.

The cost of developing the mine was raised by a sale of 49% of the Yarabbee Mine and 19% of Minerva and Athena.

Moolarben is a low-cost production mine at around Aus$30 per tonne. The price of its coal, Thermal coal, is priced at around US$54 per tonne. At full open-cut capacity, 6 mtpa, profit would be about Aus$230 million per annum (A$1.26 to US$). ( Profit would vary on costs ( plus any demurrage costs ), coal price obtained, and exchange rates.

The Moolarben Longwall Mine will add a further 4 mtpa at full production and that should be reached in 2010.