Construction of the Duralie Project commenced in May 2002 and mining operations started in March 2003. Duralie is located in the southern part of the Gloucester Basin, 20 kilometres south of GCL's Stratford Operation. In the project area the basin is approximately 4km wide. The deposit consists of one target seam, the Weismantel Coal Seam.

The Weismantel coal seam subcrops at the southern end of a northward plunging synclinal structure. Strata dip along the subcrop perimeter varies, being in general between 15 and 45 degrees while dips of 5 to 15 degrees occur along the longitudinal axis. The seam thickness is consistent at between 10 to 12 metres (m) and is split into four main plies varying in average thickness from 0.8 to 7.5m. The partings, which separate the plies, vary in average thickness from 0.2 to 0.75m.

The Duralie Operation is integrated with the Stratford Operation maximising the use of the existing Stratford infrastructure and facilities. Run of Mine coal is transported to Stratford by using a shuttle train on the existing rail line.

Duralie produces a high fluidity coking coal. To optimise the recovery of coal and improve project economics, Duralie coal is blended with other raw coal and washed to produce low ash coking coal and a higher ash thermal coal.

Leighton Mining operates the mine under Contract to Gloucester Coal.

 

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