NRE No. 1 Colliery

NRE No. 1 Colliery is an existing underground coal mine owned by Gujarat NRE Australia Pty Ltd, a subsidiary of Gujarat NRE Coke Ltd. The mine is located 8 km N of Wollongong in New South Wales. (It was formerly known as the South Bulli Colliery).

On its website, the company states that the mine will "will ensure a steady supply of high quality raw material for its coke ovens operations in India in a highly volatile environment and provide insurance against price volatility. The Colliery will also create employment in the Illawarra area and in India with benefits to both the nations."

Expansions
On its website the company states that "the management team is currently developing major expansion plans for the mine that will be implemented in 2007. It is planned to re-establish the mine as a longwall operation, with longwall faces operating in both the Wongawilli and Bulli seams. A full feasibility study will be conducted this year, with an aim to produce up to 4MTpa from the various coal seams."

The Australian Bureau of Agricultural and Resource Economics lists two expansion projects as being under consideration for the mine. The first is listed as a "preliminary works project" which is awaiting government approval and would cost $114 million to construct. It would employ 13 people during construction.

The second listed expansion is currently the subject of a feasibility study, is expected to produce 2 million tonnes per annum of coal and cost $250 million to construct. The mine is projected to employ 65 people during construction and 350 when operating.

Related SourceWatch articles

 * Australia and coal
 * New South Wales and coal