Wesfarmers Limited's overburden removal was 7.1% lower than the previous quarter. Coal production for the quarter was 2,594,000 tonnes (comprising 1,785,000 tonnes of metallurgical coal and 809,000 tonnes of steaming coal), 17.5% higher than the previous quarter. Metallurgical coal production increased by 13.9% and steaming coal production increased by 26.4% as compared to the previous quarter.

During the quarter, commissioning of the new coal handling and preparation plant continued. Coal production increased compared to the previous quarter but was constrained by continued commissioning requirements of the new coal handling and preparation plant and ongoing wet weather in central Queensland.

Development
Commissioning works are ongoing for the expansion of the Curragh mine up to 8.5 million tonnes per annum of export metallurgical coal capacity. Project completion is estimated to occur during the second quarter of this calendar year.

Exploration
The Curragh North drilling program continued with 29 holes drilled during the quarter. The primary objectives of the drilling were infill structural definition and coal quality analysis.

BENGALLA Production
Wesfarmers' share of coal production for the quarter was 563,000 tonnes, 14.2% higher than the previous quarter, due to a coal handling plant shutdown in the previous quarter to commission an expanded two stage washing plant upgrade.

Development
Construction work for the expansion of the mine's production from 7.8 million to 9.3 million tonnes per annum of ROM coal is nearing completion. The expanded two-stage washing plant upgrade has reached practical completion. Project completion is expected in the second quarter of calendar year 2012.

Exploration
There was no significant exploration activity during the quarter.

PREMIER
As previously announced, the Premier mine was divested from the Wesfarmers Limited

Source - Wesfarmers

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