PIKE RIVER (PRC) TUNNEL TO HIT COAL LATE SEPTEMBER 2008
The last push to complete a 2.3 kilometre access tunnel through to the rich
underground Brunner seam at Pike River''s coal mine on the West Coast will
take one more month than expected due to continued variable rock conditions.
The breakthrough had been previously scheduled for around the end of August,
but will now occur towards the end of September 2008. The tunnel is currently
at 2,147 metres and has been advanced 29 metres in the two weeks since 4
August 2008.
On 4 August 2008, the tunnel had been cut through the Hawera fault and
advance rates were expected to significantly improve. This has happened but
not on a consistent basis. Tunnelling rates have improved to between 3 and 4
metres on some days, but rock conditions continue to be variable and quite
fractured resulting in rates of 1 to 2 metres on other days.
General Manager, Mines Peter Whittall says "With only 153 metres to go we''re
getting close to breaking through. However, we were expecting to average 5
metres per day at this point. Those rates are not yet being achieved due to
variable rock conditions so we have reforecast completion at slower rates,
putting the tunnel into coal at the end of September."
Peter Whittall says "it is good news that there continues to be essentially
no water and relatively low levels of methane gas in the tunnel". Pike River
has been able to continue with drilling and blasting, but will seek to
install the roadheader at the face when rock conditions improve, as indicated
by previous drilling in the area.
Pike River is progressing amended detailed design of the pit bottom roadways
in coal which is expected to enable the company to meet its forecast 200,000
tonnes of coal production by 30 June 2009 despite the additional delay to
intersection with the coal seam.
The new date for hitting first coal has been reflected in an amendment to the
terms of the convertible bonds agreed with Liberty Harbor LLC, which now
requires first coal by 15 October 2008.
Other mine infrastructure and plant and equipment construction and delivery
continue to progress to schedule. The first of the Pike River continuous
miners sailed from Newcastle (NSW) on 17 August 2008 bound for New Zealand.
The second continuous miner is scheduled to follow in 6 to 8 weeks.
End CA:00168757 For:PRC Type:MINE Time:2008-08-18:16:39:41