Mach Energy Australia has produced and transported the first coal from its Mount Pleasant operation in the Hunter Valley of Australia, just over two years since construction commenced.

Close to the end of December, Mach Energy Managing Director Ferdian Purnamasidi said construction of the initial bypass stage of the processing facility was complete and “first bypass coal” had been produced. This was followed shortly after by an announcement from Aurizon saying it had delivered the first coal from Mount Pleasant to AGL’s Antiene facility.

In the announcement dated December 20, Mach Energy said the project construction stage was nearing completion with the majority of mine infrastructure now in use. “Further construction works on the coal handling preparation plant (CHPP) are expected to be complete mid next year,” it said.

Mount Pleasant hosts of 1,100 Mt of coal resources and 667 Mt of reserves. The operation is fully consented up to the targeted production rate of 10.5 Mt/y run-of-mine coal, according to Mach Energy.

Back in November, CIMIC Group’s mineral processing company, Sedgman, was awarded a contract to operate and maintain the Mount Pleasant CHPP.