Dartbrook mine is a new greenfields thermal coal longwall mine located
n the Upper Hunter Valley ten kilometres north of Muswellbrook
Figure 1). Construction began in April 1993 with coal extraction starting
n October 1994. Longwall production is scheduled to commence in the
first quarter of 1996 with production expected to exceed 3.5 million
onnes per annum. The permanent workforce will number 150 full-time
,mployees and productivity rates will be 22 000 per employee per annum
m a ROM basis. Being a greenfield site Dartbrook has had the opportunity to develop
and operate the mine using the best practices and latest technology
available to meet high standards of safety, quality and production.