Production resumes at Xstrata's Blakefield South mine

Mining leviathan Xstrata says it has resumed operations at its Blakefield South mine in New South Wales, Australia, after a 16 month interruption.

Operations at Blakefield South mine ceased in January 2011 when an underground fire ignited behind the mine's longwall - a part of the resource that is mined as a single slice. Mine personnel were unable to re-enter the mine until June 2011 to begin planning and rebuilding the longwall.

Longwall production actually recommenced on May 15th, but production will not be at full pelt until mid-July, Xstrata said.

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Blakefield South underground is part of Xstrata Coal's Bulga Complex, which also includes an open cut mine and a coal handling and preparation plant.

Blakefield South produces around 10m tonnes of semi-soft coking and thermal coal each year for export, primarily to Japan.

JH