Clarence operates an underground coal mine; a coal handling and preparation plant (CHPP) and water treatment plant in the Western Coalfields of NSW near Lithgow.
2011 was a record year, with production exceeding 2 million tonnes of ROM coal for the first time using the partial extraction method of mining.
Clarence is at the forefront of Australian mining innovation, utilising Australia’s first JOY 4th Generation Flexible Conveyor Train (FCT) high capacity continuous coal haulage mining system. The FCT is a 110 metre tracked conveyor system that bends around corners while conveying coal to an underground, stationary coal receival hopper before being transported to the surface. An operator steers the FCT up or down the panel roadways with a radio remote control. As the FCT does away with conventional shuttlecars, it enables a significant increase in cutting time as the continuous miner unit no longer has to wait for returning shuttlecars.
Environmental Management is at the core of Clarence’s Operations. The mine’s Environmental Management System (EMS) ensures performance against all approvals and licence conditions and facilitates continual improvement.
Community Consultative Committee (CCC) meetings at Clarence are held quarterly to provide a forum for open discussions between representatives of Clarence, the community and other stakeholder’s on issues directly relating to the mine’s operation and environmental performance. In 2011 Clarence participated in a number of community activities including the Save Our Swamps Program and in 2012 has seen contributions to the Clarence-Dargan Rural Fire Service.