Wollongong Coal Ltd. said March 18 that it stopped all mining activities at the Wongawilli colliery in New South Wales, Australia, after receiving a prohibition notice from mine safety regulators.
Inspectors found areas of concern within the operation, such as strata roof supports and risk associated with the conveyor systems.
Restarting the Wongawilli operation is subject to the company completing a risk assessment and implementing adequate control measures and to regulators approving the safety measures. The Australia-listed coal producer is undertaking a complete risk review, which may take a few weeks to complete.
This is the second time the operation has stopped this year. A three-day protected labor action began Jan. 14 and ended Jan. 17 after an amicable resolution of the dispute.