The North Pratt mine, according to Avexa, possesses 20 million tons of in-situ coal reserves with 10.55 million tons of recoverable clean metallurgical coal and a 15-year mine life. The project, 15 miles northwest of Birmingham, is slated to produce 660,000 tons per year (tpy).
Australia-based Avexa representatives said detail engineering on the mine wash plant is 80% complete, while component fabrication and delivery orders will be issued shortly. Development of infrastructure, including roadway and wash plant foundations, they added, is also ongoing; the project will employ up to 100 workers.
Work on underground mining equipment purchases for the mine, meanwhile, is 85% finished, according to company officials, while a delivery plan is pending mid-April. Mine and safety plans are also awaiting approval by U.S. Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) officials; holding company Coal Holdings USA has also appointed a general manager.
