Bens Creek Group PLC (AIM:BEN, OTC:BENCF) told investors it has begun mining within its new permit area, following the development of a bench support to position the company’s highwall miner and the prior award of a permit.
The company, in a statement, added that it has now arranged for a second highwall miner to be delivered and work has begun on second bench support, also within the new mining area.
Chief executive Adam Wilson described the start-up as a “landmark occasion” that he says will allow increased production levels to meet operational targets.
“We had hoped that the permit would be delivered earlier so that we might have commenced the extensive preparatory work required to allow the highwall miners to become operational sooner, however with the permit now available and the first highwall miner in place we are confident that the work to build the second bench will be swiftly completed allowing us to deploy the second highwall miner when it arrives,” Wilson said.
“We have also now completed the acquisition of the necessary rolling stock and associated equipment.
“The ownership of this equipment will allow us to maintain the process of creating the support benches ourselves, without relying upon outside contractors, as the highwall miners move across the seam."