From Inception to Completion
In 2001, the Springvale Coal Mine determined a requirement for a 360 m deep vertical airway to ventilate ongoing underground longwall mining operations. The project, referred to as the Springvale No 3 Ventilation Shaft, was completed in 2003 - 2004 by blind boring a 4.25 m diameter hole from the surface to the coal seam at 360 m depth. The shaft was …