New Oakleigh

New Oakleigh operates an open cut coal mine near the town of Rosewood, 23 kilometres west of Ipswich and 92 kilometres from the Port of Brisbane. The mining method used at New Oakleigh is a multi-thin-seam operation utilising trucks, excavators and front-end loaders. Overburden is blasted or ripped by bulldozers prior to extraction.

Geology
Coals mined in the Oakleigh area occur in the central to upper part of the Walloon Coal Measures (primarily Jeebropilly Series) and contain locally named coal seams referred to as the Boughen, Butler, Cowell, Passe, Kathage, Wass and Haenke seams. These seams occur over an interval of around 120 metres and 43 individual plies are modelled within this sequence. The plies have an average thickness of between 0.06 metres and 0.48 metres with partings of up to 2.7 metres average thickness.

Markets
New Oakleigh coals are supplied to both the export and domestic markets for use in power generation and general industry.

Environment
New Oakleigh's mining operations are undertaken on freehold land that is owned and controlled by the Group. Progressive rehabilitation is undertaken and systems are in place to ensure a high standard of environmental management at all New Hope operations.

Awards
In 2003, New Oakleigh was awarded the Mines Inspectorate "Most Improved Safety Management in Queensland - Southern Region" by the Queensland Department of Natural Resources and Mines.

In 2002, together with Jeebropilly, New Oakleigh was awarded the "Excellence in Training in the Coal Sector Award" by the Queensland Mining Industry Training Advisory Body.