The Antiene Spur line is situated off the Main North line between Singleton and Muswellbrook, NSW and leads to the Maxwell Coal Loop (formerly owned by Anglo American Australia) and the BHP Mt Arthur Coal Loop.
The client “Malabar Resources” is an independent Australian-owned mining company based in the Hunter Valley. Malabar Resources purchased the Drayton Open Cut Mine which ceased operations in October 2016, and re-named the mine and associated infrastructure “Maxwell Infrastructure”. Malabar are developing a new underground mine and are now producing coal for the steel manufacturing industry.
Lycopodium was engaged to renew the balloon loop to a standard suitable to accommodate loading of coal and transfer to the nearby Port of Newcastle.
Lycopodium was responsible for project scoping, track and civil design, procurement of construction contractor, and construction and contract management.
The project encompassed several primary tasks, including data collection, track reconditioning, replacement of timber sleepers with heavy-duty concrete ones, installation of crossings for safety, track drainage improvements, culvert renewal, rerailing, and track resurfacing. Additionally, access enhancements were made, redundant infrastructure was removed, and track control markers were installed to monitor the track’s condition effectively. Overall, the project aimed to improve railway infrastructure and operational efficiency.
