Coal Augering Services (CAS) is a Queensland-based, specialist highwall mining contractor. The business was formed in 2003 and its Directors have been at the forefront of highwall mining in the Bowen Basin since 1990, when highwall mining was first introduced to the Australian coal industry. CAS offers a complete turnkey contract auger mining service, delivering low-cost coal at a price per tonne to its clients. The highwall mining method has been used throughout the Bowen Basin for the past 25 years, and enables coal to be mined without the need for overburden or interburden removal. Highwall mining allows for the recovery of coal that would otherwise be sterilised beyond the reach of open cut mining. This method is often used to access coal left behind from previous mining operations or when difficult geological conditions restrict the use of other mining methods. Highwall mining layouts are stabilised by the coal pillars that are left in place between the auger entries.