Subscribe to RSS feedHunter coal producers canvassed for expansion plan
Hunter coal producers have been invited to participate in a potential 30m tonne expansion of Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group's (NGIC) export terminal in Newcastle.
New South Wales ports minister Joe Tripodi said the call for expressions of interest was an important first step towards providing increased capacity at the NCIG terminal.
"It will help NCIG to make a decision on Stage 2 of the terminal based on demand requests from Hunter Valley coal producers and potential new players in the industry," Mr Tripodi said.
Stage 1 of the NCIG terminal is more than 50% completed and coal shipments are expected to begin in the first half of 2010, Mr Tripodi said.
The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has been asked to deliver a long-term solution for the management of coal exports in the Hunter region. The decision is pending.
The ACCC application, if approved, would give industry certainty over coal allocations beyond the end of each year, Mr Tripodi said.
Under the Hunter Coal Plan submitted to the ACCC last month, NCIG is required to offer 12m tonnes of capacity to producers and new entrants who are not members of its consortium.
"Producers who are not part of the NCIG consortium will have the opportunity to request capacity in this expansion project," Mr Tripodi said.
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