The newly committed tonnage will support the terminal’s proposed second stage expansion, planned for completion in 2016.

Xstrata Coal has signed up for 22Mtpa of capacity at Wiggins for its $3 billion Wandoan thermal coal project in the Surat Basin.

Stanmore Coal agreed to 5Mtpa at the port for The Range project while Cockatoo Coal took a 4.2Mtpa capacity for its Collingwood project and Aquila Resources secured 1Mtpa for its Washpool coking coal project.

“Confirmation that The Range has been selected for port and rail allocation is a major milestone for the company,” Stanmore managing director Nick Jorss said.

“It demonstrates a viable pit to port infrastructure solution to transport the 5Mtpa of export quality thermal coal from The Range to export markets.”

Stanmore and Cockatoo are seeking authorisation to collectively negotiate terms and conditions with the Surat Basin Rail joint venture for access to the Surat Basin rail line which will provide service to Wiggins Island.

The terminal’s development authority has approval to provide more than 80Mtpa of coal export capacity and is already underway with the construction of an initial 27Mtpa facility at the port which is expected to ship its first coal in 2014.

The new coal terminal will be operated by the Gladstone Ports Corporation.