The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission has proposed to allow collective bargaining between the parties after a group of miners sought authorisation for negotiations regarding access to the QR National’s rail network in the Newlands, Blackwater and Goonyella coal rail systems.

The group of miners also includes New Hope Corporation, Peabody Energy, Rio Tinto and Middlemount Coal.

ACCC chairman Rod Sims said the arrangement would result in significant cost savings and would help avoid potential delays in the terminal’s construction and new coal export earnings.

“The ACCC is satisfied that the voluntary nature of the arrangements, the limited composition of the collective bargaining group and the limited scope of the negotiations will mean that any potential detriment is minimal,” Sims added.

The ACCC is proposing to authorise the arrangement for 15 years to allow for the development of the Rio Tinto terminal as well as the North Queensland coal terminal.

A QR National spokesman told ILN it welcomed the proposal by the ACCC.

“QR National welcomes the decision of the ACCC and we look forward to working together with coal customers on potential growth opportunities.”

The authorisation provides statutory protection from court action for conduct that might otherwise raise concerns under the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.