The first trainload of 7200 tonnes of coal came from Peabody’s Wambo mine and was hauled by Queensland Rail.
The third terminal at Newcastle’s port was previously tested with “sacrificial coal” from Peabody’s Wilpinjong mine last month, to form the base of the coal stockpiles.
Despite the landmark event, NCIG general manager Paul Beale said the process of commissioning the massive and complex terminal would take some time.
“We’ve been busy, but it will take some time to ramp up through 2010 to our full capacity,” he said.
“Over the past three weeks NCIG has received 12 trains or 80,000 tonnes of ‘sacrificial’ coal.”
Ports and Waterways Minister Paul McLeay said the building of stage one of this terminal made a notable contribution to the regional and state economy.
“When it reaches full capacity of 30 million tonnes a year, the value of New South Wales exports will rise by $3 billion.”
NCIG’s second-stage expansion of the terminal will lift capacity to 66Mtpa, with the feasibility study completed last year, and the consortium has earmarked land for a separate 90Mtpa terminal, Terminal 4.
NCIG consists of BHP Billiton, Donaldson Coal, Whitehaven, Centennial Coal, Peabody and more recently Yancoal Australia following its acquisition of Felix Resources.
