MARKETS

Construction begins at Newcastle terminal's next stage

THE $A900 million construction of stage two of the third coal export terminal in the Port of Newc...

Lou Caruana
Construction begins at Newcastle terminal's next stage

The new terminal will add to the 30Mtpa capacity from the first stage of the terminal (now in operation) and will keep a construction workforce of up to 600 busy for the next two years, NCIG chairman Michael Egan said.

The announcement also means that coal export capacity at Newcastle is on track to increase to more than 180Mtpa by 2013, with potential for further expansion.

“The board has given the immediate go-ahead for the construction of the second stage of the terminal to meet the export demands for coal from mines already in production, or about to start,” Egan said.

The next stage of works on the 136-hectare site includes a new rail unloading facility and rail sidings, an additional stacker/reclaimer and stockyards, additional conveyors and sample stations and an additional shiploader.

Egan said for every person working on the construction site, another two are working in engineering, electrical and mechanical workshops fabricating elements of the terminal.

“I’ve no doubt that one of the reasons this region weathered the effects of the global financial crisis so well is because of this massive infrastructure effort, and that flow-on effect is set to continue for the next two to three years,” he said.

Funding for the expansion has built on the initial financing structure established in late 2007 and is supported by long-term throughput contracts.

The partners in the project include BHP Billiton (through Hunter Valley Energy Coal), Peabody Energy, Centennial Coal, Donaldson Coal, Yancoal and Whitehaven Coal.

TOPICS:

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

A growing series of reports, each focused on a key discussion point for the mining sector, brought to you by the Mining Monthly Intelligence team.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence: Automation and Digitalisation Report 2024

Exclusive research for Mining Magazine Intelligence Automation and Digitalisation Report 2024 shows mining companies are embracing cutting-edge tech

editions

ESG Mining Company Index: Benchmarking the Future of Sustainable Mining

The ESG Mining Company Index report provides an in-depth evaluation of ESG performance of 61 of the world's largest mining companies. Using a robust framework, it assesses each company across 9 meticulously weighted indicators within 6 essential pillars.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Exploration Report 2024 (feat. Opaxe data)

A comprehensive review of exploration trends and technologies, highlighting the best intercepts and discoveries and the latest initial resource estimates.

editions

Mining Magazine Intelligence Future Fleets Report 2024

The report paints a picture of the equipment landscape and includes detailed profiles of mines that are employing these fleets