Joint Statement: BLIGH WELCOMES RIO'S QLD COAL CONFIDENCE

[ozbob]

Joint Statement:

Premier
The Honourable Anna Bligh

Minister for Mines and Energy
The Honourable Geoff Wilson
02/05/2008

BLIGH WELCOMES RIO'S QLD COAL CONFIDENCE

CLERMONT: Premier Anna Bligh and State Mines and Energy Minister Geoff Wilson today welcomed Rio Tinto Coal Australia's plans to double its coal exports in the next seven years.

The Premier and Minister were on hand to signal the start of operations at Rio Tinto Coal Australia's newest mine - the A$950 million Clermont Mine, 15 kilometres east of its Blair Athol Mine.

"Companies like Rio Tinto wouldn't envisage such massive expansion if they didn't believe appropriate infrastructure would be in place on time," said the Premier.

"Today's commitment reinforces the strong confidence the industry has in us delivering the $14 billion coal infrastructure plan.

"The new mine should underpin Clermont's prosperity for years to come," she said

The new Mine will employ 400 people during construction and about 380 when operational.

Mr Wilson said that new mines such as Clermont ensured that the State's coal industry remained strong and prod uctive.

"The Clermont district has a long association with mining in Queensland. Coal mining has also been part of the region since the discovery of Blair Athol in 1864.

"Today's opening today is the continuation of a long established tradition," he said.

Rio Tinto Coal Australia's doubling plans include pursuing opportunities at its other operations - Kestrel, Hail Creek and Clermont - and it is evaluating Greenfield opportunities as well.

It aims to lift its Queensland production from 21 million tonnes (Mt) of thermal and coking last year, to 40Mt per annum by 2015.

It says its growth plans are based on publicly announced infrastructure expansions that are either underway or scheduled over the next seven years.

As part of these announced expansions the Premier last month announced the massive $400 million plus upgrade to the coal train network near Sarina helping lift exports by 38 million tonnes from 2010.

The Jilala n Rail Yard upgrade is a key part of the State's coal infrastructure plans and will combine with expansions of Hay Point and Dalrymple Bay coal terminals.

As well the State has identified the Northern Missing Link (Newlands to North Goonyella) as a priority Northern Bowen basin project with Leighton Contractors QR's preferred construction partner. It is hoped coal will be moving on the link by 2010.

The Clermont Mine is expected to mine its first coal in early 2010 and at full capacity, expected in 2013, it will produce up to 12.2Mt of high quality thermal coal each year.

The Clermont Mine will replace the nearby Blair Athol Mine which is due to close in 2015. The Clermont Mine has reserves of 189Mt and is expected to have a 17-year life.

Rio Tinto Coal Australia's joint venture partners in the Clermont open cut mine are Mitsubishi Development Pty Ltd (31.4 per cent), J-Power Australia Pty Ltd (15 per cent) and JCD Australia Pty Ltd (3.5 per c ent).

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[mufreight]

Isnt Rio one of the companies negotiating with Pacific National to haul some if not all of their coal?
Is this another example of government spin overtaking fact.  Something else to ask your local member.