coal export

Queensland May Double Coal Export Capacity by 2030 (Update1)
July 9 (Bloomberg) -- Coal exports from Australia's Queensland state, home to the world's biggest coking coal shipper, may double by 2030 as port and railroads are expanded and mining companies boost output amid record prices.
A A$780 million ($740 million) expansion of the R.G. Tanna terminal at Gladstone port was completed today and will help boost export capacity from the state to 200 million metric tons within 18 months, the state's Premier Anna Bligh said today at the opening of the terminal, according to an e-mailed statement.

Mining companies in the state, home to 40 coal mines, are spending A$11.5 billion on new projects over the next five years amid record prices for both coking and thermal coal. A further A$9 billion is being spent on new port and rail infrastructure, helping to underpin a possible doubling of exports within 20 years, Bligh said today.

Capacity at the R.G. Tanna terminal has been increased by 30 million metric tons to 70 million tons, Bligh said today.

Central Queensland Port Authority operates the Gladstone port, which includes the Barney Point terminal. An initial study into a third terminal at Wiggins Island with a capacity of 25 million tons by 2012 has started.

Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal Pty, Australia's second-largest export harbor of the fuel behind Newcastle port, is completing a A$1.3 billion expansion to boost capacity to 85 million tons by next year.

A venture between BHP Billiton Ltd. and Mitsubishi Corp., known as the BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance, is the world's largest exporter of coal used in steelmaking.