"Dr Hamilton, who hopes to have the plant operating in 2014 if all goes well, said the process was competitive as long as the Newcastle coal price, currently at about $US70 a tonne, stayed above $US55."
The current Newcastle coal price is around $120/t for 6600 CV, Mantle’s BM project has 5800 CV in its raw dried state. With the addition of a inexpensive de-ashing circuit then CHTD treatment would bring that up to over 6000 CV.
There is no argument that the coal quality is slightly better in the LV. BUT there is no rail access out of Latrobe Valley of any sort of capacity, even if there is an upgrade of the line, the train will need to go through Flinders Street, which has a snowflakes change in hell of happening. The only option is Exergen’s plan as I have described. Its competitors are stranded in the LV with no feasible way out.
Yes diversification into a company which has the best technology, large backers, a resource and has a credible plan to get the product to market is the way to go.
MNM Price at posting:
9.0¢ Sentiment: Buy Disclosure: Held
