November 21, 2008

Mitsui Mining to open first coal mine in 13 Years

The Asahi newspaper reported that Mitsui Mining Co will open a coal site on Japan's northern island of Hokkaido, its first new mine in the country in 13 years.

The news paper without saying where it obtained the information said that a unit of Mitsui Mining will double its annual production, now at 50,000 tonnes. The move comes as prices surge for imported crude oil and coal.

The paper also said that Mitsui Mining based in Tokyo plans to sell coal to companies operating thermal power stations.