December 03, 2008

Whitehaven Coal boosts coal rail movements to Newcastle

It is reported that Whitehaven Coal has been able to lock in a significant increase in the amount of coal it will be able to transport by rail to the port of Newcastle. The port said that severe infrastructure problems have led to restrictions on the amount of coal that can be carried by rail to and exported through.

Mr Rob Stewart MD of Whitehaven Coal said that the company has been able to negotiate a new agreement to boost its rail movements. He added that "We've come to a commercial arrangement through the Australian Rail Track Corporation that own part of the track to Gunnedah and RIC, the State Government rail infrastructure body, both of those have come to agreements that have enabled us to get expanded capacity through that section of the line and they've made commitments that by the middle of this year will see an increase in our ability to rail down to the port.”

Whitehaven operates several mines near Gunnedah and plans to bring two new ones online shortly.