On September 18 Australian mining giant BHP Billiton announced that it has reached agreement with the New South Wales (NSW) government in Australia over future long-term access to Newcastle Port.
"I am delighted we have reached a solution that is supported by all of the industry," said Jimmy Wilson, president of the energy coal division of BHP Billiton. "With these agreements in place the coal industry will have long-term certainty over future access to vital port capacity which will support our future expansions and growth of the region."
BHP Billiton has made significant investment in its NSW coal business and has already committed US$390 million as part of its contribution to the development of stage one of Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG), and has also recently announced a US$260 million expansion of its Mt Arthur coal mine, with the next stage of the mine's expansion currently in its community consultation phase.