Macarthur Coal has announced that the Queensland government on April 8 endorsed the construction of the Goonyella-Abbot point expansion which links the Goonyella rail system to the Abbot Point coal terminal.
This project, which was known for many years as the "Northern Missing Link", represents a major milestone for expansion of the Queensland coal industry.
A company press release said that, as a result of this endorsement by the government, Macarthur Coal has been advised that QR Network has executed a 15-year take-or-pay contract with Middlemount Coal Pty Ltd (an incorporated joint venture between Macarthur Coal Limited and Noble Group Limited). This contract is for track access of up to 3 million mt per annum from the Middlemount Mine to Abbot Point from January 1, 2012.
This will provide the Middlemount Mine and Macarthur Coal with access to an expanded port and diversification from the existing Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal.