Australian mining companies have been juggling falling coal prices over the last year as global competition for high quality coal heats up.
Despite the reluctance of the media to report the positive side of mining, iMINCO always likes to draw attention to those stories that inspire jobseekers who are still pondering their options in terms of mining jobs for the future.
Australian Mining Companies report record-breaking coal export results for 2013
COAL prices might be far from the staggering prices of a few years ago, however the world’s largest coal port – Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal (DBCT) in Queensland – is kicking some serious production goals with record-breaking results for 2013.
Mining companies in the coal-rich Bowen Basin have been frantically digging up, moving, crushing, washing and transporting more coal from their mine sites, commonly known in the industry as “sweating the assets”.
Although low prices for energy and steel-making coal are still causing concern, mining companies are steadfast in their resolve to export huge volumes of coal because their take-or-pay contracts mean they pay the same regardless of whether they move one tonne or 10million tonnes.
Dalrymple Bay terminal moved more than 65 million tonnes of coal in 2013
Dalrymple Bay terminal moved more than 65 million tonnes of coal in 2013, beating the 63 million mark for the first time since the middle of 2010.
DBCT exports coal from the port for some of the biggest global and national coal mining companies such as BHP Billiton,� Glencore, Vale, Rio Tinto and Anglo American.
18 mines in Central Queensland pumping out coal at record rates
Collectively, these major mining companies have 18 mines in Central Queensland pumping out coal at record rates, keeping DBCT as busy as a one legged man in a bum kicking contest.
Despite pushing coal exports through the rood,�Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal is prepared for even more coal to come its way. Overall, the terminal has been built to handle 85 million tonnes of coal a year, or 20 million tonnes in excess of the record 2013 rates.
In 2013 Hay Point� moved 38 million tonnes of coal
The Hay Point coal terminal next door reported its highest figures since it hit the 36.3 million mark at the end of the 2009-10 financial year. In 2013 Hay Point� moved 38. 3million tonnes of coal.
To the north, the Port of Abbot Point near Bowen processed 21 million tonnes of coal which is railed in the many active mines in the Bowen Basin. Production capacity has increased 4 million tonnes that the previous financial year.
More information about Hay Point
Hay Point is situated about 40 kilometres south of Mackay. The Port of Hay Point consists of two individual coal export terminals: Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal (DBCT) which is leased from the State Government by DBCT Management Pty Ltd and the Hay Point Coal Terminal (HPCT) which�is owned by BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance�and operated by Hay Point Services.
Collectively both terminals service the mines in the Bowen Basin in central Queensland.
Both terminals have purpose-built, rail inloading facilities, onshore stockpile yards and offshore wharves. The offshore wharves are serviced by conveyor systems, which stand on purpose built jetties running out to sea. This allows for greater capacity loading of coal in deeper waters off shore.
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