Australian coal exports from the BMA owned Queensland Hay Point Coal Terminal released figures showing it has achieved its highest coal export figure in three years.
This is due to the lower commodity pricing which has pushed Australian mining companies into an increased production phase.
Australian Mining Companies Productivity Push
The focus for Australian mining is now on increasing productivity by implementing processes at both the mines and port to get the coal from pit to port in the shortest possible time frame. This is a clear indication that mining companies are increasing throughput volumes to maintain profitable in a competitive global coal market. BMA, through a rigorous process of adopting technological innovation and business restructuring have streamlined operational costs and the flow on effect is increased productivity.
Given the deflated coal prices, the only way to maintain cash-flow is to increase the volume of exports.
Over 4.1 millions tonnes of Australian coal was exported though the Hay Point BHP Mitsubishi Alliance-owned coal terminal in June this year. This was an increase of over 1.5 million tonnes on the previous year’s total of 2.6 million tonnes.
BMA – Hay Point facts
BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) is Australia’s largest coal producer. As the world’s largest seaborne coking coal supplier and part of the BHP Billiton group, BMA operates six mine sites and the Hay Point coal loading port in Central Queensland. The Hay Point Coal Terminal is one of Australia’s largest and most efficient coal export facilities and blends and despatches up to 44 million tonnes of BMA coal per year.
The Port of Hay Point is one of the world’s largest coal export ports and is comprised of two separate coal export terminals, Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal and the Hay Point Services Coal Terminal which are owned and operated by BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA).
Together these coal terminals service coal mining operations in the Bowen Basin in central Queensland. The mines are connected to the port terminals via an sophisticated rail-port network and are capable of transporting millions of tonnes of coal per annum.
The coal terminals specifically designed rail inloading facilities and coal stockpile yards. It’s offshore wharves are serviced by a network of conveyor systems that run out to sea via jetties, allowing the coal loading operation to be conducted in deep water.
Hay Point is situated about 40 kilometres south of Mackay. The port itself is managed by the North Queensland Bulk Ports Corporation (NQBP).
Reference: BMA Coal Exports | Hay Point
