Australia's Largest Coal Precinct Makes Progress with Rail Development

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Perth, Australia)--There are three major coal basins throughout the Australian state of Queensland, making up one of the largest coal deposits in Australia: the Bowen, Galilee and Surat basins. These, in turn, rely heavily on the Abbot Point Coal Terminal in Bowen, the Hay Point Terminal near Mackay, and the Gladstone port. As the growth continues throughout the state, growing pains are being felt by the infrastructure that supports the coal industry. However, neighboring coal mining companies are depending on the shared resources for possible construction and commissioning operations.

A vital link between the Galilee Basin coal fields and the major coal terminal at Abbot Point is another step closer to construction for the resource-rich state. Aurizon (formerly QR National) and GVK Hancock are in discussions over the proposed, 495-kilometer rail line, which has an estimated value of $6 billion.

The collaboration of companies on the rail line will enable the coal to be transported from the mines to the port, using one of the most efficient means of transport, as discussed by GVK vice chairman G.V. Sanjay Reddy. "The proposed relationship with Aurizon would allow us to jointly develop the most cost- and time-efficient rail and port solution for the Galilee Basin," he said.

"This is one of the most significant deals in Queensland's coal history," Reddy added. "The development of the rail and port infrastructure will unlock the Galilee Basin and see the development of Alpha, Kevin's Corner and Alpha West, creating one of the largest integrated coal development projects globally."

GVK Hancock's Alpha, Kevin's Corner and Alpha West are all major operations focused on the estimated 8 billion tonnes of reserves in the area.

The development of mining, port and associated infrastructure in the Queensland region will depend largely on commodity prices. GVK, which is a leading Indian power and infrastructure conglomerate, is a perfect example of the enormity of the projects that are in the scoping through development stages.

Industrial Info is tracking 100 coal-related projects in Queensland alone that are worth an estimated $68 billion. This includes, but is not limited to, coal mines, rail infrastructure and port terminals.

Industrial Info Resources (IIR), with global headquarters in Sugar Land, Texas, and eight offices outside of North America, is the leading provider of global market intelligence specializing in the industrial process, heavy manufacturing and energy markets. Industrial Info's quality-assurance philosophy, the Living Forward Reporting Principle™, provides up-to-the-minute intelligence on what's happening now, while constantly keeping track of future opportunities.