BHP Billiton and partners to increase coking coal production capacity from 58Mtpa to 100Mtpa by 2010

摘要

BHP Billiton has announced its intention to increase coking coal production capacity from 58Mtpa to 100 Mtpa by 2010 in a series of expansions estimated to cost around 2bn US dollars. The increase in capacity will be achieved through high value incremental expansions of the BHP Billiton Mitsubishi Alliance (BMA) and BHP Mitsui Coal (BMC) coal operations in Queensland and potential new developments such as the Manuwai prospect in Kalimantan. Options for expanding BHP Billiton's Illawarra coal business in New South Wales are also under consideration. Group President Carbon Steel Materials Bob Kirkby said the change in the rate of growth in the global steel industry in recent years had created a significant increase in demand for steel making raw materials, including seaborne metallurgical coal.