The Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group (NCIG) is considering a feasibility study for a third expansion at the proposed third coal terminal in the port of Newcastle, Australia's largest thermal coal export terminal. NCIG has just completed the feasibility study on the second stage of expansion, which will lift export capacity from 30 million metric tonnes (mt)/yr to 60 million mt/yr. NCIG, which is led by UK-Australian coal producer BHP Billiton, has permission to expand to 66 million mt/yr, but could grow further if it acquires adjoining land. The initial 30 million mt/yr coal terminal is scheduled to start operations by late 2010. Newcastle Port Corporation Chief Executive Gary Webb said Newcastle has a potential coal export capacity of 300 million mt/yr. Current plans at the port are to double export capacity to 200 million mt by 2013.
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