The Australian port of Newcastle has opened its third coal export terminal. It was built by the Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group and took three years to complete. In its initial phase of operation, it will be able to handle 30mt (million tonnes) of coal. It cost $1 billion to build. A second stage development, boosting capacity to 66mt, is now under consideration. However the new terminal has already prompted environmentalists to lodge complaints, pointing out that coal is a major constituent of climate change.
The terminal required the dredging of the southern arm of the Hunter River, as well as the construction of a rail loop, dump stations, stockyards, quayside facilities and the provision of stack-reclaimers on what is 136 hectare site.
BC