Queensland coal news

Despite Aurizon’s threat to stop coal movement, exports were higher this year compared to 2017.

A new report by the Australian Government has highlighted Aurizon’s “risk” to a record outlook for the resources sector.

The troubled rail firm believes controversial changes to its maintenance regime in Queensland will reduce the state’s coal haulage capacity by 20 million tpy in 2019.

“Aurizon must stop playing games with Queensland exports and revert back to normal rail maintenance,” says QCA.

In the Queensland Resources Council’s latest State of the Sector report, 52% of resources chiefs said they would increase employment over the next quarter with 13% looking to increase employment ‘substantially.’

We are now only a few days away from Aurizon announcing its decision on its rail maintenance.

Exploration is an important indicator of confidence in the resources sector, and greenfield exploration demonstrates the sector’s willingness to explore for larger deposits, QRC states.

“Aurizon should co-operate with the Queensland Competition Authority, immediately resume its normal maintenance programme on the Central Queensland Coal Network and end the coal export impasse it started.”

Mitsubishi Corp. and BHP, which each hold a 50% interest in the Queensland mine, are to sell to Sojitz Corp.

The QCA’s request for more information about the monopoly rail operator is a further sign of Aurizon’s inability to explain its change to maintenance services.