Gujarat NRE Australia Pty. Ltd. commences production of Coking Coal
(Press Release, March 16, 2005)

GUJARAT NRE AUSTRALIA PTY LTD (GNAL), a subsidiary of Gujarat NRE Coke Limited (GNCL) in Australia commenced production today from the Balgownie Seam at Russell Vale in its NRE No.1 Colliery located near Sydney which was acquired only on 3rd December, 2004.

The commencement of production much ahead of the projected schedule demonstrates unflinching determination and commitment on the part of both GNAL and GNCL to their aim of producing coal at an annualized rate of 1 Mio tonne per annum by 2005 and thereafter increasing it to over 2 Mio tonnes per annum.

Mr. Jagatramka congratulated the whole team in Wollongong for their concerted efforts to achieve this milestone first ever to Indian Met Coke Manufacturing industry.

He further expresses his pride to the commitment and strength of the Australian coal mining expertise dealing with such complexity of coal mining and believes that this is an exciting foundation for the development of technical working relationship which will go a long way exploring long-term business opportunities between New South Wales and India to the benefit of both communities.