The NSW Minister for Energy Ian Macdonald today officially opened the Gujarat NRE Group’s latest Australian mine, NRE Wongawilli Colliery, south west of Wollongong on Australia’s south east coast.
Gujarat NRE’s $50 million acquisition of the West Dapto mine, previously known as Elouera Mine and owned by BHP Billiton, had been operating under care and maintenance since last year.
NRE Gujarat Minerals Ltd now plans to spend a further $65 million over the next two years to bring the NRE Wongawilli Colliery to full production and hopes to ramp up production to around 2.5 million tonnes per annum by 2011/12.
The parent company, Gujarat NRE Coke Limited, is India’s largest independent coke producer, with India expected to emerge as the second largest coke producer next only to China over the next decade.
The Chairman of Gujarat NRE Minerals Ltd, Mr Arun Jagatramka, said his company originally planned to re-open the neighbouring NRE Avondale Colliery, which it purchased in mid-2005.
“However, after our acquisition late last year of Elouera Colliery it was decided to consolidate both the mines as one, which we now know as NRE Wongawilli Colliery,” he said.
Ownership of the mine has given the Gujarat NRE group ready infrastructure, in particular mining equipment and railway access to Port Kembla.
The Minister Mr McDonald in opening the mine today praised the Indian company’s investment in Australia and spoke of the long term need for coal mining in Australia.
“Hard coking coal is experiencing an increase in global demand and the Southern Coalfields is the only NSW source of this variety, so the area is set to reap the social and economic benefits of being home to a booming industry,” Mr Macdonald said.
“The export of our State’s high quality coal is forecast to continue to grow, and the Iemma Government is working with industry to ensure global demand can be met.”
Mr Macdonald presented Mr Jagatramka a Sydney Ambassador’s Certificate at the ceremony at the colliery, which was attended by more than 150 business and industry leaders.
Also attending the official opening ceremony were the High Commissioner of India, Her Excellency Mrs Sujatha Singh, the Consul General of India, Mr Sujan Chinoy, and former NSW Premier, the Hon. Neville Wran.
The Indian company’s Illawarra operations now provide work for more than 350 employees and contractors at NRE Wongawilli and its sister mine, NRE No 1, at Russell Vale, north of Wollongong, which was purchased by the Gujarat group in December 2004.
The company has adopted environmentally friendly technology and has strong employee participation, with the majority of employees owning shares in the company
The next shipment through Port Kembla Coal Terminal in early May 2008 will be significant as it will include the first shipment of coal from NRE Wongawilli.
For further media information contact: Janine Cullen on 02 42847409 or 0418 425 25 |