Coal News - Australia

News Archive 2007

Archived headlines with precis for selected news items relating to coal in an Australian and regional context:

• December 2007
• November 2007
• October 2007
• September 2007
• August 2007
• July 2007
• June 2007
• May 2007
• April 2007
• March 2007
• February 2007
• January 2007

This month's news... click here >>

December 2007 >>

Western Australia underwrites new coal fired plant
The Western Australian Government is expected to announce it has underwritten a new A$500m ($437m) coal fired power station at Collie.
Power Engineering Magazine - USA - Thursday 27 December 2007

Gujarat NRE acquires Australian mine
Gujarat NRE Coke on Monday said it has completed the acquisition of the Australia-based Elouera mine from BHP Billiton a part of the Australia-based Illawarra Coal Business for an undisclosed amount.
The Hindu - Chennai, India - Monday 24 December 2007

Anglo American buys most of Australian coal miner
Global mining giant Anglo American said Friday it had bought a 70-percent share in the Foxleigh coal mine in Queensland, northeastern Australia, for 620 million US dollars (432 million euros).
AFP - Friday 21 December 2007

Australia regulator approves extension of coal quotas
Australia`s competition regulator gave interim approval to extend the use of a coal-export quota system at Newcastle, the world`s biggest export harbor for the fuel, to help prevent an increase in shipping delays.
Mining Journal Online - London,UK - Thursday 20 December 2007

New Queensland Chief Inspector of Coal Mines appointed
Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson today announced the appointment of Mr Gavin Taylor as Queensland's new Chief Inspector of Coal Mines.
Media Newswire - New York,USA - Thursday 20 December 2007

Babcock Infrastructure Gets Bank Debt to Fund Coal Port Project
Australia's Babcock & Brown Infrastructure said Friday it has secured debt funding for the 1.1 billion Australian dollar expansion of the Dalrymple Bay Coal Terminal in the northeast state of Queensland.
Forbes - NY,USA - Thursday 20 December 2007

Rio Tinto says coal industry here to stay
Australia's big coal miners say despite international efforts to cut the use of fossil fuels, coal is more important than ever as world economies expand.
ABC Online - Australia - Wednesday 19 December 2007

IGCC's Future Hinges on Workable Carbon Framework
One of the leading alternatives for producing clean power from coal - Integrated Combined Cycle Gasification (IGCC) technology faces a precarious future due to rising capital costs and regulatory uncertainty.
RenewableEnergyAccess.com - USA - Wednesday 19 December 2007

Metallurgical Coal Stays Hot in Australia
Although Australia plays second fiddle to Indonesia in the thermal coal market, it continues to dominate the metallurgical coal export business. Australia holds about 60 percent of the global market and importers, particularly in Asia, have few other options.
Energy Tribune - Houston,TX,USA - Tuesday 18 December 2007

FutureGen, World's Cleanest Coal Plant, Sited in Illinois
A consortium of some of the world's largest coal companies and electric utilities has selected the small east-central Illinois town of Mattoon for FutureGen, a $1.4 billion coal-fueled power plant that is planned as the cleanest in the world.
Environment News Service - USA - Tuesday 18 December 2007

Clean coal a priority: MLA
Collie-Wellington MLA Mick Murray said work into developing clean coal technology was already well underway. Mr Murray said while only $5 million had been budgeted for research into clean coal, $10 million had gone towards research by the Coal Futures Group...
Collie Mail - Western Australia - Thursday 13 December 2007

Altona: Mighty Oaks from Little Acorns Grow
Altona Resources will certainly be fulfilling consumer needs big time if all goes to plan with its immense Arckaringa energy project. The project is located in South Australia, a booming state which will be hungry for Altona's power, fuel and water, particularly as a swarm of new mineral developments come on stream...
Resource Investor - USA - Wednesday 12 December 2007

Peabody joins China's GreenGen
Missouri coal company Peabody Energy Corp. said it will join China's GreenGen project. The large, worldwide coal group said that it became the first non-Chinese equity partner in GreenGen, the first near-zero emissions coal-fueled power plant with carbon capture and storage being developed in China.
United Press International - Tuesday 11 December 2007

Beijing seeks foreign coal
Beijing has set an official industry policy for the first time on supporting coal companies investing in overseas resources, as part of efforts to enhance the nation's long-term energy security, the National Development and Reform Commission said yesterday.
AsiaNews.it - Monday 3 December 2007

G8 workshop backs carbon capture and storage technology
The start of a clean energy revolution is one step closer following the conclusion of a series of G8 workshops in Calgary, Canada today, according to coal industry associations World Coal Institute, the Carbon Capture and Storage Association and the Australian Coal Association.
Power Engineering Magazine, UK - Monday 3 December 2007

Carbon Storage Gains Support
In western Japan, researchers fuss over tubes that look like coiled strands of linguini. But this is no cooking class: the scientists are trying to pull carbon dioxide — the leading cause of global warming — from power plant exhaust.
The Associated Press - Sunday 2 December 2007

A Look at Carbon Capture and Storage
Some scientists want to combat global warming by capturing the carbon dioxide from power plant exhaust and storing it deep underground. Here is a look at the still experimental technology:
The Associated Press - Sunday 2 December 2007

November 2007 >>

Scientists censures anti- coal lobby
One of Australia's most respected scientists has criticised anti-coal mining groups as being short-sighted... Professor Batterham said it would be smarter to band together and fund the development of clean-coal technology.
Sydney Morning Herald - Australia - Sunday 25 November 2007

Turning Coal's CO2 Into Biomass
Linc Energy and BioCleanCoal have formed a joint venture to convert carbon-dioxide emissions into oxygen and biomass. The technology could keep large amounts of pollution from the atmosphere, but cost hasn't yet been worked out.
Greentech Media - USA - Friday 23 November 2007

Clean coal breakthroughs heartening news
Major new clean coal technology breakthroughs in the US and Norway are heartening news for New Zealand which has 400 years of coal reserves buried beneath the South Island alone.
Scoop.co.nz - New Zealand - Monday 19 November 2007

Coal comfort for oil users
China became a net coal importer this year and, together with India, will generate faster global growth in coal demand than for oil or gas until 2030...The IEA urges governments around the world to co-operate and work with India and China to develop clean-coal technologies to help reduce emissions.
The Australian - Thursday 15 November 2007

Business urges emissions trading clarity
The chief executive of one of the world's biggest coal exporting companies says business wants clarity by next year on the government's proposed carbon trading scheme, if it is to take early action to prevent climate change.
The Age - Melbourne - Thursday 15 November 2007

FutureGen to pick clean-coal plant site next month
The FutureGen Alliance is on track to name a site for its $1.5 billion, clean coal-fired power plant next month, after getting clearance from the U.S. Department of Energy..,
Reuters - USA - Friday 9 November 2007

I got it wrong, Dr Karl admits
Scientists and industry groups working in the field of carbon capture technology have welcomed an admission by the Senate candidate Karl Kruszelnicki that his description of the technology as "a complete furphy" was wrong.
Sydney Morning Herald - Friday 9 November 2007

Latrobe Valley's Future is Clean Coal - Not Nuclear
Today's announcement by Shadow Federal Minister for Energy, Senator Chris Evans, of $60 million investment in clean coal technology and infrastructure in the Latrobe Valley is a commitment to Victoria's future.
Media Newswire (press release) - USA - Monday 5 November 2007

Dr Karl's coal Nazi comments 'offensive'
New South Wales Senate candidate Karl Kruszelnicki has been accused of botching his figures and contradicting the likes of Nobel Prize winner Al Gore, after the science broadcaster described clean coal as a "complete furphy".
NEWS.com.au - Australia - Friday 2 November 2007

Xstrata wins 40% rise in coal price
Japanese utilities have agreed to a 40 percent increase in the price of Xstrata's Australian thermal coal over the next year, two sources said on Thursday, in another sign of consumers bracing for tight supplies next year.
Business Spectator, Melbourne - Friday 2 November 20007

October 2007 >>

Climate change debates put heat on carbon capture and storage projects
Sequestering CO2, also known as carbon capture and storage (CCS), in recent months has moved from drawing board concepts to real projects backed by universities, corporations and the federal government... One of these is ZeroGen, a low-CO2 coal-fired power project being considered in Australia.
Plant Services - USA - Wednesday 31 October 2007

Australian nuclear expert says clean coal best for environment
The chairman of Australia's nuclear watchdog says investing in clean coal technologies would do more to reduce the effects of climate change than nuclear power.
Radio Australia, ABC - Friday 19 October 2007

Callide Oxy-fuelled by funding
CS Energy's Callide Oxyfuel Project has assembled the necessary funding commitments of $206M to commit to the project, Minister for Mines and Energy Geoff Wilson told parliament today.
Queensland Business Review - Wednesday 17 October 2007

Aussie coal to fuel Vietnam's rapid expansion
Vietnam is shaping as a major export market for Australian thermal coal, with a delegation from the country's electricity industry flying in this week to talk to coal suppliers, the second such visit in two months
NEWS.com.au - Australia - Monday 15 October 2007

Solar and more...
Many people believe that clean coal will have to be part of Australia's future energy mix. Dr John Wright is in risk management - of the planet. His specialty at the CSIRO is energy, in particular coal
The Herald Sun, Melbourne - Sunday 14 October 2007

Australia leads CO2 capturing effort
Australia is trying to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by capturing carbon dioxide and storing it in underground reservoirs.
Science Daily - USA (press release) - Wednesday 10 October 2007

Wealth awaits willing leaders
Some corporate chiefs say the transition to a low-carbon economy is the biggest opportunity they have seen.....The key is not only to reduce a company's carbon use but to embrace new and alternative technologies with export potential such as solar and wind power, recycling and clean-coal research...
The Sydney Morning Herald - Wednesday 10 October 2007

Taiwan seeks long-term coal deals
Two Taiwanese utilities sought this week to secure coal supplies for the next five to 10 years, longer-term deals than the norm, amid growing concerns that China's demand may sap Asian supplies for years to come.
Reuters, USA - Friday 5 October 2007

New forests 'could capture gases'
Up to two-thirds of Australia's greenhouse emissions could be captured and stored in a nation-building campaign to plant millions of native trees and shrubs over the next 50 years, according to the chief scientist
The Australian, Sydney - Thursday 4 October 2007

September 2007 >>

Treasurer approves coal terminal
Newcastle's new coal terminal cleared its final hurdle yesterday, with Peter Costello giving the project foreign investment approval. The $922 million facility, which received planning approval from the NSW Labor Government in April, will begin loading coal in 2010...
The Australian - Friday 28 September 2007

Delta Electricity Plans New South Wales First Clean Coal Trial
Delta Electricity, a power producer owned by Australia's New South Wales government, will carry out the state's first clean-coal trial project at the Munmorah power plant on the state's central coast.
Bloomberg - USA - Thursday 27 September 2007

Asia thermal coal demand seen growing 8.7 pct - ABARE
Asian demand for thermal coal will grow more quickly than expected this year and next, underpinned largely by red-hot consumption in China and India, an Australian government forecast showed on Monday.
Reuters India - Monday 24 September 2007

Govt announces new clean energy target
The federal government plans to replace state and territory clean energy targets with a single national target which it says will reduce costs and red tape and drive investment in low emissions technology.
The Sydney Morning Herald - Sunday 23 September 2007

ZeroGen to outline latest on clean coal technology project
ZeroGen will deliver an update on its clean coal technology project at a function today in Gladstone in central Queensland. The talk has been organised by the Gladstone Institute of Engineers.
ABC Online - Australia - Thursday 20 September 2007

Australia prepares for low emissions future with black coals
Australia has black coals capable of producing electricity with near-zero greenhouse emissions, according to new research.The Cooperative Research Centre for Coal in Sustainable Development (CCSD) and its research participant CSIRO Energy Technology have just completed a $1 million industry- sponsored pilot gasification trial program for a range of Australian coals at a German test facility.
Queensland Business Review - Thursday 20 September 2007

Generators say carbon price must rise
A Carbon price of more than $50 a tonne would be necessary to allow power from clean coal to compete on the wholesale electricity market, the group representing power generators said yesterday.
The Herald Sun, Melbourne - Thursday 20 September 2007

Aust clean coal technologies 'to go global'
The Australian coal mining industry will begin constructing demonstration plants for new low-emissions technologies from next year.
ABC Online - Australia - Tuesday 18 September 2007

Xstrata powers up with Australian coal mine buy
Xstrata, the world's largest exporter of energy coal, agreed yesterday to buy two Australian coal mines for A$982 million as rising Asian demand for the fuel was set to send contract prices surging. Xstrata will buy the Anvil Hill project and Austral Coal from Centennial Coal.
Business Report - South Africa - Tuesday 18 September 2007

Big firms set for carbon opportunities
Some of Australia's largest energy companies are positioning themselves for a carbon restricted world but in absence of a clear regulatory environment, they are uncertain how much to risk on investments to reduce emissions.
The Age, Melbourne - Tuesday 11 September 2007

Green process makes brown coal the new black
Environmental Clean Technologies has patented a process of changing the chemical composition of brown coal, which is a high emitter of greenhouse gases when burnt, into a similar version of black coal, a cleaner alternative.
The Age, Melbourne - Monday 10 September 2007

APEC leaders agree long-term goal to cut emissions
Asia-Pacific nations, including China and the United States, agreed on Saturday to adopt a "long-term aspirational goal" to reduce greenhouse gas emissions..... the leaders had also agreed on the need for "specific APEC goals on energy intensity and forestry" and the important role of clean coal technologies.
Reuters - India - Saturday 8 September 2007

BHP chief tells Canberra to come clean on coal
BHP Billiton chief executive Chip Goodyear has urged the Federal Government to upgrade its research into clean coal technology by establishing a centre of excellence program in Australia.
The Age, Melbourne - Saturday 8 September 2007

Australia to be part of partnerships
The Australian announcement comes after talks between prime minister John Howard and US President George Bush at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit. The pair also agreed to work towards a post-2012 'global accord' on climate and that Australia would join the USA's Futuregen International Partnership to develop clean coal technology.
World Nuclear News - UK - Friday 7 September 2007

China and Australia to cooperate over clean coal and carbon capture technologies
China Huaneng Group signed an agreement yesterday with Australia's national scientific research body, the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO), over the development of "clean coal" power generation and carbon capture technologies...
Interfax.cn (subscription) - China - Friday 7 September 2007

See also: CSIRO Media Release: Australia and China partner for a low-emission energy future

Update on feasibility study for Australian coal-to-liquids project
Altona Resources plc, the Australian based energy company, announces an update on the Company's field programme, as part of the on-going feasibility study for the development of  an integrated Coal-To-Liquid ("CTL") plant and co-generation power facility, supported by an open cut coal mine at the Company's Arckaringa Project in South Australia.
Mineweb - South Africa - Friday 7 September 2007

Felix gets state approval for A$405m coal mine
Felix Resources Ltd, the Australian coal producer partly owned by American Metals & Coal International Inc, got state government approval to build the A$405 million Moolarben coal mine. The mine, about 40 km northeast of Mudgee in western New South Wales, will provide 10 Mt/y of power-station coal for as many as 21 years for the Australian and export markets.
Mining Journal Online - UK - Thursday 6 September 2007

Top businesses urge federal government to promote low emission technology
A coalition of nine prominent businesses has urged the federal government to adopt a national strategy to promote low emission technology in the battle against climate change.
The Herald Sun, Melbourne - Saturday 1 September 2007

August 2007 >>

India's Gujarat NRE Coke's Australian units to merge to form coal company
India's Gujarat NRE Coke Ltd said it will recommend a merger of its Australian units to form a focused coal mining company in Australia with three mines in the southern coalfields of New South Wales.
Forbes.com Asia - Friday 31 August 2007

Low-emission coal test success
Australia will have a blueprint for a near-zero-emission coal-fired power plant by the end of next year after drill tests proved the central Queensland coal and gas fields could safely store greenhouse gas underground.
The Australian - Thursday 30 August 2007

Mining and seachange towns the winners
Mackay attracts seachanging miners and their families to the city's northern beaches. But it is also the staging point for much of the engineering and servicing required by the coal industry, which lies within a drive-in drive-out distance from the coast.
The Australian - Thursday 30 August 2007

NSW govt embraces clean coal
Minister for Mining Ian MacDonald says the value of resources to regional communities is huge and is turning around the fortunes of Broken Hill, Cowal and Orange. He says clean coal technology is closer to reality, which will allow the state to tap into its massive coal reserves for power generation and export.
ABC Rural Online - Australia - Thursday 23 August 2007

Plastic membrane to bring down the cost of CO2 capture
Coal-fired power stations are acknowledged as the single largest contributor to Australia's carbon dioxide emissions. PhD student, Julianna Franco, has developed a cost-effective CO2 capture system based on the use of inexpensive plastic.
Science Alert Australia & New Zealand - Monday 13 August 2007

See also: New and efficient CO2 capture method could reduce climate change (Media release)

Queensland coal company partners with India
A newly formed Queensland coal company has signed an agreement with an Indian steel producer to develop coal reserves in the Bowen Basin. Bowen Energy Limited will work with Bhushan Steel to develop two new coal mines at West Rolleston and Middlemount.
ABC News Online - Monday 13 August 2007

Radio lifeline
Reliable two-way communication between underground miners and the surface in the event of an accident has long been on the mining industry's wish list. When disaster strikes, communication is clearly crucial for fast and safe evacuation, or for a successful rescue.
Science Alert Australia & New Zealand - Monday 13 August 2007

Iemma urged to back clean coal
The head of the United Nations panel on climate change wants the Premier, Morris Iemma, to consider setting up an experimental clean coal plant when the NSW inquiry into the state's energy needs reports this month.
The Sydney Morning Herald - Friday 10 August 2007

Standard & Poor's sees demand for resources fueling Australian growth
The Australian mining industry is spurring the country's expansion as increasing demand for minerals from China and India temper "weaker aspects" of the economy, Standard & Poor's said Thursday.
International Herald Tribune - Thursday 9 August 2007

China coal demand 'to last for decades'
Federal Treasurer Peter Costello says he expects China's demand for coal will last for decades as the economy there continues to grow.
The Sydney Morning Herald - Friday 3 August 2007

Australia pushes clean coal
The country down under never signed the Kyoto accords and with good reason. On a per capita basis, it's a world-class polluter. Enter clean coal technology.
Intech USA - Thursday 2 August 2007

July 2007 >>

Rio funding robotic R&D at Sydney University
Anglo-Australian mining giant Rio Tinto is to invest A$21-million to create a centre for mining automation at the Australian Centre for Field Robotics (ACFR), which is an institution of the University of Sydney.
Mining weekly Online - Friday 27 July 2007

Cleaning up in water and energy
Australia and Israel are regularly pegged as the two leading developers of water efficient technologies, and Clean Technology Australasia chief executive Jeffrey Castellas said the country's clean energy startups were also well-placed. In particular, he thinks that clean coal companies have opportunities in India.
The Australian IT - Tuesday 24 July 2007

Rail link plan moves closer to reality
Developer Everald Compton says the new line will be a boost for inland towns between the two cities and allow the export of coal from the Surat Basin through the port of Gladstone. "We're going to be taking a minimum of 20 million tonnes of coal a year along this track," he said.
ABC Online, Australia - Friday 20 July 2007

Coal commitment
The Australian coal industry says its billion dollar investment in cleaner, greener technology is proof it takes seriously its commitment to the environment and climate change.
Sky News, Australia - Saturday 14 July 2007

Clean coal may rule out nuclear power: Turnbull
The federal Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull says Australia may never need a nuclear power plant, if the development of clean coal technology is successful.
ABC Online - Australia - Friday 6 July 2007

State identifies potential carbon geosequestration site
A state government study into carbon dioxide geosequestration has identified Harvey Ridge, south of Lake Clifton, as having the best potential for a future site within 50km of the Collie coalfields, Resources Minister Francis Logan has announced.
WA Business News, Western Australia - Friday 6 July 2007

Japan wants resources clause in FTA deal
Japan may try to have a specific clause to safeguard its imports of coal and iron ore inserted into any free trade deal with Australia.
The Age, Melbourne - Friday 6 July 2007

Carbon trading delay is good: Turnbull
Australia has benefited from delaying a carbon emissions trading scheme because it won't repeat the mistakes of others, federal Environment Minister Malcolm Turnbull says.
Sydney Morning Herald - Thursday 5 July 2007

June 2007 >>

Coal industry to invest in clean coal
The NSW coal industry has agreed to invest an expected $400 million over 10 years into clean coal technology. The Australian Coal Association (ACA) said the money would be raised through a voluntary levy of 20 cents per tonne of coal produced.
Sydney Morning Herald - Wednesday 27 June 2007

Iemma wants new private power stations
Premier Morris Iemma is to push for privately owned power stations in NSW. Mr Iemma told The Australian that the state's future electricity needs are "the biggest economic decision NSW faces".
Sydney Morning Herald - Monday 25 June 2007

India eyes Australia for coking coal supply
In view of massive capacity expansions announced by state-run steel makers SAIL and RINL, Steel Minister Ram Vilas Paswan is leading a high-level delegation to Australia to explore possibility of ensuring coking coal supply to these PSUs.
The Economic Times, India - Sunday 24 June 2007

Port Waratah prepares to expand coal-export capacity
Port Waratah Coal Services, operator of the two coal-loading terminals at Australia's Newcastle port, said it is preparing to expand capacity at the harbor to meet forecast demand by mining companies.
International Herald Tribune - Wednesday 20 June 2007

BHP sets $300m emission target
BHP Billiton Ltd has pledged $US300 million ($A357 million) to support low-emission technology development and set itself new environmental efficiency targets in its revised climate change policy.
Herald Sun, Melbourne - Monday 18 June 2007

BHP boss defends coal consumption
Any move to curtail climate change by restricting coal consumption would be based on a "naive" assumption, BHP Billiton chief executive Chip Goodyear has warned.
News.com.au / The Australian - Monday 18 June 2007

NZ PM keen to share clean coal tech
New Zealand is keen to work with Australia on clean coal technology and lowering greenhouse gas emissions, Prime Minister Helen Clark says.
Brisbane Times, Queensland - Wednesday 13 June 2007

Newcastle Coal Shipments May Be Disrupted All Week
Coal shipments from Australia's Newcastle, the world's biggest export harbor for the fuel, will be disrupted all week after a storm caused flooding and land slippages halted most rail deliveries from mines.
Bloomberg - Tuesday 12 June 2007

Miner has $75m for 'clean coal'
Xstrata Coal, the world's largest exporter of thermal coal, plans to spend $75 million on clean-coal technology over the next five years.
The Age, Melbourne - Friday 8 June 2007

Canada joins PM on climate
Australia and Canada are considering a joint approach to cutting greenhouse gases as John Howard tries to use APEC to reframe the global approach to climate change and produce a "Sydney declaration".
The Australian - Thursday 7 June 2007

China balancing growth with climate
China needs to balance a quest to ease poverty with combating climate change, Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said...."We are working very hard with China, we have a joint working group on clean coal technology which of course a central, important issue...."
The Age, Melbourne - Tuesday 5 June 2007

Review of Qld coal freight announced
Premier Peter Beattie has announced an independent review of central Queensland's multi-billion dollar coal freight network. Mr Beattie has appointed Stephen O'Donnell, a former Mt Isa Mines (MIM) executive, to head the review of the Goonyella Coal Chain.
Sydney Morning Herald - Tuesday 5 June 2007

Carbon trading by 2012: taskforce
Australia will begin carbon emissions trading by 2012 if Prime Minister John Howard accepts the advice of his hand-picked taskforce.
The Age, Melbourne - Friday 1 June 2007

May 2007 >>

The big trade-off
John Howard will today receive a report expected to recommend an emissions trading system for Australian industry. Liz Minchin and Mathew Murphy examine what the future could look like.
The Age, Melbourne - Thursday 31 May 2007

APEC to Push For Cleaner Technology Instead of Carbon Trading ...
Ministers from members of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation forum - known as APEC - have decided at a meeting in Australia that development of clean energy technologies should take priority over a carbon-trading system.
Voice of America - Wednesday 30 May 2007

Xstrata, Rio Tinto May Fund Australian Ports, Rail
Xstrata Plc and Rio Tinto Group may invest in ports and railways to ease bottlenecks costing the Australian coal industry A$2 billion ($1.6 billion) a year because of missed exports to Asia.
Bloomberg - USA - Wednesday 30 May 2007

Australia, China have huge trade potential
"The reality is that coal will still be the basis of China's energy for many years to come. And we are working with China on developing new clean coal technology, so China can still use the coal without damaging too much the environment."
China Daily - Thursday 24 May 2007

Coal sector in pipeline push
The coal industry is pushing for a national plan to construct the thousands of kilometres of pipeline needed to ferry carbon dioxide emissions around the country to underground geological formations.
The Australian - Business - Tuesday 22 May 2007

BP, Rio Tinto to Study A$2 Billion Clean Power Plant
BP Plc and Rio Tinto Group will start studying a potential A$2 billion ($1.65 billion) coal-fired power plant in Western Australia that will capture and store carbon to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Bloomberg - USA - Monday 21 May 2007

Regional emissions trade plan
Australia is developing a regional carbon emissions trading scheme that would include China and the US and could form the basis of a "Sydney declaration" at this year's APEC summit
The Australian - Saturday 19 May 2007

Clean coal council to determine funding directions
A clean coal council is to be established in Queensland to determine where government and industry funding should be spent. The formation of the council was decided during a meeting between the coal industry and Premier Peter Beattie yesterday.
ABC News Online, Austalia - Friday 18 May 2007

Rio and BHP clean up
Rio Tinto is teaming up with oil giant BP to form a new company to commercialise clean coal technologies. The joint venture was expected to be announced late last night in London and is likely to focus on carbon capture and storage.
Herald Sun, Melbourne - Friday 18 May 2007

Mines, infrastructure boost mineral project investment
Thirteen new coal mines in the Hunter and two Newcastle port infrastructure projects have contributed to record levels of investment in Australian mineral projects.
ABC News Online, Austalia - Thursday 17May 2007

Clean coal for China vital: Downer
A Global solution to climate change must accept that China will continue to use massive amounts of coal and will need to find new technologies to cut carbon emissions.
The Australian - The Nation - Wednesday 16 May 2007

BHP sells Elouera to Gujarat
The world's biggest miner, BHP Billiton, has agreed to sell its Elouera coal mine in the NSW Illawarra region, to Gujarat NRE FCGL Pty Ltd.
The Age, Melbourne - Wednesday 16 May 2007

BHP push to go clean
BHP Billiton is preparing to launch a green research fund expected to be worth hundreds of millions of dollars as part of a new policy on climate change.
Courier Mail, Brisbane - Monday 14 May 2007

$1 billion levy for coal research
The coal industry will impose a levy on itself to raise $1 billion to speed up the development of so-called clean coal technologies such as geosequestration.
Sydney Morning Herald - Saturday 12 May 2007

BHP funding to create cleaner coal
Mining giant BHP Billiton is providing $US35 million ($A42 million) to White Energy to help it roll out cleaner coal technology.
The Age, Melbourne - Friday 11 May 2007

Call for industry to help fund research
The Carpenter Government will establish an office of climate change and ask industry to match its contributions to research into new technology for large-scale reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
The Australian - Western Australia - Friday 11 May 2007

New power station 'to be coal -fuelled'
A new baseload power station in NSW would aim to use the cleanest technology available but will probably be fuelled by coal, Premier Morris Iemma says.
The Age, Melbourne - Wednesday 9 May 2007

Budget funds CSIRO-led climate change adaptation body
The Energy Transformed Flagship, looking into clean energy, will now also look at alternative transport fuels such as biofuels, high density natural gas and the conversion of coal and gas to liquids, to improve the country's energy security and reduce the dependence on oil imports.
ABC Online - Australia - Tuesday 8 May 2007

UN releases final report on climate change*
After five days of intense debate, the United Nations panel on climate change has settled on its third and final report. Hundreds of scientists meeting in Bangkok have concluded that greenhouse gas emissions must fall from the year 2015 to keep the world from heating by more than two degrees.
ABC Radio Australia - Monday 7 May 2007.
* Interview with Colin Whyte, General Manager for Sustainable Development with Xstrata Coal

Landowner offers land (for CO2 storage project)
A Landowner in rural Victoria has volunteered her pastoral land for Australia's first carbon dioxide elimination project.
Herald Sun, Melbourne - Monday 7 May 2007

Tata Power sets sights on Australian coal
After Indonesia, coal-hungry Tata Power is now looking at Australia for mine assets. India's largest private power firm is in talks with Australian miners to acquire coal mines in Queensland and New South Wales.
Hindustan Times, Corporate News - Monday 7 May 2007

Australian Coal Mine to Enhance Safety Using RFID*
NL Technologies will begin installing its RFID-enabled network in the Grasstree mine, an underground coking coal mine owned and operated by Anglo Coal Australia , and located in central Queensland, Australia. [*radio frequency identification ]
RFID Journal - USA - Wednesday 2 May 2007

April 2007 >>

Qld has its say on climate change in Australian first report
Queenslanders rate climate change as an issue vital to the nation's future, according to an Australian first report launched today by Minister for State Development John Mickel.
Media Newswire USA (press release) - Friday 27 April 2007

Kyoto fantasy provides no practical targets
Climate change is a serious global challenge and a major policy challenge for Australia, one that we are tackling through a series of practical partnerships with our regional neighbours.
The Australian, Science & Nature - Thursday 26 April 2007

Australia's Pulse Energy to build 4 clean energy plants in China
Queensland power company Pulse Energy today signed a $A312 million ($US260.32 million) agreement with the Chongqing Coal Group to build and jointly own and operate four clean energy power plants at coal mine sites in China.
Antara News, Indonesia - Thursday 26 April 2007

AIM company seeks South Australian coal
A London-based company aims to participate in the coal-to-liquids and power cogeneration projects in South Australia's remote far north.
Mineweb - South Africa - Monday 23 April 2007

Coking coal boost as China imports
Analysts are predicting a rebound for coking coal prices as China becomes a net importer of coal for the first time in its history.
The Australian - Business - Friday 20 April 2007

Australian firm plans to build US$4 billion power plant
An Australian coal-mining company plans to build a US$4 billion coal-fired power plant in southern Vietnam, state media and Vietnamese officials said Tuesday.
Focus News - Bulgaria - Tuesday 17 April 2007

Clean coal 'crucial' to cuts
Australia's big power generators say the development of clean coal technologies will be crucial if the country is to achieve steep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions.
The Australian, Science & Nature - Tuesday 17 April 2007

Rudd outlines climate change battle
Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd emphasised engaging with China and developing clean coal technology as the key strategies to combat climate change.
The Age - Melbourne, Australia - Tuesday 17 April 2007

Clean coal investment still needed: BHP Billiton
BHP Billiton Illawarra Coal says it will continue to invest in clean coal technologies, despite claims that a short supply of coal in New South Wales means it is unnecessary.
ABC Online - Australia - Wednesday 11 April 2007

Climate change to be "central part" of APEC agenda
Visiting Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said on Thursday in Beijing that climate change and environmental issues will be high on the agenda of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to be held in September in Sydney.
People's Daily Online - Beijing,China - Friday 6 April 2007

March 2007 >>

Clean coal core to ALP green plan
Opposition leader Kevin Rudd has unveiled his blueprint for a national approach to climate change policy... He emphasised clean-coal technology at the core of the plan
The Herald Sun, Melbourne - Saturday 31 March 2007

Cooling the hot air on climate change
There is growing confidence among experts that clean coal is a feasible technology to combat global warming.
The Australian, Editorial - Saturday 31 March 2007

Expert sees China, India global warming change
Britain's outgoing government adviser on global warming said on Thursday that officials in China and India are becoming more sensitive to the problem of global warming.
Reuters, India - Friday 30 March 2007

Queensland invests A$1bn in clean-coal technology
The government of Queensland, in Australia, is investing A$1-billion on clean-coal technology as it aims to advance the world's first zero-emission coal-fired power station to a commercial stage, Queensland premier Peter Beattie said on Tuesday.
Mining Weekly, South Africa - Tuesday 20 March 2007

Burying the problem
Geosequestration is one of the big new words of the climate change debate. David Humphries asks what it means.
Sydney Morning Herald - Tuesday 20 March 2007

Australian Regulator Approves Resuming Coal Quotas at Newcastle
Australia's competition regulator gave interim approval to reintroduce a coal export-quota system at Newcastle port, the world's biggest coal-export harbor, to help reduce the number of ships waiting to load the fuel.
Bloomberg - USA - Thursday 15 March 2007

Massive coal shipment leaves Port Kembla
A record was set at Port Kembla Coal Terminal this morning when the largest ship loaded at the facility left for Japan with 166,139tonnes of Australian coal on board.
Illawarra Mercury -Wollongong, Australia - Thursday 15 March 2007

Editorial: Sunshine on climate
Global warming extremists will never be satisfied
The highly polluting nature of Victoria's brown coal, which it uses to generate electricity, has always been a great anomaly in the Bracks Government's claim to leadership in combating climate change.
The Australian - Tuesday 13 March 2007

Clean coal gets $100 million boost
Clean coal technology to cut the amount of greenhouse gases from Victoria's brown coal will receive a $100 million boost from the Howard Government today.
Herald Sun, Melbourne - Monday 12 March 2007

Garrett pushes clean coal on mine trip
Labor's environment spokesman Peter Garrett was at a coal mine in the Hunter Valley this morning, selling Labor's new policy on what its proponents called "clean coal".
ABC Online - Australia - Monday 12 March  2007 

Rudd sets out clean coal plan
Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd has set an aim of having power produced by clean coal technology on the market by 2020.
Bendigo Advertiser - Australia - Monday 12 March  2007

India keen on Aussie resources: Truss
Trade Minister Warren Truss says India is interested in buying more Australian energy supplies... "Coal is already our second biggest export to India and they are interested in buying more Australian coal," he told reporters.
The Age, Melbourne - Wednesday 7 March 2007

China goes for green before growth
In January, China became a net importer of coking coal for steel-making, and Australia's coking coal - along with iron ore by far the biggest export to China, worth $6.77billion last year - is much cleaner than the local product...
NEWS.com.au, Australia - Tuesday 6 March 2007

Red Tape Puts “Clean Coal” At Risk, Warns Miner
Solid Energy is warning lawmakers that demanding perfection from the emerging “clean coal” technology of carbon capture could stop it being used to prevent climate change.
Newswire.co.nz, New Zealand - Thursday 1 March 2007

Blast at hype over climate change
One of the seminal figures of the Australian mining industry, Arvi Parbo, has launched a stinging attack on climate-change fundamentalism, singling out Australian of the Year Tim Flannery and Greens senator Bob Brown.
The Australian - The Nation - Thursday 1 March 2007

February 2007 >>

India can look to Australia as long term supplier of resources
Observing that India's projected energy and resources requirements are enormous, a top Australian government official said today that expanding trade in energy and resources will be a critical factor between India and Australia
Zee News, India - Tuesday 25 February 2007

CFMEU backs Labor's clean coal plan
The coal miners' union is backing Labor's $1.5 billion clean coal initiative as an important step in making coal companies contribute to greenhouse solutions.
ABC News Online - Monday 24 February 2007

Rudd unveils $1.5b plan for clean coal
A Labor government would seek to pump $1.5 billion into so-called clean coal technologies to help power the national electricity grid by 2020, federal Opposition Leader Kevin Rudd said.
Sydney Morning Herald - Monday 24 February 2007

Announcing a green era
Where to go next in climate policy in an election year? Environment writer Matthew Warren previews the next possible moves
The Australian - Science and Nature - Saturday 24 February 2007

Calls for export ban ignore coal hard truths
Imagine the consequences if all energy-rich nations decided they would no longer share their resources. This is exactly the path Australia is being urged to go down by those calling for an end to coal exports.
The Canberra Times - Wednesday 21 February 2007

Price rises backed to cut gas emissions
Electricity prices will need to increase by at least 55 per cent within 13 years if Australia is to meet projected deep cuts in its greenhouse gas emissions this century.
The Australian - Wednesday 21 February 2007

Coal hard facts should take heat off economic lifeblood
The corporate world is used to a bit of gunslinging in an election year. And if you're in a politically incorrect industry such as coal, you can expect a bit more. But this year has certainly started off with a few more bullets than most.
The Australian - Monday 19 February 2007

Publicity campaign to rebut Australian coal mining opposition
The NSW (New South Wales) Minerals Council has launched a high profile campaign to attack calls by environmental leaders for the phasing out of Australia's coal industry.
Mineweb, South Africa - Friday 16 February 2007

Unions move to show climate change credentials
Labor fully supports the Australian coal industry and recognises that in order to reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and make sure that we have a sustainable coal industry into the future, we need to have substantial investment in clean coal technologies...
ABC - The World Today - Friday 16 February 2007

Tony Jones speaks with Malcolm Turnbull
Tony Jones speaks with Federal Environment and Water Resources Minister Malcolm Turnbull about how the Government intends to respond to the challenge of climate change and protect the coal industry at the same time.
ABC Lateline, Australia - Friday 16 February 2007

POSCO signs deal to develop coal mine in Australia
South Korea's top steelmaker POSCO signed a deal with Australia's Resource Pacific Ltd. on Thursday to jointly develop a coal mine in Australia, officials said.
Yonhap News, South Korea - Thursday 15 February 2007

Logan launches Collie coal gasification trials...
The State Government will spend more than $300,000 to conduct a series of gasification trials on Coal from Collie. Industry and Enterprise Minister Francis Logan announced the trials in Collie today as part of the State Government's WA Coal Futures Strategy.
WA Business News, Western Australia - Thursday 15 February 2007

Debate over the future of Australian coal exports
The Australian Labor leader Kevin Rudd says the Greens' call for an end to Australian coal exports is an absurd proposition.
Radio Australia - Saturday 10 February 2007

Keen to go clean
The conventional energy industry is pouring billions of dollars into greenhouse research in a bid to save itself from becoming the world's greenhouse scapegoat.
Courier Mail, Brisbane - Friday 9 February 2007

Devastating loss
Closing down the coal industry would put about 20,000 Queenslanders directly dependent on the state's lucrative mines out of work and shatter the livelihoods of perhaps another 50,000.
Courier Mail, Brisbane - Friday 9 February 2007

Keeping the message cool on climate
Flannery is too extreme for voters on global warming...
Australian of the Year Tim Flannery may prove to be John Howard's biggest environmental asset as climate-change politics reach boiling point.
The Australian, Opinion - Friday 9 February 2007

Griffin Group to spend $240m on coal operations
Rick Stowe's Griffin Group is planning to spend $240 million upgrading and expanding its Collie coal mining operations, which are the mainstay of the privately-owned group's diverse business activities.
WA Business News, Western Australia - Thursday 8 February 2007

Electricity industry in the dark
The power industry has welcomed the release of the Prime Minister's issues paper on carbon trading, even though the sector stands to bear the heaviest burden from the introduction of a price on carbon.
The Age, Melbourne - Business - Thursday 8 February 2007

PM says Australia to keep exporting coal
Australia would not end its biggest single export, coal, as part of the government‘s strategy to curb greenhouse gas emissions, Prime Minister John Howard said Thursday.
Ely Times, USA - Thursday 8 February 2007

Industry urges global co-operation on carbon trading
The Minerals Council of Australia has welcomed a report from the Prime Minister's task group on emissions trading, saying industry is already driving energy efficiency and new technology.
ABC News Online, Austalia - Wednesday 7 February 2007

Coal industry says criticsm is 'unfair'
The coal industry has criticised claims by Clean-Up Australia Day head Ian Kiernan that Australia's coal exports contribute a "frightening" amount to the world's greenhouse gas emissions.
News.com.au, Australia - Wednesday 7 February 2007

China needs economic development to become greener: Qin Dahe
China is the second largest producer of greenhouse gases after the United States but according to the country's top climate official, it doesn't have the technology or the financial resources to switch to clean energy.
ABC AM, Australia - Wednesday 7 February 2007

Howard's taskforce favours carbon trading
Prime Minister John Howard's taskforce investigating Australia's potential involvement in a carbon emissions trading system reported Wednesday that it would likely reduce pollution at less cost than a carbon tax on industries.
The Hindu, India - Wednesday 7 February 2007

Aust will have to accept more expensive power - Howard
Australians will have to accept more expensive electricity as a consequence of cleaner power generation, Prime Minister John Howard says.
WA Business, Western Australia - Tuesday 6 February 2007

Carbon tax to hit miners
A carbon tax of up to $25 a tonne is being considered by the West Australian Government in a move that would cost the resource-rich state's alumina industry more than $200 million a year.
News.com.au, Australia - Monday 5 February 2007

Energy industry dynamics change
The long-predicted collapse of the PNG Gas Project dramatically changes the dynamics of Australia's energy sector... Initially coal-fired energy will benefit, though in the longer term coal prices will rise either through the advent of clean coal technology or through carbon taxes.
The Australian - Mining & Energy - Friday 2 February 2007

January 2007 >>

Future is coal and nuclear, Howard says
Prime Minister John Howard has backed a new energy report which supports his push for nuclear power as a way to combat climate change... "The answer is a greater emphasis on clean coal and nuclear power," Mr Howard told reporters.
Sydney morning Herald - Wednesday 31 January 2007

Gas reduction 'to cost $75bn'
Australia's best hope of making affordable but deep cuts in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 to reach global targets is by using clean coal, nuclear and gas technologies rather than renewable energy sources.
Courier Mail, Brisbane - Tuesday 30 January 2007

Aviva puts off powerstation construction until February
South Perth-based energy company Aviva Corporation Ltd has further postponed the construction of its coal-fired midwest powerstation...
WA Business News - Australia - Friday 19 January 2007

Coal movements to triple as rail firm releases tunnel upgrade report
The Australian Rail Track Corporation says the amount of coal to be moved from the New England, north-west region to Newcastle ports is expected to more than triple within the next decade.
ABC Regional Online - Australia - Friday 19 January 2007

China, Australia to set up work panel on clean coal
Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao and Australia n Prime Minister John Howard agreed on Monday to set up a Sino-Australian clean coal work group in order to promote effective utilization of coal resources and tackle the global problem of climate changes.
People's Daily Online, China - Monday 15 January 2007

Cleveland to spend $140m on coalmine
After months of searching for appropriate acquisitions, US iron ore miner Cleveland-Cliffs has taken its first step towards entering the Australian coal industry.
Sydney Morning Herald - Thursday 11 January 2007

New Qld coal mine to create hundreds of jobs
Work is due to start next month on a new $950 million thermal coal mine near Clermont in central Queensland, which will create almost 400 jobs when it starts operating.
The Australian - Business - Tuesday 9 January 2007

Indicator to help the greening of Victorians
Victorians can now regularly track their ongoing contributions to climate change, with the launch of a world-first weekly indicator showing the state's key sources of greenhouse gas emissions.
The Age, Melbourne - Monday 8 January 2007

Newcastle & Richards Bay coal exports fall in 2006
The world`s two biggest coal export terminals, Newcastle in Australia and Richards Bay in South Africa, both saw export volumes fall in 2006 - despite forecasts that volumes would increase.
Mining Journal Online - Friday 5 January 2007

Red tape the snag as miners eye India's resource riches
Ian Macfarlane, the cabinet minister overseeing Australia's mines and minerals industry, one of the world's largest, has visited China "three or four times". But it was only late last year that he made his first foray to India in a tacit recognition of its growing importance as a market for raw materials such as coal, iron ore and natural gas.
The Australian, Sydney - Thursday 4 January 2007

Steel giant calls for new Australian infrastructure
Australia's biggest mining export customer has warned Australian governments they risk losing commodity export sales if they do not invest heavily in infrastructure.
The West Australian - Tuesday 2 January 2007

Vaile wants cash for roads, rail
Tax cuts should be sacrificed to allow for urgent investment in infrastructure and improvements in the nation's roads and railways, Acting Prime Minister Mark Vaile has urged... the other important rail infrastructure issue was the new private line from the Surat Basin in Queensland to Gladstone to carry coal.
The Australian - Tuesday 2 January 2007

Ian Campbell: Raft of measures to avert disaster
The Australian Government moved early to establish a partnership with governments, industry and communities across the country in response to climate change. Our total commitment to climate change is now more than $2 billion, leveraging billions more from the private sector...
The Australian, Opinion - Tuesday 2 January 2007