Hunter Valley Coal Chain - The Chain

The Chain

Coal generally goes through the following stages between mine and port:

• The producer makes arrangements to sell coal to a buyer on certain terms.
• The coal is mined (most of the coal mines in the Hunter Valley are open cut mines, also known as open pit mines) and stored either at a railway siding located at the mine or at a coal loading facility (used by several mines).
• The coal is then transported to the Port of Newcastle, almost exclusively by rail. Some coal is transported to the port by road, but this generally requires permission from the local council (due to the effect on roadways and other infrastructure) and is also usually more costly per tonne than rail transport.
• The coal is offloaded at the port onto stockpiles in the Port Waratah Coal Services and Newcastle Coal Infrastructure Group facilities.
• Once the vessel arrives at the port, the coal is loaded onto the vessel.
• The vessel then transports the coal to its destination determined by the buyer.