【印度最大的低灰冶金焦煤生產商古吉拉特NRE焦炭有限公司將為它在澳大利亞的兩個煤礦投資5億澳元增加其煤炭產量，從目前每年200萬噸的水平提高到2015年的600萬噸。】

India’s largest independent producer of low ash metallurgical coking coal, Gujarat NRE Coke (GNCL) will invest A$500-million to ramp-up capacity of its two Australian coal mines to six-million tons a year from current levels of two-million tons a year, by 2015.

GNCL through its subsidiary, Gujarat NRE Coking Coal (GNCCL) would expand the capacity of NRE No1 Colliery, which has an estimated reserve of 351-million tons and the NRE Wongawilli Coliery, with 337-million ton reserve, in New South Wales.

To start funding the expansion project, GNCCL has raised A$72-million through a share placement to qualified investors. However, the group holding company, Gujarat NRE Mineral Resources (GNMRL) has deferred plans to raise funds through an initial public offering (IPO).

"We at GNCL are proud and privileged to own this prized possession of prime hard quality coking coal in Australia and will increase production in phases till 2015 from current levels of 1.5-million tons a year," GNCL chairperson and MD Arun Kumar Jagatramka said.

"Since the Kembla port terminal will continue to be the exporting point for our Australian coal production, capital expenditure will also be riding in increasing capacities of surface coal loading facilities. However, project for a captive jetty to receive the coal at Belikeri port in southern Indian state of Karnataka, has been put on hold," he added.

GNCCL’s new investments would be incurred on installation of new drivages, conveyor systems, ventilation, cost of a new longwall for the NRE No1 operation, and upgrading the existing longwall at Wongawilli. Funds would also be allocated to continuous miners, shuttle cars and man-cars, as well as the development of surface infrastructure for stockpiling around 300 000 t of coal at each of the mine sites, upgrading coal loading facilities, and powerlines and substations.

Meanwhile, Jagatramka said that the company would continue to focus on its future plans for acquiring new coal and oil assets in the Australian mining space.

Significant progress has been made on oil and gas exploration projects in Australia, and Jagatramka said that the company has received all clearances.

"We are in the process of acquiring data which will be completed within the next few months and a decision to start production will be taken thereafter," Jagatramka said.

The group holding company GNMRL has a 90% interest in two oil blocks in the Canning Basin, in Western Australia.

 來源：miningweekly