Rio Tinto says still assessing storm damage at Australian coal mines |
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Tue, 12 Jun 2007 13:13
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LONDON (Thomson Financial) - Rio Tinto PLC said it is still assessing the extent of the damage caused by heavy rains on its operations in Australia's Hunter Valley coal mining district.Rio runs three mines in the area -- Mount Thorley Warkworth, Bengalla and Hunter Valley Operations -- through unit Coal & Allied Industries Ltd.'We are in the process of assessing the impact of the (storm) on our coal mines,' said a Rio spokesman.Following significant rainfall, 'water is being pumped from the mines to existing storage dams,' he said, adding the group has not declared 'force majeure' on its coal deliveries.BHP Billiton PLC today declared 'force majeure' on thermal coal shipments from Newcastle port because of flooding.BHP operates the Mount Arthur mine in the Hunter Valley, which produces about 10 mln tonnes a year.monicca.egoy@thomson.commbe/gpCOPYRIGHTCopyright AFX News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.The copying, republication or redistribution of AFX News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of AFX News.
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Australia's Port of Newcastle resumes coal shipments 