Idemitsu Kosan (TYO:5019) To Triple Output in Australian Mines

Tokyo, Sep 9, 2009 AEST (ABN Newswire) - Japan coal firm Idemitsu Kosan Co. (TYO:5019) will spend some 11.5 billion yen to roughly triple coal production at an Australian mine to 4.3 million tons in fiscal 2013, as demand in Asia is increasing.

Idemitsu Kosan will raise output of steaming coal at the Boggabri coal mine by installing additional grading machines, transportation machinery and other infrastructure.

Current output of 1.5 million tons will be firstly lifted to 2.5 million tons a year in July to December 2010, then to 4.3 million tons in fiscal 2013.

The firm is involved in four mines in Australia, Ensham Mine (in which it holds an 85 percent stake) in Queensland, and three projects in New South Wales, Boggabri Mine (100 percent stake), Muswellbrook Mine (100 percent stake) and Tarrawonga Mine (30 percent stake).

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Michelle Liang Asia Business News Asia Bureau Tel: +61-2-9247-4344 Email: michelle.liang@abnnewswire.net