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Tuesday, March 16, 2010

BHP Billiton Says Hay Point Closure Starts To Impact Coal Mines

By Alex Wilson

Dow Jones Newswires

MELBOURNE -(Dow Jones)- BHP Billiton Ltd. (BHP.AU) said Wednesday its Hay Point coal export terminal in Queensland state remains closed and this is starting to affect production at some coal mines and rail operations.

BHP, together with joint venture partner Mitsubishi Corp. (8058.TO), is the world's biggest exporter of coking coal and the closure of the port may increase pressure on already tight markets for the steelmaking input.

The port was closed Thursday due to high winds and rough seas and BHP said it was continuing to monitor conditions to decide when it was safe to resume berthing vessels.

"Railings at the terminal and production at some mines is being impacted as stockpile limits are approached," BHP said in a statement.

"We expect the impacts to be recovered, subject to ongoing weather conditions."

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